Best Brunch in NYC

NYC is back, and that means brunch is back too...

An activity all on its own, New York City offers some of the best, and most diverse brunch options around...from cured fish, fluffy pancakes, chilaquiles, and vegan options or a classic bacon egg and cheese, brunch to your heart’s desire. 

Seen as a weekend event to many, brunch in NYC comprises of tasty cocktails and delicious dishes to wash away the sins of the night before. Throughout the five boroughs, there are a plethora of brunch options, and it can be hard to decide which is worth the wait, or the advanced reservation. Brunch in New York is for those who want good food and a nice presentation along with it. Before you line up with 30 other hungry people or put your credit card down, here are a few of our top picks.

Take a dip into something a bit scandalous at the Magic Hour Rooftop, located on the 18th floor of the Moxy Hotel in midtown. The vibe is ritzy, trendy, and fully Instagram-worthy.

Epic views of the Empire State are found here, with Instagrammable photo ops throughout the indoor/outdoor rooftop. Through Fall 2021 the theme is “pink rose garden”. Notable spaces include pink, rose flooded, spinning carousel seating, and kinky cartoon statutes located on a golf putting green. Must try:

“Moira Rose” cocktail: made with rose petal gin, raspberry tea flower-shaped ice, and prosecco. 

18oz party pouch: made with Grapefruit Vodka, Yuzu Citrus, and Pomegranate, which is essentially an adult Capri sun

Hot pink summer: dragon fruit, lemonade, prosecco

Pink pancakes, to share, topped with cotton candy

Pink tableside s’mores

Brunch is only available on Saturday and Sunday from 1130 am - 3 pm. Be sure to make a reservation at least 1-2 weeks in advance because it books out quickly! 

It might not be your typical brunch setting, but it is as New York as it gets. Line up at Russ & Daughters either in the Lower East Side, or the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It is a Jewish Style deli offering build your own bagel options. 

Bagels with schmear (cream cheese) are a pretty common occurrence in NYC, but what sets R & D apart is the many different types of cream cheese (include vegan options), and different styles of lox, cured, and smoked fish. You can even top off your bagel with caviar, pickled onions, or more classic offerings like capers, onion, and tomato. Must try:

Pastrami Russ sandwich 

Belly lox (for those who like ultra salty)

Salmon Roe added to any bagel sandwich

Rugelach pastry

Originating in Hong Kong and known as the “cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world”, Tim Ho Wan is an affordable and classic dim sum choice. 

Dim Sum is a classic brunch option in Hong Kong. Now, thanks to the large immigrant population, it is found all over NYC. There are a lot of great options, but also a lot of terrible ones. With one location in East Village and another in Hell’s Kitchen, you always know what you are getting at Tim Ho Wan. Must try:

Classic baked BBQ pork buns

Steamed shrimp dumplings (Sui Mai) 

Fried noodles coming in a smaller portion than what you usually find at a dim sum restaurant

Pan-fried turnip cakes

Coming from Chef Marc Meyer, you can expect fresh and exciting brunch options at Cookshop. You can also find some of the best seasonal Crudo and deserts like buttermilk panna cotta. 

Best of all you can sit inside with the large windows to gaze out of in the winter and relax outside in the warmer months. Walk off your big brunch on the High Line which can be found only a block away. Must try:

Fresh ricotta and market tomato bruschetta

Beignets filled with ricotta and blueberry jam

Most Mediterranean restaurants try pretty hard to be “authentic” and end up missing the mark. Whether you are a lover of Arab, Turkish, Greek, or Israeli flavors, or looking for something that reminds you of your mother’s cooking, you can find that at Golda.

Golda is a successor to Danny Nusbaum’s restaurant Tilda All Day. Although Tilda closed its doors, Golda is a fair replacement. Now you can find unique options like foie-gras and nutella toast, or classic options (with a twist).

Coffee lovers rejoice with an in-house coffee program brewing beans from local Brooklyn. Plus, no NYC brunch is complete without the option for a BEC (bacon, egg, & cheese). At Golda, you can find a BEC with added kashkaval, muhammara, and sumac’d onion, all on onion poppyseed challah bread. It’s peace in the middle east laid out on your brunch table. Must try:

Lebneh parfait with housemade granola

Speciality BEC

Tirokafteri (spicy feta dip comes with housemade flatbread)

Honey orange almond pancake with real honeycomb

Located at the corner of 19th St and 8th Ave in SoHo, take a trip to Paris at Loulou. This cafe is well known for its incredible brunch drinks. Dine underneath the authentic striped awning that will, quite literally, transport you to France. Must try drinks:

Mexican Stiletto: tequila drink that comes in a bird-shaped glass

The World is Yours: Purple drink made with rum in a glass that resembles a globe

The Chelsea: Vodka drink that comes with berry foam to top it off

Not everyone loves waiting in line to eat brunch, but at Jack’s Wife Freda it will be worth it. This classic brunch option offers items like breakfast bowls, but also offers Mediterranean options as well. Whether you are looking for eggs, or something more along the lines of lunch (like chicken kebab) there is always something for everyone at this sought-after brunch spot in Soho. Must try:

Temerario is where you go if you want to enjoy your breakfast with salsa and queso. Every Saturday and Sunday at Temerario is bottomless brunch, and it operates as both a Mexican restaurant and mezcaleria (similar to tequila but with a smokey flavor). This means you can find amazing chilaquiles and wash it down with a mezcal margarita. Must try:

Smoky Jalapeño Margarita: Made with Chile Morita infused tequila, Cointreau lime, and orange juice.

Frozen mezcalita: With tamarind puree, lime juice, and mezcal, this is a twist on any frozen drink you have ever tried

Chilaquiles: Known as a classic Mexican dish, chilaquiles are corn tortillas smothered in salsa verde, along with queso fresco, avocado, and eggs on top.

Huevos con mole: Whether or not you are a mole lover, this may change your mind. With eggs, mole Verde, fried plantains, and queso fresco, this is not to be missed.