Brunch Guide
Top 10 Brunch Spots in New York
The definitive weekend playbook — our ranked ten favorite brunches in New York, from icons and destination stops to the neighborhood gems locals actually love.
Jack's Wife Freda
The quintessential Downtown NYC brunch — bright, Mediterranean-inflected, and endlessly photogenic. The green shakshuka is a genuine icon.
Must Order
- Green shakshuka
- Rosewater waffle
- Madame Freda
Pro Tip: No reservations — put your name in and grab a coffee next door.
Buvette
Jody Williams' tiny West Village gastrotheque is the most romantic brunch in the city — steamed eggs, croque monsieur, and Champagne by the glass.
Must Order
- Croque forestier
- Steamed eggs with prosciutto
- Waffle with chocolate
Pro Tip: Arrive right at open (9 AM) or expect a serious wait.
Sadelle's
The full-tower bagel and lox experience — a maximalist Jewish deli brunch that turned into a national phenomenon. Worth the splurge at least once.
Must Order
- Bagel tower with lox
- Sticky buns
- Chopped salad
Pro Tip: The sticky buns come out of the oven at set times — ask when you sit down.
Golden Diner
Sam Yoo's re-imagined American diner is the best brunch on the Lower East Side — think egg-in-a-hole cheeseburger, honey butter pancakes, and killer coffee.
Must Order
- Honey butter pancakes
- Breakfast burger
- Cold-brew latte
Pro Tip: The line moves fast. Solo diners get the counter almost immediately.
Cafe Mogador
A four-decade East Village institution slinging the city's most beloved Moroccan brunch — tagines, halloumi, and eggs cooked in spiced tomato sauce.
Must Order
- Middle Eastern plate
- Halloumi eggs
- Mint tea
Pro Tip: The Williamsburg location is easier to walk into — the East Village line is legendary.
Balthazar
Keith McNally's SoHo brasserie is the platonic ideal of a NYC brunch — mirrored walls, French pastries, steak frites, and the buzz of a proper city morning.
Must Order
- Steak frites
- Balthazar breakfast
- Almond croissant
Pro Tip: Book online 30 days out at 12:01 AM for prime weekend slots.
Clinton Street Baking Company
Home to what many call NYC's best pancakes — wild blueberry, warm maple butter, and lines that curl around the block on weekends.
Must Order
- Wild blueberry pancakes
- Fried chicken & waffles
- Huevos rancheros
Pro Tip: Weekday brunch has zero wait and the same food — go on a Tuesday.
Miss Ada
Tomer Blechman's Middle Eastern brunch is the crown jewel of Fort Greene — labneh, shakshuka, and a garden patio worth planning a trip around.
Must Order
- Shakshuka
- Halloumi & za'atar
- Bourekas
Pro Tip: The back garden is one of the loveliest brunch settings in Brooklyn.
Lodi
Ignacio Mattos' all-day Italian café is the city's most stylish brunch — perfect espresso, focaccia egg sandwiches, and pastries that punch above their weight.
Must Order
- Focaccia egg sandwich
- Cornetto
- Cappuccino
Pro Tip: Grab a stool at the marble counter and order pastries as they come out.
Café Mogador — Williamsburg
A honorable ten — the Williamsburg outpost of Mogador delivers the same beloved Moroccan brunch with more room to breathe. Bigger patio, shorter wait.
Must Order
- Merguez & eggs
- Middle Eastern plate
- Mint lemonade
Pro Tip: Weekday visits are borderline empty and just as good.