The hidden gem of brunch in the Upper West SideThe Hidden Gem of Brunch in the Upper West Side | The Ellington NYC

Most conversations about brunch in the Upper West Side trace the same ground. Maison Pickle on 83rd. Jacob's Pickles. Sarabeth's on Amsterdam. Barney Greengrass if you want to wait. These are good restaurants. They also represent a roughly twenty-block stretch that ends at 87th Street.

The Ellington sits at 2745 Broadway, between 105th and 106th. That puts it closer to Riverside Park, closer to Columbia University, and further from the roundups that recycle the same names. Weekend brunch runs through the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. Here is what the menu does.

What to order

The full brunch menu covers eggs, sweets, and savories. The kitchen makes considered ingredient choices — tasso ham, chipotle hollandaise, apple bacon — that show up in the food.

Eggs

The Braised Short Rib Toast earns its place: poached eggs, crumbled blue cheese, hollandaise on rustic sourdough. The Ellington Benedict uses tasso ham, portobello mushroom, pepper jack, and chipotle hollandaise on a whole wheat muffin. The Nova brings smoked salmon and poached eggs with classic hollandaise for those who want the traditional route done properly. For something more substantial, the Steak & Egg Frites pairs an 8oz flat iron with scrambled eggs, onion rings, and au poivre sauce.

Sweets

Double Cut French Toast with mascarpone whipped cream and pure maple syrup. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Belgian Waffle with caramelized banana. Chicken & Waffle with buttermilk battered chicken, strawberry compote, and maple syrup. These are the reason certain tables come in specifically on weekends.

Savories

The Farmers Flatbread — fried eggs, tasso ham, short rib, potato, onion, brie, sriracha, hollandaise, home fries — rewards anyone willing to order something new. The Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich with slaw, arugula, and secret sauce on sweet potato fries covers the table that wants brunch food without the eggs.

Build your own mimosa for $37

A bottle of bubbly and your choice of two juices: orange, mango, grapefruit, cranberry, pineapple, or passion fruit. Add a shot of Aperol, St. Germain, PAMA, or vodka for $3. You control the proportions and the pace.

The cocktail menu runs alongside it. The Broadway Spritz — coconut water, Malibu rum, prosecco, pineapple, lime juice — works well for a weekend afternoon. The Ida Fizz with Empress Indigo Gin, St. Germain, raspberry, and prosecco is worth trying if you lean toward lighter, more floral cocktails. Full drinks menu at theellingtonny.com.

Brunch with kids near Columbia University

The stretch of the Upper West Side above 100th Street is one of the more family-dense parts of Manhattan. NYC Planning data consistently shows high concentrations of households with children in this part of the neighbourhood, drawing residents connected to Columbia University and Morningside Heights.

The kids menu keeps it simple: French Toast, Scrambled Eggs & Bacon, Chicken Fingers & Fries, or a Mini Burger — any choice for $10 with juice, soda, or lemonade included.

The neighbourhood 

Riverside Park is a two-minute walk from The Ellington. The park's weekend programme — farmers markets, open spaces along the Hudson, running routes — draws people to this part of the Upper West Side on Saturday and Sunday mornings in a way that makes the walk to brunch feel earned. The room at The Ellington runs through the afternoon, so there is no pressure to rush.

Book your table

Reservations are on Resy. Weekend tables fill up — booking ahead is the sensible move. You can also call on (212) 281-3011. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows. The full brunch menu is at theellingtonny.com/menu/brunch.

From the same team

Ellington in the Park is a seasonal outdoor restaurant at Riverside Drive and West 105th Street, overlooking the Hudson. Open through the warmer months, first come, first served, with capacity for groups from 20 to 500. Large group bookings with pre-ordered food and drinks can be arranged through the party reservations page or by calling (929) 325-1004.

The Ellington  |  2745 Broadway, New York, NY 10025  |  (212) 281-3011  |  Book on Resy  |  View the brunch menu