The Best Brunch Spots in the East Village, New York City

Opened by chef and owner Gabrielle Hamilton, this East Village staple is a go to for locals looking for a refreshing and laid back breakfast experience. Prune is a restaurant that has a straightforward vibe and does not easily cater to the requests of the guests. Because of this, if you have serious food allergies and aversions, this may not be the place for you. An all time classic, this restaurant can get busy quickly in the morning. Hamilton, who is an award winning chef, has created a menu unlike many others in the city; it includes soft scrambled eggs on the wet side, huevos rancheros, grilled lamb sausage and more.

Question: Where have all the hip kids gone? Answer: East Village staple, Mudspot. In 2001, Mud Coffee was launched by husband-and-wife team Greg Northrop and Nina Barott, who started selling their own coffee blend out of an orange van, aka the Mudtruck. The Mudtruck is still around, but for customers who’d prefer a seat they can now opt for its stationary sister, Mudspot Café. Here, the drinks are served in handmade mugs. The interior is chilled-out and dimly lit, but it’s the secret garden in the back where the cool kids get their caffeine on. Don’t miss the creamy Mud Mocha. Mudspot also serves American fare (including an all day breakfast), wine and beer.

A long-time staple of the East Village, Veselka is famous for its breakfast specials, no-frills attitude and the fact that they’ve been serving up traditional Ukrainian food for over 50 years. Consistent in its quality, service and ingredients, this restaurant is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One of the few places to cook authentic Ukrainian cuisine, customer favorites include: blintzes served with sour cream and apple sauce, egg and kielbasa on a puffy roll and blueberry pierogi.

An all-American restaurant, Ten Degrees Bistro serves up a mighty fare of traditional brunch options that will satisfy the hungriest of customers. With big portions and a diverse menu it might be a good idea for the table to order some different options and share with one another in order to taste everything. The location is on the smaller side, so getting there on the early side is a good idea. Favorites of regulars are avocado toast, homemade Belgian waffles with your choice of toppings, blueberry buttermilk pancakes and eggs benedict.

Open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, The Wren does not accept reservations, so be sure to get there early to get a seat at this popular spot. An intimate setting with a great view of the street, this elegant menu has a classic feel. Popular items from guests include the potato rosti, the full Irish breakfast, bulgur wheat pancakes and the smashed avocado with a soft boiled egg.

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