By Yegide Matthews
Nothing brings young editors together like a weekend brunch. Grab a few friends and pull up a chair at one of these awesome (and affordable!) New York City eateries.
Manhattan
Parlor Steakhouse
1600 Third Avenue
The mood Parlor’s atmosphere is quiet and immaculate, as you would expect of the Upper East Side. They focus on fresh and local ingredients.
What’s good I like to keep things classic and go for steak and eggs.
Drink up The “Bottoms Up Brunch” is just $29 for five drinks.
Mezetto
161 East Houston Street
The mood Surround yourself with great people and an even better staff. Once you become a regular, you’ll notice how much nicer they get.
What’s good If spicy food is your calling, the Spicy Salmon Tartar Benedict at this Mediterranean-inspired space should be your go-to choice.
Drink up Enjoy a bottomless brunch at $17 with not one, but four mimosa flavors: peach, pomegranate, orange, and passion fruit.
Barraca
81 Greenwich Avenue
The mood Cozy up along the brick walls of this Spanish-inspired restaurant. Or if it’s nice outside, enjoy their modest outdoor seating.
What’s good Try the Coca de Kale, which is a kale flatbread with tetilla cheese, eggs, caramelized onions, and chili flakes. Also be sure to try any (or all, we won’t judge!) of Barraca’s seriously delicious tapas.
Drink up 2-hour open sangria bar with a $15 entree
The Crooked Knife
29 East 30th Street
The mood You gotta love a restaurant that has great food and chill vibes.
What’s good The Full Irish is a meat-lovers perfect plate with a side of eggs and toast.
Drink up It costs just $34 for unlimited Bloody Marys or mimosas with entrée.
Calle Ocho
45 West 81st St
The mood Calle Ocho has a casual yet upscale atmosphere, so you can feel fancy without spending a lot of money.
What’s good Go for the Arepa Con Salmon, which is sweet corn arepa, smoky salmon, scrambled eggs, and lemon caper cream.
Drink up 2-hour sangria bar with entrée
Miss Lily’s
132 West Houston Street
The mood Colorful scenery and Caribbean vibes all day long
What’s good As a Jamaican-American, this is my territory. I go for the jerk chicken, with cucumber salad, rice, and peas on the side.
Drink up Get any egg or brunch item and pay an extra $15 for one hour of unlimited One Love Bellini or Hotstepper.
The Hill
416 3rd Ave
The mood The Hill is the ideal place to watch all of your favorite sports teams’ games.
What’s good Breakfast pizza topped with potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheddar jack cheese
Drink up $35 for unlimited mimosas, screw drivers, Bloody Marys, or Bud Light Drafts with an entrée
Lido
2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd
The mood This Italian restaurant is spacious and bright enough to capture that perfect Instagram photo.
What’s good Deliciously warm blueberry pancakes
Drink up Bottomless Mimosas for $14
Brooklyn
Verde on Smith
216 Smith Street
The mood An elegant space with dark wood and brick walls for a well-dressed outing
What’s good You can go for a traditional brunch dish or try something new, like an Italian-style omelet with arugula and robiola cheese.
Drink up Unlimited drinks served until 3pm
Bronx
Havana Cafe
4038 East Tremont Avenue
The mood A charming, exciting, and warm Cuban-inspired eatery
What’s good Go for the vegetarian green and white omelet with double smoked bacon, garden vegetables, black beans crumbled, and goat cheese.
Drink up You’ll want to check out the Sunday-only brunch with unlimited sangrias.
Queens
The Creek and the Cave
10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY
The mood Playtime! Catch a live music performance or head downstairs for some pinball machine action.
What’s good The breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, pico de gallo, cheese and sour cream, and your choice of protein.
Drink up The $2 mimosas are a good place to start.
Yegide Matthews is the founder and Creative Director of Young, Hot & Modern magazine. When not busy with the magazine, she spends much of her time photographing fashion shoots, writing screenplays, and cooking (or eating!) Italian food.
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