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Hole in the Wall - Murray Hill
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Hole in the Wall - Murray Hill
8.4
Hole in the Wall’s Murray Hill outpost is an Aussie café where flat whites, banana bread, and hearty breakfast plates share space with cocktails. It’s a reliable pick for solo breakfasts at the bar, relaxed brunch dates, or fueling up before a walk along the East River.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilli Scramble, Smashed Avocado Toast, Banana Bread
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Aussie café combining serious coffee with creative, filling brunch plates.
Who should go: Solo diners and couples wanting polished but casual brunch.
When to visit: Weekday mornings or early weekends before crowds stack up.
What to order: Chilli Scramble, Smashed Avocado Toast, Banana Bread.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for fastest service and easier solo seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; paid garages within a 2–3 block walk are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — athleisure, jeans, and relaxed brunch looks all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak brunch — easy to hold a conversation but not whisper-quiet.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes during peak brunch hours (late morning to early afternoon), especially without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of the 11:30am–1pm rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian-friendly breakfast and brunch plates.
Vegan options: Limited but available — avocado toast, select sides, and plant-based swaps.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free options and substitutions available, though not a dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the stylish but relaxed setting, strong coffee program, and upbeat energy make it great for a low-pressure first meeting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes on weekdays and early mornings, but weekend brunch often means a wait unless you arrive right at opening.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited for adults and older kids — there’s no kids menu, but simpler breakfast items work for younger diners.
Best For
Better for: More polished coffee, healthier-leaning plates, and a calmer solo-dining experience compared to louder, party-driven brunch spots.
Skip if: You want bottomless brunch, oversized portions for groups, or a boozy late-morning party vibe.
Hole in the Wall - Murray Hill
8.4
Hole in the Wall's Murray Hill outpost is an Australian café where flat whites, banana bread, and hearty breakfast plates anchor an all-day brunch crowd. Opened in 2019, it draws solo diners, couples, and small groups for creative takes on classics and a bright, contemporary room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilli Scramble, Smashed Avocado Toast, Banana Bread
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Aussie café combining serious coffee with creative, filling brunch plates.
Who should go: Brunch fans who value coffee as much as food.
When to visit: Weekday mornings or early weekends to avoid long waits.
What to order: Chilli scramble, smashed avo toast, toasted banana bread.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for the fastest solo seating and quickest coffee refills.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; best bet is nearby paid garages along 3rd Avenue or walking from public transit.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed — athleisure, jeans, and brunch-ready fits all feel right at home.
Noise level: Moderate — lively background buzz but still easy to hold a conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes during peak late-morning and early afternoon brunch hours without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait or 10–20 minutes at most.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several strong vegetarian-forward dishes including avocado toast, eggs, and grain bowls.
Vegan options: Limited — a few toast and bowl-style options can be modified fully vegan.
Gluten-free options: Some options available — select dishes can be made gluten-free with substitutions, but not a dedicated menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s bright, stylish, and relaxed without feeling loud or chaotic, making it ideal for low-pressure brunch dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weekdays and early weekends, but expect a real wait during peak Saturday and Sunday late mornings.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids — the menu works well for picky eaters, but it’s more café-style than family-dining focused.
Best For
Better for: Better for coffee-driven brunch, solo dining, and polished Aussie-style plates than most nearby Murray Hill cafes.
Skip if: Skip if you want a loud party brunch, bottomless drinks, or large group seating without a long wait.
Hole in the Wall - Murray Hill
7.9
Hole in the Wall’s Murray Hill outpost turns the base of the American Copper Buildings into an indoor–outdoor all-day cafe overlooking the East River. Brunch plates, Australian-leaning comfort food, and strong coffee make the patio feel as viable for a laptop morning as for a casual dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Toast, Pulled Pork Benedict, Crispy Chicken Sando
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 6
What makes it special: Riverside brunch-and-dinner spot with cafe-style outdoor seating.
Who should go: Brunch people and casual dates wanting coffee plus views.
When to visit: Late morning weekends for prime brunch and softer sun.
What to order: Avocado toast, pulled pork Benedict, crispy chicken sando.
Insider tip: Ask for a table along the railing for the clearest river sightlines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited near the waterfront; plan for a nearby garage with $28–$40 rates depending on time of day.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—athleisure, jeans, and clean sneakers all fit right in, especially for daytime.
Noise level: Moderate - lively during brunch but still easy to hold a conversation across the table.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation during peak sunset hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of the 12–1pm rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple clearly marked vegetarian brunch and dinner dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but workable - usually 2–3 plant-based options plus modifications.
Gluten-free options: Partial - several gluten-free-friendly plates, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—casual, bright, and scenic without feeling high-pressure, making it ideal for relaxed daytime or early-evening dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes during off-peak hours, but weekend brunch and sunset dinner are much smoother with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common at brunch, with high chairs available and a menu that works for younger eaters.
Best For
Better for: Riverside views, laptop-friendly brunches, and a relaxed cafe-meets-restaurant energy that few Murray Hill spots can match.
Skip if: If you're looking for a romantic candlelit dinner, late-night energy, or a true fine-dining experience.
Hole in the Wall - Murray Hill
8.2
This Australian-leaning all-day cafe anchors the base of the American Copper Buildings with a dog-friendly patio overlooking the East River. Brunch plates, strong coffee, and all-day snacks make it a go-to for locals who want to linger outside with their pups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pulled pork Benedict, Avocado toast with poached eggs, Crispy chicken sandwich
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Laid-back Aussie-style brunch cafe with a true dog-friendly riverside patio.
Who should go: Brunch people and locals wanting patio time with dogs.
When to visit: Late-morning weekends or golden hour for softer light outside.
What to order: Pulled pork Benedict, avocado toast, crispy chicken sandwich.
Insider tip: Ask for a railing-side patio table for the best river views.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited around the American Copper Buildings; nearby garages typically run $28–$40 for a few hours, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Ultra casual — athleisure, jeans, sneakers, and dog-walking fits are completely normal.
Noise level: Moderate — lively brunch energy but still easy to hold a conversation outdoors.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes for patio seating during peak brunch-to-afternoon crossover.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days outside of 11:30am–1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian brunch plates, salads, and breakfast options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few toast, grain bowl, and salad modifications work, but not a large dedicated selection.
Gluten-free options: Some flexibility — eggs, proteins, and salads work, but bread-heavy menu limits full gluten-free dining.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for daytime dates — it’s relaxed, low-pressure, and gives you conversation help via river views and dogs passing by.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes on weekdays; weekends often require patience for patio tables, but turnover is steady and the wait rarely feels endless.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — better for toddlers and younger kids during daytime hours when the patio is calmer and the menu is most flexible.
Best For
Better for: Dog-friendly brunch with real outdoor space and river views — stronger patio experience than most Murray Hill cafes.
Skip if: Skip if you want a quiet, intimate meal or a formal sit-down dinner — this spot shines brightest for casual daytime hangs.