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Upper East Side Brunch Under $20

If I were to identify New York City with any single meal, it would be brunch. Weekend brunch is a big deal here and there are countless options for locals and visitors to the city. Within nearly any neighborhood you can find a solid brunch option.

When I have friends visiting from out of town, they are often amazed at how expensive the city can be. After a Friday and Saturday spent hopping around the city it can daunting thinking about spending a ton on an overpriced Sunday brunch. You can still have a quintessential New York City Sunday brunch on the Upper East Side and spend less than $20, if you do it right!

Emily R.

Emily is a singer, teacher and mother who knows Manhattan. There are few things she enjoys more than spending a fall day in Central Park with her family. A close second is a tall coffee and a Brooklyn Blackout from Two Little Red Hens.

Bluestone Lane - Upper East Side

Coffee Shop Relaxed cafe with outdoor seating

(718) 374-6858 website

1085 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128

Bluestone Lane is a chain of cafes inspired by the coffee culture of Melbourne, Australia. Arrive early to grab a seat and enjoy the hustle and bustle of their Upper East Side location carved into a Church on 5th Avenue. It's a beautiful location and directly across the street from Central Park. The avocado toast is $16 and a flat white is around $4, so with tax and tip you can get in and out for around $20. The people watching is priceless.

Central Park Reservoir & Great Lawn

Public Park

Free

website

Entrance on 5th Avenue near 90th Street

Across the street from Bluestone Lane you'll find an entrance to Central Park that will give you easy access to the Central Park Reservoir. Whether you've been a thousand times or never been to New York City before, the reservoir is always worth a visit. Beautiful views of the Central Park South skyline peak up behind the trees and if the weather is nice the water shimmers just right. After a stroll around the reservoir you can relax on the Great Lawn, which is just a short walk. Bring a magazine or book and something cool to drink and spread out a blanket and enjoy the day!