This list of best brunch spots in Williamsburg was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
Rest assured, discovering an excellent spot for brunch in Williamsburg won’t be a challenge. The neighborhood is brimming with trendy shops and charming cafes, and the food is second to none. And what better way to catch up with friends or meet with a potential lover than over flapjacks and mimosas!
In this guide we’ll cover the top places to start your mornings in Williamsburg, whether you have company to host or you’d just like to treat yourself to a delicious meal. So without further ado, let’s get into the good stuff and cover the best spots for brunch in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Brunch in Williamsburg
Table of Contents: Williamsburg Brunch Spots
Table of Contents: Where to Grab Brunch in Williamsburg
12 Chairs
Website: 12 Chairs
Address: 342 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Transforming from a quaint cafe to a brunch sensation, 12 Chairs has woven itself into the heart of Williamsburg over the years. Their appeal? They source ingredients from local markets and make every dish to order. Anytime you swing by, you’re in for a delicious, fresh meal that’ll have you coming back.
This Williamsburg brunch joint blends Middle Eastern and Eastern European flavors, regularly introducing new specials. Currently in the spotlight is the Jachnun, a Yemeni pastry featuring overnight-cooked dough, a hard-boiled egg, and tomatoes.
Cafe Colette
Website: Cafe Colette
Address: 79 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Cafe Colette stands as the epitome of a perfect brunch spot. Picture an intimate corner restaurant with a long counter adorned with stools and leather booths, set against black and white checkerboard floors.
Yet, it’s not just the charm that captivates folks. The French toast is notably thick, the fries are perfectly crisp, and the quiche offers a silky-smooth texture — what more could you ask for?
And the allure of Cafe Colette extends beyond its ambiance and delectable fare. The majority of their ingredients are locally sourced, with organic animal products ensuring a dining experience where you can savor your food with the added satisfaction of quality assurance.
Jack’s Wife Freda
Website: Jack’s Wife Freda
Address: 345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010
Jack’s Wife Freda, a favorite on Instagram for its cozy vibes and distinctive green decor, lives up to the hype with some of the best brunch in Williamsburg. The food is delicious, the staff is friendly, and you can’t leave without trying Naom’s Malva Pudding—a divine African sponge cake in caramel pudding.
With a menu inspired by culinary traditions from Johannesburg, Jerusalem, and NYC, Jack’s Wife Freda is able to curate memorable dishes. Notably, the Madame Freda, a sandwich masterpiece featuring duck prosciutto, cheddar béchamel, gruyère, and a poached egg, has become a local favorite.
Reunion
Website: Reunion
Address: 544 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Reunion boasts a small menu, a telltale sign for foodies that each dish is crafted to perfection. While the breakfast selection offers a modest six options, the lunch menu doubles that figure. Middle-Eastern flavors make up the menu and classic dishes like shakshuka and shawarma are guaranteed home-runs. Surprisingly, despite its widespread popularity and recognition for offering the best brunch in Williamsburg it’s still easy to get a table without a reservation (during the week of course, weekends are a zoo).
Egg Shop
Website: Egg Shop
Address: 138 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
With a minimalist and bright ambiance, Egg Shop stands out as a top-notch brunch destination in Williamsburg, ensuring you kickstart your day with the right flavors. Revolutionizing breakfast food diversity, Egg Shop explores a new frontier by incorporating eggs into nearly every menu item.
From classic bacon, egg & cheeses to innovative brisket chilaquiles, the offerings are as diverse as they are delicious. Surprisingly, the star of the show isn’t a yolky dish but the perfectly crispy and dense hash-browns, making them an irresistible and regret-free choice.
Diner
Website: Diner
Address: 85 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Embracing simplicity, Diner crafts classic American breakfast fare within a uniquely inspired setting reminiscent of a train car. As one of the best brunch restaurants in Williamsburg, Diner makes for an ideal spot for a first date. The charming ambiance, inspired by the train car theme, effortlessly breaks the ice, leaving the rest up to you.
With a commitment to only using local, seasonal and sustainable foods, the menu is constantly rotating bringing new dishes to the table. Standouts are the salads and French toast, both offer completely different experiences but are equally as delicious.
Sweetwater
Website: Sweetwater
Address: 105 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Owned by the masterminds behind Bakeri (one of the best bakeries in Brooklyn), Sweetwater is the ideal spot to start your Sunday mornings. The French-American cuisine makes for some of the best brunch in Williamsburg and it should go without saying they have sweets down pat.
The brioche french toast is borderline addicting and the lamb-burger is my guilty pleasure. The restaurant is innovative enough to stand out among so many Williamsburg brunch options, but still full of classics. Although Sweetwater has a warm interior, snagging a table outside is still the way to go. The outdoor seating area is cute and in a greenhouse-like setting so you get protection from any unscheduled rain.
Ainslie
Website: Ainslie
Address: 76 Ainslie St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Full of reclaimed wood, greenery and abounding windows Ainslie is one of the most idyllic settings to enjoy brunch in Williamsburg. But the rustic vibe isn’t the only thing going for it. The pizza joint has a menu full of pies, pastas, salads and egg-dishes that will induce a food-coma in no time.
And if you want to celebrate Ainslie also has a bottomless brunch option, too. With the purchase of an entree you can get bottomless spiked iced teas, bloody marys, or mimosas for $30.
Juliette
Website: Juliette
Address: 135 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Juliette Restaurant showcases an “indoor garden” adorned with plants suspended from the ceiling, creating an atmosphere that will undoubtedly leave you wide eyed and bushy tailed sitting at one of their bistro tables. And in true French fashion, the quality at Juliette is elite.
Juliette embraces a French-inspired menu with a focus on quality and simplicity. Some of the dishes on their menu include classic French onion soup, croque monsieurs, and eggs benedict. The ambiance, coupled with the high-quality cuisine, contributes to Juliette’s reputation as one of the best brunch spots in Williamsburg.
#6. Five Leaves
Website: Five Leaves
Address: 18 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Inspired by the friendly cafes of Australia, Five Leaves was born with the vision of bringing that warm magic to the Big Apple. Successfully creating a welcoming vibe, Five Leaves stands as a beacon for top-tier brunch spots in Williamsburg.
This lively brunch joint adds a vibrant touch to the hipster scene. While the ricotta pancakes and avocado toast are undeniable favorites, the menu offers enough variety to charm even the most discerning taste buds.
Rule of Thirds
Website: Rule of Thirds
Address: 171 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
For a brunch experience that breaks away from the ordinary, Rule of Thirds in Brooklyn has got you covered. In a realm dominated by waffles and eggs, this Japanese restaurant distinguishes itself with a unique approach.
Taking inspiration from Japan’s renowned Izakaya restaurants (which resemble a pub), Rule of Thirds invites folks to settle in with friends for a great meal and engaging conversation. The term “Izakaya,” translating to “stay-drink-place,” perfectly encapsulates the intention of this popular brunch spot.
Their menu showcases traditional plates like the Japanese breakfast set featuring a variety of roasted market fish, along with shareable plates such as tuna & nori. To add an extra twist, Rule of Thirds presents a Japanese Souffle Pancake – a poofy treat that feels like taking a bite out of a cloud, offering a truly unique pancake experience.
Le Crocodile
Website: Le Crocodile
Address: 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Dining at Le Crocodile in Williamsburg is a captivating experience that seamlessly blends culinary artistry with a chic atmosphere. Located inside the Wythe Hotel, the interior is perfectly Parisian.
With a reputation for authenticity and culinary innovation, Le Crocodile’s brunch offerings stand out as a highlight, showcasing a diverse menu that caters to a range of tastes. Expertly poached eggs meet fresh baked goods and pair great with their signature Spritz au Crocodile.
Pies ‘n’ Thighs
Website: Pies ‘n” Thighs
Address: 166 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Pies ‘n’ Thighs might be the most popular Williamsburg brunch destination on this list. With more than 3,000 reviews on Google and 4.5 stars I’ll agree it’s a well deserved score. The corner restaurant is a picturesque brunch restaurant, and the comfort food is just as pretty. Southern classics like biscuits & gravy and chicken & waffles are ready to make your belt earn its keep.
The women owned business opened in 2006 and hasn’t looked back. I would think that the stream of awards will continue the streak. To humbly name a few, Pies ‘n’ Thighs boasts the Best Donut in New York by New York Magazine, Best Fried Chicken in Food & WIne, Best Biscuits in New York by the New York Daily News).
Cafe Mogador
Website: Cafe Mogador
Address: 133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Established in 1983, Cafe Mogador first made its mark in the East Village and later expanded its success to Brooklyn. This mouthwatering brunch destination has become a local favorite, attracting patrons with its charming storefront and ensuring their return with piping hot plates of delectable Moroccan food.
Renowned as one of the best restaurants in Brooklyn, especially for its brunch offerings available until 4 PM on weekends, Cafe Mogador delivers a diverse menu featuring breakfast classics like eggs Benedict and Middle Eastern delights like malawach (Yemeni flatbread with egg, grated tomato, Yemeni hot sauce, & labne).
Cafe Mogador has rightfully earned a spot on everyone’s radar, and securing reservations for one of the best brunch spots in Williamsburg is absolutely essential.
Sunday in Brooklyn
Website: Sunday in Brooklyn
Location: 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Sunday in Brooklyn was founded with the vision of creating a go-to restaurant that draws crowds all day. Their aspiration wasn’t just limited to offering the best cocktails and dinner; they aimed to establish themselves as the purveyors of the best brunch in Williamsburg.
The restaurant exudes an open and bright atmosphere, akin to a welcoming living room where one could happily lounge for hours. In the summer, guests can enjoy the rooftop garden, while in the winter, the homelike ambiance is enhanced by wood-burning ovens in the dining area.
The clear standouts for dishes are the cheddar biscuits smothered in a warm sausage gravy and the hazelnut maple praline pancakes. The perfectly rounded edges make it seem like they came out of a mold.
Did you know? The New York Simply team has written a self-guided food tour of Williamsburg! The guide will take you to 10 unique restaurants that make the neighborhood a pillar of Brooklyn’s food scene, explaining what to order at each and what makes them so special. Visit our Etsy store to download your copy!
Quick recap of the Best Brunch in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- Sunday in Brooklyn
- Cafe Mogador
- Pies ’n’ Thighs
- Le Crocodile
- Rule of Thirds
- Five Leaves
- Juliette
- Ainslie
- Sweetwater
- Diner
- Egg Shop
- Reunion
- Jack’s Wife Freda
- Cafe Colette
- 12 Chairs Cafe
Further Reading for Williamsburg
Bakeries in Williamsburg: 15 Wonderful Bakeries in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Local’s Love)
Best Pizza in Williamsburg: 10 Spots to Grab The Best Pizza Williamsburg Has to Offer
Where to Drink in Williamsburg: 22 Bustling Bars in Williamsburg
Things to Do: 18 Wonderful Things to Do Williamsburg Brooklyn
Further Reading for Brooklyn
Things to Do in Brooklyn: 25 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn (Perfect for First Time Visitors)
Best Pizza in Brooklyn: 12 Best Brooklyn Pizza Spots That’ll Keep You Coming Back!
Where to Find the Best Bagels in Brooklyn: The 10 Best Bagels in Brooklyn (The Local Foodie)
Breweries in Brooklyn: 10 Thirst-Quenching Brooklyn Breweries Guaranteed to Impress
Best Brunch in Williamsburg (Helpful Map)
And there you have it, our list of the best brunch spots in Williamsburg. As always, don’t hesitate to let us know if we missed anything — we love hearing from you.
Cheers!
Leave a Reply