Guidebook for Brooklyn
Parks & Nature
Prospect Park
It's lovely.
Shopping
Trader Joe's
130 Court StWhole Foods Market
214 3rd StBig Whole Foods Market
292 Ashland Pl
292 Ashland PlaceWhole Foods 360 Market
Foodtown of Prospect Heights
632 Vanderbilt AveGrocery shopping
Key Food Supermarket
55 Fulton StGrocery
Greene Grape Wine & Spirits
765 Fulton StGreat meat at their butcher
Getting Around
Clinton-Washington Avenues Station
Grand Army Plaza
Flatbush Avenueyou will find the 2,3,4 and 5 trains here.
B,Q,2,3,4,5 trains all go through here as well as the LIRR.
477 locals recommend
Atlantic Terminal station
B,Q,2,3,4,5 trains all go through here as well as the LIRR.
Food Scene
This is probably Patti’s & my most often frequented local spot, because it’s basically exactly between our studio and our apartment. Nothing pretentious or over the top, but just a really great take on a lot of local favourites made with good ingredients and in a great atmosphere, right on the corner of Fort Greene Park. We’ll often be really gluttonous and share an Artichoke Dip and a Burger, both excellent, but their French Dip is great, they have Oysters and a great but not extravagantly priced steak, but there are also healthier options if that’s more your vibe.
253 locals recommend
Walter's
166 Dekalb AveThis is probably Patti’s & my most often frequented local spot, because it’s basically exactly between our studio and our apartment. Nothing pretentious or over the top, but just a really great take on a lot of local favourites made with good ingredients and in a great atmosphere, right on the corner of Fort Greene Park. We’ll often be really gluttonous and share an Artichoke Dip and a Burger, both excellent, but their French Dip is great, they have Oysters and a great but not extravagantly priced steak, but there are also healthier options if that’s more your vibe.
Chuko
565 Vanderbilt AveOne of our favourite Ramen spots in all of New York.
Excellent sandwich spot and one of our go-to’s. You can’t miss the Roast Beef, Fried Chicken or Turkey sandwiches.
11 locals recommend
Stocked
663 Washington AveExcellent sandwich spot and one of our go-to’s. You can’t miss the Roast Beef, Fried Chicken or Turkey sandwiches.
Along with Roberta’s and Speedy Romeo, Emily is the latest in a line of modern and creative Pizza spots that have almost completely redefined what pizza is but also make the classics very, very well. Oh, and they have a fantastic (and very expensive at $26) burger that’s on the more gluttonous end of the scale but is totally worth it. Go early coz it’s tiny and verrrry popular.
Our picks:
The Colony: tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled chili, honey
El Pastor: Mozzarella, chipotle pineapple, bacon
Emily: mozzarella, pistachio, truffle sottocenere, honey
Sometimes you will be lucky and they will have a burger pizza as a special, get it.
228 locals recommend
Emily
919 Fulton StAlong with Roberta’s and Speedy Romeo, Emily is the latest in a line of modern and creative Pizza spots that have almost completely redefined what pizza is but also make the classics very, very well. Oh, and they have a fantastic (and very expensive at $26) burger that’s on the more gluttonous end of the scale but is totally worth it. Go early coz it’s tiny and verrrry popular.
Our picks:
The Colony: tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled chili, honey
El Pastor: Mozzarella, chipotle pineapple, bacon
Emily: mozzarella, pistachio, truffle sottocenere, honey
Sometimes you will be lucky and they will have a burger pizza as a special, get it.
One of the most exciting new restaurants in Brooklyn serving very creative New American cuisine with an exotic twist. Don’t miss having s’mores in their cute back-yard. Booking is a must because this place is very popular.
124 locals recommend
Olmsted
659 Vanderbilt AveOne of the most exciting new restaurants in Brooklyn serving very creative New American cuisine with an exotic twist. Don’t miss having s’mores in their cute back-yard. Booking is a must because this place is very popular.
Really great and cozy spot with unusual takes on Italian classics and great wine & cocktails.
31 locals recommend
Faun
606 Vanderbilt AveReally great and cozy spot with unusual takes on Italian classics and great wine & cocktails.
Really great coffee shop with good food that you can see from our living room. Only open during the day.
8 locals recommend
Seven Point Espresso
637 Washington AvenueReally great coffee shop with good food that you can see from our living room. Only open during the day.
Pretty much everything at this spot is grilled in their wood-fired pizza oven, and the results are delicious. Not too dissimilar to Emily, but with a more rustic, dimly lit vibe, the Pizza is creative and the steak is to die for.
Our picks:
Dick Dale: bechamel, speck, pineapple, provel, grilled scallion
Paul’s Boutique: katz’s pastrami, dijon bechamel, smoked red kraut, fontina, 1000 island, everything bagel crust
590 locals recommend
Speedy Romeo
376 Classon AvePretty much everything at this spot is grilled in their wood-fired pizza oven, and the results are delicious. Not too dissimilar to Emily, but with a more rustic, dimly lit vibe, the Pizza is creative and the steak is to die for.
Our picks:
Dick Dale: bechamel, speck, pineapple, provel, grilled scallion
Paul’s Boutique: katz’s pastrami, dijon bechamel, smoked red kraut, fontina, 1000 island, everything bagel crust
A great and interesting take on Italian food by one of our favourite restaurant groups in the city. Their menu changes nightly, and it’s one of a few new restaurants that don’t accept gratuity, so it’s built into the price of the dish.
261 locals recommend
Roman's
243 Dekalb AveA great and interesting take on Italian food by one of our favourite restaurant groups in the city. Their menu changes nightly, and it’s one of a few new restaurants that don’t accept gratuity, so it’s built into the price of the dish.
Great take on a bunch of Latin American classics and some more creative bits and pieces with one of the cutest backyards in the whole city. They have very good and very reasonably priced steaks too!
92 locals recommend
Colonia Verde
219 Dekalb AveGreat take on a bunch of Latin American classics and some more creative bits and pieces with one of the cutest backyards in the whole city. They have very good and very reasonably priced steaks too!
One of the best food courts we’ve ever been to with tons, and I mean tons of great options and outposts of famous NYC institutions. In general this is actually a great destination because there is a Trader Joe’s (Grocery Store) right next to the food court, and there is an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on the top floor of the building where you can have great food and drinks while watching your movie.
148 locals recommend
Dekalb Market Hall
445 Albee Square WOne of the best food courts we’ve ever been to with tons, and I mean tons of great options and outposts of famous NYC institutions. In general this is actually a great destination because there is a Trader Joe’s (Grocery Store) right next to the food court, and there is an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on the top floor of the building where you can have great food and drinks while watching your movie.
Don’t expect glamour, fancy plates or polite service at this Williamsburg Mexican institution. Expect the best tacos and Margaritas on the East Coast (Jean controversially thinks the West Coast too), at a fantastically reasonable price. Skip the Carne Asada and get the Carnitas, Cochinita Pibil, Pescado, Chorizo Toluqueño, the secret Garlic Shrimp taco and if you like it spicy the Tinga de Pollo. The Guac is to die for too. Oh, and the grilled Cebollitas (whole char grilled spring onions). Can you tell we’re passionate about this spot? Cash only.
206 locals recommend
La Superior
295 Berry StDon’t expect glamour, fancy plates or polite service at this Williamsburg Mexican institution. Expect the best tacos and Margaritas on the East Coast (Jean controversially thinks the West Coast too), at a fantastically reasonable price. Skip the Carne Asada and get the Carnitas, Cochinita Pibil, Pescado, Chorizo Toluqueño, the secret Garlic Shrimp taco and if you like it spicy the Tinga de Pollo. The Guac is to die for too. Oh, and the grilled Cebollitas (whole char grilled spring onions). Can you tell we’re passionate about this spot? Cash only.
If we lived next to Cafe Mogador we’d probably eat one meal here every day, such are its’ charms. Delicious Moroccan and Middle-Eastern family recipes passed down through generations and into your salivating mouth. A super refreshing and transportative interior, you can practically feel the Mediterranean breeze. The best baba ganoush bar none that we’ve ever had. Put the harissa on everything.
856 locals recommend
Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe AveIf we lived next to Cafe Mogador we’d probably eat one meal here every day, such are its’ charms. Delicious Moroccan and Middle-Eastern family recipes passed down through generations and into your salivating mouth. A super refreshing and transportative interior, you can practically feel the Mediterranean breeze. The best baba ganoush bar none that we’ve ever had. Put the harissa on everything.
So, we don’t know the exact full history and all but as far as we can tell this place was one of the first places to do the relaxed fine-dining/farm-to-table approach in New York. It used to be all midtown spots where you had to dress to the nines until places ike Diner and Momofuku came along where you could have excellent food from local farmers and not have to wear an Armani suit. Open since 1999, Diner makes its’ home in an old, somewhat revamped diner cart and serves some of the best food around. Great cocktails, great food, really cool location. They write the menu on the tablecloth coz it changes every day, but if you can’t understand what they tell you just get the Burger coz it’s ou
482 locals recommend
Diner
85 BroadwaySo, we don’t know the exact full history and all but as far as we can tell this place was one of the first places to do the relaxed fine-dining/farm-to-table approach in New York. It used to be all midtown spots where you had to dress to the nines until places ike Diner and Momofuku came along where you could have excellent food from local farmers and not have to wear an Armani suit. Open since 1999, Diner makes its’ home in an old, somewhat revamped diner cart and serves some of the best food around. Great cocktails, great food, really cool location. They write the menu on the tablecloth coz it changes every day, but if you can’t understand what they tell you just get the Burger coz it’s ou
One of the best Brooklyn restaurants to open in the last couple of years, Llama Inn serves really tasty, creative and modern takes on Peruvian cuisine, and the interior is really something to see with plants hanging everywhere. Pretty sure they employ a full-time gardener. Sure, the location is weird, being right next to the Brooklyn-Queens expressway, but trust us, it’s worth it. Our menu picks:
Pork Belly Skewers with char siu, pickled chili’s and spicy mayo
Quinoa with bacon, avocado, banana and cashew
Whole Branzino Patarashca, aji marillo coconut curry, crispy brussel sprouts
Beef Tenderloin Stir Fry, pickled chili’s, avocado, rocoto crema, chive crepe, sticky rice
109 locals recommend
Llama Inn
50 Withers StOne of the best Brooklyn restaurants to open in the last couple of years, Llama Inn serves really tasty, creative and modern takes on Peruvian cuisine, and the interior is really something to see with plants hanging everywhere. Pretty sure they employ a full-time gardener. Sure, the location is weird, being right next to the Brooklyn-Queens expressway, but trust us, it’s worth it. Our menu picks:
Pork Belly Skewers with char siu, pickled chili’s and spicy mayo
Quinoa with bacon, avocado, banana and cashew
Whole Branzino Patarashca, aji marillo coconut curry, crispy brussel sprouts
Beef Tenderloin Stir Fry, pickled chili’s, avocado, rocoto crema, chive crepe, sticky rice
If you’re looking to have the classic spendy NYC steak experience, we would hiiiighly recommend Peter Luger. There’s a reason it’s been around for 120 years, generations before the first hipsters arrived in Williamsburg. With pretty much only one cut of meat, the porterhouse, you can just sit back and let the delicious meat make its’ inevitable way to your mouth, and revel in the meat sweats. Make absolutely sure to book coz this place is an institution. Cash only.
503 locals recommend
Peter Luger Steak House
178 BroadwayIf you’re looking to have the classic spendy NYC steak experience, we would hiiiighly recommend Peter Luger. There’s a reason it’s been around for 120 years, generations before the first hipsters arrived in Williamsburg. With pretty much only one cut of meat, the porterhouse, you can just sit back and let the delicious meat make its’ inevitable way to your mouth, and revel in the meat sweats. Make absolutely sure to book coz this place is an institution. Cash only.
Sure, it’s overpriced, but if you’re in DUMBO taking in the views of the bridges and the city, you can’t do much better in terms of location and food than Cecconi’s. The Italian restaurant of Soho House, you don’t need to be a member to come here and feel glamorous. You never know, you might even end up sitting right next to Leonardo DiCaprio like we did once. If you are a member of Soho House, they have a 50% off deal on Monday Lunch which is a no-brainer.
39 locals recommend
Cecconi's Dumbo
55 Water StSure, it’s overpriced, but if you’re in DUMBO taking in the views of the bridges and the city, you can’t do much better in terms of location and food than Cecconi’s. The Italian restaurant of Soho House, you don’t need to be a member to come here and feel glamorous. You never know, you might even end up sitting right next to Leonardo DiCaprio like we did once. If you are a member of Soho House, they have a 50% off deal on Monday Lunch which is a no-brainer.
One of the coziest spots in Brooklyn, Vinegar Hill House serves creative farm-to-table cuisine that is unpretentious and warms the heart and belly. A beautifully softly lit interior leads to a gorgeous and dare we say magical backyard that is the perfect spot to sip a glass of chilled-effervescent red on a spring or summers’ eve.
123 locals recommend
Vinegar Hill House
72 Hudson AveOne of the coziest spots in Brooklyn, Vinegar Hill House serves creative farm-to-table cuisine that is unpretentious and warms the heart and belly. A beautifully softly lit interior leads to a gorgeous and dare we say magical backyard that is the perfect spot to sip a glass of chilled-effervescent red on a spring or summers’ eve.
Our favourite coffee shop in Brooklyn. Their schtick is that they Fedex coffee beans from Colombia to New York and Roast them in their Brooklyn store, so that you're pretty much always drinking their coffee within a month of the beans being picked from the tree, and I'm convinced I can taste the results. Whether you're skeptical or not, you can at least enjoy their beautiful expansive skylit interior with an impressive green-wall.
180 locals recommend
Devoción
69 Grand StOur favourite coffee shop in Brooklyn. Their schtick is that they Fedex coffee beans from Colombia to New York and Roast them in their Brooklyn store, so that you're pretty much always drinking their coffee within a month of the beans being picked from the tree, and I'm convinced I can taste the results. Whether you're skeptical or not, you can at least enjoy their beautiful expansive skylit interior with an impressive green-wall.
I’ll just start off by saying that probably around 25% of the nutrients that made up our child came from Via Carota. We are obsessed with this place. The focus is on the ingredients and simplicity is the name of the game. Uncomplicated but flawlessly executed Italian cuisine that makes you feel like you’re really in Italy. You’ll happily while away a few hours here sipping Negroni’s and Prosecco while watching the characters pass on Grove Street. They don’t take reservations so come for lunch or an early or late dinner. Our faves are the Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe and the Insalata Mista (trust us, we’ve converted Jean’s father who is a salad hater into a salad lover with this salad).
49 locals recommend
Via Carota
51 Grove StI’ll just start off by saying that probably around 25% of the nutrients that made up our child came from Via Carota. We are obsessed with this place. The focus is on the ingredients and simplicity is the name of the game. Uncomplicated but flawlessly executed Italian cuisine that makes you feel like you’re really in Italy. You’ll happily while away a few hours here sipping Negroni’s and Prosecco while watching the characters pass on Grove Street. They don’t take reservations so come for lunch or an early or late dinner. Our faves are the Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe and the Insalata Mista (trust us, we’ve converted Jean’s father who is a salad hater into a salad lover with this salad).
It’s not the most absolutely mind blowing place in history, but it keeps pulling me back for some reason. It feels like a survivor from a different age of NYC cafe’s, or just air-dropped from Paris. The food is solid and refreshing, the clientele fashion-y but not unbearably so, and there’s just a ‘vibe’, even though I wish I could describe it better. I’ve never been for dinner, but I’ve dropped by many many times for lunch sitting at the bar and eating the roast chicken sandwich (sans anchovies) followed by a double espresso, and occasionally glancing out at the tree hugged church across the road. Ain’t life grand!
219 locals recommend
Cafe Gitane
242 Mott StIt’s not the most absolutely mind blowing place in history, but it keeps pulling me back for some reason. It feels like a survivor from a different age of NYC cafe’s, or just air-dropped from Paris. The food is solid and refreshing, the clientele fashion-y but not unbearably so, and there’s just a ‘vibe’, even though I wish I could describe it better. I’ve never been for dinner, but I’ve dropped by many many times for lunch sitting at the bar and eating the roast chicken sandwich (sans anchovies) followed by a double espresso, and occasionally glancing out at the tree hugged church across the road. Ain’t life grand!
Another one of the original New American/Farm to Table spots, and located in an absolutely adorable alley, Freemans has become a classic and doesn’t disappoint. The best, and I mean the best Artichoke dip ever as well as a menu that changes nightly. Come here to see and be seen by all the taxidermied animals on the walls.
199 locals recommend
Freemans
Freeman AlleyAnother one of the original New American/Farm to Table spots, and located in an absolutely adorable alley, Freemans has become a classic and doesn’t disappoint. The best, and I mean the best Artichoke dip ever as well as a menu that changes nightly. Come here to see and be seen by all the taxidermied animals on the walls.
Really cute and special French cafè serving dainty bites with a great wine list. It's the sister restaurant of Via Carota. They're also open from 7am til 2am so it's perfect for a sneaky late night glass of wine with your crush.
188 locals recommend
Buvette
42 Grove StReally cute and special French cafè serving dainty bites with a great wine list. It's the sister restaurant of Via Carota. They're also open from 7am til 2am so it's perfect for a sneaky late night glass of wine with your crush.
Drinks & Nightlife
Just a really great dimly lit cocktail bar covered in white subway tiles playing great music. It’s cash only!
234 locals recommend
Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt AveJust a really great dimly lit cocktail bar covered in white subway tiles playing great music. It’s cash only!
If you’re looking for the next level in cocktails, this is your spot. With the entire bar imported from New Orleans, you are immediately transported to the Big Easy. Classy and dimly lit, we have nursed many a hangover caused by sipping Dark & Stormy’s until the early hours here. It’s also verrrry popular, so try go early or very late or try to book. The backyard is also gorgeous if you manage to get a spot.
522 locals recommend
Maison Premiere
298 Bedford AveIf you’re looking for the next level in cocktails, this is your spot. With the entire bar imported from New Orleans, you are immediately transported to the Big Easy. Classy and dimly lit, we have nursed many a hangover caused by sipping Dark & Stormy’s until the early hours here. It’s also verrrry popular, so try go early or very late or try to book. The backyard is also gorgeous if you manage to get a spot.
Hotel Delmano
82 Berry StAnother great Brooklyn cocktail bar, and one of the originals.
Arts & Culture
You cannot miss the MoMA. Avoid at all costs over the weekend, but you can come during the day in the week you will be rewarded with a super inspiring permanent collection and some generally incredible other exhibitions.
2114 locals recommend
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetYou cannot miss the MoMA. Avoid at all costs over the weekend, but you can come during the day in the week you will be rewarded with a super inspiring permanent collection and some generally incredible other exhibitions.
You've just gotta go. It would take you a lifetime to see everything.
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveYou've just gotta go. It would take you a lifetime to see everything.