Where To Find New York's Best Breakfast
It's the most important meal of the day (supposedly), and in the most important city in the world (arguably), why shouldn't we have top-notch breakfasts?
1. The Wayfarer
The Wayfarer is a bi-level American seafood grill, right near Central Park. Perfect for a slow wake-up, the restaurant has cozy banquets, and bright natural lighting. The menu is perfect, for both light and heavy, sweet and savory breakfast lovers. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the avocado toast, served with radishes and a fresh squeeze of citrus that brings out the rich avocado flavor. Larger breakfast plates include ricotta blueberry pancakes, and various egg dishes like omelettes and benedict. On the side, splurge for a plate of turkey bacon, or make it your entire breakfast. The Wayfarer also serves fresh-pressed green and red juices, to start your day with a hugely healthy boost, and also has their own brand of bottled iced coffee, roasted locally in Brooklyn! The cozy dining room is a great place to spend a morning, munching on small bites or going for an all out breakfast bonanza.
2. Cafe Orlin
Known for their hours-long weekend brunch lines on St. Marks, the breakfast at Cafe Orlin totally takes the pancake. Their weekday breakfast special ($9.50, from 9am-4pm), comes with two organic eggs any style, home fries, organic toast, fresh pressed orange juice, and a choice of coffee or espresso beverage. In a city where any one of the aforementioned items can cost $10, this is a great deal! And not only is frugality a selling point, but the food is truly delicious, and the quaint cafe environment is a low-key, charming way to start your morning.
3. Delicatessen
Open at 7:30 a.m for a full-service breakfast, this modern American deli is a great place to start your Soho morning. Breakfast specials are available before 10 a.m, but all-day breakfast constantly serves eggs, smoked salmon, breakfast burritos, and French toast. In the warmer months, sitting outside Delicatessen with a constant refill of coffee is pure heaven.
This classic Lower East Side Jewish deli is the ideal place to pick up your breakfast sandwich on the run. Various types of house-smoked salmon — think pastrami flavored lox — are available with a broad variety of cream cheeses on fresh bagels.
5. Clinton Street Baking Company
Called the best breakfast in all of the city by many, the restaurant is just as notorious for their line. Prepare to put your name in before you're hungry, start the morning with a walk around the neighborhood, and then indulge in their famous fluffy pancakes, in blueberry, banana, or chocolate variations. Egg lovers can also enjoy a slew of omelettes, scrambles, and huevos.
Forget waiting in line for a Cronut (™). For a more traditional French-style breakfast with coffee and a pastry, head to this west Soho bakery where you can get dark French roasts and freshly made croissants. Or go sweeter with the Kouign Aman, and enjoy them leisurely in the back courtyard.
7. Cafeteria
The all-day menu at this Chelsea hotspot helps you curb morning cravings even if you sleep in. The croissant French toast, served with fresh berries and mascarpone may make you think you're still dreaming — it's that good. Biscuits and gravy, spinach Benedict sliders, and the green eggs and ham are also fan favorites.
8. Sarabeth's
With five locations in Manhattan, Sarabeth's is an easy spot to find, and has one of the city's best brunches around, with decadent options like lemon and ricotta pancakes and almond-crusted french toast.
9. Egg
Just a short trip from Manhattan in Williamsburg, Egg brings you to a family-style Carolina breakfast, true to form with farm-fresh ingredients like grits, bacon, and housemade sausage. The biscuits with gravy is one of my favorite comfort dishes in the city — vegetarians can choose mushrooms instead of sausage!
10. Norma's at Le Parker Meridien Hotel
Norma's may be NYC's most indulgent breakfast spot. The decadent dishes truly create a dilemma between choosing sweet or savory, so be sure to eat with guests who are willing to accommodate both. Sweet items include the PB&C Waffle Wich, a chocolate waffle with a peanut butter and toffee crunch filling; Banana-Macadamia Nut Flap with whipped banana brown sugar; and Chocolate Decadence French Toast, which is covered in strawberries, pistachios, and Valrhona chocolate sauce. Savory seekers can enjoy several varieties of eggs Benedict, breakfast dumplings stuffed with scrambled egg, shrimp and mushroom, and a bagel piled high with Nova lox and caviar. You really can't go wrong here! The 102-seat dining room is luxurious and relaxing, and the service is truly friendly and accommodating.