Best breakfast in New York

57 people recommend, 38 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/nyc, r/AskNYC

Opinion is divided, though more people recommend Ess-a-Bagel than warn against it. One fan describes the bagels as chewy and mildly tangy, and another loves the layered, yeasty crust. Ess-a-Bagel has several outlets and most commenters name it without saying which, so this pools opinions across its outlets. A few criticise the egg sandwiches as microwaved, flat or rubbery, and many find the bagels mediocre for the hype, and several call them too doughy, with one saying they barely count as bagels.

Stuyvesant Town

41 people recommend, 12 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many people who weigh in recommend it, and many single out the fish: diners praise the smoked salmon and lox, and a few also like the spreads, such as the horseradish cream cheese. The bagels are the main point of disagreement, as many people call them poor while many others find them decent, and one person says they have improved. Several people describe it as a salmon-focused appetizing shop rather than a bagel shop, so a visit just for bagels may not satisfy.

34 people recommend, 15 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many diners recommend Golden Diner, and many praise the pancakes, a couple describing them as fluffy and a few liking the berry compote. One diner says the egg sandwich stays with them, and the menu mixes diner dishes with Korean and East Asian flavors. Many diners mention long waits, and a few suggest booking ahead to avoid the line. Several diners find the pancakes overly buttery, dense or too syrupy, one prefers them without the compote, and some find the wait hard to justify.

31 people recommend, 10 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/nyc, r/AskNYC

Most people recommend Utopia Bagels, and several call it a favorite, with one diner describing the bagels as nearly perfect. Utopia has outlets in Whitestone, Queens and in Manhattan; the map pins the original in Whitestone, which some diners call the best of them. Reports from the Manhattan shop are split: one diner calls it elite, while another came away disappointed. A few say quality has slipped, a couple call the bagels small, and some find it pricey.

Whitestone

30 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC, r/Brooklyn

Most diners recommend Bagel Pub, and two say its bagels are fresh, with one ranking them among Brooklyn's best. Its cream cheese also gets praise, and one diner calls its breakfast sandwiches the best. One notes the bagels are larger than the classic smaller, denser style. Bagel Pub has several Brooklyn outlets and most commenters name it without saying which; the map pins the one in Park Slope. On the downside, a couple call it mid and one ranks Olde Brooklyn above it.

Brooklyn

27 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who weighed in recommend Clinton St. Baking Co., and many praise the pancakes, with a few naming the blueberry version. One diner calls the banana walnut pancakes their go-to. Not everyone is convinced: two diners found the pancakes underwhelming, one of them noting they were smaller than before, and one found the blueberry pancakes enjoyable yet not quite among their best. Some rank Bubby's above it, and Golden Diner is ranked ahead for its pancakes.

27 people recommend, 13 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/nyc

Overall, more people recommend it than warn against it, and many single out the bialys as the thing to order. Several suggest getting the bialys here and the bagels elsewhere, while one diner finds the bagels light and airy. At the Lower East Side shop, one diner found the bagel underwhelming and the lox pricey. Some people say the current shop has little in common with the original, and several say quality has slipped over time.

LES

24 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/nyc, r/AskNYC

Liberty Bagels is a bagel shop that many people recommend, and one visitor always orders the everything bagel with butter. It also has a Financial District shop, and the map pins the Fifth Avenue one. One diner raves about its pumpernickel everything bagel, while several diners were less impressed, with one calling it overrated and another finding nothing special about it. One commenter calls it okay but finds paying extra for cream cheese pricey, and one diner found the line ridiculous and suggests ordering online for pickup.

21 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who write about Win Son Bakery recommend it, with diners singling out its scallion pancake sandwiches and the fan tuan, and a couple praising the latte. Opinion on the scallion pancake is split: several find it too greasy, while a few others find it reliable or decent. Win Son has a second shop in the East Village, and the map pins the Williamsburg one.

Williamsburg

16 people recommendvia r/Brooklyn, r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Many commenters recommend Bagel Hole, and several say it ranks above other bagel shops. At the Park Slope location, one diner praises the budget-friendly pork roll egg and cheese on a bagel, and another commenter likes the old-school bagels there, calling the shop great though not their top pick. One Park Slope commenter, who has not visited in years, says it was great in the past but is unsure it has held up.

Park Slope

13 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Daily Provisions for breakfast, and several describe the breakfast sandwich as good. A few people highlight the crullers, and one diner says it is hard to go wrong with the menu. Commenters rarely say which Daily Provisions they mean; the map pins the one at Rockefeller Center. One visitor calls it excellent but is not sure it is worth a special trip rather than a stop when nearby. Another finds the kaiser roll has too many poppy seeds, and one visitor finds the cream-cheese croissant version a bit unwieldy to eat.

13 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Frankel's in Greenpoint, and several point to the pastrami egg and cheese. One person says no bagel tops a freshly made one there, and another ranks it among the best nearby. A different person finds the pastrami egg and cheese better than the bagels, while one diner who loves the place would rather have a runny fried egg than the scrambled egg folded into sandwiches.

Greenpoint

12 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/nyc

Best Bagels & Coffee is a bagel shop that most people recommend, and several people rank it at the top of their bagel lists. Diners praise the bagels, with one describing them as large, pillowy and fluffy, while one commenter singles out the toasted cinnamon raisin version. A few people name the 35th Street location, and people say the crowds are justified, with one noting the lines are short. A few people have reservations: one diner says a missing scallion bacon cream cheese would be a dealbreaker, one commenter did not get the appeal and found the egg sandwich unremarkable, and one visitor at 35th Street found it good enough.

35th Street

11 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Several people name Veselka as a breakfast spot, and two diners praise its corned beef hash, with one calling it among the best they have had. One diner also names the buckwheat pancakes as a breakfast pick, and another calls it reliably excellent for breakfast. Caveats: one diner warns against ordering the fried varenyka, one finds the line not worth the wait, and a further diner prefers a different breakfast spot.

11 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/nyc, r/AskNYC

Many people recommend Terrace Bagels, and one visitor calls it the top bagel spot in Brooklyn, perhaps the whole city. Another says the bagels are great, and one diner values the pork roll egg sandwich, which they say few New York spots offer. One visitor recommends going early for a cream cheese bagel. A few diners are less impressed: one says the everything bagel tasted like cardboard, another finds its dough too sweet, and a third mocks it for a spot on a bagel list.

11 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn

Most commenters recommend Shelsky's, and some call it good or great, with a couple calling it underrated. Some commenters doubt it ranks at the top, and one diner calls it pricey and says the everything bagels sell out. One commenter whose workplace gets it for catering finds it poor.

10 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Most diners recommend C&B, and many point to its breakfast sandwiches. Two diners say the sandwiches rank among the best they have had, and two others praise the pastries. One diner says they are hooked on the çilbir. One diner who has not been in some years says it was great before but is a little indulgent.

East Village

10 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

S&P is a place that people recommend for breakfast in New York. A few diners recommend the Lil' Shonda sandwich, and a few point to the pancakes, with one calling them great and another naming S&P among preferred pancake spots.

10 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most people recommend Barney Greengrass, and two praise its latkes and its scrambled eggs with Nova Scotia salmon. Several diners recommend the fish, and two visitors enjoy the old-school atmosphere, though one diner finds the vibes poor and another says the atmosphere is the only draw. Some find the open-faced orders pricey, and one says better lox and bagels are available at other shops nearby.

UWS

9 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Many people recommend Bagel Works on the Upper East Side, and a couple name it specifically for its bagels. One diner describes them as chewy and crisp, generously sized, with plenty of schmear, while another diner singles out the sourdough bagels. Most others simply name it or agree, without describing the food.

Upper East Side

9 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many commenters recommend Thai Diner, and several point to its breakfast and brunch. One diner describes the Thai breakfast sandwich as fresh, herby and savory, with a filling of sausage, egg and cheese inside a thin pancake. Another commenter names its roti sandwich, and one notes the roti BEC is not classic.

Nolita

9 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Breakfast by Salt's Cure and praise its pancakes, which one diner describes as buttery with a crisp outside. A couple of people note they are not the usual fluffy style, and one says that comes down to individual preference. A few people are less convinced: one visitor finds it pricey for something unique but not great, another was not won over, and one more finds the pancakes mushy and pricey.

8 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Several people recommend Broad Nosh, and a couple of diners praise its bagels, including one who calls it a neighborhood go-to and another who says the bagels are never burnt. Broad Nosh has more than one shop and the map pins the Upper West Side one. The cream cheese is also singled out, for its generosity and variety, and one Upper West Side diner orders a French toast bagel with cream cheese. One diner, though, finds the cream cheese can taste a little intense.

UWS

8 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Bagels & Schmear, and several call it their go-to or favorite bagel shop. Several diners order everything bagels, and two mention breakfast sandwiches such as bacon, egg and cheese or egg, cheese and avocado. One person calls it the best and still makes the trip down from uptown.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend Electric Burrito as the answer to a request for a Southern California-style breakfast burrito, and one names a chorizo breakfast burrito that comes with fries. One diner says a single burrito is so filling that they can only finish half. One notes it does not open until late morning, though they consider the burritos legit, and another advises against it. Electric Burrito has shops in the East Village and Chelsea, and the map pins the one on St. Marks Place.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend B&H Dairy in the East Village for breakfast, and one diner describes it as a classic, cozy, budget-friendly spot. One diner praises the omelette, which comes with kasha, a potato pancake and gravy, while another calls the pancakes top-tier in town. One diner finds the food bland, with vegetables that taste frozen and entrees that are only lightly seasoned.

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Several people recommend Santa Fe BK, and several diners rate its burritos very highly, especially the breakfast burritos. Two diners praise the flour tortillas, and one commenter says it satisfied a craving for a breakfast burrito. One diner finds the food bland and another did not like the eggs.

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Most commenters recommend Chez Ma Tante in Greenpoint, and several diners praise its pancakes: one calls them excellent and another calls it the top answer to the pancake question. One diner also liked the sides, including the sausage, and another says a dish here is one of their favorites in the city. Two diners were not won over by the pancakes, with one finding the place awful and the pancakes among the worst and too syrupy, and the other finding them unimpressive.

Greenpoint

7 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Bo's Bagels is a bagel shop where several diners point to the Harlem location. Several people praise the taste, with two diners singling out the zaatar bagel, and one saying the other bagels are excellent too. One diner calls it the best bagel they have had in NYC, but another finds it dependable but pricey, feeling the quality matches the cost.

Harlem

7 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Sadelle's is recommended for breakfast by several people. One diner adores the vibe and says the French toast and blintzes are good. Another praises the fresh bagels and salmon, noting the salmon is sliced extremely thin. One person finds the bagel experience especially nice and describes the food as good.

7 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/Brooklyn, r/AskNYC

Between the Bagel is a bagel shop in Astoria where one diner describes the breakfast sandwiches as Korean-inspired. A few diners recommend the bulgogi egg and cheese, and two diners single out the SMB (Seoul Meets Bagel), with one calling it their favorite bagel sandwich. Diners recommend it overall, and two diners mention versions with kimchi and gochujang mayo.

Astoria

7 people recommendvia r/AskNYC, r/Brooklyn, r/FoodNYC

Overall, most commenters recommend Knickerbocker Bagel, and several call it the top pick or a top contender. One diner who visits the Brooklyn shop says its bagels changed their view of New York bagels, and one commenter calls its pastrami and corned beef the best. The main caveat is timing: one commenter praises weekday visits but says weekends are crowded.

Brooklyn

7 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Little Poland is a restaurant that diners recommend for breakfast. One visitor calls it a classic choice for a hearty, budget-friendly breakfast. Another says the breakfast deal is good and recommends the kasha with mushroom gravy. One diner calls it great and says a plate of eggs, toast, fries and fried kielbasa is perfect, while a further diner ranks it above Veselka.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Several people recommend Shopsin's for breakfast, and one diner picks it for indulgent breakfasts. One diner who brings picky eaters for brunch likes the huge menu of American diner food in interesting combinations, such as mac and cheese pancakes. Another calls its breakfast the most inventive, and another would return if the place were nearer. One diner feels it has slipped from what it once was and is disappointed that favorite dishes, they say, have been dropped, though they still think it's worth going to.

7 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC

Cafe Luluc is a cafe in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and many commenters recommend it, with diners praising its pancakes. Two diners say its pancakes are the best they have had, and one describes them as classic in style, fluffy inside with a slightly crisp exterior. One commenter calls it budget-friendly and notes it takes only cash, and two note weekend brunch is very busy, so a weekday or earlier visit is suggested. Two commenters are less impressed, with one advising skipping it as a decent diner and another finding it lacking in flavor, while a third calls the food amazing yet not classic.

6 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Several people recommend Balthazar, and a few name it as a breakfast choice. One commenter picks its full English for their morning meal, and one diner who had a Christmas brunch here praised the food. A commenter who has never eaten breakfast there says it serves breakfast on weekdays.

6 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Several people name Cafe Mogador as a breakfast pick, and a few say what to order. One diner who lives nearby and goes about once a month recommends the Moroccan eggs with merguez or the halloumi eggs, plus a side of shug. Another diner calls it an institution that isn't too trendy or busy, with good food, and suggests the halloumi eggs with merguez on the side and Moroccan mint tea, adding that the falafel is great too if you like it. Shakshouka also comes up as a pick.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Many people recommend La Bonbonnière, and one diner says its plain, old-school breakfast is their usual choice. That same diner likes the runny omelet with hash browns, another diner praises the pancakes, and one more enjoys the specials, which are written on paper plates and taped over the counter. One commenter notes it takes only cash, while a different commenter thinks it is overhyped. A further diner says another diner serves better food but that the atmosphere here is worth a visit.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Several people recommend Tea & Sympathy for breakfast, and a few people discuss its full English. One diner finds the full English good by American standards and also praises the grocery area stocked with imported UK goods and the scones. A visitor who says they are British calls the full English weak, while another visitor calls the place decent as a fallback.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Most people who weigh in recommend GERTIE. One commenter ranks it as the top bagel and describes its bagel as smaller and chewy, closer to a classic New York style. Another commenter finds it fine for bagels but says the everything bagel and some spreads are overly salty. A third finds it good but still below Bagel Hole.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Several people recommend Ursula, and a few rate its breakfast burrito highly. A longtime regular says the place is still great. Praise centers on the burrito, with little said about other dishes.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC

Several people recommend Radio Bakery, and a couple of diners praise its focaccia sandwiches, including a salmon version with cream cheese and dill. One diner found the French onion croissant rich with caramelized onion yet light from its cheesy filling, and another lists the bakery among good pastry options. Saturday mornings have brought a line, though one diner said it moved quickly.

5 people recommendvia r/FoodNYC

Edith's is a breakfast spot that several diners recommend. One diner recommends the latke bagel sandwich and the malawach, and another calls the Scottsdale breakfast wrap amazing. A diner who lives close by in Williamsburg says they go there to indulge rather than cook breakfast at home, and likes the walk each way.

Williamsburg

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC

Mud Spot is a cafe that people recommend, and several name it as a breakfast pick. One diner says the entrees they have had are solid and praises the chai. A combo deal bundles an entree, orange juice and coffee, but one visitor thinks the combo is not a good deal.