If you’re looking for the best brunch in the West Village, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re a local on the lookout for a new neighborhood haunt or a first time visitor (welcome!) there’s no shortage of charming brunch spots to choose from.
Note to the reader: If you feel like one of the best brunch spots in the West Village is missing from this list please drop me a comment below and I’ll check it out ASAP!
Best Brunch in the West Village
Table of Contents: Greenwich Village Brunch Spots
Where to Grab Brunch in Greenwich Village (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 +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Buvette
Website: Buvette
Address: 42 Grove St, New York
Brunch: Daily 8am to 3:30pm
Buvette is one of the most authentic French bistros in New York City, the fluent waiters are mere icing on the cake. Part restaurant, part cafe, this local gem oozes an endearing old world charm typically reserved for the cobblestone streets of Europe.
So if a flight across the pond is out of the question, this popular West Village brunch haunt should scratch the itch. The morning menu houses all the usual suspects, from fresh Belgian waffles (topped with a dollop of crème fraiche) to creamy croque monsieurs and smoked salmon eggs.
The pain perdu is a personal favorite, even though my mom argues I could make it at home (spoiler alert: I can’t). Airy brioche dressed in a berry compote and creme anglaise, this one dish alone warrants a detour.
Visiting the neighborhood? You may enjoy reading: 20 Great Things to Do in the West Village
Cafe Cluny
Website: Cafe Cluny
Address: 284 W 12th St, New York, NY
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10am-3:30pm
Charming the neighborhood for nearly two decades, Cafe Cluny serves casual Franco-American brunch in the West Village. Come Saturday, the restaurant swells with stylish locals convinced the weekend doesn’t start without a proper meal.
Parked on a busy corner where 12th and West 4th Streets meet, Cafe Cluny is a sister restaurant to the Odeon and Café Luxembourg.
Served on a first-come basis (brunch reservations not accepted), if you’re lucky enough to score a table you’ll be rewarded with brasserie favorites like steak tartar, airy omelettes, delectable salads (the Country Frisée Salad is my go-to) and drenched eggs Benedict.
Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
Website: Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
Address: 27 1/2 Morton St, New York, NY
Brunch: Tuesday-Sunday 8am-3pm
Famous for oatmeal griddle cakes, most pancake enthusiasts know to make a pilgrimage to Breakfast by Salt’s Cure. A California transplant, the menu focuses on the prized possession: five varieties of griddle cakes, one breakfast plate, two breakfast sandwiches and a handful of sides.
Make no mistake, the plate-clocking pancakes are the draw. Unlike traditional pancakes commonly found throughout the city, griddle cakes are thin and slightly crispy, with a chewier consistency.
Served without syrup, these bad boys are pre-sweetened and infused with chocolate chips or fruit, unless you opt for the OG (made with cinnamon molasses butter).
On par with most West Village brunch restaurants, Breakfast by Salt’s Cure doesn’t take reservations. Wait times exceed an hour during weekends, so I recommend visiting on a weekday if your schedule is flexible.
Good to Know: Breakfast by Salt’s Cure earns a mention on our list of the best pancakes in New York City.
Shuka
Website: Shuka
Address: 38 MacDougal St, New York
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10:30am-3:30pm
Shuka is a modern Mediterranean restaurant with straight-forward classics like tender kebabs (served with pita and dip) and warm chicken shawarma. But where this joint truly shines is the brunch menu, which adds a refreshing twist to tried-and-true staples.
Split an order of whipped feta and pistachio dip while tackling the exciting entrees. I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean Plate (hummus, crudite, falafel, tahini, fresno salsa, hard boiled egg, pickles and pita) while my husband prefers the shakshuka (spicy tomato sauce pouched eggs, feta, charred shishito peppers, shatta and pita).
If you prefer sweet brunch fare, the baklava cinnamon rolls or chocolate babka french toast should fit the bill. If all else fails, a slice of dense olive oil cake with whipped cream and cherries never hurt anybody.
Tartine
Website: Tartine
Address: 253 W 11th St, New York, NY
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm
Dishing up some of the best brunch in the West Village, Tarine has a generous “bring your own bottle” policy. Let the good time roll with a bottle of champagne and some good girlfriends in tow.
The large brunch menu puts a heavy emphasis on egg dishes, with knock-out baked eggs (tomato basil sauce, chickpeas, cauliflower, lamb sausage). But you’ll find classics from French toast, BLTs, Croque-Monsieur and corned beef hash.
I’m a big fan of the apple pancakes and gravlax toast (mascarpone, capers, lemon, honey mustard sauce, salad). Cozy and inviting, Tartine is one of my favorite brunch spots in the West Village for nostalgia’s sake alone (I’ve celebrated many big occasions here over the years).
Dante
Website: Dante
Address: 79-81 MacDougal St & 551 Hudson St
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm
A cocktail bar moonlighting as a brunch joint, Dante was named the best bar in the world in 2019 and re-appeared on the list in 2020 as well. There’s no question cocktails put Dante on the map, but this local joint happens to dish out some of the best brunch in the West Village, to boot.
The brown butter pancakes are a perfect companion for an espresso martini, but the smoked salmon toast is great too (toasted brioche with capers, red onion, watercress & a soft poached egg). This is a great spot to know about when you want to impress out-of-town guests with excellent breakfast cocktails they’ll remember for years to come.
Banter
Website: Banter NYC
Address: 169 Sullivan St, New York
Brunch Hours: All Day
Banter is a popular Australian eatery dishing out healthy brunch in Greenwich Village. The menu is full of tantalizing options, like soft scrambled eggs (my favorite in the city), breakfast sandwiches and wraps, a delectable falafel bowl and dreamy nutella french toast.
There’s a ton of gluten-free and dairy alternatives as well, making this a great stop for those with dietary restrictions.
White Oak Tavern
Website: White Oak Tavern
Address: 21 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10003
Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm
White Oak Tavern is my go-to spot for bottomless brunch in the West Village. For $30 a person you’ll get two hours of unlimited drinks (beer, mimosa or bloody Mary). Pair libations with classics like chicken & waffles, smoked bacon benedict and french toast. Or hell, shake things up with a juicy bacon cheeseburger instead, the adventure is up to you.
Jack’s Wife Freda
Website: Jack’s Wife Freda
Address: 50 Carmine St, New York, NY
Brunch Hours: All Day
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 grandmother, Freda, this chic West Village 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.
Greenwich Village Brunch (Post Summary)
- Buvette
- Cafe Cluny
- Dante
- Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
- Tartine
- Banter
- White Oak Tavern
- Shuka
- Jack’s Wife Freda
West Village Guides
West Village in Autumn: Charming West Village in Autumn (Lots of Photos!)
Best Restaurants West Village: 10 Must Try Restaurants in the West Village
West Village Happy Hours: 10 Amazing Happy Hours in the West Village
West Village Sushi: 10 Delicious West Village Sushi Spots
Map of the Best West Village Brunch Spots
And there it is, the best Greenwich Village brunch spots according to yours truly. Let
Cheers!
Leave a Reply