Community Corner
Where to Brunch in Brooklyn This Valentine's Day: A Lover's Guide
Ditch a romantic V-Day dinner this year and instead go for brunch in Brooklyn. Here's our list of the top spots across the borough.
Photo courtesy of Beehive Oven Biscuit Cafe
BROOKLYN, NY — This year, Valentine’s Day falls on the week’s most sacred day for brunch: Sunday. So of all years, this is the year to throw your dinner plans to the polar vortex and instead opt for brunch in Brooklyn.
Below, we’ve compiled the borough’s top-rated brunch spots, according to Yelp, and divided them up alphabetically by Patch neighborhood. Happy brunching!
BED-STUY
238 Malcolm X Blvd., between Hancock Street and Jefferson Avenue
French brunch is on the menu here, with croissants and brioche, quiche and foie gras, Hudson Valley duck hash, brioche French toast with a passion fruit foam, and house-made sausage. You can also try the green tea smoked wild Atlantic salmon with dill salt ($16).
299 Greene Ave., between Classon and Franklin avenues
Animal lovers can rejoice at this all-vegan, organic bakery featuring baked goods of all kinds, like muffins, scones, cakes, cookies and brownies — as well as sandwiches featuring tempeh, daiya cheese, seasoned tofu and various sauces. Gluten-free bread is also available. What’s more, Clementine offers biscuits and gravy on Sundays (like this year’s Valentine’s Day), as well as seasonal milkshakes containing ice cream from DF Mavens and Temptations.
1933 Fulton St., between Macdougal and Hull streets
Comfort food abounds at this bread-loving Bed-Stuy bruncherie, which features breakfast sandwiches and wraps with your choice of chipotle or basil mayo, and dishes like chicken and waffles, served all day and drizzled with “mapple” (maple apple) syrup. Visitors can also choose from the black bean quinoa burger, made in-house, a chipotle turkey burger, buttermilk battered chicken tenders and a soup of the day.
197 Patchen Ave., between Hancock and Halsey streets
This streamlined menu offers Haitian-inspired fare featuring codfish and smoked herring, the signature griot sandwich, with roasted and pan-fried pork, pikliz (a Haitian pickled dish with spicy cabbage, carrot and chile), fried plantains and remoulade. Other dishes include a codfish sandwich with tomato and avocado ($8), griot hash with two eggs, roasted and pan-fried pork with potatoes, peppers and onions, for $12, or for the same price the codfish or smoked herring plate with boiled plantains, avocado and two eggs.
Napoleon’s Southern Cuisine & Bakery
1180 Bedford Ave., between Madison Street and Jefferson Avenue
Simple, Southern food dominates the dishes at Napoleon’s, with sandwiches with turkey or beef sausage, salmon cakes or fish, as well as platters with grits, eggs, turkey bacon or beef sausage, and salmon cakes. You can also get fried shrimp, tilapia and whiting fish. Other options offered are pancakes and chicken and waffles, served traditional or red velvet. Sides include white rice and gravy, mac and cheese, peas and rice, collard greens and candied yams. And for dessert, there are treats from red velvet cake and cheese cake, to banana pudding, fruit pies and banana coconut cake.
CARROLL GARDENS
215 Union St., between Clinton and Henry streets
This French-German spot is known for its spätzle and flatbread “tartes flambees,” but also offers brunch with a French twist, like omelettes Alsacienne with bacon creme fraiche and onions, du Dimanche, with smoked salmon, herbs and cream cheese, or la complete, with ham, goat cheese and spinach. Also offered are French onion soup and croque monsieur and madame, as well as standards like pancakes, but filled with bananas, blueberries and nutella.
548 Court St., between Hamilton Avenue and Garnet Street
For a Mexican brunch, La Slowteria offers huevos rancheros and chilaquiles, as well as tacos with your choice of steak, duck, fish, shrimp, veggies, chorizo or chicken, as well as seafood plates like the catrín, a corn truffle seafood tamale ($21) or the botella, beef consomme with bacon and beans ($21). For dessert, you can try a tres leches cake with berries ($8), chocolate flan ($8) or for $4, a Mexican hot chocolate.
524 Court St., between Garnet and Huntington streets
Named after the mile-long tidal strait between Brooklyn and Governors Island, where it was rumored back in the day that tides were so strong they could churn milk into butter, this menu pays homage to buttermilk as an ingredient, with buttermilk-battered fried pork chops served with cheddar waffles, buttermilk biscuits with poached eggs, Benton’s country ham and hollandaise as their eggs huntington, and, of course, buttermilk pancakes. Also on the menu are pecan pie French toast, served with bourbon molasses and toasted pecans, an heirloom bean stew with chile verde, tortilla chips and a fried egg, and a warm lamb and romaine salad, served with roasted cauliflower, fried capers, olive croutons and a soft-boiled egg. They’ve got scrambles, house-made pickles and a banana walnut sticky bun, as well as a few out-of-the-ordinary bloody mary options like the Star of the Sea, with celery and peppercorn-infused vodka, garnished with a freshly-shucked East Coast oyster ($12).
457 Court St., between 4th Place and Luquer Street
The brunch additions of a frittata with prosciutto, potato and red onion, or wild mushroom and pecorino, as well as French toast with Lancaster County syrup mark the menu at this Italian spot, which — rumor has it — used to be an Italian social club back in the day. Choose from house-made pastas like gnocchi with fennel sausage and broccoli rabe, cavatelli with Faiccos hot sausage and browned sage butter, curated sandwiches from eggplant parmigiana, meatball or Sicilian tuna, or classics like pork braciola marinara, and meatballs. Frankies also has quite the Italian soup and sandwich collection.
552 Court St., between Hamilton Avenue and Garnet Street
This Italian spot includes on their menu The Aperture, with pecorino romano toast topped with a poached egg and meatball parmigiana ($12), a crispy prosciutto di parma frittata with cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and arugula, and personal pizzas from prosciutto di parma to nutella and berry, as well as a ricotta and nutella calzone ($9). For sides, you can try Italian favorites like meatballs and sweet or hot Italian sausage. Unlimited 90-minute beverages are also offered, with your choice of bloody marys, mimosas, bellinis, screwdrivers and champagne.
CLINTON HILL
285 Grand Ave., between Clifton Place and Lafayette Avenue
Rather than chicken and waffles, Marietta boasts chicken and toast, with granola-coasted French toast and fried chicken, for $16.50. You can also get brown butter crepes with farmer’s cheese, bourbon caramel and cameo apples, as well as savory options like pork steak and eggs with crispy pork shoulder, sunny eggs and vidalia potatoes, for $19.50. The menu also includes eggs scrambled with ham, pastrami, smoked salmon and kale, and Benedicts with mushrooms, pastrami or smoked salmon.
549 Classon Ave., between Lefferts Place and Fulton Street
Eggs Benedict, French toast, omelettes and sandwiches done your way mark the menu at Alice’s Arbor. Sandwiches can be customized to include an egg, lobster, grilled chicken, pork, avocado, ham, bacon, mixed veggies and jalapeños. Sandwiches also range from a pesto grilled cheese, to The Cubano, with roasted pulled pork, ham, gruyere cheese and pickles, or a banh mi croissant with chicken or pork, carrots, daikon, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro and sriracha.
930 Fulton St., between Waverly and Clinton avenues
A seasonal brunch menu with elevated elements is offered at Tilda, with roasted carrot dip on a cracker, chicken liver mousse with sweet potato, maple and thyme, as well as a beef broth with bone marrow dumpling, a breaded chicken thigh with celery root remoulade, and Welsh rarebit, toast covered with a savory cheese sauce, served with pickled mustard seeds and bitter greens. The cafe also offers pastries including buns and cookies. The coffee menu features a malted milk cappuccino that one Yelp reviewer called “addictive.”
372 Lafayette Ave., between Classon and Grand avenues
If tasty rice bowls and noodles are more your thing than egg scrambles and French toast, The Market is for you. With rice bowls featuring minced pork, grilled eel and stewed pork belly, spicy noodles and pork and chive dumplings, this Asian hotspot that also serves a coffee shop is for the Asian-food-craving brunch eater.
132 Green Ave., between Waverly and Clinton avenues
If your idea of brunch might vary from pasta to quiche to scrambles, you can get your fix at this Italian spot. Diners can enjoy fresh spaghetti, lasagna with bolognese or cannelloni with wilted greens, fontina, bechamel and a nutmeg crumble, or an omelette with butternut squash, cauliflower and smoked mozzarella — or perhaps buttermilk pancakes with berries and a citrus-ricotta cream. Also offered are a montecristo sandwich on challah, a salmon pastrami sandwich and an oxtail burger with pickled jalapeños, sharp cheddar and grilled tomato.
DITMAS PARK/FLATBUSH
1108 Cortelyou Rd., between Westminster and Stratford roads
The frustration from spending way too much money on eggs, bacon and toast is eliminated with this spot, as all the items cost $7-$13, including a $7 housemade granola bowl with banana, golden raisins and honey, an $8 egg sandwich on a ciabatta roll (with the option to add eggplant or bacon for $2) or the most expensive items on the menu, the chicken schnitzel for $13 with a sunnyside egg, watercress, pecorino di fossa cheese and anchovy, or the $13 farm burger on a homemade English muffin with house-cut fries. They’ve got out-of-the-ordinary sides as well, using curry mayo with fries, or toast with goat butter and maple sugar. And what’s brunch without the booze? The Farm also touts great bloody marys, according to 46 reviews, so drink up!
1021 Church Ave., between 10th Street and Stratford Road
For those seeking something more than eggs and bacon (but hey, they have that, too), you can try this well-reviewed Asian-fusion place. They take typical American fare, but add Asian-inspired flair, like crispy scallion potato pancakes with their eggs and potatoes, or panko-breaded chicken tenders with honey mustard ginger sauce. For the specialties, you can go for the popular $6 pangry wings, which come with what is described as a “spicy green sauce,” the $8 Bành Xéo, a rice flour Vietnamese crepe with pork belly, shrimp, bean sprouts and spicy fish sauce, a $10 banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich they offer with smoked pulled pork or confit chicken, pickled carrots and daikon, “pangry” mayo, sriracha and cilantro.
509 Coney Island Ave., between Turner Place and Hinckley Place
Brunch with the Austrians! Werkstatt’s menu boasts either your choice of $12 entrees, or, for $15, entrees INCLUDING (yassssss) coffee and your choice of a mimosa, bloody mary/maria/mezcal, fresh OJ or .3 liters of Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Beer. The entrees include Austrian updates to traditional items, like scrambled eggs, but with spätzle, with or without bacon, scrambled eggs and a salad of tomatoes, cucumber and cabbage. Or you can go for the green eggs and ham with Viennese creamed spinach, rosti potatoes and fried eggs, with or without ham. For those with a mid-morning sweet tooth, they also offer French toast using an apricot-stuffed brioche bun with caramelized bananas, strawberries and candied orange peels. Their a la carte menu also touts Austrian offerings, with tender braised beef goulash with spätzle, housemade bratwurst, chicken schnitzel, and even a giant pretzel with liptauer cheese. And for dessert, they’ve got Palatschinken, or Austrian crepes with either apricot jam or chocolate and hazelnuts, apple strudel and a Linzer torte.
1209 Cortelyou Rd., between Westminster and Argyle roads
For those who want to try Mediterranean in the morning, Mimi’s Hummus offers specialities like aija, a potato herb frittata with labneh, a spiced yogurt, salad and pita, as well as pita sandwiches, kebabs, and shakshuka, a stewed tomato sauce, with sunny side up eggs or braised swiss chard and sheep’s feta ($12) or with spicy lamb sausage and sunny side up eggs ($14). You can also grab pita with hummus, either traditional, mushroom or fava bean, or small plates like labneh or braised beets with moroccan spices, and sides like merguez sausage, sweets like tahini carrot cake with walnuts, a dessert of chocolate balls and pistachio called punchim, or malabi, a milk pudding with cranberry and coconut flakes.
757 Flatbush Ave., between Lenox Road and Woodruff Avenue
The menu lists traditional savory Caribbean fare, like rice and peas served with jerk chicken or braised oxtail, and mango pico de gallo jerk salmon with shaved brussel sprouts, roasted corn and sweet plantain. Their specialties also include coconut-fried chicken, or the classic sweet-and-savory chicken and waffles. They also offer a burger, served with caramelized onions, cheddar and guacamole with house-cut fries.
FORT GREENE
271 Adelphi St., between Willoughby and Dekalb avenues
You can get unlimited mimosas for two hours at this spot, which offers (you guessed it) seafood like oysters, served with red wine mignonette, sriracha cocktail sauce and lemon, $12 for a half dozen and $24 for a full, fish and chips, and shrimp salad, with avocado, grapefruit, watermelon radish, pickled shallots, and creamy citrus dressing, for $13. This spot also offers eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, a burger, in addition to a French toast croissant with a bourbon vanilla custard, maple syrup and fruit salad, for $11.
171 Lafayette Ave., between Adelphi Street and Clermont Avenue
This Mediterranean tavern features eggs served with polenta, lamb, fattoush (a salad of fried pita bread and veggies), eggplant salad, herbed yogurt and grilled pita, and off-kilter options like savory parmesan French toast served with poached eggs, peas and pea shoots, scallions and avgolemono (egg yolk and lemon juice) sauce, for $15, a lamb sandwich with feta and spicy tomato sauce, served with patatas bravas and salad, as well as a chorizo and manchego ‘frico’ sandwich, with scallions, piquillo peppers, parsley, and black olives. For drinks, they offer mimosas with OJ, raspberry, mango or pomegranate, and classic red or white sangria.
47 Willoughby Ave., between Adelphi Street and Clermont Avenue
The food at this coffee shop includes chia pudding, French toast and steel cut oatmeal, as well as eggs included in scrambles, or served over toast, toasts of avocado, baby fig, bananas and peanut butter, around $5.50, and pressed paninis like the 2 Chainz, with turkey, fresh mozzarella, avocado, tomato, red onion and black cherry aioli, and other varieties including pesto, sriracha and garlic aioli, and varied meats, all priced at $12.
773 Fulton St., between Oxford Street and Portland Avenue
Prospect serves a collection of cuisine from sweet to savory, including black bean dip and chicken liver mousse, French toast served using raisin brioche and mascarpone cheese, and a pork rib hash. They also offer a Brandade Benedict, with poached eggs, hake brandade (a whipped, emulsified mix of salted fish and olive oil), brioche and hollandaise ($15). Not only do they serve the typical mimosa and bloody mary, but also an Irish coffee and a local watermelon punch bowl, which serves 4-6 and includes El Dorado 3-year rum, pureed local watermelon, lime juice, mint and sparkling wine. Refreshing!
112 Dekalb Ave.
Offering more than just its namesake, Caffe e Vino does provide a $16.99 brunch special including 1 glass of mimosa, wine, prosecco, or orange juice, but pairs these drinks with Italian choices like uova speciale, an omelette with sweet Italian sausage, and penne brunelleschi, pasta with fresh tomato sauce, eggplant, fresh mozzarella and biscotti.
GREENPOINT
999 Manhattan Ave., between Huron and Green streets
Traditionally sweet brunch items are turned savory at this well-reviewed spot, featuring a buckwheat waffle with veggie or housemade pork sausage ($13) as well as savory French toast, with tomato-braised kale and slow-poached eggs ($13). You can also choose from a fried chicken sandwich, with curried fried chicken thigh, red curry mayo, romaine lettuce and bacon, or a combo plate with eggs, potatoes, and choice of pork belly, bacon, veggie or housemade pork sausage ($12.) Traditional cocktails like Pimm’s cup, mimosas and bloody marys are offered, as well as off-kilter concoctions like the Johnny Jump Up, with whiskey, cider, lemon and cinnamon, and the black walnut frappe, with nocino, an Italian walnut liqueur, espresso and condensed milk. They also tout a wine list with offerings from France, Spain, Portugal and Washington state.
258 Franklin St., between Eagle and Commercial streets
This cafe features sandwiches galore, with breakfast offerings like a smoked salmon sandwich with avocado and spicy beet mayo, as well as lunch sandwiches like one with salami, fresh mozz and tomato, or chicken with mango chutney and arugula. This place also has toasted baguettes with fruit and cheese toppings, and homemade pop tarts.
1073 Manhattan Ave., between Eagle and Dupont streets
Serving much, much more than just lobster, this place is all about seafood, featuring a raw oyster bar, appetizers of clams, fried calamari, chowder, rolls with lobster, crab, clam and salmon, sandwiches with crab cake and mahi mahi, and plates like a lobster shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and sauteed pollock. You can even take advantage of the brunch prix fixe for $24 and choose from a fried oyster scramble, lobster rancheros, daily quiche, spinach goat cheese omelette, lobster benedict or hamburger, all of which are served with coffee and your choice of a mimosa or lobster claw bloody mary.
1154 Manhattan Ave., between Box and Ash streets
This Japanese joint offers daily lunch specials and onigiri, sprouted brown rice wrapped with Nori seaweed and your choice of Umeboshi plum, grilled salmon or salted kelp, and sandwiches like egg salad with organic corn, peas, tomato and spring mixed greens, smoked turkey with wasabi mayo, and sun dried tomato and brie. You can also get salads, black edamame (described as more smoky and sweet compared to the green variety), housemade tofu, and for dessert, homemade mochi ice cream in red bean and green tea flavors, and fresh baked cookies. The menu also includes a wide selection of teas, featuring black, green and herbal varieties from Japan, China and India.
596 Manhattan Ave., between Nassau and Driggs avenues
Not only does this place have an insane pastry list, featuring cakes, tarts, croissants, muffins and breads, it also has a brunch menu featuring omelettes with your choice of ham and cheese, mushrooms, and ratatouille. Also offered are Croque Monsieur, done traditional and vegetarian with roasted cauliflower puree, shiitake mushrooms, gruyere and a sunny side egg, and other menu items include French toast, crepe Suzette, salads and sandwiches.
KENSINGTON
2826 Fort Hamilton Pkwy., between 5th and 4th streets
From corned beef hash and eggs ($12) or chorizo biscuits and gravy ($12), Hamilton’s has savory brunch comfort food with a European twist, like salmon toast with sliced Nordic lox on a toasted baguette with goat cheese, sliced egg and capers, or the Ella Fitzgerald sandwich, with sliced ham, gruyere cheese, grilled chicken, a fried egg, spicy mustard and mayo. They also offer a warm date cake, bread pudding, and homemade biscuits, and use only organic and grass-fed beef and all natural chicken.
416 Church Ave., between 5th and 4th streets
If you like tapas for brunch, this place should be top of your list, with popular items including an olive plate, organic chicken skewers for $17 with with cherry tomato, onions, mushrooms and red peppers over a spring mix salad and a side of mashed potatoes, a roasted eggplant and red pepper panini for $9 with mozzarella and pesto and a side of homemade potato chips, or the 3 ricotta and poblano crostinis, with fresh ricotta, roasted poblano pepper and caramelized onion, for $10.
3021 Fort Hamilton Pkwy., between 3rd and 2nd streets
Israeli-inspired Batata, which means sweet potato in Hebrew, offers herb omelettes, a $10 breakfast plate with eggs, halloumi cheese, Israeli salad, olives and pita, a $6 goat cheese and honey malawach, or a $9 açai bowl with banana and granola. They also offer a variety of smoothies, some with Mediterranean additions like dates and tahini paste, and hot beverages like molasses cinnamon milk.
221 Church Ave., between 2nd and 3rd streets
Multi-ethnic comfort food enlightens this menu with small plates including lumpia, or Filipino-style spring rolls, six for $5.75, piroshki, or fried buns, with a filling of potato ($3) or beef ($4.75), cigar borek, a cigar-shaped pastry filled with potatoes and onions, lightly fried in olive oil, with three per order for $3, and a spicy beet salad tossed in a chili garlic vinegar dressing, for $5. Also offered are a cold salad with chickpeas, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, for $6. For their large plates, they have cinnamon chipotle fried chicken, tofu coconut curry, Filipino-style lemongrass and pineapple grilled chicken thighs served with spicy Java rice and unripened pickled guava, known as atchara, for $13.25. They’ve also got burgers, wraps, salads, a decent beer selection and cocktails featuring sake and soju, a Korean rice liquor.
PARK SLOPE
324 5th Ave., between 4th and 3rd streets
Brunch is classic here, featuring omelettes your way with choices like roasted garlic, homemade sausage, mushrooms, cheddar and pepperjack, or smoked salmon with cream cheese and hollandaise, for $14. You can get pan seared bluefish cakes, a tempura-fried oyster frittata with bacon and Cabot cheddar, as well as biscuits and gravy, quiche, buttermilk pancakes and sourdough French toast.
787 Union St., between 5th and 6th avenues
At Rose Water, you can order a prix fixe brunch deal for $17 with an entree and included beverage like mint lemonade, pear ginger agua fresca or spiced apple cider. The menu offers organic eggs served as a frittata, poached with a striped bass fish cake, or your way with roasted potatoes. For those with a sweet tooth, offerings include Bosc pear crepes, apple buttermilk pancakes and challah French toast. Sandwiches are served with paprika- spiced fries, and, for the vegetarian eater, the menu also includes a goat cheese risotto.
79 5th Ave.
Mediterranean offerings stud a classic menu, with burekas, puffed pastry pockets stuffed with feta and olives, served with eggs, spiced yogurt cheese called labneh, and Israeli salad, and dishes like potato pancakes, chicken shawarma with a mango chutney and green tahini, and lamb shawarma over basmati rice with pickled cucumbers, onions and shredded carrots, with tahini, harissa and pine nuts. You can also order pancakes, challah French toast, classic egg dishes like Benedict and Florentine, and omelettes.
388 5th Ave., between 7th Street and 6th Avenue
Let the name reassure you that food served here is like that served in a Southern backyard, with specialties like the Mississippi queen, served with garlic-cheese grits, sloppy Joe and fried eggs, and the Back to Tennessee, featuring bourbon pulled pork, baked beans, fried eggs and cracklins. The menu also offers flatbreads like the mushroom with onions, truffle oil, fried eggs and potatoes, salmon with dill cream cheese and capers, and a fig and blue cheese option with caramelized onions, ricotta and a balsamic glaze. For dessert, there’s apple cobbler and pecan pie, both $7.
847 Union St., between 6th and 7th avenues
The menu here includes unique takes on classics, like Chai-spiced French toast, a ground beef burger with beetroot and pineapple, and chilled soup with corn, crab, popcorn and chili. Standard egg dishes are also offered, as well as Blue Point oysters with champagne mignonette, pulled pork sliders, and homemade scones with rhubarb jam. For sides, you can choose from unique Yuca tater tots. Cash only.
PROSPECT HEIGHTS
782 Washington Ave., between Sterling and Lincoln places
This diner and soda jerk joint will have you remembering the good ole days with a variety of American fare reminiscent of the 1950s. The menu boasts a variety of burgers, from chili cheese to turkey to vegetarian. Sandwiches include meatloaf, corned beef and meatball parmigiana; breakfast combos are offered like eggs and pancakes and sausage or bacon, and a plethora of pancakes, from traditional to lemon ricotta to pumpkin walnut and harvest, with sweet corn and cranberries, as well as waffles and challah French toast are also listed on their menu. Tom’s also boasts an extensive and tempting dessert selection of creamy rice pudding, strawberries Romanoff and strawberry shortcake. And that’s not even including the milk shakes, egg creams or “famous cherry lime ricky,” a drink that blends pitted cherries, seltzer water, lime juice and sugar.
794 Washington Ave., between Sterling Place and Lincoln Place
This place offers sandwiches and paninis for days! You can order the turks and queso, with pepper jack cheese, oven-roasted turkey and fresh tomato, or a jalapeño popper, with cheddar, cream cheese, fresh cut jalapeños and red bell peppers. Also listed on the menu are tomato soup, salads, and traditional and sweet potato pie bread puddings. Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen also has paninis like the club, with smoked gouda, oven roasted turkey, bacon, spinach and cherry tomatoes, and varieties including pulled pork, jerk chicken, and various salads.
732 Washington Ave., between Prospect Place and Park Place
This cafe offers simple, yet well-reviewed options. You can choose from a bagel, roll, sliced bread or whole wheat wrap and order sandwiches like grilled chicken, curry chicken or spicy tuna salad, a veggie burger, and even a quesadilla or vegan lentil soup. Their daily fresh bagel selection is wide and includes renditions of cream cheese like sundried tomato, scallion and lox, as well as bagels topped with combinations like smoked salmon, tomato and red onion, smoked salmon, hummus and tomato, scrambled eggs, and smoked salmon, with mesclun, tomato, red onion and mayo.
236 Underhill Ave., between Lincoln Place and St. Johns Place
It’s all comfort food brunch standards here, like three eggs with bacon or sausage, home fries and toast, poached eggs over salmon hash with hollandaise. The menu also includes mushroom and Lorraine-style quiche. The sandwiches include mushrooms, tomatoes and mozzarella, or ham and turkey done with various combinations and some surprising options like the Chelsea, with tarragon mustard mayo, roast turkey and cucumber, or the Kenny, a fried tilapia sandwich with tartar sauce.
780 Washington Ave., between Sterling Place and Lincoln Place
This brunch spot mixes elevated fare with Southern staples, from chicken liver mousse with blueberry jam and grain mustard on grilled bread, for $9, and brussel sprout hash for $13, with crisp bacon, potato, onions, red pepper, poached eggs and smoked paprika. Southern classics are also served like shrimp and grits and biscuits and gravy. This spot also crafts classic and unique cocktails, with bases of mezcal, bourbon, tequila, rum and gin, with artfully added liqueurs and bitters.
660 Washington Ave., between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street
All brunch plates are $13 and are served with Intelligentsia coffee, tea, juice or soda, and include standards like an omelette, lox on ciabatta, challah French toast, pancakes, quiche, huevos rancheros, and homemade mac and cheese, as well as cocktails, 2-for-1 if you sit at the bar, including a bloody mary, mimosa or bellini, or unique options like the Mexican 75 with tequila lime juice, simple syrup and champagne, or The Craftsmen with bourbon, pear nectar, lillet blanc, and cardamom bitters.
WILLIAMSBURG
232 Metropolitan Ave., between Bedford and Driggs avenues
As the first and only Australian joint on this list, Sweatshop brings the Aussie spirit to brunch, also known as “brekkie.” The menu includes brekkie biscuit sandwiches, an avocado smash with feta, citrus, and mint on sourdough, with the option of adding a fried egg or bacon, as well as “jaffles,” the Aussie-version of a panini, with options like the donvale, with cheese and the yeast-extract Aussie spread vegemite, as well as options with pesto and mozz, baked beans and cheddar, or scrambled eggs with bacon, cheese and chipotle mayo. Sweatshop also doubles as a coffee shop, serving faves like the esky, a concoction with espresso, milk and vanilla ice cream ($5.75).
149 Broadway, between Driggs Avenue and 6th Street
From cinnamon sugar and caramel doughnuts or rajas tamales with poblano pepper and salsa verde to start, Meadowsweet offers a variety of dishes. American classics are also featured, like a mushroom, truffle and goat cheese omelette, and a waffle with caramelized apples, whipped cream and maple syrup, as well as multi-cultural offerings like huevos rancheros and kimchi with fried eggs. Their brunch cocktails use herbs sourced from their indoor garden, they say, and include their take on a Pimm’s cup, the Meadowsweet Cup, with pear, basil and ginger ale, and the Shibuya Sunshine, with Banks rum, lemon, mint, sugar, sparkling sake and ginger ale.
175 Kent Ave.
Simple and streamlined is the brunch menu at Camlin, with offerings like eggs Benedict and corned beef hash, as well as a cast iron skillet pan cake, served with maple syrup and Nueske’s bacon, and a chopped salad with roasted butternut squash and cauliflower, kale, toasted pumpkin seeds, cranberries and a tarragon-buttermilk vinaigrette. Stumptown coffee is also served.
347 Bedford Ave., between 4th and 3rd streets
If you want a to take the Turkish route for brunch, Abracadabra offers Turkish burritos, with fillings including Turkish pizza, Turkish frittata, the “veganizer” and bacon avocado. Also on the menu are combo plates like the lentil ball and quinoa, or za’atar-marinated tofu, as well as organic eggs served with lavash bread and cilantro hummus. Cold drinks include Turkish ingredients like apricot and mint, and range from strawberry basil lemonade to toasted coconut apple tea. You can also get your smoothie fix with optional add-ins like hemp protein, carob, turmeric, aloe vera and coconut oil. “This name only hints at the magic inside,” said one Yelp reviewer.
182 S. 2nd St., between Driggs Avenue and Roebling Street
It’s all Southern comfort on this brunch menu, with “chicken-fried” steak, served on a bed of mashed potatoes and topped with mushroom gravy, shrimp and grits, and a fish fry of cornmeal-crusted flounder, served with slaw, maque choux fritters (a Cajun dish blending corn, bell pepper and tomato), remoulade, pinto beans and, of course, a biscuit. You can also order biscuit sandwiches, starters like deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes, and sides like grits, fried okra, collard greens and apple raisin slaw.
EAST WILLIAMSBURG
769 Metropolitan Ave., between Humboldt Street and Graham Avenue
For $13 at Harefield, you’ll get your choice of brunch entree, coffee or tea and either a mimosa or bloody mary. The menu includes classics like eggs Benedict, chicken caesar salad and challah French toast, as well as a cajun grilled chicken sandwich topped with caramelized onions and provolone, or a grilled portabello mushroom sandwich with roasted red pepper relish on a roll.
490 Humboldt St., between Richardson and Herbert streets
Meat and cheeses from the Netherlands to Spain are featured, as well as handmade pasta like gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce and lasagna with eggplant or bolognese, and sandwiches like eggs on a baguette with Italian sausage, and one with prosciutto, mozzarella and basil. You can also order classics like chicken and waffles, or try a different spin on French toast with their kebab version, which layers squares of French toast with bananas and berries, all on a stick.
39 Bushwick Ave., between Devoe and Ainslie streets
Latin cuisine from Guatemala is the inspiration at this place, with specialties “de la casa” featuring yuca con camarones, a dish with shrimp tossed in red salsa over garlic yuca mash, or Guatemalan-style chicken stew served with rice and soft corn tortillas with the pollo guisado ($13). You can also order a Guatemalan hot dog, served as chorizo, with avocado mash, steamed cabbage and mustard and chili ketchup. Shrimp ceviche is also listed, as well as dobladas, crispy corn tortillas filled with leek and cabbage and your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp, and topped with guacamole.
197 Meserole St., between Bushwick Avenue and Humboldt Street
This all-vegan joint features soysage in lieu of sausage, tofu and tempeh bacon. There are a variety of tofu scramble options like the tofu benedict with vegan ham and hollandaise on a multigrain English muffin, the all vegan slam with tofu scramble and either veggie or tempeh bacon, and soysage, as well as sweet options like the Belgian waffle and pancakes with toppings like strawberry shortcake and chocolate chips. You can also try their tempeh wings or mac n cheese, all-vegan, of course.
84 Manhattan Ave., between Boerum and McKibbin streets
Asian dishes fill the menu at this bakery and restaurant, with bagels and muffins, pork and shrimp wontons, and shumai soup ($4.75), gyoza, steamed buns, and shumai, as well as kimchi fries. Also listed are open-faced breakfast sandwiches with ingredients like spicy kimchi, hard-boiled egg and sesame seeds, or Maine lobster salad with a kale and carrot slaw. You can also order a vegetarian tofu ham or vegetarian kimchi sandwich, and specials like roast duck, honey-stewed BBQ pork, and pan-seared eel with kimchi and seasoned rice. The menu also lists udon, soba and ramen noodles.
WINDSOR TERRACE
231 Prospect Park West, between Prospect Avenue and 16th Street
From a breakfast gnocchi with a fried egg, bacon, kale, kabocha squash and toasted breadcrumbs, to eggs on toast with artichoke and pecorino, smoked goat cheese and olive tapenade, this place is sure to offer something for everyone. They have chicken wings and grilled cheese, mushroom barley soup, risotto balls and cod croquettes, a lamb burger, and even a panko-crusted shrimp burger served with seaweed salad, Korean pickles and Japanese Kewpie mayo, which is a richer and more flavorful version of American mayo. They also offer charcuterie and cheeses, and mussels, in addition to a solid draft beer list and even a berry hibiscus kombucha on tap.
1235 Prospect Ave., between Vanderbilt Street and Reeve Place
At this French spot, for $15, you can get coffee and a choice of OJ, a mimosa or a bloody mary, and traditional egg options like Benedict, Florentine, or Norwegian with smoked salmon and hollandaise, as well as French toast (or $10 for each entree without the drink pairing). They also offer a quiche du jour ($9), croque-monsieur on toasted brioche for $9, a crabcake sandwich with chipotle mayo, roasted tomato, arugula and red onions and served with fries for $14, or tartare de betterave for $9, with roasted beet, micro arugula, caperberries and truffle oil.
601 Greenwood Ave., between Prospect Avenue and 7th Street
Vegans and omnivores can delight at this place, with classic and vegan options including challah French toast with caramelized bananas and local organic maple syrup, or vegan French toast with sourdough bread, flaxseed and coconut milk, chia, berries, and coconut cream. For the savory smacker, offerings include a breakfast sandwich with eggs and bacon, avocado toast with smoked salmon, on pumpernickel toast with a poached egg, tomato and capers and a mole drizzle, and a tofu scramble with tempeh “bacon” and mixed greens. This place has beef and vegan burgers, a truffled egg salad, a classic BLT and not-so classic TLT, with smoked tempeh, tomato jam, and guacamole. They even have an Asian BBQ pulled pork sandwich, served with kimchi and mung bean sprouts. The Commune also offers home-made pastries like an apricot pecan scone, a spiced cheddar chive biscuit and even a gluten-free apple cheddar scone.
256 Prospect Park West, between Prospect Avenue and Windsor Place
For the boozy bruncher, this place offers an unlimited mimosa, bellini, sangria or house wine for $16.99 including egg classics styled Florentine or Benedict, omelettes, warm goat cheese croquettes, a chicken breast sandwich with mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions and red pepper, or for $10.99 you can get the entrees sans liquor, but with coffee, tea or OJ.
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