Brunch is a New York City institution. Every weekend in the city you can expect to see brunch queues, or reservations being snagged up one month in advance. It’s the perfect time of the week to let loose and indulge in your favorite breakfast foods, all while sipping on bottomless mimosas or bloody marys. From rooftop bars with stunning views to cozy cafes with charming décor, the brunch options are truly endless. To help shortcut your list to some *ambiance* favorites, we’ve rounded up our 31 favorites that we are obsessed with for brunch eats.
Set above Time Square inside The Edition hotel, The Terrace restaurant allows guests to step into an enchanting garden that transports you far from the city’s hustle & bustle. The space is full of greenery whether that be hanging from the ceiling or planted elegantly around the floor. The space has large windows allowing natural light to flood in and create the perfect venue for Instagram-worthy pics.
If you’ve ever found yourself on NYC-foodie-tiktok, then you’ve probably seen the pancakes at Rule of Thirds. They are traditional Japanese soufflé pancakes that jiggle when shaken and ooze when cut; creating the perfect video moment. But it doesn’t just stop with the pancakes, the ambiance here is truly unique with private rustic huts to live your best brunch life.
Does it get more glamourous than dining at the Restoration Hardware Rooftop in Meatpacking? Let us answer for you – it does not. The restaurant is filled with glimmering chandeliers, pleached London Plane trees, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and trickling fountains. This spot is impressive and the perfect place to dine for brunch with friends when you’re really looking to impress.
You can’t miss this stunning spot while walking the streets of TriBeCa. If you’re enchanted by floral setups, fruity drinks and pretty garnishes along with marble countertops, the ambiance at Chanson Le Salon is chef’s kiss. Le Salon, or better yet, “The Living Room,” will make you feel at home with its modern French cuisine and cozy atmosphere.
Jack’s Wife Freda is the must-visit for brunch. While notoriously known for its long lines, it is worth the wait! When you dine here, you’ll feel like you’re at a French restaurant, sitting right in the middle of all the action and enjoying a Mediterranean breakfast with a healthy dose of people-watching. Don’t forget to snap a photo at the front entrance! With floral arrangements and Parisian-inspired decor, it’ll feel like spring all year-round.
The views don’t really get better than Celestine in Dumbo. If you sit outside, you have the perfect waterfront setting under the Manhattan Bridge with the NYC skyline behind it. The brunch options here are a favorite with a unique Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flare. Have your choice from both sweet and savory dishes (or better yet, opt in for both).
Located inside Roman and Williams Guild, La Mercerie is the epitome of a welcoming design. The interior boasts tall ceilings and sleek velvet couches and curtains. Chef Marie-Aude Rose celebrates French cuisine with her classical training and avant-garde practices. This is a popular go-to spot for brunch with plenty of outdoor seating in the warmer weather. Pro-Tip: Get the croissant – one of the most flakey and buttery croissants we’ve ever had!
Dine like a Parisian without having to leave the city. Located conveniently right near Bryant Park, Angelina is known for their Parisian-themed tearoom. The menu includes all your favorite brunch staples from pastries to eggs benedicts to crêpes. Our personal favorite: The Croque-Madame (yum!).
You can’t help but smile when you pay a visit to this family-owned modern European restaurant in Greenwich Village. From their entrance to the outdoor terrace, you’ll be captivated by the vibrant colors and whimsical floral displays, but that’s not all. Sveta is also known for having the prettiest and most elaborate cocktails in the city. Pro tip: order a cotton candy mimosa to see for yourself!
La Grande Boucherie is the newest of the Boucherie restaurant group. The restaurant boasts an impressive 20 foot ceiling with bi-level seating. The gallery (outdoor plaza) stretches the length of the block, open at each end, and features a soaring, arched skylight and a heated floor. This enables the restaurant to offer year-round outdoor seating options for 150 diners.
Your eyes are in for a real treat when you dine at Cathédrale in the East Village. The soaring main dining room is 26 feet in height, a rarity for NYC. The ceiling is covered in a massive wire mesh sculpture that looks like the apparition of a grand domed ceiling. However, if you’re looking to enjoy the weather, there is also a garden dining terrace with retractable roof.
You cannot physically pass by Ladurée in Soho without being awe-struck. This is the perfect spot to take out of towners as it’s guaranteed to make a big impression. The outdoor seating is perfection and open mostly year-round. Indoors feels like the most glamorous spot to enjoy an afternoon tea. Pro tip: if you can time this right with Cherry Blossom season, your photos will be unbelievable.
Located inside the The Shops at Hudson Yards, Queensyard sits on the fourth floor with direct views of The Vessel and The Hudson River. The interior feels super upscale and elegant and you can even order a brunch cocktail with Queen Elizabeth’s face on it. Pro-tip: don’t skip out on their wagyu oxtail mac n’ cheese.
Cafe Colette offers a beautiful environment to enjoy a quiet early morning coffee, bustling brunch with friends, or cozy dinner in the greenhouse garden. Brunch classics include Croque Monsieur, Quiche, French Toast, and more. The greenhouse garden in the back is definitely the place to eat if you can get a table.
Step out of New York City and into NOLA’s French Quarter. 1803 is inspired by The Creole Style which originated in New Orleans. The wallpaper aesthetic is fun and tropical and the tall ceilings allow for plenty of natural light to fill the room. From 12pm – 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays there is live music to liven up your brunch scene.
The Palm Court is the ultimate in New York glamour. Bring ANYONE here and their jaw will simply drop. The Palm Court is a timelessly elegant setting for breakfast, afternoon tea, evening fare or crafted cocktails. The restaurant, located in The Plaza hotel, has been open for over 100 years. The room’s signature feature is a soaring stained-glass dome reminiscent of the original built in 1907.
The Butcher’s Daughter is a plant-based restaurant where they pride themselves on treating fruits and vegetables as a butcher would meat. There are three locations in the city and each has it’s own unique charm. The West Village location is bright and airy with floor-to-celling windows and lots of greenery.
Tavern on the Green is an iconic staple that shouldn’t be missed in NYC. Originally designed by Calvert Vaux, Tavern on the Green was built as a sheep fold in the 1880’s to house the 700 Southdown sheep that grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. Robert Moses transformed the building into a restaurant in 1934, as part of his park renovation. While the restaurant has been renovated since, this spot is steeped in history and a classic stop for weekend brunch.
Step away from the city’s concrete and into the welcoming green oasis that is The Osprey. Greenery hangs from the ceilings here and the outside grounds are super lush and feel further away from the city than you are. Brunch might just be their most popular meal as you can enjoy the light shining through the massive windows and bridge views.
Claudette gives off the vibe that you’ve escaped to the French countryside. The interior is charming with rustic elements, yet in a light and bright space. The cozy corners are the best places to sit with colorful tiles and patterned seats. Brunch includes stapes from both French and North African cuisines.
While We Were Young is a small and cozy restaurant but they really did the absolute most with their space. The seats are a plush pink and make the perfect photograph. The bar space contrasts with all blues and has tons of light pouring into it. Not only are they known for their brunch, but they are also known for their beautiful looking cocktails.
Nomo Kitchen is all glamour from the entryway of tall arched vines to the entirely glass paneled ceiling. Look above you as you dine and see the towering buildings of New York City. As if this place needed to any more, there are also glimmering chandeliers throughout the space. You can find this spot on the ground floor of the NoMo hotel.
K’Far restaurant is situated in the Hoxton Hotel of Williamsburg, and is named after the Hebrew word for “village”. It is an all-day culinary destination that draws inspiration from Mike Solomonov’s hometown of K’Far Saba in Israel. The restaurant offers various dining options, including a sit-down restaurant, a takeaway counter serving coffee and nosh, and a full-service lobby lounge. K’Far also boasts a year-round patio dining experience, thanks to its retractable grand glass-enclosed atrium that allows sunlight to permeate even during the cold winter months.
Freemans restaurant was created with the idea of a rugged clandestine colonial American Tavern. The interior is dark and eclectic filled with bookcases, taxidermied animals, and a definite rustic charm. The restaurant itself is tucked away behind a car free alleyway that is covered in colorful artwork.
12 Chairs is a brunch-time staple in Williamsburg. The restaurant prides itself with being an approachable welcoming atmosphere that transports its diners to Tel Aviv. The space is great for groups and offers a mix of tradition with modern finishes for the best of both worlds.
Located on top of the Sanctuary Hotel in New York City’s Theater District, Haven Rooftop offers guests panoramic views from 9 floors up. Despite being a rooftop, this spot is open year-round and has closed off glass panels so you get that rooftop view while still remaining warm and cozy. Pro-tip: The restaurant offers bottomless brunch for 1 hour for just $29/pp.
HOWM Cocina does the cutest Sunday Brunch you can every imagine because it’s complete with – puppies! Bring your furry friend with you and both humans and dogs can chow down for brunch together. The outdoor patio is a cute vibe with a hammock, string likes, and cushion-y seats. Humans can enjoy yummy brunch twists like the Pan Dulce French Toast.
Blackbarn is a modern American restaurant that serves local, artisanal food in a unique barn-inspired setting. The restaurant, which opened in 2015, is centrally located just on Madison Square Park. The brainchild of chef John Doherty, former executive chef of the Waldorf Astoria, and designer Mark Zeff, Black Barn is a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The brunch menu is extra tasty and makes this high-end spot much more affordable.
Peachy Keen is serving up nostalgia with their ’70s-inspired all-day eatery located in Hell’s Kitchen. The menu, crafted by Chef Nicholas McCann, formerly of Salinas and The Milling Room, features a unique collection of comfort-food favorites with a modern twist, which perfectly reflects the upbeat, bright and retro atmosphere of the restaurant. Brunch menu is served everyday until 3:45pm.
At & Son, the menu is a showcase of elevated steakhouse fare and innovative cocktails, made with the finest ingredients and presented with precision and artistry. The atmosphere features a tall skylight that evokes a touch of old-world elegance mixed with a modern flair. Encompassing two floors and three rooms, the restaurant allows for a delightfully unique dining experience that combines a steakhouse with a speakeasy. Brunch is a multi-course meal that includes an appetizer, entrée, and side.
Le Gratin is a wonderful French restaurant located in the Financial District of Manhattan and while dinner is certainly superb here, we were blown away by their brunch menu. Owner & Chef, Daniel Boulud, is a renowned name in the culinary world and has brought his hometown flavors to New York with classic French dishes and Lyonnais specialties that will delight the taste buds. The restaurant also focuses on seasonality, highlighting local purveyors and rotating monthly menus to keep things fresh and exciting.
