Best Brunch in Upper East Side
The Best Brunch in Upper East Side for an amazing meal near Central Park, the museums and other NYC hot spots
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Nothing screams wealth, class, and zero regard for the price of a taxi like the Upper East Side. The notoriously bougie neighborhood has been host to some of the best restaurants not only in the city, but in the world. And they know it. The Upper East Side is a haven for those who’ve made it in NYC, so there’s obviously no way they will be making their own brunch. Whether you’re an Upper East Sider or a lowly LES tourist, the Upper East Side Brunch calls for champagne, darling.
Best Brunch in Upper East Side
Hutch & Waldo Cafe
Australian hangout specializing in coffee drinks, along with salads & other daytime bites.
Neighborhood:
Upper East Side
Food Type:
Juice Bars & Smoothies
Candle Cafe
Eclectic vegan dishes, from stir-fries to seitan steaks, served in a cozy, unpretentious space.
Neighborhood:
Upper East Side
Food Type:
Sandwiches
Lexington Candy Shop
Tuna melts, cheeseburgers & egg creams recall a bygone era at this old-fashioned soda counter.
Neighborhood:
Upper East Side
Food Type:
American
Boqueria
Creative Barcelona-style tapas made with market-fresh ingredients in a warm, modern space.
Neighborhood:
South Village
Food Type:
Spanish
Maison Kayser
Authentic baguettes, pastries & light French fare make this chic bakery/cafe a lunchtime favorite.
There should be a special mention for this notorious French brunch spot, because the small chain of restaurants can now be dined at all over Manhattan, and is not exclusive to the Upper East Side. However, the original café did get its start in its Upper East Side location, so will be judged as such.
There is truly nothing like a French brunch. If you want the quality croissant you deserve, or the pain au chocolat you desperately need, then you can have it at Maison Kayser. The French have given us so many delicious delicacies; it’s hard to decide which one to choose. At this nondescript café, you won’t have to pretend you’re anything but a hungry, borderline Francophile (if you are one) to get fed.
You can’t go wrong when ordering the croque madame if you love a breakfast sandwich. For those of us who are still obsessed with the actual lifestyle that is avocado toast — get it together – because nothing else matters when Nutella toast is on the menu. Get in loser; we’re eating calories!
For those of us who want that perfectly cooked and shaped egg, no one does it quite like the French. Perfect your deconstruction of the hard-boiled egg because you will be graded. In that same vein, perfect your French because everything on the menu is listed under its proper French name. Bon Appetit.
Neighborhood:
Brooklyn Heights
Food Type:
Bakeries
Uva
This cozy, rustic spot with a patio & back garden draws lively crowds for small plates & wine. .
Neighborhood:
Upper East Side
Food Type:
Italian
The East Pole
No doubt a play on the North Pole’s fame, The East Pole is just the kind of gourmet we want to see in a well-constructed brunch. The menu has a variety of healthy and non-healthy eats, meaning that you can take your friend who’s dieting, and the one who isn’t, and they’ll both be happy. This place is a little on the pricey side, so very doable for a special occasion. Just please don’t come here in sweatpants.
The East Pole has a leg up on all the crazes: freshly pressed juice, avocado toast, and their lattes are made with oat milk! This is exciting for those of us who keep up on the foodie trends that most of us can’t afford.
However, there are some brunch staples on the menu that are worth mentioning. There is huevos rancheros, a full English breakfast, and a benedict. For the more adventurous brunch connoisseur, there is a duck hash, a lemon ricotta waffle, and the East Pole Macro Bowl, which will likely give you all the health points you’ll need to start Monday invigorated.
Neighborhood:
Yorkville
Food Type:
American
Eastfield’s
Sibling to The East Pole serving oysters, seasonal dishes & cocktails in a smart setting.
Neighborhood:
Yorkville
Food Type:
American
Amali
Seasonal Mediterranean fare that’s locally sourced served in a sleek space near Bloomie’s.
Neighborhood:
Mediterranean
Food Type:
Upper East Side
Sojourn
Global cuisine from pork sliders to chicken satay served in a modern restaurant with a lively bar.
Neighborhood:
Upper East Side
Food Type:
American
Sant Ambroeus
Traditional Italian trattoria known for its Milanese dishes, cappucino & desserts like gelato.
Neighborhood:
Upper East Side
Food Type:
Italian