Guidebook for Brooklyn

Lindsey
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Food Scene

Nic manages the restaurant some nights. It has the best outdoor seating right in the heart of the neighborhood and great oyster specials - especially during happy hour. I always get the Mahi club and a painkiller.
168 locals recommend
Sea Wolf
19 Wyckoff Ave
168 locals recommend
Nic manages the restaurant some nights. It has the best outdoor seating right in the heart of the neighborhood and great oyster specials - especially during happy hour. I always get the Mahi club and a painkiller.
Cool servers, great food and coffee. It has an amazing interior space and a superb location right in the middle of the Bushwick Collective's street art, but it can get pretty packed on the weekends.
145 locals recommend
AP Cafe
420 Troutman St
145 locals recommend
Cool servers, great food and coffee. It has an amazing interior space and a superb location right in the middle of the Bushwick Collective's street art, but it can get pretty packed on the weekends.
Some say that Venezuelan is the comfort food of South America, and this is probably the best Venezuelan food in NYC. We stop by when we want the vibes and order in when we're feeling lazy. All of the arepas and empanadas are great (and huge!) and don't skip out on a coconut milkshake cocada.
262 locals recommend
Arepera Guacuco
44 Irving Ave
262 locals recommend
Some say that Venezuelan is the comfort food of South America, and this is probably the best Venezuelan food in NYC. We stop by when we want the vibes and order in when we're feeling lazy. All of the arepas and empanadas are great (and huge!) and don't skip out on a coconut milkshake cocada.
Best pizza in the neighborhood - ask anyone. Anyone who lives here would pick it over Artichoke any day. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. (Cash only)
51 locals recommend
Tony's Pizza
336 Knickerbocker Ave
51 locals recommend
Best pizza in the neighborhood - ask anyone. Anyone who lives here would pick it over Artichoke any day. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. (Cash only)
Legendary authentic Mexican tacos - made with homemade tortillas. Manhattanites make the trip out here just for these. It's even BYOB - great for just sitting around, eating tacos (or tostadas) and hanging out. (Cash only)
289 locals recommend
Tortilleria Mexicanas Los Hermanos
271 Starr St
289 locals recommend
Legendary authentic Mexican tacos - made with homemade tortillas. Manhattanites make the trip out here just for these. It's even BYOB - great for just sitting around, eating tacos (or tostadas) and hanging out. (Cash only)
One man runs this entire restaurant and he is just the best. Witty, charming, and makes one hell of a cauliflower steak. It's almost always empty, perfect for a break from the crowded city scene.
10 locals recommend
Wok 2 Bar
280 Knickerbocker Avenue
10 locals recommend
One man runs this entire restaurant and he is just the best. Witty, charming, and makes one hell of a cauliflower steak. It's almost always empty, perfect for a break from the crowded city scene.
Great healthy and vegan options. They'll tell you their acai bowl is the best in the neighborhood. It is. One summer, I ate one almost every day.
45 locals recommend
Pitanga
207 Starr St
45 locals recommend
Great healthy and vegan options. They'll tell you their acai bowl is the best in the neighborhood. It is. One summer, I ate one almost every day.
Popular Brooklyn chain for the freelance crowd. Some days, you get an interesting local character or two. This location is their roastery, if you're into coffee and like to see how it's made. Decent breakfast pastries or cookies in the afternoon.
460 locals recommend
Variety Coffee Roasters
368 Graham Ave
460 locals recommend
Popular Brooklyn chain for the freelance crowd. Some days, you get an interesting local character or two. This location is their roastery, if you're into coffee and like to see how it's made. Decent breakfast pastries or cookies in the afternoon.
This amazing coffee shop has some of the best pre-gentrification vibes - the essence of what made Bushwick cool. Great sandwiches, too.
368 locals recommend
Little Skips
941 Willoughby Ave
368 locals recommend
This amazing coffee shop has some of the best pre-gentrification vibes - the essence of what made Bushwick cool. Great sandwiches, too.
Great spot for local vibes, a morning bagel and a coffee or tea. My go-to when I have to cram in some early work. This neighborhood gentrified before ours so it's a little more punk rock (in the very best way).
203 locals recommend
Swallow Cafe
49 Bogart St
203 locals recommend
Great spot for local vibes, a morning bagel and a coffee or tea. My go-to when I have to cram in some early work. This neighborhood gentrified before ours so it's a little more punk rock (in the very best way).
Coffee shop by day, "speakeasy" by night. British themed, but owned by a lovely french couple. One of the quieter coffee shops in the neighborhood.
100 locals recommend
Ange Noir Cafe
247 Varet St
100 locals recommend
Coffee shop by day, "speakeasy" by night. British themed, but owned by a lovely french couple. One of the quieter coffee shops in the neighborhood.
This is a little obligatory - it's the most famous food in the neighborhood. It's basically gourmet pizza. Not my thing but apparently people (food critics) like it. As such, you'll need to plan ahead. It's tough to get a seat.
1621 locals recommend
Roberta's
261 Moore St
1621 locals recommend
This is a little obligatory - it's the most famous food in the neighborhood. It's basically gourmet pizza. Not my thing but apparently people (food critics) like it. As such, you'll need to plan ahead. It's tough to get a seat.
THE classic NYC deli. 100 years old and 100% legendary. Most will tell you to go with the lox or whitefish bagel or the roast beef.
181 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters Cafe
127 Orchard St
181 locals recommend
THE classic NYC deli. 100 years old and 100% legendary. Most will tell you to go with the lox or whitefish bagel or the roast beef.
Featured on Sex and the City and was especially trendy when cupcakes were super popular.
401 locals recommend
Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker St
401 locals recommend
Featured on Sex and the City and was especially trendy when cupcakes were super popular.
Vegan Ethiopian food with a really relaxing/energizing (yes, both) coffee ceremony on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. A fun time, especially if you like eating with your hands.
285 locals recommend
Bunna Cafe
1084 Flushing Ave
285 locals recommend
Vegan Ethiopian food with a really relaxing/energizing (yes, both) coffee ceremony on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. A fun time, especially if you like eating with your hands.
Anyone you've ever heard talking about NY bagels was talking about H&H (though perhaps their now-closed midtown location). They were even briefly Kramer's employer on Seinfeld - fun fact.
44 locals recommend
H&H Bagels
1551 2nd Ave
44 locals recommend
Anyone you've ever heard talking about NY bagels was talking about H&H (though perhaps their now-closed midtown location). They were even briefly Kramer's employer on Seinfeld - fun fact.
The hottest restaurant in NYC right now.
271 locals recommend
Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave.
271 locals recommend
The hottest restaurant in NYC right now.
Remember the cronut? Well, it's still a thing and this is where to get it.
157 locals recommend
Dominique Ansel Bakery
189 Spring St
157 locals recommend
Remember the cronut? Well, it's still a thing and this is where to get it.
Every summer weekend, Smorgasburg is home to New York's newest food trends. It's especially great if you really, really like waiting in lines.
777 locals recommend
Smorgasburg
90 Kent Ave
777 locals recommend
Every summer weekend, Smorgasburg is home to New York's newest food trends. It's especially great if you really, really like waiting in lines.
Anthony Bourdain (RIP) called filipino food the next big food trend. We wouldn't be surprised if he visited Jeepney when he made that call. The service is amazing, the food is terrific, the drinks are extravagant, and they even do a special night where everyone eats with their hands.
23 locals recommend
Jeepney
201 1st Ave.
23 locals recommend
Anthony Bourdain (RIP) called filipino food the next big food trend. We wouldn't be surprised if he visited Jeepney when he made that call. The service is amazing, the food is terrific, the drinks are extravagant, and they even do a special night where everyone eats with their hands.
Egyptian food handmade by the owner/chef/server/host of a one-man restaurant. It's BYOB for good reason - his from-scratch dishes stew for two hours before they're ready to serve. If you try the monkey brain, I want to hear about it.
10 locals recommend
Mombar
25-22 Steinway St
10 locals recommend
Egyptian food handmade by the owner/chef/server/host of a one-man restaurant. It's BYOB for good reason - his from-scratch dishes stew for two hours before they're ready to serve. If you try the monkey brain, I want to hear about it.
Moroccan cuisine tucked away in a sensual, surreal underground hideaway. The ideal date for an adventurous eater.
28 locals recommend
Shalel Lounge
65 W 70th St
28 locals recommend
Moroccan cuisine tucked away in a sensual, surreal underground hideaway. The ideal date for an adventurous eater.
Remove your shoes upon entering this vegetarian Korean restaurant and tuck into a comfortable floor-level booth. This is our favorite restaurant in the city - we hope you enjoy!
20 locals recommend
Hangawi
12 E 32nd St
20 locals recommend
Remove your shoes upon entering this vegetarian Korean restaurant and tuck into a comfortable floor-level booth. This is our favorite restaurant in the city - we hope you enjoy!
Eat here if you are absolutely starving - it's the only way to survive this all-you-can-eat vegetarian Indian marvel. Beautiful decor, too.
6 locals recommend
Vatan
409 3rd Ave
6 locals recommend
Eat here if you are absolutely starving - it's the only way to survive this all-you-can-eat vegetarian Indian marvel. Beautiful decor, too.
Delicious gourmet Greek food. Some of the best service we've ever received.
93 locals recommend
Pylos
128 E 7th St
93 locals recommend
Delicious gourmet Greek food. Some of the best service we've ever received.

Drinks & Nightlife

The locallest haunt in the neighborhood, with secret performances in the back room and something called "heavy metal yoga" on the weekends. Please go. And tell me how it is.
145 locals recommend
The Cobra Club
6 Wyckoff Ave
145 locals recommend
The locallest haunt in the neighborhood, with secret performances in the back room and something called "heavy metal yoga" on the weekends. Please go. And tell me how it is.
This used to be an extremely popular bar called Montana's. The owner recently rebranded it with this strange name, but we suspect it's still got that same old "dive bar in Montana" feel. Did I mention it's right next door?
13 locals recommend
Hard Times Christmas Liquors at the Sunset Bar
445 Troutman St
13 locals recommend
This used to be an extremely popular bar called Montana's. The owner recently rebranded it with this strange name, but we suspect it's still got that same old "dive bar in Montana" feel. Did I mention it's right next door?
Another local haunt with a little bit of a dreamier vibe.
177 locals recommend
The Johnson's
369 Troutman St
177 locals recommend
Another local haunt with a little bit of a dreamier vibe.
There is no sign on the door, just three diamonds. I have no idea why, but everyone is pretty much always here.
191 locals recommend
The Three Diamond Door
211 Knickerbocker Ave
191 locals recommend
There is no sign on the door, just three diamonds. I have no idea why, but everyone is pretty much always here.
Best bar in the neighborhood. Totally eclectic and weird in a way that perfectly personifies what it is to live here. We love Wednesday Jazz nights. We also sometimes bring the dogs. Cash only.
94 locals recommend
The Keep
205 Cypress Ave
94 locals recommend
Best bar in the neighborhood. Totally eclectic and weird in a way that perfectly personifies what it is to live here. We love Wednesday Jazz nights. We also sometimes bring the dogs. Cash only.
If you're into the beer scene, this is our finest local brew. Hang out, have a flight and choose one of their huge selection of games.
68 locals recommend
Kings County Brewers Collective
381 Troutman St
68 locals recommend
If you're into the beer scene, this is our finest local brew. Hang out, have a flight and choose one of their huge selection of games.
Take in the punk-rock(ish) vibes of the pre-gentrified Bushwick in this former casket factory. They're vegan friendly and have regular events like karaoke and trivia.
190 locals recommend
Pine Box Rock Shop
12 Grattan St
190 locals recommend
Take in the punk-rock(ish) vibes of the pre-gentrified Bushwick in this former casket factory. They're vegan friendly and have regular events like karaoke and trivia.
This place is new and we haven't been yet. Seems cool though.
28 locals recommend
Brooklyn Cider House
1100 Flushing Ave
28 locals recommend
This place is new and we haven't been yet. Seems cool though.
Great popular and underground movies, plus a bar and restaurant. Very New York film buff.
941 locals recommend
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Ave
941 locals recommend
Great popular and underground movies, plus a bar and restaurant. Very New York film buff.
Brooklyn Bowl is the Brooklyn Brewery's bowling alley/music venue/bar. Tons of great shows, plus, you know, bowling.
825 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Ave
825 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bowl is the Brooklyn Brewery's bowling alley/music venue/bar. Tons of great shows, plus, you know, bowling.
Another great spot in Williamsburg. Went to shows here even before we moved to NYC.
234 locals recommend
Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Ave
234 locals recommend
Another great spot in Williamsburg. Went to shows here even before we moved to NYC.
Best venue to catch bands on the brink of making it. Where the Strokes got their start.
95 locals recommend
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston St
95 locals recommend
Best venue to catch bands on the brink of making it. Where the Strokes got their start.
Owned by Alan Cumming, this little bar is a local haunt for extremely talented performers on their way to Broadway. Great vibe for a low-key night.
17 locals recommend
Club Cumming
505 E 6th St
17 locals recommend
Owned by Alan Cumming, this little bar is a local haunt for extremely talented performers on their way to Broadway. Great vibe for a low-key night.
This comedy club is where many SNL writers and performers get their start. Some nights, they'll do stand-up sets for old-times sake. As far as I'm concerned, this is the only place to catch stand up in New York.
81 locals recommend
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
555 W 42nd St
81 locals recommend
This comedy club is where many SNL writers and performers get their start. Some nights, they'll do stand-up sets for old-times sake. As far as I'm concerned, this is the only place to catch stand up in New York.
That speakeasy through a phone booth in a hot dog stand you probably heard about that one time.
287 locals recommend
Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks Pl
287 locals recommend
That speakeasy through a phone booth in a hot dog stand you probably heard about that one time.
EDM underground club kid life in our neighborhood. Very Bushwick.
61 locals recommend
The Brooklyn Mirage
140 Stewart Ave
61 locals recommend
EDM underground club kid life in our neighborhood. Very Bushwick.

Parks & Nature

It's not Central Park, by any means, but it's ours. There's handball and volleyball, a little dog park and a walk/run loop.
356 locals recommend
Maria Hernandez Park
Knickerbocker Avenue
356 locals recommend
It's not Central Park, by any means, but it's ours. There's handball and volleyball, a little dog park and a walk/run loop.
Skip the trip to the Statue of Liberty and have a picnic in this charming beachfront park. It's a fantastic view of downtown Manhattan and the Statue all at the same time.
951 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman St
951 locals recommend
Skip the trip to the Statue of Liberty and have a picnic in this charming beachfront park. It's a fantastic view of downtown Manhattan and the Statue all at the same time.
Another amazing picnic spot with a beautiful view of Manhattan.
432 locals recommend
Domino Park
15 Kent Ave
432 locals recommend
Another amazing picnic spot with a beautiful view of Manhattan.
This former above-ground railroad has been converted to a walking park and loooooong art space. The architecture beautifully clashes with the greenery for a slightly mindblowing experience.
2323 locals recommend
The High Line Park
2323 locals recommend
This former above-ground railroad has been converted to a walking park and loooooong art space. The architecture beautifully clashes with the greenery for a slightly mindblowing experience.

Arts & Culture

Here, you'll find some of the most talented singers and dancers in the city (and that's saying something). Careful, though. Nudity should be expected and appreciated in this classically Brooklyn theatre.
18 locals recommend
Théâtre XIV - The Home of Company XIV
383 Troutman St
18 locals recommend
Here, you'll find some of the most talented singers and dancers in the city (and that's saying something). Careful, though. Nudity should be expected and appreciated in this classically Brooklyn theatre.
So much more than a nightclub. House of Yes is a rowdy, exotic, erotic, aerialist performance venue. Their performances draw in club kids from all over the city - but be ready to dress for the theme. You'll want to check their website to see what's on and what's sold out.
552 locals recommend
House of Yes
2 Wyckoff Avenue
552 locals recommend
So much more than a nightclub. House of Yes is a rowdy, exotic, erotic, aerialist performance venue. Their performances draw in club kids from all over the city - but be ready to dress for the theme. You'll want to check their website to see what's on and what's sold out.
There's a ton of galleries in this area. My artist friends tend to pop up into the neighborhood for this one.
SLAG Gallery
522 W 19th St
There's a ton of galleries in this area. My artist friends tend to pop up into the neighborhood for this one.

Shopping

Some of the best $10 vintage finds we've ever discovered. Tiffany, the owner, is always traveling to dig up new and interesting stuff. We'll hang out down here just for fun.
6 locals recommend
28 Scott Vintage
108 Scott Ave
6 locals recommend
Some of the best $10 vintage finds we've ever discovered. Tiffany, the owner, is always traveling to dig up new and interesting stuff. We'll hang out down here just for fun.
Great vintage finds and artist pieces if you'd like to take home a taste of the neighborhood.
78 locals recommend
Friends NYC
56 Bogart St
78 locals recommend
Great vintage finds and artist pieces if you'd like to take home a taste of the neighborhood.
I love their vintage furniture, but they've got great little pieces, too. Fun fact: you can even buy their stuff straight off instagram.
Dobbin St co-op (Bushwick)
1033 Flushing Ave
I love their vintage furniture, but they've got great little pieces, too. Fun fact: you can even buy their stuff straight off instagram.
If you're willing to pay just a little more to score those name-brand vintage pieces, this is the place for you.
50 locals recommend
Worship
117 Wilson Ave
50 locals recommend
If you're willing to pay just a little more to score those name-brand vintage pieces, this is the place for you.
A bunch of vintage stores have chained up into L-Train - there's a bunch in the neighborhood. They're more conventional uncurated racks, which means they're super cheap. But you're going to need to dig.
231 locals recommend
L Train Vintage
1377 Dekalb Ave
231 locals recommend
A bunch of vintage stores have chained up into L-Train - there's a bunch in the neighborhood. They're more conventional uncurated racks, which means they're super cheap. But you're going to need to dig.

Essentials

Great if you need to run out for a thing or two (especially a fancy "natural" thing or two - including wine or liquor). Super great if you're hungry for a sandwich. But if you're looking to really stock up, you'll have to pay the big bucks.
203 locals recommend
Hana Natural
24 Wyckoff Ave
203 locals recommend
Great if you need to run out for a thing or two (especially a fancy "natural" thing or two - including wine or liquor). Super great if you're hungry for a sandwich. But if you're looking to really stock up, you'll have to pay the big bucks.
This is the best grocery store not-quite in the neighborhood. Great combination of fancy local favorites and cheap treats.
15 locals recommend
Billy's Marketplace
870 Cypress Ave
15 locals recommend
This is the best grocery store not-quite in the neighborhood. Great combination of fancy local favorites and cheap treats.
If you're looking to really stock up on essentials, this is the store to do it.
311 locals recommend
City Fresh Market
518 32nd St
311 locals recommend
If you're looking to really stock up on essentials, this is the store to do it.
Hopefully you never have to use it. Seriously.
34 locals recommend
Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
374 Stockholm St
34 locals recommend
Hopefully you never have to use it. Seriously.
There are tons of yoga spots in this neighborhood, but this is Nic's favorite.
SOLID GOLD YOGI
20 Wyckoff Ave
There are tons of yoga spots in this neighborhood, but this is Nic's favorite.

Getting Around

The nearest gas station if you need a quick fill.
Sunoco Gas Station
1884 Flushing Ave
The nearest gas station if you need a quick fill.