Guidebook for Brooklyn
Essentials
Eco-minded chain with natural & organic grocery items, housewares & other products. The Roof, a restaurant and taproom, has a large outdoor terrace with great views of Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline.
800 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
214 3rd StEco-minded chain with natural & organic grocery items, housewares & other products. The Roof, a restaurant and taproom, has a large outdoor terrace with great views of Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline.
Basic local supermarket within very easy walking distance.
181 locals recommend
Associated Supermarkets
216 5th AveBasic local supermarket within very easy walking distance.
Small gourmet market with a well-curated selection of local, organic, and all-natural food.
522 locals recommend
Union Market
240 E Houston StSmall gourmet market with a well-curated selection of local, organic, and all-natural food.
Parks & Nature
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a world-class waterfront park with rolling hills, riverfront promenades, lush gardens, and spectacular city views.
951 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman StBrooklyn Bridge Park is a world-class waterfront park with rolling hills, riverfront promenades, lush gardens, and spectacular city views.
The jewel of Brooklyn with 585 acres of scenic beauty offering ice skating, a zoo, playgrounds, birdwatching, biking, hiking, and summer concerts.
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park
The jewel of Brooklyn with 585 acres of scenic beauty offering ice skating, a zoo, playgrounds, birdwatching, biking, hiking, and summer concerts.
An urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. In the Garden, in its community, and well beyond, BBG inspires people of all ages through the conservation, display, and enjoyment of plants; with educational programs that emphasize learning by doing; and with research focused on understanding and conserving regional plants and plant communities.
2030 locals recommend
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveAn urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. In the Garden, in its community, and well beyond, BBG inspires people of all ages through the conservation, display, and enjoyment of plants; with educational programs that emphasize learning by doing; and with research focused on understanding and conserving regional plants and plant communities.
Arts & Culture
NYC's second largest museum housing a collection of roughly 1.5 million works of art.
3011 locals recommend
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyNYC's second largest museum housing a collection of roughly 1.5 million works of art.
A performing arts venue known as a center for progressive and avant-garde performance. Check their current offerings at www.bam.org.
859 locals recommend
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette AveA performing arts venue known as a center for progressive and avant-garde performance. Check their current offerings at www.bam.org.
The Tenement Museum preserves and interprets the history of immigration through the personal experiences of the generations of newcomers who settled in and built lives on Manhattan's Lower East Side, America's iconic immigrant neighborhood.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StThe Tenement Museum preserves and interprets the history of immigration through the personal experiences of the generations of newcomers who settled in and built lives on Manhattan's Lower East Side, America's iconic immigrant neighborhood.
Entertainment & Activities
Iconic Brooklyn landmark featuring amusement parks, concerts, an aquarium, and fireworks every Friday night during the summer. Make sure to have a Nathan's Famous hot dog while you're on the boardwalk!
663 locals recommend
Coney Island
Iconic Brooklyn landmark featuring amusement parks, concerts, an aquarium, and fireworks every Friday night during the summer. Make sure to have a Nathan's Famous hot dog while you're on the boardwalk!
New arena opened in 2012 that's home to the Brooklyn Nets (basketball) and the NY Islanders (hockey). Their calendar also boasts some of world’s most renowned performers, including Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.
1418 locals recommend
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic AveNew arena opened in 2012 that's home to the Brooklyn Nets (basketball) and the NY Islanders (hockey). Their calendar also boasts some of world’s most renowned performers, including Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.
Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus
575 Degraw StIndoor rock climbing venue that also offers lessons.
The place to go for discounted same-day tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Very little wait time as compared to the Times Square location. Tickets are 20% to 50% off regular prices. Go early as ticket availability and inventory can change quickly throughout the day.
25 locals recommend
TKTS Downtown Brooklyn
The place to go for discounted same-day tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Very little wait time as compared to the Times Square location. Tickets are 20% to 50% off regular prices. Go early as ticket availability and inventory can change quickly throughout the day.
Sports bar featuring pool, ping pong, bowling & air hockey. Also serves casual American fare.
19 locals recommend
Ocean's 8
308 Flatbush AveSports bar featuring pool, ping pong, bowling & air hockey. Also serves casual American fare.
A pirate-themed interactive theatrical indoor 18-hole miniature golf course in Red Hook. Fun for the whole family! Plenty of street parking.
6 locals recommend
Shipwrecked
621 Court StA pirate-themed interactive theatrical indoor 18-hole miniature golf course in Red Hook. Fun for the whole family! Plenty of street parking.
Food Scene
Cozy spot with an open kitchen that's great for breakfast & lunch. Beautiful selection of pastries, cakes & breads.
40 locals recommend
Glenda's Restaurant
854 St Johns PlCozy spot with an open kitchen that's great for breakfast & lunch. Beautiful selection of pastries, cakes & breads.
Popular Venetian eatery with a charming, old-world dining room. Highly rated. If there is a wait for a table, they will gladly take your name and phone number and call when a table becomes available. Their wine bar next door is an easy place to wait, and drinks can be transferred to the main dining room. You could even wait at the house since it's just a half a block away.
205 locals recommend
al di la Trattoria
248 5th AvePopular Venetian eatery with a charming, old-world dining room. Highly rated. If there is a wait for a table, they will gladly take your name and phone number and call when a table becomes available. Their wine bar next door is an easy place to wait, and drinks can be transferred to the main dining room. You could even wait at the house since it's just a half a block away.
Snug, cash-only cafe and bakeshop specializing in muffins in rotating unique flavor combinations. Open daily from 7am to 2pm.
37 locals recommend
Blue Sky Bakery
53 5th AveSnug, cash-only cafe and bakeshop specializing in muffins in rotating unique flavor combinations. Open daily from 7am to 2pm.
Popular Pan-Latin cuisine and tropical cocktails at reasonable prices. Be prepared for a boisterous atmosphere. You can easily make reservations via OpenTable.
81 locals recommend
Bogota Latin Bistro
141 5th AvePopular Pan-Latin cuisine and tropical cocktails at reasonable prices. Be prepared for a boisterous atmosphere. You can easily make reservations via OpenTable.
Family-friendly, consistent, and reasonably priced wood-fired pizzas and other Italian fare.
48 locals recommend
La Villa Pizzeria
261 5th AveFamily-friendly, consistent, and reasonably priced wood-fired pizzas and other Italian fare.
Organic and all-natural burgers, shakes, and snacks. Popular choice for families.
465 locals recommend
Bareburger
33-21 31st AveOrganic and all-natural burgers, shakes, and snacks. Popular choice for families.
This intimate steakhouse is set in a tucked-away carriage house & known for its spacious patio.
14 locals recommend
Benchmark
339A 2nd StThis intimate steakhouse is set in a tucked-away carriage house & known for its spacious patio.
Classic NYC bagel spot & deli offering great selections of bagels, sandwiches and other baked goods. Open from 6:00AM to 3:00PM daily.
14 locals recommend
Brownstone Bagels
671 Union StClassic NYC bagel spot & deli offering great selections of bagels, sandwiches and other baked goods. Open from 6:00AM to 3:00PM daily.
Best sushi in Brooklyn serving both creative and classic Japanese fare. For a special occasion, have the omakase at the sushi bar. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. 718-788-5338
31 locals recommend
Sushi Katsuei
210 7th AveBest sushi in Brooklyn serving both creative and classic Japanese fare. For a special occasion, have the omakase at the sushi bar. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. 718-788-5338
Peruvian rotisserie chicken specialist that's popular for both eat in and takeout. Very good value.
7 locals recommend
Coco Roco
392 5th AvePeruvian rotisserie chicken specialist that's popular for both eat in and takeout. Very good value.
The city's best pizza by the slice! Classic NY-style pizzeria that's not fancy but serves up well-executed pies, calzones, sandwiches, and pastas. The rice balls and tomato avocado Caprese salad are especially recommended! Free delivery through seamless.com.
Pizza Cotta Bene
437 3rd AveThe city's best pizza by the slice! Classic NY-style pizzeria that's not fancy but serves up well-executed pies, calzones, sandwiches, and pastas. The rice balls and tomato avocado Caprese salad are especially recommended! Free delivery through seamless.com.
Very popular new take on Vietnamese food with an ambitious drink menu, open kitchen, and a lovely back garden. We recommend you make reservations via their website, especially on weekends. bricolage.nyc
37 locals recommend
Bricolage
162 5th AveVery popular new take on Vietnamese food with an ambitious drink menu, open kitchen, and a lovely back garden. We recommend you make reservations via their website, especially on weekends. bricolage.nyc
Best BBQ in NYC! Definitely worth the trip. Rustic counter-service features slow smoked meats, craft beer & live music on weekends. It's first-come, first-served, so make sure you go early as they do run out of popular items. Brisket is to die for.
101 locals recommend
Hometown Bar-B-Que
454 Van Brunt StBest BBQ in NYC! Definitely worth the trip. Rustic counter-service features slow smoked meats, craft beer & live music on weekends. It's first-come, first-served, so make sure you go early as they do run out of popular items. Brisket is to die for.
A unique cafe specializing in high-end chocolate desserts, handmade ice creams, coffee, dessert wines, and beers from around the world.
74 locals recommend
The Chocolate Room
A unique cafe specializing in high-end chocolate desserts, handmade ice creams, coffee, dessert wines, and beers from around the world.
Popular burger joint offering a lineup of short-order dishes and known for their wings! Delivery also available on seamless.com.
28 locals recommend
Bonnie's Grill
278 5th AvePopular burger joint offering a lineup of short-order dishes and known for their wings! Delivery also available on seamless.com.
24-hour coffee shop serving homemade donuts & basic diner fare since 1977. A local institution.
20 locals recommend
7th Ave Donuts & Diner
324 7th Ave24-hour coffee shop serving homemade donuts & basic diner fare since 1977. A local institution.
Runner & Stone
285 3rd AveFantastic croissants and breads baked in house.
Family-run gem serving seasonal and organic salads, panini, and pastas. Great brunch menu and amazing sweet and savory gelato options. Very family friendly.
31 locals recommend
L'Albero Dei Gelati
341 5th AveFamily-run gem serving seasonal and organic salads, panini, and pastas. Great brunch menu and amazing sweet and savory gelato options. Very family friendly.
Quite possibly the biggest ice cream shop in the city! It has a big counter and booths on the ground floor, a party space with an ice-cream-churning bike upstairs, and a rooftop deck with Adirondack chairs and view of the Brooklyn skyline. Also houses a production facility turning out a rotating selection of 24 flavors like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Snap Mallow Pop, and Nonna D's Oatmeal Lace.
370 locals recommend
Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt AveQuite possibly the biggest ice cream shop in the city! It has a big counter and booths on the ground floor, a party space with an ice-cream-churning bike upstairs, and a rooftop deck with Adirondack chairs and view of the Brooklyn skyline. Also houses a production facility turning out a rotating selection of 24 flavors like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Snap Mallow Pop, and Nonna D's Oatmeal Lace.
Momo
78 5th AveSmall, low-key Asian spot for a variety of ramen, dumplings & noodle dishes.
Laid-back outdoor bar & eatery offering trays of pit-smoked BBQ, draft beer, and cocktails. Weekends only during spring/summer/fall.
51 locals recommend
Pig Beach
480 Union StLaid-back outdoor bar & eatery offering trays of pit-smoked BBQ, draft beer, and cocktails. Weekends only during spring/summer/fall.
Drinks & Nightlife
Large bar/performance venue set in a former warehouse. Check their website for current offerings: www.thebellhouseny.com
132 locals recommend
The Bell House
149 7th StLarge bar/performance venue set in a former warehouse. Check their website for current offerings: www.thebellhouseny.com
Local watering hole with cozy firesides, library, two indoor bocce courts, outdoor garden seating, a downstairs bar with music and comedy. They also serve simple bar food like burgers, wings, and nachos.
186 locals recommend
Union Hall
702 Union StLocal watering hole with cozy firesides, library, two indoor bocce courts, outdoor garden seating, a downstairs bar with music and comedy. They also serve simple bar food like burgers, wings, and nachos.
Dog-friendly bar featuring craft beers and pinball in a former tire repair shop.
45 locals recommend
Mission Dolores
249 4th AveDog-friendly bar featuring craft beers and pinball in a former tire repair shop.
This cozy French bar hosts one of the city's liveliest, most diverse music scenes in its cramped but friendly back room. Check their website for current offerings.
206 locals recommend
Barbès
376 9th StThis cozy French bar hosts one of the city's liveliest, most diverse music scenes in its cramped but friendly back room. Check their website for current offerings.
Shopping
A unique neighborhood boutique for eclectic jewelry, wedding rings & upscale home gifts with an artisanal touch.
10 locals recommend
The Clay Pot
162 7th AveA unique neighborhood boutique for eclectic jewelry, wedding rings & upscale home gifts with an artisanal touch.
Offers unique t-shirts, hoodies, bags and more. The brand is known for their cutting-edge designs and limited-edition prints.
70 locals recommend
Brooklyn Industries
206 5th AveOffers unique t-shirts, hoodies, bags and more. The brand is known for their cutting-edge designs and limited-edition prints.
Fashion-forward Brooklyn residents frequent this unconventional boutique for its stylish lineup of pieces by both emerging and established designers.
11 locals recommend
Bird Brooklyn - Park Slope
Fashion-forward Brooklyn residents frequent this unconventional boutique for its stylish lineup of pieces by both emerging and established designers.
This mysterious shop, where you can buy such novelties as capes, X-ray goggles and gallon tins of immortality, is actually a front (and money-earner) for the nonprofit 826NYC, a kids’ writing, tutoring and publishing center (a chapter of the San Francisco outfit founded by novelist Dave Eggers), hidden behind a concealed door.
13 locals recommend
Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.
372 5th AveThis mysterious shop, where you can buy such novelties as capes, X-ray goggles and gallon tins of immortality, is actually a front (and money-earner) for the nonprofit 826NYC, a kids’ writing, tutoring and publishing center (a chapter of the San Francisco outfit founded by novelist Dave Eggers), hidden behind a concealed door.
Modern gift shop showcasing quirky knickknacks, toys, pet items, housewares & decor.
15 locals recommend
Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store
232 5th AveModern gift shop showcasing quirky knickknacks, toys, pet items, housewares & decor.