A Taste of Luxury: Upper West Side's Brunch Offerings

Luxury and leisure converge into an unforgettable brunch experience on New York City’s Upper West Side. Experience tantalizing aromas, decadent flavors, and other culinary comforts at the best and most beloved brunch spots in the neighborhood. Especially in the summer, when outdoor seating allows you to indulge in a mimosa or two below the verdant greenery lining the Upper West Side streets, brunch becomes a multisensory, luxurious experience. 

From a New York City classic, Sarabeth’s, to elevated Mediterranean cuisine at Dagon, the neighborhood’s brunch offerings are nearly unlimited. At any one of these restaurants, you will be in for an unforgettable brunch. 

Continue reading to explore ten of the best brunch spots on the Upper West Side, including their distance from The Wallace.

Café Luxembourg

(5 min. drive /8 min. walk) 

If you’re a fan of rom-coms, you might recognize Café Luxembourg from the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally. In the thirty-plus years since that scene was filmed, Café Luxembourg has still been going strong, even earning itself a feature in The New Yorker this year. As the name may suggest, the restaurant is a classic French bistro with an American flair; it is known for its tuna burger, oysters, and French onion soup. With dozens of brunch options and beautiful seating, indoor and out, Café Luxembourg gives you the opportunity to dine like the celebrities of the ’80s. 

Sarabeth’s

(2 min. drive / 7 min. walk) 

With four different locations across New York City, Sarabeth’s is a veritable city institution. Known for its brunch staples, including omelettes, waffles, sandwiches, and more, this classic American restaurant is the perfect place to start a weekend morning. Sarabeth’s features a warm atmosphere, caring service, and an upscale, bistro-esque decor; the perfect backdrop for its innovative yet traditional ingredient-first dishes. 

The Smith

(7 min. drive / 16 min. walk) 

Right across the street from the Lincoln Center, the cultural heart of the Upper West Side, The Smith is a bustling American eatery that may give Sarabeth’s a run for its money. It is known for the variety and high quality of its dishes, which take inspiration from all over the world. Though The Smith serves breakfast throughout the week, it is its weekend brunch that shines — a meal where diners can choose from salmon tartare, oysters, cinnamon doughnuts, eggs Benedict, burgers, and much more. 

Nougatine by Jean Georges

(8 min. drive / 20 min. walk) 

More casual than the Michelin-starred Jean Georges, yet still upscale, Nougatine is another brainchild of the famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Lively, elegant, and exciting, Nougatine is known primarily for the quality of its food and atmosphere. It is open for weekday breakfast and Sunday brunch (along with lunch and dinner, of course), so if you are looking for a luxurious start to the day, Nougatine is the way to go. 

Maison Pickle

(4 min. drive / 9 min. walk) 

Joyful yet laid-back, contemporary yet classic, Maison Pickle is the epitome of comfort food. The elevated cousin of Jacob’s Pickles, an Upper West Side institution focused on Southern fare, Maison Pickle takes the same hospitality and pairs it with a little more French je ne sais quoi. Particularly famed for its French Dip, its menu also offers dishes like steak and eggs, Croque Madame, tuna Niçoise salad, steak tartare, and a wide cocktail selection. It’s an upscale, American and continental take on pub food, making it the perfect place for a boozy brunch.  

Miriam

(2 min. drive / 4 min. walk) 

A bright, airy gem of a restaurant on the Upper West Side, Miriam will transport you straight to Tel Aviv with its elevated Israeli cuisine. It is known for its beautifully lit atmosphere and unparalleled brunch, which offers diners everything from shakshuka to a classic Jerusalem breakfast to Challah French toast. Miriam’s dishes are healthy and ingredient-focused — so it’s no wonder Miriam gets so crowded for weekend brunch. If you want to try this unique eatery, make sure to reserve a table in advance. 

Dagon

(6 min. drive / 17 min. walk) 

Another one of the Upper West Side’s favorite Mediterranean-inspired restaurants, Dagon’s rise to fame began during the pandemic and shows no signs of stopping. The interior — and the restaurant’s outdoor seating — are spacious, light, and polished; the food at Dagon is a modern twist on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. Its best offerings include new takes on eggplant, bread, and kebabs, which are known for their incredible flavor profiles. The brunch menu at Dagon changes often, but it is sure to please even the most discerning of diners. 

French Roast

(4 min. drive / 11 min. walk) 

Since 1995, the Parisian-chic French Roast has been filling New Yorkers up with brunch and then sending them on their way. They are known for their all day, every day brunch menu, as well as their quintessentially French dishes, like the Croque Monsieur and French Onion soup; their decor will transport you straight to the Eiffel Tower-adjacent sixteenth arondissement. Brunch options include steak and eggs, avocado tartine, pain au chocolats, and much, much more. Dreaming of a French vacation? Look no further for a tiny taste. 

Bodrum

(4 min. drive / 17 min. walk) 

Embark on a delightful brunch adventure at Bodrum, an Upper West Side gem inspired by the Mediterranean's vibrant flavors. Savor the morning with Bodrum's signature Shakshuka, a tantalizing harmony of flavors dancing in a rich tomato base. Indulge in fluffy pancakes that melt in your mouth or tantalize your taste buds with Turkish omelets, a fusion of savory goodness wrapped in culinary finesse. Elevate your brunch experience with a fusion of flavors that transport you to the sun-soaked shores of Bodrum.

Leyla

(3 min. drive / 8 min. walk) 

Whether it's a lazy Sunday or a spirited Saturday brunch, the inviting atmosphere and mouthwatering aromas at Leyla set the stage for a memorable experience. Brunch at Leyla is a celebration of fusion flavors. Dive into the beloved classics like Lamachun, where the savory goodness of Turkish flatbread dances with aromatic spices. Explore the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside Falafels that bring the essence of the Middle East to your plate. Whether you're a brunch enthusiast or a newcomer to Mediterranean-inspired mornings, Leyla invites you to indulge in a feast that ignites the senses and sparks joy.  

Book your stay on the Upper West Side now with The Wallace.