For those who love lazy weekend mornings lingering over a stack of pancakes and really strong coffee or a fizzy mimosa paired with a pizza dripping in egg yolk, brunch is king. The perfect combination of breakfast and lunch, it’s been refined, refreshed and elevated over the years by restaurateurs across the country who realize the value of catering to diners who like to rise early, or sleep late.
In the Northeast, there are seven that have gotten kudos from local USA Today food writers as “the best.” Whether it’s serving avocado everything, offering a series of imaginative drink flights or going crazy with decadent French toasts, these restaurants are worth waking up for.
Set your alarm for the following.
The Tasty Table | Ossining, New York
Details: 21 Campwoods Road, 914-762-4000, thetastytableny.com
At The Tasty Table, brunch isn’t just a meal — it’s a playground for your senses. You’ll want to see, taste, touch and take photos of everything starting with the cinnamon roll flight, iced coffee creations, whimsical cotton candy mimosa, and trio of Benedicts with either eggs, smoked salmon, or Creole shrimp. Loaded hash browns, a show-stopping martini tree, and brunch pizza round out the creative list of options.
A long time marketer, owner Lisa Ocasio knows exactly how to catch (and keep) your attention. Think playful t-shirts showcasing drink flights — so tempting diners literally point and order — and a steady stream of scroll-stopping Insta moments. She’s always on the hunt for the next big idea, drawing inspiration from other hotspots, staff brainstorms and social media deep dives.
With new and seasonal menu options a constant, every visit feels fun, fresh and indulgent. Plus, the place is big on flexibility so whether you’re gluten-free, health-conscious, or just craving a latte, there’s something with your name on it. Bonus: brunch is offered all day, Wednesday through Sunday. — Jeanne Muchnick, The Journal News/lohud.com
Atlas Eats | Irondequoit, New York
Details: 2185 N. Clinton Ave.; 585-544-1300, atlas-eats.com.
Atlas Eats Kitchen & Bake Shop, owned by Diane and Gerry Brinkman, is a cozy, charming restaurant tucked in a residential neighborhood. By night, it highlights a different cuisine from around the world every two weeks. On Fridays and Saturdays it serves an internationally inspired brunch menu that remains consistent over time. The most buzzed-about staple is its savory whole wheat pancakes laced with kimchi; they are drizzled with spicy dragon sauce and topped with a poached egg. Wash brunch down with coffee, cold brew or a mimosa. You’ll most likely head home with a loaf of bread or a bag of goodies from its in-house bakery. Reservations are not accepted for brunch. — Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
RiverTide Brewing | Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Details: 58B E. Bridge St.,; 267-717-7618; rivertidebrewing.com
RiverTide opened its doors in February, making it the latest newcomer to join Bucks County’s local brewing community. Hoping to put itself on the map, the brewpub came out of the gate strong by pairing its craft beer with a diverse selection of shareables, handhelds, salads and seasonal main plates. Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes. Top off your meal with a specialty drink, like the Fra Diavlo Bloody Mary or a Morning Tide Brunch Cocktail. — Michele Haddon, phillyburbs.com
Egg | Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Details: 510 Rehoboth Ave.; 302-227-3447, eggrehoboth.com
Eat like a president at Egg on Rehoboth Avenue, where Joe and Jill Biden once dined during his term. You’re going to have a tough time choosing what to order. From Sausage Apple Cheddar Balls to Pumpkin Pie Praline French Toast to Eggs Norway (Eggs scrambled with smoked salmon, goat cheese on top of rye toast with fresh fruit), everything is exceptionally good. You’ll also find Croque Madame, bennies, breakfast burritos, shrimp and grits, and much more. — Shannon Marvel McNaught, Delaware News Journal
Blu Pointe | Poughkeepsie, New York
Feel the open air and natural light when you walk in to the vaulted ceilings and accordion floor-to-ceiling window doors that open to the water, while enjoying the lively mood. The brunch buffet, providing “all the food you care to enjoy,” according to their website, has just about everything, from a breakfast station with all the staples to a pasta station featuring penne alla vodka and rigatoni pomodoro. Try made-to-order items such as a traditional eggs Benedict, omelets and pancakes, get a hot entrée such as pan-roasted chicken or Atlantic salmon, or check out the breakfast nook with a waffle station and fried chicken. But the stars might just be the carving station, serving up USDA prime rib and roasted ham, and the raw bar with all the classics. — Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal
Graze Brunch Kitchen | Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
Details: 611 N. Maple Ave.; 201-543-0144, grazehhk.com
Classic brunch dishes are given grownup spins and served in bougie digs at Graze Brunch Kitchen in Ho-Ho-Kus. An elevated breakfast spot known for its upscale takes on decadent comfort food, the two-year-old hangout has a menu loaded with Grand Marnier pancakes, brioche eggs Benedict and more. When we visit the restaurant, we order anything from the truffled scramble roll (like a lobster roll, but with eggs instead of shellfish) to a poached egg-topped harvest bowl (with hen of the woods mushrooms and sweet potato hash). Regulars swear by both of those, as well as the Black Angus steak and eggs, Monte Cristo bites and various seasonal lattes. To discuss the spot without mentioning the salted caramel French toast, however, would nearly be a sin, because with whipped caramel over thick, egg-battered challah bread, the sweet specialty is an absolute must-try. — Kara VanDooijeweert, NorthJersey.com
Terzo | Metuchen, New Jersey
Details: 12 New St.; 732-549-2500, terzonj.com
For more than two decades, Torino 2 on New Street in Metuchen was a classic Italian red sauce restaurant, outfitted with white tablecloths and chicken parm as an offshoot of the original Torino in Warren. But these days, you won’t find a white tablecloth — or a tired dish — at the rebranded Terzo, which, as an ode to Torino 2’s past, translates as “third” in Italian. Co-owner and executive chef Sergio Moutela puts an inventive spin on Italian cuisine on the BYOB restaurant’s everchanging menus, including brunch, which is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. That includes dishes like tiramisu pancakes with maple mascarpone whip; “uova in paradiso” (eggs in paradise) with poached eggs, broccoli rabe pesto, balsamic ketchup, kale chips and toast; and chicken parmesan on Belgian waffles with Calabrian maple drizzle. But don’t wait too long to try anything tantalizing at Terzo. At least one to three items are rotated onto the menu every week, and most of Terzo’s small, focused menu changes every two or three weeks. — Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Best brunch in the Northeast? 7 top spots are worth the drive
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Tracy Schuhmacher, Kara VanDooijeweert, Sarah Griesemer, Nickie Hayes, Shannon Marvel McNaught and Michele Haddon, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
