Is there anything better on a Saturday afternoon than a spicy Bloody Mary and some simple — but delicious — bacon and eggs? Didn’t think so. Brunch is the weekend’s saving grace. It doesn’t happen too early; it’s a social event almost everyone enjoys; and it offers just the right amount of indulgence. And, there’s no one who knows brunch better than the R29 crew. We’ve rounded up our go-to weekend spots — from boozy to vegan, dim sum to Mediterranean, satisfying nearly every craving in the book. Ahead, 38 favorites to try this weekend (obviously not all at once). Happy feasting!
Nights and Weekends
“This is my go-to neighborhood spot for the best Bloodys, delicious Mexican food, and vibe-y tunes. The huevos purgatorios and the coarse ground polenta are always winners, and if Bloody Marys aren’t your thing, the cocktail list will take care of that; my top picks are the margaritas and the ‘Mi Corazon’. Round that all off with a fun and friendly staff and outdoor seating, and you simply can’t go wrong.”
– Theresa Caffrey, Senior PM/Producer
Nights and Weekends, 1 Bedford Avenue (between Manhattan Avenue and Lorimer Street), Brooklyn; 718-383-5349.
Rye
“Two words: Homemade biscuits. Just an order of the biscuits, complete with their honey, jam, and sweet butter on the side, puts me in my brunch happy place. Add an inventive take on eggs benedict that includes pork belly(!) and a chill, stereotypical (in a good way) Brooklyn vibe, and Rye is a must-try.”
– Megan McIntyre
Rye, 247 South 1st Street (between Roebling and Havemeyer streets), Brooklyn; 718-218-8047.
Piccoli Trattoria
“While I normally wouldn’t think to go to a traditional Italian restaurant for lunch, this is my absolute favorite place in the city — although, I normally go for a treat-yourself dinner. I happened to walk past one day and noticed their breakfast menu (which is, essentially, standard brunch fare with an Italian influence). I was more than pleasantly surprised, especially since the prices on their weekend menu are pretty reasonable. Plus, brunch paninis? Yes, please.”
– Ana Colon, Editorial Assistant, Shopping
Piccoli Trattoria, 522 Sixth Avenue (at 14th Street), Brooklyn; 718-788-0066.
Pure Bistro
“Pure has to be one of my favorite brunch spots because it’s super-intimate, has efficient service, and is reasonably-priced. Plus, their sweet potato fries are the best, and the food will leaves you feeling well-nourished, not disgustingly-full.”
– Jade Earle, Executive Assistant
Pure Bistro, 88 Fifth Avenue (between Warren Street and St. Marks Place), Brooklyn; 718-622-5314.
Sugar Freak
“I’m a Brooklyn girl, but if there’s one reason to leave my borough for brunch, it’s this place. Three words: Brunch. Beignet. Sliders. With praline bacon, y’all. Between the macaroni and cheese bread bowl and the fried shrimp po’ boys, there are infinite reasons to keep coming back.”
– Alison Ives, Editorial Assistant, Brand Experiences
Sugar Freak, 36-18 Thirtieth Avenue (at 37th Street), Queens; 718-726-5850.
Ivan Ramen
“Ivan Orkin might be best known for his super-traditional ramen broths, but I like his stuff best when it’s a mix of his Jewish upbringing with his Japanese life. So, when he churned out an 8 a.m. ramen for his Gotham West Market spot, I was sold — New York State cheddar gets emulsified with a double dashi broth, poured over whole wheat noodles, and mixed with thin slivers of scallion omelettes and ham. It’s perfect for a hangover. Traditionalists can go for a classic Japanese breakfast, too.”
– Jessica Chou, Associate Editor, Digital Innovation
Ivan Ramen at Gotham West Market, 600 Eleventh Avenue (between West 44th and 45th streets); 646-678-3859.
Le Fanfare
“It may be a bit of a hike, but Le Fanfare in northern Greenpoint is a great new tucked-away brunch spot. Rarely busy, you can always count on delicious standard brunch dishes with an Italian skew, cocktails that can’t be beat, and tasty espresso drinks. The ambiance is chill, the waitstaff is friendly, and you can actually hold a conversation with someone; so it’s a great place for a date, or if you are fighting a pounding hangover headache!”
– Katie Hegarty, Director of Brand Experiences, Lifestyle
Le Fanfare, 1103 Manhattan Avenue (between Clay and Dupont streets), Brooklyn; 347-987-4244.
Egg Shop
Three words: Bacon. Salt. Rim. Yes, I’m talking about Egg Shop’s Bloody Mary, which might just be the best in New York City (and trust me, I’ve tried tons). Food-wise, you really can’t go wrong at a cafe that celebrates one of the most ubiquitous items around: the egg. The bacon, egg, and cheese is a classy, delicious version of the deli favorite, and the side of fried chicken is, well, heaven in the form of breaded goodness. Warning: The wait can be lengthy, but if you roll in around 3 p.m. (late risers, rejoice!), you’ll have no problem grabbing a seat in this little slice of Nolita heaven.
– Erin Cunningham, New York Editor
Egg Shop, 151 Elizabeth Street (between Kenmare and Broome streets); 646-666-0810.
Mezetto
“Whenever my friends from out of town ask for a brunch recommendation, I always point them to Mezetto. Without fail, they’d come back thanking me profusely and praising me for how ‘in the know’ I am (I found this place on Yelp, but I digress). Everything about this restaurant is on-point, from the Instagram-friendly decor to the scrupulous service. Try not to be overwhelmed by the super-gratifying duck confit skillet or the flavorful grilled calamari — you’ll want to leave room for the bottomless passion fruit mimosas.”
– Venus Wong, Editorial and Production Assistant, Living
Mezetto, 161 East Houston Street (at Allen Street); 212-933-4587.
Lovely Day
“Lovely Day in Nolita has the loveliest brunch ever (repetitive word choice intended). It’s my go-to for a classic Irish breakfast with some ginger fried chicken on the side. Super cheap, super yum, and super cute. The only drawback is that they’re cash/Amex only.”
– Gabriel Sands, Marketing Manager
Lovely Day, 196 Elizabeth Street (between Prince and Spring streets); 212-925-3310.
Dimes
“The secret’s totally out! My favorite neighborhood breakfast place is so packed on weekends that I make a point to wake up early just to snag a seat sans wait. I love that they have homemade almond milk – a very nice, very downtown touch!”
– Naomi Nevitt, Shopping and Market Director
Dimes, 49 Canal Street (between Orchard and Ludlow streets); 212-240-9410.
Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria
“Il Buco Alimentari is my favorite spot to brunch. The thing is, I could never reasonably afford going to this hot-spot on my own, unless my parents are in town, but the brunch (while expensive, I’m sure, by NYC standards) is an approachable way to get in on all the Italian goodness. I love the pastry (bombolone 4 lyfe), the pastas, and the fish sandwich…it’s all legitimately incredible. Sure, I can have ramen for dinner…but at least I’m having Il Buco for brunch.”
– Phillip Picardi, Senior Beauty Editor
Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria, 53 Great Jones Street (between Lafayette Street and Bowery); 212-837-2622.
Hundred Acres
“Take the chic ambiance, add a Grapefruit Cooler, the Goat Cheese Sage-Pudding, and the back garden room, and you’ve set yourself up for the best Soho Saturday morning ever. Basically, they had me at gooey cinnamon rolls.”
– Mary Catanzarita, Account Manager
Hundred Acres, 38 Macdougal Street (between Prince and West Houston streets); 212-475-7500.
M.O.B.
“Citrus scented silver dollar pancakes served with cardamon pistachio butter, figs, and blood orange hibiscus syrup. The description pretty much seals the deal without question. M.O.B.’S brunch menu may be small, but they make up for it in artistry and quality. The large open communal space is also very inviting, and you’re welcome to add your artwork to the wall. No matter what you get, you’ll never walk away disappointed.”
– Je Suis Encrateia, Senior Front-end Engineer
M.O.B., 525 Atlantic Avenue (between Third and Fourth avenues), Brooklyn; 718-797-2555.
Five Leaves
“I absolutely love Five Leaves. There’s always a wait, but if you go with a group of two, it’s never that bad (and their outdoor seating has a nice view of the park). Between you and me and the internet, I like to put my name in and then walk around the block to Peter Pan and pre-game on donuts. It makes the wait a lot more palatable.”
– David Kopach, Account Director
Five Leaves, 18 Bedford Avenue (at Lorimer Street), Brooklyn; 718-383-5345.
Queens Comfort
“Queens Comfort. Hands down. The service rocks, the food is bonkers (think Cap’n Crunch french toast balls and fried green tomato eggs Benedict), the ambiance is hilarious (like stepping into a living room straight out of an ’80s sitcom), AND — drum roll please — it’s BYOB.
“It’s totally unpretentious, absolutely delicious, and the perfect amount of rowdiness. The owners and staff are comprised mostly of local childhood friends and shape its homey vibe.”
– Alex McGinn, Sales Marketing Manager
Queens Comfort, 4009 30th Avenue (between Steinway and 41st streets), Astoria; 718-728-2350.
Greenpoint Fish and Lobster
“If you are looking for sunlight and decadence, look no further than Greenpoint Fish and Lobster. Do yourself a favor and order the slow-cooked eggs, biscuits, and lobster gravy — and wash it down with a Michelada.”
– Darin Brensnitz, Senior Director of Experiential
Greenpoint Fish and Lobster, 114 Nassau Avenue (at Eckford Street), Brooklyn; 718-349-0400.
EJ’s Luncheonette
“Whoever put the B-R in brunch is my kinda lady. If it were socially and medically acceptable to order EJ’s jumbo flapjacks for breakfast (not brunch) every day, I would do that. Since it’s not, I take a Bloody Mary, scrambled eggs, toasted challah, and a mint cookies and cream milkshake to-go. EJ’s is the department store of diners — if they don’t make it, you don’t need it.”
– Nina Wolpow, Editorial Assistant
EJ’s Luncheonette, 1271 Third Avenue (at East 73rd Street); 212-472-0600.
Brucie
“This Court Street spot is my neighborhood go-to for spaghetti and meatballs at least one night a week, but the weekend brunch is also killer. The menu changes daily, but might include a pork belly and fried egg sandwich, or corn pancakes with bacon and coffee butter, which will make you believe in God.”
– Justine Goodman, Interim Editor
Brucie, 234 Court Street (at Baltic Street), Brooklyn; 347-987-4961.
Café Moto
“Moto in Williamsburg has an awesome brunch and an even more awesome atmosphere. The spot is tiny, adorable, usually has live music, and the food is really good.”
– Jennifer Calloway, Front End Engineer
Café Moto, 394 Broadway (between Keap and Hooper streets), Brooklyn; 718-599-6895.
Maysville
“I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Maysville in Flatiron. It’s a southern restaurant that specializes in its bourbon collection. The chef is from Alabama, and I’ve now had just about every item on the brunch menu (crispy grits, beef tartare, quiche, etc.), and it’s all out of this world. The staff is also incredibly knowledgeable, which is helpful when trying to narrow things down from over 200-plus bourbons. And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, the bacon bourbon Bloody Mary is outstanding.”
– Julia Finch, Photo Editor
Maysville, 17 West 26th Street (between Broadway and Sixth Avenue); 646-490-8240.
Alice’s Arbor
“Alice’s Arbor in Clinton Hill/Bed-Stuy (outer-borough brunch, holla!) is down-to-earth, delicious, veg-friendly, and not too expensive — and there’s blood-orange mimosas. Also, I’ve never had to wait, which is more than I can say for [insert name of any restaurant in Manhattan here].”
– Amelia Edelman, Content Editor
Alice’s Arbor, 549 Classon Avenue (between Fulton Street and Putnam Avenue), Brooklyn; 718-399-3003.
Milk Bar
“You can find me at Milk Bar in Prospect Heights pretty much every Saturday. They have THE BEST coffee. And, toasties, which are basically toasted baguettes topped with some combination of cheese, veggies, and poached eggs. And, sometimes avocado.”
– Sarabeth Sanders, Senior Editorial Manager, Brand Experiences
Milk Bar, 620 Vanderbilt Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street), Brooklyn; 718-230-0844.
Joe and Misses Doe
“Joe and MissesDoe (formerly JoeDoe) combines two of my favorite things: comfort food and ’80s rock vibes. As a girl from the South, I’m hooked on their biscuits with honey butter and their cheddar grits offering. Plus, their fun beer cocktails hit the spot on a sluggish Saturday morning.”
-Jessica Roska, Senior Editor, Brand Experiences
Joe and MissesDoe, 45 East First Street (between First and Second avenues); 212-780-0262.
Vinegar Hill House
“Even if you don’t live in the neighborhood, it’s worth making a trip to Dumbo for the sourdough pancakes at Vinegar Hill House. The rustic interior is super cozy, but I prefer the garden out back, which feels like you’re tucked far away from the rest of the world. If you’re in the mood for more fun after your meal, do a tour and tasting at the nearby Kings County Distillery in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. They have moonshine!”
– Caroline Stanley, Deputy Editor, Local Markets
Vinegar Hill House, 72 Hudson Avenue (between Water and Front streets), Brooklyn; 718-522-1018.
Jack’s Wife Freda
“Jack’s Wife Freda is exactly where you want to nestle yourself on any weekend afternoon with friends. Its kale Greek salad is the best in town, and the Mediterranean breakfast with two eggs, salad, avocado, and pita always hits the spot. And, for the more adventurous, the cantaloupe mimosa is a pretty damn awesome way to start your day.”
– Sam Schlaifer, PM/Producer
Jack’s Wife Freda, 224 Lafayette Street (between Spring and Kenmare streets); 212-510-8550.
Jacob’s Pickles
“I’m having trouble typing out this sentence because I can’t stop thinking about how ridiculously good Jacob’s Pickles is. Oh, you like carrots? They’re pickled. Beets? Pickled. Bloody Marys? Huge, and they come with a deviled egg. Plus, they have cheesy grits for days. It’s a hangover dream.”
– Vanessa Golembewski, Features Writer
Jacob’s Pickles, 509 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 84th and 85th streets); 212-470-5566.
Buvette
“This cozy spot in the West Village is full of Parisian countryside charm and definitely worth the wait (forewarning: It doesn’t take reservations). Be prepared to go carb crazy — everything is warm, fluffy, and soaked in butter, but it’s literally so delicious that you won’t give it a second thought. My favorite dishes include the steamed scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, heavenly croissants, and you must get one of the Croques. After indulging, you can walk it all off by shopping your way through the West Village!
– Nikki Mendell, PR Manager
Buvette, 42 Grove Street (between Bleecker and Bedford streets); 212-255-3590.
Red Farm
“For six months after Red Farm opened down the block from my apartment, I boycotted it. Chinatown is full of great, cheap dim sum, who needs fancy West Village dim sum? You — you need it. That is, unless you hate whimsical treats like multicolored dumplings getting chased across the plate by a sweet potato pac-man and spring rolls made with Katz’s pastrami.”
– Ben Reininga, Deputy Editor, Features & Contributors
Red Farm, 529 Hudson Street (between West 10th and Charles streets); 212-792-9700.
Dudleys
“The avocado toast is simply to die for, and paired with a flat white, it makes for the perfect brunchie/breakkie combo!”
– Ly Ngo, Editorial Art Director
Dudleys, 85 Orchard Street (at Broome Street); 212-925-7355.
The Penrose
“Oh, god, the Penrose. Cozy, delicious comfort food, perfect cocktails, and an easy atmosphere. I recommend the scrambled eggs and spiced beef with a side of guac and bacon. And a mimosa, obviously.”
– Julie Bogen, Assistant Social Media Editor
The Penrose, 1590 Second Avenue (between East 82nd and 83rd streets); 212-203-2751.
Melba’s Restaurant
“You really can’t go wrong with Melba’s. Not only do they have the friendliest staff, but the restaurant really makes you feel like you’re a part of a community; I’ve accidentally ended up as part of a couple stranger’s birthday parties at Melba’s, and one of those ‘strangers’ is my friend now. But even beyond the atmosphere, the food is amazing. You have to try the southern fried chicken and eggnog waffles. Actually, now that I’ve typed this out, I definitely have to go this weekend.”
– Rebecca Smith, Senior Audience Development Editor
Melba’s Restaurant, 300 West 114th Street (at Frederick Douglass Boulevard); 212-864-7777.
The District
“I’ll get right to it: The District’s pork sausage pie is heaven on earth. It’s kind of hard to describe how truly special the dish is because, well, I’ve never eaten anything like it. Although, the restaurant’s drunken-blueberry french toast is a really close second. This quirky, Irish gastropub is hidden away in Yorkville on the Upper East Side boasts amazing service, and rarely ever has a wait (super important). My boyfriend will be so upset to find out I’ve given away our secret spot.”
– Ellen Hoffman, Associate Shopping Editor
The District, 1679 Third Avenue (at 94th Street); 212-289-2005.
Back Forty
“It’s a warm and comfortable neighborhood spot with great food and a creative menu, unlike your average brunch restaurant. Between farm-to-table food, a great Bloody Mary, and my all-time favorite burger, this place is my top choice to spend a late Saturday morning.”
– Nell Riley, First Impressionist
Back Forty, 70 Prince Street (at Crosby Street); 212-219-8570.
The Bluebell Cafe
“Going to Bluebell on weekend mornings is like taking a vacation to a country side bed & breakfast without having to really venture far from the subway. I’ll make the trip over there from anywhere in New York City just to have their country eggs with bacon, biscuit, and jam. The simple, homestyle breakfasts fit in perfectly with the wooden tables, and mismatched dishes — you’ll feel like you’re in the kitchen you never knew you had.”
— Rachel Handelman, Campaign Manager
The Bluebell Cafe, 293 Third Avenue (between 22nd and 23rd streets); 646-649-2389.
Harlem Tavern
“The spirit of New Orleans pervades this brunch,
A catfish po’ boy sandwich on which to munch,
A spiced mahi-mahi salad that goes crunch,
And, live jazz music adding zing to the punch,
You’ll absolutely love this tavern — call it a hunch!”
– Siddhant Mohalanobish, Platform Engineer, Analytics
Harlem Tavern, 2153 Frederick Douglass Boulevard (between West 116th and 117th streets; 212-866-4500.
Chavela’s
“I have searched far and wide for great Mexican food in New York with little to no luck. I am a West Coast girl and will say that after leaving L.A, it has been tough to find a good Mexican spot in NYC. When I visited Chavela’s for the first time, my search ended, and I could not have been happier! The food is amazing, the drinks are on point, and the ambiance is perfect and festive.”
– Lilac Perez, Photo Assistant
Chavela’s, 736 Franklin Avenue (at Sterling Place), Brooklyn; 718-622-3100.
Norma’s
“You have to be pretty confident in your brunches to have a $1,000 lobster frittata that you ‘dare [me] to expense’ — and confident Norma’s is. Like the idea of a mango-papaya brown-butter cinnamon crêpe served with fresh-squeezed OJ? Maybe a fois gras brioche French toast plate? No? Fine. Nutella-filled pancakes with pineapple and raspberries it is. It’s modern breakfast in a modern place.”
– Bryant Rockoff, Junior Developer
Norma’s, 119 West 57th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues); 212-708-7460.
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