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The Federal is a neighborhood restaurant located at 1438 Dundas St W in Toronto. It offers a diverse menu that spans breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on comfort food made from fresh ingredients. The cuisine features a mix of classic and contemporary dishes including breakfast staples like Eggs Benedict and breakfast sandwiches, as well as hearty dinner options such as the Four Guys Burger, Cubano sandwich, and curry chicken sandwich. The dinner menu also includes inventive sides like spicy Brussels sprouts with hot honey, garlic fingers with Halifax donair sauce, and cheesy fries served animal style. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, blending a relaxed dining setting with carefully crafted food and drinks. Signature dishes emphasize bold flavors and thoughtful pairings, with options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, such as the grilled chicken sandwich with an Impossible patty. Desserts like sticky toffee pudding and Eton mess add a sweet finish. Overall, The Federal integrates comfort food traditions with modern touches in a comfortable local setting, making it a notable spot for a varied and approachable dining experience in Toronto.
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Amenities & More
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Reviews for The Federal - Toronto
Review highlights
Based on 842 reviewsThe Federal is consistently praised for its cozy, vintage-inspired ambiance and friendly, attentive staff, creating a welcoming environment for brunch and breakfast. Reviewers frequently highlight the fresh, high-quality ingredients and generous portion sizes that offer good value. The menu’s standout dishes include various egg preparations, savory sandwiches like the Cubano, and hearty sides such as crispy potatoes and salads, all noted for well-balanced flavors. While the restaurant does not take reservations, guests appreciate the efficient waitlist system despite occasional wait times. The Federal’s all-day breakfast and quality coffee contribute to its appeal as a reliable neighborhood spot. Overall, feedback underscores a charming atmosphere, flavorful and satisfying dishes, and a casual, relaxed dining experience that encourages repeat visits.
Great brunch spot. The burger was amazing! They don’t take reservations but can put your name in. It was a 40 min wait.
Follow @bredgyeats for more food photos! Going all-in for savory for once during brunch, and for good reason too. Firstly, you get double the dose of a refreshing salad and a moderately charred and crispy rosti. Then, the main stars are the cubano and eggs benedict, both well executed. The toasty sourdough bread is crisp on the outside, but soaks up all the fatty juices of the savory roast pork inside, which also comes with cheddar, ham, avocado, pickles, mustard and mayo for a balanced bite. The eggs are poached perfectly for a jammy yolk, a perfect consistency for the English muffin to sop up. Underneath is a burst of crisp umami of the bacon, along with a buttery and earthy backdrop of the cremini mushrooms. Service and seating were fine. The window seat can be a touch cramped.
Really cute and cozy location with a vintage decor and atmosphere. The portion sizes are great and filling. The ingredients are all fresh and good quality. Had the eggs federal (benedict) and the Cubano. Both were really nice. The Cubano didn't really taste like a Cubano but it was a nice breakfast sandwich and I can recommend it.
The Federal is a gem for breakfast in Toronto! This cozy spot has a vintage interior and a lovely outdoor area for summer dining (just watch out for bees). My go-to order never disappoints: scrambled cheesy eggs with sausage, sourdough bread, crispy potatoes, and an arugula salad. The flavors balance perfectly, with just the right mix of sweet and acidic notes. Pro tip: Ask for their homemade ketchup. It's unique and beats any store-bought version hands down. This isn't your run-of-the-mill breakfast joint. Thy offers a vibrant, enjoyable experience that stands out from traditional breakfast spots. If you're looking for a fresh take on your breakfast or brunch meal, give it a try!
We loved the funky vibes of the tiny place and cool staff. We chose the place for the ratings and the early hours. We’ll return for the food and coffee (all day breakfast). My grilled cheese was perfectly decadent. Eggs Benedict were a hit. Real maple syrup with the waffles. Then it was fun to stroll up and down the street with interesting shops.
My visit to "The Federal" was a delightful experience from start to finish. Nestled in a cozy and intimate location, the restaurant exuded a chill and easygoing ambiance perfect for a relaxed brunch. Although parking was limited to street paid parking, it was worth the effort. The service was top-notch - friendly and fast, ensuring a pleasant dining atmosphere. The food was a highlight, with tasty dishes and generous portions that left me thoroughly satisfied. In terms of value, "The Federal" excelled, offering excellent food at reasonable prices. My only suggestion would be to arrive earlier, as seating is limited. Overall, "The Federal" provided a fantastic brunch experience, and I look forward to returning soon.
I’ve been coming here for over a decade, and it’s easily in my top three brunch spots in the city. The Eggs Federal with bacon AND kale is my go-to—the mushroom cream sauce over perfectly poached eggs is divine, and the potato hash and salad balance the dish beautifully. Their freshly baked scones are a must-try, and today’s warm blueberry scone with clotted cream and jam was absolute perfection! My friend had the grilled cheese and didn’t put it down until it was all devoured. Love the rustic vibe of the place and staff is so great!
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Quick info
Opening hours
- Monday (Today) Closed
- Tuesday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Sunday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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