The 12 best restaurants for Mother’s Day brunch in NYC

What is it? Sawa is serving up satisfying, surprising Lebanese cuisine on the not-so-sleepy stretch of Park Slope’s 5th Avenue. This Mother’s Day, they’re offering up a spread that includes bone-in lamb rib shawarma, crispy and creamy chickpea fatteh and sweet-and-savory chocolate tahini manousheh. 

Why we love it: This is a meal made to enjoy family style, with a casual atmosphere and plenty of plates to share. Sawa means “together” in Arabic, representing the Mother’s-Day-themed idea that food and family are interconnected. 

Time Out Tip: With an affordably priced a la carte menu, don’t be afraid to overorder—you’re going to want to try a little bit of everything. 

Address: 75 5th Avenue, Brooklyn

Hours: 10:45am-2:30pm

Pricing: Plates start at $8; reservations can be made here. 

What is it? The Southeast Asian menu at The Tyger is usually only available for dinner, so this is your opportunity to give Mom a taste of the nightlife at 11am. It’s brought to you by the folks behind Chinese Tuxedo and Soso’s, so you know they’re gonna turn the early party—expect brunch dishes like spicy Laotian sausage and a chicken sandwich with Taiwanese fried chicken and a sunnyside egg along with their full a la carte menu. 

Why we love it: Every mom gets a complimentary glass of bubbly or a zero-proof cocktail. Need we say more? 

Time Out Tip: If you can, score a spot on the outdoor corner patio; this Sunday’s weather is shaping up to be perfect for people watching. 

Address: 1 Howard Street

Hours: Seating begins at 12pm

Pricing: Small plates start at $7; reservations can be made here.

What is it? Passerine isn’t just an excellent spot to eat Indian dishes on Mother’s Day—the spice blends used by Michelin-starred chef Chetan Shetty are actually ground and shipped by Shetty’s own mother from India. We can’t think of a better love letter to Mom than that! For Mother’s Day, Passerine is offering their very first brunch service with a prix fixe menu inspired by Shetty’s mom’s home-cooked meals. 

Why we love it: This one-of-a-kind prix fixe menu includes an amuse-bouche, a family-style first course, and your choice of second course and dessert. 

Time Out Tip: Every mom who dines at Passerine on Mother’s Day will get a small gift from the restaurant. (But still remember to get her flowers, okay?)

Address: 36 East 20th Street

Hours: 11am-3pm

Pricing:  $60 prix fixe per person. 

What is it?

Mom and spring's finest bounty will be equally celebrated at the multicourse Mother's Day menu on offer at this fine-dining destination inside a Sir Norman Foster–designed glass tower. 

Why we love it:

Curated by Executive Chef Andrew Ayala, the holiday spread includes starters like English pea veloute, mains like Australian lamb loin with spiced carrot mousse and salted caramel sabayon with white chocolate ice cream for dessert. 

Time Out Tip: A kids’ menu is available upon request, so feel free to bring the whole fam. 

Address: 610 Lexington Avenue

Hours: 12:30pm-8pm

Pricing: Prices are $145 per person for a three-course meal or $175 for four courses; reservations can be made via Resy. 

What is it? Your mom has done enough coddling in her lifetime, so how about you pamper her with a luxurious meal from a star chef who's not just on the restaurant awning but in the kitchen and dining room, too—in short, a place like Daniel. 

Why we love it: This year’s Mother’s Day prix fixe will feature the elegant, contemporary French cooking that the restaurant is known for: plates includes a Maine Peekytoe crab salad with avocado and lavage, grilled hamachi with pink peppercorn glazed carrots and a Paris-Brest with cashew mousseline. 

Time Out Tip: If you really want to splash out for Mom, add 50 grams of Royal Ossetra caviar for a $385 supplement.

Address: 60 East 65th Street

Hours: 11:30am-8pm

Pricing: $275 per person, with a $135 optional wine pairing; reservations can be made via Resy. 

What is it? This waterfront 6,000-square-foot restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the East River, but we’re partial to the 1,500-square-foot patio lined with white-oak tables and plush couches. 

Why we love it: Consider it a scenic spot to take mom to on May 11, with plenty of stunning views, good vibes and classic brunch menu items. 

Time Out Tip: Doors open at noon, but grab a reservation to ensure your spot at one of their prime picnic tables. 

Address: 70 South Street

Hours: Doors open at noon

Pricing: Reservations can be booked here, and the menu is one of the more affordable brunches in the neighborhood.

What is it? Beautifully-lit and airy under high ceilings and Art Deco design elements, Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr’s (mostly) French effort is the marquee dining room of the revamped Rockefeller Center, which makes it a splashy spot at which to celebrate mom on May 11. 

Why we love it: Choose from appetizers including smoked salmon and duck bolognese, classic entrées like steak frites and roast chicken salad or a half dozen oysters and lobster cocktail from the raw bar. 

Time Out Tip: Get your phone out for the final course, a “tour de desserts” with Mother’s Day petit fours and other pretty pastries

Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza

Hours: 11am-4pm

Pricing: Entrees start at $24; reservations can be made here. 

What is it? The progressive Korean tasting menu at this intimate chef’s counter with a Michelin star is one of our favorites in the city. 

Why we love it: For Mother’s Day, the dining room will offer a special omakase menu—which includes 11 courses highlighting seasonal ingredients and modern interpretations of Korean traditions—during lunch service at 11:30am and 2pm, in addition to its two regular seatings at 5pm and 7:30pm.

Time Out Tip: Oiji Mi, their sister restaurant, is also offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $125 per person. 

Address: 17 West 19th Street

Hours: 11:30am and 2pm seatings

Pricing: $275 per person; reservations can be made here. 

What is it? An oasis in the city, The Rockaway Hotel feels like a beachy, remote retreat even though it's just over an hour's subway ride from midtown. Decorated in natural blue and tan tones, the hotel evokes relaxation from the moment you step inside. 

Why we love it: The hotel will host a brunch on its sun-filled rooftop complete with a pastry basket, Belgian waffles, a smoked salmon board and Bloody Marys and mimosas. 

Time Out Tip: To make her day extra special, book her a treatment to be pampered at The Spa at The Rockaway. 

Address: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

Hours: 11am-2:30pm

Pricing: Pricing: $55 per person; $30 for under 21. 

What is it? Bring mom to the glowing grand atrium at the Financial District’s Beekman Hotel—a ritzy restoration of the late-19th-century landmark building known as Temple Court—for Mother's Day brunch, available in the Temple Court Dining Room as well as the Bar Room. 

Why we love it: Among the festive offerings are burrata with rhubarb and spring onion, braised lamb shoulder with ramps and morels and a blueberry cheesecake semifreddo with Meyer lemon sorbet. 

Time Out Tip: For a supplement of $95, get Golden Osetra caviar with potato chips, crème fraîche, chive and eggs. 

Address: 5 Beekman Street

Hours: noon-3pm

Pricing: $85 per person; reservations can be made here. 

What is it? Nobody does chill quite like Standard hotels, and this spot is no exception. It’s the embodiment of low-key luxury, reflecting the grit and cool factor of its home with just the right amount of understated finesse—the perfect combination for guests in search of a true contemporary New York experience. 

Why we love it: On Sunday, May 11, you and mom can luxuriate in that very experience where you can order a la carte brunch treats including grilled white asparagus, croque madame and strawberry shortcake.

Time Out Tip: Want to keep the party going long after brunch is over? Head to The Standard Grill’s Mamma Mia-themed trivia night—themed costumes are highly encouraged. 

Address: 848 Washington Street

Hours: 11am-4pm

Pricing: Entrees start at $21. 

What is it? The downtown brasserie from chef John Fraser is offering a brunch with a Bloody Mary special: choose from a classic, spicy or truffle base and add your spirit of choice, plus garnishes like bacon, chilis and blue cheese-stuffed olives. 

Why we love it: Treat Mom to classic brunch items like avocado toast with a poached egg, Belgian waffles with orange-thyme marmalade and hanger steak with eggs and breakfast potatoes. 

Time Out Tip: Not into Bloody Marys? For $110, get the Grand Mimosa Service, which features a tableside presentation of a bottle of bubbly, juice, and fruit and garnishes for the table. 

Address: 88 Wall Street

Hours: 11am-3pm

Pricing: $95 per person; reservations can be made here.