The Best Brunch Restaurants in New York City

Brunch can be so much more than pancakes and eggs. At Casa Enrique, Chef Cosme Aguilar turns out Mexican dishes guaranteed to fuel the day ahead. The generous menu hits all the marks — tacos, tortas, enchiladas, ceviches and tostadas — before leaning into brunch territory. Think baked Mexican bread with molasses syrup and fruit, red hominy pork soup with crunchy radish and avocado, or eggs prepared several ways alongside housemade chorizo and refried beans. And since brunch is an all-day affair, don’t skip the margaritas.

Melba’s isn’t just about digging into an excellent plate of classic Southern food (which you will no doubt enjoy); it’s also about stellar hospitality and community spirit. Melba Wilson was “born, bred, and buttered in Harlem,” and she delivers iconic brunch staples like eggnog waffles, served with country catfish or fried chicken, alongside all-day favorites such as cornmeal-dusted deviled eggs with pimento cheese and hearty Jamaican oxtails.

For anyone looking to get a taste of Paris in New York City, Orsay delivers. With dark mahogany walls, Art Nouveau chandeliers, a pewter-topped bar and French doors that spill onto the sidewalk terrace, this brasserie channels the feel of a Left Bank standby. The menu follows suit. Weekend brunch offers a panoply of classics, from fluffy croque monsieur and madame to seasonal quiche and eggs Benedict layered with jambon de Paris. Prefer lunch-like options? Salade Niçoise and steak frites with béarnaise are always on hand.

If you’re in the mood for a classic, fail-proof brunch, head to Russ & Daughters Café on the Lower East Side, a 110-year-old institution that has been run by four generations of the same family. Order a classic lox and bagel with all the fixings or for more adventurous palates there’s sable and sturgeon, and horseradish dill cream cheese. Pro tip: this might be the place to try a famous New York black and white cookie or bring home some chocolate babka.

Sunday in Brooklyn is what brunch is all about: making a day of the whole meal. At this Williamsburg restaurant, the line of 20-somethings armed with their phones to document every dish spills out onto the sidewalk, while there’s usually a procession of Ubers dropping off even more customers. No one seems to be bothered by the wait and no one is in a rush. Instead, they stand patiently admiring the hearty dishes coming out of the kitchen, like ricotta and roasted berry toast, hazelnut maple praline pancakes, and steak and eggs.

Thai food for brunch? Yes, please. Breakfast runs all day at Thai Diner, which starts buzzing at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Here, you’ll join the throngs who have embraced Chefs Anne Redding and Matt Danzer’s Thai love letter to the classic American diner. Tuck in to their version of French toast with Thai tea butter and salty condensed milk, or a roti-wrapped egg sandwich with sausage, scallions and Thai basil. Not to be missed: Thai iced coffee topped with pandan (a sweet, fragrant leaf used in Southeast Asian cooking) whipped cream.

Yellow Rose, a festive spot in the East Village, caters to any appetite or mood. The kitchen elevates stick-to-your-ribs Lone Star fare to a new level (chef and co-owner David Rizo used to work at cult favorite Superiority Burger, another top brunch spot). Fill up on breakfast tacos (made with Sonoran-style flour tortillas) with beans and cheese or chorizo and egg. Since it’s still technically morning and breakfast is the most important meal, order the chips and vegan queso, or glazed donuts. Wash it all down with a roast tomato Bloody Mary or a hibiscus tea.