Breakfast at Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel Review

One of the loveliest starts to our days in New York came courtesy of breakfast at Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel, the rooftop restaurant right at the top of the hotel. With its retractable glass roof and sweeping views across Midtown Manhattan, including a proper look at the Chrysler Building, it's a wonderful spot to fuel up before a day of exploring the city, and it quickly became a firm favourite for the whole family.

The Setting

Being right at the top of the hotel, the restaurant has a lovely bright, open feel, with natural light pouring in and views stretching out over the surrounding skyscrapers. It felt like a proper treat to sit up there each morning, coffee in hand, looking out over the city before heading down into the middle of it all.

Caption: Walking in through the entrance, with the breakfast buffet already laid out and ready in the room beyond.

Caption: The dining room, with its bold botanical wallpaper, tufted booth seating and a glass roof letting in plenty of morning light.

Caption: The view from our table, looking straight out across the Midtown skyline.

Caption: More of that lovely skyline view, this time from the leather booth seating by the window.

Caption: The bar area, tucked beneath the same jungle-print wallpaper, ready for evening cocktails later in the day.

The Breakfast Buffet

Breakfast here is served as a generous buffet, all beautifully laid out on a table in the middle of the room, along with the option to order additional items à la carte from an attached menu if you fancied something extra.

The buffet spread was seriously impressive. There was a lovely fresh fruit selection with melon, grapes and pineapple, alongside home fried potatoes and grilled vegetables for anyone wanting something a bit more savoury. Applewood bacon and Esposito pork sausage covered the classic cooked breakfast side of things, while pancakes and French toast were there for anyone with more of a sweet tooth.

There was also a proper spread for those wanting something lighter or fresher: salmon, avocado, tomatoes and cucumber, plus honey and jam to go with an excellent selection of breads, bagels, croissants and French baguette. Eggs were made to order exactly how you wanted them, and there was chia pudding, cereals and yogurts too, so there was genuinely something to suit every taste and every appetite at the table. Coffee and tea were on hand throughout, which made lingering over breakfast even easier.

Caption: The buffet spread laid out in gold chafing dishes, with fresh breads, jams and cheeses off to the side.

A Hit With the Kids

The pancakes and waffles were an absolute hit with our children, and it's easy to see why. They came served with New York maple syrup and a choice of fresh berries or strawberry compote, and our kids went back for seconds more than once during our stay. Having such a wide buffet spread also meant we didn't have to negotiate over what everyone wanted, there was simply enough variety that everyone found something they loved.

Our Overall Thoughts

Breakfast at Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel was a brilliant way to start each day of our New York trip. The combination of that stunning rooftop setting, a genuinely varied and well-stocked buffet, and the option to order extra from the à la carte menu made it feel like proper occasion dining rather than just another hotel breakfast. Add in pancakes and waffles that the kids couldn't get enough of, and it's easy to see why we found ourselves looking forward to breakfast just as much as the day's sightseeing ahead.

If you're staying at The Kimberly Hotel, breakfast up at Upstairs is well worth making time for.