11 Best Brunch Spots In New York You Have To Visit In 2026
New York City serves up some of the most incredible brunch experiences on the planet, and 2026 is shaping up to be another delicious year for weekend feasts.
Whether you’re craving fluffy pancakes, perfectly poached eggs, or something completely unexpected, the city’s brunch scene has something special waiting at every corner.
From historic institutions serving classic Jewish delicacies to trendy spots plating up plant-based masterpieces, these eleven restaurants represent the absolute best of what New York brunch has to offer.
Get ready to discover your new favorite weekend ritual!
1. Balthazar
Walking into this Soho institution feels like stepping straight into a Parisian dream, complete with red leather banquettes and vintage mirrors that have witnessed countless legendary brunches.
The energy here never stops buzzing, with servers gliding between tables carrying towering platters of French toast and perfectly golden omelets that would make any chef jealous.
Balthazar has mastered the art of making every guest feel like they’re part of something special, whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just treating yourself to a Saturday morning escape.
Their pastry basket alone could inspire poetry, with croissants so flaky they practically shatter at first bite, sending buttery crumbs cascading onto your plate in the most delightful way possible.
The French onion soup might seem like an unusual brunch choice, but trust the process because this bubbling masterpiece pairs beautifully with a leisurely morning.
Located at 80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, this spot has earned its reputation through decades of consistency and charm that never feels forced or pretentious.
2. Sadelle’s
Bagels reach their full potential at this West Broadway gem, where the spreads are piled so high you might need an architectural degree just to figure out how to approach them.
Every visit feels like a celebration, with tables adorned in colorful dishes that photograph like absolute dreams and taste even better than they look.
The chopped salads here have achieved legendary status among New Yorkers who know that sometimes the perfect brunch isn’t about eggs at all.
Sadelle’s brings an old-school appetizing counter vibe into the modern era, honoring Jewish deli traditions while adding just enough contemporary flair to keep things exciting.
Their sticky buns deserve their own fan club, arriving warm and glistening with caramel that creates the kind of sweet mess you’ll happily clean up with your fingers.
The atmosphere strikes that magical balance between special-occasion fancy and comfortable-enough-for-regular-visits, making every brunch feel perfectly calibrated to your mood.
Find this brunch paradise at 463 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012, where reservations are strongly recommended.
3. Jack’s Wife Freda
Mediterranean sunshine seems to pour through the windows at this Lafayette Street favorite, where the menu reads like a love letter to bold flavors and fresh ingredients.
The green shakshuka has become something of a New York icon, with its vibrant sauce cradling perfectly cooked eggs in a way that makes ordinary breakfast seem downright boring.
Jack’s Wife Freda proves that brunch doesn’t need to follow traditional American rules, instead offering dishes inspired by Israeli, Mediterranean, and South African cuisines that wake up your taste buds.
The rosewater waffles sound fancy but taste like pure joy, combining unexpected flavors that somehow make perfect sense once they hit your palate.
This spot attracts a wonderful mix of neighborhood regulars and curious visitors, all drawn by the promise of food that feels both comforting and adventurous.
With multiple locations across the city, you can find the original at 224 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, though each outpost maintains that special welcoming energy.
4. Clinton St. Baking Company
Pancake perfection was basically invented at this tiny Lower East Side bakery, where the blueberry buttermilk stacks have inspired people to wait in lines that wrap around the block.
Something magical happens in that kitchen, transforming simple ingredients into clouds of fluffy goodness that seem to defy the laws of pancake physics.
Clinton St. has maintained its neighborhood charm even as its reputation has grown to international proportions, never sacrificing quality or warmth for efficiency.
The biscuit sandwich deserves equal attention, with eggs and cheese tucked into a buttermilk biscuit so tender it practically melts before you finish chewing.
This place feels like brunching at a friend’s house if that friend happened to be a professionally trained pastry chef with impeccable taste.
The space stays cozy and intimate, making every visit feel personal even when there’s a crowd of hungry brunchers waiting outside.
Make your pilgrimage to 4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, and prepare for your pancake standards to be permanently elevated.
5. The Butcher’s Daughter
Vegetables become absolute superstars at this plant-forward cafe, where even devoted carnivores find themselves completely satisfied by the creative, colorful plates.
The name playfully hints at the restaurant’s philosophy: treating vegetables with the same respect and care that a butcher gives to meat, elevating produce to hero status.
Everything here looks like it belongs in a museum of beautiful food, with rainbow smoothie bowls and avocado toast arrangements that practically beg to be photographed.
But the beauty isn’t just surface-level; these dishes deliver serious flavor that proves plant-based eating can be indulgent, satisfying, and downright crave-worthy.
The almond ricotta pancakes flip the script on traditional brunch, offering a dairy-free option that somehow tastes richer and more decadent than the conventional version.
The bright, airy space feels like a breath of fresh air, with natural light streaming in and creating the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenating weekend meal.
Visit this veggie wonderland at 19 Kenmare St, New York, NY 10012, where healthy never tasted so good.
6. Russ & Daughters Café
History lives deliciously at this Lower East Side institution, where four generations of the Russ family have perfected the art of smoked fish and traditional Jewish brunch.
The original Russ & Daughters shop opened in 1914, making it one of the oldest food businesses in New York still run by the founding family.
Walking in feels like time travel, with classic appetizing traditions honored through every perfectly sliced piece of nova and every schmear of cream cheese.
Their Super Heebster sandwich has achieved cult status, stacking whitefish salad, baked salmon salad, horseradish cream cheese, and wasabi-infused fish on a bagel that somehow contains this glorious chaos.
The matzo ball soup arrives steaming hot with fluffy dumplings that float like delicious clouds in golden broth that could cure anything that ails you.
This isn’t fusion or reinvention; this is authentic New York food history served with pride and precision that comes from over a century of practice.
Experience this piece of culinary heritage at 127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002.
7. Pastis
French elegance meets Meatpacking District energy at this revived classic, where the people-watching rivals the food for entertainment value.
Pastis closed in 2014, breaking countless hearts across the city, but its triumphant 2019 return brought back all the magic that made it legendary in the first place.
The steak frites might seem like a dinner dish, but ordering it for brunch is a power move that the fashion crowd and neighborhood locals have perfected.
Everything about this place whispers sophistication without ever making you feel like you need to dress up or behave differently than your authentic self.
Their omelet arrives perfectly folded with a creamy interior that demonstrates why French cooking techniques reign supreme in the egg department.
The outdoor seating transforms people into professional observers, perfect for watching the parade of interesting characters that define this constantly evolving neighborhood.
Located at 52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014, Pastis proves that some New York institutions are simply too good to stay gone forever.
8. Cafe Mogador
Moroccan spices transform ordinary eggs into extraordinary adventures at this East Village institution that has been serving authentic North African flavors since 1983.
The eggs with merguez sausage deliver a spicy kick that wakes you up better than any amount of coffee possibly could, though their strong Turkish coffee certainly helps.
Cafe Mogador brought Moroccan cuisine to New York long before it became trendy, earning its reputation through consistent quality and flavors that transport you straight to Marrakech.
Their housemade flatbread arrives warm and pillowy, perfect for scooping up every last bit of the rich, spiced sauces that accompany most dishes.
The tagine-style preparations show up at brunch too, with eggs nestled into aromatic vegetable stews that prove breakfast doesn’t have to mean bacon and toast.
This spot maintains a wonderfully unpretentious vibe despite its legendary status, with mismatched tiles and cozy seating that makes everyone feel immediately welcome.
Find this East Village treasure at 101 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009, where brunch takes on beautiful new dimensions.
9. Rule Of Thirds
Japanese precision meets Brooklyn creativity at this Greenpoint gem, where brunch feels like an art exhibition that you’re lucky enough to eat.
The seasonal menu changes regularly, reflecting whatever ingredients are at their absolute peak and allowing the kitchen to showcase their impressive range.
Rule of Thirds approaches brunch with the same attention to detail and technique that defines the best Japanese cuisine, resulting in plates that look almost too beautiful to disturb.
Their Japanese breakfast sets offer a completely different brunch experience from the typical American spread, with grilled fish, miso soup, and perfectly seasoned rice that feels both nourishing and special.
The space itself embodies minimalist elegance, letting the food take center stage without unnecessary distractions or overly trendy design elements.
This isn’t the place for massive portions or over-the-top combinations; instead, expect refined flavors and thoughtful preparations that respect the ingredients.
Make the trip to 171 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY 11222, where brunch becomes an elevated experience without any pretension.
10. Sunday In Brooklyn
Those malted pancakes have launched a thousand Instagram posts, but no photograph can truly capture the magic that happens when you take your first bite.
The hazelnut praline spread that accompanies them should probably be illegal, creating a combination so good that regular pancakes will seem like a cruel joke afterward.
Sunday in Brooklyn nails that difficult balance between polished and welcoming, feeling special enough for celebrations but comfortable enough for regular weekend visits.
Their menu ventures beyond breakfast classics with creative options like ricotta toast with poached pear that somehow manages to be both light and incredibly satisfying.
The corner location floods with natural light, creating that perfect lazy Sunday morning atmosphere that makes you want to linger over another coffee.
Everything here feels thoughtfully considered, from the carefully sourced ingredients to the friendly service that strikes just the right tone of attentive without hovering.
Located at 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, this Williamsburg spot lives up to its name by making every day feel like the best kind of Sunday.
11. Cafe Luluc
Cash-only policies might seem inconvenient, but at this longtime Brooklyn favorite, the old-school approach is part of the unpretentious charm that keeps locals coming back year after year.
The portions here are seriously generous, with pancakes that overflow the plate and omelets stuffed so full they can barely contain themselves.
Cafe Luluc has maintained its neighborhood soul even as the area around it has transformed, refusing to change what works or chase after trends.
Their French toast achieves that perfect balance of crispy edges and custardy center, dusted with powdered sugar that creates little sweet clouds with every bite.
The tiny space fills up quickly, especially on weekends, but the turnover moves steadily and the wait rarely feels frustrating when you know what’s waiting.
This is the kind of place where the servers remember regulars and the menu stays comfortingly consistent, offering reliability in a city that constantly changes.
Find this Cobble Hill institution at 214 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, and remember to hit the ATM before you go.