The 7 Best Places to Get Your Brunch on in NYC
Brunch takes on a whole new meaning in New York — it’s an experience, not just a meal. To make the most of your valuable brunching time, you need to know exactly where to go.
Ask any New Yorker about their favorite brunch spots around the city, and you won’t just get a recommendation — you’ll get a passionate description of the location, their favorite dishes, and a fond memory or two of a perfect Sunday afternoon spent with friends (and probably a half-joking horror story about waiting in a block-long line).
So, that’s exactly what we did! We reached out to our faithful followers on social media for their best brunching recommendation, and the responses were suitably delicious. From us (and our followers — thanks guys!) to you, here are seven of the best places to get your brunch on in NYC!
1. Fiat Cafe
Soho / Little Italy, Manhattan (203 Mott St.)
Our first suggestion, courtesy of @CarRamRodr, is an intimate spot on the corner straddling Little Italy and Soho. Don’t let Fiat Cafe’s cozy dimensions fool you, though — its brunch menu packs some huge taste into the small space.
Most of the plates are egg-centric, which is just fine considering they use only the best organic eggs. Don’t miss out on the benedict, but come with a full wallet — Fiat is a cash-only establishment.
2. Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Midtown, Manhattan (1650 Broadway)
Okay, @maydaymorganh, we’re on the same page here! If you’re looking for some of the best entertainment on Broadway without breaking the bank for tickets AND one of the best diners in the city, Ellen’s is the spot for you.
The servers don’t just bring you delicious breakfast standards — they’re all up-and-coming performers, so they come with a song, too. Ellen’s is all about the atmosphere. Just remember: since it’s a show as much as a meal, the place is always packed.
3. Sugar Freak
Astoria, Queens (36–18 30th Ave.)
We couldn’t help putting this list together without including at least one of our own favorites, so this recommendation comes straight from Explorer extraordinaire Shayna herself. “It’s the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had, hands down, and they have five different varieties to try,” she says. Sugar Freak’s Cajun-inspired menu makes the trip out to Queens feel like a journey to NOLA itself. Need we say more?
4. Jacob’s Pickles
Upper West Side, Manhattan (509 Amsterdam Ave.)
Wow, Bareena, that’s quite a list! All these spots are worth checking out for sure, but when we saw Jacob’s Pickles (especially at number one), our minds immediately drifted back to some of the best brunches we’ve ever had. If you have a hankering for some of the best Southern eats in the city, this is the place for you. Grannies from all over the South approve of a menu that’s bursting with Southern comfort staples.
5. Georgio’s Country Grill
Hell’s Kitchen (801 9th Ave)
Good point, Gary. Great brunch doesn’t have to be trendy — it just has to be delicious. That’s something Georgio’s does right: simple, solid, scrumptious food. And while the name of the place evokes a “country” feel, you’ll find just about anything you like on the massive breakfast and brunch menu.
6. Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Williamsburg, Brooklyn (113 N. 3rd St.)
You might not think a beer hall would be the best place for brunch, but Justin is on target here. This traditional Biergarten has more than just delicious beer — the brunch menu, with German fare intermixed with more traditional brunch staples, is definitely worth the trip. Add a communal atmosphere and live music and you have a truly unique Brooklyn brunch adventure.
7. Alice’s Tea Cup
Upper East Side, Manhattan (220 East 81st Street)
We admit it — we just can’t resist mentioning our favorite spots again and again. We already profiled Alice’s Tea Cup on the Upper East Side on our NYC Dessert Crawl, but we feel like a best of the brunch list just isn’t complete without it. Come for the Alice in Wonderland theme, and stay for the French Toast. And for our fellow explorers: there are two other locations in Manhattan to be discovered!
If you think we missed any iconic spots, or you want to join in on the conversation, sound off in the comments or hit us up on Twitter @NYCExplorers. We always love finding new places around town to stuff ourselves silly on a Sunday afternoon!
