I’m a firm believer in the power of a proper brunch and as a New Yorker, I’m spoiled for choice. If you’re looking for the best brunch in New York City, I’m your gal. Let’s dive in.
The Best Brunch in New York City
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Best Brunch NYC (Table of Contents)
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Rule of Thirds
Website: Rule of Thirds
Brunch Hours: Weekends 10am-3pm
Address: 171 Banker St, Brooklyn
In a world of 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.
But 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, the cloud-like souffle pancake is unlike anything you’ve had before.
Seriously, it’s my single-favorite New York City brunch dish, don’t miss it.
Bubby’s
Website: Bubby’s
Brunch Hours: Daily 8am-4pm
Address: 120 Hudson St, New York
Good to Know: Walk-ins only on the weekends, reservations not accepted for brunch
Named after the Yiddish word for grandmother, Bubby’s dishes out some of the most popular home-style brunch in New York City. A neighborhood haunt for more than 30 years, the restaurant’s irresistible pancakes are largely to thank.
The hardest part is choosing between the chewy sourdough pancakes and award-winning traditional flapjacks (I’m partial to the traditional pancakes). Once settled, decide on a topping like blueberries, caramelized bananas with toasted walnuts or chocolate chips.
If savory brunch is more your speed, Bubby’s has you covered in that department as well. You can opt for spicy fried chicken sandwiches, creamy cheese grits or huevos rancheros, the variety spans the gamut! Take your time choosing but don’t forget an order of buttermilk biscuits for the table.
Jack’s Wife Freda
Website: Jack’s Wife Freda
Brunch Hours: All day
Good to Know: The malva pudding is a must-order
Jack’s Wife Freda is a popular restaurant that merges South African and Israeli cuisine. Sounds like an unusual combo, until you realize the founders are husband-and-wife duo, Dean and Maya Jankelowitz (from South Africa and Israel respectively).
The couple worked at several notable New York City restaurants before fatefully meeting at Balthazar. Years later, they took a leap of faith by opening their own. Named after Dean’s grandparents, Jack and Freda, this chic New York City brunch restaurant is a love letter to comforting childhood meals.
For brunch, I’m partial to the green shakshuka (soft baked eggs, green tomatillo shakshuka, challah toast) and rosewater waffle (lebanese yogurt, mixed berries and honey syrup). But you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
The Odeon
Website: The Odeon
Address: 145 W Broadway, New York
Perhaps best known for expertly-executed martinis, the Odeon remains one of the most charming brasseries in New York City. The French restaurant opened in 1980 and quickly became a neighborhood hangout for stylish New Yorkers and celebrities alike.
Consistently great, the restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine every hour of the day, but there’s something special about brunch. Steak frites and french onion soup are subbed for airy omelettes and stunning french toast.
There are other things on the menu, of course, like croque monsieur and avocado toast, but those are just supporting actors. Omelettes put this place on the map with New York City’s brunch crowd, see what all the fuss is about.
Local’s Recommendation: The Odeon’s french onion soup is the best in town.
Balvanera
Website: Balvanera
Address: 152 Stanton St, New York
Brunch: Weekends 11am-4pm
Balvanera is named after a Buenos Aires neighborhood renowned for its creative spirit. Aptly named, the sun-soaked Argentinian restaurant dishes out inspired brunch fare with South American flair.
Following suit, start with savory emapanadas, fresh anchovies swimming in oil and Jamón Ibérico, if the occasion calls for it. From there, dive into the brunch fare. I recommend the house-made chorizo sandwich with roasted red pepper, papas & pickles — an elevated twist on traditional breakfast sandwiches.
Those with an insatiable sweet tooth will find comfort in the Torrejas Lola, french toast made with sweet milk brioche, dulce de leche and caramelized bananas.
Better still, if you’re on the hunt for the best boozy brunch in NYC, Balvanera offers bottomless sangria and mimosas for $25 with the purchase of an entree (limited to two hours).
Clinton St. Baking Company
Website: Clinton Street Baking Company
Brunch Hours: Everyday 9am-4pm
Address: 4 Clinton St, New York
Good to Know: Famous for pancakes with blueberry compote, make reservations
Established by Neil Kleinberg, a lifelong New Yorker who opened his first restaurant at the age of 22, Clinton St. Baking Company initially started as a bakery. But the long lines and frequent return visitors gave Kleinberg an opportunity to open what would become one of New York City’s best brunch spots in 2016.
The signature flapjacks are the biggest draw (topped with wild Maine blueberry compote, banana walnut, or chocolate chunk) these are easily some of the best pancakes in New York City.
Pancakes aside, the Latke eggs Benedict (poached eggs, house smoked salmon, classic hollandaise, trout roe caviar, over crispy potato pancakes) deserve a shout-out. If you’d like to stick with classics, you’ll find delectable smoked salmon scramble, fried chicken & waffles and toothsome brioche french toast, among others.
Dudley’s
Website: Dudley’s
Brunch Hours: Daily 9am -4pm
Address: 85 Orchard St, New York
Dudley’s is an Australian cafe serving some of the most budget-friendly brunch in New York City (dishes average $15-20). My recommendation? The ricotta pancakes with honeycomb butter, maple syrup, and Nutella. If you’re the savory sort, opt for the salmon eggs Benedict or breakfast sandwich (fried egg, tomato jam, arugula and BBQ mayo with hash brown on a sesame bun).
Balthazar
Website: Balthazar
Brunch Hours: Weekends 9am-4pm
Address: 80 Spring St, New York, NY
Good to Know: Popular brunch spot for French fare, reservations are a must
Warm and inviting, Balthazar exudes romantic vibes ideal for memorable brunch dates. Whenever someone plans to visit, the first thing I do is make reservations at Balthazar because the place never fails to impress.
From outstanding smoked salmon eggs Benedict to delectable french onion soup, the hardest thing about visiting this popular brunch restaurant in New York City is scoring a reservation. If brunch is fully booked, pay a visit to the bakery next door.
The chocolate donuts and chai lattes are on constant rotation in my weekly plans. If you do manage to get a table, linger for a while and don’t rush the experience. Isn’t that what the weekends are for?
Cafe Mogador
Website: Cafe Mogador
Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday until 4pm
Address: 101 St Marks Pl. (East Village) & 133 Wythe Ave (Williamsburg)
Celebrating more than 40 years in the East Village, at Cafe Mogador you’ll find an exciting lineup of 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 New York City brunch meal. If you’re playing it safe, stick with the creamy eggs Benedict or airy buttermilk pancakes, both delicious.
Sunday in Brooklyn
Website: Sunday in Brooklyn
Brunch Hours: Daily 9:30am-4:30pm
Address: 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
Sunday in Brooklyn strives to be the jack of all trades. A popular neighborhood haunt from morning to night, this is the place to go for excellent libations, unpretentious staff, great vibes and some of the best brunch in Brooklyn. Try to score a seat at the rooftop garden if you’re visiting in the summer.
As for food, flirt with some appetizers like the ricotta and roasted berry toast and cinnamon rolls before committing to an entree. The gravy-smothered cheddar biscuits and signature hazelnut praline pancakes get my vote.
Maison Pickle
Website: Maison Pickle
Brunch Hours: All Day
Address: 2315 Broadway, New York
Known for: Large portions, great for groups
Upbeat and fun, Maison Pickle is my go-to spot to bring out-of-town visitors for their first brunch in the city. It’s one of the few Upper West Side restaurants worth traveling for (I say this as someone who loves living in the neighborhood).
And travel they do, Maison Pickle is loved by locals for generous portions of comforting southern brunch fare, namely fried chicken and waffles and challah french toast. Whatever you do, make sure an order of the pull-apart bread starts the meal. Cocktails are excellent as well.
Citizens
Website: Citizens
Brunch Hours: All Day
Good to Know: Good for healthy breakfast options, lots of vegetarian dishes
Opened in 2016, Citizens is an Australian-based cafe that prides itself on community and has mastered the art of Instagrammable brunch in New York City. But that’s not to say the food falls short, far from it. The dishes taste as great as they look. I recommend ordering the Smashing Avocado (multigrain toast, pickled onion, feta, beetroot hummus). Some would argue it’s the prettiest avocado toast in NYC, and I can’t say I disagree.
Petite Boucherie
Website: Petite Boucherie
Brunch Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Address: 14th Christopher Street, New York
Tucked away on the corner of Gay and Christopher Streets, pint-sized Petite Boucherie is a cozy restaurant perfect for celebrating special occasions. Swing by for French fare served with a side of comfortable Parisian vibes. The French onion soup and the berry waffle are my go-to orders.
List of New York City Brunch Restaurants (Post Summary)
- Dudley’s
- Rule of Thirds
- Jack’s Wife Freda
- Petite Boucherie
- Bubby’s
- Sunday in Brooklyn
- The Odeon
- Clinton St. Baking Co.
- Citizens
- Cafe Mogador
- Balthazar
- Maison Pickle
- Balvanera
NYC Brunch Guides
- Boozy Brunch: 25 Best Bottomless Brunches in New York City (Worth Every Penny!)
- Best in Brooklyn: 15 Delicious Brunch Spots in Brooklyn (Worth Seeking Out)
- SoHo Brunch: 15 Satisfying Brunch Spots in SoHo (Worth the Wait)
- West Village Brunch: 15 Satisfying Spots For Brunch in Greenwich Village (You’ll LOVE!)
Map of the Best Brunch in NYC
And there it is my friends! The best brunch spots in NYC, according to yours truly! Let me know if there’s any you recommend I try – if I like it I might add it to the list!
Cheers!
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