Maha's Brings Egyptian Flavors to the MICHELIN Guide

"Set in a quiet residential neighborhood as the area’s only restaurant, this homestyle, family-run brunch spot brings Egyptian flavors to Toronto, inviting guests to “dine like pharaohs.” Opened in 2014 by Chef Maha Barsoom and run with her children Monika and Mark Wahba, the menu spans tradition and modern riffs: the Cairo Classic—beans, falafel, a boiled egg, cheese, and tomatoes tossed with mint and extra-virgin olive oil—sits alongside a date grilled cheese with “three different types of cheeses stuffed with dates and egg bread,” plus sides like Egyptian salad, lentil soup, or cumin fries. Egyptian falafel is a delicate specialty, wrapping a soft-cooked egg in falafel paste, sesame-coated and fried. Mark oversees drinks including Egyptian Karkadeh hibiscus tea, carrot juice with nutmeg, and his cardamom-infused coffee. The room feels like a welcoming home, decorated with family art and photography, knickknacks, and plants that catch the morning sun, while Egyptian classics like Umm Kulthum’s ‘Alf Leila We Leila’ play. With MICHELIN recognition, the aim here is to show how Egyptians dine today and to create a place where people connect over flavors shaped by the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Nile, with lots of vegetables and legumes." - Michael He