The best brunch in NYC for families

On weekend mornings, a “We love kids!” attitude and a no-reservations policy add up to pleasant chaos. Families embrace the mayhem and flock to this eatery’s two NYC locations for the gourmet brunch spread, which includes eggs benedict ($22), sourdough toast ($4) and more, crafted from scratch using Grandma-approved family recipes. The kids menu features comforting classics like matzo ball soup ($6) and mac and cheese ($5).

This neighborhood “finer diner” is perpetually lively and family-packed: With meals kids will devour like Buttermilk Flapjacks ($10), Granola Belgian Waffles ($11), and Corned Beef Hash ($12), who can say no?

On Saturdays and Sundays from 8am–3pm, banish winter chills with a brunch of hot beverage and traditional baked treats. Grab a Mixed Berry Crepe ($16) drizzled with homemade crème anglaise! To make this dining experience truly authentic for the kids, you can always try Alice's Mad Morning Tea ($34), featuring tea and poached eggs. 

The menu at this Southwestern spot features lots of reasonably-priced brunch dishes, including the Buttermilk Pancakes ($10.95) and Chuckwagon Beef Brisket ($13.95). From the kids' menu, try the Texas Scramble ($6.50 with eggs, potatoes and a biscuit) or the Pulled Pork Sammy ($7) with tangy pulled pork, french fries and carrot sticks. Brunch runs from 10am–4pm Saturdays and Sundays.

With a fairly extensive menu of sandwiches, salads, and egg dishes nearly anyone can be satisfied with a brunch at this Upper East Side locale, but kids with a sweet tooth are really in luck. Barking Dog’s selection of waffles and pancakes with various fruits, berries, chocolate chips, and a la mode. During the warmer months expect your pups to want to sit outside on the sidewalk café portion—they’ll likely spot a few friendly canines waiting patiently for scraps. 

Famed Food Network chef and Chopped judge Marc Murphy owns this restaurant known for its French and Italian cuisine. The Kids’ menu which features a coloring page on the back perfect for artsy time with brunch includes healthy treats like celery and carrot sticks with peanut butter, or favorites like mac and cheese, pigs in a blanket and chicken fingers. All kids’ meals cost $14 and comes with your choice of soft drink, apples & bananas or ice cream.  

Found inside the huge housewares complex ABC Carpet & Home, ABC Kitchen is a prime spot for farm-to-table treats decorated like a country farmhouse you wouldn’t expect to find in NYC’s concrete jungle. ABC Kitchen hosts brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm and kids can sample sweet treats like French toast with caramelized apples ($19) and seasonal glazed doughnuts ($10) or more savory options like spinach, goat cheese and herbs pizza ($17) and veggie burgers ($20).

The decor is enough to keep kids in a happy, sensory-overload daze with its candy-themed glass mosaic, lights that look like wrapped sweets, lollipop door handles and purple seating at this Upper West Side shrine to all things sugar, spice and everything nice. The large menu has savory choices like egg benedicts with lemon spinach ($13) or braised beef short rib ($16) as well as sweeter fare like crepes with salted caramel ice cream ($12) or marshmallow creme and peanut butter ice cream ($13). This spot is also spacious enough to fit the occasional stroller.

A favorite for Upper West Siders and Morningside Heights residents, the delicious comfort foods here will make for happy tummies all around. Though certainly best for egg-lovers with a menu full of savory quiches ($14) and scrambled egg biscuit sandwiches ($14), the potato pancakes, served with caramelized applesauce and sour cream make every weekend feel like a top-notch, homey chanukah celebration. 

Hungry bellies will be satisfied at this decadent restaurant housed in the James Hotel in Soho. Chef David Burke serves up kid-approved creations like pb&j French toast ($16) and almond raspberry pancakes ($15) while parents will enjoy more sophisticated dishes like branzino ($25) and braised short rib and mushroom hash ($17).

Deep in the sleepy Staten Island enclave of Grant City you'll find Alor Café. During brunch, the usually pulsating lounge foregoes the DJ for flat screens playing cartoons. The menu features all the favorites, whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savory, so grab a booth at an arched window and dig into a Grilled Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich ($5), Black Forest Ham Crepe ($10) or Chorizo and Potato Egg Bake ($9).

The promise of a farm-fresh brunch at this comfortable East Village spot will make it easy to get the family out of bed. Get there early to beat the crowds and make sure to take a gander at the pastry case stocked with chocolate-peanut-butter pie, brown Betty, fruit tarts and more on your way to the dining room. The brunch menu keeps the farmer’s hens a-laying, offering all sorts of egg creations—omelettes, scrambles, benedict and florentine included—as well as sandwiches and salads. Kids will eat up griddled options like Carrie Dee's buttermilk apple pancakes ($13), but try the grilled cheese or chicken fingers ($11) served with fresh apple cider from the "Young Farm."

This appealing restaurant chain serves a homestyle breakfast with storybook menu items: Kids can try the Apple-Cinnamon French Toast or Toasted Coconut Waffle (both $19.50) —while parents nosh on the Goldie Lox ($17.50), a plate of scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and cream cheese. Lunch and dinner are equally cozy—try the signature cream of tomato soup or chicken potpie.

This authentic Greek restaurant serves up the tastiest dishes for you and the family—their menu boasts plenty of kid-friendly offerings, including Breakfast Souvlaki ($11.50) with eggs, Greek sausage and fried potato, Buttermilk Pancakes ($14.95) and the Country Cast-Iron Breakfast with three baked eggs, Greek pork sausage and roasted tomato ($17.25) for those truly insatiable tween appetites. 

Keith McNally's popular hangout is as friendly to children as it is to the Lower East Side bar-hop contingent. Staffers stand at the ready to dispense crayons and fold up strollers as you settle in with a Pimm's cup. Brunch consists of solid bistro favorite, including a basket of pastries whipped up at big sister Balthazar.

The kids’ dishes at this standout Carroll Gardens bistro—including a mini version of their famous fried chicken ($12 with a side, beverage and dessert)—are perfectly portioned for little appetites. Alternatively, load 'em up with a stack of Buttermilk Pancakes ($11) or share some Fried Pork Chop and Cheddar Waffles ($17).

Order at the counter of this taqueria, grab a seat and enjoy piquant Mexican dishes like braised Hudson Valley duck tamales with roasted poblano chiles or, for brunch, chilaquiles with sunny-side-up free-range eggs strewn with Amish chicken and cotija cheese. Tots may enjoy the Chilaquiles Con Pollo Y Huevo Frito ($12) with shredded chicken and sunnyside eggs almost as much as the colorful lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) decorations.