Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Classic neighborhood slice joint, with attached sit-down Italian restaurant and bar
106 locals recommend
Carmine's Pizzeria
358 Graham Ave Classic neighborhood slice joint, with attached sit-down Italian restaurant and bar
Sage
299-301 Graham AveThai restaurant with attached bar area
Hi Noodle Thai
333 Graham AveInexpensive Thai noodle bar
Tony's Pizza
336 Knickerbocker Ave Fresh slices and Italian entrees, mostly to go
Pita Palace
413 Graham AveFresh Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food -- we recommend the falafel
Loco Burrito
345 Graham AveCasual and inexpensive Cali-Mex style taqueria
Mesa Coyoacan
372 Graham AveSit-down Mexican restaurant
Grand Morelos
727 Grand StCheap, casual 24-hour Mexican diner
East Met West
752 Metropolitan AveNeighborhood Chinese take-out spot
Classic 24-hour diner and a popular stop after the bars close. It's not always great, but it's always open.
70 locals recommend
Kellogg's Diner
518 Metropolitan AveClassic 24-hour diner and a popular stop after the bars close. It's not always great, but it's always open.
Newtown
55 Waterbury StSmall cafe with a small but quality menu of Mediterranean food.
Variety Coffee Roasters
368 Graham AvePopular coffee shop, also serving baked goods
Charter Coffeehouse
309 Graham AveLow-key neighborhood coffee shop
The Blue Stove
415 Graham AveCoffee shop that specializes in pies and other baked goods
Casual Vietnamese restaurant in a nondescript spot -- funky decor and very fresh ingredients, recommended
30 locals recommend
Nhà Mình
915 Wyckoff AvenueCasual Vietnamese restaurant in a nondescript spot -- funky decor and very fresh ingredients, recommended
Neighborhood bagel shop that helped to originate the "Rainbow Bagel" craze.
130 locals recommend
The Bagel Store Original Rainbow Bagel
69 5th AvenueNeighborhood bagel shop that helped to originate the "Rainbow Bagel" craze.
Champs Diner
197 Meserole StPopular all-vegan diner.
Very popular pizza restaurant. Cooks with ingredients grown in their own garden. Basically the archetypal "artisanal" restaurant in the neighborhood
1621 locals recommend
Roberta's
261 Moore StVery popular pizza restaurant. Cooks with ingredients grown in their own garden. Basically the archetypal "artisanal" restaurant in the neighborhood
While this neighborhood isn't known for having a lot of great Indian food, this place checks out well
Indian Kitchen
739 Grand StWhile this neighborhood isn't known for having a lot of great Indian food, this place checks out well
Casual cafe with hearty and fresh breakfast/brunch and sandwich options
18 locals recommend
Willburg Cafe
623 Grand StCasual cafe with hearty and fresh breakfast/brunch and sandwich options
Vietnamese sandwiches and pho -- fresh and inexpensive
9 locals recommend
Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches
311 Atlantic AveVietnamese sandwiches and pho -- fresh and inexpensive
Classic, super-cheap neighborhood diner -- good for breakfast, lunch or very late nights (open 3:30 am-4 pm)
62 locals recommend
Tina's Place
1002 Flushing AveClassic, super-cheap neighborhood diner -- good for breakfast, lunch or very late nights (open 3:30 am-4 pm)
Reliable, un-fussy neighborhood diner. Better than Kellogg's, but not open very late at night
13 locals recommend
Sunset Diner
593 Meeker AveReliable, un-fussy neighborhood diner. Better than Kellogg's, but not open very late at night
Classic Italian pastry shop, super-fresh cakes and pastries. Table seating available. Has been around for decades. Popular with neighborhood families... and also a longtime Mafia hangout? (That's the local legend, at least)
86 locals recommend
Fortunato Brothers
289 Manhattan AveClassic Italian pastry shop, super-fresh cakes and pastries. Table seating available. Has been around for decades. Popular with neighborhood families... and also a longtime Mafia hangout? (That's the local legend, at least)
Pretty much the definitive Italian-American sandwich shop in this neighborhood. Take-out only
35 locals recommend
Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe
433 Graham AvePretty much the definitive Italian-American sandwich shop in this neighborhood. Take-out only
Drinks & Nightlife
Eclectic music venue (live local and touring bands, DJs, karaoke), owned and managed by musicians, with full bar
11 locals recommend
Sunnyvale
1031 Grand StEclectic music venue (live local and touring bands, DJs, karaoke), owned and managed by musicians, with full bar
Bar with indoor and rooftop seating, regularly featuring live local rock bands and/or DJs
42 locals recommend
Our Wicked Lady
153 Morgan AveBar with indoor and rooftop seating, regularly featuring live local rock bands and/or DJs
Reclamation Bar
817 Metropolitan AveNeighborhood bar, also serving tacos at happy hour
Neighborhood bar with a Southern theme (country music and Southern rock on the jukebox) and a large rear patio
34 locals recommend
Lady Jay's
633 Grand StreetNeighborhood bar with a Southern theme (country music and Southern rock on the jukebox) and a large rear patio
Neighborhood dive bar with punk and hard rock on the jukebox, plus pool tables
13 locals recommend
Second Chance Saloon
659 Grand StNeighborhood dive bar with punk and hard rock on the jukebox, plus pool tables
Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant and bar, with patio seating available
15 locals recommend
Cape House
2 Knickerbocker AveCape Cod-style seafood restaurant and bar, with patio seating available
The Anchored Inn
57 Waterbury StPunk/metal bar serving pub grub and brunch
Irish-style pub, with patio seating in the rear and a popular brunch on weekends
125 locals recommend
Harefield Road
769 Metropolitan AveIrish-style pub, with patio seating in the rear and a popular brunch on weekends
Casual bar with rustic decor, happy hour until 9 pm, brunch on weekends and a huge rear patio. My personal favorite bar in the neighborhood, mostly for the backyard and the bartenders.
124 locals recommend
Tradesman
222 Bushwick AveCasual bar with rustic decor, happy hour until 9 pm, brunch on weekends and a huge rear patio. My personal favorite bar in the neighborhood, mostly for the backyard and the bartenders.
It's not in Bushwick and it's not a country club. It's a classic dive bar with cheap drink options, boozy smoothies, and a backyard area that has a disused miniature golf course in it.
81 locals recommend
Bushwick Country Club
608 Grand StIt's not in Bushwick and it's not a country club. It's a classic dive bar with cheap drink options, boozy smoothies, and a backyard area that has a disused miniature golf course in it.
Casual bar, with decor inspired by a '70s or '80s ski lodge. Nachos, chili and other pub snacks available (with some vegetarian options).
20 locals recommend
The Drift
579 Meeker AveCasual bar, with decor inspired by a '70s or '80s ski lodge. Nachos, chili and other pub snacks available (with some vegetarian options).
Music venue operated by the Bowery Presents group, capacity 1,800, that features well-known touring acts.
84 locals recommend
Brooklyn Steel
319 Frost StMusic venue operated by the Bowery Presents group, capacity 1,800, that features well-known touring acts.
Live music venue and bar, with diverse and consistently solid local acts playing, in the basement of Cape House restaurant/bar
Rose Gold Cocktail Lounge
96 Morgan AveLive music venue and bar, with diverse and consistently solid local acts playing, in the basement of Cape House restaurant/bar
Russian-inspired restaurant and bar -- dumplings and lots of vodka drinks
22 locals recommend
Masha & The Bear
Russian-inspired restaurant and bar -- dumplings and lots of vodka drinks
Neighborhood bar, featuring a small menu with a Phil Collins theme (really).
7 locals recommend
Easy Lover
790 Metropolitan AveNeighborhood bar, featuring a small menu with a Phil Collins theme (really).
Shopping
Small but eclectic and well-maintained record shop, featuring new and used records. My recommendation: Check the $6 used record bins.
28 locals recommend
Human Head Records
289 Meserole StSmall but eclectic and well-maintained record shop, featuring new and used records. My recommendation: Check the $6 used record bins.
Catland
985 Flushing AveOccult/witchy/new agey books and assorted items.
Quimby's Bookstore NYC
536 Metropolitan AveSmall bookstore specializing in lefty political books, art books and 'zines.
Desert Island
540 Metropolitan AvePopular and well-maintained comic book (and graphic novel) shop.
Essentials
The closest laundromat. Open until 8:30 pm, last wash for self-service at 7. Closed Wednesdays. Despite the name, there are no beans to be found here
24 locals recommend
Bean & Clean
909 Metropolitan AveThe closest laundromat. Open until 8:30 pm, last wash for self-service at 7. Closed Wednesdays. Despite the name, there are no beans to be found here
24-hour laundromat. For self-service, machines require use of a prepaid card. I have one already -- guests may borrow it, so you don't have to pay for a new card. Just load it up with however much money you need to do laundry and return the card to me when you're done.
11 locals recommend
Lavanderia Express IV, Inc.
287 Graham Ave24-hour laundromat. For self-service, machines require use of a prepaid card. I have one already -- guests may borrow it, so you don't have to pay for a new card. Just load it up with however much money you need to do laundry and return the card to me when you're done.
Fully stocked grocery store, variety of fresh produce, lots of items on sale. My go-to supermarket when I'm doing a comprehensive grocery run.
43 locals recommend
Ozzie's Fresh Market
639 Grand StFully stocked grocery store, variety of fresh produce, lots of items on sale. My go-to supermarket when I'm doing a comprehensive grocery run.
Budget grocery store, smaller than others in the neighborhood. Good for staples, dry goods. OK place to find cheap produce that's a day or two away from going off.
73 locals recommend
Bravo Supermarkets
785 Grand StBudget grocery store, smaller than others in the neighborhood. Good for staples, dry goods. OK place to find cheap produce that's a day or two away from going off.
Surprisingly upscale for the CTown chain (CTown is usually known as a budget supermarket). Good craft beer selection, specialty snacks, staples. Not the best produce prices in the area.
663 locals recommend
CTown Supermarkets
330 Graham AveSurprisingly upscale for the CTown chain (CTown is usually known as a budget supermarket). Good craft beer selection, specialty snacks, staples. Not the best produce prices in the area.
You can usually find both the cheapest and the freshest produce in the neighborhood here, also fresh kimchee and some Korean and Chinese spices. Stock depends on what's available from local wholesalers that day.
37 locals recommend
To The World Farm
655 Grand StYou can usually find both the cheapest and the freshest produce in the neighborhood here, also fresh kimchee and some Korean and Chinese spices. Stock depends on what's available from local wholesalers that day.
Need to ship a package? This is much closer than the closest post office branch, and doesn't have long lines
Qwik Pack and Ship
697 Grand StNeed to ship a package? This is much closer than the closest post office branch, and doesn't have long lines
Small grocery store (smaller than the Associated on Grand St.), handy for staples
238 locals recommend
Associated Supermarket
Small grocery store (smaller than the Associated on Grand St.), handy for staples
Greengrocer with some fresh produce, beverages, snacks and prepared foods (noodles, dumplings, etc.)
Mr Graham's Market
344 Graham AveGreengrocer with some fresh produce, beverages, snacks and prepared foods (noodles, dumplings, etc.)
The closest bodega -- reliable spot for sandwiches, beer, snacks, assorted household items. If you're looking for a classic NYC deli breakfast to go, egg sandwich and a cup of coffee, try here
11 locals recommend
Latenight Deli Inc
905 Metropolitan AveThe closest bodega -- reliable spot for sandwiches, beer, snacks, assorted household items. If you're looking for a classic NYC deli breakfast to go, egg sandwich and a cup of coffee, try here
Parks & Nature
Very happening spot in warm weather. Running/walking track, field popular with local soccer leagues, newly renovated skatepark, basketball courts, squash court, tennis courts, picnic area with hibachi grills, dog run. Fun fact: Radiohead shot a music video here once
90 locals recommend
Cooper Park
Maspeth AvenueVery happening spot in warm weather. Running/walking track, field popular with local soccer leagues, newly renovated skatepark, basketball courts, squash court, tennis courts, picnic area with hibachi grills, dog run. Fun fact: Radiohead shot a music video here once
Getting Around
L train at Graham Ave. & Metropolitan -- travels mostly east/west from 8th Ave. in Manhattan to Canarsie in Brooklyn. Under normal conditions, it's about a 12-minute subway ride from here to Union Square (Manhattan)
42 locals recommend
Graham Av station
L train at Graham Ave. & Metropolitan -- travels mostly east/west from 8th Ave. in Manhattan to Canarsie in Brooklyn. Under normal conditions, it's about a 12-minute subway ride from here to Union Square (Manhattan)
Arts & Culture
The Brick
579 Metropolitan AveSmall theater focusing on new works.