Best Brunch Restaurants in East Village (10003)
8 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.
8.6
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
A loud, polished brasserie built for big-table brunch energy. The menu hits classic American sweet-savory territory with dependable execution, and the room runs like a machine even when packed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Benedict, Roasted Vanilla Bean French Toast, Mac & Cheese Skillet
What makes it special: High-volume, high-reliability brunch with a brasserie backbone.
A bustling French grand café anchored by a serious bakery, ideal for everything from croissants and coffee to rotisserie-driven bistro dinners. It’s polished but approachable, with reliable cooking and a room that hums from morning to night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croissant and baguette service, Rotisserie chicken, Duck confit
What makes it special: A rare combo of top-tier French bakery and all-day brasserie under one roof.
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.
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.