This new Australian restaurant’s soaring glass windows make its
aesthetics a far cry from its name, yet it maintains an
under-the-radar feeling (for now). Unlike visiting its Downtown
Aussie counterparts such as Two Hands and Bluestone Lane, coming to
Hole in the Wall won’t entail an hour-long wait for an açai bowl.
It’s also a standout in the area, considering that Murray Hill
doesn’t have brunch spots jostling for space like the streets of
Nolita do. With plants trickling down sky-high concrete walls and a
cool industrial vibe, this place is a sure bet for impressing your
friends when you drag them above 30th Street on a Sunday. The
buttery chilli scrambled eggs on sourdough toast, pulled pork
benedict and three-cheese melt on levain from Balthazar make it
completely worth the trek.

A chic take on a classic NYC diner, Golden Diner is brought to
the Lower East Side by Samuel Yoo of the Momofuku group. The menu
is wide-ranging, including diner basics including eggs any style
with fries and toast, and more creative dishes such as the
Chinatown egg-and-cheese sandwich, which is served on a sesame
scallion milk bun with a hashbrown. Unexpected twists on other
American classics also make appearances – try the kale and parmesan
biscuits with gravy or the popular chicken katsu club. One of the
best parts about this spot is that, unlike traditional diners where
you likely have no idea where your food is coming from, Yoo’s menu
features a list of the farms and nearby producers with which it
works.

A cosy brick-lined West Village haven with a terrace that’s
great for people-watching in the summer months, Extra Virgin has
all the makings of the perfect brunch spot without the heaving
queues of Sant Ambroeus (which is, luckily, right next door to
absorb crowds). The menu is loaded with hearty brunch options such
as baked eggs with grilled bread and huevos rancheros with
tortillas, ideal for those looking to offset the one-too-many
drinks enjoyed the previous night. Sweet tooth? Opt for the French
toast with caramelised banana or buttermilk-oatmeal pancakes – the
organic granola with fresh berries and orange-blossom honey is also
divine if you’re in the market for something slightly healthier.
Should your brunch hour be drifting slightly later into the
afternoon, opt for the ahi tuna tartare or the pistachio-crusted
goat cheese salad (one of our favourites on the menu). We’re also
giving you fair warning: you might have a difficult time saying no
to the side of fries served with gorgonzola fondue.

With the feeling of a countryside café, Penelope sits
comfortably on the corner of 30th and Lexington, which essentially
feels just as far from the NYC weekend crowds as Westchester. The
baby-blue awning and interiors are suitably soothing for the
morning after, and you can settle in at a corner table without
worrying about bumping into five people you know. The baked goods
here are to die for, so order the warm buttermilk biscuits or Ms.
P’s cinnamon-and-pecan sticky bun to share as a side before diving
into the main menu. Unlike most other brunch spots, there’s also a
prix fixe menu that includes a dish and either a brunch cocktail
(white peach bellini and soju bloody mary, we’re looking at you) or
bottomless Kobrick coffee and juice. Pro tip: Dover Street Market
is just around the corner, so use the time you didn’t have to spend
queueing up to check out its latest streetwear.

Right on Lafayette Street, Café Select is at the tail end of a
string of brunch spots that seem to have endless wait times all day
long. Despite its hyper-central location, delicious fare and
popularity, there always seems to be a table available when you
stop by here. With fairy lights suspended from the ceiling, this
cosy Swiss-style restaurant sets the scene for a winter meal when
sitting on a terrace is out of the question. For brunch, try one of
the Alpine dishes such as muesli pancakes with macerated berries
and vanilla sweet butter, schnitzel and Norwegian rösti topped with
smoked salmon and fresh dill cream. The brunch cocktails would feel
equally at home in a mountaintop cabin, with the Swiss bloody mary,
Hugo 13 and Crans Montana topping our list.

For such a tiny space, Mudspot has quite an extensive menu.
Tucked away in the East Village, this modest restaurant (which is
slightly more spacious in the summertime thanks to its back patio)
is the weekend home of Downtown 20-somethings who are fed up of the
packed SoHo brunch spots – and the concept of brunch in general –
and just want a decently affordable meal within steps of their
Avenue A apartment. There are loads of eggs-any-way options, as
well as breakfast burritos with cowboy chipotle sauce and
jalapeño-egg sandwiches on five-grain toast. If you’re here later
in the day, opt for the ‘big soup’ with a grilled cheese sandwich,
and settle down for a catchup with your pals.

Il Buco Alimentari is a NoHo staple in which it’s easy to drop
in without having to worry about a reservation. This sister
restaurant to nearby Il Buco is a great last-minute option thanks
to its long, communal-style tables that invite large groups to
swoop in on short notice. It serves a fabulous Italian brunch with
menu items such eggs al forno on focaccia and torta pasqualina with
Tuscan kale and parmigiano. In addition to making you feel as if
you’re in a nonna’s kitchen (which makes nursing a hangover far
more manageable), the restaurant is committed to sustainability and
makes all of its bread and salumi in house.