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West Village Brunch Spots That You’re Going to Love

From French bistros to Mediterranean menus to classic diner food, NYC’s West Village has it all when it comes to brunch. 

I’d heard the amazing rumors, but I had to see for myself. I can confidently say if you want eggs and a bloody mary, head to an iconic neighborhood where so many movies and TV shows have been filmed. The West Village has so much to offer when it comes to food, but they step it up when it is time for brunch. 

fried chicken and waffles served with honey at a brunch spot in West Village

If you are looking for seasonal dishes or everyday classics, you can find it all in this neighborhood, plus brunch dishes you never expected to fall in love with. Even if brunch isn’t your favorite, prepare to reconsider the meal from a new perspective and probably become a brunch-head. 

Check out my list of where to get brunch in the West Village below!


La Bonbonniere

28 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-741-9266

La Bonbonniere
Source: La Bonbonniere

This is a small and homey restaurant that prides itself on the simple goodness of its food. They promise unpretentious normalcy offering NYC residents a standard but lovely diner experience. 

La Bonbonniere is run by a group of friendly and welcoming staff that made me feel at home the moment I walked in. The restaurant is covered in vintage posters and photographs to complete the diner vibe. This place is snug, so don’t expect to have confidential conversations or a super private booth in the back because there isn’t one. 

I ordered the french toast, which was fat slices of bread doused in their french toast mixture. I could barely rise from my seat after consuming this monstrous portion of tasty cinnamon bread that I simply could not stop myself from finishing.


Jack’s Wife, Freda

50 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 646-669-9888
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Jack's Wife, Freda
Source: Jack’s Wife, Freda

Am I the only one that loves a clever restaurant name? 

This adorable spot is bright and beaming on the inside to match the wonderful energy of the staff and owners. If the coffee doesn’t wake you up, the smiling faces and bright lights certainly will. The restaurant is lively and fun, with lots of chattering and laughter that could lift anyone’s spirits.

Now, for the food. The menu is so creative and surprising it is very difficult deciding what to order. Their Rosewater Waffles were incredibly tempting, but I was in a savory mood and opted for the Madame Freda instead. 

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A sandwich that could never disappoint, as I was enamored with the bold flavors of the duck prosciutto and cheddar bechamel. The sandwich was topped with gruyere cheese and sunny side eggs that blended perfectly with the other components. A sandwich I will never forget. 


Cafe Cluny

284 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-255-6900
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Cafe Cluny
Source: Cafe Cluny

If you are looking for a fancy NYC brunch, this is the spot for you. Located right between Eighth Ave and Greenwich Ave, this place is right in the middle of the West Village hustle and bustle and only a few blocks from the iconic apartment of Carrie Bradshaw. 

It has an elegant and classy atmosphere with a menu to match. I ordered the breakfast sandwich that consisted of brioche bun, over medium eggs, bacon, avocado, tomato, and spicy aioli. It was an extremely satisfying sandwich but perhaps not worth the insane price. But after all, it is the West Village!


Tartine

253 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-229-2611
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Tartine
Source: Tartine

Tartine is a cluttered but charming spot with lovely food and service. 

I ordered the classic Eggs Benedict, a brunch staple across the world, and was pleased with the portion and the flavor. An excellent hollandaise with an emphasis on the pepper and creamy consistency. My eggs were perfectly poached, and I asked for my Canadian bacon to be crispy, and they delivered.

My server was a sweetheart, and she made me two frothy and delicious cappuccinos. The only reason I didn’t order a third is that I was plenty energized, but would love if every cappuccino could be like that. 


Joseph Leonard

170 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014
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Joseph Leonard
Source: Joseph Leonard

The atmosphere offers a casual but refined diner style. You could wear jeans without feeling out of place. This place has friendly servers and that quintessential New York feeling that can’t be faked. 

The whole menu is rather unsuspecting, but everything I had was impeccable. I had brunch cocktails to treat myself, and it was quite a joy for my tastebuds. I ordered the Sugar Plum Spritz, which consisted of ume, velvet falernum, amaretto, salers, sparkling wine. A combination that made me hesitate but a name I couldn’t resist.

I decided to go simple, and I ordered the Saucisson A L’ail, which is sunny side eggs and hash browns. My server said their hash browns are to die for, and boy was he right. These were the most flavorful, perfectly cooked hash browns I’d ever had. I usually don’t even eat all of my potatoes at breakfast, but trust me, my plate was clean. 

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Buvette

42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
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Buvette
Source: Buvette

Buvette is a quaint, French restaurant plucked right out of a romantic, NYC novel. The front of the store immediately draws you in with its charm. With bottles of wine and champagne up to the ceiling, you feel like you are in France the moment you step in.

I opted for the Croque Madame, which came with tiny slices of prosciutto that were to die for. The gruyere cheese was melted into a pool or perfect goo to fork onto the bread and eggs. If you dream of France and tiny Parisian cafes, head to Buvette for an authentic French experience. 


Baker & Co

259 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-255-1234
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Baker & Co
Soure: Baker & Co

Baker and Co pride themselves on the freshly sourced, seasonal ingredients they use in every dish. The atmosphere is rustic and relaxed, an excellent spot for a date or intimate brunch with someone close to you. The brick walls make for a cozy environment, matched by cozy meals.

For their Autumn brunch menu, they have an array of scrumptious choices, but I went with the Frittata with kale, butternut squash, and goat cheese. It perfectly encompassed the feeling of a Fall morning, and I immediately fell in love with the meld of flavors they created for me. I only wish I could have tried everything on the menu.


Hudson Clearwater

447 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-989-3255
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Hudson Clearwater
Source: Hudson Clearwater

This American restaurant only does breakfast and brunch, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to eggs.

However, I opted for the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes to satisfy my sweet tooth that morning, and I was delightfully surprised with their flavor. They didn’t lean too much into the sweetness but instead had a lovely balance between the tart lemon, creamy ricotta, and sweet vanilla pancakes. Every bite was bliss. 

Unfortunately, I can’t say the service was amazing. All the waitstaff, my server included, just seemed extremely unhappy and inconvenienced by having to serve. Just a bad attitude all around, but incredible brunch food


High Street on Hudson

637 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 917-388-3944
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High Street on Hudson
Source: High Street on Hudson

For this visit, I brought a friend, but only as an excuse to order more food. 

We started with the Burrata with grilled peaches that were honestly exciting. The peaches were bright with a light char that brought a sweetness to the burrata I didn’t even know it needed. 

The burrata had me so entranced I nearly forgot to order, but don’t worry, I did. I got the Salmon Benedict which was fantastic, but frankly, the only real brunch item on the brunch menu. This was disappointing, of course, but what they do offer, they make it perfect. 

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From oysters to guacamole to cheeseburgers, they have a great menu. It just doesn’t scream brunch to me. 


Boucherie

99 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-837-1616
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Boucherie
Source: Boucherie

Boucherie is a traditional French restaurant in the West Village cooking up some innovative dishes that had my mouth watering. 

When in a fantastic French restaurant, order a tremendous French classic, right? So I got the Le Croque Madame, one of my favorite weekend brunch dishes. It was out of this world cheesy, and the egg yolks oozed all over the bread for the perfect combination of savory and light. 

My server, Michelle, was the star of the show. She recommended drinks, made fun conversation and was all-around a total gem, so ask for her if you go!


Little Owl

90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-741-4695
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Little Owl
Source: Little Owl

Little Owl is located in sunny Greenwich Village and is run by Chef Joey Campanaro. The restaurant is located right under the apartments that inspired the apartments in the TV show Friends, making it a hot tourist spot. 

Chef Campanaro serves up bold flavors and surprise twists in his Mediterranean take on traditional brunch. The popular spot has friendly yet professional service that is quick without rushing anyone out, even where there is a line.

I was pretty hungry when I visited this corner restaurant, so I ordered the Smoked Salmon Scramble. It came out piping hot and was seasoned perfectly, even if the eggs were still a little runny. 


There is no doubt that finding the best brunch in the West Village can be pricey, but no one said it wasn’t worth it. Almost all of the restaurants I visited had friendly service, impeccable food, and a charming atmosphere. I would return to all of these places to try more of their innovative and enticing menus.

So whether you are looking for a classic Eggs Benedict, a simple short stack, or something more unique, the West Village has a lot to offer before noon. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other neighborhoods in NYC that know how to do a good Sunday brunch. Check out my list of the best brunch spots in the East Village!

Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.