Best Holiday & Christmas Brunches in NYC (2026)
Festive brasseries, cozy pubs, Santa brunches and Christmas Day tables
New to RoamRecs? Save these places to your own map in one tap, find them again on your phone, and share lists with friends. It’s free.
Run a business in this guide, or want yours added? Get in touch. Or get featured.
Holiday brunch in New York can mean very different afternoons: a French brasserie dressed for Christmas, a hotel buffet with a doughnut wall, a Bay Ridge pub where the decorations are half the reason to go, or a morning with Santa and a buffet line. The right pick depends on whether you want a beautiful meal, a room full of Christmas, or something the kids will talk about for weeks.
This guide covers 20 places across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. The festive restaurants and neighborhood picks work for any weekend catch-up through the season. The Santa brunches and Christmas Day tables are tied to specific 2026 dates, so they get their own sections further down.
A note on timing: most restaurants haven't announced their 2026 decorating dates yet, so if you're booking an early-season visit, ask whether the decorations will be up. Prices are from current regular menus, before tax and tip unless noted, and special holiday sittings can run on different menus.
The Quick Picks
| If you want... | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A classic New York holiday outing | Tavern on the Green | Brunch in Central Park, served from 9 a.m. on weekends |
| A grand Midtown room | La Grande Boucherie | Art Nouveau dining room and a skylit passage |
| A long brunch where the food leads | Balthazar | Pastries, croque madame and steak frites in SoHo |
| As many Christmas decorations as possible | Lillie's | Two Manhattan branches that go big for the season |
| Good value in Manhattan | Pete's Tavern | An entree with coffee or tea for $21 |
| A cheap Brooklyn brunch | Skinflints | Brunch dishes from $13.95 in Bay Ridge |
| A Christmas pub brunch in Queens | Jack Jones | Irish breakfast and exuberant decorations in Astoria |
| A hotel Sunday buffet | Clement at The Peninsula | Bakery cart, waffles and a doughnut wall |
| A Santa event in Manhattan | Marriott Marquis | Buffet, Santa photo and kids' activities |
| A lower-priced Santa outing | Max's Es-Ca | $55 adults, $35 kids 10 and under |
| Brunch on Christmas Day | Copinette | Announced a la carte brunch, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. |
Festive Christmas Brunch Spots in Manhattan
These are the rooms people picture when they think of Christmas in Manhattan, from Central Park down to SoHo. For December weekends, book as early as you can. If you're planning a festive dinner instead, see our guide to the most festive Christmas restaurants in NYC.
Tavern on the Green
Central Park, W 67th St, New York, NY 10023, USA
Brunch here works best as one piece of a bigger New York day: a walk through the park, French toast or eggs Benedict surrounded by Christmas decorations, then the rest of the afternoon wide open. It's the easy answer when visiting relatives want the meal itself to feel like an occasion. Weekend service starts at 9 a.m., which is handy if you'd rather eat early and keep the day free. There's a separate children's menu, and the regular brunch menu has vegan options, including an eggplant-and-tofu dish. Details: Weekend brunch from 9 a.m. Eggs Benedict $27, French toast $28 on the regular menu; ask whether a holiday sitting uses a different one. Holiday reservations by phone at 212-877-8684, and seating requests aren't guaranteed. The general policy charges $35 a person for cancellations within 72 hours, so check your booking's terms.
La Grande Boucherie
145 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
The Art Nouveau dining room and long, skylit passage do most of the work here, and the Christmas decorations push the whole place further into occasion territory. It's well placed for a December day around Rockefeller Center, Midtown shopping or a show. If you run cold, ask for the main dining room: the passage is heated but open at both ends. Details: Weekend brunch 9 a.m.–3:45 p.m. French toast $28, eggs Benedict $29, steak and eggs $45.
Boucherie West Village
99 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014, USA
The downtown version of La Grande Boucherie: a big, lively brasserie with plenty of familiar choices, which helps when the group can't agree on anything. Details: Weekend brunch 10 a.m.–3:45 p.m. French toast $27, eggs Benedict $28.
Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, USA
Balthazar is where a holiday brunch quietly turns into a long lunch. Start with the pastry basket for the table, then everyone goes their own way: eggs, French onion soup, a croque madame or steak frites. It's one of our first calls for brunch with a partner or visiting friends before an afternoon in SoHo. Book ahead, and skip it if what you need is a quick, cheap stop between errands. Details: Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Pancakes $25, eggs Benedict $29, steak frites $49.
Lillie's Victorian Establishment (Union Square)
13 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
Lillie's is for the friend who wants to be completely surrounded by Christmas. Both branches go big on seasonal decorations, and brunch gets you into those rooms during the day. Bring someone who likes taking photos. Expect a lively, pub-style meal where the setting and the company carry the outing. Union Square is the downtown pick. Details: Brunch Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; parties of six or more should call. Check the current menu for prices.
Lillie's Victorian Establishment (Times Square)
249 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
The Times Square branch has the same big seasonal decorations as Union Square, plus its own brunch menu and booking page. Details: The brunch schedule differs from Union Square, so confirm when booking. Check the current menu for prices.
Pete's Tavern
129 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
$21 gets you an entree with coffee or tea, and $28 adds a cocktail or a glass of prosecco, which is about as simple as Manhattan holiday brunch pricing gets. Add the tavern's Christmas decorations and it's an easy yes for friends who want the spirit without the splurge. The menu leans hearty: a big breakfast plate, eggs Benedict, a pastrami croque madame, chilaquiles and a bread-pudding take on French toast. Expect a busy tavern crowd. Details: Weekend brunch; the tavern opens at noon. Reserve through the restaurant's booking link.
Rosemary's West Village
18 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Rosemary's solves the brunch where half the table wants breakfast and the other half wants pasta. The West Village room keeps its holiday decorations on the restrained side, so it feels warm and easy rather than over the top. Mascarpone pancakes and mushroom cavatelli can share a table here without anyone settling. Groups of eight to sixteen can ask about the communal table, which runs a seasonal prix fixe priced separately from regular brunch. Details: Weekend brunch 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Mascarpone pancakes $18, eggs Benedict $22, mushroom cavatelli $25; gluten-free pasta for a $2 supplement. Optional one-hour drinks package, $30 with an entree, and the whole table needs to join.
Oscar Wilde
45 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Oscar Wilde is the brunch for a group that wants to dress up, order a round and sit inside a room dressed in elaborate seasonal decor. The room is the main event, and the bottomless option keeps the table going. Come for the celebration more than the cooking. If food is the priority, put Balthazar or Boucherie higher on your list. Details: Brunch and bottomless brunch Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Check the reservation page for the package price and what's included.
Email me this guide
All 23 places with map links, in your inbox. No account needed.
Neighborhood Holiday Brunches in the Village, Brooklyn and Queens
A festive brunch doesn't have to mean a Midtown reservation. These picks trade the big-name rooms for a fireplace, a decorated local pub or a heated backyard chalet, and most of them cost noticeably less than the Manhattan spots above.
The Waverly Inn
16 Bank St, New York, NY 10014, USA
The Waverly Inn is the move when the plan is a long, quiet meal in a tucked-away room. The fireplace sets the tone, and it suits a date or a small holiday get-together on a cold afternoon. Brunch runs until 5 p.m. on weekends, so you can sleep in and still make a proper winter afternoon of it in the Village. Details: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Reservations on Resy. Ask for the current menu when booking if you're working to a budget.
Skinflints
7902 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA
Skinflints is the reason to take holiday brunch to Bay Ridge. The neighborhood pub goes all out on Christmas decorations, while the menu stays refreshingly cheap: brioche French toast is $13.95, and even steak and eggs comes in under $20. It also sets up a Dyker Heights night nicely. Book one of the later tables, then head over to the lights once it gets dark. Details: Weekend brunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Brioche French toast $13.95, eggs Benedict $15.95, steak and eggs $19.95. Bloody Mary, Screwdriver or Bellini on the brunch menu for guests 21 and over.
Jack Jones
38-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105, USA
Jack Jones pairs exuberant Christmas decorating with a proper pub brunch: an Irish breakfast, chicken and waffles, and a round for the table. It's our Astoria pick when the group wants a festive meal close to home. Prices are friendly, and the optional drinks package keeps a catch-up going for an hour without anyone watching the tab. Details: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Omelets $14, chicken and waffles $16, Irish breakfast $21. Optional drinks package $20 for 60 minutes. For a group table, call 929-424-3180.
Black Forest Brooklyn (Fort Greene)
733 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
Black Forest is built for the brunch where everyone shares a pretzel and orders something warming. It's an easy call for a bigger group, too, with reservations for up to twenty at either branch. Details: Weekends 10 a.m.–4 p.m. German waffles $12, German breakfast plate $18, schnitzel with eggs $26. Optional $25 add-on for 90 minutes of refills of one classic brunch drink.
Black Forest Brooklyn (Smith Street)
181 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
The Smith Street branch has the more seasonal setting of the two: a covered, heated backyard chalet that feels made for December. Details: Weekends 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Same brunch menu as Fort Greene, from $12 German waffles to $26 schnitzel with eggs, plus the optional $25 drinks add-on. Reservations for groups up to twenty.
Holiday Hotel Brunches and a Winter Rooftop
Hotel brunches cost more, but they solve two holiday problems at once: a mixed-age group that can't agree, and a day built around Fifth Avenue or the Upper East Side. The rooftop is here for anyone who'd rather have a skyline than a chandelier.
Clement at The Peninsula
700 5th Ave Mezzanine, New York, NY 10019, USA
Clement is for the family that wants brunch to be the main event. The Sunday buffet has a bakery cart, a bagel display, eggs made to order, waffles and a dessert spread with a doughnut wall, so every age at the table finds something. The Peninsula sits on Fifth Avenue a few blocks north of Rockefeller Center, which makes a late Sunday buffet a natural start to an afternoon on Fifth in December. On Saturdays, the same hours are a la carte if your group would rather order individual dishes. Details: Sunday buffet 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., $115 adults, $65 children 12 and under, with tax and an 18% gratuity added; Champagne and cocktails are extra. Saturday a la carte brunch 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Mezzanine level.
Dowling's at The Carlyle
35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, USA
Dowling's is the brunch to dress for. The art-filled dining room gives a meal with parents or a partner a sense of ceremony, while the menu stays with familiar dishes like pancakes, French toast and a truffled eggs Benedict bowl. Make it the start of a slow Upper East Side day and treat it as a splurge: the mimosa alone is $35. Details: Weekend brunch 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Buttermilk pancakes $28, cinnamon French toast $33, truffled eggs Benedict bowl $44. No athletic sneakers, hoodies or other athletic wear.
The Whitby Bar & Restaurant
18 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
The Whitby is a bright, art-filled hotel restaurant that feels like an occasion without getting stiff. It openly welcomes kids, with high chairs on hand, and brunch runs until 5 p.m., the latest of the hotel picks here. Being steps from Fifth Avenue makes it an easy base for a Midtown holiday day with family. On Christmas Day, The Whitby switches to a $215-per-person Christmas menu, Champagne included, served noon–9 p.m. That's a special lunch or dinner rather than brunch, so come on a regular weekend for the brunch menu. Details: Weekend brunch 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Challah French toast $26, eggs Benedict $32, full English breakfast $40. A 20% gratuity is added for parties of five or more; groups of seven or more should contact the restaurant directly.
230 Fifth Rooftop
1150 Broadway, New York, NY 10001, USA
230 Fifth swaps the dining room for city views and a heated igloo on the roof. Igloos run November through April, with indoor space as well, and the food is straightforward bar brunch: pancakes, chicken and waffles, steak and eggs. Pick your seating before you book. Walk-in igloos are self-service and first come, first served, while reserved brunch igloos take a deposit that comes off your final bill. Details: Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Pancakes $19, chicken and waffles $22, steak with scrambled eggs $34. Reserved igloos need a nonrefundable $25-per-person deposit, credited to the bill. A 20% gratuity is added for parties of ten or more; larger group and private igloo bookings have separate minimums. Entrance at 1150 Broadway.
Brunch with Santa in NYC (2026)
Three Santa brunches have announced 2026 dates, ranging from a $35 kids' ticket in Staten Island to a Times Square buffet with balloon artists. All three take place before Christmas, with different prices, age bands and lengths of visit. For Santa visits without a meal, see our guide to the best places to see Santa in NYC.
| Event | 2026 date | Adults / older kids | Younger kids | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Marquis, Times Square | Dec. 19 and 20 | $139++ current offer; $159++ regular rate | Ages 3–12: $79++; under 3 free with a paying adult | 90-minute buffet, Santa photo, kids' activities |
| Russo's On The Bay, Howard Beach | Dec. 12 | $110 plus tax | Ages 12 and under: $60 plus tax | Long afternoon party, open bar, entertainment |
| Max's Es-Ca, Staten Island | Dec. 12 | Ages 11 and over: $55 plus tax and gratuity | Ages 10 and under: $35 plus tax and gratuity | Two-hour buffet, Santa photo, treats |
These are listed ticket prices, not checkout totals. Marriott's prices are before additional charges, and Russo's lists plus tax without saying how gratuity is handled, so check the final total when you book.
Very Merry Santa Brunch at Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, USA
This is the most complete of the three Santa packages: a buffet, a Levain Bakery cookie station, one Santa photo per family, and face painting, coloring and balloon artists for the kids. Mimosas and Bellinis are included. It's an expensive morning, so it makes the most sense if the kids will actually use the activities. Book the named Santa brunch directly through the hotel. Details: December 19 and 20, 2026; seatings at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon, each 90 minutes. $139++ adults (current offer; $159++ regular rate), $79++ ages 3–12, under 3 free with a paying adult. Other drinks are extra. Check the current offer and final charges for your sitting.
Russo's On The Bay
162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414, USA
Russo's turns Santa brunch into a full afternoon party: a cocktail hour, pasta, an entree and dessert, an open bar and a DJ, with Santa, his elves and Frosty making the rounds. There's a children's menu, and the long sittings mean this is the plan for the day, not a stop on the way to something else. Tickets are non-refundable, and the venue doesn't provide high chairs, so bring your own high chair or booster for little ones. Details: Saturday, December 12, 2026. Paragon seating 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. or Encore seating 12:30–5 p.m. $110 adults, $60 children 12 and under, plus tax.
Max's Es-Ca
1559 Richmond Rd, Staten Island, NY 10304, USA
The simplest and least expensive of the three: a buffet, a photo with Santa and his elves, and a goodie bag with reindeer food for the kids to take home. It has the lowest adult ticket of the announced Santa events. Note the age bands: kids 11 and over pay the adult price here. The restaurant also asks guests to bring a new, unwrapped gift for its holiday toy drive. Details: Saturday, December 12, 2026, noon–2 p.m. $55 ages 11 and over, $35 ages 10 and under, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations required by phone at 718-980-5006.
Christmas Day Brunch in NYC (2026)
Christmas falls on Friday, December 25, and so far two places have announced Christmas Day brunch. A restaurant's usual Friday or weekend hours don't tell you what it will do that day, so we only list places that have confirmed, and we'll add more as restaurants post their 2026 plans.
Copinette
891 1st Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA
Copinette is the find for anyone who wants to go out on Christmas Day without signing up for a big hotel prix fixe. It has confirmed a la carte brunch on December 25, with seasonal specials alongside the regular menu, and the regular menu is moderately priced, with French toast at $21. Book early, since the restaurant has private events on several other December dates. It's open for New Year's Day brunch on January 1, 2027, too, during the same hours. Vegan and gluten-free diners have real options, including a vegan polenta-and-vegetable main. Details: Christmas Day brunch 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Regular menu: French toast $21, eggs Benedict $22, lobster Benedict $26; seasonal specials may be priced separately. Weekend and New Year's Day brunch run the same hours.
MO Lounge at Mandarin Oriental
80 Columbus Cir Fl 35, New York, NY 10023, USA
MO Lounge is the Christmas Day splurge with a view. Mandarin Oriental has announced a Christmas Day brunch buffet in the lounge, with holiday decor and the hotel's elevated setting above Columbus Circle. The 2026 price, menu and child rate weren't out yet when we checked. Keep it on the shortlist and watch the hotel's dining page for the full offer. Details: Christmas Day buffet; 2026 details pending.
How to Choose a Holiday Brunch in NYC
Let the neighborhood shape the day. For a Midtown day, look at La Grande Boucherie, Lillie's Times Square, Clement, The Whitby or the Marriott Marquis. Downtown, Balthazar anchors a SoHo afternoon, while Rosemary's, the Waverly Inn and Boucherie West Village suit the Village. Dowling's sets up the Upper East Side, and Skinflints pairs with the Dyker Heights lights. Whatever you pick, avoid booking a brunch across town right before a timed show or ticketed activity.
Compare the whole bill. The friendliest regular menus here are Skinflints, Jack Jones, Black Forest Brooklyn and Pete's. Hotel buffets and Santa events cost a lot more, but they can include a bigger meal, a photo or entertainment. Watch the age bands: a 12-year-old pays the child price at Russo's and the Marriott, but the adult price at Max's. For two adults and two kids ages five and eight, Santa brunch tickets come to $180 at Max's, $340 at Russo's, and $436 at the Marriott's current offer ($476 at the regular adult rate), before the extra charges noted above.
Book the right thing. Check whether you're reserving a normal table, a buffet or a ticketed event, and book the exact branch. A few places still go through the phone: Tavern on the Green for holiday reservations and Max's for its Santa brunch. At 230 Fifth, decide on a walk-in or reserved igloo before you think about the food.
Email me this guide
All 23 places with map links, in your inbox. No account needed.
Own or run a place in this guide? Update your info. Want your business included? Get in touch. Own a restaurant or bar here? Become a featured partner on this guide →
Frequently asked questions
What are the best holiday brunches in NYC?
Which NYC restaurants serve brunch on Christmas Day 2026?
Where can I have brunch with Santa in NYC?
Which holiday brunches are best for kids?
Where can I get a bottomless holiday brunch in NYC?
Which holiday brunches work for large groups?
Are there vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free holiday brunch options?
Do I need a reservation for holiday brunch in NYC?
Related guides
Best Places to See Santa in NYC for Christmas 2026
Most Festive Christmas Restaurants in NYC (2026)
Best Christmas Markets in NYC for 2026
Best Christmas Shows in NYC 2026: Rockettes, Nutcracker and More
Best Ice Skating Rinks in NYC for the Holidays (2026)
Best NYC Bakeries for Holiday Desserts, Christmas Cookies and Festive Treats (2026)
More in New York
About the creator
Your guide to eating, drinking, and exploring NYC. From neighborhood favorites and date spots to happy hours and holiday plans, we’ll help you find your next favorite place.
View profile →