It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Subway6 to 103 St, 3 min
- Address1567 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
One of the biggest benefits of exploring the more northern regions of Central Park is that those spots tend to be overlooked by tourists. You’re more likely to find quiet pockets of peace up north along with a lot fewer crowds.
Which also means the restaurants in the areas aren’t as heavily trafficked and waits are almost nonexistent. As such, one of the best restaurants to grab brunch near Central Park is Effy’s Kitchen. Located on East 100th St. and Lexington Ave, Effy’s is a Mediterranean restaurant that has mastered the art of pancakes.
Of course there are many other plates to choose from (Effy’s Breakfast comes with practically everything) the pancakes are the clear winner for me. Loaded with fresh fruit and topped with powdered sugar, the buttermilk pancakes make me weak in the knees! There are a few locations peppered around the city, in order to enjoy the closest brunch near Central Park make sure you’re GPS’ing Effy’s Kitchen and not the cafe.