New York
Food

These 13 Restaurants In New York Prove That Brunch Is The Best Meal Of The Day

Published Jun 11, 2016

Written by 

Lea Monroe

We work hard all week so we can play even harder all weekend, oftentimes meaning that our bright and early internal alarm clocks will be on a permanent snooze until Monday. We all know the feeling, the worst one of all, the one where we wake up on the weekend in excitement to grab breakfast at our favorite spot, only to realize breakfast hours are over and our favorite dishes are done being served. But it's alright, because that is why we have our favorite meal of the day...brunch!

Giving you that perfect late morning meal, these 13 restaurants prove exactly why brunch in New York is just the absolute best:

1. The Owl House, Rochester

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Missy W./Yelp
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Miki D./Yelp

Now, while I'm easily won over by a good plate of properly cooked bacon, there's nothing I love more than finding a place that has fantastic chicken & waffles. Wonderful service and consistent flavors will continuously bring you back to The Owl House. Serving brunch from 11AM to 3PM every Saturday and Sunday, you can view the full menu here.

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Location: 75 Marshall Street Rochester, NY 14607

2. Morning Rose Cafe, Bellmore

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One of our favorite spots on this list, this amazing breakfast cafe on Long Island is unforgettable. A menu that will have you publicly drooling, their pancakes are out of this world. Sure, our hearts are immediately drawn towards their Minnie & Mickey Mouse pancakes, but right now their Spring/Summer menu offers some spectacular options. Our suggestion? Try The King Cakes or the Orange Spice pancakes while they're here! To view their amazing Spring/Summer menu, click here.

Location: 317 Bedford Avenue Bellmore, NY 11710

3. Tin Pan Gallery, Sackets Harbor

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Outdoor dining with nearby views of Lake Ontario? Sounds like the perfect brunch spot for summer! So many great towns are overlooked out in this area of New York, leaving wonderful places like the Tin Pan Gallery under everyones radar. Open 7 days a week, pictured above you can see the amazing stuffed french toast!

Location: 110 West Main Street Sackets Harbor, NY 13685

4. Maggie's Krooked Cafe, Tannersville

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A favorite spot for visitors to check out after they've had an adventurous day on one of our nearby mountains, this cafe and juice bar is full off charm. Besides that tree you'll find growing through the ceiling inside of Maggie's, you'll also find her famous pancakes. With quite a few delicious options on the menu, we suggest you try out whatever pancake of the day is being served, you won't regret it! To view the entire menu, click here.

Location: 6000 Main Street Tannersville, NY 12485

5. Nestico’s Too, Syracuse

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Don't be alarmed, that loud rumbling noise you just heard was only the sound of my empty stomach shouting for these incredible waffles. Yum! A delicious spot on our list that's known for drawing in regulars, you can view their full menu here.

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Location: 4105 West Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13219

6. Carriage House Cafe, Ithaca

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Carriage House Cafe/Yelp

Serving brunch from 9AM to 3PM, Tuesday through Sunday, this cafe uses local products to deliver unforgettable dishes to its visitors. Our suggestion? Devour a plate of eggs benedict! To view their brunch menu, click here.


Location: 305 Stewart Avenue Ithaca, NY 14850

7. Hattie's, Saratoga Springs

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Warm weather means you'll often find our upstate residents strolling through the streets of Saratoga Springs, enjoying all there is to do in this beautiful area. So, after a morning at the track or an early day of shopping, where's the perfect place to grab brunch? Hattie's! Well-known for their flavorful food since the late 1930s, this restaurant will make you quickly forget that you're right in Saratoga with its unique and colorful decor! Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM to 2PM. To view Hattie's full menu, click here.

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Location: 45 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

8. John's Tex-Mex, Rochester

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Don't let the vibrant signs for tacos and burritos fool you into thinking this restaurant is only worthy of a lunch or dinner visit. John's Tex-Mex is an incredible place to check out for brunch. Pictured above you can see the brunch empanada's and mashed potatoes with plantains, yum!


Location: 489 South Avenue Rochester, NY 14620

9. Sweet Sue's, Phoenicia

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If you're a native to the Catskills then you surely know how much of a gem Sweet Sue's is and how happy we are to have this brunch location back open. After shutting down in the beginning of last year, our residents were worried that Sweet Sue's may be closed for good. As of just last month this favorite pancake spot is once again back open! With generous size pancakes, visitors could easily share their dish or be guaranteed leftovers.

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Location: 49 Main Street Phoenicia, NY 12464

10. Betty's, Buffalo

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Buffalo is home to so many undeniably delicious restaurants, a New York city that will never leave you feeling hungry. If you're looking for the right restaurant to grab brunch at in these neck of the woods, then Betty's is the place to be. Serving Sunday brunch from 9AM to 2PM, you can view the full menu here.

Location: 370 Virginia Street Buffalo, NY 14201

11. Iron Gate Cafe, Albany

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A favorite spot to visit during the warmer months when you can eat outside, this Capital Region brunch go-to is absolutely worth checking out. Family-owned and operated, the interior of this restaurant is something worth talking about as well. If you decide to eat your scrumptious meal inside, you'll be greeted by colorful walls and a whole lot of Elvis decor! Think you want to try this place out? We suggest getting the Stuffed French Toast, pictured above. To see Iron Gate Cafe's full menu, click here.

Location: 182A Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210

12. Olea, Brooklyn

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Like most restaurants you'll find in our big city, Olea has a charming and unique atmosphere that will quickly win you over. Olea has a first come, first served setup for Saturday and Sunday brunches, generally not giving you a crazy wait time. Serving Mediterranean style food, pictured above you can see one of the most popular dishes visitors love to order, the Turkish Breakfast! To view their full menu, click here.

Location: 171 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238

13. Autumn Cafe, Oneonta

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AUTUMN CAFE

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The small city of Oneonta may not look like it has a ton to offer visitors, but when it comes to places to eat, there are a ton of hidden gems. Open since 1980, Autumn Cafe keeps their menu fresh with new specials you can always find posted on their Facebook. To view their full Sunday Brunch Menu, click here.

Location: 244 Main Street Oneonta, NY 13820

Am I the only one feeling hungry? Share with us where you love to go for brunch in New York.

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Food

The Most Whimsical Restaurant in New York Belongs on Your Bucket List

A place you'll come to visit time and time again, Maureen's Kitchen restaurant is one that undoubtedly belongs on your dining bucket list.

Updated Oct 23, 2024

Written by 

Lea Monroe

In New York, we love stumbling upon a new restaurant we've yet to try. To top it off, it's all the more special once we uncover a great breakfast spot that gives us the perfect start to our day. Right within the beautiful small town of Smithtown, Maureen's Kitchen NY will have you saying, "Holy Cow!" A place you'll come to visit time and time again, this whimsical restaurant undoubtedly belongs on your dining bucket list. After all, it's one of the best Long Island restaurants for breakfast and lunch.

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A family-run business that many of us have been visiting for nearly 30 years since it first opened in 1985, this Suffolk County Gem has a unique theme. As soon as you arrive, you'll notice that this restaurant carries out its cow theme in every charming way imaginable.

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Gail Frederick/Flickr

And you'll also be quick to notice that the playful restaurant wants to make you feel at home in the best ways possible. In fact, it's one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Smithtown that kids and adults alike absolutely love.

Cow enthusiasts who are looking to take a piece of Maureen's home with them can check out the ceramic cows that they have for sale and other merchandise. And from the seats to the mugs, you'll find that most of Maureen's decor is made up of cow-print and rustic charm.

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Only open during the first half of the day starting at 7 a.m., Maureen's fills up quickly (especially on weekends) with loyal customers and returning friendly faces.

So what are some famous dishes that have captured the hearts of those who have eaten here? Let's suggest the decadent Pistachio Pancakes for starters!

Any time of the year, you can find seasonal and holiday dishes added to the menu. For example, if it's around St. Patrick's Day why not kick things off with the unusual green food items on the menu? While green pancakes may not have been what you originally had in mind for breakfast, you won't regret trying this unique breakfast item!

Another dish that wins over the bellies of Maureen's customers? The perfected homemade baked oatmeal! What better way to start off your day than with a dish of scrumptious homemade oatmeal and a glass of warm milk? The baked oatmeal recipe has been in the family for several generations and has long been a favorite to those who have made Maureen's their second home. Served in either a cup or a bowl, I suggest you order a bowl because it's that good!

And if you still haven't been won over yet with these amazing menu items, you'll absolutely love feasting on the Croissant French toast! The Croissant French toast comes in a variety of flavors, like cream cheese and raspberry preserves, which will have your stomach rumbling. Oozing with unforgettable flavors that you'll wish you could eat every morning, these croissants are unlike anything you've ever tasted.

Those who have never been to Maureen's and are looking to try something a bit more classic and simple can try diving into their amazing pancakes that you can top off with treats like Oreos, blueberries, chocolate chips, and more.

While Maureen's is always adding new items to their menu and there are daily specials offered, it's the unforgettable and unique dishes that always keep people coming back for more. Those dining in the restaurant will be able to see their homemade dishes coming to life from behind the bar area where you'll find customers eating at the tabletop taking everything in.

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Who's ready to head out to Suffolk County to enjoy a one-of-a-kind breakfast experience that you'll fall head over heels for?

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The theme of Maureen's Kitchen NY comes from the family's heritage of owning a cow farm up in the town of Callicoon which is one of the region's most beloved restaurants. The restaurant moved to its current location back in 1997 and has continually been drawing in crowds ever since. With friendly service, homemade food, and a whimsical theme that brings a smile to customers' faces, it's hard not to see why people love this place so much. It's truly one of the most whimsical restaurants in NY.

Keep in mind that Maureen's is a cash-only restaurant, so make sure you visit an ATM before you arrive. To view the menus, see additional Maureen's Kitchen photos, and for updates, follow the official Facebook page of Maureen's Kitchen.

Do you have a whimsical restaurant that you love to visit and would love for us to write about it? Tell us all about it when you fill out this nomination form!

For other unique dining experiences, check out this One Quirky Restaurant in New York That's Impossible Not to Love! And if you want to do something fun like a food tour, take a look at the Long Island North Fork Sights, Bites & Flights: Full-Day Tour or the Half-Day Tour, and book a reservation on Viator! These adventures include alcoholic beverages, tea or coffee, and dinner.

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Food

The Unique Restaurant In New York Where Every Order Comes With A Free Plate Of Fried Dough

Published Aug 31, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Going to a restaurant and looking at the menu prices can be a stressful affair these days - everything seems to be going up and up! That's why I'm always on the lookout for a restaurant that provides a little something extra to really make it worth a splurge - and I found exactly that at Da Nico Ristorante. Founded in 1993 but feeling every bit like a century-old Little Italy red sauce joint, this classic Italian restaurant serves up a full menu of pasta, pizza, and Italian signatures in a swanky but casual environment where you'll feel perfectly at home. But there's one big surprise that isn't on the menu - a delicious dessert that comes with every meal completely free of charge! That's enough to make this maybe the most unique Italian restaurant in NYC, and the perfect antidote to a budget pinch. Read on to discover why Da Nico Ristorante belongs on your New York dining bucket list!

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Da Nico Ristorante has been a Little Italy institution for over thirty years, and it's going strong with a few surprises up its sleeve.

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This is the kind of neighborhood joint that caters to both locals and tourists, serving Italian classics but not afraid to experiment a little.

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The pizzas here are top-notch, as you'd expect - about fifteen varieties are available, ranging from a classic Margherita to the spicy Pizza Picante.

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As important as the pizza at any Italian restaurant, the pastas are delicious. We're partial to the pillowy gnocchi with fresh Mozzarella in a marinara sauce.

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For those who have a heartier appetite, a selection of meat and fish entrees are offered - including some impressive specials.

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But don't fill up too much, and don't be too quick to order dessert - there's a plate of fried dough coming your way!

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This take on the classic carnival treat, topped with powdered sugar, is a beloved New York tradition included with every meal - and it's completely free and delicious.

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But okay, now it's time to look at the dessert menu - because the tiramisu here is delicious as well!

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Have you dined at Da Nico Ristorante in Little Italy? Did you enjoy the free fried dough at this unique Italian restaurant in NYC? Let us know in the comments section! You can see the full menu on the Da Nico website, and follow the Da Nico Facebook page for announcements of the latest specials. While you're in the area, make sure to shop at Di Palo's Fine Foods for some of the most authentic Italian goods in the city. If you need a place to stay in the area, PUBLIC is located only a few blocks away and gets high marks as a luxury hotel with two on-site restaurants and some stunning decor.

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