I wake up on Saturday mornings in a hangover state of confusion, (aka I have no idea what is going on), and all I want to do is eat eggs, doughnuts, and a lobo roll in one sitting and have it be acceptable. Thank you, brunch, for justifying my hangover cravings and making indecisiveness an advantageous trait. Brunch is a beautiful, beautiful meal because you can go with impulses once your in the restaurant-- no need to go through the "what-kind-of-food-do-you-want" mental exercise that happens around dinner, because a good brunch place has a little bit of everything.
New York does food well-- everyone can agree on that. I want to make the bold claim that the best meal you can get in this city is brunch. Brunch is near and dear to my heart (and weekends), and after living in multiple places, I really think New York is the leader of the brunch scene. As a serial bruncher, I have a list of my top New York brunch spots.
Here's where you should go! Check out...
The Smith if you want: a little bit of everything, awesome baked eggs, guy-friendly food [East Village, Midtown, Columbus Circle]
Instagram via @thesmithnyc
The Smith is the best when I wake up and say "I don't know what the f I want, let's just play it by ear."They legitimately have everything-- great lunch staples, mile-high fluffy french toast, and some bomb potato-waffle creation with creamed spinach and poached eggs. I keep going back for the baked eggs-- delicious cooked eggs in a warm tomato sauce with spinach, artichokes, garlic, and brioche croutons baked in. Perfection.
Jack's Wife Freda if you want: a cool scene, Australian/Mediterranean inspired food [Nolita]
Instagram via @jackswifefreda
Jack's is such an amazing brunch spot-- great vibe and even greater food. Thanks to their instagram popularity, though, alot of people know this, and the wait can be long. Put your name in, wander around Nolita, and come back to order the Mediterranean breakfast-- eggs, avocado, labne, and a delicious cucumber salad-- or the green shakshuka, which is an awesome take on the pepper-based dish. Their house made hot sauce is drinkably good. A perfect place to people watch, especially if you can snag an outdoor table.
Dimes if you want: healthy food, chill vibe & pretty people [LES/Chinatown]
Instagram via @dimestimes
Dimes is where fashion types, art types, and all-around cool people seem to flock for brunch on any given Sunday. Their acai bowls are creative and totally instagram worthy (try the lavendar blueberry bowl with cashew cream and you will be berry-happy). Their breakfast sandwich has a cult following. Eggs, avocado, cheddar, and their special hot sauce (which has a fruity yet spicy flavor) on a bun may seem standard, but trust me, it isn't. at all.
Cafe Mogador if you want: adventurous, Moroccan, kind of spicy [East Village/Alphabet City, Williamsburg]
Instagram via @spaceninety8
If you're a serial bruncher and need to change it up a little, go to Mogador, right now. Everything is amazing-- their halloumi is some of the best I've had, their pita is amazing, their Moroccan tea is aromatic and sweet, and their babaganoush is bangin. Be adventurous-- I've probably tried half of the menu, and never had something I didn't love. And since we're on the trend of hot sauces... it's the best one. Seriously, the best.
Cafe Luluc if you want: the best pancakes in New York (and the world) [Carroll Gardens]
Instagram via @julesc_b
Welcome to pancake heaven, can I take your order? These things are (no joke) about two inches thick. As a pancake enthusiast, this is actually what dreams are made of. These are for the mornings when you wake up, know exactly what you want (thick, crispy outsides, fluffy middle pancakes) and you want the best. Go crazy and ask for ice cream scooped on top, too. You know what to order here.
What are your favorite spots in NYC?
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Lately I've been feeling like a muffin manda. Maybe it's the fact that it's warm and summer and berry season, or maybe it's my undying love of breakfast foods (aka breakfast breads), but I have been trying every muffin under the sun. Until now. I've finally filled the muffin recipe void in my life.