BROOKLYN, NY
Brooklyn, NY is the most populous of the five boroughs of New York City. Brooklyn has plentiful options for eats and entertainment. My friend Mel grew up in New York and now lives in Brooklyn. She’s a foodie with great taste, so I always know her recommendations will be incredible. Happy traveling!
Travel Tip:
- Take the subway – don’t Uber if you can avoid it! Use Google Maps to plan out your journey. It’s a cheaper and more efficient way to get around.
One fun thing:
- Grab takeout sandwiches from a lunch spot and then go to Prospect Park to people watch with dogs and friends. If you want to grab drinks to bring to the park, check out any of the Mr. Fruit establishment stores. They are half grocery stores that are good for affordable canned drinks, both non-alcoholic or not. There’s usually one by a park. Some examples of Mr. Fruit stores are Mr. Beet, Mr. Lemon, Mr. Lime, and Mr. Pineapple.
- Airbnb: your best option in terms of flexibility and affordability.
- The William Vale: if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out the William Vale. It’s a trendy hotel in the Williamsburg neighborhood.
- Brooklyn Museum: a small art museum with interesting and sometimes funky exhibits. It’s good for a half-day of browsing. There’s usually a rotating exhibit.
- Littlefield: an independent venue space in Gowanus that hosts loads of events. There are stand-up comedy nights, movie nights with a TV projector, concerts and more. They have a bar inside and also a spot where you can grab tacos.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: smaller than the Bronx Botanical Gardens, but still 52 acres of gorgeous nature. Check out the cherry blossoms when they are in bloom! It runs adjacent to Prospect Park.
- Red Hook: take a walk down to the Red Hook neighborhood to see a view of the Statue of Liberty. In the summer, there’s a ton of food trucks down by the water. You’ll get a great view of the Manhattan skyline. The walk along the water is not super scenic, but still nice to look out. There’s no subway or bus access.
- Piers by the Brooklyn Bridge: take a walk to any of the piers near the Brooklyn Bridge or even walk across the Brooklyn Bridge if you desire. You’ll find a scenic view of the skyline near the water, but also popup gardens, volleyball courts and other activities.
- Prospect Park or Fort Greene Park: for amazing dogs and a nice stroll. Head over to either park to hangout, people watch or wander around. There are occasionally concerts in the parks.
- Cobble Hill: bop around the shops in Cobble Hill. Check out Books are Magic bookstore and the clothing store Article& in particular. There is also a Rag & Bone store, Asops, and others.
- Dumbo: if you’re in search of that perfect influencer Instagram picture. Head down to Washington Street between Front and Water Streets and see the spot where you can view the cobblestone streets, the Empire State Building and the Manhattan Bridge.
- Ursulas: a breakfast spot in Crown Heights with a life-changing breakfast burrito. The restaurant opened during the pandemic and has survived! They serve New Mexican cuisine and have a few tables outside.
- Winner: a bakery and café in Park Slope known for their excellent baked goods. They bake amazing sourdough breads, cookies and scones. Try their egg sandwich which is made on a homemade English muffin with fluffy egg and cheese. Coffee is delicious and it’s about two blocks from Prospect Park if you want to grab and go.
- Shelsky’s Brooklyn Bagels: the bagel store pick. You can’t visit New York without eating a bagel. Shelsky’s has two locations. The bagels aren’t super doughy, which makes for a satisfying but not over the top bagel. They have great whitefish and tuna fish spreads. Mel’s favorite is a pumpernickel bagel with tuna fish, lettuce and tomato.
- Court Street Grocers: tasty sandwiches in their original location in Carol Gardens. They offer a variety of deli sandwiches. Try their “Ruben Broc” or “Vegitalian”. Pro tip: if you’re short on time or don’t want to wait, order on Seamless to pick up. They also have a little specialty shop where you can purchase spices and snack foods. It’s a grab and go spot, but they also did just expand their outdoor seating options.
- Nili: a Mediterranean café in Cobble Hill. Order the delicious chicken shawarma in a bowl or pita. The fluffy bacon egg and cheese comes on a pita and it’s a wonderful pick too. They offer great chai and matcha. Mel would recommend going with a friend, getting your own entree and splitting a pastry. They have a bathroom you can use, which can be hard to find in NY. It’s located right next to the F and G train, so it’s convenient if you’re traveling somewhere.
- Hunky Dory: an all-day casual café in Crown Heights. There’s no tipping here, the workers are paid so that they don’t need to rely on tips and it’s factored into the price of the food. Try the Toasty with prosciutto, melted cheese and grainy mustard. They also have fun drinks. They bought a big plot next to the storefront where they put in a huge tent and tables. No reservation needed.
- East Wind Snack Shop: for the dumplings! They have at least two locations, one in Windsor Terrace and another in Carroll Gardens. Order dumplings to go and head to Prospect Park to eat them; it’s very close. Be aware of the long lines on the weekends.
- Frankies: an Italian restaurant in Cobble Hill. It’s not the same as Manhattan Frankies. Frankies 457 is the main restaurant, but there’s also Frank’s Wine Bar two doors down with the same food and F&F Pizza. Try the Cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter. It’s their best seller and amazing. The non-breaded eggplant is delicious as are all their appetizers. It can be on the pricier side.
- Miss Ada: Mel’s favorite restaurant. It’s a Mediterranean spot in Fort Greene. While they have a good brunch, their dinner is amazing. Think fluffy pita (always order extra) and incredible dips. In particular, the Whipped Ricotta dip with honey is perfection. The kebabs are delicious too. Mel recommends getting more of the small plate offerings, dips and apps over the larger plates. Try any of their fun cocktails or great wines. There’s a garden patio in the back, outdoor seating in the front and, of course, indoor seating.
- Ugly Baby: Thai food for a spicy food lover. Their Kang Hoh is very flavorful, made up of red curry paste, pork shoulder and glass noodles. The Khoong Muk Kai Kem is tasty too. You can’t go wrong, but you do have to have a spice tolerance. Order a Thai iced tea or beer to help cut the spice. If you’re having trouble with the spice, the waiter will come to help you out with a plate of cucumbers and other things.
- Leland: a recently opened wine bar in Prospect Heights. It’s a small, neighborhood spot, but they have an incredible selection of wine. They have a lot of snack type foods, but also larger dishes. The food is very seasonal and the menu can be limited. The staff is knowledgeable and will help you pick a glass of wine that’s perfect for you.
- Malai Ice Cream: a female-founded ice cream shop in Cobble Hill with a fun twist. They have Indian-inspired flavors: chai, roti and ghee and spiced dark chocolate are some of the best. They also sell ice cream sandwiches on shortbread.
- Gowanus: there are lots of fun beer halls in the Gowanus neighborhood. In particular, Three’s Brewing is a favorite with a big outdoor and indoor space. It’s perfect for big groups. Finback Brooklyn is another good spot.
- Lavender Lake Bar: a spot for fun cocktails and pretzels also in Gowanus. They have good indoor and outdoor space.
- Sunny’s: an old-timey neighborhood saloon. It’s got dive bar vibes.
- Elsa: a swanky bar in Cobble Hill with solid cocktails. Also try their charcuterie boards.
- House of Yes: a lively club in Bushwick. They have themed nights on Fridays and Saturdays where dressing up in accordance with the theme is highly encouraged. It’s a time.
