Maha’s – 226 Greenwood Ave, Toronto, ON M4L 2R2
Country: Egypt 
Seating: There’s an outside patio, and the limited indoor seating is currently not available.
Must-try dish: Cairo Classic 
The high: Everything on the menu sounds incredible. 
The low: They don’t take reservations and there’s ALWAYS a lineup. 

If you’re thinking about where to next go for brunch, look no further than Maha’s in the city’s east end. Be warned, there’s a consistent lineup every day of the week, and the wait can get long on weekends. Despite this, Maha’s serves up some of the best early day eats in Toronto. 

It’s common to hear the phrase “Egyptian Hospitality” throughout Egypt and Mandrea Bike certainly felt that warmth upon taking their seats on the shaded side patio. Water and traditional tea were immediately served to enjoy while browsing the menu. It’s a black tea with fresh mint served in a small teapot that was tasted over the course of the entire meal. 

The Cairo Classic came highly recommended as Maha’s delicious take on the typical breakfast found on the streets of Egypt. It’s a beautifully presented plate with Foul, Hard-Boiled Egg, Feta cheese, Falafel and Balady Bread. The Foul was the star of the show – fava beans slow cooked in tomato, onion and spices. On top, there are slices of egg and one large falafel. 

The saucy Foul is packed with flavour and is perfect with the bread. Here’s a tip: mixing the Foul with the Feta is a game-changer in amazing taste. Egyptian Falafels have a unique quality to them that took Andrea straight back to the weeks she spent traveling the country. It could be that fava beans are used instead of chickpeas as the base or the herbs that are blended in giving the inside a nice green colour, or whether it’s a secret spice involved to create these crispy treats, but either way, they’re special. 

Next up is the Egyptian Falafel. This exciting dish consists of two softly-boiled eggs wrapped in a Falafel. It ends up being the size of a baseball, and the sauces dressing it add sweetness to the dish. As for the Home Fries marinated in cumin, you’ll eat every last one. 

The Babaghanoug was a last minute addition to the meal, and it was worth it. There was a mild smokey flavour and the dip itself was textured, rather than being smooth. It was addicting paired with Maha’s warm Balady Bread, and just as quickly as it arrived, it was gone. As far as a Babaghanoug goes, this one topped Eat the World TO’s list for the best in the city. 

These items represent only a fraction of Maha’s menu, and it goes without saying that a trip back to sample new dishes is in the cards. The atmosphere and the food make it an excellent place to dine alone or with friends. Although there tends to be a line up to get a table, don’t be deterred as it will be memorable brunch that will only have you wanting more. 

Eat with you soon,

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)