Looking for the best easter brunch in NYC? If so then you have come to the right place.
See, I’ve been living in NYC for well over 30 years. Brunch just also happens to be one of my all-time favorite meals in NYC.
So, to say that I know a thing or two about brunch in NYC is a bit of an understatement.
However, Easter brunch in NYC is super special since many restaurants offer a unique holiday menu and go out of their way to make the experience feel over-the-top festive.
Yeah, I really love going out for Easter brunch because of the decor, the festive food, the beautiful ambiance that these eateries create.
Now, without further adieu, I am going to reveal my top picks, whether you have heaps of cash or are looking for a more budget-friendly option in NYC.
Regardless of where you go though, ALWAYS make reservations well in advance. Many of these places are super popular on a normal Sunday and get absolutely packed with people on Easter.
Therefore, if you only remember one thing it is that you should not show up to any of these places without a reservation.
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1. Bubby’s
I’m not gonna lie, Bubby’s is one of my all-time fave brunch spots in NYC. I like that the portions at this Tribeca hotspot are HUGE, the food is delicious, and this place has a more homey feel.
So, you really don’t need to dress up and can just enjoy a super delicious, low-key brunch with your family that includes the avocado toast with poached eggs and the pancakes.
I enjoyed the avo toast but the pancakes are the real star of the show since they have won James Beard awards.
They are also HUGE and topped with caramelized bananas/toasted walnuts, blueberry compote/nutella, and a mixed berry compote with whipped cream.
We have had them all and they are ALL good. However, I think the banana pancakes are my all-time fave.
I also love that they are served with REAL maple syrup and not the gross stuff you find in the grocery store.
Local Tip: After brunch, stop by to see the firehouse from Ghost Busters. Also, bring a slice of the homemade Banoffee pie with you.
It is EPIC and made with bananas, espresso, dulce de leche, and whipped cream.
2. Ai Fiori
Set inside a beautiful local hotel, Ai Fiori is THE place to go in NYC for Easter brunch if you love fine dining and enjoy a bit of fusion French/Italian fare.
Please know that this place is NOT cheap and that you should 100% dress up for your meal.
Otherwise, just enjoy an awesome, three-course prix fixe menu that includes things like lobster soup, trofie nero, lobster frittata, and risotto.
Overall, this is a great place to go if you want good food, impeccable service, and want to get dressed up for the holiday.
3. Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery
You probably know all about Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery because their decadent croissants have been featured all over Instagram.
TBH, their croissants are way better than I expected. They were super moist and the pistachio flavor was jam-packed with this amazing cream that oozes out every time you bite into it.
No really, I almost made a giant mess of myself like three different times.
Yup, I easily think this place is one of the best bakeries in NYC. I also love that you can either sit at the restaurant or order a croissant from their bakery if you want to keep things more chill.
Just remember to make a reservation if you want to enjoy a sit-down brunch here since this place is usually packed to the gills.
While here, grab a blackberry minstral with Brugal rum and dig into super chic entrees filled with beautiful French/American cuisine that you won’t be able to stop eating.
4. Amali
Well-located near Bloomingdale’s on the Upper East Side, Amali is a sleek, modern Mediterranean restaurant that serves seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.
The last time I was here I had the lamb chops with mint salsa verde. The lamb was exceptionally well cooked and the sauce was super flavorful.
I honestly couldn’t get enough and had to stop myself from actively licking the plate clean.
I also had the option to enjoy two hours of bottomless mimosas, bellinis, roses, or Prosecco. I passed on that, but my friend indulged and said it was awesome.
5. Jacob’s Pickles
Jacob’s Pickles is a restaurant on the Upper West Side that specializes in delicious Southern Comfort food.
The last time I visited we were here for Restaurant Week and absolutely loved everything we ordered. I got the Deviled Eggs, French Toast, and Ice Box Pie and thought everything was really tasty.
However, I have also heard really good things about their buttermilk fried chicken, homemade biscuits, and pickles.
I know it’s difficult but try not to order everything on the menu. The portions are HUGE and you’ll probably end up bringing some things home with you.
Overall, this brunch spot is pretty chill and not super expensive (around $20.00 for an entree). It’s also a great option for beer lovers since they have like 20 different beers on tap.
6. Bar Boloud
Owned and operated by famous French chef Daniel Boulud, Bar Boloud is a great option if you love relaxed dining and want to dig into a Parisian-style brunch.
During my last visit, I ordered the quiche with spinach, leeks, broccoli, and cheddar. In contrast, my partner got the Brioche French Toast and I liked his main course better.
It was just thin and crispy, perfectly paired with mixed berries/vanilla chantilly.
Not gonna lie, I was also a bit nervous about dining here since I thought it would be SUPER expensive.
However, brunch entrees were well-priced at $20.00 and under. So, definitely a solid Easter brunch in NYC option if you want nice food but don’t want to spend a small fortune.
7. Miriam’s
Originally started in Brooklyn, Miriam’s has since moved to the Upper West Side and is a great place to go if you love Israeli food.
I have been a couple of times and my fave things on the menu are the hummus, the homemade bread (it’s served warm and is amazing), the falafel, and the cucumber/tomato salad.
I previously had the Shakshuka and I was not impressed. The last time I stopped by, I also ordered the Middle Eastern breakfast and enjoyed that more.
The exterior of the Sambusak was well-baked and I liked that it was stuffed with cheese, avocado, and tomatoes.
I just didn’t like that the juice from the tomatoes ended up making the fresh bread a little soggy after awhile.
Additionally, I was not impressed with the service the last time we went. We waited almost 30 minutes just to order and get water to our table.
However, the food was good and I would definitely go back with a reservation since this restaurant gets PACKED.
8. The Dutch
The Dutch is an American restaurant run by Chef Andrew Carmellini. He is known for serving up epic fried chicken (with honey butter biscuits and slaw) as well as divine pancakes.
TBH, the next time I visit I want to try the key lime doughnut as well as the cornmeal flapjacks with blueberry syrup and salted butter.
Not gonna lie, I’ve heard really good things about both menu items, and I can’t wait to visit again. My friends also rave about the epic brunch cocktails, like The Crusher.
It features vodka, Heimat blackberry, lemon, and amaro and is supposed to be out of this world.
9. Maison Pickle
Maison Pickle serves up an amazing brunch that you need to try this Easter in NYC. We have been a couple of times and you cannot go wrong with the French Toast or Pull Apart Bread.
Yeah, the last time we were here I got the honey and butter pull apart bread and could not stop eating it.
I also thought the Challah French Toast with butter and syrup was excellent. Just don’t order a ton since portions are very generous.
I would also probably skip the deviled eggs since I didn’t think they were anything special.
Then, after brunch, enjoy their world-famous 24-layer cake. We got the vanilla version and while my partner loved it, I thought it was a bit dry.
So, definitely consider that before ordering this dessert. However, who knows, the chocolate could be way better than the vanilla one.
10. Brasserie Fouquet’s
If you’re looking for something super fancy then try Brasserie Fouquet’s since this high-end French restaurant is known for its top-notch, prix-fixe Eatser menu.
This three-course feast includes fan faves like lobster benedict, fried chicken french toast, prime rib, and chocolate caramel creme brulee for dessert.
All in all, this is an excellent choice for anyone who loves French food and upscale dining.
After all, the service is exceptional and the decor enhances the ambiance with bright colors, velvet seats, and oppulent chandeliers.
11. Brooklyn High Low
Alright, Brooklyn High Low is more of a tea parlor than a brunch spot. However, they serve amazing scones. divine tea, and delish tea sandwiches that I can’t get enough of.
Additionally, the service is incredible. We stopped by thirty minutes before our reservation on a cold and rainy Friday and they let us right in.
They also brought us tea and warm blankets while we sat on the outdoor patio, waiting for our table.
We eventually decided to eat outside since we loved the cozy atmosphere created by the charming decor.
I also loved that this place is SUPER reasonable. We got a pot of tea, scones (with jam and clotted cream), and four tea sandwiches for just $30.00 per person.
The sandwiches were all great and included apricot jam with thyme and mascarpone, pickle with sharp cheddar, cucumber with dill cream cheese, and egg with watercress salad.
TBH, I was really impressed with the quality of the sandwiches since they usually are kind of lame. However, the ones they served tasted really good, and I cannot wait to come back.
12. Gramercy Tavern
Danny Meyer owns and operates this sleek, upscale tavern in Lower Manhattan. Therefore, this is a great place to visit if you love the finer things in life.
Generally, you’ll find seasonally focused, high-end bar food on their pre-fixe Easter brunch menu.
Highlights include cinnamon buns and seafood platters that are sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters.
Just don’t forget to save room for dessert since this restaurant serves one of the best chocolate chip cookies in NYC.
13. Jack’s Wife Freda
Owned and operated by Dean and Maya Jankelowitz, a husband and wife duo from South Africa and Israel, this Mediterranean/American restaurant serves epic homemade food that I can’t get enough of.
The last time I was here I ordered the Green Shakshouka. It came with this vibrant green tomatillo sauce that I happily sopped up with lightly toasted bread.
My only complaint is that I wish I had gotten more bread. Meanwhile, my partner had perfectly cooked eggs with avocado, fresh bread, and a beautiful cucumber salad.
All in all, we loved a series of light and flavorful dishes that we gobbled right up. I also 100% recommend getting Nana’s Tea since it is made with fresh mint and reminds me of the divine tea in Morocco.
14. Locanda Verde
If you love a lively atmosphere and great Italian food then you can’t beat Locanda Verde. It’s a Tribeca hotspot that is known for its incredible rustic Italian flare.
In fact, this place is so popular that they now have a location in Hudson Yards as well.
What I love about brunch here is that you have a wide variety of options to choose from. You can go full Italian or opt for a more Italian fusion dish, like the Frittata Caprese with tomato, basil, and mozzarella.
This place definitely isn’t cheap, though. However, it’s a great restaurant, and you’ll definitely have a lot of fun.
The last time I visited I got the Brown Butter Waffle with spiced apples, maple walnuts, and salted caramel crema. It was pretty epic and I can’t wait to visit with my partner.
15. Nomo Kitchen
NOMO Kitchen is hidden away inside a chic, SoHo area hotel.
So, as you walk into the restaurant, you’ll cruise beneath a topiary of well-manicured trees that form an exquisite tunnel
Be sure to stop for a photo or two before grabbing a seat inside a glass-roof dining room with opulent chandeliers and fun graffiti hearts on the walls.
In terms of brunch, you cannot go wrong with the Lemon Ricotta pancakes. They are packed with flavor and include mixed berries, powdered sugar, and candied pistachios on top.
The avocado toast was also nice, but I found the pancakes to be a much more fun and exciting dish.
I also like that the prices are reasonable, even if you have to dress up a bit since this restaurant is definitely a bit more formal.
16. Iris
This contemporary restaurant produces awesome, Mediterranean-inspired fare that is served to you family-style.
For the best Easter brunch in NYC, dig into a prix-fixe menu filled with things like hummus, eggplant and freshly baked pita bread.
Now, the last time I was here I didn’t get to stop by for brunch. However, I did get to try their hummus, falafel, pita bread, and whipped ricotta.
Everything was pretty dang delicious and left me wanting to return for even more awesome food.
17. Golden Diner
Golden Diner is just that, a super low-key diner. However, they serve amazing, super unique dishes that fuse Asian and American cuisine.
The last time we were here, we got to sit at one of the swivel stools right next to the bar and ordered both the Chinatown Egg and Cheese Sando and the Honey Butter Pancakes.
Real talk? I enjoyed my egg and cheese sando since the food was well-prepared and the hashbrowns added a nice crunch the sandwich.
However, the pancakes were BEYOND epic. They are so sweet and buttery and soft that I just could not stop eating them. I’ve had a lot of pancakes in this city and I think these are hands down my fave.
So, Golden Diner is a solid choice if you love diners and enjoy creative/delicious food that is served in a no-frills environment.
Map of the Best Easter Brunch in NYC
Conclusion
That wraps up this guide on where to get the best Easter brunch in New York City. I hope you found it helpful and now know where to go based on your budget and dining preferences.
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