Start the Day Right With These NYC Breakfast Spots

Ainsley Hayes
Apr 16
5 min read

Breakfast—the most important meal of the day! I’m not sure if that’s actually true– but it is my favorite meal. The city is full of delicious breakfast options to choose from ranging from a quick bagel and coffee fix to scarf down during your morning commute or a top-notch sit-down meal to enjoy alongside great company over good conversation. Whether you’re looking for a quick grab-and-go option, or a long sit-down meal, here are my recommendations for the 8 best breakfast and brunch options in New York City.

1.) Bubby’s

120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013

Battling for my #1 spot for the best pancakes in NYC, Bubby’s really does deserve all the hype that it has received over the years. Located in Tribeca, this American homestyle restaurant has something to offer for everyone.They boast an extensive menu ranging from killer eggs benedict paired with melt-in-your-mouth biscuits to their iconic pancake flight. This place is the quintessential comfort-food meal. Fair warning though– they don’t take reservations! Be prepared for a lengthy wait on the weekends, or try to stop in during the week to get a taste of some of the best American breakfast food you can find in Manhattan.

2.) Tompkins Square Bagels

165 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

When it comes to bagels, we all know NYC is flooded with incredible options. Tompkins Square Bagels, however, stands above the rest for me as the best bagel in the city! With multiple locations throughout Manhattan, what feels like an unlimited amount of cream cheese and signature sandwich options, and quick service no matter how long the line is– you can’t go wrong with Tompkins. My go-to order (and in my opinion, the best bagel sandwich in the world) is a bacon, egg, and gouda cheese (crucial) sandwich on an egg everything bagel with their jalapeño cheddar cream cheese. Try it and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

3.) Win Son Bakery

164 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Though every spot on this list is beloved to me, East Williamsburg’s Win Son Bakery deserves every ounce of hype it has received since its doors opened in 2019 and has remained an all-time favorite meal of mine since my first visit years ago. This Taiwanese-American cafe, bakery, and restaurant is known for its unique twists on classic breakfast items such as their delectable scallion pancake breakfast sandwich, mochi donut and fan tuan– a popular Taiwanese breakfast food consisting of a roll of sticky rice stuffed with various savory ingredients like eggs, pork, and pickled vegetables. Like many options on this list, expect a wait for this coveted spot. On a weekend morning, the line can be upwards of 45 minutes to an hour, however, I can confidently say that it's definitely worth it. And as an added bonus, a new Manhattan location between First and Second Ave in the East Village just opened.

4.) Breakfast by Salt’s Cure

27 1/2 Morton St, New York, NY 10014

Located just minutes away from NYU’s main campus, Breakfast by Salt’s Cure is undoubtedly one of the most scrumptious breakfast spots in all of NYC . Home of the legendary oatmeal griddle pancakes and tied for my pick of best pancakes in the city, this cozy breakfast and brunch spot is a must-try for anybody in the city—visitors and locals alike. Crispy on the outside yet gooey on the inside, these pancakes will make you never want to try another one again. As always, get there early or expect a wait, but the second these pancakes hit your tongue you will know it was well worth it.

*Courtesy of @breakfastbysaltscure on Instagram*

5.) Red Gate Bakery

68 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003

For the days you’re on the go and are craving nothing but a delicious pastry and coffee in the morning, Red Gate Bakery is the place to go. Located in the East Village, this quaint bakery is serving traditional desserts and baked goods with unique twists and flavor profiles. They change their cinnamon bun flavors weekly, so keep an eye on their social media pages for new flavors to try. And though they are inexplicably good, my favorite item they sell is their midnight banana bread. It’s rich, decadently chocolatey, and as moist as can be. I’ve gotten it more times to count and still, it never disappoints! This place undoubtedly gets my vote for best bakery in the city. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays at 11am.

*Courtesy of @redgatebakery on Instagram*

6.) French Louie

320 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

If you ever find yourself in Cobble Hill on a Saturday morning, French Louie is without a doubt worth the stop. Though this trendy French-American bistro only serves brunch on the weekends, the lively, welcoming atmosphere guarantees a memorable brunch experience, not to mention mind-blowingly good food. The establishment introduces a handful of new items throughout the year, integrating in-season ingredients creatively, which keeps the smaller menu feeling fresh. My personal favorite is the Egg Louie, which is a poached egg, crab, and hollandaise sauce on a flakey, buttery, croissant, and the french toast. If the great service and cozy ambiance didn’t have me wanting to take a trip back already, these menu items sure do.

7.) Cafe Maud

132 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

In the heart of the East Village lies Cafe Maud, an all-day neighborhood cafe and bar serving up an incredible offering of breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items daily. Just seven months after opening, the cafe is already a coveted spot due to its incredible interior, delicious food and cocktails, and its impeccable service, so securing a reservation is recommended. My personal favorite breakfast items include the breakfast bowl and lemon ricotta pancakes—both of which are out-of-this-world good. The spot also has a quaint coffee window on St. Marks Place that has become a new neighborhood hotspot, serving up quality to-go coffee from 8am everyday for the mornings you’re in a rush. Mark my words—Cafe Maud will be the new place to go for years to come.

8.) MUD aka Mudspot Restaurant

307 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

Closing the list out with my personal favorite breakfast in all of New York City– MUD aka Mudspot Restaurant. As a frequent customer I don’t want to sound biased, but I seriously cannot say enough good things about this place. Whether it’s the incredible ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating, a menu that without a single bad item from, or the fact that it is 100% my vote for the best coffee in the city, MUD is a must-try. When I say I dream about their banana pancakes and maple chai latte on a chilly autumn morning, I really do. The cozy spot is also Timothy Chalamet’s favorite cafe in the city, so if you don’t trust my recommendation, trust Timmy!

Breakfast in NYC is one of my favorite rituals—whether it’s grabbing a bagel from a local corner shop or sitting down for pancakes in a cozy café, there’s always something delicious to kick off my day. The city is full of endless gems, and finding your go-to spot is only half the fun.