Plush Cafe and Bar is a posh Toronto eatery owned by a pair of experienced hoteliers.
Lola and Martin Adeyemi have been in the hospitality industry for more than ten years, managing hotels and resorts all across North America.
Eager to establish a presence in downtown Toronto, the couple quickly set their sights on a property on Queen St. W., just south of Trinity Bellwoods Park.
The owners’ original intention was to turn the property into a boutique hotel, catering to travel-weary tourists and trend-conscious locals.
Unfortunately, securing the necessary permits proved more difficult than expected, forcing them to put their plans on hold.
While Lola assures us that she and Martin have not given up on their dream, for now, they are pivoting toward a more food-focused experience.
Plush Cafe and Bar has two service periods: brunch in the morning and dinner in the evening.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the space transforms into a speakeasy, complete with a slick, jazz-inspired soundtrack.
The cafe also offers omakase service twice a month, though seats are only available by reservation.
The menu takes inspiration from a variety of different sources, including English, Asian and Caribbean cuisine.
The ingredients, meanwhile, are sourced from local vendors, ensuring that each meal is as fresh as it can possibly be.
Shrimp and Grits ($20) is a Creole-inspired entree, consisting of sauteed shrimp, ochre grits and crumbly jalapeno cornbread.
The Full English Breakfast ($24) combines nine classic breakfast foods into one enormous platter.
Two fried eggs are surrounded by piles of baked beans, sauteed mushrooms and hash browns, with seared tomatoes on the side.
Fried bread is made from thin slices of shokupan — a soft white milk bread — dipped in duck fat. This gives it a crisp, crunchy exterior and a sweet, chewy interior.
Farmer’s sausage, boudin noir and praline bacon round out the meal with a bit of protein.
Eggs in Purgatory ($16) is a delicious mixture of runny eggs, shaved parmesan, san marzano sugo finto and calabrian chilis, similar to a shakshuka.
Fried bread is served on the side, allowing you to sop up any of the remaining sauce.
Thai Style Coconut Red Curry ($15) is a spicy seafood dish made with mussels, shrimp, and salmon.
The Braised Lamb Shank ($36) is seasoned with a Moroccan spice blend, then served on a bed of saffron polenta.
The final touch is a serving of spicy raisin chutney, which rests atop the tender meat.
Moving on to the drink menu, the Lavender Matcha Latte ($9) is an eye-catching beverage that can be served hot or iced. Both variants are smooth and creamy, with a strong floral aftertaste.
The Guava Mimosa ($10) is a light, bubbly cocktail that pairs perfectly with brunch. Orange and passionfruit variants are also available.
Sweet Heat ($16) is a potent mixture of tequila, mezcal, and Scotch bonnet, with lime juice, lemongrass, passionfruit, and ginger keeping it from becoming too overwhelming.
The Plush Cafe Martini ($17) is an expertly crafted espresso martini, whose flavour toes the line between bitter and sweet.
In addition to the requisite vodka and Baileys, oat milk and salted caramel syrup are added to give the cocktail a slightly creamier consistency.
Since opening in July of 2025, Plush Cafe and Bar has been embraced by the community with open arms.
Lola and Martin hope that their customers will continue to support them as they prepare for the opening of the Plush hotel.
Plush Cafe and Bar is located at 897 Queen St. W.