Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Informal, local spot, menu changes nightly. A few things:
Don't miss the panna cotta if they have it (reserve one when you sit down, they always run out). The burger is perfect, but so is the spaetzle/schnitzel and lettuces. There will be a wait on weekends, but the bar isn't a bad place to have a cocktail or four.
482 locals recommend
Diner
85 BroadwayInformal, local spot, menu changes nightly. A few things:
Don't miss the panna cotta if they have it (reserve one when you sit down, they always run out). The burger is perfect, but so is the spaetzle/schnitzel and lettuces. There will be a wait on weekends, but the bar isn't a bad place to have a cocktail or four.
The most difficult (ie impossible) reservation to get in this neighborhood, BUT if you are a party of two, you can stop in at 6 to put your name in and they'll give you a reservation that night. It's a great weekday trick to eat some of the best food in NYC right now.
42 locals recommend
Misi
329 Kent AveThe most difficult (ie impossible) reservation to get in this neighborhood, BUT if you are a party of two, you can stop in at 6 to put your name in and they'll give you a reservation that night. It's a great weekday trick to eat some of the best food in NYC right now.
Weekends
155 S 4th StGreat smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Easy and quick.
Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine StBest NYC slice in Williamsburg. No debate.
Best Pizza
33 Havemeyer St2nd best slice in Williamsburg. Let the debate begin.
I haven't eaten here, but it turns into a great bar with live music and then usually some mix of trap/house after food service. Always very fun; best new nightlife spot in Williamsburg/Greenpoint right now.
21 locals recommend
Ponyboy
632 Manhattan AveI haven't eaten here, but it turns into a great bar with live music and then usually some mix of trap/house after food service. Always very fun; best new nightlife spot in Williamsburg/Greenpoint right now.
The best doughnuts in Brooklyn. Made fresh everyday how they used to be made and with fresh ingredients. Cheap as sin. Coffee almost too strong. You won't see egg sandwiches on the menu, but they make them and they are amazing.
255 locals recommend
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
727 Manhattan AveThe best doughnuts in Brooklyn. Made fresh everyday how they used to be made and with fresh ingredients. Cheap as sin. Coffee almost too strong. You won't see egg sandwiches on the menu, but they make them and they are amazing.
Smoked salmon, pastrami, corned beef - every Jewish deli staple - are recommended here.
68 locals recommend
Frankel's Delicatessen & Appetizing
631 Manhattan AveSmoked salmon, pastrami, corned beef - every Jewish deli staple - are recommended here.
Great simple, authentic Mexican. Hit it on a weekday where there's usually a small wait, weekends can hit 2+ hour waits and people will wait.
222 locals recommend
Barrio Chino
253 Broome StGreat simple, authentic Mexican. Hit it on a weekday where there's usually a small wait, weekends can hit 2+ hour waits and people will wait.
Mediterranean with an Australian touch? Local skateboard/street art crew opened this spot a few years ago and it has grown into several restaurants around this cool corner in LES/Chinatown. This one is the original and still the best.
181 locals recommend
Forgtmenot
138 Division StMediterranean with an Australian touch? Local skateboard/street art crew opened this spot a few years ago and it has grown into several restaurants around this cool corner in LES/Chinatown. This one is the original and still the best.
Bozu
296 Grand StGreat quality/price ratio. Cool interior. Get the sushi bombs.
Cool as cool can be French bistro that has been on 1st and 1st forever. Great everything.
101 locals recommend
Lucien
14 1st Ave.Cool as cool can be French bistro that has been on 1st and 1st forever. Great everything.
Really underrated Italian right around the corner. Don't miss the artichoke or the grilled octopus.
11 locals recommend
Barano
26 BroadwayReally underrated Italian right around the corner. Don't miss the artichoke or the grilled octopus.
One of my all-time favorites. Perfect thai food. No reservations, long waits on weekends very possible.
68 locals recommend
Uncle Boons
186 Mott StOne of my all-time favorites. Perfect thai food. No reservations, long waits on weekends very possible.
Simple, (sort of?) Israeli, homestyle cooking. Known for their Prego Roll, I always go beet dip, haloumi and peri-peri chicken.
131 locals recommend
Jack's Wife Freda
226 Lafayette StSimple, (sort of?) Israeli, homestyle cooking. Known for their Prego Roll, I always go beet dip, haloumi and peri-peri chicken.
Favorite, relaxed sushi spot. Fantastic fish and don't miss the (Spinach) Goma Ae.
94 locals recommend
Takahachi
85 Avenue AFavorite, relaxed sushi spot. Fantastic fish and don't miss the (Spinach) Goma Ae.
This place is a dreamboat, albeit a very small one. Japanese lunch sets (weekdays; 10am-3pm) are one of the best meals this side of the East River.
131 locals recommend
OKONOMI // YUJI Ramen
150 Ainslie StThis place is a dreamboat, albeit a very small one. Japanese lunch sets (weekdays; 10am-3pm) are one of the best meals this side of the East River.
St. Anselm
355 Metropolitan AveGo here and get the Butcher's Steak. Don't over-think it.
I am partial to the original location in the East Village, but it's basically just nostalgia; this one is just as good. One of my all-time most visited restaurants in this city. The tagines, tapas, all so good.
856 locals recommend
Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe AveI am partial to the original location in the East Village, but it's basically just nostalgia; this one is just as good. One of my all-time most visited restaurants in this city. The tagines, tapas, all so good.
Vegetarian/Vegan burgers and whatever else they think of. So good, so cheap.
48 locals recommend
Superiority Burger
119 Avenue AVegetarian/Vegan burgers and whatever else they think of. So good, so cheap.
Random, but: if you happen to be in or near this area, for whatever reason, this is a Michelin-starred Dim Dum spot from Hong Kong. At night, there are lines. But no one seems to know that they serve the full menu at lunch, too. It is cheap, it deserves its star and it tastes even better without a wait.
22 locals recommend
Tim Ho Wan
85 4th AveRandom, but: if you happen to be in or near this area, for whatever reason, this is a Michelin-starred Dim Dum spot from Hong Kong. At night, there are lines. But no one seems to know that they serve the full menu at lunch, too. It is cheap, it deserves its star and it tastes even better without a wait.
Dim sum and tea parlor has been here since practically the 19th century. Worth all the accolades.
153 locals recommend
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers StDim sum and tea parlor has been here since practically the 19th century. Worth all the accolades.
Two Hands
164 Mott StAustralian coffee spot and cafe. Great people watching, too.
Drinks & Nightlife
Vintage bowling alley with all the extra character. Concerts sometimes in the backroom. Bring your own pizza. Pitchers and drinks provided. Great with a crew.
184 locals recommend
The Gutter
200 N 14th StVintage bowling alley with all the extra character. Concerts sometimes in the backroom. Bring your own pizza. Pitchers and drinks provided. Great with a crew.
Hotel Delmano
82 Berry StAll class. Great cocktails, oysters and charcuterie.
Wine bar with extensive selection and tapas. Chill vibe inside, vintage decor, not super expensive.
111 locals recommend
The Ten Bells
247 Broome StWine bar with extensive selection and tapas. Chill vibe inside, vintage decor, not super expensive.
If you wanna try your hand at the velvet rope, I'd recommend this one. It's fun.
18 locals recommend
The Blond
11 Howard StIf you wanna try your hand at the velvet rope, I'd recommend this one. It's fun.
The Ides Bar
80 Wythe AveJust a bar, but a great one at that.
Live jazz, rock-a-billy, etc. nightly. Fine, fine cocktails. Great for a date.
216 locals recommend
St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club
345 Grand StLive jazz, rock-a-billy, etc. nightly. Fine, fine cocktails. Great for a date.
Cool, rock-and-roll style bar with some of the best burgers in the city.
538 locals recommend
Tompkins Square Park
East 10th StreetCool, rock-and-roll style bar with some of the best burgers in the city.
Not my favorite food, but great drinks and scene. Interior design worth a visit alone.
7 locals recommend
Bar Beau
61 Withers StNot my favorite food, but great drinks and scene. Interior design worth a visit alone.
Reggaeton dance party has been around forever. Always a line, but not a who are you line, it's just not that big of a place and it'll get full.
162 locals recommend
Bembe
81 S 6th StReggaeton dance party has been around forever. Always a line, but not a who are you line, it's just not that big of a place and it'll get full.
Unmarked and non-pretentious house and disco dance party through a kitchen freezer door. Cash only.
18 locals recommend
la milagrosa
149 Havemeyer StUnmarked and non-pretentious house and disco dance party through a kitchen freezer door. Cash only.
Getting Around
Ferry Terminal to go into Greenpoint/Dumbo or 34th Street/Wall Street in Manhattan. As far as touristing goes, the $2.50 East River Ferry at dusk cannot be beat on value.
35 locals recommend
South Williamsburg station
440 Kent AveFerry Terminal to go into Greenpoint/Dumbo or 34th Street/Wall Street in Manhattan. As far as touristing goes, the $2.50 East River Ferry at dusk cannot be beat on value.
JMZ subway stop goes across the bridge into Manhattan or further out in Brooklyn.
64 locals recommend
Marcy Avenue
JMZ subway stop goes across the bridge into Manhattan or further out in Brooklyn.
L train subway stop goes into Manhattan across 14th Street or deeper into Brooklyn (Bushwick).
211 locals recommend
Bedford Av station
Bedford AvenueL train subway stop goes into Manhattan across 14th Street or deeper into Brooklyn (Bushwick).
Parks & Nature
Nice, new park. Great views of Manhattan and the bridges. Quick, easy walk.
432 locals recommend
Domino Park
15 Kent AveNice, new park. Great views of Manhattan and the bridges. Quick, easy walk.