It's on 2 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Subway6 to 77 St, 5 min
- Address1431 3rd Ave, New York, NY
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
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.
Prince Edward Island, globally known for its seafood, particularly mussels, is the birthplace of the original Flex Mussels, now acclaimed as one of the best Upper East Side restaurants. Thanks to strong ties with mussel farmers on the island, Flex Mussels secures access to the plumpest mussels available.
The menu offers these incredible mussels in ten sauces, with the standout being the dijon mussels. Featuring a mouthwatering blend of dijon mustard, creme fraiche, white wine, and parsley, the sauce is so irresistible that you’ll find yourself savoring every last bit long after the mussels are gone.