The 21 Best Places to Eat Brunch Right Now
For everyone’s favorite meal that’s not quite breakfast and not quite lunch, hit these spots around town.
When it comes to brunch, Astoria doesn’t mess around. Since Astoria is famous for having some of the best restaurants in all of New York City, it is no surprise that the brunch options here are stellar! There is really something for everyone from Greek-inspired dishes like baklava pancakes to classics like eggs benedict. And what is brunch without some brunch cocktails? Astoria offers a plethora of bottomless brunches that are sure to get your weekend started off right on a Saturday or provide a much-needed hair of the dog as your weekend comes to a close on Sunday. So, without further ado, here are the 21 best brunches in Astoria.
Ovelia
A 30th Avenue mainstay, Ovelia is the real deal, authentic Greek chic experience. This gorgeous restaurant offers modern and traditional Greek fare. Located in a prime Astoria location, on the corner of 30th Avenue and 34th Street. Their brunch menu features elevated classic brunch items with Mediterranean twists. To start, you must try their homemade tzatziki dip and a salad; the beet salad is excellent and different from other restaurant salad options.
Mains to check out include the eggs Florentine, a crispy spinach pie, poached eggs, served with hollandaise and red potato home fries, the strapatsada, eggs scrambled in their four-hour tomato sauce, also served with red potato home fries, and the Greek breakfast, two eggs, loukaniko, halloumi, fresh tomato, and cucumber, served with seven-grain toast.
34-01 30th Ave. / (718) 721-7217 / www.ovelianyc.com / Yelp: 4
Las Catrinas
Las Catrinas brings the vibes tranquil and earthy relaxed vibes of Tulum, Mexico to Astoria. Located a short walk away from the Broadway N/W stop, Las Catrinas is the ideal spot to hit up any day of the week. Incredible food, delectable cocktails, they have it all. And, with the weather heating up you’re going to want to visit Las Catrinas for their mouthwatering frozen cocktails!
In addition to the great food options offered during the week, Las Catrinas has an out of this world brunch menu, which is also combined with their happy hour (features a 90-minute bottomless brunch option) that is served on weekends. Chef Luis Ramos is serving up Mexican and American brunch dishes with his signature Mexican twist like guavas cheesecake French toast, chilaquiles, bacon egg and cheese and carnitas eggs Benedict with chipotle hollandaise sauce.
Be sure to check out their Instagram to learn more about brunch.
32-02 Broadway / (917) 745-0969 / @lascatrinasnyc
Murphy’s Sports Bar
Calling all sports fans! Brunch on the weekends can be tricky if your favorite sports team is playing, but Murphy’s Sports Bar has you covered. Though they are a proud home for New York sports teams, they are also committed to showcasing sports from across the globe throughout the calendar year. Murphy’s offers the community feel that is unique to Astoria.
Their excellent service and affordable prices make Murphy’s one of the best sports bars, not only in Astoria, but in all of NYC. And lucky for us, they’ve started serving brunch on the weekends! For $25 you can have a two-hour bottomless mimosa and homemade bloody Mary brunch. There is something for everyone on their menu, and as an added bonus, they have ample outdoor seating.
45-01 23rd Ave / (347) 242-3786 / www.murphysbarastoria.com / Yelp: 4
Off the Hook Raw Bar and Grill
Off the Hook Raw Bar and Grill is a neighborhood staple that recently celebrated 10 years of great food and service. The brunch menu is available Sat and Sun from 1 pm – 4 pm and includes happy hour drinks and their famous fresh oysters. Order the House Oysters, served with blackberry oysters from Maine, served over ice with house cocktail sauce, fresh lemon, and black pepper mignonette. Also, their full menu is available Sat and Sun from 1pm – 4pm.
28-08 34th St. / 718- 721-2112 / offthehooknyc.com / Yelp: 4
Ruta Oaxaca
Head down to Ruta Oaxaca for brunch served weekdays from 12-4 pm. Saturday and Sunday brunch starts at 11 am to 4 pm and features bottomless drinks for 90 minutes for $35 with the purchase of an entrée. Their spicy take on scrambled eggs, called eggs Oaxaqueños, comes with salsa verde, melted Chihuahua cheese, black beans, fresh avocado, pickled red onions, and cilantro. For carnivores, add steak to their Ruta Chilaquiles: simmered corn tortillas, salsa verde, fried eggs, queso fresco, avocado, crema, onions, and cilantro.
35-03 Broadway / 929.349.1228 / rutaoaxacamex.com / Yelp: 4.5
Sala Astoria
Sala Astoria offers amazing and authentic Spanish food and culture. Be sure to follow them on Instagram or check their calendar for more information on live flamenco shows. Established in 1999 in Manhattan, Sala’s original location was on the Bowery, then 19th Street in Flatiron in 2004. Now they call Astoria home, and we are so lucky to have them here! If you are all brunched out and looking for a spot that offers menu options other than your traditional eggs, Sala’s got you covered!
Sala serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4 PM. Their menu offers lots of savory selection; we’d recommend the empanadillas, the Sala BLT, and their signature hamburguesa con queso d “Sala.” Or if you are a large group, get the paella, it is a showstopper! Their drinks menu also features sangrias, excellent wines, and classic cocktails.
34-39 31st St. / 929-556-3037 / www.salarestaurants.com / Yelp: 4.6
Lagano
Lagano is a modern Balkan bar and restaurant with a wide variety of cuisine, including Mediterranean and Balkan-style dishes with some American influences. A traditional must-try dish on their brunch menu is the Komplet Lepija, which includes homemade bread stuffed with scrambled eggs and kajmak, veal roasted juice, and feel free to add the prosciutto, sujuk, or salami for an extra couple of bucks. This pairs nicely with the Lagano spritz: prosecco, peach liqueur, blood orange syrup, fresh basil, and soda. There’s also a bottomless brunch add-on for $25 that lasts an hour and a half.
36-03 Ditmars Blvd. / 347- 808-8802 / laganonyc.com / Yelp: 4
La cevicheria by de Mole
Where can I find the best ceviche in NYC? Right here in Astoria! La Cevicheria by de Mole showcases some of Mexico’s best-known seafood dishes. They use herbs and spices imported from Mexico to give their recipes pure regional Mexican flavor. They are the first ceviche bar of its kind in Astoria, and their staple dish, Mole Poblano, takes five days to make!
La Ceveicheria is a fun and colorful restaurant, and each dish is a work of art. Their brunch menu features a bottomless brunch food and drink option for $56, or food only for $45. This deal is offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM. Be sure to make a reservation because space is limited, and note that the last seating is at 2 PM. Be sure to try the sopesitos corn masa topped with pinto beans cochinita pivill (pork) pickled red onions, and the crispy fish chicharrón. All their brunch options are delicious, and since it’s bottomless, you can try lots of different items and decide for yourself which are the best!
42-20 30th Ave. / (718) 777-1655 / demoleatastoria.com / Yelp: 3.9
Café Renis
Café Renis is the perfect neighborhood café where you can enjoy brunch on Sat and Sun from 8 am – 8 pm. Choose from freshly made waffles, French toast, crepes, omelets, and our personal favorite, the avocado on toast. The avocado on toast comes with whole wheat bread, avocado, cherry tomatoes, boiled egg topped with everything bagel seasoning. Sit back and relax in their Instagrammable decor while sipping on bellinis, mimosas, sangrias, and frose.
47-14 30th Ave / 718 – 255-1730 / caferenis.com / Yelp: 4.7
Victory Garden
Victory Garden offers Astorians a European-style outdoor garden for an authentic Mediterranean dining experience. They’ve called Astoria home since 2012 and have one of the best brunch deals in town. Their daily brunch prix-fixe menu is available every day from 10 AM to 4 PM (except Holidays) and is only $14.95! Menu highlights include their Greek Scrambled Eggs Scrambled Eggs, Tsoureki French Toast, and their Mediterranean Omelets. In addition to being an excellent brunch spot, Victory Garden is also perfect if you are looking for a catering venue.
Their beautiful indoor and outdoor event rooms are available all year round for all types of events: weddings, birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, and much more! The prix-fixe brunch menu is available for private events; however, if you’d rather host an evening event, they do also offer a prix-fixe dinner menu as well as cocktail hour and full bar options for private parties. For more info, give them a call or stop by!
21-69 Steinway / Phone: 718.274.2087 / victorysweetshop.com / Yelp 4.1
Bench Flour Bakers
Bench Flour Bakers might just be one of Astoria’s best-kept secrets. A charming little family-run bakery located on 25th Avenue, Bench Flour Bakers is giving quaint small-town vibes here in the heart of New York City’s biggest borough. They offer a seasonal menu that uses organic, fresh, and local produce. Bench Flour always offers freshly baked bread and pastries. Their pastries range from traditional sweets like pains au chocolat to unique takes on classics like their sesame-ginger shitake mushroom and eggplant Danish.
Their brunch menu is out of this world. Since their ingredients are sourced from East coast farmers and purveyors, their specials menu is different every week. Be sure to follow them on Instagram to learn more about their incredible weekly specials. Evergreen items on their menu include the char siu breakfast sandwich, milk bread French toast, bourbon chicken hash, and so many more delectable options. Their space is small, so if you plan on dining in, you may have to wait for a table to open up; however, as the weather warms up, they do have additional outdoor seating.
43-18 25th Ave / benchflournyc.com / Yelp: 4
Ditty Bar
A classic Astoria bar, The Ditty is a welcoming cocktail bar by day and a spirited late-night spot where you can party until they close at 4 am. The Ditty has fantastic old school bar vibes and provides an amazing selection of board games to enjoy while you munch on some of their delicious food and sip on their tasty drinks. Check out their brunch classics like their “Hangover Helper BEC,” a brioche bun with smashed beef patty, bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and a side of potatoes, or perhaps you’re in the mood for pancakes, in which case try “The Stack,” banana pancakes with cinnamon rum syrup and bacon crumbles. Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from noon-4 pm.
35-03 Ditmars Blvd / (347) 617-1747 / www.thedittybar.com / Yelp: 4.5
The Bonnie
One of the hottest spots in all of Astoria is The Bonnie, so be sure to plan ahead and make a reservation. For parties larger than 6, please email [email protected] Their large garden in the back is officially open May through November and has a retractable roof to keep the cold/rain out. For now, it is set up for service but weather-dependent. The Garden tables are communal. Reservations for the garden are closed until May but walk-ins are accepted.
The Bonnie is the perfect spot to bring friends to for brunch (or any meal); it is sure to impress out of towners! Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. For $25, you can make your brunch boozy for 90-minutes with unlimited mimosas, bloody Marys, seasonal sangria, and spaten lagers. Their brunch menu features classics like eggs benedict but also has unique options like their vegan ‘pastrami, egg & cheese.” Everything on their menu is stellar, but the Bonnie happens to have one of the best burgers in Astoria, and lucky for us, it is on their brunch menu. The brunch burger is a dry-aged patty topped with banana peppers, cheese, smoked bacon, a soft-fried egg, on a sesame bun served with tater tots.
29-12 23rd Ave / (718) 274-2105 / www.thebonnie.com / Yelp: 4
Sweet Afton
Sweet Afton has called Astoria home since 2009 and has recently expanded. Their neighbor Seva Indian Cuisine moved around the corner, and Sweet Afton took over the space, building a stunning new bar area that is perfect for private parties. Sweet Afton is special because though they are a trendy destination, they’ve managed to maintain neighborly and welcoming vibes.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Come with a group and share some starters, like their banana bread French toast sticks, or the breakfast nachos. For the main course, you can’t go wrong; every option is delicious. A few favorites include the fried green tomato BLT and the green egg and ham, which is soft scrambled eggs, fine herbs, cured ham, and raclette cheese, served with toasted sourdough. You can also indulge in a bottomless brunch, for $20 per person for 90-minutes, you can sip on your choice of: mimosa, bloody Mary/bloody maria, rosé sangria, brunch punch, Budweiser, or Bitburger Pilsner.
30-09 34th St. / (718) 777-2570 / www.sweetaftonbar.com / Yelp: 4
Château Le Woof
One of NYC’s best dog-friendly brunch spots happens to be right here in Astoria. Female-founded back in 2015, this isn’t your typical dog café. Château Le Woof is a quality café that also happens to allow dogs inside. With a separate play area for the pups to scamper about off-leash, the space is always full of positive vibes and friendly dog lovers. They’re brunch menu is served on weekends from 11 AM to 4 PM. Standout menu items include the butterscotch pancakes served with fresh berries, and the eggs provençal served in a tomato and thyme sauce.
And vegans can delight in a vegan chorizo breakfast burrito using Abbott butcher chorizo or a vegan steak and eggs using chunk food, Vegan steak and their signature tofu scramble! Château Le Woof’s brunch menu also features specialty drinks like their lavender mimosa. And because it would be rude to not also treat your dog to brunch too there is of course a dog brunch menu with lots of healthy treats for your pup.
31-01 Vernon Blvd. / (718) 626-9663 / www.chateaulewoof.com / Yelp: 4.5
The Trestle
Owned by a fourth-generation Astorian family, The Trestle is a bridge and tunnel themed restaurant. They offer a welcoming interior ideal for watching sports, though they also have a great set up outside on 34th Street that is worth checking out now that Spring is upon us, and summer is right around the corner. The Trestle offers a large selection of beer, amazing cocktails, and of course incredible brunch!
With the purchase of an entrée, you can have their $25 bottomless brunch for 90-minutes. You’ll have a choice of Mimosa, Bellini, Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, Founder’s Solid Gold, and Red or White Sangria. Their Huevos Rancheros are a must-try as is the Trestle Stuffed French Toast, which is filled with Nutella, orange marmalade, raspberry jam and topped with fresh cream, berries, and strawberry consommé. Trestle’s brunch menu is extensive so there is something for everyone, an excellent spot to go with a big group, you can sit outside in one of their large booths and enjoy a warm day in Astoria al fresco.
34-02 Broadway / (347) 808-0290 / trestleastoria.com / Yelp: 4.3
The Grand
Why go all the way into Manhattan when we have one of the coolest restaurants right here in the heart of Astoria! The Grand have a killer drinks menu and amazing food options, and live DJs Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8 PM. Brunch is served on the weekends. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, try their Greek salad, have a sweet tooth? Try the bananas foster pancakes, or if you’d like more traditional brunch options, go for the Greek lox pita or the steak and eggs. And you can pair your brunch with an indulgent bacon bloody Mary, an Amita bellini, or a classic mimosa. However, if brunch cocktails aren’t your thing, The Grand has a lot of other cocktail options on their brunch menu too. You also can’t go wrong with a frappe float or the raspberry matcha latte. The Grand is an absolute must-visit.
37-01 30th Ave. / (718) 806-1504 / Yelp: 3.3
Sanfords
A local staple since the 1930s, Sanford’s started as an old-school diner that became upscale while still holding onto its roots. Sanfords also happens to be the home of Queens’ largest whiskey bar, with 700 whiskies/brown spirits, they are in the Whisky Advocate’s top 40 whiskey bars in America and in Bourbon Review’s top 100 whisky bars in America! Brunch is served every day from 10 am to 4 pm with a pre-fixe menu. Try the famous Steak Skillets which comes with skirt steak, onions, peppers, sliced potatoes, gruyere, fresh herbs, and two poached eggs. For your sweet tooth, grab the Nutella s’mores waffles, topped with chocolate, graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and syrup. Make your brunch boozy, for only $10 you can add any two drinks from their boozy brunch menu.
30-13 Broadway / 718.932.9569 / sanfordsnyc.com / Yelp: 4.0
Amylos Taverna
This upscale Greek restaurant has the kind of ambiance you want for the perfect family brunch. Order the Madame Amylos for their twist on the croque monsieur, featuring Greek mac and cheese, ham, bechamel, truffle, and a sunny-side up egg. Another popular item is the avocado toast, with country-style bread, mashed avocado with onion, tomato, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, poached eggs, and crumbled feta cheese.
33-19 Broadway / 718.215.0228 / @amylos_taverna / Yelp: 4.2
Café Turkiye
Café Turkiye proudly offers healthy Turkish-Mediterranean flavors and provides outdoor seating for patrons to enjoy their meals al fresco. The Turkish breakfast includes assorted cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, salami, butter, honey, jam, bread, and egg. An interesting dish is the cilbir, or Turkish benedict, which is poached eggs served on a bed of yogurt with a special herbed sauce. Don’t sleep on these amazing dishes.
37-05 Broadway / 718.777.0200 / café-turkiye.com / Yelp: 4.5
Comfortland
Comfortland does exactly what it sounds like it does: provide great hearty food that’s perfect for brunch. Order the Acapulco Gold, which comes with 2 Eggs, Avocado, hash brown potato, American cheese, chipotle on poppy brioche bun. Then top it off with a rainbow cake milkshake because, why not? Comfortland also serves a great vegan breakfast po’ boy with vegan sausage, tofu scramble, hash browns, and spicy ketchup. Also, be sure to grab one of their homemade donuts as a side.
40-09 30th Ave. / 347.642.9932 / comfortlandnyc.com / Yelp: 4.2
