Green and white table cloths, cottage fries, cheeseburgers, and Bloody Mary's attract a local New York crowd. Cash only. Worth saying again, JG Melon is known for its burgers - start there, then branch out.
Coffee and cuisine made with Australian culinary influence, and fresh local produce. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their Bronte Burger has generated a name for itself, though any dish hits the mark.
Creative French-American fare served in a sleek setting. Also a popular venue for weekend brunches. Try to grab a seat on the backyard patio. Equally as good for a meal among friends as it is for date night.
Lively bistro with a unique, yet not intimidating, menu with a touch of Middle Eastern flair. Locations in Soho, West Village, Williamsburg, and Chelsea. Worth the wait - eat, then stay for drinks.
Brooklyn-based restaurant best known for its brunch menu. Rustic and super casual. Regardless of its brunch and lunch popularity, Rabbithole stays open into the night - so turn up whenever.
12 Chairs started as a small neighborhood café, and has become a New York hot spot. Visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Coming here for group dinners can turn into a party. Enjoy food, drinks, and music - bar hop after.
Cozy restaurant in Fort Greene specializing in Latin American food. The duck confit tacos are a menu highlight, but the brunch offerings are standout too. Visit for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy the rustic greenhouse aesthetic.
Eastern Mediterranean restaurant serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. Visit with friends and share dishes tapas style - from grilled kebabs and shawarma to shakshuka and pitta spreads. Enjoy drinks in the back garden too.
A community-focused café that strives to create nutritious, simple, and delicious food inspired by the Australian coastal lifestyle. Come for a quick breakfast, or stay and work. Locations throughout New York City.
Vegan and vegetarian Mexican cafe serving coffee, colorful dishes, and beautiful cocktails on the corner of McCarren Park.
Organic, nourishing vegetarian foods with vegan and gluten-free options. Packaging is compostable, and the food is cooked on cookware that is free from aluminum and other harmful metals; the cafe is even built with non-toxic materials.
Popular brunch venue but equally appropriate for a morning coffee or evening meal. Using locally-sourced ingredients, Colette's New American dishes take inspiration from world cuisines. Urban jungle meets vintage vibes.
Energetic and lively, diners here feel as if they're in the heart of Mexico instead of Brooklyn, just as head chef and Mexico City native Arturo Leonar intended. Brunch is available weekends and weekdays, so you never have to miss out.
Israeli dishes served in a light-filled setting. The falafel hummus, Yemenite pancakes, and breakfast pita are great starting points for brunch eats. Explore the dinner menu if visiting later. Drinks aplenty - from coffee to cocktails.
Indoor-outdoor barbecue house located in Queens. Unpretentious and hearty eats - from smoked meats to grilled cuts and ample sides. The huge space can easily accommodate large groups. They also sell sauces and seasonings.
All-day eatery with a small but impressive menu - the lunch-menu burger is often put in the discussion of being New York's best. Walk-ins are welcome but make a reservation ahead of time to secure the best indoor and outdoor tables.
Independent fried chicken eatery located within Manhattan's Alphabet City - a second branch exists across the Hudson in Jersey. Boasts a casual vibe. The spicy chicken sandwich comes highly recommended.
Small counter-service sandwich shop. Their frozen coffee has a cult following itself.
Made-to-order dim sum and dumplings since 1920, housed within a vintage parlor. Busiest during lunch hours, but try here any time of day - they offer a good drinks menu too. As the name would suggest, try a premium tea.
Health-oriented American menu with an emphasis on vegetable dishes. Westville is a cozy place with a number of locations throughout New York. Operates using a market-style menu with a constant rotation of 20+ dishes.
Historic Jewish deli, the 'Sturgeon King,' where waiters serve platters of smoked fish and scrambled eggs with lox. The bustling room is unapologetically old-school—Formica counters, famously blunt service, and cash-only on weekends.
Old-school kosher-style deli serving overstuffed pastrami sandwiches on rye bread. The space is small and unassuming; expect to squeeze in for a table.
Spacious seventh-floor Bloomingdale's cafe serving a steady lineup of midday salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Most orders end with a cup of the original recipe frozen yogurt, piled high in thick, tart swirls.
Strictly pork taqueria serving Mexico City-style carnitas cooked nose-to-tail in their own fat. Tacos filled with everything from ribs to snout get dressed at the self-serve salsa bar.
Compact West Village sandwich shop slinging massive prime rib French dips. The heavy sandwiches pack caramelized onions and a side of hot au jus, eaten right out front on the sidewalk before the fresh baguette gets soggy.
Family-run Murray Hill deli turning out massive, densely packed specialty sandwiches on fresh focaccia and ciabatta. The counter moves fast with steady takeout orders, leaving just a handful of open stools at the window bar.
Tiny Chinatown storefront turning global dishes into inventive breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Roast duck on bolo bao and Dominican wraps are made to order, with only a narrow ledge for eating inside.
Lively food hall offering a taste of Spanish fare, with wood-fired paella and churros as highlights. Authentic flavors shine in expertly prepared dishes.
Essex Market counter slinging American smash burgers spiked with northeastern Thai heat. Trays of sticky rice bun burgers and beer-battered fries move straight from the open kitchen to the busy communal tables.
Intimate ramen counter fusing Japanese tradition with New York brunch classics like bacon, egg, and cheese. The handful of seats are reservation-only and must be booked well in advance.
Compact Hell's Kitchen storefront serving traditional Hainanese chicken rice and coffee pork ribs. The 16-seat room runs fast and casual, sending out combo plates of poached and roasted chicken with ginger, chili, and dark soy.
Open kitchen where chefs pull fresh noodles to order for bowls of slow-simmered beef soup. The small space is always bustling, with fast service and a few coveted counter seats right in front of the action.
Neighborhood pizzeria turning out thin, crispy sourdough pies and house pastas like agnolotti. The warm, classy room is a local go-to for date nights and Italian cocktails.
