Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Chic interior, great cocktails, and a truly interesting menu that mixes Brooklyn with American southern cuisine. We recommend all of the starters, especially the cheese curd.
24 locals recommend
Char No. 4
196 Smith StChic interior, great cocktails, and a truly interesting menu that mixes Brooklyn with American southern cuisine. We recommend all of the starters, especially the cheese curd.
Great burgers! Try the zucchini fries! The Court Street burger is especially good too.
20 locals recommend
Mooburger
240 Court StGreat burgers! Try the zucchini fries! The Court Street burger is especially good too.
Best street food in the whole city. Paired well with a trip to MoMa :)
40 locals recommend
The Halal Guys
307 E 14th StBest street food in the whole city. Paired well with a trip to MoMa :)
Down the street from the tourist-y Joe's Shanghai, this place has THE best soup dumplings in town. Be sure to stick to the Shanghai menu options.
Joe's Ginger
25 Pell StDown the street from the tourist-y Joe's Shanghai, this place has THE best soup dumplings in town. Be sure to stick to the Shanghai menu options.
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueExcellent coffee and very cute place to hang out and people watch.
Joya
215 Court StReally great Thai place that's also got a hoppin' bar scene in the evening.
Okay, this is an odd suggestion, but it's a quick $3 bus ride from gate 52 at Port Authority. Santouka in the food court has THE BEST RAMEN.
53 locals recommend
Mitsuwa Marketplace - New Jersey
595 River RdOkay, this is an odd suggestion, but it's a quick $3 bus ride from gate 52 at Port Authority. Santouka in the food court has THE BEST RAMEN.
Do Dom PA
71 Clinton StAmazing Japanese bar food. The chicken wings are incredible.
If you find yourself in Chelsea, this is a great place for brunch (get there around noon though so you don't have to wait for a table).
18 locals recommend
Trestle on Tenth
242 10th AvenueIf you find yourself in Chelsea, this is a great place for brunch (get there around noon though so you don't have to wait for a table).
noodle village
13 Mott StUnassuming yet simply amazing place. Best congee in town.
There are few Italian restaurants I recommend outside of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and this is one of them. If you find yourself uptown, this is an excellent spot for dinner.
95 locals recommend
Pisticci
125 La Salle StThere are few Italian restaurants I recommend outside of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and this is one of them. If you find yourself uptown, this is an excellent spot for dinner.
Freemans
Freeman AlleyA classic new American restaurant with a cozy atmosphere.
Loreley Beer Garden
7 Rivington StAwesome LES beirgarten. All the snacks are great too.
Brooklyn / Southern cuisine. Great for brunch and cute outdoor seating (you can see our patio from here!)
Van Horn
231 Court StBrooklyn / Southern cuisine. Great for brunch and cute outdoor seating (you can see our patio from here!)
Right off the High Line, this place is amazing. The menu changes with the season, and it never disappoints. Fresh New York cooking.
51 locals recommend
Tipsy Parson
Right off the High Line, this place is amazing. The menu changes with the season, and it never disappoints. Fresh New York cooking.
Something a bit more upscale, this is my favorite Jean-George restaurant. Inspired by Southeast Asian street-food with a hint of Indian. Definitely make reservations.
57 locals recommend
Spice Market
Something a bit more upscale, this is my favorite Jean-George restaurant. Inspired by Southeast Asian street-food with a hint of Indian. Definitely make reservations.
A West Village classic. Great food at anytime, great drinks, and music downstairs every night.
43 locals recommend
The Cornelia Street Cafe
Cornelia StreetA West Village classic. Great food at anytime, great drinks, and music downstairs every night.
My favorite pizza in NYC. No slices. Get there early for dinner to get a seat.
102 locals recommend
John's of Bleecker St.
278 Bleecker StMy favorite pizza in NYC. No slices. Get there early for dinner to get a seat.
Awesome place for pizza. They grow the ingredients in their backyard. Well worth the trip out to Bushwick.
1621 locals recommend
Roberta's
261 Moore StAwesome place for pizza. They grow the ingredients in their backyard. Well worth the trip out to Bushwick.
Vanessa's Dumpling House
118A Eldridge StGreat, cheap dumplings if you need a meal on the go.
Pho Grand
277C Grand StLove this place! Great pho for great prices.
I've never been inside, but my boyfriend and I have ordered from here when he lived nearby, literally dozens of times (dozens) and simply love it.
12 locals recommend
Uncle Nick's Greek Cuisine
747 9th AveI've never been inside, but my boyfriend and I have ordered from here when he lived nearby, literally dozens of times (dozens) and simply love it.
Self-serve frozen yogurt is a new American food trend, so be sure to experience it once while you're here.
16 Handles
349 Court StreetSelf-serve frozen yogurt is a new American food trend, so be sure to experience it once while you're here.
Taïm
45 Spring StBest falafel!
If you want some quick Mexican food, this place is great. HUGE portions. Unassuming decor but cheap and delicious!
Original California Taqueria
187 Court StIf you want some quick Mexican food, this place is great. HUGE portions. Unassuming decor but cheap and delicious!
Right next to the park, this little coffee / sandwich shop is a great place to relax, do work, and people watch.
28 locals recommend
Ted & Honey
264 Clinton StreetRight next to the park, this little coffee / sandwich shop is a great place to relax, do work, and people watch.
Canadian Jewish Deli. Awesome pastrami on rye sandwich and incredible poutines (french fries with gravy and cheese curds). Particularly good for brunch!
78 locals recommend
Mile End Delicatessen
97 Hoyt StCanadian Jewish Deli. Awesome pastrami on rye sandwich and incredible poutines (french fries with gravy and cheese curds). Particularly good for brunch!
Great for brunch. We love the grilled kale salad, the truffle fries, and the french toast!
72 locals recommend
Hunter's
213 Smith StGreat for brunch. We love the grilled kale salad, the truffle fries, and the french toast!
Cafe Luluc
214 Smith StGreat, inexpensive brunch spot with amazing pancakes!
We love their margaritas, especially for half off during happy hour. Great outdoor seating in the summer too!
14 locals recommend
Lobo
218 Court StWe love their margaritas, especially for half off during happy hour. Great outdoor seating in the summer too!
We love this Cuban cafe for any meal. Great drinks and inexpensive and delicious food. We especially love it for brunch!
22 locals recommend
Cubana Café
272 Smith StWe love this Cuban cafe for any meal. Great drinks and inexpensive and delicious food. We especially love it for brunch!
Amazing dosa and south indian dishes! Get there early or be prepared to wait as this place is very popular.
24 locals recommend
Dosa Royale
258 Dekalb AveAmazing dosa and south indian dishes! Get there early or be prepared to wait as this place is very popular.
Cafe Pedlar
210 Court StreetWonderful coffee and great place to hang out!
Romanian Garden
43-06 43rd AveExcellent, authentic Romanian food
Good Russian cuisine if you don't want to make the trek to Brighton Beach.
10 locals recommend
Kitchen at Cobble Hill
254 Court StGood Russian cuisine if you don't want to make the trek to Brighton Beach.
Beergarten! We love this place for the winter. Great sausage, french fries, and beer selection.
71 locals recommend
Black Forest Brooklyn
733 Fulton StBeergarten! We love this place for the winter. Great sausage, french fries, and beer selection.
Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt AveOur favorite ice cream!!
Pranzo Pizza & Pasta
44 Water StFavorite lunchtime pizza
Buddy's
260 Court StBest take-away Mexican. They grill their chicken to order which makes all the difference.
Dos Toros Taqueria
137 4th AveExcellent burrito bowls!
The Meatball Shop
64 Greenwich AveSo good! Great variety of meatballs and sides!
The Meatball Shop
64 Greenwich AveGreat meatballs!
Taqueria De Los Muertos
663 Washington AvenueAuthentic, cheap, delicious. Try the catfish tacos.
Alma
187 Columbia StGREAT view of Manhattan from their lovely rooftop bar/restaurant.
Kings Coffee
Best iced coffee
Any of the smoked fish bagel sandwiches are amazing. Classic NY Jewish deli.
20 locals recommend
Shelsky's of Brooklyn: Appetizing & Delicatessen
141 Court StAny of the smoked fish bagel sandwiches are amazing. Classic NY Jewish deli.
Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too
366 W 110th Stgreat southern food
Kefi
222 W 79th Stgreat greek food
Indigo
283 Columbus Avereally great lunch special
Sightseeing
Super cute little park, albeit filled with kids. But if you want to experience a little green (or changing leaves!) stop in here.
1296 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
130 Court StSuper cute little park, albeit filled with kids. But if you want to experience a little green (or changing leaves!) stop in here.
Empire Diner
210 10th AveTake a stroll along the whole length. Great views of downtown.
Urban Meadow
39 President StOur favorite community garden
Essentials
Union Market
240 E Houston StReminiscent of Whole Foods, with great cheese selection.
Stinky Bklyn LLC
215 Smith StJust fun to poke around here if you're a cheese-lover.
If you're looking to cook at all when you stay, you MUST get your meat from here. This is THE BEST butcher in town. Amazing local business.
30 locals recommend
Paisanos Butcher Shop
162 Smith StIf you're looking to cook at all when you stay, you MUST get your meat from here. This is THE BEST butcher in town. Amazing local business.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great outdoor patio seating, good selection of beers, and FREE unlimited popcorn!!
19 locals recommend
Fourth Avenue Pub
76 4th AveGreat outdoor patio seating, good selection of beers, and FREE unlimited popcorn!!
Gowanus Yacht Club
323 Smith StCheap beers and burgers, and awesome outdoor seating!
This is a great outdoor bar that will give you a feel for the Brooklyn bar scene. They also have an great taco truck!
521 locals recommend
Union Pool
484 Union AveThis is a great outdoor bar that will give you a feel for the Brooklyn bar scene. They also have an great taco truck!
Hidden through a coffee spot, this is a classic NYC speakeasy. Cocktails are expensive, but if you want to experience good drinks, this is it.
122 locals recommend
Bathtub Gin
132 9th AveHidden through a coffee spot, this is a classic NYC speakeasy. Cocktails are expensive, but if you want to experience good drinks, this is it.
Another secret bar that was my main spot when I lived in the neighborhood. Every single cocktail is simply amazing, and not as expensive as other places.
41 locals recommend
Fig. 19
131 Chrystie StAnother secret bar that was my main spot when I lived in the neighborhood. Every single cocktail is simply amazing, and not as expensive as other places.
Spring Lounge
48 Spring StSuper dive-y, funny shark decorations.
Union Hall
702 Union StThey have bocce ball! Cozy, good bar food, good beer and whiskey.
This is our neighborhood bar! Great happy hour, free popcorn, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere during the week. They also allow dogs! :)
10 locals recommend
Angry Wade's
222 Smith StThis is our neighborhood bar! Great happy hour, free popcorn, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere during the week. They also allow dogs! :)
Waterfront Ale House
155 Atlantic AveTheir venison chili nachos are the best!
The Owl Farm
297 9th StOur guests love this bar!
Great backyard, beer selection, and super popular on the weekends
65 locals recommend
Lavender Lake Bar
53 Carroll StGreat backyard, beer selection, and super popular on the weekends
Washington Commons
748 Washington AveGreat outdoor seating and happy hour!
great beer, cocktails, and hip local scene. try the cheese curds and the trout roe!
59 locals recommend
The Long Island Bar
110 Atlantic Avegreat beer, cocktails, and hip local scene. try the cheese curds and the trout roe!
Everything Else
If you're in need of a pharmacy, this place is quite stocked for a little place and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Wyckoff's Corner Pharmacy
203 Court StreetIf you're in need of a pharmacy, this place is quite stocked for a little place and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Far Rockaway
NYC beach :)
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveBeautiful flowers and plants! :)
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th StOur guests love touring this brewery!
Sixpoint Brewery
40 Van Dyke StOur favorite Brooklyn Beer!
Open in the summer, it's a quick $2 ferry and super fun! Bikes for rent, great food trucks and bars, and maybe even some street performances
249 locals recommend
Governors Island
Open in the summer, it's a quick $2 ferry and super fun! Bikes for rent, great food trucks and bars, and maybe even some street performances
We love this park in the summer!! Check out Shmorgesburg every Saturday to sample the best Brooklyn restaurants.
951 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman StWe love this park in the summer!! Check out Shmorgesburg every Saturday to sample the best Brooklyn restaurants.