Brunch

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

Classic Brunch

  • Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud – Tiffany’s destination for a prix fixe American breakfast, lunch or tea in a robin’s-egg blue room
    • Location: Midtown 
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, trendy, high class 
    • Suggestions: Croissant, the rest of the menu is seasonal 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made 30 calendar days out every day at midnight via Resy 

  • Bubby’s – Weekend brunch hot spot serving homestyle American eats with many locally sourced ingredients
    • Location: Tribeca 
    • Atmosphere: Farmhouse, quaint 
    • Suggestions: Pancakes, bacon
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested for weekend brunch  

  • Citizens of Chelsea / Gramercy / Soho – Modern Australian breakfast and lunch, paired with beautiful coffee and a smile
    • Location: Chelsea, Gramercy, Soho
    • Atmosphere: Small, quaint, casual 
    • Suggestions: Avocado toast 
    • Reservations: Not required but suggested for prime time weekend brunch

  • Freeman’s Ally – American fare, craft cocktails & Colonial tavern decor draws a hip crowd to this hidden-away spot
    • Location: Nolita 
    • Atmosphere: Homey, welcoming 
    • Suggestions: Breakfast potatoes 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested; Freemans accepts reservation for parties of 1-8 guests 14 days in advance via Resy

  • Jacks Wife Freda – A lively all-day NYC bistro executing American-Mediterranean cooking & classic cocktails
    • Location: Soho, West Village, Union Square, Chelsea, Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Homey, lively 
    • Suggestions: No particular standout dish 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested for weekend brunch but most of the seating is reserved for walk in guests 
    • Note: I found the food here to be just average. It’s a hotspot for people visiting from out of town, but nothing special 

  • Joseph Leonard – New American fare served from breakfast to late-night in a rustic space with just a few tables
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, seasonal, a neighborhood spot
    • Suggestions: Burger on an English muffin
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get, would book brunch reservations in advance
    • A Good Place For: Brunch, dinner with friends, a date
    • Sister Restaurants: Fairfax

  • Maman – NYC based french bakery, café & event space
    • Location: 19 locations around the city
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, well decorated 
    • Suggestions: Avocado toast 
    • Reservations: Not required  

  • Sadelle’s – Smoked fish, housemade bagels & other appetizing fare offered in a buzzy, vintage-style spot
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: A place to see and be seen, loud, trendy 
    • Suggestions: The Sadelle’s Tower is the popular item to get; note that it is very seafood heavy
    • Reservations: Required, unless you want to put your name in and wait for a few hours. Reservations for parties of up to 5 guests can be made via Resy and email up to 30 days in advance
    • Sister Restaurants: Carbone, Torrisi, HaSalon, Parm, The Grill, The Lobster Club, The Pool, Dirty French, ZZ’s Clam Bar, Crown Club

  • Sylvia’s – Harlem landmark serving generous helpings of Southern comfort food since 1962
    • Location: Harlem 
    • Atmosphere: Retro, historic 
    • Suggestions: Chicken and waffles 
    • Reservations: Required for Gospel brunch Sundays  
    • Note: Sylvia’s is known for Gospel brunch Sundays

Bottomless Brunch:

  • Copper Still – Casual eatery born out of the idea that the East Village and Chelsea need a family style Irish Pub with a great whiskey selection
    • Location: Chelsea, East Village 
    • Atmosphere: Casul, a locals spot 
    • Suggestions: Avocado toast 
    • Reservations: Not required 
    • Bottomless: $25 for unlimited mimosas and bloody marys for 90 minutes

  • Essex on Rivington – Boozy brunches, happy hours & New American dinners in a warehouse-like space with balcony seating
    • Location: Lower East Side
    • Atmosphere: Loud, party, upbeat 
    • Suggestions: The food here is mediocre but people come for the bottomless 
    • Reservations: Suggested for large groups 
    • Bottomless: For 1-7 people, choice of entrée with 1-1/2 hours of mimosas, bloody marys, screwdrivers and Narraganset draft beers for $44.95. For 8+ people, choice of entrée with 2 hours of mimosas, bloody marys, screwdrivers and Narraganset draft beers for $54.95

  • Isabelle’s Osteria – Italian dishes, wine & cocktails lie in store at this upbeat restaurant with an enclosed patio
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Festive, well decorated, vibrant 
    • Suggestions: Crispy potatoes 
    • Reservations: Not required, can get a same day reservation 
    • Bottomless: $19 per person includes mimosas, palomas, bloody marys 

  • Pardon My French – Parisian-style bistro dishes & wine served in a cozy, retro space enhanced by back garden seating
    • Location: East Village
    • Atmosphere: Cozy, retro, well decorated, welcoming 
    • Suggestions: Avocado toast, PMF burger 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested but not difficult to get if booked in advance
    • Bottomless: Bottomless horseradish vodka infusion bloody mary and mimosas + food for $41