Best brunch in the West Village, 2026.

Buvette is one of the most authentic French bistros in New York City, the fluent waiters are mere icing on the cake. Part restaurant, part cafe, this local gem oozes an endearing old world charm typically reserved for the cobblestone streets of Europe.

So if a flight across the pond is out of the question, this popular West Village brunch haunt should scratch the itch. The morning menu houses all the usual suspects, from fresh Belgian waffles (topped with a dollop of crème fraiche) to creamy croque monsieurs and smoked salmon eggs.

The pain perdu is a personal favorite, even though my mom argues I could make it at home (spoiler alert. I can’t). Airy brioche dressed in a berry compote and creme anglaise, this one dish alone warrants a detour.

Charming the neighborhood for nearly two decades, Cafe Cluny serves casual Franco-American brunch in the West Village. Come Saturday, the restaurant swells with stylish locals convinced the weekend doesn’t start without a proper meal.

Parked on a busy corner where 12th and West 4th Streets meet, Cafe Cluny is a sister restaurant to the Odeon and Café Luxembourg.

Served on a first-come basis (brunch reservations not accepted), if you’re lucky enough to score a table you’ll be rewarded with brasserie favorites like steak tartar, airy omelettes, incredible salads (the Country Frisée Salad is my go-to) and drenched eggs Benedict.

Famous for oatmeal griddle cakes, most pancake enthusiasts know to make a pilgrimage to Breakfast by Salt’s Cure. A California transplant, the menu focuses on the prized possession, five varieties of griddle cakes, one breakfast plate, two breakfast sandwiches and a handful of sides.

Make no mistake, the plate-clocking pancakes are the draw. Unlike traditional pancakes commonly found throughout the city, griddle cakes are thin and slightly crispy, with a chewier consistency.

Served without syrup, these bad boys are pre-sweetened and infused with chocolate chips or fruit, unless you opt for the OG (made with cinnamon molasses butter).

On par with most West Village brunch restaurants, Breakfast by Salt’s Cure doesn’t take reservations. Wait times exceed an hour during weekends, so I recommend visiting on a weekday if your schedule is flexible.

Good to knowBreakfast by Salt’s Cure earns a mention our list of the best pancakes in New York City.

Shuka is a modern Mediterranean restaurant with straight-forward classics like tender kebabs (served with pita and dip) and warm chicken shawarma. But where this joint truly shines is the brunch menu, which adds a refreshing twist to tried-and-true staples.

Split an order of whipped feta and pistachio dip while tackling the exciting entrees. I’m a big fan of the Mediterranean Plate (hummus, crudite, falafel, tahini, fresno salsa, hard boiled egg, pickles. And pita) while my husband prefers the shakshuka (spicy tomato sauce pouched eggs, feta, charred shishito peppers, shatta and pita).

If you prefer sweet brunch fare, the baklava cinnamon rolls or chocolate babka french toast should fit the bill. If all else fails, a slice of dense olive oil cake with whipped cream and cherries never hurt anybody.

Dishing up some of the best brunch in the West Village, Tarine has a generous “bring your own bottle” policy. Let the good time roll with a bottle of champagne and some good girlfriends in tow.

The large brunch menu puts a heavy emphasis on egg dishes, with knock-out baked eggs (tomato basil sauce, chickpeas, cauliflower, lamb sausage). But you’ll find classics from French toast, BLTs, Croque-Monsieur and corned beef hash.

I’m a big fan of the apple pancakes and gravlax toast (mascarpone, capers, lemon, honey mustard sauce, salad). Cozy and inviting, Tartine is one of my favorite brunch spots in the West Village for nostalgia’s sake alone (I’ve celebrated many big occasions here over the years).

Unpopular opinion. I’ll say it. Bottomless brunch is overrated. The best brunch spots don’t need to get you drunk to keep you happy.

A cocktail bar moonlighting as a brunch joint, Dante was named the best bar in the world in 2019 and re-appeared on the list in 2020 as well. There’s no question cocktails put Dante on the map, but this local joint happens to dish out some of the best brunch in the West Village, to boot.

The brown butter pancakes are a perfect companion for an espresso martini, but the smoked salmon toast is great too (toasted brioche with capers, red onion, watercress & a soft poached egg). This a great spot to know about when you want to impress out-of-town guests with excellent breakfast cocktails they’ll remember for years to come.

Banter is a popular Australian eatery dishing out healthy brunch in Greenwich Village. The menu is full of tantalizing options, like soft scrambled eggs (my favorite in the city), breakfast sandwiches and wraps, a incredible falafel bowl and dreamy nutella french toast.

There’s a ton of gluten-free and dairy alternatives as well, making this a great stop for those with dietary restrictions.

White Oak Tavern is my go-to spot for bottomless brunch in the West Village. For $30 a person you’ll get. Pair libations with classics like chicken & waffles, smoked bacon benedict and french toast. Or hell, shake things up with a juicy bacon cheeseburger instead, the adventure is up to you.

My adviceAsk about their daily specials.

Jack’s Wife Freda is a popular restaurant that merges South African and Israeli cuisine.

The couple worked at several notable New York City restaurants before fatefully meeting at Balthazar. Years later, they took a leap of faith by opening their own. Named after Dean’s grandmother, Freda, this chic West Village brunch restaurant is a love letter to comforting childhood meals.

For brunch, I’m partial to the green shakshuka (soft baked eggs, green tomatillo shakshuka, challah toast) and rosewater waffle (lebanese yogurt, mixed berries and honey syrup). But you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.