6 Unique Brunch Spots in Manhattan

Guest post by: Jassica Mendez

New York City has the best selection of food in the world. The competition is so high that everyone is fighting for that number one spot. Since brunch is so popular, especially on the weekends, you can choose from a myriad of places. The city offers anything from delis and coffee shops to artisan cafés and award-winning restaurants. Since choosing one isn’t an easy task, here are a few unique brunch spots in Manhattan.

1. Veselka

If you love to experience the world through food, visit a traditional Ukrainian restaurant that has been serving food in the East Village for over sixty years. This super-cozy Ukrainian café started as a simple newsstand serving soup and sandwiches. Today, it is a 24-hour gathering spot for the community to enjoy a range of traditional Ukrainian specialties. If you are familiar with delicacies such as borscht, bigos, kielbasa, pierogi, you will surely love Veselka.

This is the perfect place to broaden your horizons. For those with a sweet tooth, make sure to try treats like blintzes, rugelach, poppy-seed bread, and wheatberry pudding – they will blow your mind. The breakfast menu has the standard offering of eggs, omelets, blintzes, pancakes, waffles, and Ukrainian combo plates for the real foodies. Brunch at Veselka is the perfect reason to get out of your pajamas and have some fun on the weekend. Once you taste Veselka’s menu, you will not want to return to plain old sausage or bacon.

2. Archer & Goat

If you have just moved to Manhattan and need to connect to your roots, the team at manhattanmoversnyc.com recommends this brunch spot. The owners of this Harlem brunch favorite are from Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Bangladesh. Their diverse heritage reflects in the menu. Order dishes like chicken vindaloo arepas and lamb neck curry if you are craving an early lunch more than breakfast. They are available all day. For the more traditional brunch items over the weekend, enjoy chicken sandwiches and date and pistachio French toast. To make things even more exciting, go for an hour of bottomless mimosas for only $25.

3. The Smith

This is a casual American eatery with three locations in New York City. If you are new in Manhattan, you will learn that they are famous for their beautifully selected and stylishly decorated restaurants. Their tiled floors, wooden ceilings with ambient lighting, and modern finishes draw people in at first glance. The brasserie serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Their breakfast and brunch options include the American favorites:

• Smoked salmon toast
• Sicilian baked eggs
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Steak and eggs
• Buttermilk waffles
• Pancakes
• Vanilla bean French toast
• Steel-cut Irish oatmeal with toasted almonds

Add to the selection some hot coffee, cappuccino, espresso, or a variety of imported teas.

4. La Mercerie

There are plenty of good places in Manhattan for fashion lovers, and if you are a fashionista, you will be able to enjoy brunch in some pretty cool spots. If you want to experience a taste of Paris in Manhattan, visit La Mercerie. This all-day coffee shop in SoHo serves an authentic Parisian breakfast on the weekends, including a ham-and-egg crepe and baguettes with salted butter. In addition to that, a fantastic feature that is not very common is that absolutely everything is for sale in the café. You can purchase everything from silverware to tables inside the Roman and Williams store.

5. Tavern on the Green

If you are a fan of Sex and the City, pretend you are Carrie Bradshaw and go for a super fancy brunch at Tavern on the Green. The restaurant was opened in 1934 and has become a historic New York City landmark. The décor, menu, and top-notch service are its most prominent features—as well as their freshly made mimosas.

One of Manhattan’s more unique brunch spots is located in the iconic Central Park. The restaurant’s interior has massive windows that provide abundant natural light and spectacular views of Central Park. Weather-permitting garden seating is also available. If you are in the mood for a classy weekend brunch in New York City, you will be amazed by Tavern on the Green. Remember that reservations and a smart-casual dress code are a must at this fancy brunch spot.

6. Clinton Street Baking Company

This eatery is home to some of the best pancakes in New York City. They are light and fluffy on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside, topped with sweet or savory delights, and smothered in warm maple syrup. Other signature dishes include brioche French toast, smoked salmon scramble, and buttermilk fried chicken, all of which are served all day. Clinton Street Baking Company is a family-owned restaurant that began as a humble wholesale bakery and grew into an all-day restaurant. This brunch magnet is famous for its pancakes, freshly baked biscuits, warm pastries.

Keep in mind that this brunch spot is super popular, and you might have to wait up to two hours on the weekends. However, if you want to avoid the wait, come by in the evening or during the week since they serve breakfast all day long. If you desire something savory, opt for their biscuit sandwich. It is packed with scrambled eggs, melted cheddar cheese, homemade tomato jam, and hash browns on the side. Reservations for one of the best brunch spots in Manhattan are possible, but only for parties of five or more.