Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Small and fast. Quality beans and organic foods offered. Good service. Near subway and my apt.
72 locals recommend
Lula Bean
797 Grand StSmall and fast. Quality beans and organic foods offered. Good service. Near subway and my apt.
Open AM to PM, Good Coffee and draft ice coffee, Homemade banana bread, Latin influenced menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Diner
Cocktails or wine early evening
35 locals recommend
C.Lo Café
39 Bushwick AveOpen AM to PM, Good Coffee and draft ice coffee, Homemade banana bread, Latin influenced menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Diner
Cocktails or wine early evening
Best latte in the neighborhood! Fast, workspace friendly, hipster
460 locals recommend
Variety Coffee Roasters
368 Graham AveBest latte in the neighborhood! Fast, workspace friendly, hipster
Organic products and juices. Friendly service. Inclusive atmosphere. Small gift shop.
Light food
68 locals recommend
Grass Roots Juicery
336a Graham AveOrganic products and juices. Friendly service. Inclusive atmosphere. Small gift shop.
Light food
NY Staple that moved a location to Brooklyn. I get my fresh coffee beans here. They have tea as well in bulk. There is a small coffee counter in the back and an outdoor area although we never stay. Very down to earth nice staff that wait on you. Note: They don't open until 11AM.
68 locals recommend
Porto Rico Importing
201 Bleecker StNY Staple that moved a location to Brooklyn. I get my fresh coffee beans here. They have tea as well in bulk. There is a small coffee counter in the back and an outdoor area although we never stay. Very down to earth nice staff that wait on you. Note: They don't open until 11AM.
Small grocery with a deli and coffee. Secret back garden with picnic tables. Work space friendly. Busy. Try the gauc. or the vegan treats, or salmon and lox bagel is a steal! Don't forget to tip!
14 locals recommend
Brooklyn Standard 2
766 Grand StSmall grocery with a deli and coffee. Secret back garden with picnic tables. Work space friendly. Busy. Try the gauc. or the vegan treats, or salmon and lox bagel is a steal! Don't forget to tip!
I love the mole sauce. They have decent Mexican fair with a great sound tract. The service is spotty but the food makes up for it. Can get noisy during bar hours.
26 locals recommend
Mcondo Los Tacos
502 Grand StI love the mole sauce. They have decent Mexican fair with a great sound tract. The service is spotty but the food makes up for it. Can get noisy during bar hours.
Cheapest Mexican with large portions. Try the Tortilla soup and flautas.
15 locals recommend
Loco Burrito
345 Graham AveCheapest Mexican with large portions. Try the Tortilla soup and flautas.
Super close to the apt. and subway. Has excellent Lebanese fair. Kind service.
12 locals recommend
PASTRAMI MASTERS & WAFA'S EXPRESS
812 Grand StSuper close to the apt. and subway. Has excellent Lebanese fair. Kind service.
During good weather, the back garden is peaceful and nice. Excellent Isreali fair.
44 locals recommend
Hummus Market
361 Graham AveDuring good weather, the back garden is peaceful and nice. Excellent Isreali fair.
Syrian and middle Eastern food. Pleasant diner atmosphere. Decent wines. Try the pizzas, the cold dishes, and Andrew likes the burger here.
77 locals recommend
Dar525
525 Grand StSyrian and middle Eastern food. Pleasant diner atmosphere. Decent wines. Try the pizzas, the cold dishes, and Andrew likes the burger here.
Homemade pasta, Great wine, small and friendly, Everything on the menu is recommended. Huge back garden. Great service. Great deserts
122 locals recommend
Il Passatore
14 Bushwick AveHomemade pasta, Great wine, small and friendly, Everything on the menu is recommended. Huge back garden. Great service. Great deserts
Carmine's Pizzeria
358 Graham AvePizza, a neighborhood staple
Gelato, cookies and cakes. Neighborhood staple. Feels like your in Italy. Great to stop by on the way walking to the water in Williamsburg or if coming back walking...
86 locals recommend
Fortunato Brothers
289 Manhattan AveGelato, cookies and cakes. Neighborhood staple. Feels like your in Italy. Great to stop by on the way walking to the water in Williamsburg or if coming back walking...
Peruvian fair. Great Sangria, loud and sometimes crowded but the food is well priced for portions. If you like steak and seafood, this is a good spot you can walk to.
38 locals recommend
Chimu
482 Union AvePeruvian fair. Great Sangria, loud and sometimes crowded but the food is well priced for portions. If you like steak and seafood, this is a good spot you can walk to.
Expensive and hard to get into restaurant. American food. All grilled. The skillet mash potatoes are amazing. Wonderful wine and beer selection. Next to a great wine and beer bar with a back yard if you need to wait until your reservation is called.
269 locals recommend
St. Anselm
355 Metropolitan AveExpensive and hard to get into restaurant. American food. All grilled. The skillet mash potatoes are amazing. Wonderful wine and beer selection. Next to a great wine and beer bar with a back yard if you need to wait until your reservation is called.
Morrocan fair. Excellent coffee, cocktails or wine. They are open morning to night and do all those different dining times perfectly. They are consistent with their food quality and service is impeccable. Waitlist often for brunch.
856 locals recommend
Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe AveMorrocan fair. Excellent coffee, cocktails or wine. They are open morning to night and do all those different dining times perfectly. They are consistent with their food quality and service is impeccable. Waitlist often for brunch.
Mama Pho (on Grand St.)
580 Grand StPho. Affordable. Good.
Breakfast and Lunch are amazing. Andrew loves the burger and the lentil soup.
18 locals recommend
Willburg Cafe
623 Grand StBreakfast and Lunch are amazing. Andrew loves the burger and the lentil soup.
Chinese Dry Pot. Try the 1,000 year egg and spicey chilies with eggplant ap.
25 locals recommend
MáLà Project
122 1st Ave.Chinese Dry Pot. Try the 1,000 year egg and spicey chilies with eggplant ap.
Historic Spanish Tapas restaurant. Close to 14th St. and 8th Ave where L train meets the ACE line. Great wine. May need a reservation. Causal attire.
La Nacional
239 W 14th StHistoric Spanish Tapas restaurant. Close to 14th St. and 8th Ave where L train meets the ACE line. Great wine. May need a reservation. Causal attire.
My favorite ramen place. There is a line because it is so small so go early or late or expect to wait outside
138 locals recommend
Totto Ramen Midtown West
My favorite ramen place. There is a line because it is so small so go early or late or expect to wait outside
The New York Deli. Time stands still here. You may leave feeling gulity for eating too much.
690 locals recommend
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StThe New York Deli. Time stands still here. You may leave feeling gulity for eating too much.
Thai. Has a restaurant and a bar in two separate sections. If you want a date, go to restaurant, and if you want thai food at the bar, it's nice as a single person.
244 locals recommend
Sage
299-301 Graham AveThai. Has a restaurant and a bar in two separate sections. If you want a date, go to restaurant, and if you want thai food at the bar, it's nice as a single person.
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent revolving drafts of hard to get European and local beers. Boutique selections of wine and beer. Huge backyard and down to earth atmosphere.
125 locals recommend
Spuyten Duyvil
359 Metropolitan AveExcellent revolving drafts of hard to get European and local beers. Boutique selections of wine and beer. Huge backyard and down to earth atmosphere.
Because it's beer from Brooklyn! They also have a lot of current events or tours
456 locals recommend
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th StBecause it's beer from Brooklyn! They also have a lot of current events or tours
They offer live music and a bar on one side and an upscale bowling area with expensive gourmet pub food on the other side.
825 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe AveThey offer live music and a bar on one side and an upscale bowling area with expensive gourmet pub food on the other side.
Spot on neighborhood bar. Old wood, large windows, big beer list, wine, sandwiches and pizza, T.V.s, super awesome staff
52 locals recommend
Matt Torrey's
46 Bushwick AveSpot on neighborhood bar. Old wood, large windows, big beer list, wine, sandwiches and pizza, T.V.s, super awesome staff
One of the oldest restaurants and wine bars in Williamsburg. Feels homey and very Sardinian. Natalie Portman has dined here! It's close to the water of the East River and the Bedford Ave Stop on the L train.
I recommend the tiramisu
30 locals recommend
D.O.C. Wine Bar
83 N 7th StOne of the oldest restaurants and wine bars in Williamsburg. Feels homey and very Sardinian. Natalie Portman has dined here! It's close to the water of the East River and the Bedford Ave Stop on the L train.
I recommend the tiramisu
Shopping
The Strand Bookstore
828 BroadwayBest New York Bookstore off of Union Square.
This is a jewelry store on the West side of Manhattan that is easily accessed, a straight shot across on the L train til the last stop. In the basement, is a tiny hair studio where a famous hairdresser, Joey Paulina Ryan works. He is the best hairdresser in NYC. Make an apt. He is always booked. Tell him I sent you. He also performs every weekend at Lucky Changs.
Phoenix Roze
13 8th AveThis is a jewelry store on the West side of Manhattan that is easily accessed, a straight shot across on the L train til the last stop. In the basement, is a tiny hair studio where a famous hairdresser, Joey Paulina Ryan works. He is the best hairdresser in NYC. Make an apt. He is always booked. Tell him I sent you. He also performs every weekend at Lucky Changs.
Latin gifts from floor to ceiling. Sweet owner. Mostly handmade. Childrens toys.
14 locals recommend
Fuego 718
249 Grand StLatin gifts from floor to ceiling. Sweet owner. Mostly handmade. Childrens toys.
Handmade local items like jewelry etc. Perfect for gift giving. Expensive.
24 locals recommend
WE SEE STARS
351 Graham AveHandmade local items like jewelry etc. Perfect for gift giving. Expensive.
Artist & Craftsman Supply Brooklyn
761 Metropolitan AveClosest art supply store with gifts and cards
L Train Vintage
1377 Dekalb AveClose vintage clothing store
Parks & Nature
Best East River views during the day and at night. Open until 1AM and well lit. Can be good for everyone. Good for selfies, romantic strolls, and familys or groups to meet up. There are great views of lower Manhattan and the Williamsburg Bridge.
I highly recommend walking from our apt. to the Domino Park and making several stops along the way for either icecream or beer or BBQ or shopping...
432 locals recommend
Domino Park
15 Kent AveBest East River views during the day and at night. Open until 1AM and well lit. Can be good for everyone. Good for selfies, romantic strolls, and familys or groups to meet up. There are great views of lower Manhattan and the Williamsburg Bridge.
I highly recommend walking from our apt. to the Domino Park and making several stops along the way for either icecream or beer or BBQ or shopping...
Close to the apt. Good for a jog, or to lay in the grass and read a book.
90 locals recommend
Cooper Park
Maspeth AvenueClose to the apt. Good for a jog, or to lay in the grass and read a book.
It has truly 3 sections: The park on Bedford Ave. where you can sit and people watch or enjoy a picnic. There are also some baseball fields and your welcome to watch a hipster league.
There is a dog run
City Bikes
The 2nd section is a track and has some racket ball courts as well as out door gym area.
The 3rd section is a free public pool. If you really want to try that be sure to look up the pool rules and hours on the website. It can get crowded.
798 locals recommend
McCarren Park
776 Lorimer StIt has truly 3 sections: The park on Bedford Ave. where you can sit and people watch or enjoy a picnic. There are also some baseball fields and your welcome to watch a hipster league.
There is a dog run
City Bikes
The 2nd section is a track and has some racket ball courts as well as out door gym area.
The 3rd section is a free public pool. If you really want to try that be sure to look up the pool rules and hours on the website. It can get crowded.
Very near connection to the East River Ferry, which is a great way to see part of Manhattan and brooklyn by water in an affordable way. I highly recommend this. Taking your time and walking down to the park from our apt.is very nice and you can stop along the way and enjoy Williamsburg via icecream, beer and wine, food trucks, or shopping
451 locals recommend
East River State Park
90 Kent AveVery near connection to the East River Ferry, which is a great way to see part of Manhattan and brooklyn by water in an affordable way. I highly recommend this. Taking your time and walking down to the park from our apt.is very nice and you can stop along the way and enjoy Williamsburg via icecream, beer and wine, food trucks, or shopping
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveCold Spring
Fav.
Lake Minnewaska
Beautiful. Good for hiking, climbing, and dogs
The bridge is iconic. The views are fantastic. Carousel, Grimaldi's Pizza
951 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman StThe bridge is iconic. The views are fantastic. Carousel, Grimaldi's Pizza
Entertainment & Activities
Yoga To The People
115 W 27th StDonation based & close
Maha Rose
200 Columbia Streetmeditation, healing, gifts
The Muse
32D S 1st StCircus classes, shows, hidden gem
Movement Research Inc.
150 1st Ave.For dancers
Arts & Culture
World famous dance companies, opera companies, theater and circus companies come to perform here. My favorite theater. It also has a movie theater if you are a film buff.
859 locals recommend
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette AveWorld famous dance companies, opera companies, theater and circus companies come to perform here. My favorite theater. It also has a movie theater if you are a film buff.
Lincoln Center Plaza
Lincoln Center PlazaEastern art and historical artifacts. Excellent gift shop and cafe. Events with live music sometimes
106 locals recommend
Rubin Museum of Art
150 W 17th StEastern art and historical artifacts. Excellent gift shop and cafe. Events with live music sometimes
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetBest contempory art museum with wonderful views and outdoor areas on each floor the help break up the museum experience
884 locals recommend
Salmagundi Museum of American Art
Best contempory art museum with wonderful views and outdoor areas on each floor the help break up the museum experience
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyArt
Handmade art books, local
https://www.brooklynartlibrary.com/tinysketchbook/
22 locals recommend
Brooklyn Art Library
2622 Frost StHandmade art books, local
https://www.brooklynartlibrary.com/tinysketchbook/
Intimate, Inclusive, multiple types of live performance. L.E.S. Modern dance, theater. comedy, Gay, LTGB friendly
10 locals recommend
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie StIntimate, Inclusive, multiple types of live performance. L.E.S. Modern dance, theater. comedy, Gay, LTGB friendly
Triskelion Arts
106 Calyer StModern dancers