Best Breakfast Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant
A long-running brunch institution serving standout pancakes and hearty American plates.
Notable Picks
Clinton St. Baking Company is a Lower East Side landmark for American-style breakfast and brunch, known for towering pancakes and Southern-influenced plates. Open since 2001, it draws constant lines for dishes that balance comfort with well-executed technique in a compact, always-busy room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blueberry pancakes, Buttermilk fried chicken & waffles, Latke eggs Benedict
What makes it special: A long-running brunch institution serving standout pancakes and hearty American plates.
8.8
This Orchard Street offshoot of the century-old appetizing shop turns smoked fish, bagels, and latkes into a sit-down breakfast ritual. It’s where locals and visitors lean into lox platters, egg dishes, and pastries in a bright, retro-inspired dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Lox Bagel, Smoked Fish Platter, Potato Latkes
What makes it special: A sit-down extension of a 1914 appetizing icon built around smoked fish breakfasts.
#3
Golden Diner
8.7
Golden Diner sits under the Manhattan Bridge serving New York diner classics filtered through chef Sam Yoo’s Asian-inflected pantry. Locals come for creative comfort food, strong brunch plates, and a snug, always-in-demand room that feels part neighborhood hangout and part destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken katsu club sandwich, Thai Cobb salad, Buttermilk pancakes
What makes it special: A modern neighborhood diner where classic plates meet Korean, Japanese, and Chinese influences.
8.6
La Contenta LES is an intimate Lower East Side mezcal and tequila bar where polished versions of classic Mexican dishes share the stage with a serious cocktail program. Crowded tables, loud music, and a compact room make it feel more like a lively night-out spot than a quiet neighborhood cantina.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tacos, Enchiladas Suizas, La Contenta Nachos
What makes it special: Cocktail-driven Mexican spot where tacos, enchiladas, and mezcal share top billing.
#5
Dimes
8.4
Dimes leans bright and health-forward, serving breakfast all day in a small, design-conscious space that helped coin the idea of “Dimes Square.” Bowls, egg dishes, and juices skew vegetable-heavy without feeling austere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Berry Acai Bowl, Macro Bowl
What makes it special: A health-leaning, all-day breakfast cafe that helped define its micro-neighborhood.
#6
Sonnyboy
8.3
Sonnyboy brings an Australian-style brunch playbook to Rivington Street, with strong coffee, hearty egg plates, and a social, buzzy room. It’s a go-to for groups and day dates who want something livelier than a quiet cafe but more food-focused than a bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Harissa Folded Eggs, Ricotta Hotcake, Breakfast Burrito
What makes it special: An Australian brunch hangout with strong coffee, fun cocktails, and lively energy.
8.2
This sunny Australian-influenced cafe focuses on lighter, brunch-leaning breakfasts like avo toast, acai bowls, and kimchi-scrambled eggs. It doubles as a casual workspace and neighborhood hangout for people who want a healthier start to the day.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kimchi Scrambled Eggs on Toast, Avocado Toast with Scrambled Egg, Acai Bowl
What makes it special: A bright, health-forward cafe where brunch plates and coffee fuel long mornings.
Worthy Picks
#8
Remedy Diner
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Late Night Legends
Family Friendly Favorites
Open 24/7 on East Houston, Remedy Diner covers classic New York breakfast from pancakes and omelets to Benedicts at nearly any hour. It’s less about theatrics and more about reliable coffee, big plates, and a booth when you need one.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict, Buttermilk Pancakes with Fresh Berries, Avocado Toast
What makes it special: A 24/7 neighborhood diner where you can get breakfast, pancakes, or Benedicts anytime.