Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Focusing on regional Mexican home cooking with an opening menu of small plates like esquites, ceviche, tacos, and dishes like stuffed squash blossoms. Large plates include pozole verde and roast chicken with chile adobo.
22 locals recommend
Casa Pública
594 Union AveFocusing on regional Mexican home cooking with an opening menu of small plates like esquites, ceviche, tacos, and dishes like stuffed squash blossoms. Large plates include pozole verde and roast chicken with chile adobo.
Wonderful Chinese-American food served up by two old friends who’ve traveled extensively throughout China and fell in love with the cuisine. The space is warm and cozy with a small bar specializing in Tiki-inspired cocktails. All the dishes are fresh with quality ingredients but we keep coming back for the crispy garlic chicken which is one of our favorite dishes, well anywhere. Our top choice for Chinese food in the neighborhood.
96 locals recommend
Kings Co Imperial
20 Skillman AveWonderful Chinese-American food served up by two old friends who’ve traveled extensively throughout China and fell in love with the cuisine. The space is warm and cozy with a small bar specializing in Tiki-inspired cocktails. All the dishes are fresh with quality ingredients but we keep coming back for the crispy garlic chicken which is one of our favorite dishes, well anywhere. Our top choice for Chinese food in the neighborhood.
A tiny Japanese restaurant on the Graham Avenue L Train stop with multiple personalities. During the day, it's called Okonomi and serves up traditional Japanese set meals known as 'Ichiju sansai' that consist of miso soup, roasted fish, vegetables, and an egg served with rice.
131 locals recommend
OKONOMI // YUJI Ramen
150 Ainslie StA tiny Japanese restaurant on the Graham Avenue L Train stop with multiple personalities. During the day, it's called Okonomi and serves up traditional Japanese set meals known as 'Ichiju sansai' that consist of miso soup, roasted fish, vegetables, and an egg served with rice.
The flagship restaurant at The Wythe Hotel by restaurateur Andrew Tarlow of Diner and Marlow & Sons fame. Expect seasonal American dishes and, of course, an obligatory burger -- a darn good one at that -- in a beautiful restored warehouse setting. For brunch, don't miss the cast-iron pancakes. It's a service included, tip-free zone, which softens the blow, slightly, when the check comes.
65 locals recommend
Reynard
80 Wythe AveThe flagship restaurant at The Wythe Hotel by restaurateur Andrew Tarlow of Diner and Marlow & Sons fame. Expect seasonal American dishes and, of course, an obligatory burger -- a darn good one at that -- in a beautiful restored warehouse setting. For brunch, don't miss the cast-iron pancakes. It's a service included, tip-free zone, which softens the blow, slightly, when the check comes.
Polo Dobkin's latest venture Meadowsweet is situated in the former home of South Williamsburg favorite Dressler — he was the chef there as well before it closed unexpectedly in 2014. Meadowsweet has no pretense, just honest, beautifully prepared food. We highly recommend it. They recently received a Michelin star for their simple, yet delicious New American cuisine.
64 locals recommend
Meadowsweet
149 BroadwayPolo Dobkin's latest venture Meadowsweet is situated in the former home of South Williamsburg favorite Dressler — he was the chef there as well before it closed unexpectedly in 2014. Meadowsweet has no pretense, just honest, beautifully prepared food. We highly recommend it. They recently received a Michelin star for their simple, yet delicious New American cuisine.
Maison Premiere has long been one of our favorite places in Williamsburg. We first fell in love with their 1/2 price oyster special, which they offer Monday-Friday 4pm-7pm. Their raw bar is unmatched in the city, irrespective of borough. We've also always appreciated the lovely design, that's reminiscent of a New Orleans-style, classic cocktail bar with a touch of old-timey Parisian flare. In recent years, they've expanded their menu to include more entrees as well such as Swordfish and a Lobster Roll. It's all a bit pricey but worth the splurge.
522 locals recommend
Maison Premiere
298 Bedford AveMaison Premiere has long been one of our favorite places in Williamsburg. We first fell in love with their 1/2 price oyster special, which they offer Monday-Friday 4pm-7pm. Their raw bar is unmatched in the city, irrespective of borough. We've also always appreciated the lovely design, that's reminiscent of a New Orleans-style, classic cocktail bar with a touch of old-timey Parisian flare. In recent years, they've expanded their menu to include more entrees as well such as Swordfish and a Lobster Roll. It's all a bit pricey but worth the splurge.
Yet another reason to travel to the Graham Avenue stop, Mesa Coyoacan has amazing, inventive Mexican food that is among the best we’ve had in all five boroughs. The Pollo Pipian is fantastic and we keep going back for the refreshing cucumber margarita. Though the shared tables can at times feel a bit cramped — sit at the bar unless you have a group — the stellar food keeps us returning for more.
277 locals recommend
Mesa Coyoacan
372 Graham AveYet another reason to travel to the Graham Avenue stop, Mesa Coyoacan has amazing, inventive Mexican food that is among the best we’ve had in all five boroughs. The Pollo Pipian is fantastic and we keep going back for the refreshing cucumber margarita. Though the shared tables can at times feel a bit cramped — sit at the bar unless you have a group — the stellar food keeps us returning for more.
hef Patti Jackson features traditional Mid-Atlantic and New England recipes “from Baltimore to Buffalo” in a laid-back dining room with flavors that are polished but still homey.
38 locals recommend
Delaware and Hudson
135 N 5th Sthef Patti Jackson features traditional Mid-Atlantic and New England recipes “from Baltimore to Buffalo” in a laid-back dining room with flavors that are polished but still homey.
A steakhouse must have steak. St. Anselm has hanger, served here under the old-fashioned title of butcher’s steak, and a massive rib-eye for two, with nearly a foot of frenched bone sticking out of it to give it its menu name: Axe Handle Rib Eye.
269 locals recommend
St. Anselm
355 Metropolitan AveA steakhouse must have steak. St. Anselm has hanger, served here under the old-fashioned title of butcher’s steak, and a massive rib-eye for two, with nearly a foot of frenched bone sticking out of it to give it its menu name: Axe Handle Rib Eye.
A true neighborhood spot with an amazing chicken sandwich and a cozy dining room. The menu changes daily with an emphasis on farm-to-table, Southern-influenced cuisine. Allswell is one of those places you bypass when you're trying to impress someone with the new buzz restaurant, but nonetheless frequent for good, honest food.
101 locals recommend
Allswell
124 Bedford AveA true neighborhood spot with an amazing chicken sandwich and a cozy dining room. The menu changes daily with an emphasis on farm-to-table, Southern-influenced cuisine. Allswell is one of those places you bypass when you're trying to impress someone with the new buzz restaurant, but nonetheless frequent for good, honest food.
Tucked away beneath the Williamsburg bridge in the increasingly posh South Williamsburg, Marlow & Sons has been pleasing crowds for nearly a decade. The bar’s back room feels like a saloon and expect great wine, oysters, exquisite service, and a small menu with classic American fare. (Locally-sourced of course). It can get a little tight on the weekends, but the food is worth the wait. Don’t miss the brick chicken, which sounds boring, but is quite exquisite. A great place for a romantic date.
419 locals recommend
Marlow & Sons
81 BroadwayTucked away beneath the Williamsburg bridge in the increasingly posh South Williamsburg, Marlow & Sons has been pleasing crowds for nearly a decade. The bar’s back room feels like a saloon and expect great wine, oysters, exquisite service, and a small menu with classic American fare. (Locally-sourced of course). It can get a little tight on the weekends, but the food is worth the wait. Don’t miss the brick chicken, which sounds boring, but is quite exquisite. A great place for a romantic date.
You’ll need a reservation, but buzz restaurant Lilia, is not to be missed. Stand-out dishes include the Grilled Clams appetizer, Sheeps Milk Cheese Filled Agnolotti, Veal Steak with Long Peppers and Rigatoni Diavola but you really can’t go wrong. The dining room is elegant and large and the chef, Missy Robbins, is famous for being the Obama’s favorite restaurateur. When the food is this exquisite, it would be a shame to only enjoy Lilia on special occasions.
190 locals recommend
Lilia
567 Union AveYou’ll need a reservation, but buzz restaurant Lilia, is not to be missed. Stand-out dishes include the Grilled Clams appetizer, Sheeps Milk Cheese Filled Agnolotti, Veal Steak with Long Peppers and Rigatoni Diavola but you really can’t go wrong. The dining room is elegant and large and the chef, Missy Robbins, is famous for being the Obama’s favorite restaurateur. When the food is this exquisite, it would be a shame to only enjoy Lilia on special occasions.
Old world Soprano’s setting — stick to the homemade pastas and absorb the scenery.
44 locals recommend
Bamonte's
32 Withers StOld world Soprano’s setting — stick to the homemade pastas and absorb the scenery.
Sit at the bar at this cozy Japanese joint and enjoy a handful of their small plates. We love the pork belly and the shrimp dumplings, but you can’t go wrong with the sushi either.
195 locals recommend
Bozu
296 Grand StSit at the bar at this cozy Japanese joint and enjoy a handful of their small plates. We love the pork belly and the shrimp dumplings, but you can’t go wrong with the sushi either.
Lighthouse
145 Borinquen PlFreehold
45 S 3rd StTacocina
25 River StDrinks & Nightlife
This spacious beer hall definitely fills up with bros and tourists on most nights, but it’s worth it for the food and festive atmosphere. The sausages are cheap and some of the best you'll find in New York City. If you’re interested in an entree, we recommend the Spicy Hungarian Goulash and Dumplings or the Grilled Smoked Pork Chop. Check their calendar for live jazz, bluegrass and more.
339 locals recommend
Radegast Hall & Biergarten
113 N 3rd StThis spacious beer hall definitely fills up with bros and tourists on most nights, but it’s worth it for the food and festive atmosphere. The sausages are cheap and some of the best you'll find in New York City. If you’re interested in an entree, we recommend the Spicy Hungarian Goulash and Dumplings or the Grilled Smoked Pork Chop. Check their calendar for live jazz, bluegrass and more.
Black Flamingo
168 Borinquen PlThe Woods
48 S 4th St