Top 5: Best Brunch Joints in NYC (for EATING)

New Yorkers are known for being busy, ambitious individuals who are always on the go. This New York rush often follows suit with mealtime routines, especially breakfast. For many New Yorkers, breakfast is a cup of coffee and a pastry from the café around the corner. However, a great number of New Yorkers can be slowed down for one thing- brunch! New York has rapidly become a brunch-lover’s haven, and I’m going to point out a few of the shining brunch joint gems.

Cafe Orlin- This extremely popular brunch joint puts a little Mediterranean spin on the average brunch. An all-inclusive brunch special ($14.50) will get you a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, a cappuccino, latte, Americano or tea and your choice of perfect challah French toast, the classic Eggs Benedict, Eggs “Norwegian” (smoked salmon), Eggs Florentine, or Eggs Blackstone (bacon and roasted tomatoes). Signature highlights not included in the brunch special include the pumpkin pancakes and omelet offerings. This homemade brunch is perfect no matter what you order.

Cafe Orlin – outdoor brunch scene

Cafe Mocha- This cozy café serves up a delightful brunch of specialty egg dishes, delicious pancakes, an out-of-this-world espresso bar, and great cocktails. Egg dishes range from a smattering of omelets and the classics (Eggs Benedict/Florentine, etc.) to croissant breakfast sandwiches and tasty wraps. A few of the many original omelets include the Mediterranean (feta cheese, Greek olives, spinach and tomatoes) and the Lorraine (caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, ham, and mozzarella cheese). Signature espresso bar beverages include the Café Mocha, white mocha, minty mocha and the Milky Way mocha.

Cafe Mocha, NYC

Mudspot- You may have seen the Mud truck traveling around the city, but this brunch bistro is a step up from the truck! If you can go on a pretty day, Mud offers seating in a beautiful hidden-away outdoor garden behind the regular café. If not, go anyway! A satisfying brunch menu allows for one entrée plus your choice of champagne, mimosa, tap beer or fresh orange juice. A few of the incredibly delicious mains include Huevos Rancheros (sunny-side up eggs, rice and beans, guacamole and pico de gallo), Banana Buttermilk Pancakes (served with a heaping pile of fresh fruit atop), and the Sourdough French Toast (an immense slice of almond-crusted sourdough with a hint of cinnamon and fresh fruit over top). Mud is known for their coffee, and all coffee drinks are sensational including the Mud mochaccino, wicked hot chocolate (spicy) and caramel cappuccino.

Huevos Rancheros – Mudspot NYC

The Sunburnt Calf- This Australian brunch bonanza really has all the tricks up its sleeve. For brunch you can either pick one of the tasty brunch specials with an Aussie-spun name, or you can pick that same brunch special with unlimited cocktails for $10 more. Some of the food offerings include the Bush Benedict, Buttermilk Banana Pikelets, Queen Adelaide (lox benedict plus avocado), or The Heart Breaker (grilled hanger steak, poached eggs, potato fritters and sautéed mushrooms smothered in a bloody mary sauce).  For the brunch cocktails, you may choose from Moomosas, Moo marys, Fosters, Screwdrivers, or Greyhounds, and the regular cocktail menu boasts a wide variety of many fresh juice cocktails as well.

Brunch – Sunburnt Calf NYC

Agave- Nestled inside an elegant yet cozy spot in the west village, Agave offers an upscale Mexican menu that is as flavorful and delicious as it is beautifully plated. Agave offers a Mexican take on some of the American classics such as the sumptuous Lobster Benedict, Poached Eggs on Toasted Brioche, and the Hand Hacked Three Beef Hash (pastrami, roast beef and corned beef), and also offers a wide array of Mexican brunch entrees- Huevos Rancheros, Sunrise Fiesta Burrito and more. Each of these egg entrees is served as a prix-fixe special and comes with your choice of bottomless mimosas, frozen margaritas or wine. If none of these savory specials satisfy what you are craving, other sweet entrees such as Cinnamon Brioche French Toast, Texas Pecan Apple Pancakes and many others are also available.

Agave NYC – Brunch

by: Alyssa Lauren Moorhead