Best Breakfast and Brunch in New York City

Our fans have often asked us where to have breakfast and brunch in NYC, and which diners we recommend. Since most hotels do not really offer the best breakfast or brunch experiences, the local diners and cafés are always our preferred destinations. Breakfast options in New York City are everywhere and it is hard to know where you will find some good quality food to start the day. This is our list of favorite breakfast or brunch spots in NYC.

We are not big pancake eaters – our personal breakfast menu generally consists of scrambled eggs (sometimes two eggs over easy, sunny side up), with bacon, orange juice, and coffee. This is one of our standard rituals and lets us start the day relaxed and full. Having breakfast at a café or diner is also a great opportunity to people watch, to lose track of time and to just gather your thoughts. So before you head out to, let’s say Central Park, or before you go shopping, you can enjoy an amazing meal and start planning out your day in NYC.


Breakfast on the Upper West Side

Jacob’s Pickles (address: 509 Amsterdam Ave   |   jacobspickles.com)

This Upper West Side has a bunch of breakfast and brunch spots. In our opinion, Jacob’s Pickles is a must-go-to. This southern-inspired restaurant serves one of the best chicken and waffles we’ve had. They’re also known for their housemade pickles and beer. So if you must indulge in southern comfort food, this eatery is the place to go.

Barney Greengrass (address: 541 Amsterdam Avenue   |   barneygreengrass.com/welcome.php)

Zabars (address: 2245 Broadway   |   zabars.com)


Breakfast in the East Village

Maharlika Filipino Moderno (address: 111 First Ave   |   maharlikanyc.com)

If you’re looking for a non-traditional breakfast or brunch in NYC, then Maharlika Filipino Moderno in the East Village is an eatery to place your bets. If you do check this out, make sure to try out their garlic rice or even the purple yam waffle. It’s different and it’s some good eats.

Remedy Diner (address: 245 E Houston St  |   remedydinernyc.com)

Prune (address: 54 E 1st St   |   prunerestaurant.com)


Breakfast in Chelsea

Friedman’s Lunch (address: Chelsea Market 75 9th Avenue   |   chelseamarket.com)

Don’t be confused by its name. Friedman’s Lunch is located inside the popular Chelsea Market and serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner as well. This family-owned chain serves comfort food while sourcing their ingredients from local vendors. This results in fresh and high-quality dishes that you’ll certainly enjoy. For breakfast or brunch, make sure to try out some of their omelet choices. You really can’t go wrong here, even though there are a lot of other choices in Chelsea.

Johny’s Luncheonette (address: 124 W. 25th Street   |   johnysluncheonette.com)

La Bergamote (address: 20th Street 9 Avenue   |   labergamotenyc.com)

City Bakery (address: 3 W 18th St   |   thecitybakery.com)


Breakfast in Midtown

Ellen’s Stardust Diner (address: 1650 Broadway   |   ellensstardustdiner.com)

At Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Midtown, Manhattan, not only will you be served with great food, but you’ll also be entertained. This is the most interactive diner in NYC. Your servers are either former or aspiring Broadway performers. There’s lots of music to pair with your meal and the staff does a great job of engaging with the audience.

The Harold (address: 1271 Broadway (on 32nd St)  |  theharoldnyc.com )

Tick Tock Diner (address: 481 8th Ave – corner of 34th Street   |   ticktockdinerny.com/)

Café Luxembourg (address: 200 West 70 Street   |    cafeluxembourg.com)

Pershing Square at the Hyatt (address: 90E 42nd Street)   |    pershingsquare.com)

The Flame Manhattan (address: 893 9th Avenue   |   theflamediner.com)

The Park Café at The Wellington Hotel (address: 871 7th Avenue   |  wellingtonhotel.com)

Andrews Coffee Shop (address: 463 7th Avenue   |   andrewsny.com)

Carnegie Delicatessen (address: 854 7th Avenue   |   carnegiedeli.com)

Brooklyn Diner (address: 212 W 57th St    |   brooklyndiner.com)

Fluffy’s Café (address: 370 west 58th St   |   fluffyscafe.com)

Maison Kayser (at Columbus Circle) (address: 1800 Broadway  |   maison-kayser-usa.com)

Murray Hill Diner (address: 222 E 33rd St   |   murrayhilldiner.com)

Oxford Cafe (address: 109 E 59th Street  |    oxfordcafetogo.com)


Breakfast at Times Square

Blue Fin (address: 1567 Broadway   |   bluefinnyc.com)

It’s known mainly for its sushi and seafood. But, they also offer your typical brunch menu. You’ll find pancakes, waffles, egg dishes, and sandwiches. It’s a little pricy because it’s located in Times Square, but the quality of the ingredients are exceptional.

Absolute Bagel (address: 2788 Broadway)

Ruby Tuesday (address: 585 7th Avenue   |   rubytuesday.com)

Junior’s (address: 1515 Broadway   |   juniorscheesecake.com/our_restaurants/times_square/)

Red Flame Diner (address: 67W 44 Street   |   theredflamediner.com)

Apple Jacks Diner (address: 1725 Broadway   |   applejackdiner.com)

Cranberry Deli (address: 115 West 45th Street   |   cafecranberry.com)


Breakfast in the Meatpacking District

The Wild Son (address: 53 west 12th street  |  thewildsonnyc.com)

The Wild Son is a small restaurant located in the Meatpacking District. It doesn’t necessarily stick out like everything else in the area, but the place serves up some quality food. Here, you can get egg sandwiches and buckwheat pancakes. It’s a great place to spend time with your friends, but make sure you come early.

Le Pain Quotidien (address: 52 9th Ave |  lepainquotidien.com) 

Pastis (address: 9 Avenue   |   pastisny.com)


Breakfast in the Flatiron District

Almond Restaurant (address: 12 east 22nd Street   |   almondrestaurant.com)

One thing this restaurant does great is that their menu changes weekly, so there’s always a reason to visit again and again. They emphasize on quality ingredients by sourcing from locals vendors and suppliers as well.  Almond Restaurant in the Flatiron District also provides a bottomless brunch and it’s arguably one of the best in the city.

Bluebell Cafe (address: 293 3rd Avenue   |   http://www.thebluebellcafenyc.com/)

Breads Bakery (address:  18 E 16th street   |   breadsbakery.com)


Breakfast in SoHo

Jack’s Wife Freda (address: 224 Lafayette street   |   jackswifefreda.com)

This small restaurant is a popular spot in SoHo on Lafayette Street where multiple restaurants are lined up right next to each other. The best time to go here is during the morning on the weekdays. Here you can get different variations and twists of your favorite egg dishes or getting something that has a Mediterranean influence. Another plus is that the restaurant is social media friendly. Any angle you shoot from will result in a great photo.

Balthazar (address: 80 Spring Street   |    balthazarny.com)

Dominique Ansel Bakery (address: 189 Spring St   |    dominiqueansel.com)


Breakfast in Brooklyn

House of Small Wonder (address: 77 N 6th street, Williamsburg   |   houseofsmallwonder.com)

Only a place like this exists in Brooklyn. It’s pretty minimal when looking from the outside, but it completely changes once you step in. The vibe is very unique as well. It has a European feel with a few Japanese influences as well. It’s very cozy and definitely a great place to stop in during the winter. Here you can get your typical brunch items as well as Japanese cuisine as well.

Lindenwood Diner (address: 2870 Linden Blvd, Brooklyn   |  lindenwooddiner.com)

Allswell (address: 124 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg   |   allswellnyc.com)

Egg (address: 135A North 5th St Williamsburg   |  eggrestaurant.com)


Breakfast in Tribeca

Sarabeth’s (address: 339 Greenwich street   |   sarabethsrestaurants.com)

With multiple locations throughout the city, Sarabeth’s in Tribeca is one of the better ones. They serve your classic brunch dishes, but the quality of the food is exceptional. The portion sizes compared to restaurants in NYC is quite generous. Their pancakes are wonderful and their egg dishes are even better. Make sure to check this out if you’re in the area.

Gee Whiz (address: 295 Greenwich street  |   http://geewhizdinernyc.com)

Kitchenette (address: 156 Chambers street  |   kitchenetterestaurant.com)

Square Diner (address: 33 Leonard street   |  https://squaredinernewyorkcity.com)


Breakfast in Lower Manhattan

Hole in the Wall (address: 15 Cliff street   |   holeinthewallnyc.com)

Do you like avocado toast? Well here’s a restaurant in the Financial District which is a part of Lower Manhattan that serves it and serves it well. The place is literally called “Hole in the Wall”. The menu is clean and brunch offers acai bowls, house-made granolas and pulled pork benedict. The restaurant gets pretty busy during the weekends and they do not take reservations. Make sure to come in early.

Made Fresh Daily (address: 226 Front St)

Profilbild Steffen Kneist
About the author

Steffen

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide. Also check out my hotel finder for New York!

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