the best brunch spots in nyc

The ultimate guide to brunch in the Big Apple.

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Gramercy



WHERE
friend of a farmer
This rustic and comfortable space serves up classic brunch fare made with simple ingredients. It’s rumored that when you order the Farmers Market Omelette, a waiter sprints to the nearby Union Square Farmers Market for fresh ingredients. Make sure to try the zucchini bread in the bread basket. Get there early to skip the line (before 11am).

WHAT TO ORDER:
Farmers Market Omelette – egg white omelette bursting with spinach, mushrooms, and melting cheddar cheese, served with peppery home fries

Friend of a Farmer
77 Irving Pl # 1, New York, NY 10003

maialino


Your usual brunch foods with a Roman or Italian twist. Maialino means “pig” in Italian, and you should definitely give one of their pork dishes a try.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Porchetta Sandwich – two sunnyside up eggs atop thinly cut pork slices on a thick, toasted ciabatta roll


Maialino
Gramercy Park Hotel, 2 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010


upland


A farm-to-table restaurant with a contemporary California spin. Upland features a beautiful modern interior built with unexpectedly homey materials – oak, dark leather, copper, and hand-blown glass.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Eggs in Hell – two sunnyside up eggs made with tomato, oregano, fresno chili, served with a slice of grilled bread

Upland
345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010

prune


Even after 15 years, Prune remains a classic NYC brunch spot with a cult following. This quirky, cozy space and twelve variations on the Bloody Mary are well worth the wait.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Dutch Pancake – one large, oven-cooked pancake topped with blueberries, sour cream, and
powdered sugar, served with canadian bacon

Prune
54 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

hotel chantelle


This stunning rooftop locale, with a retractable glass ceiling, often features live jazz. Hotel Chantelle offers French-inspired dishes, and the Strawberry Lime Rickey and Easy Passage cocktails are only 92 cents until 5pm on weekends.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Breakfast Pizza – thin crust pizza topped with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped chives, and spicy ketchup on grilled bread

Hotel Chantelle
92 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

boulton & watt


With a space inspired by the Industrial Revolution, Boulton & Watt has a historic, unpretentious feel. Enjoy American and English comfort food next to a slew of open windows.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Braised Short Rib and Bone Marrow Benedict – rich and delicious, served on thick country bread with bordelaise sauce

Boulton & Watt
5 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

dimes


A tiny space that offers healthy brunch options and plenty of opportunities for people watching.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Acai Bowls – these come in many flavors and supposedly have medicinal properties, all made with bananas as well as other unexpected and incredibly healthy ingredients (goji berries, cashew cream, bee pollen, lavender, and coconut to name a few)

Dimes
49 Canal St, New York, NY 10002

freeman’s


Known for its warm service, Freeman’s serves up rustic, American dishes in a rugged tavern environment. The entrance is hidden down an alley on Rivington street, giving it a speakeasy vibe we can’t resist.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Artichoke Dip – hot, creamy, and filled with artichokes, served with crisp French bread. We’ve heard it’s the best artichoke dip in the city

Freeman’s
191 Chrystie Street #2F, New York, NY 10002

clinton st baking co.


This is the place for pancake lovers. They’re so popular, they’re served at lunch and dinner. Clinton St Baking Co. offers a large assortment of other tasty brunch options including a buttermilk biscuit sandwich and a southern breakfast with fried green tomatoes.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Pancakes with Maple Butter – so popular that they’re served day and night, fill them with Maine blueberries, chocolate chunks, or banana and walnuts

Clinton St Baking Co.
4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

lafayette


A beautiful spot that makes you feel as if you’re in France. Make sure to try their Boulangerie Basket for a sample of pastries. Stop in for a croissant and coffee at their bakery, if you don’t have time for a full brunch.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Smoke Salmon Bennedict – served on a brioche bun with sauce choron

Lafayette
380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003

bleecker kitchen & co.


A casual, cozy local spot with no-fuss menu options and mouth-watering dishes.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Corn Flake French Toast – with berry compote, mascarpone cheese, and maple syrup

Bleecker Kitchen & Co.
643 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

veselka


When it comes to Eastern European comfort food, Veselka is the go-to spot, best known for their perogies and blintzes.
WHAT TO ORDER:
Salmon Latka Eggs Benedict – A house favorite, two poached eggs on top of potato pancakes with capers and green onion. Served with fresh fruit, juice, coffee or tea

Veselka
144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

gemma


This stylish restaurant, attached to the trendy Bowery Hotel, is perfect for people-watching. The menu features a great variety including; eggs, brioche french toast, and bagels with lox as well as pizza, pasta, and salads. Try the warm banana bread in their complimentary bread baskets.
WHAT TO ORDER
Eggs a la Gemma  – Gemma’s take on eggs benedict, poached eggs on brioche with prosciutto cotto, hollandaise and asparagus

Gemma
The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

jack’s wife freda


The perfect place to snap the quintessential brunch shot. The crowd is young, and the spot a favorite among fashion bloggers like Leandra Medine. Usually crowded, but worth the wait.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Jack’s Breakfast – 2 eggs (any style), grilled skirt steak, grilled tomato, pickled red onions and sourdough toast
Madame Freda – pressed sandwich with duck prosciutto, cheddar béchamel, gruyere & a sunny side up egg

Jack’s Wife Freda
224 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

balthazar


Filled with New Yorkers, tourists, and celebrities, Balthazar is a classic NYC destination with a bustling atmosphere. This French brasserie specializes in seafood and mouthwatering fries.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Steak Fries – Balthazar’s signature dish

Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

cafe gitane


A hipster hangout serving Moroccan-French fare. The Jane Hotel location has a colorful, Wes Anderson-esque vibe. The Mott St. location has sidewalk tables for watching passersby.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Avocado Toast – creamy and peppery, chili flakes sprinkled on top. It’s considered one of the best places to get avocado toast in the city, brought to fame by Instagram, inspiring numerous re-creation recipes online.

Cafe Gitane
The Jane Hotel, 113 Jane St, New York, NY 10014
242 Mott St, New York, NY 10012

egg shop


An adorable shop featuring many different egg dishes. Try their egg sandwiches, make a custom one, or try a “cruiser” (eggs in a bowl with an assortment of toppings like quinoa, black forest bacon, and english muffin croutons). They offer non-egg dishes as well, including the French toast cruiser and the Yo! Guurrl yogurt and granola.

WHAT TO ORDER:
B.E.C Sandwich – broken yolk, shelburne cheddar, blackforest bacon, tomato jam, fresh pickled jalapeno, panini roll

Egg Shop
151 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

jane
A classic brunch spot located in Greenwich Village. Make a reservation to skip the wait, or go on a weekday before noon.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Bennedict Jane – poached eggs, crab and crawfish cakes, spinach, tarragon hollandaise

Jane
100 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

laduree


Brunch at Laduree is just as luxurious and delicious as their famed Parisian macarons. Every room is decorated with custom-made furniture and unique antiques from Paris.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Le Petit Dejeuner Champs-Elysees – a selection of mini viennoiseries, a selection of traditional breads with honey, butter, and jam, eggs made to order, fresh fruit salad, orange or grapefruit juice, and ladurée coffee, tea or hot chocolate

Laduree
398 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012

the butcher’s daughter


This vegetarian-friendly spot is known for their smoothies and cold pressed juices, like The Green Goddess. Sit at the bar facing the window for people watching or try to snag a table if you’re with a group.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Egg Sandwich Platter – two scrambled eggs, cashew carrot cheese, avocado, kale, tomato jam on toasted 7-grain bread, served with roasted potato hash
7 Minutes in Heaven Smoothie – thai coconut + dates + almond butter + almond milk + vanilla + tocos

The Butcher’s Daughter
19 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012

buvette


This tiny neighborhood eatery is the perfect spot for a taste of Paris, located on an adorable tree-lined street in the West Village.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Croque Madame – classic ham, gruyere, and a sunny-side up egg

Buvette
42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

sotto 13


This “social brunch experience” is designed to be shared. Try the DIY Prosecco bar at your table or the prix fixe, which includes many different family-style brunch items. An a la carte menu is available as well.

WHAT TO ORDER:
$29 Boozy Brunch Special – includes three brunch plates (or one wood-fired pizza) and unlimited cocktails

Sotto 13
140 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

cafe cluny


A quaint spot with whimsical details, such as the dried butterflies and wall of pigeon statues. Named for Abbaye de Cluny, the famous monastery in France.

WHAT TO ORDER:
short-rib hash – with béarnaise and poached eggs

Cafe Cluny
284 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014

tartine


After opening in San Francisco and developing a devoted following, Tartine opened a NYC location. This tiny corner shop inspired by French Brittany, has a quaint neighborhood feel.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Egg Norvegienne – poached egg, gravlox, english muffins, and hollandaise

Tartine
253 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

sarabeth’s


One of New York’s most famous brunch spots, with six locations in the city, not including the Sarabeth’s bakery at Chelsea Market. Each location offers a large selection of egg dishes, fruit bowls, sweet breakfasts, pastries, and sides. The potato waffle, upgraded French toasts, and pumpkin waffle are only available on weekends.

WHAT TO ORDER:
Lemon & ricotta pancakes – served with fresh blackberries

Sarabeth’s
40 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

sant ambroeus


Classic (and pricey) Italian food with a location uptown as well as in SoHo and the West Village. Popular since the opening of its first Milan location in 1936, and known for their beautiful cappuccinos and the infamous pink to-go coffee cups.

WHAT TO ORDER:
crostone – grilled parma cotto and Swiss cheese on sunflower seed toast topped with two organic sunny-side up eggs and Parmigiano Reggiano

Sant Ambroeus
265 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

bubby’s


A soda fountain style restaurant that admits to “stealing recipes from grandma”, Bubby’s is the go-to for comfort food. All meats are cured and smoked in-house, so try a side of their bacon. Stop in for midnight brunch Thursday-Saturday, 11pm-7am.

WHAT TO ORDER:
bubby’s breakfast – farm eggs any style, house-cured meat, home fries or grits, and shewolf bakery toast

Bubby’s
73 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

the smith


A lively brasserie serving familiar and delicious American food. Their menu features a huge selection of options including; jalapeno cheddar grits, housemade sodas, oysters, hot potato chips, and a long list of salads, sandwiches, and scrambles!

WHAT TO ORDER:
Vanilla Bean French Toast – The Smith’s signature brunch dish, served with maple butter and caramelized bananas

The Smith
55 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003