Pig & Butter is the Lower East Side’s newest destination for brunch. The concept of owner-chef Sherry Grimes’ first NYC brick-and-mortar restaurant is all about breakfast-inspired dishes. Served under a “Black Owned” neon sign in the dining room with classic soul, hip hop, and reggae playing in the background, diners can expect dishes like fried chicken and waffles and more!

At Le Crocodile, chefs Jake Leiber and Aidan O’Neal serve French fare inspired by their favorite haunts in both Paris and NYC—and for their first weekend brunch service of 2021, the restaurant exclusively tells Thrillist that diners can expect the debut of two new seasonal items: oeufs en meurette with red wine, porcini, and bacon; and eggs florentine with spinach and artichoke.

Opened in February, chef Ari Bokovza’s Meditterean-inspired menu at Dagon offers tastes of Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and more, in a stylish dining room adorned with ‘70s vintage wallpaper. For brunch, choose from items like the Jerusalem bagel & cured salmon with za’atar cream cheese; poached egg khachapuri with preserved lemon hollandaise; or challah french toast with baharat granola and whipped yogurt.

The iconic French brasserie from restaurateur Keith McNally has once again opened its doors to offer onsite dining for the first time since the pandemic began. In addition to dinner and lunch service, brunch at Balthazar is also back with the eatery’s classics like eggs benedict; duck confit hash and eggs; belgian waffles; and plenty more.

Located in a landmark building in Mott Haven that was once a piano factory, Charlies Bar & Kitchen (no apostrophe as its named after many famous Charlies), serves new American cuisine with a seasonal menu inspired by ingredients from local farmers markets. At this popular neighborhood eatery, go for brunch classics like pancake stacks; shrimp & grits; eggs benedict; or Charlies steak & eggs with fries and house salad.

After taking over the space of a Greenpoint deli where he was previously a regular, catering chef Edouard Massih opened his Lebanese grocer and deli, Edy’s Grocer, last summer. For an easy brunch that’s ideal for anyone on the go, choose from items like breakfast empanadas made with bacon, egg, and cheese; chocolate tahini overnight oats with date molasses and pistachio; and spicy fig & ricotta man’oushe—all of which are priced at under $10.

At this spot from chef Sam Yoo, nostalgic diner classics with an Asian twist and renditions inspired by its Chinatown neighborhood are served up in a picturesque location below the Manhattan Bridge. Yoo’s talents made Golden Diner a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2020 for Best New Restaurant, and for brunch, choose from signature items like the Chinatown egg and cheese sando; honey butter pancakes; kale and parmesan biscuits and gravy; and homemade granola and yogurt with pumpkin seeds.

At this pandemic-born restaurant, chef James Tracey’s take on brunch checks all the boxes while adding his own Italian specialties to the menu. Dine on classic brunch dishes like omelets, french toast, and frittatas alongside more unconventional brunch appetizers like crispy cauliflower with calabrian chile aioli, meyer lemon, and shishito peppers or steelhead trout crudo.

Well-executed Japanese-Italian mashup dishes are the focus at Kimika, a Nolita restaurant led by executive chef Christine Lau. Bringing over 15 years of industry experience, Lau’s menu has successfully captivated New Yorkers with a delicious approach to an oft-attempted (and oft failed) cuisine hybrid. Brunch options include baked eggs with sweet italian sausage and spicy cabbage; the cotechino katsu and tamago sando with kewpie egg salad; and french toast with matcha mochi and citron syrup.

Wife-and-husband duo Ria and Kevol Graham created a tropical paradise of sorts near the Williamsburg waterfront since opening Kokomo last summer. With a focus on Pan-Caribbean flavors, the spot’s bright energy and vibrant menu items make weekends shine even brighter with a dedicated brunch menu. Go for Koko’s chicken and waffle with housemade syrup and coconut whipped cream; sweet plantain pancakes with tropical fruit; callaloo egg frittata with home fries; and the Jerkmi burger.

Mark’s Off Madison is a culmination of more than 30 years in the NYC food world for Queens-born chef, Mark Strausman. With past experience at legendary eatery, Freds at Barneys New York, and Italian spot, Campagna, Strausman’s first namesake restaurant focuses on quintessential NYC dishes of Italian, Jewish, and European roots made with sophistication. The eatery’s brunch menu can vary on what the chef is cooking up that day, but typical dishes include a bagel benedict with two poached eggs.

Hearty portions, colorful milkshakes, and all-day brunch—this popular neighborhood destination in Astoria has got it all. As Mom’s Kitchen & Bar celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, the restaurant continues to invoke a big appetite for fun with menu items that are treat for diners of all ages. Indulge in mac ‘n’ cheese pancakes; the house favorite chicken and bacon waffles topped with Cholula honey and cheesy sauce; avocado toast with poached eggs, mandarin orange, and pickled red onion.

Pastry chef Eric See’s Crown Heights cafe and bakery, Ursula, has become a Brooklyn favorite known for its New Mexican-inspired menu since opening its doors last September. For many New Yorkers, morning weekend plans now include rushing to the fast-casual eatery before noon to snag a highly-coveted breakfast burrito. Choose from four varieties—chorizo, bacon, scrambled eggs, or vegan pinto beans—all of which are made with hashbrowns and include green and/or red New Mexican chile.

From the team known for East Village staples like Goodnight Sonny and The Wayland, the brunch menu is stacked with breakfast sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes, and more lunchtime options like a hearty burger and fries or tuna melt. This all-day cafe also takes day drinking to a new level.

Since hitting the food scene with its Taiwanese-American offerings in 2016, the popular East Williamsburg corner location of Win Son has since gained a bakery (with signature donuts, desserts, and savory snacks) across the street. Choose from items like big chicken and waffles with pan gravy and a sesame waffle: lu rou fan with minced heritage pork belly and two sunny side up eggs; and sesame noodles with oyster mushrooms, snow pea leaves, and peanuts.

Winner easily won over Park Slope since opening last year with fresh-baked breads, pastries, and a charming friends and family meal that rotates in a different guest chef to curate the menu each week. The low-key cafe’s full coffee bar, egg sandwiches atop housemade english muffins, and sweet confections like cinnamon rolls, croissants, and a variety of scones are available early on, and lunchtime sandwiches and daily soup and salad are among the options into the afternoon.