As a resident of Park Slope for two years, I’m here to dish on the best brunch places in Park Slope!
Brunching in New York City sounds like a scene in Sex and The City. That is, until you realize you’re shouting at the top of your lungs, sitting elbow to elbow with randoms all for a small portion of food.
Well, that is – if you’re in Manhattan!
In Park Slope, the quaint neighborhood vibes are reflected in these cozy, light-filled brunch spots — so you really get the best experience for your buck. Delicious brunch with charming vibes, all without the chaos and frenzy in neighborhoods like the West Village.
With that aside, let’s walk through the best brunch places in Park Slope!
Best Brunch Places in Park Slope
1. Couleur Cafe
“Any country, any city – if I wanna understand the city, I go to a cafe,” owner Murat Ozcan said. “How is the economy, how is social life? How is culture life, how is the politics life?”
The same can be said about Couleur, where Murat warmly embraces patrons, including regulars that have frequented the cafe over its 13 years in Park Slope.
Here, you’ll find tasty and wholesome French-inspired fare. Many dishes incorporate organic ingredients, like the earthy kale and the mouthwatering lamb merguez sausage.
The crispy, flavorful quiches are made over a 36-hour process.
Murat was born in Turkey, but directed and acted in Paris and throughout Europe for almost 20 years.
When Murat first walked around Park Slope, he fell in love with Brooklyn and felt something special. “Paris for me is relaxing,” but in “New York, I find my energy,” Murat said.
Murat named the Couleur Cafe after the song of the same name by Serge Gainsbourg, one of his idols.
But there’s a double meaning to the name Couleur, which means color in French.
“Couleur is color, and Brooklyn is all about the color, diversity color, different cultures, different religions,” Murat said. “But they live altogether and Brooklyn is one of the best spots in the world.”
Murat’s clear values of respect, quality and trust are a throughline in all aspects of his business, from how he picks his ingredients to how he leads his team.
“If you create the trust between you and customers, they are coming back,” he said. “I never cut my quality, I never cheat myself.”
“This is my house, my home. How I take care of my home, I take care of my space,” Murat said.
2. Gertrude’s
Gertrude’s is a lovely, airy, girlie girl’s kinda brunch spot, from the quaint outdoor dining to the beautiful plating. Husband and wife team Nate Adler and Rachel Jackson do it again with their “Jew-ish” fare. The couple also run GERTIE, a diner in Williamsburg. They run this Park Slope bistro in partnership with executive chef Eli Sussman, who makes viral restaurant memes with his brother. The burger, sandwiched between buttered challah roll and oozing with swiss cheese and caramelized onions, is everything sweet, salty and chewy that you didn’t know you needed ($24).
3. Milk Bar
Milk Bar is one of those neighborhoods fixtures that makes Park Slope the cozy, hip and relaxed neighborhood that it is today.
Light floods the interior, shining through the beautiful stained glass. The outdoor seating is perfect for reading a book with a cup of coffee.
The brunch is delicious, and the neighborhood knows it; it does get busy during peak weekend brunch hours.
Try the cheddar biscuit sandwich ($12.50), avocado toast ($12) and sweet potato pancake ($15) for good, wholesome breakfast fare.
If you love this location, check out the OG spot in Prospect Heights.
4. Stone Park Cafe
For a calm, classy and family-friendly brunch, head over to Stone Park Cafe. The buttermilk pancakes are fluffy and plushy, and come with a tangy, delightful berry compote and maple syrup from upstate NY. The quiche is crispy and chewy in all the right places, housemade with spinach, mushroom and cheddar. Add $14 for a mimosa, bloody mary or bellini. Stone Park has been in business for 20 years and is owned by childhood friends Josh Foster and Josh Grinker, who grew up in Park Slope.
5. Palo Santo
For 18 years, chef-owner Jacques Gautier has been delicately experimenting Latin American and Caribbean flavors at Palo Alto. The braised duck leg simmers in a chili and chocolate-based mole poblano. The grass-fed skirt steak is enjoyed with fresh chimichurri and rich yucca. The service and friendly and warm in this romantic, dimly-lit restaurant. What I love about chef Jacque’s dishes is that his garnishes and sauces accentuate the freshness and texture of the ingredients, rather than bury them, a culprit too common even in NYC. The $24 prix fixe brunch includes one non-alcoholic drink. Add $18 for one hour of bottomless mimosas or sangria.
Address: 652 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
6. Zatar Cafe & Bistro
Zatar is a neighborhood favorite, whose outdoor seating is always poppin’ for brunch. The owner moved from Yemen 20 years ago and brings his dishes to Park Slope and a second location in Buskwick.
Their mezzes, like the hummus, babaganoush and muhammara (made from roasted red pepper) come with pita baked in a stone oven. All of the food is Halal and never frozen.
Try the manquoosh bil zatar flatbread and the chicken shawarma. For brunch, the fasuliya (seasoned bean soup) and Yemeni souffle hit the spot.
7. Little Purity
Crispy, oily, and fluffy where it needs to be. Whether you’re beating a hangover or nostalgic for a comforting diner, Little Purity has got you covered. As good diners go, everything is pretty good here, but my favorites are their challah french toast with a side of sausage that’s hard on the outside but juicy on the inside. The joint is open from 8am to 6pm every day.
8. Scottadito Osteria Toscana
Italian native Raffaele Spadavecchia has been leading the kitchen at Scottadito Osteria Toscana for over 15 years (which included a stint on the Food Network’s Chopped TV show). Scottadito’s rustic vibes can be traced back to its history as an old carriage house, in prime Park Slope fashion. This is the perfect spot with a welcoming atmosphere to celebrate special occasions or plan private events. At $36, the bottomless brunch is an unmatched deal in the city, considering that it comes with an entree. Don’t miss the ricotta gnocchi slathered with sage-butter spinach.
9. Masalawala & Sons
Sticky, seared, aromatic and salty. Thick chutneys and braised mutton. Masalawala introduces Bengali cooking in a cheerful setting, with colorful murals covering the wall and pom poms playfully strung across the quintessentially New York tin ceiling. Masalawala was opened in inspiration of Roni Mazumdar’s father, who immigrated from Kolkata. Experienced restauranteurs Roni and Chintan Pandya run 7 other concepts across NYC and the greater metropolitan area.
Best Brunch Places in Park Slope (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over the best brunch places in Park Slope.
We went over several local businesses where you can enjoy delicious food made from seasonal ingredients, like Couleur Cafe, which has been in the neighborhood for over 13 years.
In the warmer months, head on over to Gertrude’s or Zatar for their outdoor seating.
- Couleur Cafe
- Gertrude’s
- Milk Bar
- Stone Park Cafe
- Palo Santo
- Zatar Cafe & Bistro
- Little Purity
- Scottadito Osteria Toscana
- Masalawala & Sons
Thank you for checking out my article about the best brunch places in Park Slope!
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