It’s no surprise that I truly honed in on my brunch skills last year. When you live in New York, you don’t really have a choice. Brunch is a sport in the big apple, and I went full on ‘put me in coach!’ in 2017. Add ‘bottomless’ to the beginning of it, and you have an entire afternoon planned. Today I’m sharing the best bottomless brunch spots {on a budget} in New York City.
I suppose I should disclose that a majority of these brunch locations are worth a visit, regardless of whether you choose to indulge in bottomless mimosas, bellinis, etc. That being said, if you are looking for a boozy afternoon activity, you’ve come to the right place. I tried to expand my brunch knowledge throughout different ares of the city, but these restaurants are not listed in any particular order.
Ella Kitchen and Bar – UWS
If you plan on visiting the National History Museum, or find yourself on the Upper West Side, Ella is a great option for brunch. They offer a $17.00 add on of bottomless mimosas, bloody marys, and bellinis for 1.5 hours. Most of the items on the brunch menu are between $10.00 – 18.00, so your meal should never cost more than $35 with bottomless included.
One of my favorite aspects of this restaurant though, is the leisurely feel. It’s so casual inside and always packed {which tells you enough to know it’s worth it}. That being said, it didn’t feel too overcrowded when I went for brunch with a friend mine. We were seated right next to the window and felt pretty comfortable.
Weekend Hours: Saturday 9:00 AM – Midnight, Sunday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Address: 249 Columbus Ave., New York, New York {MAP}
How to Get There: Take the 1, 2, or 3 line {red line} uptown to 72nd Street-Broadway station and walk for about 4 minutes.
What to Order: For my gluten-free gals – try the spinach and mushroom omelette with herb goat cheese. I MEANNNN.
Instagram: @ellakitchenbar
Anejo – Hell’s Kitchen
Anejo is a great option for brunch, especially if you are in the mood for decent Mexican food. Mexican food, in general, is hard to come by in New York City. As a Californian, I grew up surrounded by a plethora of delicious, authentic Mexican restaurants. It’s my absolute favorite cuisine. Ah, the things we take for granted…
That being said, Anejo has a great selection of entrees for brunch. While it’s not a bottomless brunch, it does include 3 margaritas, mimosas, sangrias, or bloody marias with an entree, plus you get 1 coffee or tea free. All of this comes to a total of $29.00. While I cannot say it’s worth it to order 3 mimosas, I can speak on behalf of the margaritas. These are some of the strongest in the city and will have a full grown man preeeetty drunk after numero dos.
Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Address: 668 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10036, USA {MAP}
How to Get There: It’s within walking distance of Grand Central Station {6 minutes}, but the closest subway stations are 49th St. Station {N, R, W} and 50th St. Station {1, C, E}.
What to Order: The huevos rancheros is to dieeeeee for.
Instagram: @anejonyc
Piquant – Downtown Brooklyn
If you live in Brooklyn, you cannot miss Piquant. Located in Park Slope, this restaurant offers a ‘modern cuisine of the American southwest’. On weekends, Piquant offers one of the best bottomless brunch deals in the city. For $28.00, you can choose any item off of their prix fixe menu, coffee/tea, and bottomless mimosas and sangria. I usually don’t recommend prix fixe menus for brunch, but Piquant is the exception in this case. They provide the largest portion size out of every bottomless brunch deal I’ve come across. And the food is drool-worthy.
My biggest tip? Get there early – I cannot stress this enough. The place gets very crowded, and it’s a big venue so service can sometimes be lacking if you arrive too late.
Weekend Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM – Midnight, Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM {and yes, brunch is served all day}
Address: 259 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217 {MAP}
How to Get There: Take the 2 or 3 line {red line} to Bergen Street Station and you’ll find Piquant within a block.
What to Order: Another one for the gluten-free peeps – Smoked Salmon Blackstone. Essentially, it’s an eggs benedict, plus salmon, minus the English muffin. In fact, Piquant has their own take on eggs benedict with multiple items on their brunch menu.
Instagram: @piquantnyc
Tre – East Village/LES
Tre was an obvious choice once I realized it ticked all my boxes: affordable, 90 minutes for bottomless, located in the East Village, with an outdoor patio. For $27.95 you can enjoy an entree from the brunch menu and bottomless champagne or mimosas. It’s a very narrow restaurant {very common in New York}, and stealing a spot outside can be difficult. Overall, this Italian style restaurant was a big, fat win. The service is incredible, we never felt rushed, and we even got an entire carafe as a top up when our 90 minutes was nearly up.
Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Address: 173 Ludlow Street, New York, NY 10002 {MAP}
How to Get There: Take the F line {orange line} until you reach 2nd Ave. Station. From there it’s about a 5 minute walk.
What to Order: The menu is a bit limited, but it makes up for it in the quality of the food. Personally, I recommend the frittata. It was unlike any frittata I’ve ever had. The entire thing is served in the shape of a circle, light and fluffy, and includes broccoli rabe, spicy Italian sausage, and parmigiano. I especially enjoyed the fresh greens that come on top of the frittata – always trying to convince myself I’m being healthy.
Instagram: @trenewyork
Hotel Chantelle – East Village/LES
Okay, so technically this is another brunch that can’t be classified as bottomless. Nonetheless, cocktails are only $0.92 each during brunch which is basically free according to New York prices {and better than half the bottomless deals out there}. If you would rather stick with champagne, mimosas are under $5.00. But, the best part about this brunch spot is: the phenomenal atmosphere.
Hotel Chantelle provides an open rooftop feauturing a live jazz band. That’s right, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into another world once you enter the plant filled, white tiled, french-inspired dining room. It’s definitely the most Insta-worthy of the brunch locations on this list. Although with it’s beautiful aesthetic, does come a bit of a higher price point. Regardless, you can still find an entree under $14.00.
Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 92 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, USA {MAP}
How to Get There: Take the F line {orange line} to Delancey St. Station and it’s literally around the corner. Or, take the B or D line {orange line} to Grand St. Station.
What to Order: I haven’t had this personally {gluten free problems}, but I’ve heard so many good things about the stuffed french toast. If this doesn’t make you drool I’m not sure what will: “stuffed brioche, maple-infused mascarpone & ricotta,crusted in frosted flakes, maple syrup”. I meaaaan. It’s a rich entree though, and huge, so prepare yourself accordingly.
Instagram: @hotelchantelle
1749 Wine Bar – Upper East Side
A wine bar? For brunch? I know, I was skeptical at first also. 1749 Wine Bar may have one of the best bottomless deals in the city, and yet it remains off the radar. I found this brunch spot when I met up with one of my closest friends living on the UES. It ended up being one of the booziest brunches I encountered in New York, and for such a reasonable price.
For just under $19.00, you can order one entree off the brunch menu, and drink bottomless mimosas, bellinis, screwdrivers, bloody mary’s, and WINE for 2 hours. That’s correct, they offer the most extensive list of bottomless drinks and allow the longest bottomless time limit. The enormous portion sizes are a plus as well. Oh, did I mention they offer outdoor seating? Seriously, this place can’t be beat.
Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 – 4:00 PM
Address: 1742 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10128 {MAP}
How to Get There: Take the 4 {green line} to 86th St. Lexington Ave. Station or take the Q {yellow line} to 86th St. Station.
What to Order: Honestly, the food wasn’t anything to write home about. I suggest going with the standard eggs and sausage {a safe choice} or the eggs benedict.
Union Bar and Kitchen – West Soho
And finally, my favorite brunch location in all of New York City. I spent my 26th birthday at Union Bar and Kitchen, and continued to return multiple times last year. They have spectacular, proper New York service: always refilling your carafe, and attentive to your every need. The food is also some of the best I’ve had in the city – with ginormous portion sizes.
White tiles line the walls, and huge mirrors line the ceilings, making the entire venue feel very spacious. Music is always on point, and will have the entire place on it’s feet occasionally {when they blast ‘It’s Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy for example}. With all of this being said, the interior still remains extremely classy. Point blank – Union Bar and Kitchen is a trendy brunch spot with tons of young people.
Unfortunately, the price of brunch went up just this past April. When I was living in New York, you could order one brunch menu, plus bottomless for 1.5 hours, and it would only cost you $33.00. I guess UBK caught on to the fact their establishment is a hit and have upped the price to $36.00. Boooooooooo. Regardless, it’s still a great brunch spot and I will most likely return when I visit next year.
Weekend Hours: Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM {yes, I’ve brunched here when it was dark out} Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 300 Spring Street, New York City, NY 10013 {MAP}
How to Get There: Take the 1 {red line} to Canal St. Station and walk for about 5 minutes, or take the C, E {dark blue line} to Spring St. Station.
What to Order: I’ve ordered so many things from the menu, and all of them have been incredible. I usually opt for the eggs benedict {at this point it should come as no surprise}. The breakfast burrito is also great, and huge. And if you’re feeling reaaaal sassy, I suggest adding $4.00 and ordering the Custer’s Last Stack. It’s basically the most bad ass french toast you will ever see. Let’s just copy and paste the description from the menu shall we:
French Toast Sandwich Stacks with Peanut Butter, Caramel & Banana, Nutella & Strawberries Skewered Grilled Breakfast Chorizo Sausage, Layered Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon, Topped with Powdered Sugar & Vermont Maple Syrup
Instagram: @ubknyc
NYC Brunch Tips:
Always Ask for Tap Water {aka New York’s finest} – you will be asked if you want still or sparkling – ask for tap. A lot of places in New York charge you for water if you don’t specify you only want good ol’ water from the spigot {which is perfectly fine to drink by the way}.
Expect to Pay Gratuity – ugh, more often than not I failed to read the fine print and found myself paying 18 – 20% more for my meal than I had anticipated. Keep your eyes open for any hidden fees at the bottom of menus.
Respect Your Fellow Brunch-goers – brunch is one of the most popular activities in New York and everyone wants a table. Do your best to avoid loitering too long after you’ve finished, and allow the next group to take your seats. That being said, never rush a good brunch.
Make a Reservation – this one may seem obvious, but it’s extremely important to reserve a table ahead of time {as in a few days or weeks}. Especially if you are a large group. Most restaurants in New York operate by means of Open Table, so take a look first before calling.
You can also find my Gluten Free Brunch Guide to London, here.
Where is your favorite place to brunch in New York City?
