The Bluebell Cafe

The owners of Molly’s Pub and Shebeen in Gramercy decided to open the Bluebell Café nearby to help fill the gap in the area’s dining options. And manager Sheila McDonagh describes the “homey café” as “extremely welcome in the neighborhood” for offering homemade meals and baked goods you just can’t order from a bar stool. Signature mains include the chipotle-orange pulled pork sandwich (served with the café’s own pickles) and the trio of distinct beef sliders (bacon and cheddar, gruyere with fried onions, and blue cheese with arugula). Their weekend brunch policy is first come, first seated, but the more breakfast-y options will be worth your wait (hint hint: the crab cake eggs Benedict and brioche French toast with berry compote). The bar’s listed cocktails or one of the homemade desserts—like the much-admired red velvet cake—don’t hurt the cafe’s charm, either.

See more: Gramercy restaurants, American restaurants