The Best Hotel Breakfasts in NYC

When it comes to hotel breakfast in NYC, there’s nowhere more iconic to dine than The Plaza Hotel. A Central Park staple for over a century, The Palm Court features an extensive tea bar, with offerings from Palais des Thés and American-inspired breakfast fare, including pastries, parfaits, and a selection of egg-based dishes (though we personally recommend the buttermilk pancakes, supplemented with chocolate chips, bananas, and/or blueberries.) Eat beneath the stained-glass dome ceiling, a 1907 original, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees-- because everyone deserves to feel like Eloise at least once in their lives.

Downtown dwellers can fill their bellies at Bowery based Gemma, situated on the ground floor of the Bowery Hotel. This Italian Trattoria is a Lower East Side hotspot, offering a warm ambiance and chic vibe, all in one rustic setting. The bread-heavy breakfast menu offers an array of pastries and spreads, highlighting all of the classic American breakfast dishes, including blueberry pancakes, soft boiled eggs, and baked French toast. However, it’s the frittata menu that sets Gemma’s breakfast apart from rest, perfect for soaking up hangovers in hungry stomachs.   

Ambiance reigns king at The NoMad Restaurant, located within its namesake hotel. Known for its gorgeous dining room, glass atrium, and art déco design, there’s no sexier spot to enjoy a solid breakfast before starting your day. Fresh juices and smoothies are thirst-quenching go-tos, as well as the egg sandwich, loaded with duck sausage and gooey cheddar. And if you pop by on the weekend, Sunday brunch is everything; fried chicken, strawberry rhubarb pancakes, and freshly shucked oysters are just a few of the restaurant’s luxurious offerings.

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For Italian-inspired and Instagram worthy, look no further than Locanda Verde, attached to the incredibly stylish Greenwich Hotel. Opened in 2009, this Tribeca-based institution serves up food-porn worthy options, including the fresh fruit salad, uova modenese, and spiced apple waffle. However, it’s the lemon ricotta pancakes, served with fresh blueberries, that steal the show every time. Pair with a side of breakfast potatoes for the ideal sweet and salty combination.

Fine dining on Fifth Avenue comes to life at Astor Court, located at the St. Regis New York. The restaurant highlights seasonal ingredients, sourced from local farms, served up in a (literally) warm ambiance, complete with high ceilings and an open fireplace. From starters, to complete breakfasts, to an extensive list of savory sides, eating at the St. Regis provides dishes for a variety of appetites, whether protein-heavy dishes or lighter, fruit-based smoothies strike your fancy. Shakshuka, Steak and Eggs, and King Cole pancakes are just a few of the restaurant’s staples; perfect for satisfying satiated bellies before a day of luxury shopping on Fifth Avenue.

For an optimally located breakfast spot, look no further than Norma’s, in the Parker New York. Known for their extensive pancake, waffle, and french toast offerings (hello, cheesecake stuffed donut option!), the menu also offers an sizable Eggs Benedict (‘Benny’) list, as well as variety of fresh seafood, crepes, and egg-based options. Perfect for travelers staying in Midtown, as well as foodies traveling with young ones-- who aren’t ever willing to sacrifice quality for kid-friendly.

Optimal people watching and outdoor seating collide at The Standard Grill, located within the Meatpacking District’s trendy Standard Hotel. Organic egg based dishes, pastries with housemade spreads, and fresh salads are unanimous favorites, especially the roasted market beet salad, topped with brown butter yogurt and buckwheat & horseradish vinaigrette. Fresh-pressed organic juices and vegan smoothies are also available; ideal for grabbing on the go and hitting the High Line.

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Casual yet elegant, Madison & Vine is ideal for travelers staying near Grand Central, serving up savory American Bistro style cuisine in this cozy, Midtown East location. Smoked salmon plates, cast iron baked eggs, and ‘hangover pasta’ are offered during weekend brunch, with basic breakfast staples served up Monday-Friday. Library Hotel guests can also access The Reading Room, opened 24 hours a day. Hot coffee, espresso-based beverages, and tea, accompanied with cookies and fresh fruit, are available for all-day long snacking, surrounded by a sea of book-laden walls. Continental breakfast is also served in The Reading Room seven days a week, free of charge to hotel guests.