Brunch has become my favorite thing to do on the weekends. I’m not big on drinking but having a bloody mary or mimosa to start your day is always good, right? I don’t mind some boozy brunch either! I do have a hard time choosing my dishes since I love waffles, pancakes, french toast, eggs benedict’s and basically….. EVERYTHING!! Good thing my girlfriends are so great at sharing! Here is my guide on where to brunch in Manhattan!

CHELSEA

Citizens of Chelsea – (401 W 25th St)

This restaurant sure knows how to make pretty & delicious looking food. Space is airy with lots of natural light which makes it perfect for Insta. What to order: hummus toast, avocado toast, Belgium waffles.

EAST VILLAGE/LES

Beauty & Essex – (146 Essex St)

This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan! When I first moved to New York this was one of the first trendy/speakeasy restaurants I tried and have fallen in love since. I take all my visitors here! They have the best cocktails and the best tapas for dinner and brunch! It’s hidden behind a pawn shop giving it that speakeasy vibe. What to order: red velvet waffles, lobster chorizo hash, and grilled cheese dumplings!

Tip: They offer free champagne in the women’s bathroom!

Red Velvet Waffles

Photo by: @beautyandessexnyc

Clinton Street Baking Co. – (4 Clinton St)

Home to the best pancakes! Indeed it is pretty good! They also do pancake month during February each year which offers different flavored pancakes a week! What to order: Any Pancakes and Chicken & Waffles.

Tip: go for dinner to avoid the long wait during the daytime! They serve breakfast all day!

Chocolate Pancakes

Photo by: @clintonstbakingco

Stanton Social – (99 Stanton St)

Another great tapas spot for dinner & brunch! What to order: Oreo Pancakes!

Oreo Pancakes

Photo by: @stantonsocial

Vandal – (199 Bowery)

This is one of the newer restaurants on my list and also another tapas favorite! The menu is unique with Asian-inspired dishes. What to order: Red Bean Paste French Toast with Milk Tea, Coffee Pancakes and Katsu Chicken on Hong Kong style waffles!

Red Bean French Toast & Milk Tea

Coffee Pancakes

Katsu Chicken on Hong Kong Waffle

Root & Bone – (200 E 3rd St)

Super cute spot! What to order: Chicken & Waffles Sandwich and Deviled Eggs.

Pies n Thighs – (43 Canal) Original location is in Brooklyn.

What to order: Chicken & Waffles and Donuts.

Russ & Daughters Cafe – (127 Orchard St)

I love getting to go salmon bagels at the original shop but since they opened a sit-down shop it’s my go-to spot! What to order: Bagels, The Heebster, Potato Latkes and Babka French Toast.

Freeman’s Restaurant – (191 Chrystie St) Tucked away in Freeman’s Alley this place has a rustic atmosphere. What to order: Pancakes and Eggs Benedict.

Golden Unicorn – (18 E Broadway) Located in Chinatown this is one of my favorite Dim Sum spots in New York. There is always a wait but I just love their pig buns!

FLATIRON/UNION SQUARE

Upland – (345 Park Ave)

Californian & Italian influence this place has awesome food for dinner & brunch! What to order: Salmon Pizza.

Smoked Salmon Pizza

Photo by: @upland_nyc

ABC Cocina – (38 E 19th St) Yes I love tapas and this is another great tapas spot for brunch! What to order: Everything!! Especially the tacos.

Nomad Restaurant – (1170 Broadway) Located in the Nomad Hotel this is an awesome restaurant! What to order: Foie Gras Chicken Sandwich.

MIDTOWN

L’Amico – (849 6th Ave)

Italian restaurant in the Eventi Hotel has the softest and fluffiest pancakes!! Come here for brunch and sit outside on a nice summer day.

Norma’s – (119 W 56th St)

Located inside Le Parker Meridien hotel this restaurant is classy and upscale. On the pricey side but well worth trying! I had the freshest most delicious orange juice here!! They have unique dishes such as the Wowza waffle pictured below, Donut Even Go There French Toast which is cheesecake-stuffed, coconut-rolled with orange drizzle and vanilla ice cream! If you have some extra cash to splurge on they even have a dish called The Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata which is $100!

Wowza

The Back Room – (153 W 57th St) Located at One57.

Upscale dining for brunch but amazing service and food! What to order: Beets Risotto and Eclairs!

Eggs Benedict, Foie Gras, Duch Hash

Red Beets Risotto

Eclair Flight

Momofuku Ma Peche – (15 W 56th St) Located in the Chambers Hotel bottom floor this spot has awesome dim sum brunch! Anything in the Momofuku chain is always amazing. After brunch, head upstairs to the Milk Bar for some awesome desserts.

Sarabeth’s – (Multiple Locations) Very chick, beautiful atmosphere for a girl’s brunch.

SOHO/NOLITA

Egg Shop – (151 Elizabeth St)

VERY small spot but love the food and concept! What to order: EVERYTHING! A must is the biscuits.

Eggs & Biscuit

Photo by: @eggshopnyc

Lafayette – (380 Lafayette St)

French restaurant with great cocktails and brunch. It’s great for the summer since they have a beautiful patio. The front of the restaurant also has a bakery so don’t forget to order some desserts to go!

Salmon Benedict

Sadelle’s – (463 W Broadway)

As one of the best bagel shops in Manhattan, it has gained much popularity. I recommend getting reservations or going to the take-out window!

Baz Bagel & Restaurant – (181 Grand St)

New York is all about the bagels so here is another favorite and with fewer crowds. What to order: Latkes and the Mooch.

Latkes

FLIPPERS – 337 W Broadway

The best Japanese styled souffle pancakes are at Flippers. It’s super soft, fluffy and delicious.

Balthazar – (80 Spring St) Balthazar is one of the most established restaurants in the city and also a great option for brunch! What to order: Waffles and Pancakes.

NOMO Kitchen – (9 Crosby St) Stunning decor (think glass roof and chandeliers everywhere). What to order: Truffle Flat Bread and Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. 

La Mercerie (53 Howard St) – This restaurant is beautiful. It also has a furniture store in the back of the restaurant that sells dining products and home furniture pieces.

Two Hands – (Nolita/Tribeca) This is the perfect brunch spot for all things healthy. What to order: Avocado toast & Acai Bowl.

WEST VILLAGE/MEATPACKING

Bruvette – (42 Grove St)

Order the Croque Madame and the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon! Feeling fancy? Add caviar!

Croque Madame

Jack’s Wife Freda – (Multiple Locations)

Any of the dishes are a winner but this eggs benny with beet hollandaise was great! This place is cheap too!

Eggs Benny with Beet Hollandaise

Perry St – (176 Perry St)

Very beautiful space and far along the west side by the Hudson River. For only $28 a 3-course pre-fixe brunch is a steal! All the dishes are very well presented and definitely Instagram worthy. What to order: Salmon Tartar and Fried Chicken.

Salmon Tartar

While We Were Young – (183 W 10th St)

Super cute restaurant with the best cocktails! Order the “Pillow Talk” and the fried chicken with kale waffles. One of my favorite fried chickens I’ve ever had.

Untitled at The Whitney – (99 Gansevoort St)

Located at the Whitney Museum this is a great place to have brunch after a morning at the museum. I love the open space and all the natural light it gets from the big windows. Everything here was amazing!! I highly recommend making a reservation and ordering everything along with all the desserts.

MORE NEW YORK TRAVEL POSTS:

New York Travel Guide

Best Instagram Spots in NYC & Most Instagrammable Spots in Brooklyn

Ultimate Foodie Guide to NYC

17 Best Rooftops in Manhattan

12 Best Desserts In Manhattan

20 Best Ice Creams In New York City

Where To Find Matcha in New York City

LOVE THIS POST? SAVE IT ON PINTEREST!