By Tara Marsh (@starrayoga)
What pairs really well with yoga? Brunch! One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend day in NYC is with a morning yoga class, followed by mimosas and avocado toast (or green juice and an acai bowl, or an oat milk cappuccino and flaky croissant, or whatever takes your fancy). Spending a few hours this way with my friends is joyful—and for me yoga is about joy. If it ends up leading into a Sunday Funday on occasion, I'm down with that too!
But, of the many many yoga studios and many many restaurants, which ones work best together? I've done the legwork, I've stretched and sipped and nibbled my way through many brunches (it was hard work, I tell you), to arrive at my top 5 yoga and brunch pairings in Manhattan. Brooklyn—I haven't forgotten you, you're up next! If you check them out, let us know!
Sky Ting in Chinatown + Dimes
Full of light, and also a stuffed giraffe, Sky Ting has a beautiful modern aesthetic and is a welcoming space where you want to hang out. Follow it up with a visit to Dimes on Canal—healthy(ish) and hip, with west coast vibes. It's a little bit of a 'scene', a destination-brunch spot - great for people watching!
Sky Ting Yoga
17 Allen St, Fl 7
Chinatown
New York, NY 10002
Dimes
49 Canal St
New York, NY 10002
Y7 Flatiron + Friend of a Farmer
If you enjoy high tempo and heat, start with an extra sweaty morning at Y7, get a little hip hop fix, and then bring the high vibes to Friend of a Farmer. On Irving Place, it's just off the Union Square hustle and feels like you've stepped into a rustic, quaint country house. The egg dishes are always popular.
Y7 Flatiron
25 W 23rd Street
Fl 4
New York, NY 10010
Friend of a Farmer
77 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
Warrior Bridge + Made Fresh Daily
Full transparency - I teach at Warrior Bridge and it is my yoga and acro yoga home base in New York. If you want to mix things up and try something different, check out an acro yoga class here, or one of the many handstand classes on the schedule. I teach "normal" yoga here most Sundays at 12:30pm—perfect for those who want a later lunch! For a casual, cozy and oh-so-tasty bite to eat afterwards, Made Fresh Daily is the spot. I've eaten here so many times! Think comfort food but light and fresh and definitely no reservations needed. When the weather is nice, I order to-go and walk to the grassy piers on the water. Note: they don't serve drinks and this is a super casual spot. If you want drinks and more fancy, check out the new development at the Seaport, which includes The Fulton.
Warrior Bridge
250 Front Street
South Street Seaport
New York, NY 10038
Made Fresh Daily
226 Front St
New York, NY 10038
Modo Yoga NYC + Westville West
Modo has a bit of a cult following and I understand why. It has a laid back and friendly vibe and people love the heated room. There is a sweetness to this spot. Check out their Yang Yin classes: it's a combo I'm a big fan of. After class, head to Westville West. Really, no yoga brunch list would be complete without a Westville mention. There are a few of them in different neighborhoods—this one was the first (hence the name). They have great healthy options. I always come with the intent to order something different and then without fail I order the market sides. They are just SO GOOD. It's super casual so you're fine to show up in leggings and a tank, and you can ALWAYS get a reservation.
Modo Yoga
434 6th Ave, Fl 2
Greenwich Village
New York, NY 10011
Westville West
210 W 10th St
New York, NY 10014
Three Jewels and The Smile
Three Jewels is where I go most often myself to practice. It is a special space, a hidden gem and where I go for soul nourishing. This is where you deepen your spiritual practice (and your back bend). I have to give a shout out here to Rose Erin Vaughn, who I have been privileged to learn from and whose classes I seek out whenever I can. A non-profit, they also offer free meditation and community classes. After your yoga and meditation, check out The Smile, one of my favorite brunch spots in town. Rustic and charming, it's the complete package. Great food, great vibes, great drinks.
Three Jewels Yoga and Meditation
5 E 3rd St
East Village
New York, NY 10003
The Smile
26 Bond St
New York, NY 10012
