Brunch is way better than breakfast. You get to sleep in, enjoy some more exciting food than simply grabbing a piece of toast before leaving for work, and hang out in a fun atmosphere. Tourists heading to New York City definitely want to check out the best brunch places as this city seriously knows how to serve up some delicious items for this mid-morning meal. Of course, you're going to need some fuel before walking around the city all day.
Keep reading for the perfect brunch guide while in NYC.
Enjoy Pancakes At Sara Beth's And Clinton Street Baking Co
Craving some pancakes? These treats are often a fun brunch item, and one place to get some is Sara Beth's. The restaurant has several locations: Tribeca, Central Park South, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Park Avenue South. Chances are, you'll be able to find a location that's convenient. You can order from their brunch menu from eight a.m. until four p.m. on the weekends. They have two types of pancakes: Lemon and Ricotta (served with blackberries) or Buttermilk (served with strawberries).
Some New Yorkers have also shared on Reddit that they love Clinton Street Baking Co. One wrote, "go to Clinton St bakery and order those flapjacks with blueberries poured sky high." Another said, "Clinton street baking company has amazing pancakes. There is always a line out the door for them, luckily they serve them in the evening and no lines." So if you don't get a chance to try them at brunch, you can even go for dinner and enjoy some pancakes (that's the dream). One Trip Advisor review notes how good the pancakes are here: "We ordered the blueberries pancakes - warm, thick and fluffy. The highlight was definitely their homemade maple butter. It was super delicious and the portion was super generous."
Don't Forget Bagels, Lox, And Cream Cheese: Pull Up A Chair At Russ & Daughters
New York is also known for its delicious deli food, and one iconic spot is Russ & Daughters. Joel Russ moved to NYC in 1907 and he had a store on Orchard Street in 1914. But the location that New Yorkers have been coming to since forever is 179 East Houston Street, which opened in 1920.
The menu is extensive, even just starting with the drinks: you could get a coffee or OJ, of course, but also a Beet and Lemon Shrub, Egg Cream, or Dr. Brown's Soda (Black Cherry or Cel-Ray, along with some other flavors). For treats, order Chocolate Babka Pudding, Rugelach in flavors like apricot or chocolate, and even more. You're definitely going to want to get some bagels and spreads. You can choose from several types of smoked salmon, other smoked fish, and the sky is the limit when it comes to cream cheese. You could get goat cream cheese, lox cream cheese, vegetable cream cheese, or even a tofu spread.
People love the service, too: according to a Trip Advisor review, "No place better for fresh lox on a bagel! Whether it is pickles, herring, caviar, baked farmer's cheese - any traditional appetizer you are seeking you will find it, love it, and return to Russ & Daughters. Get there early because the lines are slow, but that is because each customer is given attention as if they are the only customer in the place."
Grab Something Healthy At The Butcher's Daughter
When you're in NYC, you definitely want to check out a healthy brunch place, and The Butcher's Daughter is perfect. There are locations in Nolita, the West Village, and Williamsburg. The vibe is very clean and white with plants everywhere, so you'll love the design (and might even want to steal a few ideas for your apartment).
You can order the Smashed Avocado Toast Benedict (which comes with two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, cilantro, curry, mustard seed, and lime) and order it on 9-grain or gluten-free bread. The menu also offers a Mexican Breakfast Bowl, Triple Berry French Toast (made with a batter from eggs and almond milk), and a Coconut Yogurt Parfait.
You can also find some amazing drinks here, from smoothies like the Brass Monkey (which has banana, peanut and almond butter, agave, almond milk, and maca root) to a Cardamom Chai to an Ice Rosemary Latte.
The next time that you find yourself in NYC, definitely check out these places where you can grab some amazing brunch. From bagels to avocado toast, fancy smoothies to pancakes, there's something for everyone here. You just might have to visit some of these brunch spots twice (or go to all three in the same morning... hey, you're on vacation).