Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Great pub fare with a British flair. Selection of beers is impressive. At the bar or at a table you are guaranteed good service and good food in a hip, but not too trendy restaurant.
505 locals recommend
Black Swan
Great pub fare with a British flair. Selection of beers is impressive. At the bar or at a table you are guaranteed good service and good food in a hip, but not too trendy restaurant.
A cute, Latin-inspired coffee shop that has expanded into beer + wine service. The sandwiches are HUGE with salad or fries to match. Try the baked eggs for an interesting new take for breakfast.
86 locals recommend
Colador Cafe
1000 Bedford AveA cute, Latin-inspired coffee shop that has expanded into beer + wine service. The sandwiches are HUGE with salad or fries to match. Try the baked eggs for an interesting new take for breakfast.
The first South African restaurant in NYC. It's a multi-racial mix of colorful characters from all over the world, particularly from Southern Africa. Have the prawns peri-peri and the malva pudding.
190 locals recommend
Madiba
195 Dekalb AvenueThe first South African restaurant in NYC. It's a multi-racial mix of colorful characters from all over the world, particularly from Southern Africa. Have the prawns peri-peri and the malva pudding.
Every single dish in this pan-Latino restaurant is a gem. Have a 3 or 4 course meal; it's worth the price. Flavor pairings are inspired, and the bartender packs a punch with sangria and mojitos.
14 locals recommend
Luz Restaurant
177 Vanderbilt AvenueEvery single dish in this pan-Latino restaurant is a gem. Have a 3 or 4 course meal; it's worth the price. Flavor pairings are inspired, and the bartender packs a punch with sangria and mojitos.
Hands down the best food in Fort Greene. Their Senegalese-French fusion can hold its own against any fine dining in Manhattan. Bring your own wine and try the Senegalese fried chicken.
Abistro
Hands down the best food in Fort Greene. Their Senegalese-French fusion can hold its own against any fine dining in Manhattan. Bring your own wine and try the Senegalese fried chicken.
A staple in our house. Food is always fresh and the sauces are clearly made from scratch (no corn syrup or MSG!). Try their new bar + lounge across the street. Or if you want to stay in, they deliver.
24 locals recommend
Thai 101
448 Myrtle AveA staple in our house. Food is always fresh and the sauces are clearly made from scratch (no corn syrup or MSG!). Try their new bar + lounge across the street. Or if you want to stay in, they deliver.
Three words: roasted. manila. clams.
Everything else is pretty damned good, too, in this Filipino-Thai fusion restaurant. Chef King is a pretty nice guy, too.
33 locals recommend
Umi Nom
433 Dekalb AvenueThree words: roasted. manila. clams.
Everything else is pretty damned good, too, in this Filipino-Thai fusion restaurant. Chef King is a pretty nice guy, too.
What self respecting Brit doesn't eat Indian? Great for take out, which we have weekly. And even okay for dining in. Try the salmon curry or lamb dansak.
75 locals recommend
Bombay Heights
1070 Bedford AveWhat self respecting Brit doesn't eat Indian? Great for take out, which we have weekly. And even okay for dining in. Try the salmon curry or lamb dansak.
Simple yet delicious menu. This place can hold its own against any Italian restaurant you might find in the Village. Atmosphere is adult, relaxed and friendly. Highly recommended!
80 locals recommend
Sud Vino & Cucina
1102 Bedford AvenueSimple yet delicious menu. This place can hold its own against any Italian restaurant you might find in the Village. Atmosphere is adult, relaxed and friendly. Highly recommended!
Everything Else
Our local gym. Has a pool, sauna, weight room, and a great large space for classes. Yoga, spin and belly dancing are just a few. And a very nice staff. We love our local Y!
96 locals recommend
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA
1121 Bedford AveOur local gym. Has a pool, sauna, weight room, and a great large space for classes. Yoga, spin and belly dancing are just a few. And a very nice staff. We love our local Y!
A local New York pharmacy and convenience store chain with organic and eco-friendly options. Find everything from toothpaste to tea bags.
311 locals recommend
Duane Reade
5411 Myrtle AveA local New York pharmacy and convenience store chain with organic and eco-friendly options. Find everything from toothpaste to tea bags.
DOUGH: Sinfully delicious donuts and french press coffee made fresh daily.
BOUCHON: Funky wine shop next door. With 135 wines from around the world, it supplants Rand Liquor store.
638 locals recommend
Dough Doughnuts
5th AvenueDOUGH: Sinfully delicious donuts and french press coffee made fresh daily.
BOUCHON: Funky wine shop next door. With 135 wines from around the world, it supplants Rand Liquor store.
High end nail and make-up salon that took everyone else's game up a notch in the neighborhood. See Starr on Friday or Saturday for a brow shaping that will make you look like a movie star - no joke!
Polish Bar of Brooklyn LLC
470 Myrtle AveHigh end nail and make-up salon that took everyone else's game up a notch in the neighborhood. See Starr on Friday or Saturday for a brow shaping that will make you look like a movie star - no joke!
Arts & Culture
Brooklyn's answer to Lincoln Center, BAM is a world class performing arts center - the longest continuously running one in the US. Theater, live music, art, film and dance.
221 locals recommend
BAM Fisher
321 Ashland PlBrooklyn's answer to Lincoln Center, BAM is a world class performing arts center - the longest continuously running one in the US. Theater, live music, art, film and dance.
Shopping
Formally the best selection of wines in the neighborhood (see now Bouchon). They carry a full range of hard liquors. Prices are decent.
Rand Liquor Store
Formally the best selection of wines in the neighborhood (see now Bouchon). They carry a full range of hard liquors. Prices are decent.
Gift shop and variety store with organic and eco-friendly wares. Quirky and fun! You'll find that perfect, but out of the ordinary gift for a friend or loved-one. http://www.greeninbklyn.com/
10 locals recommend
Green in BKLYN
432 Myrtle AveGift shop and variety store with organic and eco-friendly wares. Quirky and fun! You'll find that perfect, but out of the ordinary gift for a friend or loved-one. http://www.greeninbklyn.com/
Essentials
Most extensive selection of organic and natural meat and produce in the neighborhood. Great beer selection; high-end cheeses and snacks; fresh fish market; ethnic foods. Spend $50+, get free delivery!
48 locals recommend
Pioneer Supermarkets
191-199 Parkside AveMost extensive selection of organic and natural meat and produce in the neighborhood. Great beer selection; high-end cheeses and snacks; fresh fish market; ethnic foods. Spend $50+, get free delivery!