Best Breakfast Restaurants in East Village (10003)
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Veselka
A decades-old East Village diner with fries as a flawless comfort-food side.
Notable Picks
#1
Veselka
8.8
An East Village institution where fries shine as the ideal partner to pierogi, goulash, and late-night diner plates. The fries are reliably crisp, lightly salted, and served fast even during the constant rush. Come hungry for comfort food and stay for the neighborhood energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy French Fries with house-made dips, Short Rib Pierogi, Ukrainian Breakfast Plate
What makes it special: A decades-old East Village diner with fries as a flawless comfort-food side.
8.3
A bright, Aussie-leaning café that quietly turns out a legit burger alongside its brunch staples. The Bronte Burger hits a juicy, well-seasoned patty with a balanced, slightly upscale build, making it a reliable sit-down option in the East Village mix. Strong multi-platform volume keeps confidence high for repeatable quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bronte Burger, Truffle Fries with Aioli, Ricotta Hotcakes
What makes it special: Brunch café polish with a burger that’s better than it needs to be.
#3
Hi-Collar
8.3
A Japanese kissaten-style cafe by day with meticulous siphon coffee and compact, savory breakfast plates. Review volume and steady buzz point to consistent quality, especially for omurice and katsu sandos in an intimate room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omurice, Katsu sando, Siphon coffee or curated sake flight
What makes it special: Day-to-night Japanese café-bar rooted in kissaten culture.
8.2
An all-day cafe with a leafy back garden and a deep local following. Breakfast leans wholesome and veggie-friendly—avocado toast, huevos rancheros, and strong coffee—served in a casual, artsy East Village hangout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huevos Rancheros, MUD Avocado Toast, Maple Latte
What makes it special: Garden seating plus a coffee-first, brunch-all-day menu.
8.0
A high-volume East Village tea salon where brunch is built around afternoon-tea sets, soufflé pancakes, and polished sweets. The ornate dining room and dependable execution make it a reliable choice for a leisurely, photo-friendly breakfast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Afternoon Tea Set, Soufflé Pancakes, Warm Scones with Clotted Cream
What makes it special: Tea-centric brunch with desserts and sets served all day.
#6
B&H Dairy
8.0
A tiny kosher dairy counter serving East Village comfort since 1938. The narrow, old-school room focuses on simple, well-loved breakfast staples—blintzes, challah French toast, and pierogi—with a warm neighborhood feel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Challah French Toast, Cheese Blintzes, Fried Pierogi
What makes it special: Nearly a century of kosher-style breakfast done at a lunch counter.
Worthy Picks
#7
Salma
7.9
A neighborhood Lebanese grill with a straightforward menu of charcoal skewers, house-made dips, and family-style platters. The cooking leans traditional—bright tabbouleh, garlicky toum, and well-seasoned shawarma. A cozy, low-key option that feels local rather than scene-driven.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed grill platter, Fattoush salad, Stuffed grape leaves
What makes it special: Charcoal Lebanese staples done simply and well.
A counter-service bagel shop that’s a neighborhood workhorse for fast, no-nonsense breakfast. The kettle-boiled bagels hold up under classic spreads and egg sandwiches, and the line moves quickly even during peak hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Everything Bagel with Lox Cream Cheese, Classic Bacon Egg & Cheese, Veggie Cream Cheese on Sesame
What makes it special: Old-school NYC bagels done right, very early hours.
7.6
A newer East Village all-day spot known for bottomless brunch and a friendly, neighborhood-bar warmth. The food is straightforward—pancakes, egg plates, brunch sandwiches—served in a bright, social space.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Toast, Brunch Pancakes, Breakfast Sandwich
What makes it special: Bottomless brunch energy in a laid-back bar setting.