Utopia – Old-fashioned breakfast

Utopia New York

Image by Geoffrey Dunbar

Utopia – Old-fashioned breakfast

Geoffrey Dunbar photo

Geoffrey from New York

Knowing and loving New York is having lived through many of its manifestations.....

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There used to be lots of old-fashioned breakfast restaurants on the Upper West Side. Some have converted to the kind that serve eggs, potatoes, meat, and toast on a disposable plate. They’re fine, just less satisfying places to hang out, though about one third the price. Columbus Avenue’s Gourmet Food is an example.

But, there remains a holdout: Utopia, 267 Amsterdam (between 72nd and 73rd), has booths and tables, and they let me have a booth all to myself (if they are not too busy), spread out my newspaper, and linger while I watch the crowds on their way to the subway station across the street. I always see lots of regulars and a hustling, no-nonsense staff. The career waiters are classic: attentive, quick, and not intrusive. Sadly gone (since COVID), is the ‘breakfast special’, once ubiquitous. That means no juice and no free coffee refills included with your meal.

Directly across the street from the 72nd Street subway station (1/2/3 Trains), it is a great launch pad for a walk and visit to such places as the Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society.

I  get a warm welcome and often a Daily News or a New York Post if I ask for a house newspaper. It’s my neighbourhood go-to breakfast joint but I see lots of patrons eating their dinner there in the evenings when I walk by.

Utopia hosts a Thanksgiving 40-meal-giveaway to those in need, sharing the restaurant’s success, an uncommon NYC thing to do.

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Geoffrey from New York

Geoffrey Dunbar photo

Knowing and loving New York is having lived through many of its manifestations.....

Read all articles

Details about this spot

Categories

Address

267 Amsterdam Ave, New York

Telephone number

+12128736233

Opening Times

Mon - Sun 08:00 - 21:00

Price

Breakfast: US$ 20

Website

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Last Changed Date: 2016-05-19 11:45:13 +0200 (Thu, 19 May 2016)