You’d have a hard time convincing me there’s a greater meal than weekend brunch. Basic, I know, but hear me out. For starters, when else is acceptable (hell, encouraged) to indulge in sweet and savory fare before noon? Plus, you get a free pass to sip cocktails while the hum of espresso machines dulls out background noise.
All rules go out the window and who doesn’t like to let their hair down every once in a while? Whether you’re a local brunch enthusiast or a visitor with a fork and dream, this list of the best brunch in Brooklyn was made with you in mind. Let’s dive in!
Best Brunch in Brooklyn
(Click here for the Table of Contents)
Brooklyn Best Brunch Spots (Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Cafe Mogador
Website: Cafe Mogador
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Location: 133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Celebrating more than 40 years, Cafe Mogador is a popular East Village haunt that recently opened a second location in Williamsburg. The popular brunch restaurant entices locals with exciting breakfast classics with a Mediterranean twist.
Opt for the Middle Eastern Breakfast (eggs, hummus, tabouli and salad) or Moroccan Eggs (poached eggs, spicy tomato, pepper sauce, house-made sausage) for a punchy Brooklyn brunch meal. If you’re playing it safe, stick with the creamy eggs Benedict or airy buttermilk pancakes, both delicious.
Rule of Thirds
Website: Rule of Thirds
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
Location: 171 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY
In a brunch world dominated by waffles and eggs, Rule of Thirds is a breath of fresh air. Styled after Izakaya restaurants (informal Japanese bars with light fare), the menu offers an exciting assortment of sharable plates like striped bass sashimi and cold somen noodles served with tomato dashi and red crab.
The term “Izakaya,” loosely translates to “stay-drink-place,” perfectly encapsulating the intention of this popular Brooklyn brunch spot.
Sticking with the theme, my recommendation is to get the Japanese breakfast set (roasted bluefish, short grain rice, seasonal vegetables and velvety miso soup) and souffle pancake (fluffy hotcake, honey maple butter, sesame).
Unless you frequent Japan, there’s a high probability the souffle pancake is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. Seriously, it’s my single-favorite Brooklyn brunch dish, don’t miss it.
You might enjoy reading: 5 Perfected Pancakes in New York City (You Need to Try)
Sunday in Brooklyn
Website: Sunday in Brooklyn
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Location: 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday in Brooklyn strives to be the jack of all trades. A popular neighborhood haunt from morning to night, the restaurant serves some of the best brunch in Brooklyn. This is the place to go for excellent libations, unpretentious staff, great vibes and hearty brunch fare.
Flirt with some appetizers like the ricotta toast with roasted berries and cinnamon rolls before committing to an entree. The gravy-smothered cheddar biscuits and signature hazelnut praline pancakes are a must-order in my book!
Local’s Recommendation: Try to score a seat at the rooftop garden if you’re visiting in the summer.
Verde on Smith
Website: Verde on Smith
Neighborhood: Cobble Hill
Location: 216 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY
Verde on Smith is an Italian restaurant that seamlessly delves into Brooklyn’s brunch scene. The large menu is full of classics, from eggs Benedict and cheesy omelettes to smoked salmon crepes and avocado toast. It’s a great spot to brunch with a group because there’s so much variety.
To sweeten the deal, indulge in bottomless mimosas, bellinis, bloody marys, or screwdrivers for a blissful 60 minutes with the purchase of an entree for $25 per person. If you’re on a date, opt for the Boozy Brunch for Two – a pitcher of mimosa or bellini paired with two entrees for $70 ($35 per person).
Five Leaves
Website: Five Leaves
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Location: 18 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Inspired by friendly Australian cafes, this lively joint is on brand with Williamsburg’s hipster vibes. A popular neighborhood haunt since 2008, the restaurant’s signature ricotta pancakes steal the show. If savory brunch is more your speed, consider the Moroccan scramble, made with merguez sausage, spiced chickpeas and avocado, it’s a hearty meal that’ll tide you over until your midday nap.
Juliette Restaurant
Website: Juliette
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Location: 135 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY
Juliette Restaurant is a charming French bistro with endearing garden vibes. The menu is a roll call of everyone’s favorites, from traditional French onion soup and croque monsieurs to creamy eggs Benedict.
My go-to order is a toss up between the shakshuka and seasonal Dutch pancake. The food is solid, but it’s the good vibes that keep me coming back. The garden-themed venue couldn’t be cuter, it’s one of my favorite brunch restaurants in Brooklyn for catching up with girlfriends over mimosas.
Café Luluc
Website: Café Luluc
Neighborhood: Cobble Hill
Location: 214 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Charming Cobble Hill for 20+ years, , it’s hard to imagine Brooklyn without Café Luluc. This French bistro is popular with the local crowd for affordable brunch fare, especially the pancakes. Blame it on nostalgia, but I used to visit frequently when I was in college, so this Brooklyn brunch spot has a very special place in my heart.
I come here often with friends, even though my commute is now 45 minutes each way. I love the vibes and service, try scoring a table on the outdoor patio during a sunny spring day and you’ll see why so many locals consider this some of the best brunch in Brooklyn.
Good to Know: Cafe LuLuc is a CASH-ONLY establishment.
Shane’s Brooklyn
Website: Shane’s Brooklyn
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Location: 794 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Shane’s Brooklyn is the kind of place you can frequent without loss of enthusiasm, the food is consistently great and the service is reliably friendly. Focusing on American comfort foods, the chicken and waffles (and grits) are a must-order at this popular Brooklyn brunch spot.
Reunion
Website: Reunion
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Location: 544 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY
The well-curated menu at Reunion is a telltale sign that each dish is crafted to perfection. While the breakfast selection offers six options, the lunch dips into the dozens. With a focus on Middle-Eastern cuisine, the shakshuka and shawarma are guaranteed home-runs.
Surprisingly, despite the restaurant’s knack for offering some of the best brunch in Brooklyn, it’s fairly easy to score a table without a reservation (during the week of course, weekends are a zoo).
Ceremonia Bakeshop
Website: Ceremonia Bakeshop
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Location: 743 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Ceremonia Bakeshop is the perfect example of a “fine, I’ll fix it myself” situation. What started as a simple bakeshop turned into one of the best brunch spots in Brooklyn by sheer accident.
After moving to NYC from San Francisco, Amy Batista realized there weren’t many places to find a decent breakfast burrito in the city. Her solution? She’ll do it herself! A firm believer that West Coast burritos were no match for their East Coast counterparts, Batista was determined to bring a bit of Pacific coast to NYC.
Burritos are loaded with soft scrambled eggs, cheese, chorizo and potatoes. Get your camera ready because the cheese-pull is out of this world! Come the weekend, the line is typically out the door so show up early or prepare to wait in line.
Walter’s
Website: Walter’s
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Location: 166 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Dishing out classic American fare, Walter’s claim to fame is a toss-up between the chicken and waffles and great customer service. This no-frills restaurant is the ideal setting for a Sunday morning rendezvous with a mandatory round of Bloody Marys.
Best Brunch Brooklyn (Post Summary)
- Cafe Mogador
- Sunday in Brooklyn
- Rule of Thirds
- Five Leaves
- Verde on Smith
- Peaches
- Reunion
- Shane’s Brooklyn
- Cafe Luluc
- Walter’s
- Juliette Restaurant
- Ceremonia Bakeshop
Brooklyn Food Guides
12 Best Brooklyn Pizza Spots That’ll Keep You Coming Back!
The 10 Best Bagels in Brooklyn (The Local Foodie)
10 Thirst-Quenching Brooklyn Breweries Guaranteed to Impress
Map of Brunch Restaurants in Brooklyn
And there it is. Where to grab the best brunch in Brooklyn according to yours truly. If you think we missed a spot, leave a comment down below — we love to hear from you!
Cheers!
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