The Best Brunch Places in Upper East Side NYC

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.

The Best Upper East Side Brunches

Maison Kayser

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.

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.

The Penrose 4.3 (821)
$$ · Brunch · 1590 2nd Ave
Classic cocktails & American bar snacks
Open until 4:00 AM
Cafe D’Alsace 4.3 (468)
$$ · French · 1695 2nd Ave
Lively brasserie
Open until 10:30 PM
Jones Wood Foundry 4.4 (300)
$$ · Brunch · 401 E 76th St
Wood-paneled British pub
Open until 10:00 PM
B. Cafe 4.2 (162)
$$ · Belgian · 240 E 75th St
Belgian pub food
Open until 11:00 PM
Infirmary NYC 4.3 (402)
$$ · Brunch · 1720 2nd Ave
Modern Cajun-Creole restaurant & bar
Open until 1:00 AM
Sojourn 4.3 (240)
$$ · Brunch · 244 E 79th St
Global eatery with a lively bar scene
Open until 11:00 PM
Sarabeth’s Upper East Side 4.1 (357)
$$ · American · 1295 Madison Ave
Upscale American spot for brunch & more
Open until 10:30 PM
Boqueria 4.5 (479)
$$ · Brunch · 1460 2nd Ave
Modern Barcelona-style tapas
Open until 10:30 PM
Uva 4.4 (666)
$$ · Italian · 1486 2nd Ave
Buzzy Italian wine bar with small plates
Open until 1:00 AM
Sant Ambroeus 4.5 (307)
$$$ · Brunch · 1000 Madison Ave
Traditional Italian trattoria
Open until 11:00 PM
The East Pole 4.2 (184)
$$$ · American · 133 E 65th St
Modern British bar with gourmet pub grub
Open until 11:00 PM
Toloache 4.5 (269)
$$$ · Mexican · 166 E 82nd St
Modern, upscale Mexican cuisine
Open until 10:00 PM
Via Quadronno 4.2 (297)
$$ · Italian · 25 E 73rd St
Upscale Italian sandwich & coffee shop
Open until 11:00 PM
Flex Mussels 4.5 (396)
$$ · Seafood · 174 E 82nd St
Bustling spot serving mussels & fries
Open until 10:00 PM
Eats 4.2 (216)
$$ · Brunch · 1055 Lexington Ave
Bistro noted for its oysters & martinis
Open until 11:00 PM
Cafe Boulud 4.5 (421)
$$$$ · French · 20 E 76th St
Upscale French dining from a celeb chef
Open until 10:30 PM
Amali 4.2 (145)
$$$ · Mediterranean · 115 E 60th St
Farm-to-table Mediterranean dining
Open until 10:30 PM
EJ’s Luncheonette 4.2 (377)
$$ · American · 1271 3rd Ave
Family-friendly upscale diner
Open until 10:00 PM
Pil Pil 4.5 (264)
$$ · Spanish · 265 E 78th St
Cabin-chic Spanish tapas & wine bar
Open until 12:00 AM
Eastfield’s 4.3 (88)
$$$ · American · 1479 York Ave
American spot for local fare & cocktails
Open until 11:00 PM