Breakfast isn’t just the first meal of the day—a delicious brunch is a ritual, a remedy, and as good a reason as any to get out of bed and set about your day.
So, whether you need a hangover cure, power boost, or just a hearty portion of eggs and bacon, we’ve compiled a list of endless brunch options to help satisfy your cravings.
Grab your morning cup of joe and join us as we explore some of NYC’s best breakfast spots. If you’re looking for something to do with the rest of your day, check out other things to do in NYC.
Ready? Let’s get cracking!
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, or LES, lies between the Bowery and East River, Canal Street and Houston streets. Though it was once a working-class neighborhood, it’s since been crowned one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods, thanks to its endless options of restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
Clinton St. Baking Company & Restaurant
Clinton St. Baking Company & Restaurant is a popular Lower East Side destination, frequented by locals and tourists alike. The hot ticket item on their breakfast? Easy, it’s the pancakes and waffles.
If you love a sweet breakfast, then you’ve got to order some of their inventive specialty pancakes—we’re talking Maple Bourbon Pecan, Raspberry Jam, and Key Lime. Talk about pancake paradise.
Hot tip: This, like most of the restaurants in this article, is a hotspot. In other words, it gets jam-packed on the weekends. That said, weekdays tend to be less crowded. So, if you’ve got a craving and aren’t willing to wait, your best bet would be to drop by on weekday mornings. Less wait, more brekky.
💡Did you know? Sarabeth's and Popover Café are other spots with similar vibes also known for serving up delectable pastries and muffins.
Experience Seafood Delights at Russ & Daughters
If you haven’t been to the iconic Russ & Daughters, can you really say you’ve had a true smoked salmon bagel? A New York institution, this classic breakfast spot has been serving up the finest smoked fish and Jewish comfort food for more than a century.
So, if you’re craving lox, a perfectly toasted bagel, or a taste of tradition, Russ & Daughters is the go-to destination for a quintessential NYC breakfast. Plus, you’ll be charmed by the restaurant’s old school deli vibes.
💡Did you know? Though Russ & Daughters may be one of the more popular brunch destinations serving up smoked fish, it’s far from the only one. Barney Greengrass, known as the "Sturgeon King," is a NY institution famous for smoked fish, great bagels, and other breakfast items, and is often crowded on weekends.
Savor Unique Eats at Shopsin's at Essex Market
Shopsin’s is the brainchild of Kenny Shopsin. This long-time institution and well-loved breakfast spot first opened in the 70s and has been serving up deliciously wonderful—if not a little unconventional—breakfasts ever since.
Texmex options like Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Egg Burritos have our mouths watering, but if you prefer starting your day on a sweeter note, give their pancakes a try. If you’ve really got an appetite in the AM, you can’t go wrong with the Chubby Stuffed Mac n’ Cheese Pancakes.
Their breakfast dishes are gluttonously gourmet, and we’re here for it.
Explore Malaysian Dishes at Kopitiam
Kopitiam is a Malaysian breakfast option in the Lower East Side. Its menu combines sweet and savory options.
The Kaya Butter Toast is a thick slice of bread slathered in pandan-coconut jam and butter, while the Malaysian Style Milo French Toast is true decadence, served with creamy condensed milk. Another menu highlight is the Nasi Lemak, Malaysia’s national dish. This divine option consists of coconut rice, fried anchovies and peanuts, hard-boiled eggs, and more.
Wow-Worthy Circus Acts!
Get ready to be amazed in New York City! Jaw-dropping Cirque du Soleil performances are just a click away.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is one of Brooklyn’s trendiest neighborhoods and is home to some of our favorite restaurants.
Dine at Jack’s Wife Freda
A trip to New York City isn’t complete without a visit to Jack’s Wife Freda, a beloved spot known for its Mediterranean-inspired breakfast and brunch.
Treat yourself to one of their signature dishes, like the green shakshuka, a flavorful dish of baked eggs in a spiced herb sauce, served with fluffy challah bread (insider tip: save some to soak up the leftover sauce on your plate) or the rosewater waffle, a delicate and fragrant take on a breakfast classic.
It’s a charming space with lively vibes and beautifully plated dishes—what better way to spend a morning in Williamsburg than by stopping off here?
Greenwich Village
Though Greenwich Village is known for being the birthplace of the folk music scene, today, it’s home to multiple different dining options—including some of our breakfast favorites.
Experience French Cuisine at Buvette
Buvette is where you’ll find French cuisine in Greenwich Village. Dine on a Croque Madame—a croissant topped with ham, Gruyère cheese, and a sunny-side egg—and you’ll feel like you’re in Paris, people-watching at a café in Le Marais.
One of this joint’s most coveted offerings, though, is its waffle sandwich—eggs, bacon, and cheese sandwiched between two pillowy-soft buttermilk waffles. It doesn’t get much better than this first thing in the A.M.
East Village
Gritty and cool, the East Village is a New York neighborhood brimming with vintage stores, art galleries and soul. It’s also home to some of our favorite breakfast spots well worth the visit.
Indulge at B&H Dairy
You’ll know you’re at B&H Dairy Kosher Restaurant from its emerald awning and bold signage. B&H is one of the city’s last kosher dairy counters, and first opened its doors in 1938.
It’s known for its Jewish comfort food options, like cheese blintzes, challah bread, stuffed cabbage rolls and more. If you’re vegetarian, this counter has tons of options too: their borscht is hearty, best enjoyed on brisky afternoons.
If you’re looking to taste some Jewish history in New York City, this is a good option to add to your list.
Taste Ukrainian Cuisine at Veselka
Veselka proudly serves traditional Ukrainian dishes, like pierogis, all day long. Which means that yes, there’s even brunch pierogis on the menu. Of course, if you’re craving eggs and bacon, you can find that here too. But folks really come here for traditional cuisine, and that’s what you’ll get in droves here.
Midtown
In Midtown, you’re in the center of all the action in Manhattan. Though sometimes overlooked, one of our favorite brunch spots is here.
Enjoy Bagels at Ess-a-Bagel
Ess-a-Bagel is yet another New York institution appearing on our list. This Anthony Bourdain-recommended bagel joint is a classic deli, but their freshly made bagels and cream cheese is, ultimately, timeless.
We’re from Montreal, so we know a thing or two about bagels. Anytime we find ourselves in New York, we make sure to start the day off here. Nothing fills our tummies more than a bite of a puffy bagel topped with mountains of cream cheese.
Chelsea
Known for being Manhattan’s art district, Chelsea’s food scene boasts masterpieces of another kind.
Relax at Café Chelsea
Café Chelsea is our only brunch spot in Chelsea on the list. It stands out for its enticingly cozy vibes and mouthwateringly delicious pastries. A French-inspired experience, this upscale eatery boasts both a breakfast and brunch menu—we flip for the classic “omelette aux fines herbes,” a classic déjeuner (that’s French for breakfast) served with hearty portions of roasted potatoes topped with Gruyère, if you’re willing to pay a little extra.
In addition to the classic bistro fare, the décor feels distinctly French too: with checkered tiles and roomy banquettes. It may be weekend brunch, but dining here will leave you feeling like you’ve been whisked away to Paris, no plane ticket necessary.
Brooklyn
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge and get set for some of the most enticing breakfast options in town.
Visit Marlow & Sons
Marlow & Sons is a quaint café, located just off Whyte Street, a bustling Brooklyn street. This spot is known for its utterly divine artisanal breads and pastries. Like a New Yorker on the go, your best bet is to grab a cup of coffee and pastry and set about your day.
We’re fond of the Banana Tahini cake, almond croissant, and lemon scone. If you’re into savory treats, you simply can’t go wrong with the scallion and Gruyère cheese scone. When in Brooklyn, this corner café is a must-visit.
Delight in Cuban Flavors at Pilar Cuban Bakery
In Bed-Stuy, Pilar Cuban Bakery is serving up traditional Cuban breakfast. The Chorizo Breakfast Empanada and the Plantain Breakfast Empanada are two standout options that will have you forgetting about egg breakfasts, even if just for one morning.
Visit Gertie for All-Day Breakfast
Gertie, in Brooklyn, serves up an all-day breakfast menu—so on those days when you’re craving bacon and eggs for dinner, this is your spot. They make their own in-house bagels, too.
There’s nothing that feels more authentically New York than cozying into a breakfast diner and eating deli classics—whether that’s an egg-plate or a bowl of matzoh ball soup. You’ll be thinking about this brunch menu for a long, long time.
NoHo
NoHo stands for North of Houston, a major artery that divides Midtown from the Lower East Side. Out here, trendy is just a way of life and, if this restaurant is any indication, so is hearty eating for breakfast.
Relax at Two Hands
Two Hands has several locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, but its NoHo location is the object of our affection.
Though it boasts a delicious range of breakfasts, catering to both sweet and savory palettes, we’re most fond of its Smashed Avocado Toast, which turns this millennial-favorite dish on its head by serving it with Fresno chilis, shallots, and pickled onions on crusty sourdough. What would morning be without a generous cup of joe?
Chinatown
A vibrant NYC neighborhood bordering the Lowest East Side, Chinatown is a must-visit destination for foodies.
Try Dim Sum at Tim Ho Wan
Tim Ho Wan is dubbed the “world’s most inexpensive” Michelin-star restaurant. It was founded by Chef Mak Kwai Pui along with partner Chef Leung in Hong Kong. Just a year later, the restaurant received its Michelin star and expanded internationally including this location in New York City’s Chinatown.
If you’re looking to save your eggs and bacon for another day, then head here for dim sum. Their steamed pork buns are among the best in the city, so be sure to save room.
Other Favorites in the City
New York City has almost 50,000 restaurants—it’s tricky to shout-out all our favorites. Here are a few honorable mentions.
Have You Had Your Daily Provisions?
From Chef Danny Meyers, Daily Provisions has a few locations around New York. This “all-day kitchen and café” serves up everything you want first thing in the morning: fresh pastries, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and other delicious goods.
They’re best-known for their crullers—a deep-fried pastry that’s kind of like a donut. Theirs come topped with all sorts of yummy toppings.
Start Fresh at The Granola Bar
The Granola Bar in the Upper West Side serves up hearty, healthy breakfast options in addition to more indulgent breakfast fare.
Their bowls are a great morning meal, packed with nutritious ingredients like yogurt, fruit, and topped with their specialty granola. If you love what you ate, you can even bring home your very own bags.
Enjoy Comfort Food at Mom's Kitchen & Bar
Head to Mom’s Kitchen & Bar, because who doesn’t love a little comfort food? Their all-day brunch menu is a must—especially if you went to bed a little too late the night before. Sample their hearty breakfasts, classics like fried eggs, bacon, and waffles—you’re in for a treat. And maybe a cure for that headache.
The restaurant has two locations: one in Midtown and the other in Astoria.
Visit Edith's Eatery & Grocery
Out in Brooklyn, Edith’s Eatery & Grocery is a must. This recently opened Jewish restaurant and fine grocery store sells artisanal products alongside its tasty breakfast sandwiches and comfort foods.
The vibe is homey, like the kind of spot you can come with friends and family to gather and celebrate—keep it in mind for your next birthday in New York City. In addition to fresh take-home products, customers can stock up on delicious, pull-apart bread, and other goodies.
Dine at Dimes
Dimes on Canal Street is one for the cool kids. This no-reservations spot serves up a variety of breakfasts, catering to all types of eaters: healthy açai bowls, scrambled eggs, and breakfast tacos. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, too. You might even spot a celebrity or two while dining here.
Enjoy Authentic Japanese at OKONOMI
OKONOMI has two locations in New York City: one in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn. The restaurant prides itself on serving traditional Japanese breakfast, ichiju sansai, every day until 3 p.m.
The meal is seafood-focused, with the catch of the day cooked one of four ways: either served with a Japanese-style omelet, veggies, rice, and miso soup.
Savor Japanese Breakfast at Davelle
Davelle is an all-day café and eatery, serving up tasty meals any time of day. For breakfast, they specialize in milk bread toasts. If you didn’t know, milk bread is an ultra-light and fluffy style of bread. It performs best when used as a vessel for all sorts of yummy toppings, like their Instagram-worthy berry and cream cheese checkerboard toast.
Another menu must? Their Kyoto-style cold brew—a method of coffee in which cold water drips over coffee grounds, removing some of the bitterness you might taste when the coffee is prepared in other ways.
💡 Did you know? Another great spot for Kyoto-style coffee is % Arabica in Rockefeller Center. Midtown explorers, take note.
Relish at Eggstravaganza
Eggstravaganza may just be our favorite breakfast spot on wheels. This Mexican food truck is usually parked at 375 Park Avenue in Midtown, though they have a second cloud kitchen operating out of Astoria, in Queens.
It’s known for its impressive brekkie sandwiches and easy grab-and-go bites. If you’re the type who likes to take control, then go for their build-your-own breakfast taco for breakfast served, ahem, eggs-sactly the way you like it.
Grab Pastries at Bourke Street Bakery
Bourke Street Bakery boasts some of the best Australian-inspired pastries this side of, well, Sydney. This is the bakery’s first location outside of Australia, having opened in 2019. Apart from a few tough months during the pandemic, business is booming once again.
That may have something to do with its selection of gourmet pastries, which look as good as they taste. The coffee here is worth the trek, too: savor light and dark roasts from local and international coffee roasters alike.
Rise, Dine, and Shine in NYC
New York City’s brunch scene is as vibrant and diverse as The Big Apple itself. Whether you’re smearing cream cheese onto your bagel, tucking into a stack of fluffy pancakes, or just grabbing a café and croissant from the spot around the corner, your day is going to start off deliciously.
While you’re at it, make the most of your time in the city by checking out our shows in NYC—because when your day starts off this good, you’ve got to end things on a high note as well.