The 10 best brunch spots in Manhattan right now

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What is it? This West Village restaurant from a team of longtime pros hailing from Daniel, Bouley and Union Square Cafe serves up plenty of classic brunch fare with a twist, like johnny cakes with cultured butter and maple syrup and avocado toast spiced up with chorizo and earthy coffee-braised lentils. 

Why we love it: You may have already seen Arvine’s garlic knot cross your feed in all its huge, shiny glory, drizzled with butter and herbs. For brunch, it becomes the base of Arvine’s take on a BEC with prosciutto, a fried egg and hot sauce. 

Time Out tip: Skip the brunch cocktails and head straight for the wine list, where lesser-known producers and skin-contact wines get lots of love in Arvine’s excellently curated collection. And if you refuse to waste any time when it comes to daydrinking, they’ve got an easy drinking, fruit-forward Weissburgunder on tap for just $10 a glass. 

Address: 19 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Brunch, Sat–Sun, 11:30am–2:30pm

What is it? A newish Mediterranean wine bar leans “fun” for brunch, with buckwheat pancakes stuffed with caramelized apple pie filling, sweet-and-salty, orange-scented bruleed French toast and a fried fish sandwich with pickles and caper aioli on airy brioche. 

Why we love it: The brunch cocktails go pretty hard for a restaurant with “wine bar” in its name, with boozy iced coffees mixed with vodka and tonic, prosecco and Campari or cinnamon tequila. They’ve got a good list of margs, too, although the best might be the one made with (what else?) a crisp white wine. 

Time Out tip: If you find yourself hungry again (as we sometimes do when drinking white wine margaritas…), head for the “Why Not?” section of the menu, where you can find shareable fried treats like patatas bravas and Columns’s latkes, served simply here with sour cream and apple butter. 

Address: 2756 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–11pm; Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat–Sun 10am–11pm

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What is it? No reservations are required at Cocina Consuelo, a neighborhood spot that’s known for its dense, crispy masa pancake with honey butter as well as its live music, so give yourself some time to explore the neighborhood while you wait for your table. 

Why we love it: With its bright vibes and can’t-go-wrong brunch menu, it’s ideal for a laidback, unfussy meal with anyone you love (or hope to someday.) The aforementioned corn masa pancake is a must, obviously, and the house-made tortillas made with heirloom corn and served with orange free-range eggs and salsa roja make our list every time, too. 

Time Out tip: Order a drink from their list of Mexican beers, from the malty Helles-style "Axolotita" lager to the tropical Monopolio IPA Especial, which skews significantly less bitter than your standard IPA.  

Address: 130 Hamilton Pl, New York, NY 10031

Opening hours: Wed–Sat, 9am–2pm, 5–9:30pm; Sun, 9am–4pm

What is it? A neo-soul restaurant from the famed chef and Food Network celeb Melba Wilson featuring “comfortizers” like cornmeal-dusted deviled eggs, sweet potato wedges to dip in maple syrup and country catfish, plus her famous chicken and eggnog waffles, served with strawberry butter.   

Why we love it: Simply put, brunch is a straight-up vibe at Melba's. For 20-plus years, we've happily trekked to Harlem during the early hours of the day to stuff ourselves with mac and cheese and red velvet cake. 

Time Out tip: The best boozing comes in the form of the Strawberry Henney with preserved strawberries, cognac, sparkling water and mint, or the Harlem Iced Tea with Maker’s Mark, sweet tea, lemonade and boozy cherries. 

Address: 300 W 114th Street, New York, NY 10026

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11am–10pm; Thu–Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? Andrew Carmellini's French cafe in NoHo is carefully considered down to the smallest detail, despite it being absolutely gigantic. (Unlike some of NYC’s other, famously much smaller, best-French-fare spots, this place seems to go on forever.) Still, it manages to maintain the close, buzzy feel we love for brunch. 

Why we love it: Carmellini—the man behind perpetually crowded downtown spots the Dutch and Locanda Verde—has created a brunch menu stacked with indulgent classics like croque madame with house-cured ham and a fried egg, a half-dozen East Coast oysters and an omelette with herbs. Even the “Bloody Marie” has a French twist, infused with herbes de Provence. 

Time Out tip: Start with the “boulangerie basket,” a rotating assortment of fresh-baked croissants and danishes served with butter and fruity confiture. 

Address: 380 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Brunch: Sat 10am–3:30pm; Sun 10am–4pm

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What is it? At this retro eatery from the makers of Jacob's Pickles, comforting American classics like cheesesteaks, patty melts and BEC take top billing. 

Why we love it: It might feel impossible to determine what we love most at this longtime Upper West Side spot that’s best known for its French dip sandwiches. Is it the interiors reminiscent of the coolest cocktail bar in New Orleans? Or is it the innovative-but-unpretentious cocktails, like the Maison Martini with pickle brine and orange citrate bitters? We’d argue that their brunch is the best, with an all-star lineup of starters like Caesar salad and shrimp cocktail and six different kinds of challah French toast. 

Time Out tip: Find your favorite French dip, all served on house-baked bread (and with huge dill pickles), from an assortment that includes reuben-style with Russian dressing and sauerkraut and “deluxe” with fried and caramelized onions and gruyere fondue. 

Address: 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–10pm; Sat, Sun 9am–10pm

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What is it? Chef Mark Meyer showcases the bounty of the seasons with an ever-rotating menu. 

Why we love it: Nestled next to the High Line, Cookshop has been the spot for seasonal, locally sourced dishes and an array of fresh cocktails since it opened in 2005. For an especially decadent brunch, go for the cornmeal pancakes with caramel apples and whipped cream and the pork croquettes. There’s plenty of lighter fare, too, with spiced chickpea soup, a chicken breast salad with shaved Brussels sprouts and toasted walnuts and a clean, bright citrus salad sweetened with dates and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. 

Time Out tip: The cocktail menu is a mix of traditional brunch favorites like the Bloody BLT with bacon and lettuce, plus seasonal specialties like the frozen paloma. But the booze-free hot chocolate might be our favorite; it’s served with buttered cinnamon toast and a dollop of cream. 

Address: 156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Brunch, Sat and Sun 10am–3:30pm

What is it? At this elevated gastropub in SoHo, brunch is available every day of the week. The snacky menu is great for a group, with popcorn chicken with sesame sauce, spicy tuna with crispy sushi rice and Calabrian chili and steak bites with shishito peppers. They’ve got pizza, too, if your crowd’s still feeling hungry. 

Why we love it: In the scene-y chaos of SoHo’s bustling streets, it’s the rare spot that’s both cool and cozy. Sidle up for a boozy brunch, since the cocktails here, like the Odd Sister with vodka, brine and aromatized wine, and the classic espresso martini, are just as good at noon as midnight. 

Time Out tip: The Lilly and Lolly cocktails are named after sisters Lily and Lolly Yeats, the sisters of W.B. Yeats, and artists in their own right. Order a few in their honor and toast to their memory. 

Address: 45 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11am–midnight; Thu 11am–1am; Fri, Sat 10am–1am; Sun 10am–midnight

What is it? This indie-chic gastropub is doing its part to give the Upper East Side a better brunch reputation. It’s as great for a date as it is for a group gathering, with a menu that’s equally refined and playful. Go for the perfectly poached eggs Benedict, butternut squash pancakes stuffed with apple pie filling and topped with brown butter and a plate of cinna-bun French toast sticks to share. 

Why we love it: If you brunch at The Penrose’s bar, you’ll get $2 off brunch drinks like mimosas with orange or peach juice, Bloody Marys with spicy pickles and iced Irish coffees. (If you come with a crew, you can take $10 off a carafe of your favorite drink.)

Time Out tip: Settle the great “savory or sweet” brunch debate with the smashed maple chicken sausage sandwich, served on maple brioche and fragrant with sage. 

Address: 1590 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–4am; Sat, Sun 9:30am– 4am

What is it? An island-inspired affair right on the edge of the East Village. 

Why we love it: This downtown Caribbean corner joint, playing a reggae-and-dancehall soundtrack, offers island cocktails like the One Love Bellini (Champagne, pineapple and peach puree) that nods to Bob Marley and the boisterous tequila-based Roots & Culture, made with lime and house-made ginger beer. West Indian-inspired platters like oxtail stew with broad beans and jerk chicken roti with rice and peas and Trinidadian flatbread bring the heat every time. 

Time Out tip: You can find Wray & Nephew overproof rum, a Jamaican classic, on the menu here. Turn up by trying it in Lily's Rum Punch, where the high ABV goes down easy with pineapple, orange and cranberry juice. 

Address: 109 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Brunch: Sat and Sun, Noon–4pm

Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a casual hotspot, these are New York’s best Manhattan restaurants.