“Five Leaves is a small but bustling restaurant that sits on the corner of Lorimer Street and Bedford Ave in the heart of Greenpoint. ”
Recommended by passersby like Marjon Carlos, Anna Deutsch, Ellis Jones, Olivia Fleming, and countless others, Five Leaves is one of Greenpoint's most popular brunch spots. Wanting to see—and taste—what everyone's talking about for myself, I recently visited the black awning-adorned corner restaurant for a late morning meal that lived up to all its hype.
For my meal, I headed inside and past the bar, grabbing a spot by the window where the light was hitting perfectly and my seat already warm and toasty. The space is surprisingly small—often a downside of many tiny locations in an overcrowded city like New York—but instead of feeling cramped, I felt relaxed and comfortable, which is no small achievement for a restaurant trying to serve as many meals as possible in limited quarters.
“Even a simple breakfast sandwich at Five Leaves is made with attention to detail and presentation. For that reason, it’s the restaurant of your amateur food photographer friend’s dreams (you know the type).”
With a menu that includes everything from classics like avocado toast and grain bowls to creative spins on breakfast favorites, like their Ricotta Pancakes or a Moroccan Scramble, there's something for everyone—without completely overwhelming you with options—making it the ideal place to meet friends for a meal. That, however, did not make it any easier for me to choose what to order, since each item sounded more delicious than the last. Unable to make up my mind, I asked for some advice from the staff before ordering—a tip I highly recommend—and settled on something savory as well as something sweet: the sage scrambled egg sandwich, and the brûléed grapefruit.
If you're looking for a warm and relaxed vibe and some delicious—and highly Instagrammable—food, check out Five Leaves the next time you're in Greenpoint.
Visit Five Leaves at 18 BEDFORD AVE., GREENPOINT, BK, 11222
Words & Photography by Caitlin Rance