Where to Go for Brunch in New York City
Brunch is polarizing. In New York, those that love it really, really do—it's become something of a ritual, with standing reservations used for morning-after debriefs and a bit of hair of the dog. Many others just don't get it, preferring their big meal out to be dinner. How does one go about their day after a boozy, bottomless brunch? How does the city that brunches not fall asleep right after?
Regardless of your own culinary preferences, it's safe to say that some brunches are better than others—those that can really impress the brunch-savvy while softening the blow for those who'd rather be in bed or at the gym with a good experience. To determine the best brunches in New York, from classics like Balthazar to innovators on the form like Agi's Counter, we compiled the favorites of our editors who live here and know the deal.
How we choose the best brunches in New York City
Some parameters: brunch is a meal that may happen between mid-morning and early afternoon, perhaps on a Saturday and definitely on a Sunday. The restaurant must provide full service, as brunch is about lounging. Cocktails are ideal, in particular a Bloody Mary, but there's wiggle room so long as there's wine and beer. The atmosphere should be convivial and chatty, and therefore slightly on the casual side. You'll notice that some of these spots (Café Sabarsky, Joe's Shanghai) do not have express, standalone brunch menus—such establishments have been included at our discretion, so long as they meet the remaining criteria laid out above. Happy brunching.
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This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy Agi's CounterAgi's Counter
Neighborhood: Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Go for: deviled eggs and a tuna meltI think everyone should treat themselves to brunch solo at tiny Agi’s at least once, to read a little but mostly to eat and watch the service—which has just expanded to include liquor on a newly-minted license. You’ll be led to a stool at the titular counter (there are also tables for groups, which are best reserved in advance) and immediately find yourself stumped by a menu that’s as svelte as the space itself. Combining Hungarian, Austrian, and Jewish cuisines, you’ll see things like nokedli soup (dropped dumplings in chicken broth) alongside sugared grapefruit and a sort of charcuterie platter called the Country Club Plate. It’s the all-day classics that really shine—devilled eggs piled high with dill and chili crisp, a tuna melt that’s similarly bedecked in pickled peppers. It’s hearty and happy food. —Charlie Hobbs
Jeremy CohenBaby Blues Luncheonette
Baby Blues Luncheonette
Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Go for: Meditteranean-inflected diner foodBBL has nailed the brunch formula—the sunny space, filled with trinkets and diner-esque memorabilia, makes you want to spend hours catching up with friends, and the menu has a little something for everyone. The inspo here is the many Greek-owned diners throughout New York, so mezze items appear beside eggs (and for the person who opts for a veggie, there's a salad section with bright Mediterranean flavors) but you can also get a grilled cheese with fig, or a pile of pancakes. The people watching is usually pretty great (sometimes the gossip at the table beside me is so good I struggle to stay focused on my own). Its Achilles Heel is that too many people know about it and they don't take reservations, so I regularly expect a two-hour wait. My tip: Arrive two hours before you actually want to eat to get a name in, and pop into the surrounding vintage stores in the meantime. (That in mind, you can't actually sit at your table for hours on end but I've never felt rushed out.) —Megan Spurrell
Justin SissonThird Falcon
Neighborhood: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Go for: the brioche and butter and sublime simplicityNot far from the north side of Fort Greene Park, dreamy Third Falcon is an excellent restaurant serving a seasonal menu of fare pulled in from Northern France, namely Normandy and Brittany. The brunch menu is spare—a total of 12 items, two of them desserts, make the list—and seemingly simple. The brioche, which is buttery and airy and sliced like cake, with beurre bordier is the place to begin—the latter element sits on the bar in an impressive block for all to marvel at. From there, consider the delicate poached eggs and leeks and the “greens of the day,” which will be bright, fresh, and perfectly dressed no matter the combination of herbs and leaves. It manages to feel at once slightly decadent and clean, the type of meal that sates you but after which you can still face a long day. —C.H.
Win Son
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Go for: Savory Taiwanese-American dishes and a cocktail list bigger than the rest of the menuMy first NYC apartment was a few doors down from Win Son, and I’ve been returning for brunch over the eight years since. This Taiwanese-American spot has great vibes, with big windows full of greenery and outdoor seating in the warmer months that promises fabulous people watching on a buzzy little corner in East Williamsburg. Though it's popular for dinner, as a savory-over-sweet kind of girl I love that the brunch menu has not only the nighttime hits like marinated cucumbers and scallion pancakes or pan-griddled pork buns, but also a savory porridge with egg and braised pork (if you have a sweet tooth, there are pancakes topped with boba and oolong whipped cream). The cocktail, beer, and wine menu is lengthy, and they take some reservations but mainly walk-ins. Best of all, their bakery right across the street (mochi donuts! scallion pancake breakfast sandwiches!) is a fantastic stopgap if there's a wait—though it’s also worth a breakfast stop of its own. —M.S.
Courtesy Sofrito'sSofrito's
Neighborhood: Harlem, Manhattan
Go for: great value and great vibesDining in New York City often means squeezing past narrow rows of packed tables, hoping your bag doesn’t accidentally knock over someone's drink. At Sofrito’s, a Puerto Rican restaurant in Harlem’s Riverbank State Park, you’ve got plenty of elbow room—the first time I walked in, it felt more like being in South Florida than NYC. It’s also a certified vibe, with DJs and live music events and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. If you go in nice weather, ask for a table outside; the views of the Hudson are lovely. As for the brunch itself, for $50, you’ll get an appetizer (dishes like rellenos de papa or carne frita), entrée (paella, pernil, chimichurri steak and eggs), and mimosas or sangria. Hot tip: Around Christmastime, you can buy coquito and pasteles to take home too. —Madison Flager
Café Sabarsky
Neighborhood: Upper East Side, Manhattan
Go for: a strong kaffee creme and a glass of GrünerThere isn’t brunch at Café Sabarsky per se, but a weekend breakfast or lunch there nevertheless scratches the itch. It has an ideal position along Museum Mile, and in fact sits inside one of New York City's best museums—the fabulous Neue Galerie, with its selection of German and Austrian art. A receipt from Sabarsky does not grant you admission, unfortunately, and there's often quite the line to get seated if you don't have a reservation. But the wait is worth it for some Bavarian delights—sausages with a soft pretzel and mustard, applestrudel. The Viennese coffee menu (Kaffeespezialitäten) is killer, with options like the whipped cream-laden kaiser mélange approaching dessert. Cocktails and especially German wines also pair nicely. —C.H.
Courtesy Mile End DelirestaurantMile End Deli
$Neighborhood: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Go for: hefty portions of deli classics like smoked brisket and corned beefYou don't come to Mile End for a light meal. This is a meat-centric, high-end Montreal-style Jewish deli that specializes in hefty platters of smoked brisket, corned beef sandwiches, and a smoked meat hash (brisket, potato, caramelized onion, sunny side up eggs) that could last you at least half a day. More if you get a poutine starter for the table, that Quebec specialty (Mile End is named after a neighborhood in Montreal), consisting of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. —Andrea Whittle
Hudson Clearwater
Neighborhood: West Village, Manhattan
Go for: Craft cocktails and local charmHudson Clearwater is the West Village’s quintessential brunch nook. The alfresco-lined sidewalk always buzzes on weekends without ever tipping into chaos. In summer, the sun-drenched backyard garden becomes a dining room; in winter, the rustic interior turns into a cozy, candlelit hideaway. The brunch menu leans indulgent, from savory Benedicts and rich scrambles to sweet lemon-ricotta pancakes and cornflake-crusted French toast. Don’t skip the cocktails—each is expertly crafted and uniquely memorable. It’s a quaint brunch venue that captures the West Village’s true “village” feel: unpretentious, charming, and a reliable favorite locals return to again and again. —Bridget Knowles
Jonathan BumblerestaurantBarney Greengrass
$$Neighborhood: Upper West Side, Manhattan
Go for: Jewish specialties at a true institutionThere are a lot of so-called "institutions" in New York City, but this 100-year-old Jewish delicatessen on the Upper West Side is a true icon. Everything about it, from the hand-painted murals on the walls to the fact that they only take cash, is a reminder of a bygone era. There are a few ways to navigate this menu: You can keep it simple and go for a bagel with cream cheese and lox (never a bad plan). Or you can do a deep dive into a variety of Jewish “appetizing” specialties, from homemade whitefish salad to pastrami-cured salmon and borscht. Also on the menu are diner-style omelettes and scrambled eggs that you can order with a variety of cured fish mixed in, chopped side salads, and a deeply soothing matzoh ball soup. —A.W.
Courtesy Chez Ma TanterestaurantChez Ma Tante
$$$Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Go for: the pancakes, stay for falafelBehind an unassuming corner storefront on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Chez Ma Tante is sleek and stark, with glossy, dark-washed wood floors, white walls, and minimal decor, aside from a few flowering branches in vases. The menu is supposedly Canadian-inspired, but it's also filled with influences from all over Europe, Britain, and the Middle East. The famous pancakes, with a crunchy, golden-brown crust and a leavened, pillowy interior, really do live up to the hype, so definitely order some for the table. Highlights of the savory fare are cured salmon with cream cheese and pickled onion, little falafel balls with creamy cores, and kedgeree with poached cod. —A.W.
Golden Unicorn
Neighborhood: Chinatown, Manhattan
Go for: dim sum with a big groupThe entrance to Golden Unicorn on Canal Street might be considered nondescript if it wasn’t for the large groups of New Yorkers who have been waiting outside on weekends since the 1980s. Step inside once your table is ready, and you immediately become absorbed into a complex system of walkie-talkie wielding maitre-ds who will eventually direct you up to one of the Chinese restaurant’s three banquet halls, where white table cloths, gold seating, and thick red carpets await (and, rather inexplicably, movie-theater-size flat screens usually displaying NY1). Once settled in, allow yourself to be cajoled by the servers into ordering as much as possible from their dim sum carts, and then spin your selections around the table on the requisite lazy Susans. Highlights include: cloud-like steamed pork buns, slippery shrimp-stuffed rice rolls, Hong Kong-style pineapple buns, and, of course, piping hot soup dumplings, which in my opinion are as ubiquitous to this city as pretzels, bagels, and pizza. Golden Unicorn is as delicious, and New York, as brunch can get. —Lale Arikoglu
Courtesy BuvetterestaurantBuvette
$$$Neighborhood: West Village, Manhattan
Go for: pastries and les croquesBuvette is the “cool French girl” of neighborhood restaurants: The platonic ideal of a tiny, charming, effortlessly stylish Parisian café, on one of the most lively streets in New York's West Village. It's walk-in only, so be prepared for a wait if you show up during peak hours. The brunch menu features rich, beautifully prepared French classics like croques monsieur and a pain perdu with berries and custard, as well as more conventional American fare like and avocado toast. Everything is fresh, thoughtfully seasoned, and perfectly proportioned, including the lovely vegetable dishes that rotate according to the season. For something festive and light (an ideal brunch beverage) try the bibonade, which is white wine or rosé infused with fresh fruit, and served over ice with a sparkling water topper. Their coffees are strong and excellent, and they also have a selection of fresh pressed juices. —A.W.
Michael GrimmrestaurantBalthazar
$$Neighborhood: SoHo, Manhattan
Go for: the bread basket and eggs done any number of waysKeith McNally's flagship restaurant—the man behind such atmospheric Manhattan mainstays as Pastis, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi, each also worth a visit if I may suggest a “Keith McNally crawl”—is a high-ceilinged, brasserie-inspired scene to end all scenes. It’s a great place to go if you’re craving a truly classic brunch spread—i.e. Eggs benedict plus a mimosa plus a house made pastry of some kind. —C.H.
Paul Brissman/Red RoosterrestaurantRed Rooster
$$$Neighborhood: Harlem, Manhattan
Go for: live gospel music with a side of fried chicken and catfishThere are two ways to brunch at Harlem's Red Rooster as part of what they call “Rooster Sundays,” and both of them deliver sky-high levels of energy thanks to the involvement of live music. Downstairs at Ginny's Supper Club, the restaurant hosts two seatings of Gospel Brunch (11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.) wherein guests dine to the live stylings of the Sing Harlem choir—a reservation $90 per person, and gives you access to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Starting at noon in the main Red Rooster space, jazz artist Nate Lucas and his band start up some live music of their own for something slightly more lowkey—emphasis on slightly. —C.H.
Courtesy Joe’s ShanghairestaurantJoe's Shanghai
$Neighborhood: Chinatown, Manhattan
Go for: the soup dumplings, of courseYou're not at Joe's Shanghai for a plate of eggs and bacon—you're here for the soup dumplings: pork or pork and crab. Other favorites include spicy cold sesame noodles, scallion pancakes, spicy pepper salt prawns in their shells, garlic eggplant, and all kinds of fried rice. If you see something that looks delicious on someone else's table, just ask the server. —A.W.
Noah FecksrestaurantLocanda Verde
$$$Neighborhood: Tribeca, Manhattan
Go for: elevated ItalianAt this quintessential brunch spot the buzzy energy hits you as soon as you walk. The Tribeca space seems to be constantly packed—but never claustrophobic, with its soaring ceilings and tons of natural light. The signature sheep's milk crostini with truffle honey on grilled orange toast is served all day, and the frittata caprese, soft scrambled eggs, and lemon ricotta pancakes are perennial favorites. —A.W.
Five Leaves
Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Go for: elevated brunch classics and outdoor seatingI moved to Williamsburg when it still had more warehouses than condos, a beer and a shot was $5, and coffee shops doubled as Girls filming locations. All of that is a distant memory (and I no longer live there because the rents now cater to hedge funders instead of writers) but one remaining vestige of that era is Five Leaves, the beloved brunch spot on the Williamsburg-Greenpoint border that was masterminded by the late Heath Ledger and his friend Jud Mongell. It’s barely changed since I first ate there in [redacted year] and that’s what makes it perfect: the Moroccan scramble is still rich and spicy, the ricotta pancakes just as fluffy, and the outdoor seating remains the best corner in town for eavesdropping and people watching. New York (and myself!) have changed a lot over the years, but Five Leaves has remained a comforting anchor amid first dates, bad breakups, career dramas, and soul-crushing hangovers for a considerable portion of north Brooklyn—may it never change. —L.A.
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