Guidebook for Brooklyn
Drinks & Nightlife
One door down from our apartment, this bar and restaurant has smoked meat, interesting appetizers and frozen cocktails.
168 locals recommend
Sweet Science
135 Graham AveOne door down from our apartment, this bar and restaurant has smoked meat, interesting appetizers and frozen cocktails.
My "go-to" bar, with a great changing list of local drafts and a happy hour that runs til 9 pm. Great space out back in the warmer weather.
124 locals recommend
Tradesman
222 Bushwick AveMy "go-to" bar, with a great changing list of local drafts and a happy hour that runs til 9 pm. Great space out back in the warmer weather.
A speakeasy attached to Sweet Science by a breezeway, serves cocktails based on preferences in an intimate, cool space.
126 locals recommend
Featherweight
135 Graham AveA speakeasy attached to Sweet Science by a breezeway, serves cocktails based on preferences in an intimate, cool space.
Wonderful steaks. Reservations required, along with a hefty wallet. Try for lunch if you can.
503 locals recommend
Peter Luger Steak House
178 BroadwayWonderful steaks. Reservations required, along with a hefty wallet. Try for lunch if you can.
Punches are their calling card, but the nautical themed space also has great cocktails and pop-up restaurants.
82 locals recommend
The Drink
228 Manhattan AvenuePunches are their calling card, but the nautical themed space also has great cocktails and pop-up restaurants.
They are fussy about the beer here, but that's because it is good. I once met someone Copenhagen who bragged having tried the individually cooled taps. A focus on Nordic ales.
154 locals recommend
Tørst
615 Manhattan AveThey are fussy about the beer here, but that's because it is good. I once met someone Copenhagen who bragged having tried the individually cooled taps. A focus on Nordic ales.
Hundreds of whiskeys, plenty of craft beer and a half-dozen speciality grilled cheese made until midnight. Drinking goes until far later hours.
112 locals recommend
Noorman's Kil
609 Grand StHundreds of whiskeys, plenty of craft beer and a half-dozen speciality grilled cheese made until midnight. Drinking goes until far later hours.
In the summer, come here for a good beer list and views of Manhattan. It is a real barge, so sometimes there's a bit of a sway!
94 locals recommend
The Brooklyn Barge
79 West StIn the summer, come here for a good beer list and views of Manhattan. It is a real barge, so sometimes there's a bit of a sway!
Food Scene
Coffee, wine and cheese in an old accountant office. There's a cool outdoor space with wire for three season fun.
88 locals recommend
Tuffet
286 Graham AveCoffee, wine and cheese in an old accountant office. There's a cool outdoor space with wire for three season fun.
Homemade pasta for half the price you'd find in Manhattan, with cheap carafes of wine and friendly service direct from Italy. Interesting secondi specials.
83 locals recommend
Testo
141 Leonard StHomemade pasta for half the price you'd find in Manhattan, with cheap carafes of wine and friendly service direct from Italy. Interesting secondi specials.
Still a secret despite the Times write up, cozy Korean food made in a tiny kitchen, with an emphasis on bright flavors and crisp vegetables.
67 locals recommend
Dotory
353 BroadwayStill a secret despite the Times write up, cozy Korean food made in a tiny kitchen, with an emphasis on bright flavors and crisp vegetables.
The best falafel in North Brooklyn, confusingly located next to a pop-up metal page. Views of amazing street murals from the tables.
34 locals recommend
Newtown
55 Waterbury StThe best falafel in North Brooklyn, confusingly located next to a pop-up metal page. Views of amazing street murals from the tables.
A bit of a walk from the apartment, but the Vietnamese food is the best in the city. BYOB OK.
137 locals recommend
Bunker Vietnamese
99 Scott AveA bit of a walk from the apartment, but the Vietnamese food is the best in the city. BYOB OK.
Thai food minus the cliches. Has jazz on weekend nights and an attached bar with more than two dozen drafts
244 locals recommend
Sage
299-301 Graham AveThai food minus the cliches. Has jazz on weekend nights and an attached bar with more than two dozen drafts
A small place founded a couple of young Russians, which brings St. Petersburg's thriving independent scene to Bushwick. Get the samsa.
74 locals recommend
Dillinger's
146 Evergreen AvenueA small place founded a couple of young Russians, which brings St. Petersburg's thriving independent scene to Bushwick. Get the samsa.
The best brisket in the City, full stop. You're usually able to get in here without a wait, which is a minor miracle considering the quality.
53 locals recommend
Delaney Barbecue
359 Bedford AvenueThe best brisket in the City, full stop. You're usually able to get in here without a wait, which is a minor miracle considering the quality.
Wonderful, oversize creative sandwiches that obviously put meat front and center. Only open til 4 pm, but Wednesday nights have a special sit-down supper and beer event.
158 locals recommend
The Meat Hook
397 Graham AveWonderful, oversize creative sandwiches that obviously put meat front and center. Only open til 4 pm, but Wednesday nights have a special sit-down supper and beer event.
Good BBQ, free bands and great drinks. Nice place if you're looking to head into the Bed-Sty neighborhood.
115 locals recommend
Beast of Bourbon
710 Myrtle AvenueGood BBQ, free bands and great drinks. Nice place if you're looking to head into the Bed-Sty neighborhood.
Come for the mac and cheese waffles, stay for the giant Jenga and deep craft beer selection.
43 locals recommend
Arrogant Swine
173 Morgan AveCome for the mac and cheese waffles, stay for the giant Jenga and deep craft beer selection.
A full-fledged restaurant with a romantically-lit backyard, there's also Israeli favorites like fatoush and shakshuka. Currently offering a free glass of wine.
44 locals recommend
Hummus Market
361 Graham AveA full-fledged restaurant with a romantically-lit backyard, there's also Israeli favorites like fatoush and shakshuka. Currently offering a free glass of wine.
The food is from Bali but the interesting cocktails, friendly service and beach-y vibe are much more Brooklyn.
115 locals recommend
Selamat Pagi
152 Driggs AveThe food is from Bali but the interesting cocktails, friendly service and beach-y vibe are much more Brooklyn.
Paulie Gee's
60 Greenpoint AveThe best pizza in North Brooklyn.
Cup
221 Montrose AveThe traditional place for a pre-subway coffee. No seats.
Taiwanese food that just slightly updates traditional dishes. Great cocktail program and the prices remain reasonable. Get the fried eggplant.
182 locals recommend
Win Son
159 Graham AveTaiwanese food that just slightly updates traditional dishes. Great cocktail program and the prices remain reasonable. Get the fried eggplant.
The name comes from a Werner Herzog movie, but the food is pure Northern Italian. Yes, there's pasta, but the best stuff comes from the grill, especially the clams.
22 locals recommend
Fitzcarraldo Projects
195 Morgan AveThe name comes from a Werner Herzog movie, but the food is pure Northern Italian. Yes, there's pasta, but the best stuff comes from the grill, especially the clams.
The neighborhood's best slice shop. There is limited seating and they also do delivery. Don't be afraid of the thicker Sicilian pies.
173 locals recommend
Williamsburg Pizza
265 Union AveThe neighborhood's best slice shop. There is limited seating and they also do delivery. Don't be afraid of the thicker Sicilian pies.
A "breakfast" place in a neighborhood more focused on "brunch," this is a coffee shop with a full kitchen, and a moderately eclectic menu with spins on waffles and pancakes in the morning. They also sell the antiques you sit on.
Early Edition Gallery Cafe
97 Montrose AveA "breakfast" place in a neighborhood more focused on "brunch," this is a coffee shop with a full kitchen, and a moderately eclectic menu with spins on waffles and pancakes in the morning. They also sell the antiques you sit on.
Not in the best area, this stand sells wonderful pupusas that can be taken into the park. Ask for extra salsa.
Amanda’s Kitchen
264 Suydam StNot in the best area, this stand sells wonderful pupusas that can be taken into the park. Ask for extra salsa.
Detroit-style pizza is thicker and crispy. Also check out the meatball subs at this trend spot. There's a bar with burgers in the basement.
65 locals recommend
Emmy Squared - Brooklyn
364 Grand StDetroit-style pizza is thicker and crispy. Also check out the meatball subs at this trend spot. There's a bar with burgers in the basement.
Essentials
Everything you want, for cheap! The checkout lines can be long, however.
204 locals recommend
Food Bazaar Supermarket
21 Manhattan AveEverything you want, for cheap! The checkout lines can be long, however.
Necessities along with a reasonable selection of fruit, veggies and dairy, are available here. Enough for a meal, but you'll go elsewhere for a big shopping.
35 locals recommend
Orange Tree Organic Market Inc
121 Graham AveNecessities along with a reasonable selection of fruit, veggies and dairy, are available here. Enough for a meal, but you'll go elsewhere for a big shopping.
The Hong Kong Laundromat is an absolute gem. Run by a Chinese couple, you can get laundry done overnight for around $12 for a 15 pound bag. They also have dry cleaning.
123 Graham Ave
123 Graham AvenueThe Hong Kong Laundromat is an absolute gem. Run by a Chinese couple, you can get laundry done overnight for around $12 for a 15 pound bag. They also have dry cleaning.
Arts & Culture
Has good shows and an expanded tap list. If the weather is good, outdoors is best.
20 locals recommend
The Wick Brooklyn
260 Meserole StHas good shows and an expanded tap list. If the weather is good, outdoors is best.
Shopping
BEAM
272 Kent AveCool, local housewares and unique piece of art at reasonable prices.
Sightseeing
Saturdays in the Summer, this is a great food market with a great view. Winters there's no food but still a nice view.
777 locals recommend
Smorgasburg
90 Kent AveSaturdays in the Summer, this is a great food market with a great view. Winters there's no food but still a nice view.
Parks & Nature
Everyone goes to McCarren Park, but if you take the B43 bus to the end you'll get this little inlet, which is a great place for a drink or to stare off at the water.
14 locals recommend
Newtown Creek Nature Walk
329 Greenpoint AveEveryone goes to McCarren Park, but if you take the B43 bus to the end you'll get this little inlet, which is a great place for a drink or to stare off at the water.
Beautiful views of the city along a pier that juts into the East River.
252 locals recommend
Transmitter Park
Greenpoint AvenueBeautiful views of the city along a pier that juts into the East River.