Best Rooftop Brunch Spots in New York

Rooftop Brunch Spots featured image

The early morning rush to catch the subway to work leaves just enough time to stop for coffee at the corner food truck. When the weekend rolls around, you’re ready for a laid-back gathering with friends over omelets and mimosas.

Finding a place to eat that allows you to enjoy sunny mornings before summer’s over is understandable – indoor dining will never do.

Fortunately, New York City isn’t lacking in excellent rooftop eateries. Here are six of the Best Rooftop Brunch Spots in New York you’ll want to dine at this weekend.

Best Rooftop Brunch Spots in New York For Your Next Trip

No. 1: RH Rooftop Restaurant New York

Undergoing a grand revival, the Meatpacking District delivers a thriving and lively scene with trendy shops and unique cafes and restaurants. One noteworthy brunch eatery is the RH Rooftop Restaurant New York.

You’ll find RH Rooftop Restaurant New York atop the 90,000-square-foot Restoration Hardware furniture gallery, where a glass elevator transports you to a spacious terrace filled with elegant marble, opulent chandeliers, and a variety of London plane trees and jasmine bushes.

RH Rooftop Restaurant New York

Get comfortable in one of the cozy banquettes with your gal pals and order yourself a delicious lobster roll or the infamous RH burger.

Studies show that cultivating a close-knit circle of friends increases longevity by 50% – critical to combat the stress and fatigue that often accompanies living in a city that never sleeps.

This spot does get pretty busy, but you can visit the bar on the third story and peruse the gallery while you wait for your table.

No. 2: Upstairs at The Kimberly

Upstairs at The Kimberly

If you’re searching for a trendy rooftop brunch place with 360-degree views of Manhattan, Upstairs at the Kimberly – as in Midtown’s Kimberly Hotel – is the perfect weekend eatery.

Head to the 30th floor for a versatile brunch menu of savory and sweet dishes, ranging from brunch pizza with ricotta, eggs, bacon, and arugula to breakfast classics like homemade blueberry pancakes.

Brunch at Upstairs at The Kimberly maintains a relatively casual dress code, and you’re unlikely to see large parties at this laid-back neighborhood hangout. One of the biggest perks is its retractable glass roof and walls and temperature-controlled lounge for cooler days.

No. 3: The Empire Rooftop

The Empire Rooftop

On the 12th floor of the iconic Empire Hotel is The Empire Rooftop, a cozy brunch spot that boasts two terraces and a sun deck. Located directly across the street from Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and close to Central Park, The Empire Rooftop draws plenty of hotel guests and city dwellers for its enchanting views.

Recognized as a famous filming location for the hit television series “Gossip Girl,” The Empire Rooftop is usually a sophisticated night spot. However, on the weekends, they deliver a lovely rooftop brunch to start your morning off right. Just don’t expect an extensive menu when you visit this restaurant.

While their offerings are limited, patrons are usually satisfied with the classics, such as eggs benedict and avocado toast. In fact, The Empire Rooftop’s brunch really shines with its delicious mimosas and specialty cocktails. They even offer the Gossip Girl Cocktail, inspired by the show.

4. Rooftop brunch NYC Spot - 230 Fifth

230 Fifth Rooftop Brunch Spots in NYC

230 Fifth on Fifth Avenue may be the most prominent and largest rooftop spot in NYC, offering a famous bottomless brunch buffet of global fusion and cups overflowing with mimosas and bellinis. Of course, the true appeal is the restaurant’s 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline and a beeline to the Empire State Building.

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Patrons can enjoy 230 Fifth’s outdoor terrace for most of the year, where colder weather is no match for the heaters and igloos the restaurant sets up to keep visitors warm. Of course, the indoor lounge also offers a delightful refuge from wintery conditions.

Although 230 Fifth encourages walk-ins, this eatery’s bottomless brunch for $45 per person is a bargain – so you may want to make a reservation anyway to beat potential crowds.

5. Haven Rooftop

Haven Rooftop in NYC

Located directly between Times Square and Rockefeller Center, Haven Rooftop NYC – on top of the Sanctuary Hotel – offers gorgeous views of Midtown with modern American fare.

While it isn’t entirely upscale, shorts and jeans are not permitted attire. However, its gorgeous terrace and interiors with panoramic glass walls make up for its restrictions on comfortable loungewear.

Weekend brunch at Haven includes a wide variety of classics and a few specialty items, such as avocado toast, lobster salad, and Haven sliders. You also have the option to trade regular beverages for one hour of bottomless mimosas at $28 per person.

6. Electric Lemon

Electric Lemon

It’s safe to say you’ll find some of the best NYC rooftop brunches at many of the city’s finest hotels – like Electric Lemon, located on the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel at the Hudson Yards.

Although the restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows hidden behind sheer curtains, many patrons opt to eat outdoors on the 8,000-square-foot terrace garden for breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the West Side.

The brunch menu itself is just as impressive as the setting – clean and flavorful offerings that celebrate Mid-Atlantic farmers and growers, from healthy granola bowls to eggy favorites and even a few breakfast sandwiches.

Bunches of Rooftop Brunches for Endless Weekend Fun with the Manhattan Skyline

There are many reasons why people gravitate to NYC, and its broad dining selections are near the top of the list. Try something a little different with your friends this weekend and visit a rooftop brunch for a mid-morning meal to satisfy your taste buds.

You might also be interested in other rooftop views below:

Hermillis H.
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