NYC’s 27 best breakfast spots

What is it? A buzzy Korean diner from Sam Yoo. 

Why we love it: This downtown spot recalls NYC's diners of yore, which used to operate in much higher numbers. It has swivel stools at the counter, nostalgic light fixtures and wonderful bites like eggs any way, green tea coffee cake and breakfast sandwiches on scallion milk buns. 

Time Out tip: Be warned, once you try the incredibly fluffy and frisbee-sized Honey Butter Pancakes, there is no going back.

Address: 123 Madison Street New York, NY 10002

Hours: Daily 10am–10pm

What is it? One of New York's last remaining kosher dairy restaurants. 

Why we love it: This venerable, 400-square-foot lunch counter still serves the kosher dairy dishes it's been beloved for since 1938. Our favorite breakfast here is still under $10 for two eggs any style, home fries, challah, orange juice and coffee or tea. 

Time Out tip: Snag a free keychain or a "Challah!" pen near the register on your way out. 

Address: 127 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Closed Mon; Tues–Sat 7am–11pm

What is it? A French bistro in LIC. 

Why we love it: There’s something about a brasserie that just feels immediately warm and inviting, and Cafe Henri is no exception. The brunch menu includes French breakfast classics like crepes, eggs Benedict and croque madame. 

Time Out tip: For those with dietary restrictions, note that substitutions are politely declined.

Address: 1010 50th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

Hours: Closed Mon for dinner; Brunch and Lunch Mon–Sun 8:30am–3:45pm; Dinner 4–11pm

What is it? One of New York's iconic institutions known for bagels, lox and whitefish. 

Why we love it: Russ & Daughters has been serving some of NYC's favorite lox and herring since 1914. It's since opened a second location uptown, a sit-down cafe near the original and another shop over in Brooklyn. We favor the bagel sandwich classics across locations.

Time Out tip: At the latest production facility located in Brooklyn's Market 77, you literally watch how the rugelach gets made. 

Address: Multiple locations (East Village, Hudson Yards and Brooklyn)

What is it? A third-generation family-owned Ukrainian restaurant. 

Why we love it: This Ukrainian restaurant first opened in 1954, and today it's still one of New York City's favorite spots. Breakfast is served all day, including a Monday through Friday only special with four pierogi topped with two eggs any way and a choice of bacon, sausage, kielbasa or avocado, plus a side of beet and horseradish salad and coffee or tea for $18. 

Time Out tip: If the original outpost is too busy, the Williamburg location is always an option. 

Address: Multiple locations (Grand Central, Ukrainian Village and Williamsburg et al.)

What is it? The only diner operating inside Essex Market.

Why we love it: This locally beloved Essex Market eatery has oodles of incredible options on its menu. Its "Pancakeland" section alone nears a two dozen options, while the “Eggland” section offers a seemingly infinite number of egg preparations and combinations, from the classic ABC (chicken, sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, grits) to a poached egg-topped triple decker French toast grilled cheese dish aptly titled “So Good.” It might take you a while to try them all; Shopsin's is only open about six hours a day (and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

Time Out tip: The section of "Special Pancakes" really is something special with hotcakes griddled with coconut sweet rice and even mac and cheese. 

Address: 88 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002

Hours: Closed Mon; Wed–Fri 9am–3pm; Sat and Sun 10am–4pm

What is it? An all-day bistro specializing in foods found across the Mediterranean. 

Why we love it: Jack's Wife Freda has four lovely locations in NYC, and this one sports dark-green leather banquettes, brass railings and marble counters. Rosewater waffles, shakshuka and pressed sandwiches (go for the duck bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and tomato jam variety) are all on the menu for breakfast. 

Time Out tip: Brunch is still a relatively popular affair, so we'd recommend grabbing a reservation over a walk in. 

Address: Multiple locations (Chelsea, Soho, Union Square, et al.)

What is it? A French-American bistro inside the Hotel Chelsea.

Why we love it: If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to hang out at the Chelsea Hotel in its 1960s heyday, the new adjacent Café Chelsea will give you a taste of the cool, mod aesthetic that was once abounded in this part of town. The French cafe-inspired menu is modest, but offers a nice breakfast selection of pastries, fruit and granola, egg dishes and open-faced sandwiches. 

Time Out tip: If you’re willing to brave the weekend brunch crowds, you’ll be rewarded with additional options including oysters, caviar and steak tartare.

Address: 218 West 23rd Street New York, NY 10011

Hours: Breakfast: Mon–Fri 7:30–11am; Sat and Sun 7:30am–10:30am; Brunch: Sat and Sun 10:30am–3:30PM; Lunch: Mon–Fri 11:00am–3:30pm; Daily: 3:30–5pm; Dinner: Sun–Wed 5–11PM and Thurs–Sat 5pm–midnight 

What is it? A hip throwback-style diner that serves up dishes inspired by the flavors of northern Africa and the Mediterranean.

Why we love it: The breakfast menu is humble but mighty, including a breakfast sandwich made with flatbread, a play on pigs in a blanket that uses Merguez sausage and phyllo dough and a sweet saffron and orange blossom-infused cream cheese pastry.

Time Out tip: Relics from the 1940s' are strewn throughout the space, from the furniture down to the light fixtures. 

Address: 13 Greenpoint Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11222

Hours: Closed Mon; Sun–Thurs 8am–11pm; Fri and Sat 8am–midnight

What is it? A cozy neighborhood restaurant, one of the first from restaurateur Andrew Tarlow.

Why we love it: Now approaching twenty years in operation, Marlow & Sons' menu is always evolving in its familiar, heavily wood-lined space. Morning foodstuffs include a grab-and-go assortment of pastries and sandwiches, as well as an always delicious, seasonal vegetable frittata.

Time Out tip: Warm weather brings sidewalk seating, instilling more of that bistro vibe to Brooklyn. 

Address: 81 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours: Mon–Sat 8am–4pm; Sun 8am–5pm

What is it? All day tapas, all the time. 

Why we love it: The midtown location of this beloved Spanish chain is the only one in the city that offers breakfast, and they do it right: choose from plates like the tosta de aguacate, an Iberian-inspired take on avocado toast, or the tortilla Española platter, a frittata of eggs, confit potatoes and onions served with pan con tomate.

Time Out tip: If you have a sweet tooth, go for the churros con chocolate.

Address: 260 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018

Hours: Mon–Wed 6:30am–10pm; Thurs–Fri 6:30am–11pm; Sat 7am–11pm; Sun 7am–10pm

What is it? A small shop dedicated to all things congee. 

Why we love it: Comforting congee is served several ways from the counter of this small Asian market. The breakfast bowl comes with soft egg and smoked cheese, and other varieties include items like chicken, fish, peanuts and preserved duck egg with spicy pork, kimchi, broccoli and chili crunch. 

Time Out tip: Both locations have a small collection of goods, be it noodles and dried herbs to chili crisp that's made in-house.

Address: Multiple locations (Bed Stuy)

What is it? A third-generation, family-owned shop and restaurant known for its smoked fish.

Why we love it: An Upper West Side classic since 1908, this old school Jewish appetizing shop is just about as much of an NYC staple as it gets. Order from an extensive menu of omelettes and eggs with smoked fish, cheese blintzes, challah French toast and signature platters.

Time Out tip: If making it to the Upper West Side seems implausible, the shop exists on Goldbelly. 

Address: 541 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10024  

Hours: Closed Mon; Tues–Fri 8:30am–4pm; Sat and Sun 8:30 am–5pm

What is it? A Connecticut import specializing in, you guessed it, granola, plus vegetarian-forward dishes. 

Why we love it: The Upper West Side location of The Granola Bar is the first NYC outpost of a beloved Connecticut brand known for its outstanding takes on its namesake menu item. But don’t stop at the granola (of which there are 10 distinct flavors), as the homey and hearty savory dishes are out of this world, too. Go for The Heisenberg or the huevos rancheros for an especially tasty and filling meal.

Time Out tip: Hard iced lattes include a riffs on a Turkish coffee with vanilla, cinammon, cardamom and vodka. 

Address: 551 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Hours: Daily 7am–4pm

What is it? A kissaten-style cafe (Japanese traditional cafe) in the Lower East Side.

Why we love it: This pint-sized Japanese café has a variety of toast topped with items like spicy cod roe, cinnamon butter, ham and egg. It also has an abundance of coffee, tea, espresso and matcha options. 

Time Out tip: The Berry & Cream Cheese Toast is the most popular (and IG-friendly). 

Address: 102 Suffolk Street, New York, NY 10002

Hours: Daily: 8am–4pm; Restaurant: 9:30am–5pm

What is it? A Mexican food truck parked in midtown.

Why we love it: Beat the rush to this egg-cellent breakfast truck when it opens at the crack of 6am at 52nd Street and Park Avenue. From then until 3pm, the family operation dishes out Mexican morning favorites like terrific breakfast tacos and burritos, in addition to a plethora of egg sandwiches and wraps, and of course, omelettes.

Time Out tip: The truck recently expanded with a ghost kitchen in Queens if you can't swing a visit down to midtown.

Address: Park Avenue, East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

Hours: Mon–Fri 6:30am–3pm; Closed Sat and Sun

What is it? An old world cafe from Rita Sodi and Jody Williams. 

Why we love it: Weekday mornings are among the better times to aspire to a table at perpetually popular Buvette. At the right hour, the daytime rays light the pressed tin ceiling, handsome fixtures and pastries, croques, eggs and toasts. Plus it's just a little easier to get a seat. 

Time Out tip: It's been open since 2011 and even to this day, it is still just as hard to snag a table. Come early and cross your fingers.

Address: 42 Grove Street New York, NY 10014

Hours: Daily 8am to midnight

What is it?  An all-day cafe that introduces to Nyonya cuisine—a hybrid of Chinese and Malay flavors—to the masses.

Why we love it: Comfortably casual Kopitiam has eight all-day Malaysian breakfast plates on its lengthy menu. Nasi lemak, the national dish of Malaysia is a great day-starter with coconut rice, ikan bilis (fried anchovies and peanuts), cucumber, hard boiled egg and housemade sambal. 

Time Out tip: A favorite of Malaysia, get a scoop of Milo by ordering the malty drink, Milo Dinosaur

Address: 151 East Broadway, New York, NY, 10002

Hours: Daily 10am–10pm

What is it? While two concept live under one roof, the daytime hours dole out an authentic Japanese breakfast. 

Why we love it: This chestnut-walled restaurant specializes in ichiju sansai—a Japanese set meal of one soup and three side dishes for breakfast and lunch every day from 9am to 3pm. Around dinnertime, it transitions into Yuji Ramen and focuses on that titular dish. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant recently expanded with another location in Flatiron. 

Address: Multiple locations (Flatiron and Williamsburg)

What is it? An all-day Aussie restaurant where sustainability is key. 

Why we love it: This kid-friendly Austrailian cafe is bright as morning for those times when you're up before the alarm and ready to start the day ahead of time. Choose from avocado toast, açaí bowls, scrambles and breakfast rolls. 

Time Out tip: You can also grab one of their cold-pressed juices to go. 

Address: Multiple locations (Noho, Tribeca and Williamsburg)

What is it? A Hong Kong import which has received ranking on Michelin's Bib Gourmand listing. 

Why we love it: The dim-sum juggernaut from chef-owners Mak Kwai Pui and Leung Fai Keung—which has five locations in Hong Kong and another 39 sites worldwide—became the world’s least-expensive Michelin-starred restaurant when it surprisingly scored a sparkler in 2009.

Time Out tip: Freshly made pork buns, translucent shrimp dumplings, BBQ Pork Buns—really, you can't go wrong. 

Address: Multiple locations (East Village and Hell's Kitchen)

What is it? An all-day cafe from the mind of Danny Meyer. 

Why we love it: Grab an AM pastry at at one of Daily Provisions' eight locations, including its latest in Brooklyn. This outpost near Union Square also serves BECs, cheesy egg gougères and housemade granola on its all day menu. 

Time Out tip: The cruellers come maple drizzled and infused with passionfruit. No matter the flavor, just get one. 

Address: Multiple locations (Cobble Hill, Hudson Yards, Union Square, et al.)

What is it? The California-influenced restaurant that launched the naming of a microneighborhood

Why we love it: Despite the memes, still holds up. Its breakfast fare includes tacos, açaí bowls, porridge and scrambled egg sandwiches with avocado, cheddar, pickled jalapeños and house hot sauce. 

Time Out tip: Their deli and market around the corner is kept well stocked with tinned fish, cheeses and bone broth.

Address: 49 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002

Hours: Sun–Mon 9am–9pm; Tues–Sat 9am–10pm

What is it? A Sydney-based bakery that moved stateside in 2019. 

Why we love it: Sweets at Sydney-based Bourke Street include hazelnut and almond chocolate croissants and nutella twist pastries. Its savory sausage rolls, a classic pork and fennel along with a the vegetarian eggplant, chickpea, feta and mint version—are also popular. 

Time Out tip: Limited edition drops include Vegemite Swirls and Mini Lamingtons. Peep their IG to see what's coming next. 

Address: Multiple locations (Chelsea, Grand Central Terminal, NoMad, et al.)

What is it? A homey hang at your mom's house, if your mom likes to rock. 

Why we love it: Mom’s "modern comfort food" is good for groups who like to 'gram and has locations in Hell's Kitchen and Astoria. All-day brunch includes mac & cheese pancakes, pancake burritos, egg white scrambles and waffles with chicken and bacon. 

Time Out tip: You can upgrade select beverages to 32 ounces if its already one of those mornings. 

Address: Multiple locations (Astoria and Midtown)

What is it? A colorful Jew-ish cafe located on a corner in Williamsburg.

Why we love it: Inspired by the notion of all-day California cafes, Gertie is a cute 70-seat spot off the Lorimer L train with luncheonette style and takes on local deli sandwich classics, including a house-smoked hot pastrami salmon on a bialy, and “The Lox-Smith,” which is served open-faced and piled high with schmear, lox, pickled beets, cucumbers and a hard boiled egg.  

Time Out tip: Their takeout Latke Box filled with potato latkes, sour cream and housemade apple butter makes for a solid at home brunch. 

Address: 357 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hours: Closed Tues and Wed; Thurs–Mon 8:30am–3:30pm

What is it? A no-fuss cafe gives nostalgic diner vibes with bottomless cups of coffee.

Why we love it: Once you’ve settled into your booth, the real question becomes: Should I order sweet or savory? The correct answer is both. If you’re sweet tooth is pulling you towards the realm of the syrup-drenched breakfast, look no further than their stacks of pancakes, especially when topped with a heaping scoop of stewed wild Maine blueberries. On the savory side, a heaping biscuit sandwich is packed with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar and homemade tomato jam alongside the always-welcomed side of hash browns

Time Out Tip: Be prepared to wait on the weekends, so get there early.

Address: 4 Clinton Street

Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9am to 4pm