# Breakfast in Manhatten - any recommendations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 2, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977 "2011-09-02T17:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/1 "2011-09-02T17:15:38Z")
I’ve been in NYC for 22 hours now, and loving every minute! 😃 Was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a good spot to have breakfast as we’ll have a leisurely start to the day tomorrow. We’re on West 45th Street, near 7th between 5th and 6th Avenue. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/2 "2011-09-02T17:22:38Z")
Sarabeth’s is popular. They have a bunch of locations. One shouldn’t be too far… www.sarabeth. com ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/3 "2011-09-02T17:47:17Z")
My current favorite is a charming Belgian place called Petite Abeille (Little Bee). [http://www.petiteabeille.com/](http://www.petiteabeille.com/) I’ve been to the one on E. 20, but the one on W 17 is a short cab (or bus) ride down Fifth from you. ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/4 "2011-09-02T17:50:43Z")
OR Go to Chinatown and do a dim sum brunch. The waitresses wheel carts full of food around, you point at whatever you want, and they give it to you. Adventurous, different, and usually very tasty. My favorite place for this is upstairs from a shopping mall under a bridge, and virtually impossible to give directions to. But maybe some other NYC dopers (or an NYC eating website) will have recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/5 "2011-09-02T19:20:20Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > My current favorite is a charming Belgian place called Petite Abeille (Little Bee). > > [http://www.petiteabeille.com/](http://www.petiteabeille.com/) I like that place too, although actually I’ve never been for breakfast. Wednesday nights is all you can eat Mussels and a Stella for $23! Sorry, I got distracted. 🙂 Ess-a-Bagel, 3rd ave & 51st, is one of the quintessential New York bagel shops. > **[Ess-a-bagel](https://www.ess-a-bagel.com/)** > > Ess-A-Bagel is known for amazing bagels, luscious, appetizing salads, varieties of cream cheese, choice meats, and great catering services. From 9 grain to sesame and everything bagels, we have all of your favorites. We also have the finest... ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/6 "2011-09-02T19:32:44Z")
Nitpick - It’s Manhattan. Not “ten” but “tan.” Sorry, small thing but it bugs me. Bis Co Latte on 10th Ave & 47th Street is terrific. It is very pricey though (fair warning.) ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/7 "2011-09-02T23:00:54Z")
I was going to say Veselka, but that’s EV, not very good, but good mural on the wall. Just do like everyone else does, grab a bagel and some shmear, a coffee to go, and get to business. I somewhat agree with above, though I don’t remember the name “L’abeille” – but there’s loads of places in Chelsea where you can get a giant mug of coffee, and some good pastry. For good, you’ll have to walk down a 0.5 mi or up again, is my recollection (from midtown ETA). Also ETA – grab a muffin and some coffee, and wait 'til lunch for some crazy-ass pastrami sandwich or whatever you want. Or some blocks down in WV (maybe 20), go to a Cuban-Chinese diner and see if (a) they’re open and (b) if you want to chow some of what they want you to eat for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/8 "2011-09-02T23:04:28Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > Sarabeth’s is popular. They have a bunch of locations. One shouldn’t be too far… www.sarabeth. com Had brunch there this week. I can highly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/9 "2011-09-03T00:16:00Z")
There’s a [Pain Quotidien](http://www.lepainquotidien.us/#/en_US/locations/new_york/midtown/rockefeller_center) on 50th betw 6th & 7th. That’s a Belgian chain of coffee/bakery/breakfasty/lunchy shops, it’s nice but not too New Yorkish I guess. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/10 "2011-09-03T00:23:44Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > There’s a [Pain Quotidien](http://www.lepainquotidien.us/#/en_US/locations/new_york/midtown/rockefeller_center) on 50th betw 6th & 7th. That’s a Belgian chain of coffee/bakery/breakfasty/lunchy shops, it’s nice but not too New Yorkish I guess. Le Pain is nice, and different, but not very New York. I think of it as an LA place (my former home town) even though it isn’t any more Los Angeles than it is NYC. But it’s good for a nice casual quick sit down breakfast. Their baked goods, as you would guess, are fantastic. As are their jams and spreads. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/11 "2011-09-03T01:28:36Z")
I’m prejudiced. I was in NYC for a week every December between 1977-1991. Always had breakfast at the [Carnegie Deli](http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php). But, it’s expensive and not to every one’s taste. I ordered a fresh squeezed OJ, then the corned beef hash. You can’t eat it all. But, it’s the best I"ve ever had. But, read the menu, order what you like. ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/12 "2011-09-03T15:08:41Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Ess-a-Bagel, 3rd ave & 51st, is one of the quintessential New York bagel shops. > [http://www.ess-a-bagel.com/](http://www.ess-a-bagel.com/) Can’t believe I forgot to mention this! A quibble, though. It’s not “one of the quintessential New York bagel shops.” It’s the best damn bagels you’ll ever eat in your life. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Heavy as hell, yet somehow fluffy. And often you’ll be buying them hot out of the oven. Sadly, though, you can’t take them home with you (if home is out of town). Grab a table at the restaurant, take them back to the hotel, or find a sunny park bench, but eat them quickly. After a couple of hours, they’re almost inedible. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/13 "2011-09-03T20:49:25Z")
Well?? Were did you go? ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/14 "2011-09-03T21:32:28Z")
I cant believe nobody mentioned Tiffany’s. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/15 "2011-09-03T21:36:58Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Well?? Were did you go? Carnegie Deli, _cough_ It ended up being more of a brunch than a breakfast! There’s still breakfast tomorrow though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/16 "2011-09-03T21:58:15Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > Can’t believe I forgot to mention this! > > A quibble, though. It’s not “one of the quintessential New York bagel shops.” It’s the best damn bagels you’ll ever eat in your life. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Heavy as hell, yet somehow fluffy. And often you’ll be buying them hot out of the oven. > > Sadly, though, you can’t take them home with you (if home is out of town). Grab a table at the restaurant, take them back to the hotel, or find a sunny park bench, but eat them quickly. After a couple of hours, they’re almost inedible. Ess-a-Bagel is the best name for a Jewish style bagel place I’ve ever heard! Next time we’re in NYC I’ve got to check it out! My dad’s joke: Why does Superman want you to eat your dinner? His costume has an “ess” on it! ess is Yiddish for eat ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/17 "2011-09-03T21:59:02Z")
> [@Snake\_Plissken](#): > > I cant believe nobody mentioned Tiffany’s. I did that once. As I recall, I kinda liked it. Both of us did, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/18 "2011-09-03T22:23:40Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > A quibble, though. It’s not “one of the quintessential New York bagel shops.” It’s the best damn bagels you’ll ever eat in your life. Ess-a-bagel is pretty good, even very good. It’s probably the best bagel place _in Manhattan_. Personally, I’ve had better. If you really want an experience go down to [Kossar’s bialys](http://nymag.com/listings/stores/kossars-bialys/). The bialy is a near relative of the bagel which is even more greatly misunderstood by the bread making masses. They aren’t glossy or crusty and the hole doesn’t go all the way through. The dough is more lofty, with holes, than a bagel (which should be dense and uniform). mmmmm, Kossar’s. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/19 "2011-09-03T22:47:32Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Carnegie Deli, _cough_ It ended up being more of a brunch than a breakfast! > > There’s still breakfast tomorrow though. 🙂 Does the “cough” mean you weren’t happy with it, the price was staggering, or that you decided on more brunch stuff rather than breakfast things. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977/20 "2011-09-03T23:01:19Z")
On the corner of West 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, there’s a delightful little bistro called McDonald’s Restaurant that has an interesting twist on Eggs Benedict. They actually turn it into a sandwich. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-manhatten-any-recommendations/594977.md?page=2)