I straight up LOVE breakfast. I love breakfast food, I love tea, and (on occasion) I love a good espresso. I basically wake up with the motivation that I get to eat breakfast once I get out of bed. But actually, if you had asked me about 5 years ago, I would have told you that I don't do breakfast... ever. My attitude towards the most bomb meal of the day really changed when I went abroad to Sydney.
Without fail, we'd wake up every morning (sometimes needing what my aussie friends called recovery) and meet at one of the cafes around the corner. Our tables would be flooded with flat whites and eggs with avocado (my go-to breakfast every morning of my life still, no joke) and we would post up for hours, unrushed, with friends coming and going as they pleased. Sorry for the bad pun in advance-- it wasn't a break, and it wasn't fast: It was the morning event... which is probably why they called it brekkie.
Though I know in New York you would get lots looks if you sat at table for 3 hours, the new gravitation towards Aussie cafe culture has preserved just enough of that unrushed, relaxed vibe for ny to handle. Also, why is aussie breakfast food SO good? Avocado toast, bircher muesli, awesome egg sandwiches-- I get why I was converted to a breakfast lover over there. The country slogan should be "Make eggs, not war."
Naturally, I seek out these cafes. Here are my top picks for Australian cafes in the city:
Bluestone Lane [West Village]
If you want to feel like you're at the beach when you're in the West Village, this is where you need to go. It's so chill and relaxed, and I think this is in part the decor. White walls, aqua accents, and SO many windows-- all proven to boost your mood. The real draw though for me is breakfast all day. (Yes, it exists). I think the best thing on the menu is the coconut quinoa porridge, which has baked peaches, raspberries, almonds, vanilla cashew cream, and toasted coconut slices.
Toby's Estate [Williamsburg & West Village]
Toby's actually just opened in the West Village two days ago (!) on the corner of Charles & 7th ave, which is awesome. The single origin coffee is super strong, super aromatic, and super affordable, compared to places like Bluebottle. If you're into breakfast pastries, the guys at Toby's are seriously doing something that you will love. I have no idea what's in them (and because they're so good, I might not want to know), but you could essentially order any cookie or pastry and be in heaven. If you're a window junkie like me, go to the Williamsburg cafe (pictured above).
Ruby's [Nolita]
Ahhh Ruby's. My most favorite breakfast in the world. This is not an exaggeration-- I don't joke about the bfast. They recently expanded, and in doing so, expanded their menu. If you're feeling breakfasty, please order the breakfast sandwich. This is the epic lineup: A sesame seed bun loaded with a fried egg, roasted tomato, arugula, spicy relish, a hashbrown patty (!!!) and their special sauce, which I believe may be a sweet chili aioli. Just go for it. Like, it's even hard for me to write this, because I don't want to show up one day and have all the breakfast sandwiches be gone. It's my best nyc secret.
Dudley's [LES]
Run by the same people as my beloved Ruby's, this place is awesome as well. What they share on the menu is my other favorite: The Bronte burger. It's a burger with the same sweet chili aioli, on a crispy and warm ciabatta roll. What's cool about Dudley's is that it's a bit more off-the-beaten-path, tucked away on Orchard in what is now called "little australia." Also, they make an amazing cocktail. The option of having a boozy brunch at any time of the day (or night)? Perfection.
Little Collins [Midtown East]
Maybe you want an Aussie fix, but you're stuck at work. Little Collins is always packed with people (which, in this city, is an indicator that something is worth the wait). For the perfect mid-morning office break, head over and order a flat white. If you're feeling hungry, grab the smash, which is avocado toast loaded with pepitas and chili flakes, or the muse, a bircher muesli & fruit combo. Also, you get a little hazelnut cookie with your coffee/espresso, because Australians get what it is to treat yoself.
Photo Credit- All Instagram: 1, 2, 4, 5
Any places I missed? Let me know!
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I wake up on Saturday mornings in a hangover state of confusion and all I want to do is eat eggs, doughnuts, and a lobo roll in one sitting and have it be acceptable. Thank you, brunch, for justifying my hangover cravings and making indecisiveness an advantageous trait.