The Crown Jewels

The number-one spot from every list, one crown per category, across all five boroughs. Bow accordingly.

Manhattan

31 crowns

Russ & Daughters

Because the smoked fish program here genuinely cannot be replicated elsewhere, sturgeon and sable cured by people who have been at it for ninety years, and the bagel underneath holds up to the weight without going soggy.

Order: Classic combo: hand-sliced Gaspe Nova on a sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese.

Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0

Best Brunch in Manhattan

Jack's Wife Freda

SoHo, Manhattan

Because Jack's Wife Freda essentially invented the modern Manhattan instagram-brunch aesthetic in 2012 and is still doing the rosewater waffle better than the dozens of imitators that opened in the years after.

The Crown Jewels

Manhattan

Russ & Daughters

Jack's Wife Freda

J.G. Melon

Death & Co

La Cabra

Levain Bakery

Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Rudy's Bar & Grill

Joe's Shanghai

Massawa

Frenchette

Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

Chama Mama

McSorley's Old Ale House

McSorley's Old Ale House

Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream

Taco Mahal

Semma

Cote

12 Matcha

Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Sylvia's Restaurant

Sushi Nakazawa

Joe's Pizza

Ichiran Midtown

Overstory

Katz's Delicatessen

Café China

Los Tacos No. 1

Madame Vo

Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

Brooklyn

Other Half Brewing

Peppa's Jerk Chicken Restaurant

Sunny's Bar

Masalawala & Sons

Kettl

Tanoreen

Tanoreen

Peter Luger Steak House

Peter Luger Steak House

L'Industrie Pizzeria

Karczma

Queens

Arepa Lady

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao

Renee's Kitchenette & Grill

Taverna Kyclades

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

Angel Indian Restaurant

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao

Eddie's Sweet Shop

Caleta 111 Cevicheria

Zaab Zaab

Phayul

Cheburechnaya

Bronx

188 Bakery Cuchifritos

Dominick's Restaurant

Hungry Bird

Zero Otto Nove

Johnny's Reef Restaurant

Birria-Landia

Staten Island

Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern

Taste of India II

Enoteca Maria

Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern

Reach us