Sunday in Brooklyn; credit Tasting Table
With so many great places to eat in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick, finding the perfect spot for weekend brunch can be a hard decision. Sure, you could linger in line for two hours at Egg or Five Leaves — both serve an amazing brunch in pretty settings — but the wait can be excruciating. (We’ve listed them below for those who have more patience than us.) With new places opening constantly in North Brooklyn, its hard to keep up with where to go. You don’t have to. Here’s our list of favorite places to have brunch, updated for 2017.
- By Nabe
- Williamsburg
- greenpoint
- bushwick
- map
Williamsburg
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Sunday in Brooklyn; credit Tasting Table
Sunday in Brooklyn
Sunday in Brooklyn is a market, a bar, a bakery and a restaurant all rolled into one with a perplexing name to boot. Confusing? Perhaps, but don’t let that get in the way of enjoying their superb cuisine. Located in the former home of Isa in South Williamsburg, Sunday in Brooklyn has some of the tastiest New American food in North Brooklyn.
Best brunch dish(es): Malted Pancakes with Hazelnut Maple Praline and Brown Butter, House Smoked Salmon & Pastrami Black Cod
Average wait time: 1 hour
Breakfast cocktail: Mezcal Bloody Mary with a sidecar of Miller High Life -
Okonomi
Okonomi
Sick of bacon and eggs? Try Okonomi, a tiny Japanese restaurant on the Graham Avenue L Train stop. Okonomi serves up traditional Japanese set meals known as ‘Ichiju sansai’ that consist of miso soup, roasted fish, vegetables, and an egg served with rice.
Best brunch dish(es): Ichiju Sansai
Average wait time: 45 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Sake -
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet
Situated in the former home of South Williamsburg favorite Dressler. Meadowsweet has no pretense, just honest, beautifully prepared food. They recently received a Michelin star for their simple, yet delicious New American cuisine.
Best brunch dish(es): Chorizo Hash & Sunnyside Eggs
Average wait time: 20 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Sweet & Southern (bourbon, oslo iced espresso, sugar, milk) -
Rabbithole
Rabbithole
An American cafe on the quieter end of Bedford Ave great for a casual, low-key meal. Rabbithole is not a “destination” restaurant and that’s a good thing when you want a reliably good brunch or an unpretentious dinner spot. They have a small garden for outdoor dining in the warmer months.
Best brunch dish(es): Eggs Norwegian (Poached eggs, herbed biscuit w/ lox & Hollandaise)
Average wait time: 10 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Jar Fly (Gin, Cucumber, Lemon, House Made Ginger, Sugar) -
Egg
Egg
An uber-popular breakfast and brunch joint. The food is fantastic but the lines on the weekends are excruciating. Still, if you have the patience, Egg is not to be missed. We recommend calling in sick on a Tuesday and heading to Egg.
Best brunch dish(es): Eggs Rothko – Easy-cooked egg in a slice of Amy’s brioche with Grafton cheddar.
Average wait time: fuhgeddaboudit
Breakfast cocktail: A glass of white (they’re a beer and wine only establishment) -
Cafe Mogador
Cafe Mogador
The Williamsburg branch of the classic East Village Moroccan cafe. We love the enclosed garden area in the back, which lends a sunny atmosphere to their popular brunch.
Best brunch dish(es): Middle Eastern Eggs with with hummus, tabouli, arabic salad and zahatar pita.
Average wait time: 30 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Blood Orange Mimosa
Pies-n-Thighs Biscuits, credit Grub Street
Pies and Thighs
A popular South Williamsburg restaurant with a crowd-pleasing menu of Southern comfort staples — Chicken ‘n’ waffles anyone? Though they specialize in Chicken and Catfish, there are a ton of vegetarian options as well like the Hippie Banjo (Egg, cheddar, avocado, tomato, sprouts & mayo on anadama) and cheese grits. Top it all off with a slice of Bourbon Pecan Pie and all is well with the world.
Best brunch dish(es): Anything that comes on, in, or beside one of their delicious biscuits.
Average wait time: 45 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Beer and wine only — order a can of local craft beer.
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Allswell, Egg Sammy with Fries
Allswell
A true neighborhood spot, Allswell is one of those places you bypass when you’re trying to impress someone with the new buzz restaurant, but nonetheless frequent for good, honest food.
Best brunch dish(es): Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberries and Real Maple Syrup, Egg Sandwich with Fries
Average wait time: 15 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Cowboy Coffee (iced coffee with bourbon, Borghetti and cream) -
Le Barricou
Le Barricou
A comfortable, yet spacious French Bistro with a long bar up front and a wood-burning stove in the back. Barricou opened in 2006 and has earned its reputation as a go-to spot for locals. They are very popular on weekends for Brunch.
Best brunch dish(es): Pancakes (berries, strawberry butter, & maple syrup – oven baked to order)
Average wait time: 45 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Shrimp Cocktail Bloody Mary -
Reynard; credit NY Times
Reynard
The flagship restaurant at The Wythe Hotel by restaurateur Andrew Tarlow of Diner and Marlow & Sons fame. Expect seasonal American dishes in a beautiful restored warehouse setting. It’s a service included, tip-free zone, which softens the blow, slightly, when the check comes.
Best brunch dish(es): Cast Iron Pancakes to share, Seasonal Omelette
Average wait time: 10 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Mountain Goat (Vodka, Amaro, Line, Ginger, Soda & Nutmeg)
Greenpoint
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Anella
Anella
A reliable neighborhood spot in North Greenpoint that serves delicious American fare. There’s a long bar up front offering cocktails, several local beers on tap, and a broad selection of wines. Brunch is popular on weekends and if you go, be sure to order their biscuits. A solid choice.
Best brunch dish(es): Egg Biscuit (Buttermilk Biscuit, Cheddar, Scrambled Eggs, Mixed Greens)
Average wait time: 5 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Tequila Sunrise (House-Made Grenadine, Fresh OJ) -
Greenpoint Fish and Lobster
Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co.
The understated space is warm and inviting, with black and white tiled floors, a raw bar, and a marble bar. For brunch, they serve a number of breakfast dishes (all fantastic) but its never too early in the day for a Lobster Roll!
Best brunch dish(es): Eggs Greenpoint (Poached eggs on house made buttermilk biscuits, topped with Arctic Char gravlax), Lobster Roll
Average wait time: 15 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Man-Mosa (Fresh squeezed orange juice with a 16oz Narragansett tallboy) -
Five Leaves, credit Bitches who Brunch
Five Leaves
Five Leaves sits on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg and serves eclectic food at all hours of the day. Fresh flowers are everywhere you look, and the décor is nautically-themed which is always a plus in our books. Our favorite pancakes are from here on the weekend brunch menu, but we also love the truffle fries. On the downside, prepare to wait.
Best brunch dish(es): Moroccan Scramble with merguez sausage or Ricotta Pancakes (with honeycomb butter, banana, blueberries, strawberries & maple syrup)
Average wait time: 45 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Bloody Michoacan (tequila, smoked paprika, tomato juice, pineapple, lime, cilantro) -
Vamos al Tequila
Vamos Al Tequila
A fantastic and authentic Mexican restaurant in Greenpoint serving the family recipes of the married couple who owns it. The ambiance is drab, and the drinks are weak, but the food is always made-to-order and satisfying. The tamales are made in-house and are a standout. Brunch is available on weekends – and yes – they have a fantastic Huevos Rancheros.
Best brunch dish(es): Huevos Rancheros with Green Tomatillo Sauce
Average wait time: No wait
Breakfast cocktail: Negro Modelo -
Karczma pierogis
Karczma
Of the handful of Polish restaurants in Greenpoint, Karczma is our favorite. The waitstaff all dress in traditional Polish outfits — cheesy but fun — and a handful of Eastern European beers are on tap. The menu consists of hearty Polish classics like pierogis, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, blintzes, and potato pancakes. There’s no breakfast per se, but, as far as we’re concerned, Pierogis and a Kielbasa are a worthy substitution.
Best brunch dish(es): Pierogis
Average wait time: No wait
Breakfast cocktail: Zywiec (A popular Polish beer) -
Glasserie
Glasserie
An inventive Mediterranean-inspired restaurant inside a refurbished industrial glass factory beside Newton Creek. Don’t miss their flaky flat-bread to accompany your entree. The menu is seasonal and always-changing. A great spot for an eclectic brunch.
Best brunch dish(es): Merguez (with sunny eggs & cucumbers & flatbread)
Average wait time: No wait
Breakfast cocktail: Saffron Cocktail -
Esme
Esme
A slightly upscale take on classic American dishes. Esme has a bright, relaxed ambiance and great food. Grab a seat at their sunny bar, close to the espresso machine (their coffee is fantastic) for an ideal brunch. A true neighborhood joint.
Best brunch dish(es): Savory Parmesan French Toast
Average wait time: 15 min
Breakfast cocktail: Pimm’s Cup (Pim’s, Becherovka, Lemon & Ginger)
Bushwick / East Williamsburg
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Mominette’s Eggs Benedict; via Yelp
Mominette
A classic French bistro with all of the standards. If it’s warm, be sure to grab a seat in their lovely garden, the perfect soft for a Mimosa. Mominette is owned by the same team behind Williamsburg favorite, Le Barricou.
Best brunch dish(es): Merguez & Eggs (with house made spicy lamb sausage), Eggs Benedict
Average wait time: 15 min
Breakfast cocktail: Mimosa -
Roberta’s
Roberta’s
You KNEW Roberta’s would make the list. Brunch is our favorite time to go to there because if you arrive just before noon, it’s typically not a total clusterfuck. In case you’re somehow not familiar, Roberta’s is the iconic restaurant in Bushwick/East Williamsburg that put the neighborhood on the map as an essential foodie destination. Anthony Bourdain is a fan (of course) and the New York Times call Roberta’s “one of the more extraordinary restaurants in the United States.” We agree.
Best brunch dish(es): A Bee Sting pizza to share (tomato, mozzarella, sopressata, honey), Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich with Fingerling Potatoes
Average wait time: 25 min
Breakfast cocktail: Bloody Mary -
Cape House
Cape House
A New England-style clam shack smack dab in the middle of Bushwick/East Williamsburg. The space, situated at a busy intersection, will nonetheless transport you to Cape Cod. The outdoor courtyard has ample seating and is a nice place to spend a weekend morning. The Brunch menu has a couple of breakfast dishes (Bacon and Egg Sandwich) in addition to their seafood baskets.
Best brunch dish(es): Smoked Salmon Sandwich, Haddock and Fries
Average wait time: 20 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: Whale’s Tale Pale Ale -
Carthage Must Be Destroyed; credit: Instagram
Carthage Must Be Destroyed
Tucked away down an alley, hidden from view in East Williamsburg/Bushwick is a gorgeous, pink Australian cafe. As lovely as a Thiebaud painting, the curiously named Carthage Must Be Destroyed, is situated in an old industrial warehouse which has been transformed into an enchanting homage to the color pink. The emphasis is on healthy, organic, breakfast dishes, sandwiches, and salad, all served at long family-style tables.
Best brunch dish(es): The Parmesan Not-So-Scrambled Eggs with French sourdough bread, avocado and fresh greens.
Average wait time: 20 minutes
Breakfast cocktail: A smoothie (the don’t serve alcohol)
Cafe Ghia closes forever on April 30th….