Looking for brunch on the Upper East Side? Effy’s Café (1688 York Avenue in Yorkville, near Carl Schurz Park) serves up scratch-made meatless Mediterranean food. It’s open daily from 8am to 9pm and is a nice local spot for a weekday breakfast or a weekend brunch. Start with the Shakshuka, the Middle Eastern Breakfast or the Challah French Toast.
Yorkville is the northeastern corner of Manhattan’s Upper East Side where the residential streets meet the local cafés, the independent shops and the East River waterfront. It’s a good place to spend a morning if you’d rather just wander around rather than be rushing from one reservation to the next.
Located between East 88th and 89th Streets, Effy’s Café brings a Mediterranean twist to the local breakfast scene. Warm pita in hummus, eggs in a rich tomato sauce and omelets with feta and vegetables are the order of the day.
The kitchen is 100% meat free (though it does serve fish and dairy). It’s a fresh food kitchen, preparing everything daily and the menu is predominantly vegetarian/vegan.
Effy’s is different from the UES brunch spots which only have their brunch menu on the weekends. Effy’s has all day breakfast all week.
The café is also right near Carl Schurz Park and the East River Esplanade so there’s loads to do after you’ve had your breakfast. For a bit more local flavor, check out our breakfast Upper East Side neighborhood guide.
The menu is flexible throughout the week but how you actually order may well depend on how much time you’ve got. A Saturday with no pressing commitments is going to be a very different breakfast to a Tuesday morning before work.
Weekend brunch is your excuse to order something that warrants a bit of attention. Sit down with a Shakshuka, tear off a piece of pita and scoop up the warm tomato sauce.
The Middle Eastern Breakfast is another excellent option if you’re sufficiently hungry for a real breakfast. Alternatively you could go sweet with the Challah French Toast and fruit.
Can you come with someone who orders something different? Effy’s makes it easy to mix and match your sweet breakfast favorites with some of the more savory Mediterranean breakfast dishes at the same table.
If your morning is tight then there’s absolutely no need to have a depressing desk breakfast.
The Power Wrap is a good option if you’re after eggs, avocado and something substantial all in one. You can also go for a classic egg sandwich, some oatmeal or a fruit salad if you’re after something a bit lighter.
Grab a coffee or a fresh pressed juice and you’re good to go. Effy also offer collection and delivery if you’d rather just order in advance.
If there’s one dish that encapsulates the Mediterranean side of the menu it’s shakshuka.
Eggs are cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce and served with hummus and pita. It’s warm and savory and is particularly good when you use the bread to soak up every last drop of sauce.
For something a bit richer perhaps add some spinach and feta. The creamy cheese really does stand up to the tomato sauce.
Best for: Anyone who wants a comforting, tasty breakfast with a real Mediterranean feel.
The Middle Eastern Breakfast is the plate to go for if you want a bit of everything.
It comes with two eggs cooked however you like them, plus hummus, beets, labneh, feta, house salad and pita. You can put together each bite in your own way, moving between creamy, tangy and crisp.
The labneh is a cool thick yogurt and the feta adds a nice salty element. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you want to take your time and actually enjoy what you’re eating.
Best for: Diners who want a good, wide variety of breakfast food without having to order several different things.
The Power Wrap is for those mornings when you’re hungry and you just don’t want to spend any time at all deciding what to eat.
A whole wheat wrap with eggs, cheddar, avocado and Beyond vegan sausage. Served with either the house salad or home fries (your choice).
The avocado provides the creaminess, the cheddar and plant-based sausage make it a very satisfying meat-free meal.
It’s also a very easy option for those who prefer their breakfast pre-packed rather than having it all out on the plate.
Best for: A filling weekday breakfast or as a good grab and go.
Sometimes breakfast is all about the sweet stuff and Effy’s Challah French Toast is that kind of thing.
Made with challah and served with berries and a banana, it’s a nice change from the usual eggs and toast.
Challah’s soft, rich texture makes excellent French toast. The fresh fruit provides the necessary sweetness and a touch of brightness to each bite.
Order it for a relaxed Sunday morning or indeed whenever your breakfast thoughts are drifting towards the sweet side.
Best for: French toast fans, families and anyone who likes a sweetener to their morning.
The Greek omelet is pretty straightforward really, just spinach, olives and feta.
The olives add a bit of bite and the feta provides that characteristic tang which is what makes this a classic Mediterranean combination. The spinach completes the filling without making it too heavy.
It’s a fairly simple, solid breakfast and a decent alternative if you’re not up for shakshuka or a big platter.
Best for: Anyone who likes a classic omelet with a Mediterranean twist.
Brunch with the kids? You don’t need a complicated menu to keep everyone happy at the breakfast table.
Effy’s is a family café offering a mix of the very familiar (breakfast) with some more Mediterranean offerings. The kids who aren’t quite ready for the more exotic can of course have the pancakes, waffles or Challah French Toast (all of which are served with berries and banana).
For the older kids with bigger appetites you’ve got the classic egg sandwich or omelet. The parents can have shakshuka or a proper Middle Eastern breakfast without having to go to another place to cater to the younger ones.
And there’s the added benefit of eating in Yorkville as Carl Schurz Park is right nearby with playgrounds and paths along the East River. Make breakfast part of your morning outing and then head over to the park to let the kids get their energy out.
Coffee isn’t the only thing you can have to start the morning at Effy’s. There’s a good range of fresh pressed juice and smoothie options which can be enjoyed with your breakfast.
A few combinations worth trying:
Effy’s smoothies are made with either whole or almond milk and you can add protein powder if you like.
Check out the full range of drinks and breakfast plates on our Yorkville café menu.
Brunch in NYC generally kicks off around 10 or 11am (particularly at the restaurants that have a proper weekend brunch menu). At Effy’s Café on York Ave, breakfast is available from 8am onwards and their brunch items are on the menu all day. You don’t have to be on the weekend or at a particular brunch time to order.
Yes. Yorkville is part of the Upper East Side of Manhattan (east of Third Avenue between 79th and 96th Streets). It’s a residential area with a number of local restaurants and access to Carl Schurz Park and the East River. Effy’s Café is at 1688 York Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets.
Yes, Effy’s Café lists its York Avenue location as being certified kosher under IKC supervision. It has a 100% meatless dairy kitchen which also serves fish. There are vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. If you’re in any doubt as to whether it’s kosher you’re advised to check the latest certification with the café prior to your visit.
Yes, Effy’s is a fairly casual breakfast place with a menu that appeals to both adults and kids. The younger set can have the standard breakfast fare of pancakes, waffles, French toast and egg sandwiches. The parents can opt for the Mediterranean menu. It’s also in a very convenient location being right next to Carl Schurz Park.
The Shakshuka is a good place to start if you’re after some of Effy’s Mediterranean cooking (eggs in tomato sauce with hummus and pita is a very good hearty meal). For a more substantial breakfast go for the Middle Eastern Breakfast. If you’re after something sweet then the Challah French Toast is worth a try.
Ready for breakfast? Effy’s is open 7 days a week so you can pop in early for a relaxed weekend meal or order your usual later in the day.
Address: 1688 York Avenue, New York, NY 10128
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 8 AM–9 PM
Phone: (646) 490-6751
Nearby: Carl Schurz Park, East River Esplanade and the 86th Street subway station.
Visit our brunch Upper East Side location page for directions and ordering details, or browse the Effy’s menu to decide what sounds good before you arrive.
Stop by, pull up a chair, and enjoy breakfast at your own pace.
Serving the Upper East Side since 2002, the Effy’s team brings everyday experience from the café floor—serving regulars, families, and couples who make the neighborhood feel like home.