Every Saturday and Sunday, the most fabulous places are booked weeks in advance, so plot out your Eggs Benedict trail before you leave home. Aim for a coveted 2pm reservation; the pre-noon sitting is strictly for tourists.
Gramercy Terrace (www.gramercyparkhotel.com)
An elegant, airy rooftop terrace atop the chic Gramercy Park Hotel, this is the place for a refined brunch without the snotty attitude. Rare works by Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst provide a visual feast while the modern American fare – lobster roll with watermelon radish; bbq pulled pork – sates the palate.
Bagatelle (www.bistrotbagatelle.com)
At this Meatpacking hotspot, the Euro-jetsetter brunch crowd parties like it’s 3am. International DJs, semi-clad servers, $2,000 bottles of plonk and a 6pm curfew make this one of the hottest tickets in town. The truffled roast chicken and potatoes is a triumph.
Yotel (www.yotelnewyork.com)
Arrive hungry and thirsty to this funky Midtown hotel, where the $40 all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunch deal goes down a treat. We dare you to stop at one serve of the popcorn chicken.
Sylvia’s (www.sylviasrestaurant.com)
Soul food, stirring gospel and a slice of Harlem history is served up every Sunday at Sylvia’s. Don’t miss the waffles and fried chicken smothered in gravy, served with grits and home fries. (Low-cal it ain’t.)
Beauty & Essex (www.beautyandessex.com)
The Lower East Side’s most glam hidden bar – from the entry it appears to be a pawn shop – hosts a weekend brunch delicious enough to tempt wafer-thin models and celebs to eat. Savour the lobster & chorizo hash.
