Best Brunch Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Ess-a-Bagel
High-volume, old-school New York bagel shop with classic hand-rolled bagels and lox.
Notable Picks
#1
Ess-a-Bagel
8.9
A Manhattan bagel institution since 1976, Ess-a-Bagel turns out oversized, hand-rolled bagels that anchor a de facto brunch line every morning. The 3rd Avenue shop specializes in loaded lox sandwiches and build-your-own creations that travel well but taste best eaten standing at the counter or on a nearby bench.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Favorite nova lox bagel sandwich, Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, NYC BLTA bagel sandwich
What makes it special: High-volume, old-school New York bagel shop with classic hand-rolled bagels and lox.
Reopened in 2023 inside Tiffany’s Landmark flagship, Blue Box Café offers a polished, prix-fixe take on ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ with caviar-topped egg in a shell, jewel-box pastries, and carefully plated daytime dishes. It’s less about volume eating and more about a leisurely, celebratory brunch with Fifth Avenue views and attentive service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast at Tiffany’s set with pastries and Egg in a Shell, Egg in a Shell with caviar, Tiered afternoon tea tower
What makes it special: Iconic Tiffany-branded daytime dining with Daniel Boulud’s polished French-leaning brunch in a jewel-box dining room.
#3
Slate Cafe
8.6
Slate Cafe’s Midtown outpost is a bright, laptop-friendly café that leans hard into modern brunch—think avocado toast, salmon egg sandwiches, grain bowls, and strong coffee. With thousands of recent delivery and in-person reviews, it’s a go-to for locals who want something fresher and more contemporary than a diner breakfast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Toast with chili honey, Salmon Egg + Cheese on focaccia, Berry waffle with cream cheese drizzle
What makes it special: High-volume neighborhood café marrying specialty coffee with a contemporary brunch menu and strong delivery game.
8.4
Family-owned since 1998, Morning Star Cafe is a classic Greek-leaning New York diner where pancakes, waffles, and omelettes run all day alongside burgers and hearty plates. It’s the neighborhood’s reliable brunch standby, with generous portions, late hours, and friendly regulars at nearly every table.
Must-Try Dishes:
8 oz cheeseburger deluxe with fries, Gyro platter with fries, Greek-style spaghetti and meatballs
What makes it special: Long-running Greek-American diner where fries, value, and late hours dominate.
Worthy Picks
7.7
The Naked Pig is a roomy Midtown East bar that leans into bottomless brunch with playful comfort food—cheddar biscuit Benedict, stuffed caramel French toast, and huevos rancheros built for long, boozy afternoons. Reviews point to lively energy and drinks-first appeal, with food that’s satisfying if a bit uneven.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheddar Biscuit Benedict, Stuffed caramel French toast, Huevos Rancheros with house-cut fries
What makes it special: Bottomless brunch-focused bar with big-format comfort dishes and plenty of space for groups.