What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge
Review
About
Good morning....And good night. Nestled in the heart of Toronto's Annex, Insomnia Restaurant & Lounge has blossomed into a neighbourhood favourite known for its great food and warm service. Combining a menu of international comfort foods spread across brunch and dinner with seasonal & classic cocktails, great local and import beer and wine. If you prefer to rise with the morning sun, Insomnia's famous brunch is the neighbourhood's most popular and recently Now Magazine "Best of TO - Reader's Choice" Voted - Best Brunch, served in a bustling atmosphere complimented by the aroma of traditional and eclectic dishes. Have a cup of our signature coffee or spoil yourself with one of several refreshing, break of day cocktails. More of a Nighthawk? A wide ranging Dinner menu will take you into the evening where the daily drink specials and late night menu begin. Recently Now Magazine "Best of TO - Reader's Choice" Voted - Best Late Night Restaurant. Don't worry if you get the twilight munchies, we've got you covered; kitchen open until 2am, 7 days a week. Welcome to your new favourite spot. Welcome to Insomnia.
Features
CUISINES
American, Bar, International, Canadian
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Is this an American restaurant?
Order delivery
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 2:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Monday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Tuesday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Thursday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Friday
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Contribute
4.1
256 reviews
Excellent
112
Very good
95
Average
27
Poor
12
Terrible
10
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CanAussie416
Toronto74 contributions
Jan 2025 • solo
I was in for dinner and had their Sunday tasting menu with wine. It made for one of the most interesting meals I have had in a while.
My server was very knoweagable.
The sound levels could make having quiet conversations a bit of a strain with a group, but other than that I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety of the food presented.
The tasting menu changes each week, so I am looking forward to seeing what else is available.
Written January 13, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lonnie L
Memphis13 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
First time visiting Canada and had a hotel in Niagara Falls. Decided last min to take a day trip to Toronto, CA. Literally enroute to Toronto and starving. I found this restaurant randomly on social media. I gave it a try. I had no reservation, no problem. I went for brunch on Saturday. Food was food and the drinks were flowing. I would recommend this restaurant to a couple looking for something low key
Written September 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vip_foodie
Bengaluru3953 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
I visited this place for a Sunday Brunch. The place has a dim lit kind of ambience and that very well goes with the name. We had to wait for around 15 mins to get a seat. The staff was super friendly but the service was a bit slow which can be attributed to the huge crowd they were serving.
Now, coming to the food, we tried their PBB &J Buckwheat Short Stack (A complete vegan and gluten free dish). It was served with peanut butter sauce, strawberry coulis and maple syrup. The breads were quite fluffy and went very well with the different sauces and syrups. We also tried their Oven Baked Pancakes. It was something new for me. The pancakes were baked and the fillings were inside it. I opted for chocolate and banana flavor and it tasted really good. Their in-house fries were not like regular fries. They used a different sauce and it was savory, a little spicy and really good. Overall, a good place for a brunch.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald J
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
I went to this popular Restaurant this past weekend for brunch. What a disappointment. The food arrived within minutes of ordering which means it was not prepped fresh and had been sitting somewhere keeping warm. The entire meal was luke warm so everything tasted mediocre. On top of this, we asked for coffee with our meal and the coffee arrived well after we started our meal and to make it worse, cinnamon was added to the coffee as a default. We should have been given the choice rather than have cinnamon added by default. We asked for another coffee without cinnamon and this time the coffee did not arrive by the time we had finished our meal. In addition the peameal bacon that came with our brunch was charred and tasted burned. Based on this experience I will not be returning to this establishment and would recommend you give it another thought before you commit.
Written December 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FatimaAli
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • friends
The food here is fantastic !!! Can’t never go wrong with the heuvos rancheros + French toast. Let’s talk about the service, ask for Scott (thank me later) he was so kind, attentive enough to treat you like a guest in his home but gave you enough space to make you feel like you’re at home. Loved him !!! Everyone from hosts upon arrival to staff dropping food off at the table, really gracious and helpful. I continue to come back to this restaurant as a first choice for brunch as often as I can because of the well rounded, exceptional service and wonderful experience. ❤️
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric B
Vancouver15 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
Just in town for the night, we managed to snag a rare table as a walk-in. Very cool vibe and great ambience, helpful service (who took account of food allergies) and delicious burgers and yam fries (especially BBQ pulled pork). Only downside is that the on-tap beer selection is underwhelming (but the cocktail list looked great if that's your vibe).
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris W
Toronto28 contributions
Mar 2025 • family
Went there for Sunday brunch with some family and had a great time. Love the Annex so the location is perfect. Inside the atmosphere is lively, the service was very good and the food delicious. I had the chicken and waffles, and my wife had the PLT breakfast sandwich. The food was hot, fresh and nicely presented. A true 5 out of 5! I would definitely go back again. It’s always busy, so reservations are a must.
Written March 9, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • friends
This is my favourite spot to go for brunch. They have the best eggs Benedict. I highly recommend the Memphis and substitute for the manami patti. So delicious. Also the legendary sauce and home fries pair so well!
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Z1854TEgeorgeh
Toronto154 contributions
Sep 2020 • none
First visit inside restaurant after 5 + months of COVID-19 restrictions. Social protocols fully observed: distancing, masks, disposable menus, etc. Nicely diversified menu; excellent cheese omelette and sides; great coffee; fast efficient service. A pleasure to return to this fine restaurant for brunch.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlo_da_Bologna
Bologna21 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
Very welcoming and informal restaurant in an area full of clubs, but with more atmosphere than average. Excellent cocktails, menu not particularly sophisticated (we ate salad, tacos, soups, vegetarian dishes) but of excellent quality. We came back,
Written May 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Q Ball
Canada164 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
5 of us for dinner so yes we made reservations. The server was friendly and efficient. Food took a bit longer than expected, but it was busy, which leads to our major complaint. The noise is far beyond "tolerable" No consideration was given to acoustics when the design and "decor" was agreed upon. There are MANY ways to use fabrics and hanging panels to allow guests to carry on conversations, but Insomnia is basically a noisy pub with pretty decent food and great service.
Bring your noise cancelling headphones and your own music, and forget about dinner conversation, at normal speaking levels.
Like we said...... the server was the high point, when we could hear her.
Written February 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris R
Toronto2 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
This was the first time I'd been back to Insomnia after a couple of years away. As I remember it then ... so also today there was really great food, friendly service, and a welcoming ambience!
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Torontonian
Toronto6 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
They charged me a $100 using my credit card details from the reservation even though we showed up on time. No one validated our arrival; the food took forever to arrive, and it was too salty and tasted like raw garlic.
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delphine H
Ottawa125 contributions
Jul 2022 • family
Fabulous brunch in a very funky decor. Fresh & tasty food and drinks. Friendly and efficient staff. Wide range of patrons.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia S
Hertford7 contributions
Nov 2021 • friends
Our server was Sophia, she was friendly and attentive. The food was sooooo good! Highly recommend the tofu rancheros, the citrus spiked French toast, and the chicken and waffles. Yum!
Written November 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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