The best brunch in NYC in 2026 is at Balthazar in SoHo for a Parisian brasserie morning, Clinton St. Baking Co. for the city's most famous pancakes, Sadelle's for bagel towers and Buvette for a tiny, romantic West Village table. Jack's Wife Freda, Cafe Mogador, Bubby's and Sunday in Brooklyn are the other weekend favorites.
Keith McNally's Parisian brasserie — the quintessential New York brunch room.
Balthazar, on Spring Street, has looked like a century-old Paris brasserie since it opened in 1997, with mirrored walls, red banquettes and a famous bakery. Brunch brings eggs Benedict, steak frites and baskets of its breads and pastries.
It is buzzy, glamorous and a SoHo landmark.
Good to know: Book ahead, or grab pastries from the bakery next door.
80 Spring St, New York, NY
The blueberry pancakes with maple butter that New Yorkers queue for.
Clinton St. Baking Co. is famous for its fluffy blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter, along with biscuits, eggs and fried chicken.
It is small and in demand — weekday brunch is far easier than weekends.
Good to know: Pancakes are served at dinner too — a trick to skip the brunch line.
4 Clinton St, New York, NY
Towers of smoked fish and bagels, served with theater.
Sadelle's, from the team behind Carbone, serves a glamorous take on the Jewish appetizing brunch: tiered towers of smoked salmon, sable and whitefish with bagels, plus sticky buns and eggs.
It is a fun splurge for a group.
Good to know: Order a fish tower for the table.
463 West Broadway, New York, NY
A tiny French 'gastrothèque' with steamed eggs and croque monsieurs.
Jody Williams' Buvette, on Grove Street, is a pocket-sized French café where eggs are steamed with the espresso machine's wand and the croque monsieur is perfect.
It is charming, cramped and very West Village.
Good to know: Come early on weekdays — it is tiny.
42 Grove St, New York, NY
A cheerful, all-day café with green shakshuka and rosewater waffles.
Jack's Wife Freda mixes South African and Israeli influences in a breezy all-day menu — green shakshuka, rosewater waffles, Peri Peri chicken — at its SoHo and West Village locations.
It is one of the city's most reliable brunches.
Good to know: Put your name down and browse SoHo while you wait.
224 Lafayette St, New York, NY
Smoked fish boards, latkes and egg creams in a classic counter-style room.
The sit-down sibling of the century-old appetizing shop serves smoked salmon boards, latkes, bagels and egg creams on Orchard Street.
It is the most New York of brunches.
Good to know: Weekday brunch avoids the long weekend wait.
127 Orchard St, New York, NY
Moroccan eggs and halloumi in an East Village favorite since 1983.
Cafe Mogador has been an East Village fixture on St. Marks Place since 1983, known for its Moroccan eggs, tagines and halloumi eggs at brunch. A second location is in Williamsburg.
It is casual, friendly and good value.
Good to know: Get the Moroccan eggs.
101 St Marks Pl, New York, NY
American comfort food and homemade pie — a family-friendly Tribeca classic.
Bubby's, on Hudson Street in Tribeca, has served hearty American brunch — pancakes, biscuits, fried chicken — and homemade pies since 1990.
It is relaxed and very kid-friendly.
Good to know: Save room for a slice of pie.
120 Hudson St, New York, NY
Malted pancakes with hazelnut-maple praline in a sunny Williamsburg room.
Sunday in Brooklyn, on Wythe Avenue, is known for its tall malted pancakes topped with hazelnut-maple praline and brown butter, in a bright, wood-filled space.
It is a perfect start to a day in Williamsburg.
Good to know: Order the pancakes to share as a 'starter'.
348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Some do and some are walk-in only. For popular spots, book ahead or arrive before opening; weekend waits of an hour are common from 11am.
See our kosher cafes and kosher dairy restaurants guides — places like Libbi, Patis and Lox at the Jewish Museum serve kosher dairy brunch.