Where to Get the Best Brunch in NYC

If you’re planning a trip to NYC, or you live there currently, you know that the city has no shortage of amazing restaurants. In fact, it seems like there are new spots opening up everyday across the five boroughs, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re looking to go somewhere new. One of the more popular meals that seems to be popping up on all kinds of menus is brunch, which is a mix of breakfast and lunch options, and typically only occurs on the weekends. 

When you’re headed out for brunch, it’s like getting the best of both worlds, and lots of restaurants create entirely new dishes to wow their customers each Saturday and Sunday. Each restaurant is different, but brunch in NYC is typically served until 2pm, and you’ll see menu items like pancakes, French toast, crepes, egg sandwiches, burritos, and salads—and everything in between! So whether you and your friends are looking for the best new brunch in NYC, or you want to show your out of town family how NYC does brunch right, look no further than this curated selection of restaurants. 

Our picks include:

• Favorite comfort food locals love
• Upscale places serving the best brunch in NYC
• Options that offer both sweet and savory dishes

The Comfort Diner 

Enjoy all your comfort food favorites at this popular brunch spot in NYC

Email a Comfort Diner gift card

📍 214 E 35 St | Midtown East | comfortdiner.com

If you’re looking for a retro style diner that serves all your favorite brunch dishes, the Comfort Diner is for you. According to their reviews, this spot excels at serving just that, all the comfort food you remember. So whether that’s amazing stacks of pancakes (try the lemon ricotta with berries flavor!), a western omelette, breakfast burritos, nova lox and bagels, eggs benedict, or a chopped health salad, this place is known for large portions and friendly service.

This is where you want to go when you’re craving a hot cup of coffee or hot cocoa, and you just want to sit in a booth and enjoy the weekend vibes of this part of the city. You can also order some of their more popular dishes with the brunch menu, including vegetarian chili, mac n’ cheese, and chicken pot pie. 

“Everything was awesome. I had the breakfast burrito and my wife had a Greek omelet. Fast and large portions and a fair price for manhattan. The service is over the top good.” -Yelp Review

La Mercerie

The perfect French brunch that you’ll want to keep visiting again and again!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIeHGXxMggO/?hl=en

📍 53 Howard St. | SoHo | lamercerieny.com

If you’re looking to have brunch that was intentionally designed by chef Marie-Aude Rose to be a delight for your tastebuds, and transport you to France in the process, then you’ve got to check out La Mercerie ASAP. This lovely restaurant is located in Roman and Williams Guild, and also offers patrons breakfast, dinner, and desserts. When you’re there for brunch, some of the must-try items include: the crepes au sucre, which are perfectly constructed crepes with a side of vanilla sugar, lemon, and homemade jam, as well as oeuf cocotte grand-mere that includes eggs, mushroom brioche, and cream. 

If you’re more in the mood for something on the lunch side of brunch, locals can’t stop talking about the salad nicoise with tuna, onions, olives, anchovies, egg, and more. Another great brunch option is the croque monsieur (or madam), vegetarian quiche, or the side salad with the famous fresh herbs vinaigrette. You’ll also want to visit the bakery before you leave and take some items to go including croissants, the AM brioche, or the pain au chocolate. 

“The menu is amazing. All the French traditional items. Lots of great French cocktails, wine and beer. The kitchen definitely goes all out in presentation and the bar makes its drinks look good! The place also smells amazing.” -Yelp Review

Estela

An upscale place that offers some of the best brunch in NYC

https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_kvtFRA3r/?img_index=1

📍 47 E Houston St. 1st Floor | Nolita | estelanyc.com

If you’ve always wanted to try brunch from a restaurant with a Michelin star, then dining at Estela is exactly what you need. This is a very intimate location, which is why reservations are recommended for the brunch that chef Ignacio Mattas has put together. Here you’ll find more of the lunch-inspired parts of brunch, so think salads and sandwiches. One of the must-try items is the endive salad, which features walnuts, anchovies, and ubriaca rosso. The celery salad is also a popular brunch option that has mint and fromaggio di fossa.

If you’re looking for something more substantial, then you’ll have to go with the lamb ribs with chermoula and honey, fried arroz negro with squid and romesco, or the ricotta dumplings with mushrooms and pecorino sardo. When you’re ready for dessert, locals recommend chocolate cake or the panna cotta. 

“Absolutely amazing. From the minute you walk in you'd feel the welcoming space and team, its cozy and sexy. We were quickly seated and our server was great. I would suggest everything we ordered so good.” -Yelp Review

Russ & Daughters 

One of the best places to get bagels in NYC

📍 179 E Houston St. | Lower East Side | russanddaughters.com

We all know that New Yorkers love their bagels, and some of the best bagels in the world are found in a variety of locations in NYC—it just depends on who you ask! But if you want to try the original bagel, cream cheese, and lox that’s been enjoyed since 1914, then you’ve got to come to Russ and Daughters for brunch. This is a smaller space and the line is typically out the door, so locals recommend you know what you want to order. Although all the items on their menu are good, one of the stand out sandwiches is nova smoked salmon, scallion cream cheese, and an everything bagel. 

They have all the toppings you could want for your bagel sandwich, including a fresh selection of items like onions, capers, caviar, tomatoes, pickles, as well as all kinds of flavors of cream cheese. There’s a good selection of baked goods you can take home with you as well, including their famous babka or the black and white cookie. Don’t forget to try their fantastic coffee or cool off with a lemonade as well!

“10/10. I don't usually eat bagel sandwiches, but this one was SOOOOO good. I'm not from New York but I heard these were delicious so we had to try. It seemed legit and authentic -- Would 100% want to come back.” -Yelp Review

Clover Hill

A quick trip over to Brooklyn Heights means you’ll get to indulge in brunch at this popular spot!

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📍 20 Columbia Pl | Brooklyn Heights | cloverhillbk.com

Clover Hill is another Michelin star restaurant on our list of brunch in NYC, but did you know it’s the first Black Michelin starred chef in New York? And once you try this place, you’ll be sure to keep coming back for more. Although it is a little more upscale, it is still at home in the Brooklyn Heights community, and aims to be the neighborhood place that locals want to keep coming back to. And if it’s any indication from their success so far, their plan seems to be working!

If you want to have brunch in a welcoming spot that offers attentive service, then give Clover Hill a try. One of the top items on the brunch menu is croque fromage, but the French omelette is also a popular choice that includes tarragon beurre blanc, fine herbs, and brioche. However if you want more lunch-leaning options, you can also try out their Baja California amberjack, Montauk scallops, squid, and mussels, or the Happy Valley Farms sirloin. When you’re ready for dessert, you can always get the chocolate and citrus!

“The food was amazing--10/10! My favorite was the duck as it just melted in my mouth and left me feeling like the happiest person in the world, no joke! I'd love to try this restaurant again when back visiting New York City. Can't wait to try the chef's newest tasting either!” -Yelp Review

Wildair

This restaurant offers eclectic fare that’s always sure to please, and gives customers one of the best brunches in NYC

📍 142 Orchard St. | Lower East Side | wildair.nyc

The chefs at this restaurant aren’t afraid of trying out new things, and each time they do, it seems to really be a hit with customers. Wildair offers a variety of food options, but it’s their donuts that they offer during brunch on the weekends that certainly gets a lot of attention. According to locals, the hype is worth it—and so is waiting in the line that’s inevitably snaking out the door in the late morning. The donuts are large, and can easily be shared, and we recommend trying some of their popular flavors like: mango cheesecake, black and white donut, malted milkshake, and pistachio almond. 

If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, not to worry, Wildair has you covered as well. They have some phenomenal sandwiches including the Thon Mayo with tuna and capers, the pithivier with broccoli rabe and Calabrian chili jam, as well as the red snapper crudo.

“If you like donuts, you must venture here at 12 pm on Saturday! We came for the black and white donut at 1215 (but was sold out, it goes quick!) and got the mango cheesecake instead. A bit on the pricier side, but definitely worth the visit.” -Yelp Review

Bubby’s

An NYC staple that offers delicious brunch items that are sure to satisfy any palate! 

📍 120 Hudson St. | Tribeca | bubbys.com

Bubby’s is one of the most popular places to get brunch in NYC for both locals and tourists alike, and one glance at their menu and you’ll be ready to try it. With options like their famous fluffy pancakes, biscuits and chili sausage, eggs benedict, fried chicken and pancakes, scones, and the overstuffed green omelette, you can’t go wrong! If you’re looking for more lunch-like options, consider trying the Bubby’s burger, the Cobb salad, matzo ball soup, the hot chicken sandwich, or the turkey pastrami reuben.

This spot has a welcoming environment that encourages customers to take their time and enjoy their meals. Don’t forget to try some of their coffee creations to complement your brunch!

“Amazing service, amazing coffee and amazing food. Loved it so much that we went back twice on a 6-day trip. Highly recommend the pancake flight and granola bowl, incredible!” -Yelp Review

The Empire Rooftop

Enjoy brunch in NYC on top of the Hotel Empire!

Text an Empire Rooftop gift card

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📍 44 W 63rd St. | Upper West Side | theempirerooftop.com

If you’ve always wanted to brunch in NYC with a stunning view, consider heading over the Empire Rooftop! Here you can choose between their main lounge, a seasonal sun deck, and an open air terrace that offer views overlooking the Lincoln Center Complex. No matter where you choose to sit, you’ll have a variety of brunch options to choose from including: the breakfast flatbread with mushrooms, leeks, gruyere, and fried egg, the Empire benedict, French toast with cinnamon sugar and bananas, or the popular avocado toast. Don’t forget to pair it with a classic brunch cocktail like a mimosa, an aperol spritz, or a bellini!

“Conveniently located at Lincoln Center and just a few blocks north of Columbus Circle, the Empire rooftop is hidden gem that will get you off the noisy streets of the city.” -Yelp Review

Where will you get the best brunch in NYC?

If you’re in NYC and looking for the best brunch around, look no further than these top places. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy eggs, toast, and bagels, or you want something that offers an eclectic selection of brunch items, you can’t go wrong at the best brunch in NYC restaurants. Which one will you try first?