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My guide · updated September 2026

Best brunch in Brooklyn, 2026.

All rules go out the window and who doesn’t like to let their hair down every once in a while?

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · 10 places I went to · 0 reader questions answered

The ones I’d send you to

How I decide

In no order, every one from my own visits. The full list under it has the rest and why.

  1. Cafe MogadorWilliamsburg
  2. Juliette RestaurantWilliamsburg
  3. Rule of ThirdsGreenpoint
  4. Sunday in BrooklynWilliamsburg

And Café Luluc, Ceremonia Bakeshop, Five Leaves, Shane’s Brooklyn, Walter’s.

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The list, in my order

9 I’d go back to and 1 only if it suits you. My verdict on every one, and the ones nearby from my other lists.

1

Cafe Mogador

RestaurantWilliamsburg
Worth it
Cafe Mogador
  • Address133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Celebrating more than 40 years, Cafe Mogador is a popular East Village haunt that recently opened a second location in Williamsburg. The popular brunch restaurant entices locals with exciting breakfast classics with a Mediterranean twist.

Opt for the Middle Eastern Breakfast (eggs, hummus, tabouli and salad) or Moroccan Eggs (poached eggs, spicy tomato, pepper sauce, house-made sausage) for a punchy Brooklyn brunch meal. If you’re playing it safe, stick with the creamy eggs Benedict or airy buttermilk pancakes, both delicious.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
2

Rule of Thirds

RestaurantGreenpoint
Worth it
Rule of Thirds
  • Address171 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

In a brunch world dominated by waffles and eggs, Rule of Thirds is a breath of fresh air. Styled after Izakaya restaurants (informal Japanese bars with light fare), the menu offers an exciting assortment of sharable plates like striped bass sashimi and cold somen noodles served with tomato dashi and red crab.

The term “Izakaya,” loosely translates to “stay-drink-place,” perfectly encapsulating the intention of this popular Brooklyn brunch spot.

Sticking with theme, my recommendation is to get the Japanese breakfast set (roasted bluefish, short grain rice, seasonal vegetables and velvety miso soup) and souffle pancake (fluffy hotcake, honey maple butter, sesame).

Unless you frequent Japan, there’s a high probability the souffle pancake is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. Seriously, it’s my single-favorite Brooklyn brunch dish, don’t miss it.

You might enjoy reading. 5 Perfected Pancakes in New York City (You Need to Try)

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
3

Sunday in Brooklyn

RestaurantWilliamsburg
Worth it
Sunday in Brooklyn
  • Address348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Sunday in Brooklyn strives to be the jack of all trades. A popular neighborhood haunt from morning to night, the restaurant serves some of the best brunch in Brooklyn. This the place to go for excellent libations, unpretentious staff, great vibes and hearty brunch fare.

Flirt with some appetizers like the ricotta toast with roasted berries and cinnamon rolls before committing to an entree. The gravy-smothered cheddar biscuits and signature hazelnut praline pancakes are a must-order in my book!

My adviceTry to score a seat at the rooftop garden if you’re visiting in the summer.

Some spots just hit different when you stumble on them yourself.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
4

Verde on Smith

RestaurantCobble Hill2 min from the subway
Only if
  • Cost$25 per person
  • SubwayA, C, F, R to Jay St-MetroTech, 2 min
  • Address216 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Verde on Smith is an Italian restaurant that seamlessly delves into Brooklyn’s brunch scene. The large menu is full of classics, from eggs Benedict and cheesy omelettes to smoked salmon crepes and avocado toast. It’s a great spot to brunch with a group because there’s so much variety.

To sweeten the deal, indulge in bottomless mimosas, bellinis, bloody marys, or screwdrivers for a blissful 60 minutes with the purchase of an entree for $25 per person. If you’re on a date, opt for the Boozy Brunch for Two, a pitcher of mimosa or bellini paired with two entrees for $70 ($35 per person).

Only if, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
5

Five Leaves

RestaurantWilliamsburg
Worth it
  • Address18 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Inspired by friendly Australian cafes, this lively joint is on brand with Williamsburg’s hipster vibes. A popular neighborhood haunt since 2008, the restaurant’s signature ricotta pancakes steal the show. If savory brunch is more your speed, consider the Moroccan scramble, made with merguez sausage, spiced chickpeas and avocado, it’s a hearty meal that’ll tide you over until your midday nap.

Unpopular opinion. I’ll die on this hill. Café Luluc serves a better brunch than half the spots with fancy PR teams.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
6

Juliette Restaurant

RestaurantWilliamsburg2 min from the subway
Worth it
Juliette Restaurant
  • SubwayL to Bedford Av, 2 min
  • Address135 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Juliette Restaurant is a charming French bistro with endearing garden vibes. The menu is a roll call of everyone’s favorites, from traditional French onion soup and croque monsieurs to creamy eggs Benedict.

My go-to order is a toss up between the shakshuka and seasonal Dutch pancake. The food is solid, but it’s the good vibes that keep me coming back. The garden-themed venue couldn’t be cuter, it’s one of my favorite brunch restaurants in Brooklyn for catching up with girlfriends over mimosas.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
7

Café Luluc

RestaurantCobble Hill2 min from the subway
Worth it
  • SubwayA, C, F, R to Jay St-MetroTech, 2 min
  • Address214 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Charming Cobble Hill for 20+ years, it’s hard to imagine Brooklyn without Café Luluc. This French bistro is popular with the local crowd for affordable brunch fare, especially the pancakes. Blame it on nostalgia, but I used to visit frequently when I was in college, so this Brooklyn brunch spot has a very special place in my heart.

I come here often with friends, even though my commute is now 45 minutes each way. I love the vibes and service, try scoring a table on the outdoor patio during a sunny spring day and you’ll see why so many locals consider this some of the best brunch in Brooklyn.

Good to knowCafe LuLuc is a CASH-ONLY establishment.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
8

Shane’s Brooklyn

RestaurantProspect Heights16 min from the subway
Worth it
  • SubwayG to Clinton-Washington Avs, 16 min
  • Address794 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Shane’s Brooklyn is the kind of place you can frequent without loss of enthusiasm, the food is consistently great and the service is reliably friendly. Focusing on American comfort foods, the chicken and waffles (and grits) are a must-order at this popular Brooklyn brunch spot.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
9

Ceremonia Bakeshop

BakeryWilliamsburg6 min from the subway
Worth it
  • SubwayJ, M, Z to Marcy Av, 6 min
  • Address743 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Ceremonia Bakeshop is the perfect example of a “fine, I’ll fix it myself” situation. What started as a simple bakeshop turned into one of the best brunch spots in Brooklyn by sheer accident.

After moving to NYC from San Francisco, Amy Batista realized there weren’t many places to find a decent breakfast burrito in the city. Her solution? She’ll do it herself! A firm believer that West Coast burritos were no match for their East Coast counterparts, Batista was determined to bring a bit of Pacific coast to NYC.

Burritos are loaded with soft scrambled eggs, cheese, chorizo and potatoes. Get your camera ready because the cheese-pull is out of this world! Come the weekend, the line is typically out the door so show up early or prepare to wait in line.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
10

Walter’s

RestaurantFort Greene4 min from the subway
Worth it
  • SubwayB, Q, R to DeKalb Av, 4 min
  • Address166 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY
  • From my guide, updated September 2026.

Dishing out classic American fare, Walter’s claim to fame is a toss-up between the chicken and waffles and great customer service. This no-frills restaurant is the ideal setting for a Sunday morning rendezvous with a mandatory round of Bloody Marys.

My go-to ordering tip, ask the staff what’s popular that day.

They do takeout and delivery, but I’d really recommend eating in at least once. The experience is part of what makes it special.

Worth it, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.
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