Cafe Luxembourg
OpenTable, the online restaurant reservation service, just announced its 2023 Edition of the 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in America ahead of Mother’s Day. Of the six that made the list, three Upper West Side restaurants were included. According to OpenTable, the list was compiled from restaurant reviews written by “real diners” on their website.
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Tavern on the Green, located at 67th Street and Central Park West, scored 4.7 stars out of a possible 5. This historic site was originally designed by Calvert Vaux to shelter 700 sheep that once grazed the area before becoming a restaurant in 1934. Tavern on the Green offers brunch items which include a smoked bacon and scrambled egg pizza with shredded cheddar and micro greens for $21 and a Tavern French toast with strawberries, candied almonds and whipped cream for $23, among other options. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cafe Luxembourg at 200 West 70th Street also scored a 4.7 on OpenTable. This French restaurant with Parisian flair offers half a dozen Island Creek Oysters for $24, or a lobster roll withPain de Mie, celery, lemon aioli and pickled peppers for $41. They also serve excellent comfort food, like the $26 croque monsieur with Pullman white bread, Berkshire ham, prosciutto di parma, gruyere and Mornay sauce. Add $2 for a sunny-side-up egg. Cafe Luxembourg serves brunch on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rounding out the list with 4.6 stars is Cafe Fiorello at 1900 Broadway. This local favorite which has been running since 1974 serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its ‘breakfast specialties’ include a smoked salmon & black caviar omelet with crème fraiche, red onion and an everything bagel for $38, and an artichoke frittata omelet for $26. Their robust menu has everything from pasta to pizzas to French toast and pancakes.
Here are the brunch menus for Tavern on the Green, Café Luxembourg and Cafe Fiorello.
Let the debate begin, as none of these restaurants made the list of Best Upper West Side Brunch Spots we shared last November.
Cafe Lux Yes. The other two NO!
Cafe Luxembourg puts salted water in their oysters, how disgusting . Also their Steak Tartare is put in the blender as if it was a pate, and covered with super bitter olive oil. There is absolutely nothing French about it
Maybe I’m out of touch, but this seems like a strange trio to be called Best UWS Brunch. I don’t know anyone who’s eaten at any of these spots for years.
I had exactly the same thought. Tavern on the Green? Has anyone heard anything about their food lately? Maybe we’re missing something, but TOTG has always been more for the touristas.
Maison Pickle certainly has one of the best brunches on the UWS. Barney Greengrass another. Would love to hear others’ recommendations.
Tavern on the Green has an excellent brunch. Not just for tourists. Pricey, yes but worth it.
On the other hand, Cafe Lux is pricey but not worth it. Very limited menu as well.
You’re out of touch. Many locals, including myself eat at Cafe Lux. But yes, there are many other fantastic lunch spots on the UWS as well
I’ve always loved Cafe Lux!
I’ll also say that the brunch at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar on W 72nd is great, too!
Second Sugar Bar! Good Enough to Eat also a favorite. Not tried the Cafe Lux brunch only dinner a few times… nothing special imo but fine if you live a block away.
Pretty much agree with these comments. Except “Tavern on the Green” is for ambiance not food. Poor service also.
Good
Enough To Eat very good
Jennifer R. _ I think you are out of touch as these places are not new and have been on the UWS a long time