No matter where you live, brunch is the common thread that holds all American weekends together. But not to brag (okay, maybe to brag), you haven’t really brunched until you’ve done so in New York City, the unofficial capital of breakfast-meets-lunch-meets-chicken-waffles-hot sauce-mac-and-cheese-meets-hangovers that start at 7 p.m.
Whether you’re blessed/cursed with living in New York or just visiting, please, please put (at least) one of these fine establishments on your to-do list. And there’s really no excuse since the mixing pot that is New York City is home to equally diverse cuisines...which also come in brunch form. There is something for everyone, fam.
And when it comes to the funnest meal of the day (we’re talking about brunch), you can pretty much choose your own adventure. Maybe you’re fresh from the gym and ready to take those leggings to their rightful pancake palace with your girls. Or perhaps you’ve come off a long-ass week and need a mimosa marathon and afternoon dance party to blow off some steam...and get to bed by 10 p.m. Then there are those Sunday morning hangovers that can only be stifled with some piping-hot mac ’n’ cheese (P.S. There’s a lot of that up in this best New York City brunch list) and maybe even a Bloody Mary—but only if it’s the kind with a cheeseburger on top.
So where are you going this weekend? Don’t guess—let us tell you.
1. Beauty & Essex
- What’s the vibe? Jewelry box meets speakeasy. In order to access the restaurant, you need to walk through a luxury consignment shop (yes, you can buy things!). And once you’ve made it through that not-so-secret door, you immediately find yourself in the land of plush velvet cushions, sparkling chandeliers, and hundo-foot ceilings. It’s nothing short of magical.
- What kind of food does it have? The internet probably calls it New American, but we prefer Inventive American. One of the restaurant’s most famous dishes consists of grilled cheese dumplings resting in smol spoons of creamy tomato soup.
- How fucked is your wallet? Oh, it’s fucked.
2. Pastis
- What’s the vibe? Old-school NYC, but make it Paris.
- What kind of food does it have? The French-y kind. Also eggs. And pastries. And bacon. And omelettes! Want to seem like an insider? Order the olive oil pound cake. Basics think it sounds gross, but real ones know it’s flames.
- How fucked is your wallet? Only mildly. It truly depends on what you order.
3. ABC Kitchen
- What’s the vibe? Bright, airy, and modern. The brunch is very family-friendly.
- What kind of food does it have? An amazing plate of lox, complete with the lightest crème fraîche you’ve ever tasted and some crunchy potato croutons. Plus some other stuff, probably.
- How fucked is your wallet? Kinda fucked. You could easily blow $150 on brunch for two, and that’s before the mimosas start flowing.
4. Banter NYC
- What’s the vibe? Coffee-shop vibes.
- What kind of food does it have? Bowls on bowls on bowls. But also other delicious stuff like French toast and eggs. But also: BOWLS!
- How fucked is your wallet? We didn’t come here to screw you. You’re safe here.
5. Jacob’s Pickles
- What’s the vibe? Cozy and homey and rustic. Even if you’re a first-timer, it makes you feel nostalgic for that sweet Southern grandma you never had.
- What kind of food does it have? The name refers to its small yet famous menu of pickled veggies...but we recommend the mac and cheese.
- How fucked is your wallet? Not super fucked! This spot is great for sharing, so we recommend rolling with the homies and splitting the bill.
6. Upland
- What’s the vibe? Is “modern tavern” a thing? We’re making it a thing. It’s that.
- What kind of food does it have? ~NeW aMeRiCaN~. But we call it “delicious.”
- How fucked is your wallet? The most expensive thing on the menu is $31, so you can probably swing it. And honestly...it’s a great value, now that we’re looking at the menu soberly.
7. Two Hands
- What’s the vibe? If healthy were an aesthetic, that’s what we would call this place. Light-colored wood galore. Plus, avocados everywhere.
- What kind of food does it have? The restaurant is Australian, technically, but that really just means poached eggs, green bowls, and sandwiches. Pro tip: The brunch menu lasts all day, so although it’s breakfast-y, you can eat it at dinnertime too!
- How fucked is your wallet? Not fucked at all. Send it!
8. Ruby’s Café
- What’s the vibe? Local-y and cute. If you go here, you probably grew up calling NYC “the city.” Plus, the wait staff is super friendly. This one is also Australian.
- What kind of food does it have? The best kale salad in the world, sweet potato fries that’ll make you hate regular fries, and a shrimp pasta dish you might actually cry over.
- How fucked is your wallet? Decidedly not fucked, but even if it were...worth it.
9. Sweet Chick
- What’s the vibe? Exactly as Southern as you’d expect. Ever been to a Cracker Barrel? It’s that but nicer.
- What kind of food does it have? Fried (chick)en. Understand?
- How fucked is your wallet? Safe.
10. NOMO Kitchen
- What’s the vibe? Tall ceilings almost entirely made of skylights. Chandeliers. IG-able decor. Look, it’s in a hotel—and everyone knows hotel restaurants are the bomb.com. Just trust us.
- What kind of food does it have? Get the Nutella French toast. Just get it. Don’t ask questions.
- How fucked is your wallet? Mildly fucked. We recommend going light on the drinks.
11. Balthazar
- What’s the vibe? [In a French accent] ~*brasserie*~.
- What kind of food does it have? F...rench. (Like, quite possibly the best moules-frites in NYC.)
- How fucked is your wallet? You’ll still be able to shop around SoHo afterward if you order wisely.
12. Jack’s Wife Freda
- What’s the vibe? Bright, airy, and casual. Also friendly. Somehow, it’s like eating in a restaurant full of your friends and family.
- What kind of food does it have? Mediterranean, aka healthy, aka colorful, aka Instagrammable. (You’ve probably had this place saved on your IG for months.)
- How fucked is your wallet? Not! Fucked!
13. Root & Bone
- What’s the vibe? Bright and modern with a hint of rustic. Exactly the kind of setting you’d want to eat your shrimp and grits in.
- What kind of food does it have? Southern comfort food, thank goodness.
- How fucked is your wallet? This spot is totally affordable. $20 bottomless mimosas are almost unheard of in New York City.
14. Poco
- What’s the vibe? Cantina-y but not too cantina-y. We’re not at Taco Bell, ladies.
- What kind of food does it have? Spanish tapas and/or American—depending on what you order. We recommend (wait for it...) the mac and cheese.
- How fucked is your wallet? Not fucked. For $37 per person, you can get an entrée plus bottomless mimosas, sangria, or Bloodies!
15. Bubby’s
- What’s the vibe? Casual. You love to see it.
- What kind of food does it have? Pancakes, mac and cheese, fried chicken, biscuits...the kind of food that makes you feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside.
- How fucked is your wallet? Negative fucked—here’s your green light to hit this spot regularly.
16. RH Rooftop Restaurant
- What’s the vibe? Fancy but not too fancy. You can wear jeans, but they have to be part of an outfit instead of just ~throwing on jeans~. Does that make sense?
- What kind of food does it have? Perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. Avo halves. French fries. The brunchiest brunch things.
- How fucked is your wallet? Okay, sorry, but...Super. Duper. Fucked.
17. Catch NYC
- What’s the vibe? Chic, clubby seafood place. Think Nobu but less stuffy.
- What kind of food does it have? Mostly seafood, but there are nonaquatic options.
- How fucked is your wallet? Fucked. This is a great first-date spot if you suspect your Hinge match might pay. :))))
18. Empire Diner
- What’s the vibe? Old-school diner car reinvented as a sleek, modern restaurant.
- What kind of food does it have? A fried chicken sandwich, some mac (made with shells, so you KNOW they know what’s up), and biscuits that could bring your hungover ass back to life.
- How fucked is your wallet? Not. This place is totally reasonable.
19. The Smith
- What’s the vibe? Dark wood and dishcloth napkins. You know exactly what we mean.
- What kind of food does it have? Sorry for repeatedly saying mac and cheese, but...get the mac and cheese. Also the shishito peppers. And the spicy tuna on crispy rice. And the Caesar salad. And put salmon on top. Trust.
- How fucked is your wallet? You are safely outside the fuck zone.
20. Hotel Chantelle
- What’s the vibe? A drunken shitshow, but make it fashun.
- What kind of food does it have? IDK, because it also has a giant alcoholic punch bowl. We didn’t put this place on here for the food.
- How fucked is your wallet? Go with a big group and do the splitting thing! We were in college once too.
21. Sadelle’s
- What’s the vibe? Perfectly, quintessentially NYC.
- What kind of food does it have? After seeing the photo above, do you even care?
- How fucked is your wallet? Neg fucked! We’re here for you.
22. Russ & Daughters Café
- What’s the vibe? Jewish deli.
- What kind of food does it have? Jewish deli.
- How fucked is your wallet? Jewish deli. (So not fucked.)
23. Cookshop
- What’s the vibe? Bright, loud, and unfussy. Buzzy during brunch hours because it’s just really, really good.
- What kind of food does it have? You know we hate to say it, but...New American. (Side note: What is Old American?)
- How fucked is your wallet? It’s got only two dollar signs on Yelp, so!
24. Short Stories
- What’s the vibe? Pretty, Instagrammable, busy.
- What kind of food does it have? Thicc pancakes and some truly drool-worthy tots.
- How fucked is your wallet? Your wallet remains unfucked.
25. Clinton St. Baking Company
- What’s the vibe? Food-focused and relaxed.
- What kind of food does it have? It’s a chicken and waffles (with hot sauce) kinda place. Also, if you scrolled this far looking for something non chicken, mac, waffle, or pancake related, we apologize.
- How fucked is your wallet? Everything on the menu costs under $20!
As Cosmo’s editorial assistant, Sam gets to learn from and work alongside a team of extraordinary humans to deliver you cutting-edge stories about things like The Bachelor(and, occasionally, her own Instagram account). She’s that bitch who sent you a cal invite for a workout class that’s already on your calendar, and her beverage of choice is literally a Cosmopolitan.
Helin Jung is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. She was formerly the executive lifestyle editor of Cosmopolitan.com.
