Pig & Butter is the Lower East Side’s newest destination for brunch. The concept of owner-chef Sherry Grimes’ first NYC brick-and-mortar restaurant is all about breakfast-inspired dishes. Served under a “Black Owned” neon sign in the dining room with classic soul, hip hop, and reggae playing in the background, diners can expect dishes like fried chicken and waffles and more!

At Le Crocodile, chefs Jake Leiber and Aidan O’Neal serve French fare inspired by their favorite haunts in both Paris and NYC—and for their first weekend brunch service of 2021, the restaurant exclusively tells Thrillist that diners can expect the debut of two new seasonal items: oeufs en meurette with red wine, porcini, and bacon; and eggs florentine with spinach and artichoke.

Opened in February, chef Ari Bokovza’s Meditterean-inspired menu at Dagon offers tastes of Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and more, in a stylish dining room adorned with ‘70s vintage wallpaper. For brunch, choose from items like the Jerusalem bagel & cured salmon with za’atar cream cheese; poached egg khachapuri with preserved lemon hollandaise; or challah french toast with baharat granola and whipped yogurt.

The iconic French brasserie from restaurateur Keith McNally has once again opened its doors to offer onsite dining for the first time since the pandemic began. In addition to dinner and lunch service, brunch at Balthazar is also back with the eatery’s classics like eggs benedict; duck confit hash and eggs; belgian waffles; and plenty more.

Located in a landmark building in Mott Haven that was once a piano factory, Charlies Bar & Kitchen (no apostrophe as its named after many famous Charlies), serves new American cuisine with a seasonal menu inspired by ingredients from local farmers markets. At this popular neighborhood eatery, go for brunch classics like pancake stacks; shrimp & grits; eggs benedict; or Charlies steak & eggs with fries and house salad.

After taking over the space of a Greenpoint deli where he was previously a regular, catering chef Edouard Massih opened his Lebanese grocer and deli, Edy’s Grocer, last summer. For an easy brunch that’s ideal for anyone on the go, choose from items like breakfast empanadas made with bacon, egg, and cheese; chocolate tahini overnight oats with date molasses and pistachio; and spicy fig & ricotta man’oushe—all of which are priced at under $10.

At this spot from chef Sam Yoo, nostalgic diner classics with an Asian twist and renditions inspired by its Chinatown neighborhood are served up in a picturesque location below the Manhattan Bridge. Yoo’s talents made Golden Diner a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2020 for Best New Restaurant, and for brunch, choose from signature items like the Chinatown egg and cheese sando; honey butter pancakes; kale and parmesan biscuits and gravy; and homemade granola and yogurt with pumpkin seeds.

At this pandemic-born restaurant, chef James Tracey’s take on brunch checks all the boxes while adding his own Italian specialties to the menu. Dine on classic brunch dishes like omelets, french toast, and frittatas alongside more unconventional brunch appetizers like crispy cauliflower with calabrian chile aioli, meyer lemon, and shishito peppers or steelhead trout crudo.

Well-executed Japanese-Italian mashup dishes are the focus at Kimika, a Nolita restaurant led by executive chef Christine Lau. Bringing over 15 years of industry experience, Lau’s menu has successfully captivated New Yorkers with a delicious approach to an oft-attempted (and oft failed) cuisine hybrid. Brunch options include baked eggs with sweet italian sausage and spicy cabbage; the cotechino katsu and tamago sando with kewpie egg salad; and french toast with matcha mochi and citron syrup.

Wife-and-husband duo Ria and Kevol Graham created a tropical paradise of sorts near the Williamsburg waterfront since opening Kokomo last summer. With a focus on Pan-Caribbean flavors, the spot’s bright energy and vibrant menu items make weekends shine even brighter with a dedicated brunch menu. Go for Koko’s chicken and waffle with housemade syrup and coconut whipped cream; sweet plantain pancakes with tropical fruit; callaloo egg frittata with home fries; and the Jerkmi burger.