Best Brunch In New York City By Cuisine

Best Brunch In New York City By Cuisine

New York City has some of the best food, especially brunch, in the country. This guide shows you the best brunch in New York no matter what cuisine you like.

Brunch is a huge part of the dining culture in New York, therefore there is no shortage of places that offer brunch in New York. It actually can get quite overwhelming trying to decide where to brunch every weekend.

As a food lover and fatty at heart, I tried to do new brunch places every couple of weeks. Some of the best brunch in New York is not only pancakes and Eggs Benedict, there are many regional inspired brunch that will satisfy any cravings you may have.

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Best French Inspired Brunch in New York City

One can never tired of French food and French brunch is no exception. There are several French inspired brunch places in New York. Some are more well known and expensive than others but they all offer similar yet different dishes.

Balthazar

You simply cannot do brunch in New York without having tried this iconic place. Balthazar is a traditional French brasserie that offers amazing brunch, lunch and dinner plates. It also has a small bakery next door and is known for its bread and a variety of pastries. Balthazar is located in Soho New York but also has a London branch.

Dishes to try: Steak Frites

Reservation highly recommended for Balthazar Brunch on the weekend otherwise be prepared to wait 1-2 hours.

Lafayette

Best brunch spots in New York City: pancake from Lafayette

Similar to Balthazar, Lafayette is another French restaurant + bakery located in Noho. I personally really liked their pancake and baked goods. On a nice summer day, be sure to request to sit outside and people watch like a true Parisian.

During the winter, Layayette now offers a copy private winter chalet. Reservation is needed so don’t miss out.

Buvette

Buvette is a cute French restaurant located in West Village (what isn’t cute in West Village)? Expect a long wait on the weekend to brunch there.

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Cafe Cluny

Cafe Cluny is a cute French place in the West Village. It’s a little bit different than the more traditional French brunch places like Balthazar. The most recommended brunch menu items at Cafe Cluny include the Short Rib Brava and the Breakfast Club Sandwich.

Maison Kayser

Maison Kayser is a more casual place that has both a sit down area and a bakery area with colorful desserts on display. It truly reminds me of cafes in Paris and if you want a quick and simple brunch with lots of pastries then Maison Kayser is the place to be.

Best American Style Brunch in New York City

ABC Kitchen

ABC Kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. It is a Jean George restaurant and its changing menu focuses on local, sustainable, and seasonal produce that does not use pesticide, GMO, etc.

I’ve been there once for dinner and twice for brunch and I was always amazed every single meal. ABC Kitchen is on the pricey side but the food is totally worth it. They are also associated with the ABC furniture store next store all the entire restaurant decor is elegant and unique. Reservation is highly recommended and don’t forget to order the crab toast; it’s phenomenon.

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Jane

Jane is another one of the best brunch places in New York City. One major props is that they take reservation (most brunch places in NYC don’t). Its french toast and “Jane Benedict” aka crab cake Benedict are to die for.

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Cook Shop

Cook shop is a little out of the way all the way on the west side, but there is usually a long line after 11am. My favorite brunch dishes at Cook Shop are the Dutch baby and the quinoa bowl. They are also known for their huevos rancheros.

Clinton St. Baking Co

If you want great pancake, Clinton St. Baking Co is THE place to go. Located in the Lower East Side, Clinton St. Baking Co has a line out of the door even before it opens! Unless you get seated right away, expect 1.5 hour wait. The restaurant is known for their blueberry pancake, yum.

The Grey Dog

If you are looking for a more down to earth neighborhood spot for great food, The Grey Dog is it. This cute Michigan University themed restaurant has everything you would want in a brunch place.

There are 4 Grey Dog locations in New York and always a line out of the door. It’s different from other brunch places in terms of how you order.

Instead of getting seated first, you wait in line to order at the counter. During your wait the waiters will try to find you a table. I’ve come here more than 5 times and some of my favorite dishes include the fish taco, seared tuna steak salad and the Grey Dog Breakfast.

Jacob’s Pickle

Located in the Upper West Side, Jacob’s Pickle is unlike any other typical brunch places in New York. It’s known for its fried chicken biscuit sandwiches and pickles (of course). Reservation recommended, otherwise expect a long wait.

Best Japanese Brunch in New York City

You typically would not think of Japanese food when you think about brunch but considering how diverse New York City’s food scene is, Japanese brunch is a thing here and they do not disappoint.

Okonomi

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Okonomi is a small and low key restaurant tucked away in the heart of Brooklyn.

During the day it serves traditional Japanese ichiju-sansai set meals for breakfast and lunch. In the evening this restaurant serves ramen.

The restaurant presents its food beautifully and they also taste amazing. Note that the restaurant does not take reservation so get there really early or you will have to wait a long time.

High-Collar

High-Collar is both a coffee shop and a Japanese restaurant.

High-Collar is famous for their coffee as well as the Katsu Sandwich (limited quantity per day). Most people also come for the Omurice and their hot cake. It’s a tiny place tucked away in East Village. No reservation so expect a long wait if you go after 11:30am.

Bessou

Bessou is another NYC Japanese brunch places offering traditional Japanese set menu for breakfast; they also have Japanese congee and shakshuka on their menu.

Kimika

Kimika is a Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant located in Soho. Its dishes are mostly Italian but with a Japanese twist (flavoring, ingredient, cooking method).

There is a large “outdoor” area and spacious inside dining room. All the food is meant to be shared (although you don’t have to) and they encourage a party of two to order 3-4 items. We personally thought 4 items were too much, so 3 is probably the perfect amount.

Kimika Matcha mochi french toast

Some of my favorite brunch items from Kimika include the Matcha mochi french toast (on the sweeter side), the tsukemen carbonara (you dip the noodle in the sauce) and the farm based eggs.

Kimika farm based eggs

Best Chinese Brunch in New York City

Chinese brunch may be another thing that you’ve never heard of but the culture of dim sum is famous in China, especially southern China. Dim Sum is a breakfast/lunch meal served with tapa-style small sized bites (dumplings, meat balls, spare ribs, rice rolls, etc) served in small steamer baskets or plates. Usually served with tea and finished with desserts such as egg tarts and sesame balls.

Tim Ho Wan

Tim Ho Wan is a renowned dim sum restaurant known for its quality and cheap prices. Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong was granted 1 Michelin star  and was labeled the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant in the world.

Tim ho wan dim sum

They don’t take reservation and in terms of food, they are known for their crispy pork bun (sweet & savory at the same time). For more information on Tim Ho Wan, see this review.

Best Mexican Inspired Brunch in New York City

Cosme

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Cosme is an upscale restaurant located in Flatiron serving Mexican inspired cuisine. If you come to Cosme for brunch, try the Uni Tostada, Lamb barbacoa and Egg sope and finish off your course with the Mexican Churro with Chocolate sauce. Churro with chocolate sauce is actually a very typical breakfast item in Spain.

Atla

Atla is a contemporary Mexican eatery located in Noho. They offer a different style of food compare to Cosme but equally as good. Personally I liked the Chicken Enchiladas and the Tostadas.

This restaurant is a lot smaller than Cosme so expect a wait if you come during peak brunch hour.

Best Mediterranean Brunch in New York City

Timna

Timna is a Mediterranean/Israli restaurant located in the East Village. It serves amazing $25 set menu of Israeli brunch ($35 if you get unlimited alcohol).

TImna New York City Brunch
Source: Timeout.com

You get to choose the main entree with a number of small starters, grilled pita, and coffee/juice.  Don’t underestimate the portion of this set menu, I could not finish all the food.

Jack’s Wife Freda

Jack’s Wife Freda is an American-Mediterranean restaurant with several locations in New York City. Every time I go to this restaurant, there is always a huge line in front of it regardless of the location.

Personally I’m not a huge fan of this place because of the lackluster service and ok food. But I am putting in on the list since it’s probably popular for a reason.

Best Italian Brunch in New York City

Locande Verde

Located in Tribecca, Locande Verde is a casual/rustic Italian place with a lot to offer. Besides serving brunch and dinner, a lot of people also get married here. I am a big fan of sweets, so I loved their monkey bread, and lemon ricotta pancake. Reservation recommended as this is a trendy spot.

Rosemary’s

This cute West Village spot serves seasonal Italian food with a rooftop farm. I’ve been a couple of times and always ordered different things from the menu. Get a few of their small dishes and cheese to share as these make Rosemary’s stand out among the typical brunch places.

Best Australian Brunch in New York City

Most people are no strangers to Australian brunch. I first tried Aussie brunch when I was living in London. Ever since then, I’ve been loving Aussie brunch more and more! Great news for those who love Aussie brunch, there are a tons of Aussie brunch places in NYC.

Dudley’s

Founded in 2012, Dudley’s is a solid brunch spot in the Lower East Side. Dudley’s prides itself on serving creative cocktails, a variety of seasonal dishes, and an enticing atmosphere.

Two Hands

I have to admit that I found this place because their food looked so “instagrammable”. Having been to the Nolita location a couple of times, I genuinely have to say the food at Two Hands is not only instagrammable but also delicious.

My favorite dishes at Two  Hands include the avocado toast, the Acai bowl, and the Banana bread but there are so many choices. Unfortunately Two Hands do not take reservation so you will have to try to get there early and wait.

Bluestone Lane

More of a coffee shop, Bluestone Lane has several locations in NYC and offers a variety of light eats for breakfast.

I personally love their Beet Hummus Toast, Banana Toast and Oatmilk Latte but each location in NYC offers a slightly different menu with something in common such as the Avocado Toast.

Bluestone Lane also offers healthy bowls for brunch or even lunch but I consider them a bit on the pricey side. If you are looking for a chill yet trendy cafe, you should check out Bluestone Lane.

Its hard to say what’s the best brunch in New York City since there are so many more brunch places in NYC that I haven’t tried and the choices do get overwhelming. But if you are looking for different types of Brunch, definitely check out some of the ones I mentioned above as well as some of these fun brunch spots in NYC. General rule of thumb for brunching in New York City: go early (before 11am). All the popular brunch places in NYC get packed on the weekend after 11am, so try to go as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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best brunch in New york city by cuisine
Best Brunch spots in NYC you must try