Wake up, NYC!
It’s the weekend, time to get that brunch game-face on! The regular Eggs Benedict and mimosas isn’t going to cut it today, time to up that brunch-game of yours. That said, we’ve gone ahead and compiled some of the most delicious and best brunch options in the city.
Most are open for outdoor dining, 50% indoor dining, takeout, or some combination (just check their website to be sure/make reservations first)! Without further ado, enjoy our best brunches in NYC:
1. Flipper’s, SoHo
Where: 337 West Broadway
Brunch just got jiggly! Japan’s most popular pancake chain, Flipper’s, opened their very first U.S. location right here in NYC’s SoHo area last fall. Known for their unique soufflé pancakes that are made without the use of a mold, these airy creations have been dubbed “miracle pancakes” for their moist texture and soft edges that are created by the constant flipping of these airy cakes on a pan. Make reservations here.
2. The Norwood Club, Chelsea
Where: 241 West 14th St.
This exclusive socially distanced brunch series is a rare opportunity to be a personal guest at a chic and quirky NYC private arts club! Hosted by the creators of the Jazz Age Lawn party, this indoor Jazz brunch experience offers great food and dreamy music. On top of the beautiful music by The Dreamland Orchestra, there will also be a delightful full brunch menu from owner-chef Alan Linn and full bar available for purchase once inside! Get tickets here.
3. Zaca Cafe, Bed Stuy
Where: 426 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn
This French-American fusion restaurant in Brooklyn offers a simple but high quality dishes like omelettes, Croque Monsieur and Madame, fresh-baked croissants, and more. Don’t sleep on the fried mustard chicken with scallion waffles!
4. Wicked Willy’s
Where: 149 Bleecker Street
There is nothing like a bottomless brunch after a hard week of pillaging and fighting sea snakes. Or even worse, a week of work. Get your first mate on board and head on over to Wicked Willy’s to unwind with this bottomless brunch complete with 2 hours of unlimited brunch cocktails. Ahoy! Make reservations here.
5. Maman, Greenwich Village
Where: Multiple locations, Maman King in Greenwich Village
Maman, which means mother in French, is mainly inspired by the two founding partners’ childhood memories from the South of France, and the menu is largely focused on recipes they picked up from their moms. This includes an exquisite brunch menu with the likes of buttermilk waffles with bananas, eggs ratatouille, and a homemade pastry assortment. We recommend checking out their newest (and largest) location Maman King — it’s a gorgeous greenhouse wonderland!
6. Madam Ji’s, Greenwich Village
Where: 154 Bleecker St.
This brunch menu is ready to satisfy all your cravings starting with mac and cheese samosas! Head to Madam Ji, a modern Indian restaurant in NYC serving up a mix of traditional and inventive Indian cuisine, for a delicious bottomless brunch. You can also enjoy 60 minutes of bottomless drinks and an entree per person — with choices like mango mimosas and Madam Ji’s mimosas with vodka, St-Germain and muddled berries. Grab a seat here!
7. Good Thanks, Lower East Side
Where: 131a Orchard St.
This adorable cafe serves Australian-style “brekkie” on the Lower East Side. Enjoy delicious dishes like acai bowls. the best homemade banana bread, kimchi scrambled eggs, plus coffee from their own brand of beans!
8. Chocolat, Harlem
Where: 2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd
Indulge your sweet tooth for brunch at Chocolat in Harlem! Munch on their famous Red Velvet Pancakes (you can even add Emily’s sweet southern fried chicken!), cinnamon raisin French toast, plus more savory options like shrimp & grits or eggs Benedict. Add unlimited mimosas or bellinis for $20.
9. 2nd Ave Deli, Murray Hill & Upper East Side
Where: 162 E 33rd Street (Murray Hill); 1442 1st Avenue (Upper East Side)
This Jewish deli is a must-visit for any meal, but if you’re going for brunch you can indulge in the classics like whitefish salad or lox on a bagel, challah french toast, matzoh brei, or corned beef hash with eggs. You can’t go wrong here.
10. Cafe Mogador, East Village & Williamsburg
Where: 101 St Marks Pl # 1 (East Village); 133 Wythe Avenue (Williamsburg)
If you don’t want to wait endlessly for a table, you’ll want to get here on the earlier side of brunch time to secure a spot. But if you have some time, it’s well worth the wait! They offer a brunch special for $20 where you can get one of their four eggs benny dishes fresh orange juice (it’s so good!) and a coffee/tea.
11. Jack’s Wife Freda, Multiple Locations
Where: 50 Carmine Street (West Village); 224 Lafayette Street (SoHo); 116 8th Avenue (Chelsea)
You won’t find the basics eggs Benedict at this cute little bistro. Instead, the brunch menu here is Mediterranean-inspired with dishes like Green Shakshuka, Poached Eggs with Grilled Tomato and Haloumi, Rosewater Waffle, or a side of house cured duck bacon.
12. Jacob’s Pickles
Where: 509 Amsterdam Avenue (Upper West Side)
This southern comfort restaurant makes a strangely refreshing pickle soft serve (yes, really), but they also have a banging brunch! The brunch menu is massive with what seems like endless options for biscuit sandwiches—think everything from sausage, egg and cheese to a Southern B.L.T. So rich. So good. And so perfect for a hangover cure.
13. MeMe’s Diner
Where: 657 Washington Avenue (Prospect Heights)
MeMe’s Diner in Prospect Heights is picture-perfect, but that’s far from the only draw to the adorable diner. The menu here is constantly changing which makes it a fun spot to keep going back to and trying new things. Maybe you’ll get their pretzel scone sandwich with ham, or maybe you’ll go for a patty melt, or even their Dutch baby pancake (with chocolate chips, malted whip, and Nutella). Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
14. Russ & Daughters, Lower East Side
Where: 127 Orchard Street
Russ & Daughters Cafe will forever have a special places in our hearts. This Jewish deli is a staple to NYC and is always delivers. The sturgeon, lox, herring, caviar…literally everything is amazing here. To get a seat you’ll need to get here early as well (no reservations taken), but luckily enough there’s also a to-go outpost on Houston Street if you just can’t wait to sit (which happens to us often, tbh).
To discover more amazing brunches around NYC, click here.
featured image source: Jack’s Wife Freda
Also published on Medium.