New York Dearest
The guide, $35

The Best of New York · Eat · Brunch

The best brunch in Manhattan.

Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 10 places.

I have eaten brunch at an unreasonable number of restaurants in Manhattan. This is not something I’m proud of (okay, maybe a little). But the result is that I have very strong opinions about where to go, where to avoid, and what the actual best brunches in Manhattan are right now.

The brunch scene in New York is overwhelming. Every neighborhood has 15 options and they all have avocado toast and bottomless mimosas and exposed brick. Most of them are fine. Fine is the enemy of great. I am here to steer you toward great.

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide

Best brunch in Manhattan, 2026

  1. BalthazarRestaurant · SoHoThe French onion soup ($18) is the best in the city and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees.
  2. Clinton St. Baking CompanyRestaurant · Lower East SideThe pancakes here ($19 for a stack of three with warm maple butter) are the most famous pancakes in New York City and they deserve every bit of that reputation.
  3. Jack’s Wife FredaRestaurant · SoHoMediterranean-influenced brunch that’s consistently good across all locations.
  4. Russ and Daughters CafeRestaurant · Lower East SideThis is my number one brunch in Manhattan and it’s not close.
  5. BuvetteRestaurant · West VillageA tiny, gorgeous French cafe that feels like Paris.
  6. CookshopRestaurant · ChelseaThis place doesn’t get the Instagram attention that places like Balthazar and Sadelle’s get, which means you can actually get a table.
  7. E.A.T. by Eli ZabarRestaurant · Upper East SideNobody talks about this place for brunch and they should.
  8. Egg ShopRestaurant · NolitaA tiny spot that does exactly what the name says.
  9. Sadelle’sRestaurant · SoHoIf you want the most photogenic brunch in Manhattan, this is it.
  10. VeselkaRestaurant · East VillageThis is the best brunch value in Manhattan.

On the map

Where they are.

7 neighborhoods, SoHo and Lower East Side most of all.

SoHo

Lower East Side

Chelsea

East Village

Nolita

Upper East Side

West Village

Best brunch in Manhattan, 2026

The seal

If you're on this list, this is yours.

I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.

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Best brunch in Manhattan, New York Dearest, 2026

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Best brunch in Manhattan, New York Dearest, 2026

On a dark site

The files

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SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.

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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: Best Brunch in Manhattan. Ranked by Someone Who Has Tried Too Many..