Maha's

My sister had the day off and asked me to meet her for brunch. I had wanted to try Maha's for a while but it's out of my way and they don't take reservations. My sister agreed to get there early so I wouldn't have to line up with my baby, so I jumped at the chance.

Restaurant: Maha's
Location: Leslieville
Meal: Brunch
Day: Tuesday
Son's Age: 9 months

The space is quite small so I can see why there is usually a line. The restaurant serves Egyptian food, and my appetite was sufficiently whetted after watching the Egypt episode of A Cook Abroad on Netflix the night before.

Accessibility: ⭐⭐
This is a really small space, so strollers are pretty much out of the question. The entire restaurant also has only one high chair, which was already in use when I arrived. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long for it to become available.

The washroom is also very small and in the back of the restaurant.

The good news is that the toilet has a lid so you can change a baby there (yes, I realize my standards for accessibility have decreased with time).

Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Despite the lack of high chairs in the restaurant, our server was very attentive and brought over the high chair as soon as possible. We were also given a table for four so that in the meantime I could put my car seat on the chair next to me. We were quickly able to get hot water for my son's food too.

Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm not sure where else in the city you can get Egyptian brunch - it is a pretty specific niche. I started with the signature honey cardamom latte. 

This is a perfect level of sweetness and if you like cardamom I definitely encourage you to try this! It's a great way to start the morning. For my meal, I ordered the Cairo classic. 

The standout here is the foole, which is fava beans mixed with tomatoes and onions. It is also served with a sliced boiled egg, falafel, creamy feta, and balady bread. I would order this again for sure. Egyptian falafels aren't quite the same as the typical falafel that I'm used to, but it is delicious. Everything works well together and they recommend that you use the balady as a vessel to eat a little bit of everything at once. If you are looking to try something different for brunch, you have to come here!

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
While the accessibility is less than ideal for bringing a baby, the food and the service really make this trip worthwhile. Just make sure you send someone ahead to wait for a table, because even on weekdays there is a bit of a wait!