MY FAVORITE brunch spots in nyc

from uptown to downtown, sidewalks to rooftops, and everything in between

Brunch, Bitches!

That’s the name of the group chat my friends and I use to plan our Sunday afternoon dates. New Yorkers are obsessive about the whole brunch ritual. Everyone has their favorite spots.

So if you’re visiting the city, or live here currently and haven’t tried these yet, here – in no particular order – are my top 10 picks for brunch in NYC.

1. Tasca [upper west side]

Believe it or not, this swanky and cavernous Spanish restaurant used to be a hip 1960s-themed bar called “MOD” back in the early 2000s. Now it’s one of the best brunch (and dinner) spots on the Upper West Side. The service is impeccable and the charcuterie plate itself deserves a Michelin star.

505 Columbus Avenue between 84th & 85th

must try…

2. Jack’s Wife freda [soho]

Jack’s Wife Freda is is so fun…so welcoming…so New York! Even the illustrated menu looks like it was drawn by a cartoonist from The New Yorker. There are several locations throughout the city, but the Soho spot is the original (and my favorite!) Walk-ins are welcome and encouraged, but it’s always crowded. Seriously, my friend Jeannette and I once went on Thanksgiving Day and it was slammed. Go ahead and hit up that Resy app just to be safe.

226 Lafayette @ Spring Street

must try…

3. asset [upper west side]

Asset is a beautiful bi-level restaurant featuring a Pan-Asian menu that spills over into its weekend brunch offerings. Think breakfast crispy rice and Korean-fried chicken and waffles. There are two long bars – one downstairs and one up – where you may be able to grab a spot if you can’t get reservations, or are stopping by just on a whim. Also, the cocktails here aren’t just tasty…they’re art.

329 Columbus Avenue between 75th & 76th

must try…

4. tessa [upper west side]

Tessa is the sister restaurant of Asset and is located just a block away. (It’s also Asset spelled backwards.) I frequent both restaurants because of their proximity to the Grand Bazaar (Greenflea) outdoor market on 77th and Columbus. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city to shop for vintage, and it’s only open on Sundays. Although last week I did pop into Tessa on a random Friday afternoon just for a Thai Espresso martini, which I highly recommend.

349 Amsterdam Avenue between 76th & 77th

must try…

5. the odeon [tribeca]

If you’re a fan of 80s pop culture, you’ll know why this sign looks so familiar. The exterior was featured on the cover of Jay McInerney’s 1984 novel Bright Lights, Big City. I go here not only for the food or the atmosphere, but also the history. My two favorite artists of all time – Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat – were Odeon regulars. And the vibe here is still very hip…very cool…and very French!

145 West Broadway @ Thomas Street

must try…

6. the milling room [upper west side]

This is another spot I frequented in the early 2000s when it was called Calle Ocho. It’s been The Milling Room since 2014, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful dining spots in the city. It’s also historic. Built in 1890 as the Hotel Endicott, the current dining room still maintains the same structure as the original “Palm Room.”

446 Columbus Avenue between 81st & 82nd

must try…

7. Magic hour rooftop [midtown]

Magic Hour is the only spot on my list that’s a bit touristy…but still worth a visit. Located on the 18th floor of the Moxy Hotel, there’s always a colorful theme that serves as a perfect backdrop for the Instagram and TikTok. Of course, having the Empire State Building there doesn’t hurt. Plus, you’ll find the absolute best natural lighting for amazing selfies right outside the bathrooms. Proof below (on separate occasions back when I was rocking the extensions and the fake tan).

485 7th Avenue between 36th & 37th

must try…

8. serafina [upper west side]

This is my favorite location of Serafina because it used to be the Upper West Side location of Fishs Eddy. Before I moved to New York, I would always stay at On The Ave Hotel (now the very swanky and highly recommended Arthouse Hotel) which is right next door. I loved shopping at Fishs Eddy and buying NYC-themed dishes to take back with me to Atlanta as a token of my future “New Yorkerness.” Now I come here for the great food, great drinks, and yes, to reminisce. Check out this episode of Vintage New York where I drop by for a quick bite.

2178 Broadway @ 77th Street

must try…

9. pastis [meatpacking district]

“Okay sister, let’s go. I’m not gonna lose my table at Pastis so you can cruise a holy man.”

That line from Sex & The City (Season 4, Episode 1) solidified Pastis as yet another “it” place. A place where “it” people (and SATC fans) wanted and waited – sometimes on a months-long list – to dine. It opened in 1999 in the Meatpacking District, closed 15 years later in 2014, then re-opened in a new location a block away. The cool factor is still there, and you still definitely need a reservation on the weekends. Book a table outside on the patio for ultimate people-watching.

52 Gansevoort Street between Washington & Greenwich

must try…

10. la pecora bianca [upper west side]

Location…location…location. Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, The New York Historical, and the Grand Bazaar are all right next to this location of La Pecora Bianca (formerly Isabella’s.) This means you can fill up on brunch, then walk it off while strolling and exploring the neighborhood.

359 Columbus Avenue @ 77th Street

must try…

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