Brunch is one of our favourite meals and a great way to celebrate the weekend and try new restaurants around town. This occasional series, Capital Brunches, will feature some of our favourite hidden gems and surprise brunch spots around the National Capital Region.
Pure Kitchen
340 Elgin St.
Ottawa’s mini-chain of vegetarian eateries only offers brunch at its Elgin Street location, but if you’re a plant-based eater who prefers not to smell breakfast meats while enjoying your mid-morning meal, Pure Kitchen on Elgin is worth the trek downtown.
The eclectic menu leans mostly savoury, with a couple of sweet options like a Granola Bowl and Banana Bread French Toast. My partner ordered the latter, and while he enjoyed it (and it was beautifully plated!), he found it a bit overly sweet. From the savoury side, I ordered the “Loaded Potato Pillows,” which turned out to be house-made tater tots topped with a delicious tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, scallions, and a spicy chipotle hollandaise. I opted for real cheese curds since I’m an omnivore, but there’s a cashew cheese option for vegans. This bowl was fan-freaking-tastic and very satisfying; I enjoyed every morsel. Our friend also loved her huevos rancheros.
Banana bread French toast at Pure Kitchen. Photo: Chris Chase.
Loaded potato pillows at Pure Kitchen. Photo: Alison Larabie Chase.
I’m excited to go back and try their Fried Oyster Mushroom “Chick’n” Sandwich. Lattes were delicious and hot; we also enjoyed some of their fresh juice blends as a wake-up for the palate. The room is light and airy with green plants offering pops of vitality on the white walls. We got a coveted front window table and enjoyed basking in the sunshine while we ate and enjoyed fabulous drag performances (not a weekly event; check out Pure Kitchen’s website and newsletter for future event dates).
Accessibility notes: Two steps up at the entrance to the restaurant. Washrooms are down a flight of stairs.
Working Title Kitchen
330 Laurier Ave.
Working Title has got to be in one of the most unique settings in Ottawa and is one of our favourite spaces. Tucked into the former church basement of allsaints event space in Sandy Hill, the restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, dinner, and special events. The patio is lovely for dinner and cocktails in the summer, and the restaurant/café is cozy and classy, with huge plush booths and exposed brick walls.
The coffee was bottomless, and the $13 mimosas were very fresh and hit the spot. The menu is broad, and it was hard to choose, but I landed on the Chorizo & Salsa Roja, which is baked eggs topped with salsas, cheese, sliced chorizo, potato wedges, and edible flowers. The toasted sourdough on the side is enormous and fresh. The Mushrooms on Toast was also on the enormous house-made sourdough, with a creamy blend of mushrooms and mascarpone topped with poached eggs. The Classic Breakfast delivered what it promised, with house-made baked beans and more of the sourdough toast.
Working Title Brunch. Photo: Kiersten Vuorimaki
Delightfully, the menu also offers plant-based eggs as a substitute for any meal, with no extra charge. Next time, we’re looking forward to getting the Brioche French Toast and Cured Trout on Toast, on top of a basket of fresh pastries for the table. All brunch dishes are priced under $24, for huge portions. The restaurant also serves as a coffee bar and café, so if you’re looking for pastries and coffee for a take-home weekend meal, find them behind the bright red door on Laurier.
Accessibility notes: The restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, with an accessible washroom.
The Hintonburg Public House (HPH)
1020 Wellington St. W.
The HPH brunch is a hidden gem. Located on the main Hintonburg strip in Wellington West, HPH is a quirky restaurant with eye-catching and eccentric decorations that you can purchase online! Local and family-owned, the service is attentive and kind. The menu is satisfyingly small (that’s how you know it’s good). My friend had the Vegetarian Burger featuring a homemade, spiced black bean and sunflower seed patty with pickled onions and chipotle sour cream.
Hintonburg Public House brunch. Photo by Elana Baum.
HPH welcomes gluten-free and dairy-free accommodations. I had the classic Bacon & Eggs with the thick homemade toast you see in the picture, eggs cooked to perfection, and a fresh salad. On a no-coffee kick, I had a decaf drip and a mint tea. We loved that the tea comes in a personal porcelain teapot and a traditional cup and saucer. Pinkies up!
Accessibility notes: Two steps up at the entrance to the restaurant. Three single-person washrooms on the same level as the restaurant.
