Best brunch on the Upper East Side

To the untrained eye, it’s hard to believe that a neighborhood bar could double as one of the best brunch restaurants on the Upper East Side, but here we are. Originally opened as an Irish pub with an emphasis on whisky, the Penrose has grown to include an impressive food menu outshined only by the cocktails on offer.

As far as brunch fare goes, the cinnamon french toast is an easy favorite. Made with brioche, vanilla cream cheese. If you’re the savory sort, the hot honey fried chicken sandwich is not to be missed.

Pair your meal with an expert breakfast cocktail (the Bloody Mary is excellent) and make the most of your visit.

Good to KnowL The Penrose is one of the best happy hour spots on the Upper East Side

Cafe d’Alsace pay homage to its namesake, a historic French town bordering Germany and Switzerland. Influenced by the cultures of all three regions, Alsatian cuisine is an exciting medley of flavors you won’t easily find elsewhere.

During brunch, Cafe d’Alsace pulls out all the stops. Choose from airy Crêpe Soufflés coated with passion fruit sauce, omelette Lorraine with aged Gruyère and bistro ham or the tried-and-true shakshuka infused with a tangy tomato sauce.

Service is exceptional and the cozy vibes can’t be beat. In my opinion, this charming French bistro is an ideal spot for a cozy brunch date on the Upper East Side.

Don’t let the cheeky name fool you, Flex Mussels means business. Hailing from Prince Edward Island, the charming shack-turned-Upper East Side haunt specializes in mussel-forward dishes.

Sourcing the best mussels this side of the Atlantic, you’ll find more than a dozen variations of the bivalve on the menu. Brunch is a little more tame with time-tested classics like french toast, omelettes and proper breakfast sandwiches.

However, it’d be a shame to stray too far from seafood at this popular Upper East Side brunch destination. I recommend the Shelly Benedictowitz (potato latke, poached egg, smoked salmon, dill creme fraiche), but whatever you decide on, just make sure an order of mussels opens the meal.

In a city obsessed with brunch, these spots actually deliver on the promise.

Chez Nick is a New American restaurant with a French accent. Co-owned by three chefs with and impressive roster of experience between them (like Forgione, Robertas and Ai Fiori), Chez Nick opened a mere month before the pandemic.

The chefs were keen to combine Michelin-starred techniques with an approachable atmosphere and they delivered. Locals were delighted when the brunch menu rolled out. Playing host to a slew of step up classics like shakshuka, barbacoa chilaquiles, falafel bowls and generous breakfast burritos.

Order the unreasonably satisfying Parmesan fries while you mull over the entrees. Don’t sleep on the cocktails either, the Chez Nick Spritz (cocchi blanco, prosecco, grapefruit) is a great way to kick of the weekend.

The Bar Room is a sophisticated bistro easily overlooked from the outside due to the unassuming facade. Venture inside and you’ll be privy. Dark paneled walls, handsome leather booths and striking murals play second fiddle to the great food on offer.

For starters, toy around with some whipped ricotta toast and escargot if you’re catching up with friends. Meeting a date you’re keen to impress? The caviar-crowned tots are the epitome of luxury. As for entrees, the BLT with egg never fails to hit the spot, but neither does the signature Bar Room Burger (sharp cheddar, pickles, melted onion, truffle aioli, fries).

When it comes to Instagrammable brunch on the Upper East Side, Hutch + Waldo takes the cake. Serving great coffee and colorful Australian-inspired fare, the joint swells with locals during the busy brunch hour.

Seasonal produce guides the menu, which is full of classic dishes like creamy scrambled eggs, hearty breakfast burritos, and refreshing smoothies.

As basic as it sounds, the avocado toast is my go-to order. Served with a generous smashing of avocado, heirloom tomato, micro greens, house marinated feta and chili oil on Balthazar Bakery bread, it’ll easily tide you over while exploring the neighborhood.

On the hunt for bottomless brunch on the Upper East Side? Make a beeline for Maya for a generous 90-minute offering of unlimited libations like Bloody Mary, mimosas and margaritas. Continue the bottomless trend by opting in for the bottomless food, which includes following stream of unlimited tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas.

Specializing in contemporary Latin cuisine, the restaurant is helmed by internationally renowned Chef Richard Sandoval. Sandoval’s commitment to pushing food boundaries ensures a constant infusion of new flavors, making Maya one of the premier brunch restaurant on the Upper East Side, but the great cocktails don’t hurt either.

Good to know Unlimited brunch is $49 per person, if you’re adding cocktails to the mix, it’s $59 per person.

Serving straightforward home-style breakfast, EJ’s Luncheonette is the quintessential no-frills neighborhood diner. Expect to find brunch classics like. Perhaps the most famous dish at this Upper East Side brunch restaurant is the chocolate chip pancakes.

Something to Note EJ’s Luncheonette is CASH-ONLY.

Arguably the most recognizable Australian restaurant in NYC, Bluestone Lane has more than 18 locations throughout the city. Not hard to see why, the casual brekkie restaurant checks all the right boxes.

The menu is full of brunch favorites like ricotta hotcakes and smashed avocado toast, but the coffee is half the draw (I’ve yet to be disappointed by the cold brews).

The best part? The Upper East Side location is located across the street from Central Park, so when the weather is nice make sure to get a seat outside and enjoy the views. Having to wait in line is practically guaranteed during the weekends, but this delicious Aussie brunch in the Upper East Side is worth the wait.

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