10 Best Ideas for Brunch in New York

The Lower East Side eatery Beauty and Essex is one of the city’s most photogenic. Step in and you’ll find yourself in a swanky 2-story restaurant complete with a gigantic chandelier. Be sure to snap a picture of the decor as well as the food.

Beauty and Essex is the brainchild of a celebrity chef, so you can expect top-notch food. Go for the Bubbles & Brunch Pre Fixe, which comes with a sparkling drink. Main dishes range from red velvet waffles to shakshuka eggs topped with spinach and feta. Don’t forget to try one of their signature cocktails, such as the Beauty Elixir, concocted with gin, rose wine, cucumber, and strawberry.

Buvette Gastrotheque draws crowds with its sumptuous meals and cozy ambiance. Settle down in the garden or the terrace seats that overlook a tree-lined avenue and enjoy your brunch with a little sunshine. 

For brunch, Buvette Gastrotheque offers an array of tasty breads, from scones to almond croissants. If you’re craving something savory, try the croque forestier, prepared with roasted mushrooms and gruyere cheese, or the jamon cru: eggs and prosciutto with parmesan. Wash it down with some freshly squeezed juice or a glass of champagne.

Located in West Village, Pinto Garden makes for a charming brunch spot with its wooden tables and white brick interior adorned with plants and flowers.

Here you can indulge in a range of mouthwatering treats inspired by traditional Thai cuisine. Patrons rave about the Crab Kai Jaew, a Thai-style omelet stuffed with crab meat and jasmine rice. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll delight in Thai tea French toast drizzled with condensed milk as well as Thai-style pancakes with coconut palm sugar and seasonal fruits. These go great paired with their lychee bellini.

There’s no better way to kick off the weekend than with a hearty Southern meal, so head to Melba’s for some of the best soul food the city has to offer. Tucked away in a quiet street in Harlem, this restaurant charms visitors with its cozy retro ambiance.

You can’t go wrong with the catfish and eggnog waffle, one of Melba’s signature dishes. Pair it with one of their mouthwatering sides, such as the garlic mashed potatoes or the country collard greens. A popular drink you must try is the Harlem Iced Tea, prepared with bourbon, tea, lemonade, and cherries.

Clinton St. Baking Company started out as a tiny cafe on the Lower East Side and has grown to become one of the city’s premier brunch spots. Brunch-goers flock here on the weekends, so it's best to reserve a table in advance.

This spot is known for their delectable selection of Southern food. Fan favorites range from Maine blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter to fried chicken and with Belgian buttermilk waffles drizzled with honey Tabasco sauce. Get your caffeine fix with their bottomless coffee package.

The Soho hotspot of Flipper's specializes in Japanese-style souffle pancakes. Bedecked with vibrant neon signs and huge windows overlooking the neighborhood, this a great spot to start your day.

Their light and airy pancakes come with all kinds of toppings. If you’re craving something sweet, try the lemon ricotta, covered with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Savory options include the prosciutto pancakes garnished with sun-dried tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Sip on beverages with a Japanese twist; yuzu sparkling sake and mango green tea are just some of the items you can choose from.

The iconic Gage & Tollner oyster and chop house has a long history that dates back to the 1870s. The Victorian-style interior adorned with cherry wood arches and rows of tall mirrors gives this diner an elegant ambiance.

During brunch hours, you can indulge in the restaurant’s specialties, oyster and steak, as well as breakfast fare such as their Dutch Baby Pancake and Pork Pot Pie. Be sure to try one of their special vintage cocktails, such as the Silver Fizz or Claret Punch.

Citizens of Chelsea is the place to go for healthy brunch dishes in a bright and airy space. This Aussie cafe has an extremely photogenic interior with its decorative plants, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open kitchen. 

Don’t miss out on the Smashed Avocado Toast, which comes with feta, lime, and beetroot hummus. Alternatively, you can design your own pancake, choosing from toppings such as butterscotch, berries, and eggs. The drinks list is extensive, so accompany your meal with a frozen pineapple margarita or a matcha latte.

With over 100 years of history, Russ & Daughters is a New York culinary legend. It operates several delis and cafes across the city. Head to the Lower East Side location to savor Jewish cuisine in a pleasant, old-school-style space.

This spot is best known for its bagels. Try them with a variety of fillings such as smoked salmon, sturgeon, or goat cream cheese. You can even splurge on a decadent brunch of scrambled eggs and caviar. Wrap up your meal with honey cake or halvah ice cream with salted caramel.

Tucked away in a corner of Greenpoint, Five Leaves offers great food and a snug atmosphere. At this Aussie cafe, you can take a seat inside to admire the rustic, nautical-themed decor, or settle down on the terrace to people-watch.

The menu is packed with breakfast staples such as avocado toast, yogurt with granola, and ricotta pancakes. Their signature dish, however, is the Moroccan scrambled eggs, which are prepared with spiced chickpeas, avocado, and merguez sausage. Combine it with a cup of Bushwick Tea: a mix of black tea, ginger turmeric, Moroccan mint, and chamomile.