As much as I hate to admit it, I am a huge brunch girl. There is nothing I love more than sleeping in and eating french toast at one oclock with a side of sausage and potatoes. Brunch is a big phenomenon in the city so unless you have a spot that you like, you’re waiting a while for a table somewhere new. There are probably more brunch places than I can even fathom in New York, and I know many are missing from this list, however, but I felt like it was important to do this crowd pleasing article for the people who are new to the city. Here are 25 brunch spots for you to try, that’s half of a year of brunching, I’ll cheers to that!
1. Edwards
If you’re ever wondering where I am, I can guarantee there’s a 64% chance that I am at Edwards. My favorite local restaurant that I have been eating at as far as I can remember has the most consistent delicious menu. I love taking people to Edwards not only because it’s a 5 minute commute for me but I can guarantee my friend will like their meal. Great classics such as grilled cheese, Pat LaFrieda Burgers, and Tribeca Cobb Salad that I swear you cannot go wrong with.
136 W Broadway New York, NY 10013
2. Short Stories
I’m more of a waffle than pancake person however I think Short Stories has the best pancakes I have ever had (shown in the photo of this post). Right on the Bowery sits this pretty and pink restaurant that is the perfect brunch spot. They have a great menu with an extensive selection of drinks to go along with your brunch.
355 Bowery New York, NY 10003 (Closed right now but a must when it opens back up)
3. Grey Dog Cafe
Another classic brunch spot of mine because you can always find a free table at Grey Dog even though they’re always packed. They have a wide menu of healthy-ish options and multiple locations in the city. If you’re ever looking for a simple yet yummy brunch spot, look to see if there’s a Grey Dog by you and definitely make it a weekend staple.
Described as “contemporary Mexican”, Atla has amazing bites for brunch. Right in the heart of NoHo, I think this restaurant sticks out as something special that the neighborhood doesn’t offer anywhere else. Perfect for those with more adventurous palettes.
372 Lafayette st NoHo, NY 10012
5. Shuka
The place for someone who loves flavor and twists on classic Mediterannean dishes is Shuka in the West Village. I promise you that everything on the menu will be delicious. This is a great place to bring a group that loves to share plates. The reason I go: the chocolate babka french toast *chef’s kiss*.
38 MacDougal St New York, NY 10012
6. Esperanto
Esperanto doesn’t only have fantastic Latin fusion food, but a fun environment with live music right off Avenue C. The menu and heart of the restaurant reflects the diversity and history of the East Village. For those that wanna get lit at brunch, they also have drink specials. Having been around for 22 years, they definitely know how to do it right!
145 Avenue C & 9th New York, NY 10009
7. Chocolat
Great outdoor vibes for brunch in Harlem. I haven’t been up there in a while and this will definitely be a spot on my trip up there this summer. Their famous red velvet pancakes are calling my name…
2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026
8. Hudson Clearwater
You can find Hudson Clearwater on a quiet corner of Hudson Street. This location means a lot to me as it’s a few blocks away from where I went to school and my first home. The vibes are lowkey but the food is amazing. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re really into brunch but don’t want to seem like you live on bottomless mimosas. They have great vegan and gluten free options as well if you’re accommodating anyone with dietary restrictions *cough cough me*. My go to is of course the Cornflake Crusted French Toast.
447 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
9. La Bonbonniere
One of the best original diners in New York, La Bonbonniere is a cash-only, great spot for brunch every day of the week. There aren’t a lot of diners in downtown NY and so going to BonBon for some midday pancakes after a trip to the Whitney is a perfect day for me. They have a classic diner menu filled with fan favorites but my personal choice is the Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Turkey Sandwich on a Bialy.
28 8th Ave New York, NY 10014
10. Roeys
A perfect option for those who prefer the UNCH part of brunch. It’s Italian so they have a wide variety of pizzas and antipasti. For those who might be tagging along who do like eating eggs before pizza in the morning, they can have the cacio e pepe egg sandwich or dutchboy pancake.
1 Perry St, New York, NY 10014
11. Banter NYC
An Australian inspired cafe, Banter NYC is exactly what you would imagine eating in Australia would be like. They have different bowls, salads, and wraps and I don’t think there is one unhealthy item on the menu. What’s special about this place is that their breakfast is all day so it’s perfect for those who want to get their beauty sleep and leisurely roll out of bed for some sweet potato fries.
Golden Diner is a diner in Two Bridges that categorizes itself as a classic diner with an Asian twist. It was started by Momofuku Alum Samuel Yoo and if you’ve been to Momofuku before you can see similar influences. You can get a classic Breakfast Burrito and Tuna Melt but also Green Tea Coffee Cake and a Seasonal Bibimbap Bowl. Golden Diner is everything you would want in a 21st century, modern diner and it’s the perfect place for brunch after a night out.
123 Madison St New York, NY 10002
13. The East Pole
There’s something about eating a restaurant in an old brownstone that just hits the spot. Farm to table easy brunch menu, the type of spot I would eat brunch with my parents at. They just reopened last weekend so the team is excited and ready for customers!
133 E 65th St New York, NY 10065
14. Motel Morris
I somehow always end up in fucking Chelsea and honestly I’m not complaing. If you can’t get a reservation at my fave Cafeteria, hop on across the street to Motel Morris. I don’t even know how to describe this place because there is a range of dishes from huevos rancheros to breakfast fried rice. A simple menu but with cinnamon swirl pancakes, they can do no wrong.
132 7th Ave New York, NY 10011
15. Upland
For the “I’m not really a brunch person”, Upland might win a gold star from you. They have a simple but elevated classic menu that doesn’t scream ‘breakfast’ but instead overall ‘food time’. They have a Californian style of highlighting food that’s in season. They also specialize in wine pairings with their food so if you’re a big wine o’clock type of person, you should also check out Upland.
345 Park Ave S. New York, NY 10010
16. Smør
You know I love anything with Danish influence and Smør is exactly that. A cafe on the Lower East Side that specializes in smørrebrød, also known as a Danish open faced sandwich. If you’re trying to live out your fantasy of being Josephine HJ, this is definitely the place for you.
441 E 12th St New York, NY 10009
17.Davelle
I bet you’ve seen one of Davelle’s gorgeous varieties of toasts on Instagram before. Located on the Lower East Side is this really cute spot for a quick bite. It’s Japanese influence makes it stand out from a regular degular city cafe. I promise you it will definitely be hard to not take photos of the aesthetically pleasing food.
102 Suffolk St New York, NY 10002
18. Loring Place
Really good American food is how I’d describe Loring Place. They hone in on making food with fresh ingredients inspired by the chef’s trips to the farmers market. The balance of their pizza with their wide selection of vegetables leaves you feeling full but guilt-free! My favorite vegetable is asparagus so their asparagus fries are a MUST!
21 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
19. Cafe Mogador
Moroccan brunch, how good does that sound? Cafe Mogador is a Moroccan restaurant that was started in the East Village in 1983. They have great staple dishes such as different Mezze (small plates), Kebab, and Couscous. Definitely a popular spot so make a reservation but it’s a great place to put on a trendy outfit to dine at. It’s a warm environment with great hospitality that will bring a smile to your lazy Sunday face.
A popular Harlem hotspot for comfort food, Melba’s is the place to go. Southern food is of course hard to find in the Northeast but at Melba’s, you can get some flavorful, southern classics. Fried Catfish Strips, Southern Fried Chicken & Eggnog Waffles, and Candied Yams all just a train ride away from you. They also have some special cocktails to go with your brunch such as “Harlem Iced Tea” and “Sexy Sangria”.
300 W. 114th st New York, NY 10026
Brooklyn Favorites:
21. Chavela’s
The perfect place to grab lunch if you’re ever in Prospect Park or at the Brooklyn Museum. Chavela’s is a cute neighborhood spot with vibrant mexican food and a well developed list of special mezcals and tequilas. Pick up some of their tacos to bring to a picnic in the park, a great saturday activity this spring.
736 Franklin Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238
22. Gran Torino
While bobbing through the streets of Williamsburg while you “explore Brooklyn” you probably have passed Gran Torino’s dope outdoor setup. There are many hip restaurants that you can choose from to have brunch at in Williamsburg however Gran Torino is definitely the spot if you’re with a group that likes music, good food, and overall great vibes.
131 Berry St Brooklyn, NY 11249
23. Cafe Colette
Whenever I stay at my dad’s in Williamsburg, Cafe Colette is my first stop. They have the most delicious food including their classic Buttermilk Pancakes with Lemon Curd and Meringue. The vibes are super cute, it’s close to the L train, and I spotted Zoë Kravitz sitting here in an episode of High Fidelity!
79 Berry St Brooklyn, New York 11249
24. Evelina
If you’re looking for a place for brunch in the Clinton Hill area, definitely check out Evelina. It’s an underrated yet dignified spot that is a summer must. They are known for their Eggs Benedict if that’s your go-to!
211 DeKalb Ave Brooklyn, NY 11205
25. Juliette
A take on a French restaurant, Juliette in Williamsburg has a beautiful environment for brunch. They have beautiful greenery hanging down with bright sunlight peeking through the ceiling which is a full skylight. Their Burger is my favorite and the Farmer’s Breakfast as well. It’s a perfect spot to bring a friend and enjoy some mimosas while basking in the sunlight. They also have a rooftop where you can eat when it’s warm out which is a nice experience.
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