Where to go in NYC for Mother's Day Brunch 2024
Let’s set the scene: It’s a week before the day, and you’ve been reminded that you’re hosting Mom for the weekend. Your apartment is a mess. You haven’t done your laundry. Your hair needs a cut. There’s so much to do to prove that your NYU student loans and appalling rent are worth it.
Don’t worry, this article is here to save you at least one headache – booking the biggest brunch of the year. No pressure. Whether it’s for Mom, an aunt, a best friend, or even you, you’ve got to make it special.
Whoever you’re planning to treat, here are some great spots and happenings to book for Mother’s Day Brunch in New York City.
If you’re looking to book something more intimate, check out our lists of private dining venues across the city.
Happenings
Mother’s Day brunch and portraits at The Standard
East Village, New York
The Standard’s Garden is well-loved in the East Village for a whimsical al-fresco meal. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a breezy brunch complete with mimosas, croissant French toast, and herb and cheese omelets.
Between 11 am and 4 pm, you can reserve the Mother’s Day Garden Brunch for specials and drinks among lush greenery and quaint tables. Artist Zac Crawford will sketch a free portrait of Mom from noon, with the purchase of a drink. Book tickets here.
Mother’s Day jazz brunch at The Temple Court Beekman
Financial District, New York
Enjoy a three-course meal accompanied by the dulcet tones of the Temple Court Quartet. Starting at $85pp, choose from avocado toast, brioche French toast, and hanger steak. If you want to treat Mom, order the supplement Ossetra Caviar for the table, which comes with potato chips and créme fraîche. It’s what she deserves, after all.
Reserve a spot in The Beekman’s stunning Temple Court dining room, between 12 pm and 3 pm. Tickets are available here.
Flowers and cocktails for Mom at Scarpetta
NoMad, New York
Scarpetta in the James Hotel, NoMad is offering a three-course, prix-fixe Brunch for Mother’s Day.
The Italian-inspired menu includes a spring frittata, Eggs Benedetto, and ricotta cheesecake to finish. To make her feel extra special, she’ll be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail and bespoke flowers from Pop-Up Florist.
Tickets are $70 per guest, and reservations can be made between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm. Book your spot here.
La Pecora Bianca's three-course Mother’s Day Brunch
Multiple Locations
One of the cutest pasta spots in the city is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for just $60pp. Choose from classic brunch options like French toast, soft scrambled eggs, or the Mother’s Day special Eggs Benedict. If you’re feeling pasta, you can order iconic, simple pasta like vodka rigatoni or mushroom garganelli. Finish off with tiramisu or olive oil cake.
La Pecora Bianca has locations in Upper Manhattan, SoHo, NoMad, and Midtown. Book reservations here.
Hotspots
Palma
Greenwich Village, New York
For a quiet Mother’s Day brunch tucked away in an ivy-covered courtyard, head to Palma in Greenwich Village. The husband-and-wife-owned spot specializes in elevated Italian cuisine, in an intimate and enchanting setting. Handmade, fresh pasta is available to order all day, or you can choose from their special weekend brunch menu, which includes poached eggs, French toast, and spinach frittata.
Reservations can be made here. Book the outdoor Garden space to make your meal extra special.
Maman
Multiple Locations
Sure, it might be a little cheesy, but Maman is a no-brainer spot to take Mom for Mother’s Day. (It means mom in French, after all.) With a ton of locations around the city, you’ll find limited edition mom-osas and bellinis as well as special pastries all weekend. Order French staples
Like tartines, egg ratatouille, and quiche. They’re known for their pastries and coffee – Oprah has listed their nutty chocolate chip cookie as one of her favorite things – so if the place is booked, choose a selection and take it to a park nearby.
Maman is walk-in only, but you can groups of 8 or more in advance by reaching out to the events team. If your maman is a little farther away, send her a special gift from their Mother’s Day merch collection, which includes cookie boxes, candles, and ceramics.
Sailor
Fort Greene
If your mom complains every time she visits you in the city (“Why do they need to honk so much?”) give her a breather for Mother's Day and head out East. Sailor in Fort Greene, Brooklyn is an intimate neighborhood bistro that offers a simple, elevated weekend brunch between 10 am and 2 pm. The menu has something for everyone, from a basic porridge to Turkish eggs with flatbread. Accompany your meal with a simple cocktail or juice.
It’s a small restaurant, so book in advance. Brunch reservations open at 11 am on May 6th on Resy here.
For more options in Brooklyn, check out our private dining list here.
Jack's Wife Freda
Multiple Locations
Now, Jack’s Wife Frida has a reputation for being a basic, tourist-ridden spot for brunch in the city. This writer would like to disagree. On one of my first visits to New York in 2015 with my mom, we went to brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda on the corner of Spring and Lafayette, soon after I fell in love with the city. I ordered the rosewater waffle, and she got Maya’s Breakfast Bowl. It was a special memory, and perhaps I’m biased in saying it would be a perfect spot for Mother’s Day Brunch. But considering the whole spot is dedicated to a mother (Freda), I’d say it’s justified.
The menu includes Mediterranean-inspired dishes, sandwiches, and entrees, as well as signature cocktails and drinks. Order breakfast items all day, and book at one of their five locations here.