Guidebook for Brooklyn

Michael
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Parks & Nature

Prospect Park is a 537 acre park roughly 9/10ths of a mile directly uphill from 330 10th St. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (designer's of Central Park.)
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park is a 537 acre park roughly 9/10ths of a mile directly uphill from 330 10th St. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (designer's of Central Park.)
A kid's playground plus handball courts and soccer field
25 locals recommend
J.J. Byrne Playground
5th Avenue
25 locals recommend
A kid's playground plus handball courts and soccer field
was founded in 1910 and is a stunning sanctuary in the middle of our borough. Some interesting “sub-gardens” are: the Japanese Garden, Cherry Esplanade, Lily Pool Terrace, & the Native Flora Garden.
2030 locals recommend
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington Ave
2030 locals recommend
was founded in 1910 and is a stunning sanctuary in the middle of our borough. Some interesting “sub-gardens” are: the Japanese Garden, Cherry Esplanade, Lily Pool Terrace, & the Native Flora Garden.

Drinks & Nightlife

Local watering hole type place with fun local crowd. Beers on tap.Great crowd
33 locals recommend
Skylark
477 5th Ave
33 locals recommend
Local watering hole type place with fun local crowd. Beers on tap.Great crowd
Great little British-style pub.
The Monro Pub
481 5th Ave
Great little British-style pub.
Bar/Music venue. Great cocktails!
206 locals recommend
Barbès
376 9th St
206 locals recommend
Bar/Music venue. Great cocktails!
One of two LGBT bars in the area. Caters more toward women, but is very inviting and inclusive.
14 locals recommend
Ginger's Bar
363 5th Ave
14 locals recommend
One of two LGBT bars in the area. Caters more toward women, but is very inviting and inclusive.
Cool little place. Mixology in Gowanus!
19 locals recommend
Lucey's Lounge
475 3rd Ave
19 locals recommend
Cool little place. Mixology in Gowanus!
Check their website for their lineup. Often host private parties, so it's best to check before you go.
132 locals recommend
The Bell House
149 7th St
132 locals recommend
Check their website for their lineup. Often host private parties, so it's best to check before you go.
Great little gay bar. Caters mostly to gay men, but is friendly and inclusive.
Excelsior
563 5th Ave
Great little gay bar. Caters mostly to gay men, but is friendly and inclusive.

Food Scene

Great winebar with small plates
56 locals recommend
Brookvin
381 7th Ave
56 locals recommend
Great winebar with small plates
Excellent wood fired pizza and good pastas and specials. Very casual atmosphere, but good service. Big portions. And it's close!
23 locals recommend
Peppino's Park Slope
469 5th Ave
23 locals recommend
Excellent wood fired pizza and good pastas and specials. Very casual atmosphere, but good service. Big portions. And it's close!
Good fresh NY bagels. Mostly a takeout place, but they have a couple of tables.
The Bagel Factory 2
461 5th Ave
Good fresh NY bagels. Mostly a takeout place, but they have a couple of tables.
Old fashioned Greek-style diner. Convenient for breakfast.
12 locals recommend
Daisy's Diner
452 5th Ave
12 locals recommend
Old fashioned Greek-style diner. Convenient for breakfast.
Great coal oven pizza, pastas, etc. Nice atmosphere. Wine/Beer. Summer Wednesday nights are outdoor movie night. Check their website for schedule.
60 locals recommend
Table 87 Gowanus
473 3rd Avenue
60 locals recommend
Great coal oven pizza, pastas, etc. Nice atmosphere. Wine/Beer. Summer Wednesday nights are outdoor movie night. Check their website for schedule.
Friendly, less frenetic choice among the local Greek diners. $3 Bloody Marys
6 locals recommend
Fifth Avenue Diner
432 5th Ave
6 locals recommend
Friendly, less frenetic choice among the local Greek diners. $3 Bloody Marys
Nice Italian-inspired bistro type place. Good sandwiches and entrees. Full bar.
45 locals recommend
Bar Toto
411 11th St
45 locals recommend
Nice Italian-inspired bistro type place. Good sandwiches and entrees. Full bar.
Very nice French bistro food. Wine and beer.
20 locals recommend
Olivier Bistro
469 4th Ave
20 locals recommend
Very nice French bistro food. Wine and beer.
Great bahn mi (French insprired, Vietnamese sandwiches)! Try the classic, spicy - our fave. They also have veggie options and bubble teas. Not much atmosphere here, but a great lunch stop.
90 locals recommend
Hanco's
134 Smith St
90 locals recommend
Great bahn mi (French insprired, Vietnamese sandwiches)! Try the classic, spicy - our fave. They also have veggie options and bubble teas. Not much atmosphere here, but a great lunch stop.
Good traditional Mexican with a full bar. Nice, casual, comfortable. Often have live mariachi band on Friday nights.
10 locals recommend
Nuevo Mexico
489 5th Ave
10 locals recommend
Good traditional Mexican with a full bar. Nice, casual, comfortable. Often have live mariachi band on Friday nights.
Unfussy Cal-Mex. Good burritos. Cheap margaritas - not bad! Tends to be crowded.
8 locals recommend
Rachel's Taqueria
408 5th Ave
8 locals recommend
Unfussy Cal-Mex. Good burritos. Cheap margaritas - not bad! Tends to be crowded.
Chinese. Quick delivery.
6 locals recommend
Red & Hot II
349 7th Ave
6 locals recommend
Chinese. Quick delivery.
Nice Italian-inspired bistro type place. Good sandwiches and entrees. Full bar. Sister restaurant to Bar Toto on 6th Ave.
22 locals recommend
Bar Tano
457 3rd Avenue
22 locals recommend
Nice Italian-inspired bistro type place. Good sandwiches and entrees. Full bar. Sister restaurant to Bar Toto on 6th Ave.
Dale Talde (of Top Chef fame) serves up fabulous Pan-Asian and Filipino inspired delights. Mostly small plates. Rich and over the top. Also a great brunch place. Try the breakfast ramen!
203 locals recommend
Talde
8 Erie St
203 locals recommend
Dale Talde (of Top Chef fame) serves up fabulous Pan-Asian and Filipino inspired delights. Mostly small plates. Rich and over the top. Also a great brunch place. Try the breakfast ramen!
Fine local place for sushi. Best place that is close by. Reasonably priced. They have a backyard with outdoor seating.
9 locals recommend
Mura
9 locals recommend
Fine local place for sushi. Best place that is close by. Reasonably priced. They have a backyard with outdoor seating.
Cafeteria style BBQ place.
28 locals recommend
Fletcher's Brooklyn Barbecue
408 3rd Ave
28 locals recommend
Cafeteria style BBQ place.
This place gets great reviews. Kosher French.
Chagall Bistro
330 5th St
This place gets great reviews. Kosher French.
Nice tavern style place with very good food and lively bar. Loud, fun. Try the moules frites w/ chorizo! Yum .
64 locals recommend
Sidecar
560 5th Ave
64 locals recommend
Nice tavern style place with very good food and lively bar. Loud, fun. Try the moules frites w/ chorizo! Yum .
Relaxed Austrian food. Monday night econo menu - $7 entrees (limited choices). Nice selection of beers on tap.
34 locals recommend
Cafe Steinhof
422 7th Ave
34 locals recommend
Relaxed Austrian food. Monday night econo menu - $7 entrees (limited choices). Nice selection of beers on tap.
Great brunch (and dinner). The buffalo cauliflower is addictive! Dale Talde (of Top Chef and Talde fame) is a partner in this place. One of our favorites.
31 locals recommend
Thistle Hill Tavern
31 locals recommend
Great brunch (and dinner). The buffalo cauliflower is addictive! Dale Talde (of Top Chef and Talde fame) is a partner in this place. One of our favorites.
Nice, sophisticated Mexican.
173 locals recommend
Fonda
434 7th Ave
173 locals recommend
Nice, sophisticated Mexican.
Very dependable. Excellent locally sourced, seasonal dishes. Their Market Menu, available Sunday through Thursday, offers three courses for $35.
88 locals recommend
Stone Park Cafe
324 5th Ave
88 locals recommend
Very dependable. Excellent locally sourced, seasonal dishes. Their Market Menu, available Sunday through Thursday, offers three courses for $35.
One of the few restaurants—maybe the only one?—in New York City that actually offers rijstaffel; though if you opt for that procession of small plates, best to go on an empty stomach & with ample time
Java
455 7th Ave
One of the few restaurants—maybe the only one?—in New York City that actually offers rijstaffel; though if you opt for that procession of small plates, best to go on an empty stomach & with ample time
Very fine bistro. Highlights include steaks, chops, oysters, burgers, Blue Ribbon’s famous fried chicken, paella and fresh local fish.
47 locals recommend
Blue Ribbon
280 5th Ave
47 locals recommend
Very fine bistro. Highlights include steaks, chops, oysters, burgers, Blue Ribbon’s famous fried chicken, paella and fresh local fish.
Excellent affordable ramen in a very casual atmosphere. Cash only
69 locals recommend
Naruto Ramen
1596 3rd Ave
69 locals recommend
Excellent affordable ramen in a very casual atmosphere. Cash only
Good burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Cal-mex (obviously). Excellent drinks.
253 locals recommend
Calexico
645 Manhattan Ave
253 locals recommend
Good burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Cal-mex (obviously). Excellent drinks.
Amazing Italian. Sophisticated, yet casual. No reservations, but they have a wine bar where you can sit and start a bottle while you wait for your table. One of our faves.
205 locals recommend
al di la Trattoria
248 5th Ave
205 locals recommend
Amazing Italian. Sophisticated, yet casual. No reservations, but they have a wine bar where you can sit and start a bottle while you wait for your table. One of our faves.
Kosher, Latin, vegetarian. Well regarded.
28 locals recommend
The VSPOT
156 5th Ave
28 locals recommend
Kosher, Latin, vegetarian. Well regarded.
Nice Latin food. Big, boistrous and frenetic. But the food is very reasonable and tasty.
81 locals recommend
Bogota Latin Bistro
141 5th Ave
81 locals recommend
Nice Latin food. Big, boistrous and frenetic. But the food is very reasonable and tasty.
Excellent (pricey) coffee. Tiny little place. Also have pastries, etc.
85 locals recommend
Cafe Regular
318 11th St
85 locals recommend
Excellent (pricey) coffee. Tiny little place. Also have pastries, etc.
You get it - big national brand. Close by.
62 locals recommend
Dunkin'
122 Fulton St
62 locals recommend
You get it - big national brand. Close by.
Excellent pies. Buy a slice or a whole pie. They close early - around 7pm most days.
89 locals recommend
Four & Twenty Blackbirds
439 3rd Ave
89 locals recommend
Excellent pies. Buy a slice or a whole pie. They close early - around 7pm most days.
Really good fair trade coffee place. Lots of room to spread out and wifi.
13 locals recommend
Crop to Cup Coffee Importers
157 3rd Ave
13 locals recommend
Really good fair trade coffee place. Lots of room to spread out and wifi.

Shopping

This place is idiosyncratic. We include it because it is so close. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to walk a couple of blocks to save a couple bucks, you'll find what you need here.
Borisal Liquor & Wine
468 4th Ave
This place is idiosyncratic. We include it because it is so close. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to walk a couple of blocks to save a couple bucks, you'll find what you need here.
Good selection with very knowledgable, helpful staff. They can always recommend an inexpensive, yet drinkable wine (our favorite type!). Large selection of liquor too.
Prime Time Liquors
430 5th Ave
Good selection with very knowledgable, helpful staff. They can always recommend an inexpensive, yet drinkable wine (our favorite type!). Large selection of liquor too.
Nice selection. Kinda fancy in a Brooklyn kind of way.
ZULA Wines & Spirits
487 5th Ave
Nice selection. Kinda fancy in a Brooklyn kind of way.
All your superhero needs (e.g. invisibility cloaks, sidekick placement services). It's also a youth writing workshop. Founded by novelist Dave Eggers. It's worth walking by for the window displays.
13 locals recommend
Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
372 5th Ave
13 locals recommend
All your superhero needs (e.g. invisibility cloaks, sidekick placement services). It's also a youth writing workshop. Founded by novelist Dave Eggers. It's worth walking by for the window displays.
Pharmacy, plus has a little bit of everything. Closest place for milk, cereal, open 24 hours.
43 locals recommend
Rite Aid
7 Madison St
43 locals recommend
Pharmacy, plus has a little bit of everything. Closest place for milk, cereal, open 24 hours.
24 hour pharmacy. A neighborhood staple for decades.
25 locals recommend
Neergaard Pharmacy
454 5th Ave
25 locals recommend
24 hour pharmacy. A neighborhood staple for decades.
Possibly the best hardware store in the world. Just because it's tiny, has everything and the owners are very knowledgable and helpful.
Leopoldi Hardware
415 5th Ave
Possibly the best hardware store in the world. Just because it's tiny, has everything and the owners are very knowledgable and helpful.
Big hardware store.
Lowe's Home Improvement
118 2nd Ave
Big hardware store.

Entertainment & Activities

The big kahuna in Brooklyn. Home of the Nets and reknowned concert venue.
1418 locals recommend
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Ave
1418 locals recommend
The big kahuna in Brooklyn. Home of the Nets and reknowned concert venue.

Arts & Culture

Arts center: music, dance, theater. Cutting edge & fabulous. Not really close, but worth the trip. BAM Rose Cinemas are here - closest decent movie theater near us. One screen dedicated to classics!
859 locals recommend
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Ave
859 locals recommend
Arts center: music, dance, theater. Cutting edge & fabulous. Not really close, but worth the trip. BAM Rose Cinemas are here - closest decent movie theater near us. One screen dedicated to classics!
A 1699 Dutch farmhouse central to the Battle of Brooklyn, the Old Stone House is a museum & community resource that explores the American Revolution colonial life. Check website for hrs & programming.
24 locals recommend
Old Stone House of Brooklyn
336 3rd St
24 locals recommend
A 1699 Dutch farmhouse central to the Battle of Brooklyn, the Old Stone House is a museum & community resource that explores the American Revolution colonial life. Check website for hrs & programming.

Essentials

Large selection, closest grocery, good prices, fish counter.
663 locals recommend
CTown Supermarkets
330 Graham Ave
663 locals recommend
Large selection, closest grocery, good prices, fish counter.
Good grocery selection for a small store.
10 locals recommend
Jo, Brian & Joseph's Food Market
493 5th Ave
10 locals recommend
Good grocery selection for a small store.
Huge store, within walking distance, high end, fancy, organic, pricey.
800 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
214 3rd St
800 locals recommend
Huge store, within walking distance, high end, fancy, organic, pricey.
Laundromat with drop-off service or you can do your own.
Clean 'n Green Laundromat
Laundromat with drop-off service or you can do your own.
There is nothing French about this place, but they are nice and get the job done.
Mario's French Cleaners
457 4th Ave
There is nothing French about this place, but they are nice and get the job done.
They have guest passes available on-line, a full health club.
24 locals recommend
New York Sports Clubs
324 9th St
24 locals recommend
They have guest passes available on-line, a full health club.
They have temporary passes, a full gym and a pool.
13 locals recommend
Prospect Park YMCA
357 9th St
13 locals recommend
They have temporary passes, a full gym and a pool.
Urgent care facility. Walk in clinic.
12 locals recommend
CityMD Park Slope Urgent Care - Brooklyn
420 5th Ave
12 locals recommend
Urgent care facility. Walk in clinic.
Closest hospital. ER open 24 hours. Monday nights are their busiest, according to anecdotal evidence. Just sayin'
26 locals recommend
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
506 6th St
26 locals recommend
Closest hospital. ER open 24 hours. Monday nights are their busiest, according to anecdotal evidence. Just sayin'