Aishah French Aishah French | March 13, 2023 | Food & Drink
Like with most things, New Yorkers take brunch to the next level. NYC brunch lovers know that it isn’t restricted to the hours between early morning breakfast and midday lunch. We bring a whole new meaning to what is right and wrong in the brunching business (spoiler alert: nothing is off limits).
Whether you’re looking for daytime clubbing and pubbing or fine cuisine with a DJ, our recommendations make you an expert on the hottest party-brunch spots in no time. Here’s your new motto from now on: work hard, brunch harder.
See also: The 14 Best Rooftop Bars In NYC
Multiple locations / Website
White sands and the prettiest deep blue waves. Kyma is New York’s very own hub of Mykonos’ booming clubs and delectable traditional dishes. Party brunch is held on the last Sunday of every month with an entire itinerary from 12 PM to 5 PM. Feast on your favorite Greek dishes like spanakopita and grilled octopus while dancing to the non-stop music. With fresh fish flown in daily, you’ll be sure to leave ready for the best food-induced nap of your dreams. Yamas!
1227 Broadway / Website
Brunch cabaret? Yes, please! Every Sunday through Labor Day, Virgin Hotels’ newly opened lounge restaurant, Everdene, hosts a thrilling spectacle you need to see. Queen Supreme Brunch Cabaret brings together New York’s very own burlesque dancers, drag queens, circus performers and cabaret extraordinaire. It’s impossible to escape the intoxicating high-energy vibes brought right to your table, just remember to come looking fierce. Their brunch menu has several features that’ll make you giggle, including the healthier “You're So Good Looking” options or the "Not So Virgin Mary" cocktail.
20 E 60th St. / 212.751.3036 / Website
Gather your most chic attire and travel to Le Bilboquet for the most dashing party brunch of your NYC restaurant-exploring career. Bilbo has been a local favorite for decades, known to serve some big names (Robert Di Niro, Marc Jacobs and Paul McCartney to name a few). Saturdays are for party brunch, with booming music and a raved menu. Try their signature cajun chicken or their beef tartar. And of course, make sure your party is dressed to the nines. After all, it’s couture, darling.
47 Ave. B / 646.322.8234 / Website
Let's play mermaids! Follow Lamia’s siren song to their bottomless Mermaid Brunch every Saturday and Sunday for a taste of their delicious seafood and never-ending pours of brunch cocktails. The space boasts six immersive sea-themed spaces decked with intricate murals and velvety blue seats. If you’re an oyster lover you’re in luck! They have a beautiful array of fish and shellfish stacked at a sleek tiled Raw Bar, specially made to help you fulfill your seafood-indulgent dreams.
116 E 16th St. / 212.677.2600 / Website
The Stand is one of the hottest and most loved comedy clubs in New York, attracting A-list comedians and serving quality food. Their impressive menu was developed by executive chef Harold Villarosa, who you can now watch on Bon Appetit. He brought his experience in Michelin-star kitchens to The Stand, where well-loved dishes include brick oven pizza and The Stand burger. You’ll only leave with one problem: is your stomach hurting because you laughed too hard or because you ate too much good food?
544 W 27th St. / 212.675.5980 / Website
The vibe is young, wild and gorgeous. Every weekend Il Bastardo hosts a roaring daytime clubbing scene, mixing headlining DJs, fine dining, a full bar and bottle service into an unforgettable day out. They have an array of prix fixe options varying by the bottle made to fit your needs. Try the crispy chicken sandwich next time you’re here for the perfect dance break refuel.
15 Watts St. / 347.919.5063 / Website
Settle into the soft, deep blue half-shell seats as you experience the peak of boozy brunches. This young but accomplished French spot has already made the go-to lists of brunch lovers everywhere. The secret is held with the accomplished executive chef Geoffrey Lechantoux, who’s worked in popular Michelin-starred kitchens, and trained by some of the most respected chefs. We recommend the Croissant au Homard du Maine (Maine Lobster Croissant) or the Belle Sole Meunière.
133 Essex St. / 212.674.7100 / Website
Named after the Sons of Liberty and the street it sits on, the Sons of Essex built its vibe to reflect the voices of the Lower East Side. The menu is a true fusion of beloved American-style comfort food enhanced with spices brought by immigrants. This spot locally sources its ingredients, such as produce from Essex Street Market. Boozy brunches are a must-try, with a 90-minute window of bottomless drinks and filling plates to satisfy your cravings.
15 Stone St. / 917.262.0444 / Website
Every Saturday and Sunday is a fiesta at Toro Loco. This Mexican-inspired cocktail bar perfectly marries delicious Mexican cuisine and bottomless brunch with a comprehensive list of drinks. From classic breakfast plates with an extra boozy kick to flavor-rich tacos, you can’t order wrong. Not to mention their weekly Sunday drag brunch, where Las Borrachas are sure to bring the heat.
106 3rd Ave. / 212.254.3825 / Website
Remember the story of the ugly duckling? Here’s a post-credits scene you might’ve missed. Invite your friends to party with the Ugly Duckling in the East Village. With hot cheesy bites, booming music and a wall of rubber duckies (some even swimming in your drinks), you’ll be involuntarily happy-dancing in no time. We recommend trying any one of their burgers or the baked mac and cheese. Don’t forget to take a picture in their bright yellow bathtub for a pop of color on your Insta feed.
76 W St. / 212.260.1088 / Website
The Half Pint is one of the oldest established bottomless brunch celebrities in the city. Bringing classic bar vibes with a rich history of serving entertainers, you know you’ll be eating the most comforting pub food that’ll shoo away anything cluttering your mind. You can’t beat the price at an additional $25 for 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys.
621 W 46th St. / 212.944.0458 / Website
Flashing lights and raining confetti. This upscale dance hotspot has its very own Harbor brunch club, taking place every Saturday evening. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a retractable glass roof make it possible to dance under the stars and amongst the city skyline in any weather. Each one is themed by a musical artist or holiday, which can be found on their website.
154 Bleecker St. / 212.875.1405 / Website
Looking to spice up your list of brunch go-tos? Leave it to Madamji. Chef Abishek Sharma fused Indian and Western flavors to curate a palate that created a new cult following. Madamji’s Brunch is held every Saturday and Sunday, featuring delicious fusion flavors like the butter chicken sandwich and masala fries. Be sure to try one of the four brunch cocktails like Madamji’s Mimosa or the Bloody Rani.
33 Ave. B / 212.228.4461 / Website
Poco’s Legendary Brunch is on every Friday to Sunday with options of a la carte, bottomless boozy or a large party brunch. Large party brunches allow for three hours of table time with unlimited mimosas, Bloody Marys, and red or white sangria in addition to an entrée of your choice. Take your time enjoying the flavors of Poco’s acclaimed menu items like the award-winning (and vegan!) smoked truffle mac and cheese, the signature lobster mac and cheese and the mushroom truffle croquettes.
951 2nd Ave. / 917.261.4136 / Website
Named after a hilarious sign the owner found behind his grandmother’s farm (“KEEP OUT HORNY RAM”), The Horny Ram is famous for its weekend brunch. Bottomless brunch allows for 90 minutes of non-stop Bloody Marys, mimosas and bellinis in addition to a brunch food of your choice. Its rustic space and extensive line of nostalgic breakfast food combos will have you feeling like a kid again. Their pancake burger and chicken and waffle sandwich will have you coming baa-baa-back for more.
248 W 55th St. / 646.657.0565 / Website
Enjoy the bright and fresh flavors of Mexico and the cocktail culture of New York at Vida Verde. Bottomless brunch is held every Saturday and Sunday by reservation, allowing for 90 minutes of disco-glittering, stomach-filling and wide-smiling fun. Loyalists will recommend one of their five tacos (including a vegetarian cauliflower taco) or the Chilaquiles, a delicious traditional Mexican breakfast dish.
13 E 1st St. / 212.228.1200 / Website
Two words: Bollywood Brunch. Baar Baar is New York’s very first Indian gastro bar, with flavors brought to us by executive chef Sujan Sarkar. The menu boasts an array of regional Indian dishes as well as reinvented flavors. This spot has one of the largest arrays of vegetarian and vegan options, with mouth-watering bites like the tender jackfruit cutlet sandwich and the paneer naan pizza. Their cocktails are truly one-of-a-kind, with each one crafted to reference Indian culture.
65 Kent Ave. / 347.799.1312 / Website
Take a quick trip to the Caribbean at this tropical hotspot. Check out Kokomo’s all-day dinner and brunch party every Sunday. Get thrown into rich Caribbean flavors prominent throughout their menu, which includes several gluten-free and vegetarian options. Regulars love the Red Peppa Jerk Chicken and flavor-enriched flatbreads.
146 Essex St. / 212.614.0146 / Website
You might recognize the name Chris Santos from “Chopped.” This pawnshop, restaurant, lounge and bar all in one is Santos' imagination manifested. The experience begins by entering the storefront pawnshop (where you can actually purchase items), and walking up a grand spiraling staircase to a large, high-ceilinged, warm, romantically lit and draped dining space. Sunday brunch is served family style with a range of diverse bites from croque monsieur bites and braised short ribs to roasted strawberry ricotta toast and red velvet waffles.
132 W 47 St. / 212.466.9000 / Website
Crowning the Sanctuary Hotel is the Haven Rooftop, a warm and glittering cradle floating above the Theater District and Time Square. The space changes with the season: covered, heated and strung with fairy lights in the winter, open, thinly draped and macrame-knitted in the warmer months. They’re known for their seafood, so make sure to try the lobster roll, buffalo wings or the famous tower of tuna tartare.
Now's your time to start brunching like a New Yorker. From daytime clubbing to bottomless mimosas and live performances, we’ve got you covered for your next special brunch.
Photography by: Kenny Rodriguez