Diners' Choice: Great for brunch restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated 05 June 2025

Looking for restaurants that are great for brunch in New York City? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Balzem

4.9

4.9 (701)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

NoLita

About the restaurant

Balzem is where you begin a tour of the northern Mediterranean coastline. From the celebrated culinary culture of Provence in Southern France to some of Italy's most elegant and refined cuisines such as in Campania, and reaching all the way to the light and carrying flavors of the Aegean coastline. Complete your journey with a selection of wine or beer from these cultural regions and other celebrated vineyards around the globe.

Top review

Benjamin Mark

Dined 1 day ago

Their Zucchini Pancakes are insanely good! Crunchy outside, soft inside, with that dill and feta combo—pure love. Perfect with a glass of cold white wine.

Rise Bar - Drag Brunch

4.9

4.9 (159)

$30 and under

American

Hell's Kitchen

About the restaurant

SATURDAYS IN JUNE -- Rise will have three seatings at 10:30am, 12:45pm, and 3pm.
SUNDAY JUNE 29th -- Rise will have two seatings at 10:30am and 12:45pm.

Rise Bar is an LGBTQ+ bar located in Hells Kitchen Manhattan serving the gay community with entertainment and cocktails. Providing a safe place for LGBTQ+ and their allies.

PLEASE NOTE: Rise Bar is a 21+ establishment

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 8 June 2025

As always, such an amazing time at Rise Drag Brunch!!

J's On The Bay

4.8

4.8 (84)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Shore Acres

About the restaurant

Welcome to J’s on the Bay, owned and operated by proprietor Chef Joe Salimeni, award-winning graduate of French Culinary Institute and self made owner of this establishment as well as J’s Meal Prep. J’s On the Bay offers Meal Prep for busy customers on the go. From quinoa salads to truffled chicken lettuce wraps, turkey chili and everything in between. They offer weekly delivery to all five boroughs and soon, nationwide distribution.
J’s offers its customers a unique dining experience with its off the cuff combinations of classic ingredients and their unexpected marriages Chef Joe constructs. J’s was first opened in 2014 has evolved over the last 7 years from a homely neighborhood diner to the fine dining restaurant it is today. Through hard work, uninterrupted and meticulous care, and constantly working to push himself and his menu, Joe has turned his restaurant dreams into a reality.

Top review

Susan

Dined on 7 June 2025

The food is consistently excellent, and the service is attentive and friendly. I've come here often and always enjoy the meal.

Rosemary's East

4.8

4.8 (6)

$31 to $50

Italian

Kips Bay

About the restaurant

Rosemary's East is a vibrant Italian restaurant located on Manhattan's East Side on the edge of Stuytown. This neighborhood gem offers a warm atmosphere ideal for casual lunches, romantic dinners, trendy brunches, or lively gatherings.

At Rosemary's East, we pride ourselves on using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Our menu features a delightful selection of hand-crafted pasta, pizzas, salads, and classic Italian dishes, all made with the finest local produce and imported specialties.

Indulge in our signature housemade pasta dishes like Rigatoni alla Vodka, Cacio e Pepe, or Pappardelle Verde. Don't miss our wood-fired pizzas, including the classic Margherita, flavorful Mushroom & Spinach, and unique Soppressata with honey. For a lighter option, try our refreshing salads such as the Chopped Salad 'Siciliana' or Lani's Market Greens.

Come experience a taste of Italy right in NYC in one our many dining rooms our outdoor patio. Nearby to Stuytown, Kips Bay, and Gramercy Park.

Top review

MarisaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had a reservation and we were sat on time. Something happened in the kitchen and our meals ran late but the server and manager more than made up for it. They were absolutely wonderful. We had amazing food and a fantastic experience. The service was a 12/10. Thank you for fixing the issue before we even mentioned it. We will definitely be back!

Discover more

Experience

Your East Side Lunch Escape

Sarabeth's West

4.7

4.7 (2001)

$30 and under

American

Upper West Side

About the restaurant

Posh chain serving American fare, including breakfast, lunch, dessert and dinner all week long. Brunch on weekends. Significant seating is reserved for walk-ins, so feel free to visit the restaurant in person.

Top review

Meta

Dined on 9 June 2025

Very nice place for lunch with friends. Varied menu so easy to find something to eat.

Boqueria Soho

4.7

4.7 (976)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

SoHo

About the restaurant

An energetic yet intimate Barcelona-style tapas bar serving Spanish favorites, seasonal specials, and curated cocktails in a contemporary space in the heart of Soho.

Perfect for a shared meal of small plates, happy hour with the team, a memorable date night, or weekend brunch!

Top review

Cara

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible food, beautiful ambiance and great service

PLANTA Queen - NoMad

4.7

4.7 (25)

$31 to $50

Vegan

NoMad

About the restaurant

At PLANTA, we see plants differently.

Led by Founder and CEO Steven Salm and Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee, PLANTA was born in 2016 to expand the accessibility and acceptability of plant based dining; dining as it should be — an unguilty pleasure. Creating a premier hospitality collective of 100% plant-based restaurants, PLANTA reimagines, reinvents, and revitalizes, providing flavorful proof that the power of plants can change the world.

Top review

TonyaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Planta never disappoints. If you're looking for a great time, this is the place to be. Food, drinks, atmosphere and service is the best!!!!

Fresco's Grand Cantina

4.7

4.7 (140)

$30 and under

Mexican

Astoria

About the restaurant

**** Please note this page is for our 28-50 31st St, Queens, New York location.****

Beautiful Mexican-Fusion establishment with old-world accents and very Instagram-able throughout the restaurant. We pride ourselves with fresh locally sourced ingredients for our Authentic & Modern Mexican fare.

Best Happy Hour around from 3pm to 8pm from Tuesday to Friday. The strong & delicious cocktails and amazing service will keep you coming back week after week for any of our numerous events. Follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop.

If you'd like to make a reservation at our other location ( Fresco's Cantina ) located at 12-14 31st Ave Astoria, NY 11106 - Please call (347) 808-7338.

Thank you!

Top review

charles

Dined on 8 June 2025

This Drag Brunch was funny light hearted, and the food was very good. I would recommend this place to anyone.

Nizuc

4.7

4.7 (32)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Hudson Yards

About the restaurant

NIZUC brings Latin flare to the heart of Hudson Yards, NYC. Offering Contemporary Coastal Mexican cuisine rooted in quality ingredients. We celebrate the day-to-day pleasures of great food, drinks & friends in a vibrant, happy space.

Top review

veronica

Dined 4 days ago

Great restaurant! Amazing food and drinks! Great service!

Cha Cha Tang

4.6

4.6 (9)

$30 and under

Chinese

West Village

About the restaurant

Cha Cha Tang is a restaurant by John McDonald and Wilson Tang. The kitchen is led by Chef Doron Wong and offers a playful rendition of a classic Hong Kong diner, “cha chaan teng” which translates to “tea restaurant.”

Top review

KimVIP

Dined on 1 June 2025

Ordered dim sum and supplemented with sesame chicken salad. Everything was so good and loved the vibe in the restaurant.

Explore Diners' Choice best of New York City

Explore more Diners' Choice lists