Brunching with friends and family in a relaxing atmosphere on the weekends is a real treat. There are extraordinary and diverse options in the New York metro area for cuisine that will suit all palates. Here are more than a dozen of our very favorites. Get ready weekenders! Brunch is waiting for you.
seeyamañana (Flatiron) The restaurant is now offering a newly evolved, daily brunch menu from Chef Carlos Chavarria. Their brunch menu, infuses California and Baja-native ingredients to create a coastal twist on traditional brunch fare. New and beloved fan favorites include Chicken y Waffles with a Mexican take on a southern staple, served with whipped cilantro butter and strawberry-jalapeño compote. Owner Ryan McKenzie searched the country far and wide to find the best breakfast tacos. His version with chorizo and scrambled eggs are among the best in the city. The Tijuana Caesar salad is a Baja take on the all-American favorite and the Concha Bread French Toast includes decadent chocolate sauce and fresh berries. Brunch cocktails like the Bloody Mary, Grapefruit Mimosa, and the Adobado that is a riff on a savory, spicy michelada with pineapple, cilantro, and serrano pepper. There are non-alcoholic favorites include Cantaloupe Horchata, Peach Americano, and the Spicy Boy.
Rosevale Kitchen (Hell’s Kitchen) Their recently opened Secret Garden is a hidden oasis is offering a Sunday brunch menu that is worthy of any top brunch spot. From a boozy brunch add-on option, to a selection of craft cocktails and a tableside bubbly cocktail experience, come prepared to sip, eat and enjoy. The star of the show is the beautiful venue, making you feel as if you are uncovering a found “New York” space. Clerestory windows connect the lounge to the restaurant and outdoors, adding an al fresco feel. A custom ceiling installation, designed by floral and event designer Preston Bailey, further emphasizes the romantic garden setting.
The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens at The Times Square EDITION (Midtown)
The ultimate “Brunch Party” is being served on Saturdays at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens located on the 9th floor of the midtown luxury hotel, The Times Square EDITION. Renowned chef, John Fraser, has created a distinctive menu complete with elevated classics and gourmet specialties. Served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. brunch is presented at stations giving guests the opportunity to leisurely enjoy each delectable course. The elevated culinary experience starts with a handcrafted welcome cocktail featuring Hendrick’s Flora Adora gin, followed by a raw bar, smoked fish and charcuterie boards, a gourmet egg station, a delectable selection of sides, and an expertly crafted sweets. After brunch, venture to Garden East where live music and more tantalizing libations are available.
Nomad Girl ( Nomad) This recently opened spot is a chic Milanese style restaurant. With its modern interior design and outdoor piazza seating, it feels like you are dining in the heart of Milan. Brunch, which is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., features Good Morning Little Piggy that has tasty fried eggs with Prosciutto di Parma and toast. Their Crab Benedict has tender crabmeat topped with poached egg, Hollandaise sauce and mixed greens. You’ll also love Nomad Girl’s beverage program and their specially brewed coffees that will have you coming back again and again.
Popular (Bowery) This Peruvian restaurant within PUBLIC Hotel, has a new brunch menu in tandem with the reopening of its beautiful outdoor space, the Bowery Garden. Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bowery Garden is the perfect go-to for locals and newcomers looking for an al fresco dining experience with an expansive open-air terrace inspired by Tuileries Garden in Paris and the Gardens of Italy. Upon entering, you feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. The menu features signature favorites like the Popular Cheeseburger, topped with caramelized onions, blue cheese, mushroom jam, served alongside fries, as well as the Popular Fried Chicken served with Vermont maple syrup, pickled shallots, jalapenos, also served alongside fries. Other favorites include French Toast with whipped mascarpone, berry compote, bacon, and Vermont maple syrup, as well as the Steak + Eggs, which consists of rib eye, roasted pepper chimichurri, three fried eggs, and fries. For something lighter, the Watermelon Gazpacho with fresh melon and basil is refreshing and a true crowd pleaser.
KYU (NoHO) This Asian inspired restaurant invites guests to enjoy a delightful brunch experience. Guests can indulge in inventive brunch plates offering a rich exploration of interpretive technique and ingredients. Explore distinctive brunch dishes such as the Ssamjang Chicken Sandwich, a Smoked French Dip topped with fried egg, black garlic jus and grilled jalapeno aioli, and the Duck Scramble served with toasted rice and creamy gochujang.
David Burke Tavern (Upper East Side) High profile Chef David Burke takes a hybrid approach to weekend brunch at his namesake Upper East Side townhouse restaurant, David Burke Tavern. The regular a la carte lunch menu is available, complemented by brunch specials such as Titanic French Toast, berries, whipped mascarpone, wafers straws, maple syrup and Pretzel Crab Cake Benedict, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise. So, in the spirit of Burke’s lauded whimsical approach to modern American cuisine, you can do some playful mixing and matching. Plus, you can take advantage of one of the best bottomless brunch deals in town, just $25 per person for mimosas, bellinis and bloody Marys. Like the hybrid nature of brunch at David Burke Tavern, so too, is the ambiance. The slightly below ground first floor is the stylishly informal “tavern,” while, upstairs, two olde New York club-like dining rooms sporting eye-candy artwork await, as well as a semi-private room lined with Himalayan salt bricks, which is a decorative signature at Burk’s restaurants.
aRoqa (Chelsea) The restaurant has Saturday and Sunday brunch in their dining room and al fresco. It recently launched a refined menu of Indian-inspired cocktails by Beverage Director Prasad Pawar along with new brunch items from Executive Chef Munny Passi and Owner Monica Saxena. aRoqa’s brunch features a traditional Indian brunch menu, which showcases dishes inspired by homemade Indian breakfasts and Indian street food. Additionally, as 2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations, aRoqa has added brunch items to honor this with a selection of Ragi, or “finger millets,” with ragi flour, lentils, rice crepes served with sambhar “lentil and tomato soup,” with a side of coconut kaffir lime chutney and sundried tomato chutney and Khichdi that is a gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, and dairy free option made with whole millet, lentil and rice tempered with crispy brown onions and side of cilantro chutney and plain yogurt. aRoqa offers a bottomless option of pairing an entrée with an unlimited number of Mimosas or Champagne for 90 minutes for $45 per person. The cocktail program features new cocktails such as Bombay Gateway that has gin infused with Kaffir lime and lemongrass, lime juice, egg white, and simple syrup. The Indian Sunset is made with vodka with rum, mango passion fruit purée, lemon juice, and a rose hibiscus syrup.
The Osprey at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn) Australia’s story-worthy brunch scene is known as one of the best in the world. With diverse menus that boast creative, healthy, and nature-forward dishes, you can expect to savor mouthwatering flavors and sustained energy that’ll have you wishing brunch could last all day. Now through September, you can embrace this invigorating spirit right here in the heart of Brooklyn, as Chef Dan Churchill crafts a bright and eclectic brunch experience at The Osprey. Every item on the menu has been curated with deep thought and intention, calling upon Dan’s childhood favorites as well as his passion for healthy fare that never sacrifices flavor. From the classic Aussie Turkish Eggs to the all-natural Café Banana Bread reminiscent of Sunday morning in Sydney, each creation reflects the idea that food has the power to create and evoke unforgettable memories—while paying tribute to the indigenous Australians who served as the first stewards of the land. Prepare your palate for an occasion that’s bigger than brunch and indulge in an opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional flavors and culture that shine on the other side of the world at The Osprey by Dan Churchill.
Pando 39 (Midtown) This popular spot is serving up the ultimate brunch for foodies and cocktail enthusiasts! This contemporary American bar, near the Empire State Building is known for its craft cocktails, an All Day $1.50 Oyster Happy Hour and over 100+ whiskeys. Pando 39 is whipping up a bottomless brunch on weekends that can’t be missed. Try savory dishes like Gypsy Toast, a Brioche French toast dish topped with fruit and whipped cream, and served with maple syrup or Al’s Omelette filled with mushrooms, spinach and mozzarella cheese. Brunch lovers can opt in for the bottomless option, with choices like 90 minutes of Mimosas, Screwdrivers, or Bloody Marys to enjoy alongside their entree for just an additional $25. There are also delights like a Mimosa Flight, a full coffee and tea menu, and the popular Pando Espresso Martini.
Just Across the Hudson River in New Jersey
Halifax (Hoboken) It’s fine dining perfection for all your brunch cravings. This is the only restaurant in Hoboken that has a sweeping stellar view of Manhattan with the venue’s floor to ceiling windows in their chic dining room. There’s also wonderful patio seating for an al fresco meal. Enjoy cuisine by Executive Chef Seadon Shouse with dishes that include starters such as Poached Shrimp Cocktail or the Halifax Cured Meats and Pate. Tempt your taste buds with Fresh Baked Scones, Deviled Eggs, Warm Quiche and their Afternoon Delights that include Mac and Cheese, Beef Sliders, BBQ Chicken Wings, and Spring Salad. Brunch items are small plates available a la carte and there is an unlimited food option for $34 and $12 for children ten and under with a two hour brunch limit. You can also make it a Bubbles Brunch with unlimited small plates and one bottle of sparkling per person for $48.
Blu on the Hudson (Weehawken) This recently opened modern American restaurant brings a New York City-style dining experience to the waterfront in Weehawken, New Jersey. The restaurant is located just minutes away from Hoboken and Jersey City by light rail and a picturesque six-minute New York Waterway ferry ride from Manhattan. Executive Chef Juan Carlos “JC” Ortega has brought his years of experience working with seafood and steak to create a menu composed of simple, clean ingredients that elicit complex flavors by drawing on various influences from the Mediterranean and beyond. His cuisine is elevated yet approachable, offering selections for every diner. To accompany the raw bar, the restaurant offers a beverage program by Beverage Director Jeremy Le Blanche (who has worked at the best cocktail bars around the world). Jeremy substitutes fussy ingredients in favor of theatrical presentations. Highlights from the brunch menu include, but are not limited to, Vegan Apricot Sticky Bun with almonds and a lemon glaze; Truffled Mushroom Omelette with white cheddar, egg whites, and one yolk with a salad. Brunch signature cocktails have been created that are innovative and delicious, like the Chocolate Innocence with Tito’s cacao, chocolate, and Licor 43 or the Oil on the Skin made with Aperol, strawberry, grapefruit, and prosecco. Blu on the Hudson’s weekend brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday with both indoor and al fresco dining.
Lokal (Jersey City) Savor a sumptuously diverse brunch with an astounding view of the waterborne activities on the Hudson and the Manhattan Skyline from the wrap around patio or dining room. The sprawling riverside restaurant is a short walk from The PATH Exchange stop and has convenient parking options. Witness the house made pastry basket, the acai bowl and roasted beets, goat cheese, honeycomb, bee pollen, red wine vinaigrette, arugula to raw bar selections and sublimely curated meat or cheese platters, along with the likes of brussels spouts, hash and eggs, smoked bacon, shallots, cherry vinegar, sunny side eggs with fries or salad and Shakshuka, stewed peppers and tomatoes, poached egg, grilled baguette. Not to mention the intriguingly topped burger options (beef, salon and lamb) and the several vegetation selections like mascarpone pancakes, lemon zest, seasonal berries, organic maple syrup. Lokal’s ambitious beverage program presents a number of signature cocktails that are creative takes on traditional favorites and named after the originator, such as the popular Elliott Stubb, a riff on the whiskey sour he is credited with inventing in 1870. And here’s an inider’s tip, come for brunch on the late side and stay for happy hour, a daily occurrence at Lokal from 4 to 6 p.m. with a tempting menu of food and drink specials.
Top photo: Bigstock
