What used to be an unassuming, quiet area is now filled with vibrant energy and hungry people. Make Downtown Brooklyn your newest culinary destination with these top local brunch spots.
If your perfect brunch meal consists of freshly-baked Balthazar baguettes or pulled-pork eggs Benedict, you’ve come to the right place. Myrtle and Gold provides quality, photogenic plates in a rustic interior, fitting right in with the borough’s well-known hipster culture. Come and try their inspired twists on brunch classics, and you’re sure to become a weekend regular.
While you never need an excuse for a boozy brunch, if there ever was one, it’s this: medicinal cocktails. Bijan’s not only offers brunch classics such as eggs and bacon or brunch options with a twist such as saffron semolina pancakes, it offers cocktails with medicinal herbs. So stop by for your weekend brunch and a rejuvenating kick on Sunday morning.
Fittingly named after the god of wine, this bistro and wine bar offers, unsurprisingly, a fantastic wine selection, alongside French classics such as Bénédicte au crabe: a glorious dish of crab cakes, eggs Benedict, and hash browns. So if you’re in the market for a traditional French brunch, come to Bacchus Bistrot a Vins for classics such as the Croque Monsieur and the cornflake-crusted French toast.
Best known for their colossal slices of incredible cheesecake, Junior’s Restaurant is the place to go when you want dessert for breakfast. Each breakfast dish comes with a choice of beverage, and depending on what you get, it also comes with eggs, a slice of tomato, home fries, and grits. Whether you build your own brunch or pick from the chef’s specialities section, Junior’s is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Sometimes, your first meal of the day needs to be hearty and creamy, which is exactly what Forno Rosso is doing with their brunch menu. While their menu is less extensive, each dish is protein-rich and perfectly rustic. From pancetta to steak and good old carbonara, Forno Rosso has a vintage, old-world feel, perfect for digging into a Pizza Bismark or pancetta e uove.
There aren’t too many Afro-Caribbean brunch places to choose from in Brooklyn, which is the perfect reason to pay Amarachi a visit. The brunch menu is split into four sections: drinks, morning essentials, Sunday proper, and redzone munchees. If you’re after a ‘morning essential’ you can find the likes of steak and eggs or chicken and waffles, but most importantly, bottomless mimosas served in a carafe. The menu offers classic brunch options alongside fusion dishes such as the spicy Fisherman Stew.
An oyster bar isn’t the usual go-to spot for brunch, but Grand Army is likely to change that. From oysters to crab legs, shrimp cocktail, or a seafood mix, Grand Army meets all of your needs. Not in the mood for seafood? Try the dandelion greens, summer squash toast, or a charcuterie board.
La Défense has eight different cocktails. Better yet, there’s outdoor seating, so you can enjoy those bellini and ricotta pancakes with a view of Downtown Brooklyn. If you’re feeling luxurious, opt for the pistachio-crusted salmon. The restaurant’s Parisian cafe vibe is sure to complete your lazy weekend morning.
