food & drink ·
Published February 21, 2023
The Best Places for Brunch in New York
If it's Sunday, we're brunching. 🥞🥂
by New York Bucket List
We love a good night out as much as the next person, but brunch in New York might top our list when it comes to daytime outings. Brunch itself is a weekend institution in New York (and often an all-day affair) with dozens of delicious spots that fit a variety of occasions. Showing up in sweats to guzzle coffee and breakfast burgers after a night out? We know a spot. Taking your parents out for a charming meal? Brunch it is. Ordering bottomless mimosas at 10 AM? More power to you.
From trendy spots with endless pitchers of bloody marys to laid-back cafes perfect for people-watching, we rounded up the best brunch spots in New York.
20 of the Best Brunch Spots in NYC
Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs
Tribeca
Tiny’s is as full of charm as its menu is full of flavor. If the townhouse’s iconic pink facade doesn’t draw you in, its brunch offerings will be sure to. From a loaded egg sandwich to Nutella and mixed berry French toast, the easy eats show that this small space packs a punch.
Where: 135 West Broadway, New York, NY
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Sarabeth's
Various locations
With four locations across Manhattan and a renowned weekend brunch menu, it's hard to believe Sarabeth’s began as a tiny bakery-kitchen in 1981, selling baked goods and preserves. Now a New York staple for brunch, the homey spot serves up Wild Mushroom Popovers, Fat & Fluffy French Toast, Smoked Salmon Benedict, and more, along with brunch cocktails like the Pickled Bloody Mary and Four Flowers Mimosa. The original bakery still stands in Chelsea Market, but you can now find Sarabeth's in Murray Hill, Tribeca, on the Upper West Side, and Central Park South.
Where: 423 Amsterdam Ave (Upper West Side); 40 Central Park S Located in 40 West 59th Street Condominium; 381 Park Ave S (Murray Hill); 339 Greenwich St (Tribeca)
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Buvette
Greenwich Village
With locations around the world, Buvette has refined its taste of European fare to serve carefully crafted items drawing on a rich history of the old world. This restaurant-meets-bar-meets-café feels upscale while comfortable. Start off with a delicate pastry, indulge in steamed organic eggs or buttermilk waffles, and wash it down with freshly squeezed juice or sparkling wine.
Where: 42 Grove Street, New York, NY
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Two Hands
Various locations
Two Hands sources its quality pork, beef, and lamb from its local farm in New York. The café has a strong community focus and is passionate about serving up nutritious and memorable meals in a relaxed environment. Its four New York locations all serve up refreshing salads, warm bowls, and plenty of decadent breakfast options.
Where: 74 Bleecker St (NoHo); 262 Kent Ave. (Williamsburg); 251 Church St. (Tribeca); 164 Mott St. (Nolita)
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Friend of a Farmer
Gramercy Park
Friend of a Farmer is a family-owned eatery that has built a reputation for fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Start off with an “Eye Opener” like Avocado Tartare and choose from over ten different egg dishes or an entree from the griddle. Friend of a Farmer doesn’t take weekend brunch reservations, so be sure to get in early to ensure a spot.
Where: 77 Irving Place, New York, NY
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La Pecora Bianca
Various locations
Known for its fresh Italian cuisine and its stylish atmosphere, La Pecora Bianca offers a weekend brunch with Cacio e Pepe Eggs Benedict, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, LPB Burgers, and more. Make sure to end with something sweet, like the Olive Oil Cake or classic Tiramisu. The best part? They have locations all over the city, so you're never too far from fresh pasta.
Where: 54 Prince St. (Soho); 1133 Broadway (Nomad); 950 2nd Ave. (Midtown); 20 West 40th (Bryant Park); 817 Washington St. (Meatpacking)
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Jacob’s Pickles
Upper West Side
There’s nothing quite like Southern comfort food, and Jacob’s Pickles knows this well. As the name suggests, you can try one of its eight specialty pickles à la carte or with one of its delectable meals. Jacob’s Pickles also specializes in homemade biscuits, fresh jams, sustainably sourced meats, and artisanal beer, so come hungry.
Where: 509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
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Tavern 29
NoMad
This centrally located restaurant is a great spot for brunching. Enjoy three different floors, including a rooftop garden, all making for a unique dining experience. Beer lovers rejoice because Tavern 29’s eclectic selection of 34 draft lines is constantly changing. As for food, you can’t go wrong with fan favorites like the Tavern 29 Benedict or burger.
Where: 47 E 29th St, New York, NY
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Five Leaves
Greenpoint
This laidback Greenpoint bistro offers an eclectic menu with items like the Moroccan Scramble with sausage, chickpeas, and avocado; the House-Cured Norwegian Salmon with toasted caper and roasted garlic cream cheese, house-pickled relish, and a hard-boiled egg; and a Sage Scrambled Egg Sandwich served with aged cheddar and spiced tomato jam. Don't sleep on the sweeter options either—the Sticky Date Pudding and Rosewater Pavlova are *chef's kiss.*
Where: 18 Bedford Ave, Greenpoint, BK
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Bubby’s
Tribeca
Since 1990, Bubby’s has been a brunch hotspot in Tribeca. The menu has something for everyone, from veggie burgers to classic breakfast fare. Can’t decide? Try Bubby’s Pancake Flight for a sampler of some favored flavors.
Where: 120 Hudson St, New York, NY
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American Bar
West Village
American Bar offers an upscale, welcoming vibe with a weekend brunch menu that includes one-of-a-kind dishes like Bruleed Grapefruit, Lobster Cobb, Steak and Eggs, and even a breakfast martini made with Tito's, orange marmalade, and lemon.
Where: 33 Greenwich Ave.
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Nat’s on Bank
West Village
If you’re looking for a place with a fun, vibrant ambiance, you’ve got to go to Nat’s on Bank. Their menu of daytime cocktails will get your brunch started right. With a long menu of items and specials, including Octopus Carpaccio and a raw “Baller Shot Caller Tower” (Oysters, Snow Crab Claws, Peel + Eat Shrimp, Tuna Tartare, Lobster Salad, Nat's Hawt Sauce), you won’t leave hungry either.
Where: 51 Bank St, New York, NY
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B&H Dairy
East Village
Since 1938, this tried-and-true lunch counter has been named among the best places for brunch by culinary experts and hungover citygoers alike. Its beloved kosher menu features rotating soups, stuffed perogies, classic egg dishes, hot latkes, and more. You’re not going to want to miss out on its complementary challah, either.
Location: 127 Second Ave., New York, NY
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Jack’s Wife Freda
Various locations
If you want all-day brunch, look no further than Jack’s Wife Freda. The well-known spot was affectionately described as “South African Israeli Jewish grandmother cuisine” by New York Magazine, with a menu that seamlessly blends cultural staples like Freda’s matzo ball soup with modern updates like savory avocado toast. The lively, floral atmosphere is just another perk.
Where: 226 Lafayette St. (SoHo); 50 Carmine St. (West Village); 116 8th Ave. (Chelsea); 258 Wythe Ave. (Williamsburg)
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Freemans
Bowery
Tucked away in a cozy alley, Freemans has both the ambiance and the menu for a perfect brunch outing. Come for the unique location, stay for the colonial-American-inspired eats. The restaurant is rustic and classic with a modern twist, serving up dishes like shrimp and grits, a traditional English breakfast, and housemade granola served with sheep's milk yogurt. Don't miss the extensive cocktail and mocktail menu, updated seasonally.
Where: End of Freemans Alley, New York, NY
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Egg Shop
Nolita, Williamsburg
Egg Shop is essentially an ode to the very versatile egg. With egg-centric dishes that are both familiar and nuanced, you'll find a menu of eggs served every which way—in a scramble with grilled corn and cotija, sandwiched between spicy chicken and a brioche bun, inside a stuffed burrito, or sunnyside up alongside carnitas chilaquiles. The drink selection isn't without mention, either. From refreshing brunch cocktails to spritzers and elixirs to a solid coffee and tea selection, Egg Shop has something for everyone.
Where: 151 Elizabeth St (Nolita); 138 N 8th St (Williamsburg)
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Vic’s
NoHo
Updated Italian is the name of the game at Vic’s. The locally sourced Italian-Mediterranean menu features housemade dishes like Park Meatballs, Cacio Scramble, Eggs in Purgatory, and more. Enjoy your meal with house-made limoncello either indoors or outdoors.
Where: 31 Great Jones St, New York, NY
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Canary Club
Bowery
Canary Club is a New Orleans-inspired restaurant that hosts live music in a downstairs club at night and a delicious brunch during the day. Their seasonal menu changes depending on what's fresh, and they source their bread from Balthazar. Brunch takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Sometimes, there’s even live jazz outside during the day, so be sure to check their entertainment schedule for updates.
Where: 303 Broome St, New York, NY
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Miss Lily’s
East Village
Transport yourself to an island paradise at Miss Lily’s in the East Village. The Jamaican-inspired restaurant offers a modern twist on classic dishes, and the menu is as vibrant and fresh as the atmosphere. Miss Lily’s signature brunch features favorites like Jamaican Rancheros, breakfast roti, and coconut pancakes.
Where: 109 Avenue A, New York, NY
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Lamia's Fish Market
East Village
For all things seafood, head to Lamia's Fish Market, where you'll find yourself surrounded by elaborate sea-inspired decor, from a submarine-inspired bar to a stunning underwater cove. The menu features items like shakshuka with calamari, octopus, shrimp, and a poached egg, and a seafood omelet stuffed with shrimp, calamari, and octopus. Of course, you'll find classics like oysters and lobster rolls, too. Wash it all down with one of their memorable cocktails like the "Mermaid Sangria" or the "Fuzzbut Espresso Martini."
Location: 47 Avenue B, New York, NY
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EXPLORE MORE:
27 Cafes in New York You Need to Try
NYC's Ultimate Rooftop Guide
The Best Restaurants for Group Dinners in NYC
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