Weekends are made for relaxing, and there’s no better way to relax than enjoying a sumptuous brunch. New York City, particularly the UWS, is home to some of the best brunch spots on the East Coast. From casual and cozy to elegant and refined, we’ve curated a list of our favorites on the Upper West Side.
7 Best Brunch Spots on the Upper West Side
Bluestone Lane
Address: 417 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024
An Upper West Side newcomer, Bluestone Lane’s menu features healthy, seasonally-inspired dishes using local ingredients. If you like to sleep in, no worries because breakfast is served all day!
Try a breakfast bowl with kale, heirloom tomatoes, feta, avocado, farro, and a poached egg or a soft chili scramble with avocado. If you are searching for something sweet, order Bluestone Lane’s banana bread. Made with HUSK Bakeshop’s gluten-free banana bread, it’s topped with whipped ricotta, fresh berries, chopped pecans, and locally sourced honey.
Community Food & Juice
Address: 2893 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Close to Columbia University, Community Food & Juice offers New American fare using locally sourced, organic ingredients when possible. Their brunch menu is simple but filled with choices, including brioche French toast, pancakes, omelets, and egg sandwiches.
Burgers, salads, and rice bowls are among the savory dishes available. Be sure to save room for Community’s famous butterscotch pudding, topped with house-made peanut brittle.
Fred’s
Address: 476 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024
If your favorite brunch companion has four legs, you’ll want to head over to Fred’s on Amsterdam Avenue. This pup-friendly restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of tasty dishes to choose from.
Starters include Fred’s jumbo wings, crispy brussels sprouts, and Fred’s Neighborhood Nachos. The huevos rancheros, buttermilk pancakes, and cinnamon raisin french toast are crowd favorites. A wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, and pasta dishes are also available.
Related: Discover our favorite fine dining options on the Upper West Side >>
Friedman’s
Address: 35 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10023
Friedman’s original location in Chelsea Market opened in 2009 and has since grown to seven locations throughout New York City. Popular dishes include Nova Benny – their take on eggs benedict, pastrami hash, and lemon ricotta pancakes. A selection of burgers and sandwiches is also on the menu.
Good Enough to Eat
Address: 520 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
Don’t let the cheeky name fool you - Good Enough to Eat serves up some seriously delicious food and has the long lines to prove it. Their brunch menu carries an assortment of traditional breakfast items like pancakes, omelets, waffles, and French toast, as well as a variety of burgers and sandwiches. Finish your meal with something sweet from Good Enough To Eat’s robust dessert menu, which includes pies, cakes, brownies, cookies, and more.
Jacob’s Pickles
Address: 509 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024
Located on the Upper West Side, Jacob’s Pickles enjoys a devoted following from locals and out-of-towners. Their extensive brunch menu is comforting and extravagant, featuring homemade biscuits, buttermilk fried chicken, and pickled veggies.
Starters include poutine, fried green tomatoes, and deviled eggs. In addition to a selection of biscuit sandwiches made with either eggs or fried chicken, mains include pancakes, omelettes, shrimp and bacon grits, and much more. Select a craft cocktail, microbrew, or whiskey from Jacob Pickle’s impressive drink menu to pair with your meal.
Sarabeth’s
Address: 423 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024
Sarabeth’s has been delighting guests with their delicious fare for 30 years. Start your meal with a basket of light and airy popovers – with house-made marmalade, of course – or a skillet cinnamon bun.
Popular mains include lemon ricotta pancakes with blackberries, and buttermilk waffles served with a berry compote. Order Sarabeth’s Quiche – made with onions, ham, potato, gruyere, or the smoked salmon benedict for something more substantial. Enjoy your meal with a Five Flower Mimosa or a classic bellini.
Discover More of the City You Love
If you enjoyed this article, dive into one of our other great reads. Discover fascinating Upper West Side monuments and memorials to explore, and healthy eateries on the Upper West Side.
This blog was originally published in 2022. It was updated in March 2024.