Victoria Marin

Whether you’re a seasoned New Yorker or visiting the city for the first time, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about NYC’s best brunches and rooftop bars. It’s no surprise then that when these two famed Gotham favorites join forces, a delightful and delicious experience is guaranteed. From hotel terraces to beer-bar decks, these are the sky-high settings New York City brunch dreams are made of. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best brunch in NYC

The Bronx is more than just home to those pinstriped Yanks. It’s home to the city’s real Little Italy and subsequently some of the best pizza in NYC, as well as exemplary interpretations of global foods representing the Boogie Down’s rich diversity. Grab a pint at one of the borough’s top-rate beer halls, and toast to the best restaurants and bars in the Bronx. RECOMMENDED: The full guide to the Bronx

Whether it’s Korean barbecue spreads, swaths of Indian curries or all-you-can-eat sushi that you’re on the hunt for, New York’s best buffets can crank out massive quantities of food that are a far cry from the steam-table leftovers of yesteryear. And with many folks beginning to venture back out onto the buffet circuit for the first time post-pandemic, now is the perfect time to revisit our favorite smorgasbords in the five boroughs. From Brazilian steakhouses to vegetarian havens, there’s something for everyone at these top 10 NYC buffets. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

For as many gut-busting meals that New York has to offer, the fair city also boasts plenty of virtuous dishes and drinks at its best vegan and vegetarian restaurants, wellness-minded coffee shops, and these top-notch juice bars. Combine fresh-pressed juices with some great outdoor yoga classes to get ready for beach season, or simply give you an invigorating alternative to your usual morning coffee routine.

Sure–celebrating Cinco de Mayo satisfies any South-of-the-Border craving, but why reserve the city’s best margaritas in NYC for just one day? It's always time for tequila, especially when shaken up with a hit of spice or swirled with sweet watermelon. Hit NYC’s best Mexican restaurants for some serious agave spirits, or down them alongside some of Gotham's best tacos. Fair warning, though: You're gonna want a pitcher.   RECOMMENDED: Full guide to cocktails in NYC

For a city that pulsates with as much on-the-go energy as New York, it only makes sense that food trucks—NYC’s meals-on-wheels once limited to slinging simple fare like burgers and hot dogs—have started rivaling Gotham’s best brick-and-mortar restaurants. With pristine seafood, fresh-fried falafel, juicy burgers and a plethora of other mouthwatering bites, most of their moderately priced plates are also our favorite cheap eats. Some roam the streets while others park it for good—here's where to find the best food trucks in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best street food in New York

If you've been hunting through the city’s best bakeries and coffee shops for the best donuts in NYC, look no further. We've compiled a handy list of where to find the most exemplary fried rings, including a spot in a Staten Island strip mall and brioche-based treats from the brick-and-mortar offshoot of a beloved online bakery. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dessert, these are NYC’s best outposts for doughnuts. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC

Brunch is competitive in New York City any time of year, and interest ticks up even higher on especially brunch-y holidays. On Easter Sunday in particular, which falls on March 31 this year, demand for mimosas, bloody Marys, eggs Benedict and all manner of pancakes soars higher than the city’s rooftop bars. These are our picks for tthe best Easter brunch offerings in NYC for 2024.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Easter in NYC

Is there any greater signifier that the weekend has arrived in NYC than a boozy brunch? No matter your preferences—whether for a no-frills pub experience or a drag extravaganza—or budget (here are our favorite cheap brunches in the city), there’s something for every palate, including agave spirits with Mexican favorites, sangrias and Southeast Asian dishes, and classic mimosas with American standards. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best brunch in NYC

The plethora of options for the greatest meal of the weekend can make selecting the best feel like a quest. Skewing toward breakfast or lunch, coffee, tea or boozy, uptown or down; the options are unending. But our definitive guide to Gotham’s best brunch destinations leads the way (both here and over the river in Brooklyn, too). Including casual spots and fancy foods at some of the best restaurants in NYC, we’ve picked our favorite brunches to satisfy your portmanteau desires in the city’s busiest borough. RECOMMENDED: See more restaurants for the best brunch in NYC

Cookies and milk aren’t just for kids—and the best cookies in NYC are proof. Freshly baked at the city’s best coffee shops and bakeries, NYC’s most beloved cookies include elegant crinkle wafers, old-school black-and-white rounds and homey, familiar chocolate chips. These aren’t just some of New York’s finest cookies—they are some of the very best desserts in NYC. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC

New York City's brilliant Black community is constantly making this town one of the best places to live, creating incredible spaces for culture and art to flourish and opening expertly crafted restaurants and bars. If you're looking for a way to support Black-owned businesses, these amazing restaurants created, owned and run by Black New Yorkers are an excellent place to start.  RECOMMENDED: 10 amazing Black-owned businesses in NYC to support right now

Every single creation at Alimama is a spectacle: a gorgeous symphony of color, design and taste that makes as much for a gorgeous photo as it does a delicious experience. The highlights here are the gluten-free mochi donuts, which are infused with flavors like salted caramel Nutella and matcha toasted rice crispies.

Step away from the chaos of SoHo’s bustling streets and into Odd Sister, a cafe that is at once cool and sophisticated and cozy and casual. Brunch, which is available every day of the week here, includes decadent takes on a breakfast sandwich made with everything bagel-seasoned focaccia, Manchego and thick cut bacon, a French omelet with tomato, caramelized onions and Gruyère, and pancakes topped with brûlée bananas, candied nuts, caramel and vanilla cream.

With entree selections like a crab cake Benedict and fried chicken and shrimp waffle, seafood lovers who love sweet sips are in luck. For $60, Sweet Catch offers guests their choice of entree and 90 minutes of unlimited mimosas and “bellies,” both of which are available in the usual orange and peach flavors in addition to strawberry, mango and passionfruit.    

This new kid on the Upper West Side block is the first NYC outpost of a beloved Connecticut brand known for its outstanding takes on its namesake menu item. But don’t stop at the granola (of which there are three distinct flavors), as the homey and hearty savory dishes are out of this world, too. Go for The Heisenberg or the huevos rancheros for an especially tasty and filling meal.

It’s a family affair at this tiny shop with a big heart in Bed Stuy, where the couple at the helm are supported by various relatives in keeping their “contemporary food for the soul” endeavor alive. While they’re perhaps best known for the duck leg confit mac n cheese bowl that first put them on the map, if you find yourself there on the weekend, try one of their brunch-only menu items, like cornbread French toast or biscuits and chicken sausage gravy.