Brian Nagele
New York’s East Village offers visitors a vibrant nightlife scene with neighborhood bars, hip music venues, and hot spots for craft bartending. During the day, chic boutiques and vintage shops draw in locals and guests alike. Casual cafes and cutting-edge fast-food restaurants have consistently popped up in East Village in the last decade.
From pancakes to benedicts, finding the best brunch in the East Village is simple after you review our comprehensive list of the seventeen best brunches in the neighborhood.
The East Village has always been known for innovation, so try some creative brunch dishes soon!
Veselka
144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-228-9682
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Veselka, a Ukrainian coffee shop, was established in 1954; ever since, the restaurant has served pierogi and goulash to locals and guests alike. In Ukrainian, “veselka” means rainbow, and this hip brunch spot is undoubtedly the pot of gold at the end. Located at the corner of East Ninth Street and Second Avenue, brunch is served on weekends and holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Order a mimosa to start your meal, then try the signature brunch pierogi made with bacon, scrambled eggs, Vermont cheddar, and chipotle ketchup. I also enjoyed the Salmon Latka Eggs Benedict with two poached eggs, smoked salmon, potato pancakes, hollandaise sauce, capers, and scallions.
Cafe Mogador
101 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-677-2226
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Cafe Mogador opened in the East Village in 1983. The restaurant serves Moroccan cuisine and relies upon the creative neighborhood vibes for inspiration. The brunch service is incredible, and paired with the ambiance of nostalgia, the experience of dining at Cafe Mogador is simply unbelievable.
I enjoyed the Moroccan Benedict with spicy stewed tomato and pepper sauce, poached eggs, an English muffin, hollandaise sauce, and roasted potatoes. Other popular menu items include the Buttermilk Pancakes and Halloumi Eggs served with roasted tomato and halloumi cheese. Brunch is served on the weekends until 4:00 pm.
Hearth
403 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 646-602-1300
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Hearth is inspired by the traditional meaning of a hearth – the warm and comforting heart of the home. Chef Marco Canora’s cuisine focuses on sustainability. The mantra of the restaurant is to provide a balanced diet and promote clean eating. Hearth is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at noon.
I ordered a few things for brunch! Try the whipped ricotta toast with poached apple and candied pepitas. I also enjoyed trying the Cacio e Pepe Polenta and the Apple Crumb Muffin. If you are interested in a beverage with your brunch, try The Beekeeper cocktail with gin and lemon.
Root & Bone
200 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 646-682-7076
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Root & Bone is open for weekend brunch. Chef Jeffrey McInnis grew up in Niceville, Florida, where he learned to work with fresh seafood and develop dishes utilizing local groceries. Chef McInnis competed on the popular television show, Top Chef, where he met his partner Chef Janine Booth, who shares the same passion for food and culinary skills.
Boozy Brunch allows guests to enjoy spiked Arnold Palmers and Mimosas for up to 90 minutes. Try the Fried Green Tomatoes BLT with pork belly, pimento cheese, watercress, and tomato jam or the Shrimp & Grits with Carolina shrimp, bacon, sweet corn, pickled red onions, and beer jus. The menu caters to vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Westville East
173 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-677-2033
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Westville East is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The restaurant aims to create simple dishes using fresh ingredients. Westville East is a neighborhood staple and has been so successful that the Westville restaurant has expanded to various other New York neighborhoods.
The brunch plates are unbelievable. Try the Avocado Toast topped with sunny-side-up eggs, sriracha drizzle, arugula, and a cherry tomato salad. I also enjoyed a homemade granola bowl with yogurt, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, and raspberries. The Poached Eggs Over Kale Salad is great with avocado, bacon, parmesan, and lemon olive oil dressing.
Bar Primi
325 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-220-9100
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Bar Primi serves authentic Italian pasta dishes at the corner of the NoHo and the East Village communities. The restaurant serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Reservations can be made online but walk-ins are welcome.
The mimosas are served with orange, grapefruit, or blood orange juice. Start your brunch with the Sicilian tomato rice balls or the stuffed meatballs. For an entree, try the breakfast spaghetti with kale, pancetta, and a poached egg. Try the ricotta pancakes with Nutella, bananas, and walnuts.
Cornerstone Cafe
17 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-228-1260
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The Cornerstone Cafe serves brunch as well as espresso, mimosas, and smoothies! The restaurant is open daily between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm. The cafe is self-described as sitting in the middle of the brunch Mecca of New York.
I enjoyed the Texas French Toast with fresh fruit, cinnamon, homemade whipped cream, and orange blossom honey. I also recommend the eggs benedict with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce served with your choice of spinach, bacon, sausage, Canadian bacon, avocado, portobello mushroom, or turkey bacon. The Nutella Crepe is also delicious and the Penne Vodka is a pleasant surprise.
Mud Spot
307 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-228-9074
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Mud Spot is the place to go brunch all day! Mudspot Restaurant operates in conjunction with The Mudtruck, a specialty street vendor prowling the streets of Manhattan. The restaurant is open daily until 10:00 pm. For $21.50 you can order All Day Brunch, which includes one entree and a mimosa, beer, or coffee!
Try the Mud Avocado Toast with chili flakes and toasted pepitas. Other popular menu items include the Sourdough French Toast with maple syrup and the Huevos Rancheros with cowboy chipotle sauce. The brunch salads are interesting; try the Grapefruit Grilled Chicken Salad with pickled red onions and goat cheese.
David’s Café
110 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 646-678-3206
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David’s Cafe focuses on French-American cuisine in a rustic setting. The charming East Village spot won the 2018 OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award. The restaurant is open between Wednesday and Sunday, with brunch service on weekends. Notably, the restaurant now offers covered outdoor seating.
Steak and Eggs is a chef’s specialty and includes hanger steak, eggs, and chimichurri sauce. The Classic French Toast is tasty with a toasted hazelnut and bourbon caramel sauce. Other popular menu items include the Burger Queen Deluxe and the Farmer’s Omelet. If thirsty, try the raspberry bellini or the peach sangria.
Tompkins Square Bagels
Multiple locations
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Tompkins Square Bagels is a neighborhood shop through and through. Regulars come and go and are most often called by name as they place their order. The restaurant offers vegan and gluten-free options; it boils and bakes bagels using traditional and time-honored methods. Tompkins Square Bagels opens daily at 7:00 am.
The bagels are a must-have menu item. I enjoyed the Whole Wheat Everything Bagel with lox and cream cheese. The cinnamon raisin bagel and the sourdough bagel were also excellent, and the bacon scallion cream cheese was divine. Try a breakfast sandwich like The Stella or the Stuto.
Lil’ Frankie’s
19 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-420-4900
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Lil’ Frankie’s is the place to go to in the East Village for an authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza. The restaurant is open for lunch daily with extended weekend hours. Guests can make reservations online. Frank Prisinzano owns the restaurant and even has his own YouTube channel all about the culinary arts.
The Baked Eggs Pomodoro with tomatoes, eggs, parmesan cheese, and sausage is a delicious brunch meal. Also, try the Tagliata Steak & Crispy Eggs or the Zucchini & Goat Cheese omelet. My favorite bite was the Supper Grilled Cheese with pancetta, tomatoes, and fontina; it was served with a side of potatoes and was a perfect meal.
Rosie’s
29 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-335-0114
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Four culinary geniuses own and operate Rosie’s: Marc Meyer, Vicki Freeman, Chris Paraskevaides, and Anna-Marie McCullagh. The restaurant specializes in Mexican cuisine and provides the freshest meals possible; the chef, Angel Andrade, uses traditional techniques and even grinds fresh masa in-house!
I enjoyed the Enchiladas Suiza with green chili sauce and tried the Al Pastor tacos with a pineapple topping. Other popular menu items include chilaquiles topped with pickled jalapeno and churros with a chocolate dipping sauce. Pair a cerveza or margarita with your brunch to start the day with pizzazz.
Balade
208 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-529-6868
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Balade serves traditional Lebanese cuisine in the East Village. Balade has a chic vibe with a contemporary design of exposed brick and wood art installations. Balade won the 2020 OpenTable Diner’s Choice award. The restaurant is open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Hummus Shawarma platter is a delicious and filling meal with hummus, beef shawarma, tomatoes, scallions, parsley, sumac, and tahini sauce. The Lebanese-style pizza or the pita pizza are both fun brunch options; try the vegetarian Malak El Falafel pizza. Finish your meal with the Baklava!
Divya’s Kitchen
25 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-477-4834
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Divya’s Kitchen serves healthy and tasty foods in the authentic tradition of Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda, an ancient medical science originating in India. The restaurant is open daily from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Divya’s Kitchen immediately makes guests feel welcomed and at home as soon as you walk through the doors.
The Avocado Toast is a wonderful menu item with homemade vegan and gluten-free bread, watermelon radish, cashew sour cream, and microgreens. The Savory Waffles are also very good with house-milled basmati, amaranth, red lentil flours making the waffle, and sautéed leafy greens, baby beets, cashew sour cream, roasted carrot tahini sauce situated on top. The cold brew coffee is delicious with a splash of oat milk!
Tarallucci e Vino
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-388-1190
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Tarallucci e Vino East Village serves conventional Italian coffee and cuisine to the neighborhood. The early morning espresso will lift you up and keep you on your toes all day. The vibe of weekend brunches is upbeat and infectious; you are sure to leave full and in a better mood than when you arrived.
The Quiche with either bacon or mushrooms is very good. I also enjoyed the Rigatoni Alla Vodka because the pasta is outstanding and totally acceptable as a brunch option! Try the French Toast or the customizable omelette with add-ins like peppers, sausage, and feta. Notably, guests can order a pitcher of Aperol Spritz that serves four people!
Poco
33 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 917-751-3104
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Poco is the place to go in the East Village if you are seeking a high-quality boozy brunch! Located in Alphabet City, the restaurant prides itself on its brunch and tapas-style dinner. Great for a group of friends or a casual date, Poco is a hip neighborhood joint open from Wednesday through Sunday.
The lobster guacamole is unique and delicious. I would also recommend the Poco Mac and Cheese with shell pasta, a three cheese blend, and crispy panko. Both the Poco Burger and the Breakfast Burrito are incredible. The best part is that unlimited mimosas, bloody marys, or sangria are included along with your entrée.
C&B
178 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-674-2985
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C&B is open for breakfast, lunch, and coffee. The restaurant offers a modern feel and serves delectable offerings for hungry morning people. C&B is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The freshly baked loaves of bread and croissants entice visitors with a delightful scent.
A great signature dish is the sautéed oyster mushrooms in a watercress salad with eggs on top. Also, try the almond milk latte. The breakfast sandwiches with egg and on a house-made bun are simply perfect. For a grab-and-go morning, try the broccoli rabe, oregano, mozzarella, red onion galette.
The East Side is a hip community filled with excellent restaurants. From avocado toast to shrimp & grits to creative French toast dishes, the brunch in the East Side is absolutely outstanding. Usually open from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, the restaurants on this list are offering the best brunch on the East Side.
If you’re not in the mood for brunch, check out some of the other awesome East Village restaurants around town.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
