This post has been a very long time coming. I don’t know what took me so long to put together a NYC brunch guide — maybe I’ve been having too much fun pigging out?
One of the aspects I love most about dining in New York is the city’s obsession with BRUNCH. I am a total breakfast girl and even now it’s still my favorite meal of the day! Growing up I could never understand people who didn’t eat breakfast…. Like, huh? How could you not want to devour pancakes and bacon on Saturday morning?
So without further adieu, here are the best restaurants for brunch in New York City. Trust me, I know from experience 😛
JACK’S WIFE FREDA
Hands down Jack’s Wife Freda is my favorite spot for brunch in the city. I’m sure you’ve noticed from my Instagram that I have dined at the West Village and SoHo locations. Both have slightly different menus, but are equally as delicious. It’s one of those “Instagram” favorite restaurants for good reason: the food is as a beautiful as it is tasty. The brunch menu has your standard fare with a Mediterranean twist. I highlllllyyyy suggest the duck bacon, orange blossom pancakes, french fries with green shakshuka sauce and the nana tea.
Neighborhood: West Village or SoHo
Address: 50 Carmine St (West Village) or 224 Lafayette St (SoHo)
ABC KITCHEN
I can honestly say the brunch at ABC Kitchen is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. The food is impeccable and the service is on point — as expected from any Jean George-backed restaurant. The menu is a little pricey so it’s the type of place I come for a celebration or special occasion. Make sure you order the salted caramel popcorn ice-cream sundae! (Yes, I had that at brunch.)
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 35 east 18th street
THE UPSIDER
The Upsider is a recent new discovery that I’m so happy I found. Many of my friends live on the Upper East Side and The Upsider is the perfect place to meet in the middle in Midtown. It’s really the cutest place and you’ll find yourself wanting to just snap photos your entire meal. So far I’ve tried the smashed avocado toast, house pancakes (larger than my head) and fried chicken. All were BOMB.
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Address: 1004 2nd Ave b/t 53rd St & 54th St
PRUNE
If you love bloody marys then you need to go to Prune. There is a separate menu just for bloodys! Sounds like heaven right? Make sure you get the Dutch pancake if you love sweet brunch cuisine. The restaurant is super tiny and they don’t take reservations for brunch so just be prepared for a possible wait.
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 54 E 1st St
THE SMITH
The Smith is one of my go-to restaurants for any meal. You really can’t go wrong and I’ve never had a bad experience dining there! There are a few locations, however I frequent the NoMad and East Village restaurants the most. The brunch menu has a large selection of standard American fare including buttermilk waffles, biscuits and gravy, egg white omelettes, pancakes and eggs benedict. There is also a great raw bar and seafood selection (including lobster rolls.)
Neighborhood: Multiple Locations
Address: Multiple Locations
ROOT & BONE
If you love fried chicken and southern comfort food then Root & Bone is the place for you. The chicken and waffles, macaroni and cheese and biscuits are out of this world! The portions are generous so make sure you bring your appetite (duh). The rustic decor is really charming so it’s a good place for snapping Instagrams.
Neighborhood: East Village, Alphabet City
Address: 200 E 3rd St b/t Avenue B & Avenue A
Have you tried any of these restaurants? Any places I need to try for brunch?
Have You Seen These Posts?
My full, in-depth guide to NYC
Yes, I did a food crawl at the Brooklyn Smorgasburg
My tips for finding an apartment in New York City
Natali says
Jack’s wife Freda and Prune are def. my favourites too! Great post and super delicious looking food. 🙂
http://www.lartoffashion.com/2016/06/22/visit-helsinki-savu/
Katie says
Thanks, Natali!
Jenn Lake says
I couldn’t agree more about Jack’s Wife Freda! I need to bookmark this page so that I can try the rest next time I’m in town!
Katie says
JFW is my absolute favorite! We’ll have to go next time you’re in town. xo
Maria says
Annnd now I’m craving brunch at 9:30 on a Wednesday morning 🙁 These all look so delicious !!
Maria
From the South
Katie says
Haha! NYC brunches are something else 🙂
Gloria says
You are making me so hungry. Can’t wait to come to the city to see you and go out for a delicious
brunch.
Katie says
I can wait either! xo
Ashley says
I’m definitely bookmarking this page for my next trip to New York! I’ve also always wanted to try Ladurée for brunch… Have you been? My favorite brunch that I’ve had in NYC was at B.B. Kings. It is super touristy but it was an amazing atmosphere with the Harlem Gospel Choir and the delicious buffet!
Katie says
I actually haven’t been there for brunch but I’d really like to try it! I’m adding both of your suggestions to my list! xo
Katie says
I’ll definitely be saving this post for my next trip to NYC! I went to Sarabeth’s the last time I was in NYC and loved it!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Katie says
Aw yay! I love Sarabeth’s too 🙂
Brittany says
One of my favorite things when I was interning in New York was Brunch! I loved having it as our weekend tradition. The only one I’ve been too on this list is The Smith and it was delicious! I’ve been wanting to try ABC Kitchen for ages. I’ll have to try one of these on my next trip to New York!
Brittany | thechicette.com
Katie says
You NEED to try ABC Kitchen at least once. It’s pricey but so worth it!
Kay says
Can’t wait to try these places out soon this summer! I love Penelope, the egg shop, by Chloe and Miriam in Brooklyn!
Katie says
I still need to try by Chloe!! Penelope is pretty good too 🙂
Diana says
Have you ever been to Shopsin’s in the Essex Street Market? It’s hands down our favorite breakfast spot and we’ve been to a lot in NYC. It’s not a fancy atmosphere, but I love the place. I am after the food anyway, not the decor. The menu is so extensive but everything I have had there has been unbelievably delicious. Slutty cakes, blisters on my sisters, mac n cheese pancakes (add hot sauce and syrup), cheese grits, breakfast trays, sliders…probably the best I have ever had, green curry soup (the soup menu is just as huge)…I could go on and on about this place. Tolerable lines on the weekends and no parties over 4. They kick people out a good bit who are used to being treated like customer royalty, but just act normal and you’ll be fine. 🙂
Katie says
No I haven’t but I am adding it to my list!
coventgardenfx says
The smashed avocado toast looks unbelievable!