The 10 best restaurants for Mother’s Day brunch in NYC

What is it? One of the best views of the city is found at Bar Blondeau, nestled on the 6th floor of Wythe Hotel. The hotel bar is hosting a special afternoon tea service for Mother's Day with silver trays plied with sweet and savory pastries and sandwiches, such as croissants, cakes and Le Crocodile's iconic mini honey butter scone. But beyond cups of tea, you can upgrade your experience with bubbles and cocktails, because mom deserves it, right? Plus, if the weather is pleasant, you can cheer to the lady of the hour with drinks on the outdoor terrace. 

Address: 80 Wythe Ave, 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Brunch hours: 1–3:30pm

Expect to pay: $55 per person; $35 for children 12 and under

What is it? Chef Michael White's Santi is as intimate as they come, from the glowing U-shaped bar near the front to the low-slung ceilings in the den. All to say that the Italian restaurant sets the perfect stage for Mother's Day. Chef White has prepared two holiday experiences: a three- or four-course prix-fixe brunch menu. Peruse starters such as carpaccio and a morel mushroom and pancetta quiche before moving on to prime flat iron steak with a sunny-side-up egg and benedicts with chunks of Maine lobster, drizzled with sea urchin hollandaise. However, with a restaurant run by the "Pasta Titan” himself, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go for the four-course option to try a taste of White's mastery via his silky risotto or raviolo al'uovo.  

Address: 11 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022 

Brunch hours: 11:30am–4:30pm 

Expect to pay: $95 for the three-course prix-fixe; $135 for the four-course prix-fixe 

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, making it a splashy spot to celebrate Mom. The pre-fixe brunch includes bread service, appetizers including smoked trout and duck bolognese, classic entrées like steak frites and a leg of lamb. It all finishes with your choice of dessert, from coconut gáteau, strawberry vacherin or a chocolate mousse. And if you are still a bit peckish, the restaurant also has à la carte items to add. 

Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

Brunch hours: 10am–1:30pm

Pricing: $110 per person

What is it? Take mom to NOLA this year without leaving BK, with a trip to Strange Delight. The Fort Greene restaurant is cooking up a prix-fixe inspired by the Big Easy, swinging big with their tower service that's chock full of local oysters, steamed shrimp, mussels escabeche, fish dip, and more. The meal continues on with grits with poached eggs and a mix of shrimp étouffée and blackened catfish with collards, red beans and rice. It all finishes out with a selection of desserts, including specials from Amanda Perdomo's Good Morning Café (fingers crossed for the morning bun!). 

Address: 63 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Brunch hours: 11:30am–3:30pm

Expect to pay: $68 per person

What is it? Raf's has that certain European-like bistro vibe that will surely charm mom. For Mother's Day, the restaurant is serving a prix-fixe brunch, starting with their claim to fame: an entire pastry basket for the table. After diving into fennel salad and tuna tartare for starters, Mom can choose from the “French Mom-elette,” the spring pea ravioli, or the dry-aged beef burger. It all ends with a sweet treat, either the caramelized white chocolate budino or opera cake. Even better, you can bring the whole family, as there is a separate kid-friendly menu filled with chicken cutlets, spaghetti alla Raffi and even a baby budino.

Address: 290 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012

Brunch hours: 9am–3pm

Expect to pay: $75 per person; $40 for kids

What is it? Can't take Mom to Paris this year? Bring a little Parisian culture to her with a visit to La Marchande. The modernized French bistro inside The Wall Street Hotel is offering a curated buffet sure to please, with a raw bar and a smoked salmon bagel station, made-to-order breakfast entrées and a selection of sweets. And to really toast to mom, peruse the wine list curated by the wonderful sommelier Amy Racine for a few sparkling glasses to remember. If you really want to go all out, the Lounge on Pearl, also inside the hotel, is hosting a floral workshop and afternoon tea, priced at $150 per person. 

Address: 88 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

Brunch hours: 10am–1pm

Expect to pay: $95 per person

What is it? Gregory Gourdet's fine-dining concept, inside the equally fine Parisian department store, Printemps, is fit for a refined Mother's Day. The Top Chef alum has cooked up a three-course meal, starting with marinated beets with passion fruit and fennel or a white asparagus soup with peekytoe crab. Mains include the seared hake or the spice-roasted chicken with harissa jus. And the finale goes to the roasted strawberry pavlova with hibiscus sorbet for dessert. Make it even more memorable with a final drink at Gourde's stunning Red Room Bar, also located inside Printemps, that's decked out with over three million red, orange, and gold glass tiles.  

Address: One Wall St, Printemps New York, New York, NY 10005

Brunch hours: 11am–3pm

Expect to pay: $85 per person

What is it? Looking for a little fun in the sun with Mom? Well, look no further than Mama Mezze's 100-plus outdoor patio with bistro seating and cute yellow umbrellas. The lush exteriors make for a perfect setting for you and mom to bond over the two-course prix-fixe brunch menu. You can start classic with a selection of mezze and spreads, such as the classic hummus and whipped feta with Aleppo honey, or go for the cinnamon roll glazed with a cream cheese frosting. Follow it up with your choice of Persian lime-glazed salmon skewers, challah French toast or a filo-crusted quiche.  

Address: 1123 Broadway, New York, NY 10010

Brunch hours: 10am–4pm 

Expect to pay: $65 per person

What is it? Go take your favorite lady to see the Lady of Liberty this Mother's Day. For the holiday, Bateaux New York Dinner Cruises is setting sail for a Mother's Day Premier Plus Afternoon Brunch Cruise. Treat mom to a full brunch of salads, entrees, and desserts, plus unlimited drinks, coffee, tea and mimosas (if sailors are of age). Plus, your mom can finally get a family photo without ruining her hair, as the fully glass-enclosed deck offers spectacular views of iconic landmarks in Manhattan, including the Brooklyn Bridge.

Address: Pier 61 South, Chelsea Piers, 111C 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Brunch hours: 2:30-4:30pm

Expect to pay: $100 per person