Best of New York City
The best breakfast and brunch in New York City
Start with Katz's Delicatessen in Lower East Side for pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard and pickles, Balthazar in SoHo for eggs Benedict and a croissant and Defonte’s in Red Hook, Brooklyn for italian Stallion hero. Here are all 9, with what to get at each.
- Katz's DelicatessenLower East Side · Pastrami on rye
Get: Pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard and pickles; a knish and a Cel-Ray soda
A century-old deli that's on every first-timer's list, and still worth it for the pastrami.
BalthazarSoHo · French brasserieGet: Eggs Benedict and a croissant
Order: Eggs Benedict and a croissant. Classic SoHo brasserie with mirrors and bustle, known for French onion soup, steak frites and a famous bakery counter.
- Faicco’s Italian SpecialtiesWest Village · Italian deli
Get: Chicken cutlet, mozzarella and pesto hero
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Where is the best breakfast and brunch in New York City?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Katz's Delicatessen (Lower East Side), Balthazar (SoHo) and Defonte’s (Red Hook, Brooklyn). All 9 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Katz's Delicatessen, get pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard and pickles; a knish and a Cel-Ray soda. At Balthazar, get eggs Benedict and a croissant. At Defonte’s, get italian Stallion hero. At Faicco’s Italian Specialties, get chicken cutlet, mozzarella and pesto hero.
Which neighborhood is best for breakfast and brunch in New York City?
Most of these are in Lower East Side. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for New York City: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
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Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.