You guys, I did it. I found the coziest brunch spot in the West Village, and honestly, I don’t know whether to shout it from the rooftops or keep it my little secret. But because I’m magnanimous (yes, I’ve been reading), I’m sharing it with you.
A Sunday in the West Village
Okay, if you know me—and I feel like you do—you know that Sundays are sacred. Sundays are for fluffy pancakes, endless coffee, and weather-dependent fashion choices that make it seem like I just effortlessly look put together. (Spoiler: I do not. My floor was a war zone of rejected outfit choices before I left my apartment.)
This past Sunday, the sun decided to be my best friend, and I woke up with a singular mission: Find a brunch spot that makes me feel like the main character in a Nora Ephron movie.
Enter Clara’s. Nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street in the most charming little corner of the West Village, it had everything I needed for an ideal brunch scenario.
Why You’ll Love Clara’s Too
If I’m in, you’re in. Here’s why Clara’s needs to be on your list:
☕ Coffee like a warm hug – The first sip, you guys? It was like my soul sighed happily. None of that burnt, mediocre nonsense that makes you question your life choices. This was rich, smooth, and exactly what I needed after staying up too late scrolling outfits I absolutely do not need on Pinterest.
🥞 Pancakes the size of my face – Yes, I ordered pancakes. No, I will not apologize. These were perfectly golden, slightly crispy around the edges, and had the fluff factor of a Hallmark movie romance. Add a drizzle (okay, a pour) of maple syrup, and I was a goner.
🌿 The vibes? Immaculate. – Cozy booths, those dimly lit sconces that make everyone look like they have their life together, and a jazz playlist that made me feel like I was an effortlessly cool French girl.
🎭 People-watching goldmine – At the table next to me, an old couple sharing a crossword puzzle. At the bar, a woman typing furiously into her laptop (novelist? bestselling author? We’ll never know, but I choose to believe yes).
My Unsolicited Philosophical Moment
Midway through my coffee refill, I had this moment. You ever just exist in a place and realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be? That was me at Clara’s. The sun filtering through the window, the quiet buzz of conversation, the smell of cinnamon and coffee in the air—it was all very New York in the fall, and I had to actually stop myself from narrating my own life in my head like I was in a rom-com.
Sometimes, in this city, I feel like I’m constantly running to catch up—like I should be somewhere else, doing something more important, achieving something bigger. But then a buttery bite of pancake reminds me: Right now is actually kind of perfect.
Should You Go?
Yes. Immediately. Get there before the world finds out about it, and suddenly it’s impossible to get a table. (But also, if you see me there, look the other way if I’m on my third coffee refill, okay? Let me live.)
Tell me, what’s your go-to cozy brunch spot? Spill. The world (read: me) needs to know.
💛 Rachel
