NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits two restaurants serving creative brunch items. Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Brunch lovers know what true happiness is. They linger over a plate of eggs Benedict, draped with velvety hollandaise, or a pile of waffles, crunchy on the outside and fluffy within. Other ways to welcome the day or while away an afternoon might include a seafood tower, a simple pasta or a more substantial burger. The list of Long Island restaurants serving what has become a destination meal is growing, and here are some favorites.

Credit: Daniel Brennan

Toast

Dishes such as corn and chorizo breakfast tacos and tres leches French toast are what make this all-day brunch chainlet a fan favorite. The related Revival by Toast in Port Jefferson Station serves a more seasonal, ingredient-driven brunch on Sundays. Other locations: Long Beach, Patchogue and Port Jefferson Station.

Credit: Newsday/Bill Davis

Sweet Mama's

Whether you’re craving chicken-fried steak and eggs, a spicy avocado "Benny" or a warm bowl of cheesy grits, the interior is a warm, kitschy throwback to a simpler time. (Other location at 121 Main St., Stony Brook).

Credit: Randee Daddona

The Shed

Brunch is offered daily and it’s possible to indulge (brioche French toast, eggs Benedict) or go the guiltless route with a Shed bowl (roast chicken, arugula, radish, sweet potatoes, wild rice, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, goat cheese, spiced honey vinaigrette). Other locations: Huntington, Plainview and Westbury.

Credit: Yvonne Albinowski

Noema

On weekends, this stunner of a Greek spot serves pastrami hash and eggs, lobster and Greek omelets. Sides include loukaniko (Greek pork or lamb sausage), potato hash and a feta olive biscuit.

Credit: Yvonne Albinowski

Nappi's Nook

Breakfast lovers will find anything goes in terms of eggs, whether served on tots, poached, in an omelet or plant-based scramble. For late risers: salads, veggie-minded flatbreads and more.

Credit: Allison Davis O'Keefe

Maureen's Kitchen

Although you should expect a wait, the pistachio pancakes are served in abundance and eggs reign supreme. Cubans and Reubens offset the breakfast choices. Great milkshakes, too. Cash only.

Credit: Newsday/Andi Berlin

Mack's

The Burlington Benny is a fluffy biscuit split in two and topped with a poached egg, hollandaise, melted Cheddar and thick slivers of maple bacon. If you are craving lunch, there’s the spectacular Sawmill fried chicken sandwich. Vegans will find a variety of plant-based breakfast foods.

Credit: Daniel Brennan

Hatch

This buzzy, bright spot in Huntington Village trades on pancakes, omelets, breakfast burritos, bowls, all-day mimosas and spiked espressos.

Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca

Estia's Little Kitchen

The Mexican brunch menu (migas, burritos, cochinita pibil tacos) also boasts fruit-saturated seasonal pancakes (strawberry, peach, apple), and is second to none.

Credit: Linda Rosier

Chops Steakhouse

At this speakeasy-style spot, choose from a BEC hero, French toast bites, seafood scrambles and surf and turf Benedict. Add on bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys for $34.99, and sail into Sunday right.

Credit: Yvonne Albinowski

Bruce & Son

Brunch at this Greenport charmer includes an egg-ceptional egg sandwich, a BLT on sourdough and roasted carrots with grilled sourdough, labneh, salsa verde and a "sunny egg." Open Friday-Sunday through the winter.

Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez

Arlo

At this stylish Art Deco supper club, roaming carts deliver classic dishes such as eggs in purgatory (with spicy tomato sauce) or Benedict, lobster avocado toast, potato waffles and salmon. Butcher-board offerings include filet mignon, porterhouse and rib-eye; pastas include duck confit gnocchi. Fish and chops along with brunch sides (mac-and- cheese, bacon, fruit platters) round out the menu.

Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez

Tulum Tacos & Tequila

At Sunday brunch, the breakfast tacos run from chicken and waffles to egg and cheese to banana tacos, filled with bananas, strawberries and chocolate. Also egg wraps, chilaquiles and breakfast nachos (tortillas piled high with scrambled eggs, cheese, beans and pico de gallo). Look for pear mimosas and churros, too.

Credit: Linda Rosier

Stellina Ristorante

Kick off any given Sunday with a breakfast pizza, baked eggs, pancakes or waffles, a perfect pasta or Milanese. Reservations are essential.

Credit: Alessandro Vecchi

Rothmann's Steakhouse

Offering a raw bar, omelet station, sushi rolls, and meats on repeat, this $69.95 all-you-can-eat situation (Sundays only) is a coveted reservation, so book early.

Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon

Red Salt Room

The most sought-after reservation in brunch land (and reservations are required) may be James Beard Award-winning chef David Burke’s feast at the Garden City Hotel on Sundays. It’s extravagant ($110 per person for adults; $60 for children 12 and under), but nothing exceeds like excess.

Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca

The Onion Tree

The brunch menu here is inflected with tastes of home for India-born chef Jay Jadeja. Think a dosa waffle, eggs Kejriwal (toast topped with cashews, green-chili chutney, Dijon mustard, Cheddar and a sunny-side-up egg), spiced panna cotta.

Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez

Hilltop Kitchen & Bar

Brunch at this spot offers fun variations on classic dishes, including potato latke eggs Benedict, peaches-and-cream or jelly-doughnut French toast, or a bananas Foster waffle with rum sauce.

Credit: Jeremy Bales

Hendricks Tavern

The upscale brunch includes hearty Benedicts, lemon ricotta pancakes, and a host of salads and sandwiches.

Credit: Stephanie Foley

Felice

In the mood for an omelet loaded with Parmigiano-Reggiano, a truffled frittata or a smoked salmon pizzetta? Felice ("feh-lee-chay") is for you.

Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez

Brasserie By Chef Aless

Here, you will find quiche Lorraine and croissant French toast, ham and cheese crepes and croque monsieurs, as well as a ratatouille shakshuka.

Credit: Daniel Brennan

Big Daddy's

Fans of a Creole or Cajun weekend wake-up can consider gumbo, a jambalaya omelet, pulled pork and waffles, broiled oysters and more.

Back to top
 
SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME