The regular eggs and OJ aren’t going to cut it this weekend—it’s 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 New York City—brunch spots that take your regular brunch one step further. So, without further ado, here is where to find some of the best brunch in NYC.
1. Jazz Brunch at One If By Land Two If By Sea, Greenwich Village
This two-hour jazz series is entertaining guests inside a gorgeous, landmarked carriage house from the 1700s at a jazz-filled brunch! Here you’ll have access to a delicious pre-fixe menu with offerings like Assorted Continental Pastries & Italian Milk Burrata, along with entree options including Lobster Benedict or Beef Wellington all for $60. The Full Brunch menu as well as a full bar will be available for purchase upon arrival. Make your reservations here.
Where: 17 Barrow St.
When: Multiple dates and times
2. Jacob’s Pickles, 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.
Where: 509 Amsterdam Ave.
When: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 4 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 a.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
3. Jack’s Wife Freda, Multiple Locations
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.
Where: West Village – 50 Carmine St. / SoHo – 224 Lafayette St. / Chelsea – 116 8th Ave. / Williamsburg – 258 Wythe Ave.
When: Monday-Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., all locations
4. Monarch, Williamsburg
Focusing on a unique Asian fusion style brunch, Monarch offers divine options that are sure to please your tastebuds. Go for a whole meal, like the Hangry Panda (Tofu Scramble, home fries, cilantro cumin sauce, Mushroom Thai Sausage, fennel raisin toast) or check out one of their signature standalones like the Ube Ricotta Pancakes (with maple butter and hibiscus poached pear, sesame crumble). Anything you get here will be divine!
Where: 146 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
When: Daily (except Wednesdays) from 10 am – 4:30 pm
5. Zaca Cafe, Bed Stuy
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!
Where: 426 Marcus Garvey Blvd.
When: Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
6. Maman, Multiple Locations
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!
Where: Multiple Locations
When: Multiple times
7. Clinton St. Baking Co., Lower East Side
Clinton St. Baking Co. is an all-around favorite. They don’t take reservations (as almost no great brunch spot seems to these days) so you’ll need to get up very early if you don’t want to wait up to two hours for a table. Yes, wait time get that long! But in all honesty, the food here is unmatched and we don’t know how they do it. Definitely worth waking up early on a weekend (and also worth the long wait if you’re not already starving).
Don’t miss the melt-in-your-mouth pancakes (especially the blueberry!), latke eggs benedict, and brunch cocktails like the Blood Orange Screwdriver and even a Boozy Mexican Coffee Milkshake.
Where: 4 Clinton Street, between East Houston & Stanton (there’s also a location at the TimeOut Market in DUMBO)
When: Brunch all day Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8. Blvd Bistro, Harlem
This awesome Black-owned business in Harlem serves brunch until 10 p.m. on Saturdays & 7 p.m. on Sundays! Enjoy life-changing shrimp and grits, homemade biscuit sandwiches, and cocktail carafes for your booziest brunch yet.
Where: 2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd
When: Brunch & Dinner Saturday 10 a.m. -10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 pm.
9. Juliette, Williamsburg
This foliage covered NYC brunch spot is chalk full of Parisian antiques, romantic nooks, and delicious brunch options. Whether you want something for breakfast like the Banana Stuffed French Toast (caramelized bananas, creme fraiche, candied walnuts, bourbon maple syrup) or decide on the lunch route instead (try the Juliette’s Burger), there’s a little something for everyone.
Where: 135 N 5th St, Brooklyn
When: Monday-Friday (11 am – 4 p), Saturday & Sunday (10 am – 4 pm)
10. Bandits, West Village
A newcomer to the brunch scene, Bandits opened last year making retro diner vibes cool again. Owned by the team behind The Garret Bars, munch on elevated BECs, vegan biscuits & gravy, a smash patty breakfast burger…oh, and definitely sip on one of their three creative takes on a Bloody Mary.
Where: 44 Bedford St
When: Open for brunch every weekend 12-4 p.m.
11. Sugar Freak, Astoria
Brunch gets some Creole & Southern flair at this Astoria, Queens mainstay. Expect jambalaya and eggs, beignet sliders, and “big seafood Benedict” — AKA lots of flavor!
Where: 37-11 30th Ave, Astoria
When: Grab bottomless brunch Friday 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
12. Miss Lily’s 7A, East Village
Miss Lily’s 7A is a Caribbean party in the East Village — or if you just want some Jamaican fare for breakfast (or lunch), it’s a must. Breakfast options include coconut pancakes, soft scrambled eggs with cheese and jerk pork sausage, and Jamaican Rancheros (over easy eggs with plantains, stew peas and scotch bonnet pepper). Plus they have a ton of tasty seasonal cocktails to choose from, such as the Goose Watermelon Basil Spritz. See more here.
Where: 109 Avenue A
When:Brunch is served Saturdays & Sundays from 12-4 p.m.
13. Pardon My French, East Village
With a lovely patio area that’s best during the summer days and French waiters serving you, you may forget you’re in the city — for a moment. Their Bloody Marys are made with their house-made horseradish vodka, which is absolutely delicious (if you’re into Bloody Marys). If you’re not, they also offer mimosas! For entrees we recommend the Oeufs Bénédicte de Florentin ou Scandinave (poached eggs with your choice of Bayonne ham and sautéed spinach, or smoked salmon atop a French baguette). Both are phenomenal.
Where: 103 Avenue B
When: Saturday Brunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m. / Sunday Brunch 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
14. LORE, Park Slope
Don’t get it twisted…although the brunch menu at LORE in Brooklyn is compact and precise, there’s still a decent variety that makes it a must try. Of course, we recommend their dazzling Drunken Banana Pancakes (pictured above), but they also have other options too like the Mushroom Uttapam (2 sunnyside eggs, masala potatoes, additions: 6 oz prime rib steak) and Fish & Chips (tartar, hot sauce, malt vinegar) for lunch. The menu is short, curated, and delightful in presentation.
Where: 441 7th Ave, Brooklyn
When: Saturday – Sunday (11 am – 3 pm)
15. Good Thanks Café, Lower East Side
This adorable café 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!
Where: 131a Orchard St
When: Monday – Sunday (9 am – 4 pm)
16. Chocolat, Harlem
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 for $25 or bellinis for $30.
Where: 2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd
When: Monday – Thursday (2 pm – 10 pm), Friday – Saturday (12 pm – 11 pm), Sunday (12 pm – 10 pm)
17. Russ & Daughters, Lower East Side
Russ & Daughters will forever have a special places in our hearts. This Jewish deli is a staple to NYC and it always delivers. The sturgeon, lox, herring, caviar…literally everything is amazing here. Unfortunately, the Café is only open for online ordering at the moment, but luckily enough there’s also a to-go outpost on Houston Street if you just can’t wait. You can also enjoy indoor & outdoor dining at their new Brooklyn location.
Where: 179 E Houston St (shop) / 141 Flushing Ave
When: Every day (8 am – 4 pm) / Every day (8 am – 3:30 pm)
18. The KOVA, Staten Island
Women-owned brunch spot The KOVA serves the absolute tastiest brunch in Staten Island. You’ll find the perfect balance of sweet and savory dishes on the menu, from omelettes and eggs Benedict to french toast and Belgian waffles. And their drink menu cannot be passed up, such as a Lavender or Crème Brûlée Latte.
Where: 1775B Richmond Rd
When: Monday – Sunday (9 am – 4 pm) (closed Tuesdays)
19. Cafe Mogador, Williamsburg
This spot serves up some of the best Moroccan cuisine you’ll find in all of NYC. Founded in 1983 in the East Village, and since adding a location in Williamsburg (which we love for their cute sunroom), they’ve been serving an award-winning brunch to New Yorkers ever since. Menu highlights include the Middle Eastern Breakfast (two eggs any style, hummus, tabouli, arabic salad, and za’atar pita) as well as the Tunisian Pita Sandwich (House-made spicy merguez sausage).
Where: 133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
When: Monday – Friday, until 4 pm
20. Yellow Rose, East Village
Get ready for a brunch like you’ve never seen before. Serving a Tex-Mex brunch menu, Yellow Rose in East Village focuses mainly on Breakfast Tacos, that vary in flavor and fix-ins, like the Chorizo and Egg, Carne Guisada (beef simmered in a dried chile gravy), and a whole lot more! Our best bet is to go with friends and split multiple kinds, and finishing it off with one of their sweet donuts for dessert. Oh, and wash it down with a mimosa or Bloody Mary of course!
Where: 102 3rd Ave
When: View hours here
Also published on Medium.