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Where to Get Brunch in New York City

With outdoor green space, and shopping, New York City has thousands of reasons for you to visit. For me, it’s the culture. Also known as The City That Never Sleeps, Gotham, and The Big Apple it can be hard to describe this diverse, multicultural melting pot. It gives you classic American diner food on one corner and a Lebanese restaurant on the next. 

delicious brunch served on a table at a restaurant in NYC

Every neighborhood in the New York City brunch scene has a different take on what brunch is for their culture. Brunch to me is about variety and showing the background of the chef. I look for a menu with a variety of sweet and savory menu items, so I don’t have to pick between the two. I can order dishes like blueberry topped pancakes alongside lobster mac & cheese rather than choose between them. Brunch cocktails and new-to-me dishes are always a bonus.With the need for diversity in mind, check out my list of the best brunch spots in NYC below! 


Poco

33 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 917-751-3104
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Blocks away from Tompkins Square Park in Alphabet City, Poco boasts bottomless brunch every Friday, Saturday, Sunday for a set price per person. This is a party place where you gather with friends for loud laughs and stories. Abe Lopez, a winner of Chopped, designed the menu, so you’re sure to find something creative and delicious whenever you visit. Bottomless brunch includes unlimited mimosas, bloody marys, red or white sangria, then choose a main dish to soak it up. Maybe one of their breakfast burritos, or mac & cheese, which is also available in a vegan cashew cheese option for those that don’t consume dairy.


Sunday In Brooklyn

348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: 347-222-6722
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Want a hip and happening brunch in a hip and happening Williamsburg neighborhood? Sunday in Brooklyn on the corner of Wythe Ave. and S 2nd St. has become a popular spot with both locals flocking to its tables and tourists excited to get a seat before they set off for the trendy shops available all over the neighborhood. The food is worth the wait. The brunch menu focuses on American staples: avocado toast, biscuits and gravy, and cheddar scrambles with home fries. The portions are large, and if you have trouble deciding, you can’t go wrong with my favorites when I need something sweet, chocolate pancakes to eat there and hot chocolate to go. 


Banter NYC

169 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012
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Along a quiet side street, only a third of a mile from Soho in Greenwich Village, sits Banter, a small and cozy breakfast and brunch spot. Banter breaks some of the expectations of what an NYC spot will be because it’s not overly expensive, and it offers many healthy alternatives to the traditionally heavy brunch menu. The menu offers breakfast fare, salads, bowls, and a few specials with an equal amount of sweet and savory options. During my visit, I ordered the Nutella stuffed french toast that came with berries plus I also had their americano, which was a great pick me up. For savory, I would recommend the sweet potato fries with spicy mayo and buttermilk fried chicken sandwich.


Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant

4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 646-602-6263
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Opened in 2001, this hotspot for tourists and locals offers all-day brunch Monday through Sunday all day from what used to be just a bakery and then expanded to include a cafe. Located on Clinton St near Alphabet City on Clinton Street, directly west from John V. Lindsay East River Park. Every month they release a selection of pancake flavors beyond the regular buttermilk for different days of the month, so returning during your vacation should give you new options. I enjoyed the blueberry pancakes, but I recommend the egg salmon scramble if you’re not a delicious fluffy pancake fan.   


Buvette New York

42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
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If you’re looking for European or French brunch, Buvette is the place to go, and it’s less than a block from the apartment building used in the TV show Friends. It’s a casual and slightly upscale feeling restaurant with plenty of light. Buvette has locations in London, Paris, Tokyo, plus a site in Mexico City opening soon. Buvette offers a full menu, not just brunch, but the brunch selection alone is more than enough reason to visit. They have a full selection of patisseries for a light snack and cappuccino or steamed eggs with various toppings. I recommend the beautifully constructed french dishes such as a beautiful Nicoise salad with tuna or the potted salmon.

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Shuka

38 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-475-7500
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If you’re looking for a warm and inviting place to have brunch, you should be grabbing a ride to Shuka on MacDougal because this Lebanese restaurant knows how to make you feel at home. The dining room has a friendly and active buzz, making it a great place to meet friends or even have an NYC brunch date instead of waiting until dinnertime. Try one of their brunch plates, where the typical American breakfast fare mixes with Lebanese cuisine. I liked the spit-roasted chicken shawarma with red cabbage and white sauce or the shuka egg sandwich, which puts a za’atar omelet, french fries, tahini, and lettuce together into a brunch treat. 


Sotto 13

140 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-647-1001
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This Italian restaurant is situated blocks from the Mannes School of Music in Greenwich Village, offering excellent food all week. On Saturdays and Sundays, it offers a fabulous family-style set-price brunch menu. Sotto 13 is an entertaining destination for special occasions, group gatherings, and catching up with friends. They tailor the amount of food to the size of the table, so you get to choose a few plates for the whole table to share with carafes of boozy brunch cocktails like bloody marys and mimosas. Try it paired with beautifully simple Margherita pizzas and brunch classics like eggs benedict and crispy potatoes.


The Dutch

131 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012
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Casual and American through and through, The Dutch located in Downtown Manhattan draws its inspiration from roadside diners, oyster bars, and cultural institutions that New York City is known for. The chef behind the name Chef Andrew Carmellini was a feature on the TV series Chef’s Table and has made his culinary innovation evident in the design. There are several options for both sweet and savory at The Dutch, beginning with brunch cocktails like the house Bloody Mary or the Diamond Cutter with vodka and sparkling wine. For entrees, I enjoyed the seared hanger steak with kimchi fried rice, or for a lighter option, there’s the spinach omelet with local, fresh cheese.


NORMA’S

119 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-245-5000
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With wood paneling and clean lines, Norma’s has made a name for itself as the ideal New York City brunch spot inside the Le Parker Meridien hotel. It’s not just that the restaurant is classy; it’s also the numerous articles about their outrageous menu with justifiably famous items. First, the Lavish Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata comes in at $2,000 and includes ten ounces of Sevruga caviar. I recommend the far more reasonably priced and delicious Crunch French Toast, Nutella pancakes, or indulge with rich duck hash topped with a sunny side up egg.


Hudson Clearwater

447 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-989-3255
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On the corner of Morton St and Hudson St in Greenwich Village sits a restaurant loved by foodies but without all the pretension that sometimes comes with it. Hudson Clearwater offers indoor and outdoor seating and take-away and provides a full brunch menu with delicious vegan options. During my latest visit, I enjoyed the vegan roasted cauliflower soup, which was full of flavor, rich, and hearty without being too heavy. I had to have the ricotta gnocchi for a main, which was fresh with a pistachio pesto sauce. Save room for dessert, the vegan key lime pie is out of this world, and you’ll wonder why all key lime pie isn’t already vegan.


Penelope NYC

159 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-481-3800
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Having resided for more than 15 years in NY’s Murray Hill, Penelope NYC sits within walking distance from various schools and Kips Bay Library, adding a sense of American country style to the wide variety of cuisines on offer. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM until 4 PM with a fixed price menu also available on Monday bank holidays. The food is just as cozy and homespun as you’d expect for the white and blue awning out front. Speaking of blue, try the blueberry pancakes made with fresh blueberry compote and Vermont maple syrup. I also loved the Greener than Green bowl with eggs cooked how you like them, all the veggies you could want on a base of red quinoa. 

See also  11 Best Brunch Restaurants in Staten Island

Root & Bone

200 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 646-682-7076
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Just down the street from Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant in Manhattan’s East Village, Root & Bone may seem simple at first glance, but they do everything well with practiced polish. That’s because of two chefs who starred on Bravo’s cooking competition show Top Chef – Chef Jeff McInnis and Chef Janine Booth. Brunch options are plentiful here. Choose a la carte with small plates like homemade biscuits with honey chicken jus or devilled eggs or bring everyone together with the boozy brunch. For 1.5 hours, enjoy unlimited tipsy Arnold Palmers or mimosas and a choice of a large plate; I recommend the shrimp and grits.


Hearth Restaurant

403 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009
Phone: 646-602-1300
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Hearth has made a name for themselves in NYC, referred to by the Michelin Guide as the “Old Guard” they have set about creating sustainable food using lesser fished species and whole animals, healthy with good fats, and all while still being delicious. Brunch at Hearth is available every weekend at noon, and while the food is healthy, it uses lots of whole foods and vegetables like the sourdough Bruschetta and will thoughtfully help that hangover. During my visit, I enjoyed the poached eggs Pomodoro over “cacio e pepe” polenta, a beautiful blend of rich and a hint of spice from the polenta. Check them out just south of Stuy Town and a couple of blocks east of the AMC Village 7 movie theater.


Vinegar Hill House

72 Hudson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
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Along the Brooklyn waterfront, Vinegar Hill House sits on its namesake hill in the historic district. It’s a relaxed restaurant that is cozy to new and repeated customers and doesn’t compromise on ingredients.  They serve brunch from 10 am to 3 pm every Saturday and Sunday. The menu is a collection of interesting dishes that still have cozy brunch feelings, like yogurt, granola, and quiche. I recommend bold dishes like smoked steelhead trout served with boiled egg, pickles, and toast. Or, for a sweet slant, try the sourdough apple pancake.


Victor’s Cafe

236 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-586-7714
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Three generations now operate the family-run Victor’s Cafe running out of the Theater District. This Cuban restaurant focuses on flavor by leaning towards grilling rather than deep-frying using traditional techniques. It possesses a friendly and welcoming atmosphere no matter who you are. Start with the delicious brunch cocktails that happen to be available all the time, like the bomb mojito or a more traditional mimosa. When I visited, I enjoyed the torrejas, french toast with guava and cheese, and don’t forget the beautifully fried plantains. I ordered extra so that I could snack on them later.


BLACKBARN Restaurant

19 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-265-5959
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Don’t miss out on Blackbarn nestled within the Chelsea market not far from the Flatiron building, especially Saturday and Sunday between 10 am and 3 pm for brunch. They have an eclectic menu in an atmosphere of wood, metal and an airy feeling that says comfortable, warm urban barn. There’s a good mix of savory and sweet dishes on the menu, and if possible, it’s a good idea to choose one of each for variety. I like the fried chicken and waffles with Vermont maple butter sauce or the egg yolk raviolo drizzled with black truffle emulsion. Don’t forget dessert; the apple cider donuts are amazing.


Lido Harlem Restaurant

2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026
Phone: 646-490-8575
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One of the best brunch spots in NYC sits just blocks from Morningside Park in Harlem and serves Northern Italian food in a relaxed and upbeat environment. Brunch is available Sunday, and Saturday from 10:30 am to 4 pm, headed by renowned executive chef Serena Bass. Although the typical brunch cocktails like bloody marys are available, check out the 1.5-hour bottomless mimosa offer with the purchase of an entree. Try the eggs florentine panini, open-faced, or the rich braised short rib hash topped with creamy hollandaise. If you have a sweet tooth, try the crepes with strawberries and sliced almonds.

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B&H Dairy

127 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-505-8065
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NYC can be a pricey place, but B&H Dairy has your budget brunch solution. Located in downtown Manhattan on 2nd Ave, this deli might not seem like it’s a brunch spot, but it has everything that makes brunch interesting without the big-ticket pricing. Come inside, grab a seat, and either chat with a friend or do some people-watching. At lunchtime, you might order matzo ball soup, but for brunch, they have thick and hearty split pea soup in a portion large enough to have it all on its own. Enjoy the challah french toast if you prefer a sweeter meal or a simple omelet and home fries if you’re still recovering from a big night. 


Chez Ma Tante

90 Calyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: 718-389-3606
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In Greenpoint between Calyer St and Franklin St, an innovative and creative French restaurant called Chez Ma Tante serves small plates of well-sourced and delicately prepared food for tourists and locals alike. Brunch is available on the weekend between 10 am and 3 pm with a small but intense menu. Start small with chips and aioli as a starter, and then, like me, you’ll want to eat even more. For a European twist, their Kedgeree is made of curried rice, poached cod, and celery salad, or choose comfort food and don’t miss out on their pancakes! 


Cookshop

156 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-924-4440
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Often named one of the best brunch spots in New York City, Cookshop is a sunny and welcoming restaurant located in Chelsea, just blocks from the Hudson River. This is comfort food with an extensive drinks menu and an interior designed to showcase ethically sourced oak for all their tables. The brunch menu runs the gamut of sweet and savory, from meat and fish to fruit and vegetables, so no matter your preference or your mood, there’s something for everyone. I recommend their baked eggs or huevos rancheros which are filling and delicious. Add in brunch cocktails for a perfect meal. 


Peaches

Multiple locations
Check Their Menu

No matter which Peaches location you visit throughout NYC, you’re sure to find something to enjoy. I visited the Brooklyn location, and this is Southern home cooking with all the comfort and flavor of a good home cook. If you’ve never had “brunch” before, or you’ve heard of the concept but never tried it, Peaches may be the place to start. Brunch is all about trying new things and not letting one meal hold you back, but sometimes it’s nice to pick a pre-set breakfast and indulge. I chose the Jim Cade breakfast, which had eggs (I chose poached), french toast, bacon, and grits, but I’d also recommend the chicken and toast with fried boneless chicken and french toast.


Russ & Daughters Café

127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-475-4881
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A New York institution for 100 years before it became a sit-down cafe in downtown Manhattan on Orchard Street near the Tenement Museum. With its friendly and bustling environment, you may want to make the journey if you can. This is the place to go for your authentic New York bagels with all the fixings, including cream cheese and lox or herring if you prefer it to salmon. Order extra bagels to take back to your hotel room or home if you’re a local, and add on a chocolate babka as a sweet treat with coffee for later.


Egg Shop

151 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 646-666-0810
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Few dishes say brunch like eggs and Egg Shop, located in the Nolita neighborhood just blocks away from Elizabeth St Garden. Their aesthetic is fun but minimalist, and to go with the restaurant, they recently released a cookbook so home cooks can try their hand at all their favorites. Of course, you should order the eggs; it’s a matter of what to start with first. I’d recommend indulging in the ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, brown butter, and raspberry powder for a sweet treat or the El Capitan burritos for a spicy scramble kick. 

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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.

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