New Yorkers love breakfast. Don't believe us? Just check out how many breakfast carts occupy street corners during the morning commute.
We take our bagels, pancakes, omelettes, and bacon, egg, and cheeses very seriously. For the most important meal of the day, you shouldn't be settling with store bought bagels and microwaved eggs.
Breakfast should be an enjoyable event, so call your boss and tell them you're stuck in crazy traffic or that your local train suddenly switched to express, head to one of these spots, and enjoy a wonderfully delicious meal before going to work.
We're not advocating lying to your boss (meh, maybe), but we are advocating you starting your morning with a warm, filling breakfast at one of these NYC hotspots.
Here are our favorite breakfast eateries to enjoy a scrumptious start to your morning in NYC:
1. re.union (544 Union Avenue-Brooklyn)
rvdcommunications ❄️ Blizzard pro tip for fellow Williamsburgers ❄️ One of our fav brunch spots @reunionyc is open and churning out caffeine, shakshouka and other deliciousness. And if you don't know, now you know. 📷 by @eatingwithminnie
This tiny spot in Williamsburg is a neighborhood gem. Shockingly, it's not incredibly pricy, though their menu is a tad slim. However, their bright interior and quality food make up for the lack of pancakes... we like pancakes.
[anad]
We're really huge fans of the "Re.union Breakfast," which comes with two eggs any style, a chopped Israeli salad, and a selection of house-made dips, spreads, and bread. It's not your typical breakfast, but it will certainly become your favorite.
2. Clinton Street Baking Company (4 Clinton Street)
clintonstbakingco german chocolate pancakes #februaryispancakemonth #pancakemonthpreview #clintonstbakingco
Remember how we said we loved pancakes? We really love Clinton Street Baking Co.'s pancakes. We especially love how they're celebrating Pancake Month with 14 different pancake specials. But if you don't love pancakes, you'll still love the breakfast.
Lacking a sweet tooth? Try the southern breakfast, with two eggs, sugar-cured bacon, cheese grits, and fried green tomatoes. Don't like getting down with the south? Try the Eggs Benedict with poached eggs, maple cured ham, and classic hollandaise on a buttermilk biscuit.
3. Johny's Luncheonette (124 West 25th Street)
johannting Big Man #Breakfast at Johny's. I asked "What's really special here?" and the reply was "If it ain't special, it ain't on the menu." Great response! #food #NewYork #healthy #MaybeNot
Gotta love NYC diners. Johny's doesn't disappoint. The selection of options is out of this world. You'll have a hard time deciding whether or not you want banana pancakes, an omelette with peppers, onions, carrots, and tomato sauce, or a bacon, egg, and cheese.
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If you can't decide (we never can), do what we do and order the "Bigman Breakfast." It comes with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes or french toast, homefries, bacon, sausage, toast, and either coffee or tea. All of that food only costs $10.50. Your tummy and wallet will leave full.
4. Little Collins (667 Lexington Avenue)
flosglitterworld How delicious does this look? Great brunch yesterday, I'm still craving for those French toasts 😍☕️🍞🍳 #latergram #foodie #brunch #frenchtoast #foodporn #instafood #bestoftheday #picoftheday #coffeelover #igdaily #nycblogger #NYC #midtowneast #littlecollins #travelblog #cityguide #bonneadresse #brunchoclock #avocadoaddict #expatlife #breakfastsandwich #Iwishitwassunday #goodmorning
There are a lot of spots in Midtown that we'd tell you to avoid like the plague. This is not one of them. If you have the extreme misfortune of working in the black hole that is midtown, you should check out Little Collins.
We're obsessed with "The Sweet Uncle Fred" with toasted banana bread with ricotta, strawberries, honey, and toasted almonds. If you want to get a little adventurous, try "The Convict," which is essentially just toast and vegemite. Be warned. It's an acquired taste.
,5. Russ & Daughters Café (127 Orchard Street)
There's a reason why tourists and locals alike flock to Russ & Daughters. It's incredible. You need to try their classic board with Gaspe Nova smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomato, onion, and capers.
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Not a fan of fish? It's a little known fact that Russ & Daughters makes some seriously incredible sweet treats for breakfast. Try the "Babka French Toast" with chocolate babka, sour cream, and berries.
6. Jack's Wife Freda (224 Lafayette Street)
The breakfast options at Jack's Wife Freda are pretty inspired. They take the typical breakfast and make it incredibly unique. Sure, anyone could do a waffle, but no one else does a rosewater waffle.
We highly recommend the "Madame Freda." It's a pressed sandwich with duck prosciutto, cheddar béchamel, gruyere, and a sunny side up egg. Whatever you do, do not leave here without trying the house cured duck bacon. Yep, duck bacon.
7. La Bonbonniere (28 8th Avenue)
foodnfest Rolling this gluttony-filled weekend right over into Monday with these banana pancakes and bacon from La Bonbonniere in the #WestVillage. #noBSfood 📷: @foodNfest
If you love hole in the wall joints, you have to get over to La Bonbonniere. If you're a native and haven't heard of it, we might be judging you. It's a cash only spot in the West Village thats serving up some insanely delicious breakfast, regardless of their size.
[anad2]
If you have a sweet tooth, you need to try the brioche french toast. If not, try the corned beef hash. It's the perfect savory combination to start your day.
8. Shopsin's (120 Essex Street)
jessakka Back in 'Murica. And this is breakfast, y'all. 🇺🇸 // mac 'n cheese pancakes sandwiching eggs, avocado, bbq pork, and pepperjack #gutbusting #inmybelly #naptime #instafood #vscocam
If there's a more unique joint in NYC, we haven't found it. Just by looking at the menu, you know you've hit a gem. Shopsin's breakfast is more than just impressive... it's downright mind-blowing. They have more breakfast menu items than we've ever seen on a menu.
Try their "Mo'Betta." It's maple bacon and three scrambled eggs sandwiched between two mac'n cheese pancakes. Yep, you read that right, mac'n cheese pancakes. But remember, this spot is cash only.
Check out the Best Breakfast Foods from NYC's Top Diners.