Welcome to the Brunch Directory—a comprehensive roundup of 200+ spots where you can eat food after rolling out of bed at 11am on a weekend morning. Memorize this list, and impress people with your encyclopedic knowledge of places serving pancakes, or just scroll through, and pick a place for your next midday meal.
Are you just looking for the best of the best? Check out our guide to The Best Brunch In NYC.
East Village & Noho
Yellow Rose is great at any hour, but starting your morning here is like greeting your weekend with a heartfelt blessing. Before you receive your orange tray of excellent breakfast tacos made with fresh flour tortillas at this East Village Texan spot, you’ll hear Willie Nelson playing through the speakers and spot a poster of Dolly Parton glamorously overseeing business from above.
Mama Fina’s is officially named Mama Fina’s House of Filipino Sisig. And that’s probably because the sisig here is what you should prioritize. The pork one is our favorite, but they serve delicious chicken and milkish options as well. They all come served with garlic fried rice and eggs during brunch.
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Cathedrale in the Moxy Hotel East Village is probably the only spot on this list where you can eat a creme fraiche omelette in a space that feels like a Gothic-style church. The main dining room is huge with vaulted ceilings that make you want to shout just to hear your own echo.
Veselka is a Ukrainian spot in the East Village where you might see people who haven’t yet gone to sleep when you show up for brunch on the weekend. It opens at 8am and there’s usually a wait, because everyone seems to be on the same page about pierogies and matzoh ball soup.
Atla is from the people behind Cosmé, but it's further downtown, and it's really more of a breakfast/lunch spot. While it might not be as impressive as Cosmé, it’s still a good place to go around brunch time and share some plates.
If you want to get pasta for brunch, you can do that at Il Buco Alimentari. But you can also get a basket of pastries here, or a plate of porchetta and eggs. This place happens to be one of our favorite Italian spots in the city, and it’s perfect for brunch with a friend who recently got a raise and wants to humble-brag/celebrate it. Or any other special occasion brunch, really.
Bar Primi is an excellent place for a group of nearly any size, especially since you can make a reservation. So come with your crew and get down with some breakfast spaghetti with pancetta and a poached egg.
If you’re looking for a quick East Village brunch experience, you should go to Smor and order some $9.50 toasts from the counter here. This Danish all-day cafe makes a bunch of different open-faced sandwiches with smoked fish and really good rye bread, all in a space filled with accent pillows and wood that could be described as “handsome.” Channel your inner (or outer) Scandinavian influencer and you’ll have found your new home.
Uluh is a big Chinese restaurant in the East Village that specializes in fancy, high-grade teas that might involve things like ice cream or ceremonial grade matcha. To go with your tea, there’s a list of very good dim sum and large format dishes that you’ll probably want to overeat. We especially like the pork soup dumplings and the Peking duck with crispy skin. Just be aware that a meal here can get pretty expensive - especially because you’re going to want to try a lot. So save this for a special occasion brunch for people you want to impress, or just for someone who appreciates tea.
This coffee spot has a garden in the back and serves things like huevos rancheros and an avocado sandwich with a fried egg and pickled jalapeños. It’s comfortable, and has a bunch of healthy, vegetarian options. Also - you can get an entree, with coffee and a beer, a mimosa, or juice for $23.
We come to David’s Cafe pretty much exclusively for their great burger. It comes with two thin patties, American cheese, spicy mayo sauce, and lots of french fries on the side. If you’re not feeling a burger, they also have a menu of French-ish breakfast options like a croque monsieur and crab cake benedict.
If you’re in the East Village and you want an uncomplicated brunch, come here. The menu at Post isn’t huge, and neither is the space. There’s a bar with some stools, a few seats in the window, and one table all the way in back. Don’t come with a group, but if you and a friend are looking to hang out with some biscuit sandwiches, it’s perfect - they do a few different kinds.
Hearth is an East Village go-to for upscale Italian, and has a bunch of kind-of-healthy options (but also pasta). Keep this one in mind for your next special occasion brunch.
An extremely reliable spot whose menu has something for everyone. Westville’s been serving healthy food for a while, and we love most of the things on their menu.
A big, impressive French bistro that’s a little upscale and always a great time. It’s somewhat expensive, but that price basically includes the excellent people watching.
Inevitably, there will be a Sunday afternoon in your New York life where, instead of human interaction, you require a big bowl of tonkatsu ramen. Ippudo in the East Village makes some of the best in the city, and it’s an excellent place for you to know about for a solo brunch. There might be a line, but go alone and show up when they open at 11:30am if you really don’t want to wait.
Loud music, a bottomless special, and Latin food. If you’re looking to embark on an afternoon of East Village day drinking, Cafe Cortadito is where you should start.
An East Village brunch mainstay that’s usually busy, and has good Moroccan dishes.
A fun Caribbean spot that’s somehow just as appropriate for your 7-year-old nephew as it is for your brunch cocktail shenanigans.
NYC Guide
The Best Brunch In NYC
Lower East Side & Chinatown
At Sunday Brunch at Gugu, you can get a brunch entree and drink deal for $22. Order Filipino classics with Japanese twists like silogs or unagi bbq bowls and a glass of sangria or mimosa.
This Basque spot on East Broadway is ideal for a glass of wine and some pintxos at the bar. But we also like to stop by their cafe in the morning for coffee, sandwiches, and pastries. Ernesto’s cafe has a rotating menu of baked goods, but they usually serve a solid egg sandwich and a roll topped with thinly sliced jamon. The cafe is open every day and works perfectly as somewhere to eat something light with a friend outside.
Sometimes, all you want on a weekend morning is a plate of waffles and a three-hour nap. That’s where Pig & Butter on the LES comes in. This Black-owned restaurant offers dishes like a waffle topped with bacon and bananas, fried chicken on cornbread, and a goat cheese omelet with Colombian aji. Plus, this spot on Ludlow Street has a weekday brunch service, so come here when you want to pretend like it’s noon on Saturday when it’s actually 10am on Wednesday.
One of our favorite spots for dim sum, Royal Seafood is perfect for when you want to sit at a big round table with a group. It’s just one massive room on Mott Street, and the dim sum carts circulate slowly sometimes, so be sure to grab what you want when they come around. You won’t go wrong with some pork buns and siu mai, but we especially like the spare ribs.
If there was ever a Lower East Side Eden, Wayla’s backyard would be it. It’s truly glorious, and you should do your best to sit out here in a wire-framed chair and eat things like a Thai crab omelette.
At surface level, Golden Diner in Two Bridges is a classic NYC diner. There’s a pastry display case on the counter, lacey white curtains, and metal stools fixed permanently to the floor. But this isn’t your standard corner diner food - a meal here might involve a club sandwich with chicken katsu and purple cabbage, or avocado toast with turmeric and Thai basil. Even though you can’t make a reservation, and lines on the weekend can get long, know that the food is worth it.
Kopitiam is a counter-service Malaysian cafe that’s perfect for a last-minute brunch with one or two other people. They have a bunch of breakfast options available all day, like Malaysian-style French toast and nasi lemak (with fried anchovies, coconut rice, and a hard boiled egg). There’s also a selection of cakes and sweet rice balls that might change your stance on ordering brunch dessert, provided you were against it in the first place.
Long before the city’s other bagel establishments came along, Russ & Daughters was the original home of downtown Jewish appetizing. It has a cool retro/diner feel, and smoked fish that will likely inspire you to Google “how to cold smoke a fish in your apartment.” It also has ridiculously long waits on weekends. So if you want to beat the rush, get there by 8:30am. We promise their bagel platters and white fish salad are worth it.
If you’re planning brunch with a larger group of friends or family members, this dim sum spot above an old bank in Chinatown is a great option. Everyone can sit at a big round table, and all the dishes (ranging from steamed rice rolls and chicken feet to sweet buns that look like piglets) are relatively affordable.
During brunch, everything here is about $16. This is some of our favorite Mexican food in the neighborhood (and the whole city, actually). Order the huevos rancheros or the chilaquiles, and you’ll probably understand why. The only thing you should know: La Contenta isn’t the best for big groups, since it’s about the size of a Little League dugout.
Pig And Khao is where you go for rowdy brunch that will probably be followed by more rowdiness elsewhere, or at least a nap. And there’s bottomless mimosas for $21 (with a 1.5-hour limit and purchase of one brunch food item). Aside from that, you’ll get really good food like a green papaya salad and sizzling pork sisig. And if you come with someone who just wants French toast, they have that, too.
If you’ve never done a solo brunch, Davelle is a great place to start. This is a small Japanese restaurant on the LES with breakfast and lunch sets involving dishes like toast with red bean paste and fried chicken with rice. Because of the size, we wouldn’t recommend bringing more than one other person here - which will be hard, because you’re going to want to tell everyone you know about it.
The LES has two peak people-watching times: midnight and noon on weekends. Cafe Katja is a great spot to go for the latter. It’s a bright German/Austrian restaurant that feels a little like a tavern in Vienna, with a big bar, beer steins, huge portions of dishes like spaetzle and gulasch, and decorative wreaths on the wall. Come for some bratwursts, or wiener schnitzel that’s served with lingonberry jam on top and a pot of spicy mustard.
“Good, thanks” is how you politely respond to strangers when they ask how you’re doing. It’s also the name of an Australian cafe on the LES where you can get a quick, somewhat-healthy brunch while staring at all the people waiting for tables at Russ & Daughters (which is right next door). A lot of their all-day options are required by law to be on the menu at every Australian coffee shop in the city - think grain bowls, mushroom toast, and smoothies - but there are also some slightly less expected dishes, like a really good plate of kimchi scrambled eggs with scallion labne.
Freemans is a classic NYC restaurant that everyone needs to experience, and brunch is a great time to do it. This spot is on its own alley, and the waffles are great.
A tiny LES neighborhood spot that’s great for watching people sit outside on the sidewalk with tiny dogs in their laps while they try to sip a latte. The food is solid -think toasts, granola, etc.
This dive bar/diner has a total mixed bag of a menu - like kebabs and also nachos. Come with a big group, order a ton of things, and you’ll be happy.
Notoriously horrendous wait times, truly incredible pancakes, and a cash-only policy at brunch. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
Made-to-order dim sum from a place that’s been at it since 1920. It’s smaller than some of the other dim sum spots on this guide, and you can count on a wait.
Soho, Nolita, Tribeca, Fidi
The entire menu at Thai Diner (and we don’t say this lightly) is flawless. And that’s why this place is perpetually mobbed. Get the Thai tea babka French toast, and be sure to have some massaman disco fries on your table.
Kyu is a Miami restaurant that made the jump to NYC, settling into a moody dining room in Noho with a Thai, Japanese, and Korean-inspired menu. Choose from brunch classics with a fusion-y twist and a bunch of fresh seafood options.
This Daniel Boulud restaurant serves really good French food in Fidi modeled after bistros in Lyon. It’s a romantic and casual spot where you can have a celebratory brunch of eggs with black truffle and exceptional fried escargots in a room with mirrored walls and flowers painted on tiles.
The brunch date is something that should happen more often. It can be a quick meal with eggs and coffee if you’re not sure how things will go, or a big feast if you’re already planning to co-parent a dog with this person in the future. For the latter, head to Kimika in Nolita for Italian-Japanese dishes on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Expect options like a pastry bento box, matcha mochi French toast, and a breakfast calzone stuffed with scrambled eggs, ricotta and salsa verde.
If you’re looking for a good bagel below Houston Street, there’s always Sadelle’s or Russ & Daughters - and those are both great choices. But do you really have an hour or two to wait for brunch? If not, go to Baz. It’s a little bagel spot in Nolita that looks like a vintage diner (but with tropical wallpaper and a portrait of Barbara Streisand), and you can get a good, chewy bagel covered in lox or a huge amount of whitefish salad here. There are also things like eggs and latkes, if you need something more substantial.
Do you have some out-of-towners you need to impress? Or do you just want to grab a semi-fancy brunch at a place with a view of the East River and giant mural of a sea monster? Go to The Fulton. It’s a big two-story spot in the Seaport with some excellent seafood. Start with the octopus, then go for the burger. Or if you’re the type of person who treats brunch like it’s breakfast, get some scrambled eggs with lobster.
Hole in The Wall is an Australian cafe in Fidi where you can sit down and eat some avocado toast or some waffles with whipped mascarpone. The space is bright and attractive with white walls and potted plants, and it’s ideal for when you just want to eat a quick brunch while you read about celebrity relationships on your phone.
Balthazar is one of our favorite French bistros in the city. Actually, Balthazar is one of everyone’s favorite French bistros in the city - which means it’s usually pretty crowded at brunch. It’s not quite formal, but it’s nice enough to bring your parents or have a special occasion meal. Make sure to get the basket of pastries.
This is an all-day cafe in Soho that’s also a fancy furniture store where you can buy a $2,000 throw rug or elegant ceramic vase. The French cafe food at La Mercerie is expensive but excellent, making it a nice choice for a meal with your family or someone you’re trying to impress with smoked salmon blinis. Make a reservation or prepare to wait for a bit.
Shuka is one of the more useful spots in Soho, and works well for a relatively last-minute brunch with your college roommates or parents who promise they can wait until 12:30pm to eat on a Saturday. Get cinnamon rolls or beet hummus for the table, as well as Mediterranean food like chicken shawarma and a grilled lamb sandwich.
Epistrophy is one of the most useful restaurants in Nolita: it’s laid-back but still “cute,” it’s reasonably priced, and waits are never too long. One other reason? Their brunch - a mixture of egg dishes and panini all under $15.
This is a little neighborhood restaurant/bar in Tribeca, and it has a sort of truck-stop vibe. The food is solid, the vibes are laid-back, and on Sundays in the summer there might be an outdoor pool party that may or may not involve an open fire hydrant.
If you’re dying to wait for your brunch, Ruby’s has you covered. That’s because the food is good, affordable Australian/American stuff like a quinoa bowl, avocado toast, and a burger with beet and pineapple. Just be aware that there’s usually a crowd and you might not have the most legroom at your table.
Mother’s Ruin is a bar. So why do they serve brunch every day? We have no answer for you—but if you’re in Soho before 4pm and you’re craving a breakfast burrito, this is the place. Brunch here is fun and filling, and they also make really good cocktails. There aren’t many tables, but bar/counter seating works just fine (especially if you’re alone).
The original Two Hands is a cafe on Mott Street, but the one in Tribeca is more of a restaurant. (The menu is larger, and there’s a full bar.) The service here is still easy-going, though. For what it’s worth, there’s also a kids menu at brunch.
Same goes for the original location. This Nolita-bordering-Chinatown cafe is a brunch and lunch mainstay, and perfect for something casual.
Brunch is a great time to hit Locanda Verde. Mainly because you can actually score a table, but their bakery is excellent and it’s a nice place to throw back some eggs and some drinks on a sunny Sunday.
Go to Black Seed if you want a quick brunch that you can take elsewhere. They make signature sandwiches to order, with ingredients like pastrami-spiced smoked salmon and pickled green tomatoes. You can eat at one of their tables, or you can take your bagel on a walk through Nolita. There might be a line, but it moves pretty quickly.
The Dead Rabbit is NYC’s very own drinking castle, and it’s usually one of our first recommendations when people ask about bars in FiDi. On weekends though, they serve brunch. The two-floor space is so huge that you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a table, and there are a bunch of Irish-inspired dishes like a full Irish breakfast and corned beef hash.
Raoul’s is a classic NYC restaurant. It’s definitely more of a nighttime place, but if the idea of bright decor, avocado toasts, and overpriced eggs makes you want to die, Raoul’s brunch is for you. It’s dark, it’s a little sexy, and most importantly, they serve their otherwise-hard-to-get burger.
Such a simple cafe with such unreasonable waits for a table. If you can get in, you’ll enjoy Middle Eastern brunch dishes (like shakshuka) that were pretty much made to be photographed.
A solid spot for American comfort food and maybe some oysters. And maybe a stiff drink while you’re at it. You should know it’s a bit on the pricier side, with all the main plates costing $20 or more.
You can expect a not-insignificant wait at brunch here, but good Cuban sandwiches and eggs await.
This is a hardcore Tribeca brunch situation. Come for above-average pancakes and even better people watching.
Sadelle’s is where you go for a deluxe brunch that involves things like towers of bagels and smoked fish, and servers wearing white lab coats. This Jewish deli food is both flashy and genuinely great, and you can count on there being a line (we’d suggest making a reservation).
Pretty good tacos, and a very pleasant fake courtyard to enjoy them in.
Egg Shop gives the people what they want, which is apparently eggs. Have them many different ways - on a sandwich, in a bowl, you name it.
As long as you don’t come to Estela expecting to be nice and comfy, you’ll have a great time with the creative food and full brunch cocktail list.
West Village & Greenwich Village
This all-day cafe in the West Village is an import from LA known for its oatmeal griddle cakes, which are pre-sweetened and served without syrup. We're fans. The whole menu leans heavy, and you should stop by early if you don't want to wait in line.
La Contenta Oeste is the larger second location of one of our favorite spots on the Lower East Side. Which actually isn’t that impressive of a statement, considering the fact that a luxury steam room would be larger than the first La Contenta. In any case, this West Village outpost is reliably good for things like chilaquiles and Mexican omelettes. And they have a bunch of brunch cocktails if you’re looking for that sort of thing.
Brunch spots are to the West Village what people in creepy Elmo costumes are to Times Square: They’re everywhere, and they’re going to take your money. Fairfax is an upscale but comfortable spot owned by the same people behind a few other West Village establishments like Jeffrey's Grocery and Joseph Leonard. Brunch options include an egg sandwich, avocado toast, and the famous Bar Sardine burger.
The Malt House is a pub in Greenwich Village, and their brunch food is pretty decent. They also have TVs for your sports-viewing pleasure, and a bottomless brunch deal where you get 1.5 hours of unlimited drinks for $29 (as long as also get an entree).
Primarily, this place is a bar. Although it’s a well-designed bar with very nice booths, and they do serve a full lunch, brunch, and dinner menu. So feel free to eat a casual meal here. The food is a step up from whatever they serve at the pub near your house, although it does tend to get crowded.
Boucherie is a huge restaurant in the West Village with an old-school French menu. That means that you can come here for brunch and have steak frites—although they also have a croque madame and other egg dishes.
If you generally like all-day cafes, you’ll really like Banter. It’s a coffee shop in Greenwich Village where you can sit and order a meal from someone with an Australian accent. They do things like eggs, granola, and mushroom toast. The space is small (but attractive), and it gets pretty busy. If you don’t want to wait for a table here, get some brunch on a weekday. They’ll have the same menu.
What do the French call French toast? Not just toast, if that’s what you were thinking. They call it pain perdu, and A.O.C. serves it along with everything else you’d expect on a standard brunch menu. The real selling point, however, is the patio. There’s room for large parties, and you can’t see it from the street, so it’s a nice little escape from the dirty puddle you stepped in on your way there.
High Street On Hudson does a lot of things well, but it does breakfast foods - specifically breakfast sandwiches - best. If a next-level Egg McMuffin kind of creation isn’t your scene, they also do some excellent lighter options.
Quality Eats is a cool, casual neighborhood steakhouse that looks and feels nothing like a steakhouse. Brunch here includes everything from short rib hash to steak and eggs - it’s a great time to try this place in all its weekend morning glory.
Hudson Clearwater’s menu reads like the Greatest Hits Of Brunch Foods: brioche french toast, eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, plus healthy options and cocktails. This is a back-pocket West Village move, especially if you have a picky eater with you, and especially during the summer when the back patio is open for business.
The West Village location of Jack’s Wife Freda has all the charm of the original, only it’s on Carmine Street.
Sotto 13′s food is probably on the better end of the boozy brunch spectrum, and it’s designed to be shared with a group. Just know that drinks are not unlimited.
A place to enjoy many things, from oysters to sandwiches to eggs and bacon. Jeffrey’s Grocery is somewhere we’d eat any time of day.
Home to possibly the most latte photographs in NYC, thanks to lots of natural light and white walls and tables. But to think that Bluestone is just a place where people take pictures is a mistake. The breakfast/brunch food here is solid, including many gluten-free options.
The Mediterranean menu here is simple, delicious, and very reasonably priced.
A West Village classic, on the best West Village street. Extra Virgin is always crowded for a reason. That reason is french fries with gorgonzola fondue.
Ever seen that diner on 8th Avenue with the Coca-Cola logos on its sign? That’s La Bonbonniere, and it’s an eggs-and-pancakes institution.
A very small restaurant that attracts a very large crowd. This place is best for solo outings or brunch with one other person.
People who like attractive furniture and nice clothes will probably feel at home in Rosemary’s. This restaurant has the aesthetic down, and the food is better at brunch than it is for dinner.
Elephant & Castle is a simple West Village restaurant that’s probably best known for serving French toast topped with eggs benedict and apples. Most of their dishes are under $20, and there’s a dedicated “burger station” section of the menu.
Is the food at Buvette excellent? Yes. Is it the most absurdly cute cafe in the city? Probably. It’s almost always wildly crowded here, and the service can be hit or miss.
Tartine is a solid place to have an omelette with your own bottle of Champagne. Unfortunately, there are only about five tables where you can do so. Prepare to wait in line.
Meatpacking District & Chelsea
The original Pastis opened back in the late ’90s, and was the sort of place where you could see Lindsay Lohan eating a shrimp cocktail. Then, it closed, but now it reopened down the block. The French bistro food is pretty similar to the old spot, but the whole place is a little more touristy-feeling. Use Pastis for an upscale brunch with some out-of-towners who won’t mind paying $23 for an eggs benedict with Parisian ham.
RH Rooftop is a good choice if you’re looking to have an upscale brunch (inside or outside). It feels like a sceney Meatpacking spot, because it is. One perk: while you wait for your table, you can wander through the furniture store with a drink, sitting on expensive couches while pretending that you’re touring MTV around your crib.
The Commons is a counter-service coffee shop in Chelsea where you can get a casual, quick brunch. Unlike some all-day cafes, this place actually has its own brunch-specific menu with sandwiches, a tortilla hash, and some nice brunch cocktails. Use this on a day when you’re already late for your post-eating plans, but refuse to eat a banana and/or leftover piece of pizza from last night.
If you’re familiar with the original Seamore’s in Nolita, you’ll know what to expect here. It’s a bright space with some outdoor seating, and they do a lot of affordable seafood. So if your ideal brunch includes fish tacos or lobster benedict, come here. Just be aware that it will probably be crowded and that most people will be taking pictures of their food. And for those of you who don’t like seafood, there are a few non-fish options like a burger and avocado toast.
This place is retro-motel-themed, although aside from a few brass desk lamps and a vintage phone in the bathroom, it mostly just looks like the sort of place where you’d want to bring a date. Or, if you’re alone, you can sit at the big bar in the middle. For brunch, expect things like breakfast fried rice with kimchi and bacon, shakshuka, and huevos rancheros.
The original Empire Diner was an actual diner. But that place closed a little while back, and, since then, a few different people have tried to do something different with the space. We happen to like it in its current form. They do breakfast until 4pm every day, and the food is what you’d expect to find at a somewhat upscale American spot in Chelsea - granola, avocado toast, biscuit sandwiches, etc.
Almost every coffee shop has avocado toast. Citizens of Chelsea included. Come here when you need a quick, possibly healthy brunch in Chelsea.
Cookshop is always a good move if you’re with your family or someone you love as if they’re part of your family. The food is very vegetarian-friendly, and they take reservations for brunch. Walk-ins are an option too, but know that there will be a wait.
This is one of the most over-the-top restaurants in the entire city. If you’re into absurdity, come on down and watch the show.
Flatiron, Gramercy, Murray Hill, Nomad
Unlike other hotel restaurants that seem like they only exist to serve out-of-town guests who can’t be bothered to step outside, Comodo is a must-visit no matter where you’re coming from. Almost everything on the brunch menu has a Latin component—like duck confit chilaquiles and picanha and eggs served with two different salsas.
You’ll probably need to make a reservation for a Sunday brunch at Mari Vanna, which includes a menu of Russian dishes like zucchini pancakes, homemade beef blinis, and a whole section dedicated to caviar options. If you want an unusual party brunch in Flatiron that feels like a mashup of American Pie and the average grandmother’s house, this is it.
On the weekends, this Japanese yakitori restaurant in Nomad serves an excellent brunch set. For $26, you get a bowl of shoyu ramen, three yakitori skewers (made with chicken thigh, chicken breast, and short rib), and a drink of your choice. If that’s not filling enough, you can also order an appetizer, like a salmon salad topped with avocado or some hamachi.
If you don’t need sausage or bacon at brunch, try abcV. It’s a vegetarian restaurant, although, to be clear, this is not your average place that doesn’t serve meat. abcV is from the same people behind ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina, and they make things like smoothies, green humus, and dosas. And it’s some of the best vegetarian food you’ll find in NYC.
This is the newer sister restaurant to Citizens of Chelsea, and both places serve kind-of-healthy dishes like a wellness bowl and overnight oats. In addition to these things, it’s likely you’ll find several people smiling at you for no reason.
There aren’t a ton of options for dim sum in Murray Hill, but Little Alley is a solid choice. They specialize in Shanghainese food, and have a decent selection of dumplings, buns, and shumai. Although you won’t see them wheeling these things around on a cart. This place is on the smaller side, and, while the dining room isn’t especially vibey, it’s good for a casual meal, and your parents would probably like it. The food itself might not be quite as good as what you’ll find in Chinatown or Flushing, but if you live around Murray Hill it’s worth checking out.
Keep this place in mind the next time you need something quick and casual. They offer things like bagels, oatmeal, and egg sandwiches that you order at a counter.
We love Upland all the time. But we especially love Upland at brunch, when you can not only get the perfect pastas and pizzas, but also one of the best burgers in NYC. Make sure there’s one of each on your table. (And that you have a reservation.)
It’s hard to get a table here for dinner, so consider stopping by for brunch. It isn’t as busy, and they serve stuff like striped bass ceviche and chilaquiles. They also have churros and a shareable skillet of lamb barbacoa. Brunch here is pricier, but it’s also some best Mexican food in the city.
Unless you come early, you’ll wait for brunch at Ruby’s. That’s because the prices are fair, there are healthier options, and there are also a bunch of different burgers and pastas. Come here with the sort of person who takes the ritual of brunch seriously, and convince them to split the chicken sandwich with you.
So, you’re getting brunch with someone who has an allergy or a dietary restriction. All their gluten-free/meat-free/dairy-free needs will be covered at The Little Beet Table.
A menu full of standard brunch classics (benedicts, burgers - you know the drill). And a bottomless brunch special.
Marta’s brunch pizza menu is exactly the same as their regular pizza menu. But they’ve also got some non-pizza options like a goat cheese frittata and a potato breakfast scramble with pancetta jam available on weekend mornings.
Midtown East & Upper East Side
The Penrose has a great brunch setup: solid food, strong cocktails, and just the right amount of party time vibes. If the agenda for your Saturday is day drinking, this is a good spot to kick things off.
B. Cafe - East
B. Cafe is quietly one of the best brunch spots around. The menu is long and vaguely Belgian, and the waffles and fries are standouts. Add in the fact that they have a covered back patio and a great beer selection, and B. Cafe is a UES power brunch move.
Viand feels like home from the minute you walk in. The next time you want brunch foods without a brunch scene, as well as an excellent club sandwich, come here.
The Milton is a simple British pub on 2nd Avenue where your meal comes with a complimentary drink and it won’t be hard to get a table. This is a good choice for Upper East Side people who don’t want brunch to be a huge production, but still want to eat well-cooked eggs or a burger.
If you like the Quality Eats downtown, you’ll like the one on the Upper East Side as well. They serve the same menu, and the only difference is really the space. This location is a little bit brighter, and you’ll see more families here. Order the monkey bread egg sandwich and the grilled bacon.
Let’s say you got ambitious and started your weekend morning with a long walk through Central Park. If you need to something to eat afterwards, try Le Charlot. It’s an old-school type French place, although it isn’t fancy like Daniel or Le Bernardin. This place is more of a bistro, your waiter might have a French accent, and you will likely see some diners who have been eating here once a week for several decades.
Toloache’s Mexican brunch is solid, and if you’re in that area and need a decent meal, it’ll do the job.
These days, there’s a location of The Smith in every neighborhood.
We can always count on Uva, and brunch is no exception. The brunch menu has so much on it you may think you’re at the Cheesecake Factory. And we’re definitely not mad about it.
A British gastropub on the Upper East Side that’s a great choice for brunch when you don’t want to deal with people. You might have to deal with some Premier League soccer fans, but they’re quite nice. Unless you’re a fan of a rival team.
An Upper East Side restaurant with a downtown atmosphere and very good food. This is a more serious restaurant that probably won’t become part of your every-weekend routine, but when there’s an occasion for it, brunch here is great.
Harlem, Washington Heights, & Inwood
At Lido’s bottomless brunch, you’ll get 1.5 hours of all the mimosas you want, along with brunch food that’s much better than it needs to be. Brunch options include a braised short rib hash and a buttermilk biscuit with honey butter, eggs, and bacon.
The Chick Inn
At this spot from the team behind Fumo, you can have chicken and waffles, French toast, or a lobster roll for brunch. Eat your food in the sidewalk greenhouse with hanging plants and macrame lamps.
If you’re looking for chicken and waffles on a weekend morning in Washington Heights, get them at Uptown Garrison. The perfectly cooked buttermilk fried chicken at this all-day bar just one block from the A train is served with a coat of sweet chili honey. Plus, the pancakes here come with a side of strawberry jam.
Whether you’re celebrating your birthday or the dissolution of your marriage, Bocaditos Bistro is the best place to have a party brunch in Inwood. The flower-covered space is big enough for groups, and there are five different chandeliers that you can imagine yourself swinging from.
The name of this place actually does a pretty good job of explaining what it is. It’s a restaurant/bar on a corner in Harlem, and it’s pretty much always busy, so it’s a good place to be social. The space is nice and big with lots of windows, hardwood floors, and a working fireplace, and the brunch menu has stuff like chicken and waffles, crab benedict, and French toast sticks. And if you’d like the option to drink alcohol like it’s water, there are two brunch deals. For $25 you can get the “Life is Harlem” mimosa bottle, or you can pay $40 for the prosecco bottle.
Melba’s is a soul food restaurant in Harlem that makes fried chicken and waffles better than almost any other spot on this directory. Technically they’re eggnog waffles, but they just taste like really good waffles. We also really like how tender the short ribs here.
Sylvia’s is a Harlem institution, and one of the founding members of our Brunch Greatest Hits. This place has great Southern dishes like fried catfish, chicken and waffles, and mac and cheese. Plus, it’s a good time and there are a ton of seats. They also have a Sunday gospel brunch every week with live music and a bottomless deal.
Tsion Cafe is a place where you can get a combination of Ethiopian and Israeli food. There’s shakshuka, malawach, and a vegetarian plate that comes with injera. This is a cozy neighborhood spot, and there’s a great little back patio. If you’re looking for brunch in Harlem and you’re with a vegetarian, this is the place.
The Grange feels like a farmhouse, and it’s perfect for when you want to remember what life outside the city is like. This place is big, with high ceilings, a huge bar, and plenty of tables. So feel to stop by with a group a friends or all five of your children for some comfort food. Although if you’re eating alone, you can always just grab a bar seat and eat deep fried brioche French toast.
BLVD makes food like jumbo shrimp and grits, bacon biscuit sandwiches, and a rib-eye steak with eggs. It’s a little pricier than your average brunch spot, but the dining room is in the basement of a townhouse and your parents will probably like it here.
Harlem Tavern has a big indoor area and an even larger patio. And that’s why you come here. The food is really just solid bar food, but you’ll want to hang out and day drink on the patio when the weather is nice. Or, if it’s not so nice, you can sit inside where there are plenty of tables and TVs. This place feels almost like a park or a town square, and it’s a fun spot to drink or grab brunch with a group.
Amy Ruth’s has been open for several decades now, and it’s one of the better places for soul food in the city. The fried chicken is worth going out of your way for. And if you come for brunch, you’ll probably want to get it on top of waffles. The space is big and great for groups and kids.
This is a Spanish/Italian place in Harlem with friendly staff and good huevos rancheros. The brunch menu isn’t huge, but the huevos and the burger are safe bets. This is a good place for a group, there’s outdoor seating in the summer, and it’s nice enough for a date.
Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown West, Upper West Side
The next time you want to spend a few rowdy hours with some friends, set up a temporary living room in the loud space at Moonrise Izakaya. Between the toki highballs, the spicy tuna eggs benny, and the fun neighborhood feel, it’s one of the coolest spots for a group brunch on the UWS.
Playa Betty’s serves giant breakfast burritos and spicy margaritas on their patio starting at noon Monday through Friday and at 11:00am on the weekends.
Chama Mama’s recently-opened Upper West Side location offers an excellent menu of brunch dishes all weekend long. And much like the Chelsea original, an ideal scenario here involves a bunch of people sharing dishes like mushroom-stuffed khinkali, shakshuka, adjaruli khachapuri, and Georgian-style French toast.
One of our favorite dim sim spots in the city. You can choose from dim sum carts, as well as a full menu. Bring friends who want to eat something great without necessarily spending their weekly grocery budget.
You can make a reservation at Eléa ahead of time (there are usually a ton available last-minute), and the Greek food here is upscale without being boring. That means you can get Tsoureki French toast with fig marmalade or fresh and flaky spanakopita.
The dinner scene at 44 & X tends to be pre-theater-y, but that changes at 11:30am on Saturdays. Their brunch menu is still on the expensive side, but the place becomes a lot more neighborhoody and filled with people drinking. You can get salmon roe on your eggs and drink cocktails named after Broadway stars, like the “Barbara Straw-Sand.”
At the UWS outpost of this Australian cafe empire, you can get a full sit-down brunch with toasts, breakfast bowls, and other attractive and kind-of-healthy food. If you’re one those people whose mental clock is stronger than your desire to sleep in, know that this place opens at 7:00am on weekdays and 8:00am on weekends.
We aren’t going to tell you to go to Midtown specifically for brunch, but if you’re catching a matinée performance of Cats with your niece and nephew, Parker & Quinn is a solid option for a pre-show meal. This is a restaurant in the bottom of the Refinery Hotel, and you can get a chia bowl with granola, or do something like a loaded veggie omelette. You aren’t going to tell all your friends about this place afterwards, but the next time you’re hungry in Midtown, you’ll know it’s an option.
Kirsh is both a bakery and a restaurant. So you can come here on a weekend and have some French toast made with bread that was baked in-house. They have a few savory kinds, including one with lox on top. Overall, this is a very solid brunch option on the Upper West Side. It’s kid-friendly, casual, and the menu is full of crowd-pleasers.
Pisticci is a quaint spot that feels like someplace you’d find on a side street off the Hudson, which might have to do with its floral wallpaper and marble bars. This place is Italian, and they grow their own produce at a farm upstate.
We don’t need to tell you that the area around Penn Station isn’t ideal for brunch. But we might need to remind you that L’Amico is one of the few bright spots in the neighborhood - and they serve a top-notch brunch. Expect everything from Bloody Marys to lemon ricotta pancakes to crab crostini.
This is a decently cool restaurant on the UWS that happens to do brunch pretty well, too.
A Columbia University/Morningside Heights favorite. The waits can be lengthy, but this is one of your best brunch options in the area, by far.
Jacob's Pickles
Not just pickles, but Southern-inspired comfort food. People love Jacob’s for the biscuits at brunch.
One of NYC’s most classic establishments, and a purveyor of all things Jewish deli and appetizing.
One of the better neighborhood restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen, and we’d imagine The Marshal is part of the weekly routine for anyone that lives there. But it’s worth traveling for, too.
Williamsburg & Greenpoint
This Mediterranean-leaning Greenpoint spot is a massive and lively place to bring friends and share a bunch of things. Start your meal with the bread basket that comes with a few dips and some fun cocktails in the plant-filled space.
Edith’s Eatery is the latest spot from the people behind Edith’s Sandwich Counter, and it’s part cafe, part grocery store. Come by for a casual brunch, and get a smoked fish platter and the custardy Syrniki pancakes.
If you’ve been to Mexico City, would like to go to Mexico City, or simply swear each day you’re going to move to Mexico City in between jobs, Aldama in Williamsburg should be at the top of your personal bucket list in NYC. They serve impressive Mexican dishes for brunch—like a pulpo quesadilla and chilaquiles.
Breakfast at Win Son Bakery in East Williamsburg will involve food that is more exciting than your usual Saturday morning short stack. This counter-service Taiwanese cafe from the people behind Win Son (across the street) has scallion pancake breakfast sandwiches, egg tarts, and mochi doughnuts on the menu. If there’s a line when you arrive, just know that the dishes here are absolutely worth the extra 10 minute wait.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a really nicely designed makeup bag? Go to Gertie for brunch and you might find out. This Williamsburg all-day cafe has bright pastel walls, curved ceilings, and things you want to look at and touch. While they’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s nicest here in the morning, when people line up at the counter for homemade English muffins with cinnamon sugar on top, bagels and schmear, and breakfast sandwiches.
Oxomoco is an upscale Mexican restaurant in Greenpoint that usually feels kind of like a party. But one with chaperones and rules, instead of utter chaos. During brunch (which you can get every day), they serve everything from chilaquiles to chorizo burritos.
If they don’t know about this place already, your friends will think you’re a genius for discovering that Reunion Cafe isn’t just a coffee shop, but in fact an Israeli cafe with an all-day brunch and sidewalk seating. So go ahead and take credit for it, since low-maintenance brunch spots are hard to find and we’re all running out of new ways to be cool.
Despite the name, Chez Ma Tante is more American than it is French. They make some excellent entrees for dinner during the week, but during weekend brunch you should always order their pancakes. They taste like they’re deep-fried, they come with a probably-unsafe amount of “Normandy butter,” and we’re fans. There’s even some outdoor seating for when it’s nice out.
Beco is a casual, cash-only Brazilian place in Williamsburg with a popular brunch and big windows that open when it’s nice so that everyone is somewhat outside. Their brunch menu is more traditional American than Brazilian, but there are still some interesting options like the side of Portuguese smoked sausage and a black bean stew.
This is a Taiwanese place in Williamsburg, and they do things like scallion pancakes and minced pork over rice. You shouldn’t hesitate to order either, but if you want some eggs, they have those, too. The space is is casual and bright, and you can absolutely wear your gym clothes.
The original Mekelburg’s is a specialty grocery store and cafe/bar in Clinton Hill, but now they have a second spot across from Domino Park in Williamsburg. Because of the location and casual setup, it’s great for a quick brunch (especially a solo brunch, or one with kids) before or after spending some time in the park. They have sidewalk seating when it’s nice out (including a coffee window where you can order from the street), but otherwise you can eat things like Belgian waffles and breakfast burritos indoors in their bar area.
For Sichuan in Williamsburg, Birds of a Feather is your best option. It’s a pretty small space, but there’s a big communal table and a few large booths - and most people will be down with the central location. So bring a group, order a bunch of stuff, and share everything. It’s pretty affordable (especially when you factor in the no-tipping policy), and there’s a good all-day selection of dim sum. They open at noon everyday.
The original Egg Shop is in Nolita, but we prefer the Williamsburg location. It’s more spacious, and they do things like burritos. And seeing as how this place specializes in things with eggs (salads, sandwiches, bowls, etc.), it’s a pretty ideal spot for brunch. Bring a friend who likes to take photos of their food. They’ll like it here.
You don’t go to Miss Favela for a quiet, laid-back brunch. The music will be loud here, and people will be dancing. This is a Brazilian restaurant in Williamsburg with very average food and very fun vibes (as long as you can get into the whole drunk-brunch thing). It feels like a beach in here, and you can eat a decent plate of steak, fries, and eggs, while you think about whether or not you’ll get up to dance. Have a pitcher of caipirinhas, and the decision should be easy.
Sunday In Brooklyn looks like it was designed to be Instagrammed. It’s a beautiful space, and you can tell they spent a lot of time picking out their potted plants. Fortunately, the food is actually good. Go for brunch and get a giant breakfast sandwich that feels more like a breakfast burger and their Bloody Mary is one of the best we’ve had. It comes with mezcal, but sub vodka if you’re too hungover to try something new.
The original 12 Chairs is on MacDougal Street, and you wish it looked like the 12 Chairs in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn location is bigger, brighter, and it’s somewhere you actually want to hang out. Come here for affordable, casual, Mediterranean food like hummus and shakshuka. They also do eggs and omelettes all day long, and their Israeli breakfast is a good way to celebrate the fact that it’s a weekend.
Leuca is in the bottom of the William Vale Hotel, and it’s the type of place where you’d bring some in-laws who wanted to eat somewhere lively. Go there for brunch, and you’ll probably find tourists who were actively trying to find hotels in Brooklyn. The food’s good, and at brunch you’ll find the types of things fancy-ish Italian restaurants make when they realize they have to feed people in the morning. Think lemon-ricotta pancakes and avocado toast with spicy giardiniera.
Sweetwater Restaurant
Sweetwater is somewhere between a bistro and bar, and you should feel free to treat it as either. It’s in a busy section of Williamsburg, but it usually isn’t tough to get a table here. And that’s probably because there are plenty of other restaurants in the neighborhood, and Sweetwater doesn’t have a gimmick to set itself apart. It’s just a quaint little space that looks like an old-school tavern, and it isn’t fancy. So come here when you want an easy, normal brunch with the option of backyard seating.
La Superior serves flautas, queso, and sixteen different tacos that are all $3.50 (and will get the job done). And if you want eggs, they have those too. Get them scrambled and stuffed into enchiladas. Stop by with a friend you may or may not have insulted last night and make amends over chips and salsa.
The logo font is futura, so you know this spot is at least a little trendy. (Also, it’s in East Williamsburg.) They do your standard brunch items like an andouille sausage breakfast scramble as well as some good salad options and a cheeseburger. The portions are just big enough, the dining room is attractive, and there are a few tables outside for a conversation in the shade.
Harefield Road
A no-nonsense, pub-type brunch right off the Graham stop of the L train. The food is hearty, all the brunch staples are present, and there’s a big, casual backyard. Bring a board game, or the Sunday Times, or The Audubon Guide to the Birds of Brooklyn, or whatever your thing is. Hang out as long as you want. Also, be aware that it’s cash-only.
A real neighborhood restaurant worth traveling for, Lighthouse does a solid brunch that falls on the lighter side of things. If you come super hangry, get the chilaquiles. And consider a pitcher of Bloody Mary regardless.
21 Greenpoint is one of the neighborhood hideouts where people who live in Greenpoint like to eat brunch. The food is American and changes seasonally, but there’s always a burger on the menu, and it’s really good. If you’re frequently in the market for solo brunch spots, 21 Greenpoint’s bar is a good place to keep in mind.
Rabbithole is a neighborhood spot through-and-through, which means there’s a lot less of a chance you’ll run into a two-hour wait behind mobs of French tourists here. But just because it might not get as much attention as some other places doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. Rabbithole is great for brunch any day (literally - they serve it every day of the week).
Not, in fact, a hotel for llamas, Llama Inn is an excellent and beautifully designed Peruvian-inspired restaurant. Want brunch, but don’t want to be anywhere near pancakes or benedicts or mimosas? Come to Llama Inn, have some ceviche, have some pisco cocktails, and feel great about your weekend choices.
Allswell serves straightforward and delicious food in a tavern-like environment. The fried chicken sandwich is amazing, and it’s the main reason why you need to hit this place for brunch.
Acapulco Deli is a diner-like spot in Greenpoint with a TV in the corner and inexpensive, good food. If you’re looking for a Mexican breakfast that involves some tortas and huevos rancheros, this place will make you happy.
Greenpoint’s best boozy brunch option is Milk & Roses - for $24 you get unlimited mimosas along with any breakfast item (and the food is way better than it needs to be for that kind of deal). It also has a beautiful back patio and a cool, library-esque interior.
Greenpoint’s most popular brunch spot also happens to be (inexplicably) a Brooklyn tourist haunt. Which means you should not come here unless you’re willing to wait. At least there’s good people watching and ricotta pancakes on the other side.
An airy, pleasant neighborhood spot with a brunch menu built to please. We count on it because we’re over waiting hours for brunch, and it’s typically easy to walk right into Esme. The pancakes are excellent, as is the bacon.
For an upscale brunch in Greenpoint, Glasserie’s your move. If a menu item called a “mezze feast” sounds like it’s up your alley, you’ll love it here.
Juliette
A Williamsburg brunch standby popular for its benedicts and rooftop. It’s a big and bright space you can usually get into without too much of a wait.
You’ve probably already heard that Diner has one of NYC’s best burgers. But you may not know that brunch may be the best time to come here. The food changes all the time (but it’s always American) and the crowds are way more manageable than at dinnertime.
The thing Cafe Colette does best is brunch. And their best brunch thing is the burger.
Bushwick
The Wheelhouse is a place in Bushwick where 80% of the menu involves some variation of a grilled cheese sandwich. As for their brunch, they serve toasts with stuff like brie and blackberry jam, or one with pesto, pancetta, and fire roasted red peppers. This place is on the less expensive side, but the atmosphere is what you want from a charming Brooklyn spot.
Sea Wolf is a big seafood place in the middle of Bushwick. Their brunch menu has enough on it so that everyone can find something they like, even your friend who insists on eating a grain bowl or the one who shows up and wants fish and chips at 11am. There’s outside seating when it’s warm, a bottomless deal, and it happens to be super close to the L, which is good leverage for convincing your non-Bushwick friends to meet you here on a Sunday.
Le Garage is ideal for people in the Bushwick area who want to feel like they’re in a French bistro but can’t bring themselves to take the train to Manhattan. The brunch menu is pretty typical French with some interesting options like a pork cheek sandwich with peanut satay sauce. Add the duck fat potatoes onto anything you’re ordering.
Forrest Point is the move if it’s nice outside and you’re not planning on doing anything but sitting in an industrial bungalow for several hours. They serve all of the brunch classics and you’ll have to make a hard decision about the appropriateness of ordering the cast iron s’mores at 11am. Also there are more plants than people, which is saying something because it’s usually pretty crowded.
Bottomless brunch at Sally Roots is a solid plan if you want to get drunk around 12pm on a Saturday afternoon in Bushwick. You can sit in the backyard when it’s nice out, and enjoy some mimosas, frozen drinks, screwdrivers, bloody mary's, or draft beer for a maximum of 90 minutes. Their brunch deal ranges from $25-$35 depending on your drink preference. One brunch plate is required per person like jerk chicken hash, shrimp and grits, or curry fried eggs.
Mominette has one of Bushwick’s more complete brunches, with a big menu that’ll satisfy everyone. Also - in the summer, there’s a really nice backyard.
Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus
Having brunch in a backyard while someone a few feet away grills homemade tortillas is a special experience, and it’s one you should make happen as soon as possible by making a reservation at Claro in Gowanus. Their Oaxacan brunch includes three courses for $48, with your choice of dishes like masa pancakes with roasted peaches, chilaquiles with short rib, and chocolate mole cake with whipped cream.
The Osprey isn’t just another overpriced waterfront hotel restaurant. While it is pricey, in a hotel, and on the waterfront, the food here is legitimately good. Come by on the weekends anytime from 10am-3pm to eat brunch classics and take in views of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Tacocina is a taco spot from the people behind Shake Shack. It’s located in Domino Park on the water in Williamsburg, and they have a bunch of picnic tables with great views of the river and Manhattan. Come here to eat breakfast tacos and day drink bloody Marias on the weekends.
Celestine is a neighborhood Mediterranean restaurant in Dumbo with panoramic views of the city, the Manhattan Bridge, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. So it’s a great choice for any meal where views are a priority. Food-wise, there’s a selection of mezze, salads, and other dishes like eggs with smoked whitefish toast and brioche donuts.
Cecconi’s is a restaurant in Dumbo from the people who own Soho House, and it doesn’t feel too different from that place. The servers wear ties and vests, there are nice velvet armchairs that you can sit in, the whole place is pretty spacious, and the food is crowd-pleasing stuff done pretty well. If you sit outside, there’s an excellent view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
One of our favorite Italian spots in the city, Frankies 457 has exactly what you want from a brunch spot - a nice backyard, a dining room that your oldest living relative would approve of, and some employees who would probably take a shot with you if you asked them to. We doubt you’ll do this at brunch, but it’s nice to know that you could. They serve their full menu all day here, and they also do brunch specials on weekends. Split some eggs and some pasta.
A staple Brooklyn Heights spot that keeps things both casual and interesting. There’s a “living wall” (covered in plants), both bomboloni and poached eggs on the menu, and very respectable cocktails like a blood orange chili margarita. It all adds up to a fun experience that would be birthday brunch worthy.
Rucola is a Northern Italian neighborhood restaurant, and their brunch menu includes items like garganelli and a whole brook trout. But if you just want some French toast, they have too.
Consistently excellent food and one of the best outdoor dining options in the city.
As long as you’re prepared to eat biscuits and other delicious comfort food, Buttermilk Channel will be worth your time.
Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, & Bed-Stuy
Otway in Clinton Hill is a rare triple threat: part bakery, part takeaway coffee window, and part wine bar. So on a weekend morning, it’s a great place to stop in for a quick bite or a discounted glass of wine during their Happy Hour. Otway’s menu has everything from a simple bowl of fruit to an egg sandwich on pillowy soft homemade rye bread, and if you have some time, we recommend grabbing a sidewalk table and people-watching along Fulton Street. Feel free to show up in your sweatpants well after 10am and baby talk at a golden retriever while you wait for someone to bring you a plate of over-easy eggs with a side of bacon.
When it comes to Mexican breakfast options in Brooklyn, you should know about For All Things Good - especially considering you won’t find chilaquiles or huevos rancheros here. Instead, they serve Oaxacan-style dishes like giant memelas topped with avocado and a fried egg, tetelas filled with everything from hibiscus flower to black bean, and tlayudas covered in a ridiculous amount of mushrooms. Come here for a laid-back meal on their first-come, first-served patio and read a book like a mysterious, misunderstood soul. To go along with breakfast, order some horchata and a pack of their fresh tortillas to bring home.
Guevara’s, a vegan cafe and specialty foods store from the people behind Mekelburg’s, is where you’ll find some of the best plant-based brunch food in the city. The excellent Torta Milanesa comes stacked high with avocado, red cabbage, tomato, jalapeno, and a crunchy slab of eggplant milanese. You’ll also find things like plant-based lox bagels, picadillo empanadas, and ceviche tostadas on the menu, and nothing costs more than $18. We recommend hanging out all morning on their patio with pastel pink arches and checkered flooring, but if you’d rather take your brunch to-go, you can also pick up everything from prepackaged chocolate babka to environmentally-conscious laundry detergent inside this plant-covered restaurant and market.
Miss Ada serves great Mediterranean brunch, like an Israeli breakfast and chocolate babka. The Fort Greene space is attractive, but not quite spacious enough for brunch with a huge group. So we’d recommend bringing one or two people.
Evelina is a Mediterranean restaurant in Fort Greene with pasta you’ll want as the first meal of your day. If you’re not sold on carbonara at 11am, there are some more typical brunch things like brioche French toast, prosciutto eggs benedict, and a white cheddar cheeseburger. Come here with someone who wants a brunch with a nice cocktail, rather than a bacon, egg, and cheese.
The Tacombi in Fort Greene is especially useful for brunch in two specific situations: when you want to eat breakfast tacos outside, or when you’re seeing something at BAM in the afternoon and don’t want your stomach to make weird sounds during the show. It feels pretty much like the other Tacombi locations, which is to say that it’s bright and slightly beach-party-themed.
Mekelberg’s is a tiny restaurant in the back of a fancy grocery store in Clinton Hill, and they serve brunch every day. Build your own breakfast sandwich and sit outside on the picnic table when it’s nice outside. Also, they have chocolate babka french toast.
Some NYC spots flat out ignore the -unch part of brunch. Saraghina is not one of those places. They’re best known as a Bed-Stuy pizza destination. They also have all of your typical egg dishes if you’re strictly on Team Breakfast.
Golda is a great-looking place. It’s bright and well-designed, and you’ll want to take a picture of just about everything that comes out of the kitchen. Fortunately, pretty much everything also tastes as good as it looks. Stop by for brunch and get and get an egg sandwich (or some chia seed oatmeal if you want something lighter). The food is sort of Mediterranean/American, they do a bunch of different pastries, and you order everything at the counter. The space itself is very small, and it’s great for something quick and casual.
Dino is an ideal neighborhood Italian spot. It’s cozy and good-looking, and the food is better than anything you’d make at home. The prices are also pretty reasonable, and a single bowl of pasta here will actually fill you up. Bring a date for brunch, eat some eggs, and share the spaghetti limone. And if it’s nice out, try to get one of the few tables out front.
Mike’s is more of a diner than a coffee shop, and it’s where you should go if you’re in Clinton Hill and want to feel like you’ve traveled back in time. This place is tiny, and it looks like it hasn’t changed in about fifty years. Stop by and get some eggs, hash browns, and orange juice with ice cubes in it (which is how they serve it here).
Peaches is one of the best brunch spots in Bed-Stuy, so you should expect a wait if you show up at a peak hour on the weekend. The food has a lot of Southern and Creole influences, and you can order things like a catfish sandwich or some French toast with grits, bacon, and scrambled eggs. This is a great place to come with a few friends, and there’s an outdoor patio.
An impressive, design-heavy Clinton Hill space with great drinks and good food.
Aita in Clinton Hill is a real gem of a neighborhood spot. It’s small, comfortable, and the food (pasta, toasts, eggs, etc) is affordable.
This is one of Fort Greene’s best spots for brunch. It’s all about well-executed classics, reasonable prices, and a friendly environment. Get the burger.
Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Ditmas Park, & Prospect Lefferts Gardens
We’re usually inclined to be suspicious of a place that offers both a kimchi uttapam and fish and chips on their brunch menu under the banner of “uniting cultures.” But the food at Lore is actually good. Good enough for us to confidently order “The Full Story” brunch plate, which comes with eggs, dosa, kimchi, daal, bacon, and french fries.
Maison Yaki is known for its tiny skewers, but during brunch they pivot to regular sized, but still cute, entrees and a bottomless brunch deal. For $40 for one hour, you can get a classic brunch cocktail to go with your pain perdu waffle or cauliflower okonomiyaki.
You can think of Ursula as the most popular kid in the NYC brunch class right now. You’ll probably have to wait in line to order a breakfast burrito here, but once you make it inside this tiny counter-service place in Crown Heights, you’ll be greeted with Brooklyn’s best breakfast burrito. Ursula offers meat options with chorizo or bacon, as well as vegan and vegetarian burritos in the morning - all of which come with either red or green New Mexican chiles. The sidewalk seating here is first come, first served, but eating the burrito while it’s hot and fresh on the patio breezy here is worth it. If you can’t make it until the afternoon (they stop serving burritos at 12pm), pick up a stuffed sopapilla with pork or beef, and no matter what, add a side of chile sauce.
Leland Eating & Drinking House sits on a quiet corner in Prospect Heights serving weekend brunch dishes found all across the Eastern Hemisphere. With everything from smoked pollock fritters and babka French toast to pork shank hash, this is the kind of place you should come with a group when you can’t decide on one cuisine. They’ve got a sidewalk patio and a few painted shacks they call “cozy cabins” out front, plus a wood-covered dining room inside that’s walk-in-only during brunch.
This breakfast taco spot from the team behind & Sons is the perfect place to go for a quick morning meal when you can barely stomach interaction with the outside world. You’ll only have to talk to one cashier at Mockingbird’s takeout window in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and there are just four taco options so you won’t feel too overwhelmed. Prioritize the bacon, egg, and cheese option that comes with two slabs of extra crispy pork, rich cheddar, and a soft flour tortilla. They’ve also got some fresh juices and nitro cold brew cans available from 7-11am Thursday-Sunday (or until they sell out).
If you’re looking for a place to eat something before day drinking in PLG this weekend, head to Edie Jo’s. From 10am-3:30pm (12pm-3:30 Wednesday-Friday), this cocktail bar and restaurant serves all of the dishes that pop up when you type “American breakfast” into a search bar. And just in case you’re planning on drinking past 3pm, the bar here is open until midnight on Saturdays.
The Latin food at this all-day cafe in Crown Heights is better than what you’ll find at most all-day cafes. Like the tender pork hash with pickled jalapeños and hominy, and chorizo and egg tacos that will restore your faith in New York’s breakfast taco abilities.
If you’re open to trying experimental small plates around 11am on a Sunday morning, you should try Oxalis. This tasting menu restaurant in Prospect Heights offers a four-course brunch option for $45, with a rotating list of dishes.
If you’ve ever found yourself questioning the social construct that tells us pasta and Champagne are only for nighttime, you should try Scottadito Osteria Toscana in Park Slope. This is one of the best options for bottomless brunch in the neighborhood where you can get any entree (they have pastas, egg options, and some sweet things) and unlimited mimosas for $33.95.
Palo Santo is a laid-back Latin/Caribbean restaurant in Park Slope. It’s on the bottom floor of a brownstone, and it’s ideal for anyone who always complains about loud restaurants. They do a brunch prix-fixe deal that comes with an entree and either coffee, tea, aqua fresca or OJ (with an option to add on bottomless mimosas).
Bogota is colorful, potentially over-decorated, and very casual. Their brunch is pretty inexpensive and has Latin-inspired food like an arepa benedict and poached eggs with chorizo. Plus, there are string lights and bright paintings everywhere so it sort of feels like a Park Slope brunch party, regardless of the time of the day.
Sweet Chick specializes in chicken and waffles, which makes it a pretty ideal brunch spot. Although if you don’t feel like eating fried chicken at brunch, you can always get some biscuits and gravy or some blueberry muffin waffles. This probably isn’t the best place to keep things light, but you can trust that the food at this mini-chain will be solid, and that it’ll be pretty lively when you go.
At the moment, Cheryl’s Global Soul is only open for takeout and delivery. But with Prospect Park just a few blocks away, it’s still a great option to pick up for a brunch picnic in the middle of the field. The restaurant serves food from all over the world (if you couldn’t guess from the name), but at brunch, they also do a bunch of sandwiches, fluffy pancakes, and a pretty solid burger.
If you’re looking for brunch in Prospect Heights with someone who isn’t easily impressed, take them to Faun. It has a nice, neighborhood feel to it, and it’s a little more grown-up than your average brunch spot. It’s also pretty non-traditional, with a shorter brunch menu and no pancakes or benedict. Come here for French toast with chantilly cream, eggs florentine, or duck hash with cherry compote.
It’s not that controversial to say that Miriam’s brunch is the best in Park Slope. When you come here, make sure to lean heavily on the Mediterranean options (get the burekas).
Fonda does a solid Mexican brunch in South Slope, plus a $37.50 bottomless deal that comes with an entree and a choice of drink. At dinner we’d recommend taking an early-ish date here and sitting outside on the patio, but brunch dates aren’t as common, so bring whoever you want and just try to sit outside.
On weekends, people line up for brunch at this from-another-time diner. But don’t fear your hanger: it’s an experience that’s worth it.
One of the best restaurants in Prospect Heights, James is great for everything from a brunch date to a midday meal with your Mom, but it’s probably not the kind of place you want to roll into wearing sweatpants. The menu includes their outstanding burger, as well as egg standbys and a few more unusual dishes.
Krupa Grocery is a relaxed neighborhood spot doing interesting and truly excellent things with food. Get the lemon ricotta pancakes.
This is one of Park Slope’s most popular brunch options, with an ever-present wait. The menu kind of feels like it hasn’t changed in five years, but we’re not mad about the short rib hash either.
Astoria & Lic
Citrico Cafe is already the sort of dinner restaurant you go to when you feel slightly too old for the club but too young to go home before 10pm, so you know their brunch has big cocktails and a DJ. It also has great chilaquiles and breakfast tacos, and on Saturdays you can get bottomless mimosas.
The Bonnie is gastropub, and it has a large garden surrounded by trees that’s perfect for brunch. You've seen near-identical menus at other gastropubs, but we like that they focus on quality instead of offering surprise twists on eggs benedict that you didn’t ask for. Make sure to get some crusty banana bread to take home.
From the excellent mole selection to its brightly-painted sidewalk patio, Ruta Oaxaca takes the maximalist approach at every turn. And that’s exactly why we love this Mexican restaurant in Astoria. With the electric pink patio structure to the rich mole-covered huevos rancheros, you’ll feel like you’re in a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reboot based in 2021. If you need another reason to make this Oaxacan spot a priority on your list of new restaurants to check out, know that Ruta offers a 2-for-1 cocktail special during brunch service on weekends - all tables are first come, first served until 4pm.
Sek’end Sun has a nice big backyard and cheap-ish drinks for brunch. Keep an eye on their Instagram for brunch specials.
Baklava pancakes. That’s not a sentence, but it’s what you should be ordering at Ovelia when you’re there for brunch. This is a good Greek restaurant in Astoria with a huge space and a patio on the sidewalk. In addition to the honey-heavy baklava pancakes, Ovelia serves things like BEC on pitas. Bring your kids, bring your friends, bring your significant other and get mad at them for not wanting the pancakes (get the pancakes).
The famous Astoria brunch place, Queens Comfort (since closed), also has this coffee and donut shop down the street. It’s generally much less crowded than the original, but it’s also a lot more casual - since you order at a counter and the majority of the menu involves extravagantly decorated donuts. They have a good biscuit breakfast sandwich and daily-changing specials, and if you’re looking for something quick or a meal with kids, this place works well.
Beebe’s understands that pizza shouldn’t be limited to a certain time of day because, well, pizza is timeless. On the off chance you happen to come to this casual LIC hotel restaurant wanting something other than a circle of excellent dough with sauce and cheese on top, their brunch also has lots of classic breakfast options like pancakes or a smoked salmon toast.
At Jackson’s in Long Island City you’ll find people using Advil and bacon cheeseburgers interchangeably on a Sunday morning. You won’t be the only one who thought of coming this Southern-ish spot, but it’s still easy enough to just walk in without much planning.
For brunch with a group of people who enjoy drinking cups of rum with a little bit of fruit juice in them, Sugar Freak is almost certainly the first place to check out in Astoria. This is a fun Cajun/Creole restaurant for the kind of day where your only plan is to eat banana cake pancakes and mac and cheese and probably get a little drunk at brunch.
If you live in Astoria or LIC, Milkflower should be part of your weekend life. And even if you don’t live in the neighborhood, it’s a good spot to know about. It’s casual and affordable enough for a weeknight dinner, but they serve the sort of food that you’ll look forward to eating on a Saturday morning. Get a pizza with honey and soppressata or try the one called the “Van Dammer” if you’re a fan of brussels sprouts and you want something that tastes equal parts healthy and unhealthy. They serve the same menu all day, so you’ll always have plenty of pizzas to choose from, along with a few pastas, salads, and small plates.
The best Mexican food in New York City, and very much worth the trip from anywhere you live. What else do you need to be doing at 2pm on a Saturday, anyway?
This popular Astoria bar serves French Toast sticks and a breakfast burger at brunch. That should be enough to warrant your attention.
Forest Hills
We don’t really know how this place got its name, but the good news is we’ve never been bullied here. We have eaten some good BBQ though, and that’s what you can do if you come for brunch. People like to day drink at this place on the weekends, so it can get pretty packed - but it’s great if you’re with a group and want to order something other than just eggs and bacon (although you can get that, too).
Station House is a tavern-style bar near Forest Hills Stadium that serves high-quality pub food. Their entire menu is available during brunch, which means you can get breakfast-y things like steak and eggs, but also something called “the decadent burger.” It’s appropriately named, since it comes topped with brisket, fried onions, and cheese.
The Bronx
At Chocobar Cortes—the Mott Haven outpost from a fourth-generation Puerto Rican chocolate company—you can order from their fun chocolate-centric “brunch” menu all day every day. This includes the Bloody Choco-Mary. Get the Bloody Choco-Mary.
Bronx Ale House opens every day at 11am, but brunch is only served on weekends. So if you want to pair this Kingsbridge bar’s great beers with a breakfast burrito or eggs and biscuits covered in sweet sausage gravy, you’ll have to go Saturday or Sunday between 11am-3pm.
Beatstro
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If you’re looking to sleep in extra-late before a boozy brunch, this South Bronx spot hosts a bottomless brunch with mimosas, sangria, and live DJ sets until 5pm on weekends.
Jimmy's Grand Cafe
This Castle Hill spot has some things you might not expect from a neighborhood diner, like a ton of outdoor seating and a brunch menu packed with Latin influences. Options include French toast dunked in coquito batter and eggs and salami served with mangu.
