Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
It's cozy—like you're popping in to someone's house for some coffee. There are couches and tables to spread out and get some work done.
27 locals recommend
Vineapple Cafe
71 Pineapple StIt's cozy—like you're popping in to someone's house for some coffee. There are couches and tables to spread out and get some work done.
The women who work here are amazing and will basically have your order memorized after one visit and will scold you (in a loving way) if you deviate from it ever again. :) Easily the best sushi that's nearby.
Saketumi
118 Montague StThe women who work here are amazing and will basically have your order memorized after one visit and will scold you (in a loving way) if you deviate from it ever again. :) Easily the best sushi that's nearby.
A cute little coffeeshop abutting Cobble Hill Park (my favorite park in the city). Get your hands on a peanut butter cookie, if you can.
Tekoá
264 Clinton StreetA cute little coffeeshop abutting Cobble Hill Park (my favorite park in the city). Get your hands on a peanut butter cookie, if you can.
One of the best brunches around. Get the chicken and waffles. Get the chicken and waffles. Get the chicken and waffles. And then come back and get the salmon on a pretzel roll.
Beasts & Bottles
151 Atlantic AveOne of the best brunches around. Get the chicken and waffles. Get the chicken and waffles. Get the chicken and waffles. And then come back and get the salmon on a pretzel roll.
One of the best Italian joints in the city -- it's Sardinian, I think. Cool atmosphere, good drinks. Literally everything on the menu is fantastic (lasagna, pappardelle, burrata). The bartender makes the best dark + stormy I've had. They serve brunch, too, which is good but dinner is where it's at!
32 locals recommend
River Deli
32 Joralemon StOne of the best Italian joints in the city -- it's Sardinian, I think. Cool atmosphere, good drinks. Literally everything on the menu is fantastic (lasagna, pappardelle, burrata). The bartender makes the best dark + stormy I've had. They serve brunch, too, which is good but dinner is where it's at!
Konditori
114 Smith StCoconut latte! Also a good place to work if you can find a table.
Jack the Horse Tavern
Great brunch! Cute part of the neighborhood.
Excellent pizza. It's the "real" Grimaldi's, which is next door. I remember when they opened and no one knew what it was and you didn't have to wait for a table. Now you do, but it's 1000% worth it.
94 locals recommend
Juliana's
19 Old Fulton StExcellent pizza. It's the "real" Grimaldi's, which is next door. I remember when they opened and no one knew what it was and you didn't have to wait for a table. Now you do, but it's 1000% worth it.
Another great pizza place - Neapolitan style. Basically just as good as Juliana's and far less touristy. Their backyard is a treat in the summer.
43 locals recommend
Sottocasa
298 Atlantic AveAnother great pizza place - Neapolitan style. Basically just as good as Juliana's and far less touristy. Their backyard is a treat in the summer.
Definitely for a fancier night out, but it's tucked away in one of Brooklyn's most fantastic micro-neighborhoods, Vinegar Hill.
123 locals recommend
Vinegar Hill House
72 Hudson AveDefinitely for a fancier night out, but it's tucked away in one of Brooklyn's most fantastic micro-neighborhoods, Vinegar Hill.
A super charming old-school soda fountain. They serve all kinds of fun drinks and desserts. Get the cherry lime rickey!
62 locals recommend
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
513 Henry StA super charming old-school soda fountain. They serve all kinds of fun drinks and desserts. Get the cherry lime rickey!
Produce, flowers, treats. I know for sure they're there every Tuesday (during the warmer months), and I think they're also there Thursdays and Saturdays.
12 locals recommend
Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket
Montague StreetProduce, flowers, treats. I know for sure they're there every Tuesday (during the warmer months), and I think they're also there Thursdays and Saturdays.
Really really really good brunch. Awesome bloody marys. And they're right downstairs!
40 locals recommend
Iris Cafe
125 Columbia PlReally really really good brunch. Awesome bloody marys. And they're right downstairs!
Birthday cake truffles, crack pie, cereal milk latte. Trust me, trust me, trust me.
37 locals recommend
Milk Bar Carroll Gardens
Birthday cake truffles, crack pie, cereal milk latte. Trust me, trust me, trust me.
Parks & Nature
A tiny little wisp of a park, but probably my favorite park in the city (and I live around the corner from the much more grandiose Brooklyn Bridge Park). I'll bring along a book to read, and sometimes I do, but it's a better place for people watching. Grab a cuppa from the coffee shop on the corner, Tekoa.
40 locals recommend
Cobble Hill Cleaners & Laundry
226 Court StA tiny little wisp of a park, but probably my favorite park in the city (and I live around the corner from the much more grandiose Brooklyn Bridge Park). I'll bring along a book to read, and sometimes I do, but it's a better place for people watching. Grab a cuppa from the coffee shop on the corner, Tekoa.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveProspect Park
Drinks & Nightlife
Dark, dank, cozy, elegant speakeasy with interesting cocktails served in fancy vessels.
15 locals recommend
Le Boudoir
135 Atlantic AveDark, dank, cozy, elegant speakeasy with interesting cocktails served in fancy vessels.
A tiny bar that packs in a lot of cool, quirky energy. They often have live music that spills into the streets. Awesome drinks, limited food menu, cool atmosphere.
86 locals recommend
Henry Public
329 Henry StA tiny bar that packs in a lot of cool, quirky energy. They often have live music that spills into the streets. Awesome drinks, limited food menu, cool atmosphere.
Brooklyn Inn
148 Hoyt StOur favorite dive-bar standby.
Essentials
Our local go-to for everything. They have excellent coffee and breakfast sandwiches, but it's also super convenient for little things, essentials.
Willowtown #7
16 Columbia PlaceOur local go-to for everything. They have excellent coffee and breakfast sandwiches, but it's also super convenient for little things, essentials.
It says drop-off center, but you can definitely do your laundry there, too. It's clean and convenient.
Heights Drop-Off Center
6 Columbia PlIt says drop-off center, but you can definitely do your laundry there, too. It's clean and convenient.
TJ's are mostly oppressive, but this one's in a cool old bank building.
1296 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
130 Court StTJ's are mostly oppressive, but this one's in a cool old bank building.
Key Food Supermarket
55 Fulton StGood, close-by stop for some quick groceries.
Rite Aid
81 1st Ave.I would go here when I used to live just down the street in DUMBO, and have tried other barbers after moving away but I always end up back here.
Barber on Pearl
57a Pearl StI would go here when I used to live just down the street in DUMBO, and have tried other barbers after moving away but I always end up back here.
Waterfront Wines & Spirits
360 Furman StMontague Wine & Spirits
78 Montague StSightseeing
The views are effing spectacular. Go during golden hour / sunset.
407 locals recommend
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Pierrepont PlaceThe views are effing spectacular. Go during golden hour / sunset.
Easily my favorite NYC historical landmark. It's a quick jaunt, awesome views. The bridge itself is stunningly beautiful. Go during golden hour / sunset. Iconic New York.
1505 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge PromenadeEasily my favorite NYC historical landmark. It's a quick jaunt, awesome views. The bridge itself is stunningly beautiful. Go during golden hour / sunset. Iconic New York.
Shopping
Something Else on Fifth
206 5th AveCool odds and ends.
Exit9 Gift Emporium Brooklyn
127 Smith StGo here if you need souvenirs. Trust me.
Fulton Mall (basically past Boerum Place) has all of the chain stores you could ever hope for (H&M, Target, Banana Republic, Gap, Starbucks, Panda Express, Gamestop, Century 21)
136 locals recommend
Fulton Mall
Fulton Mall (basically past Boerum Place) has all of the chain stores you could ever hope for (H&M, Target, Banana Republic, Gap, Starbucks, Panda Express, Gamestop, Century 21)
Collier West
377A Atlantic AveEmma Straub's new bookstore. It's whimsical and enchanting. It doesn't seem like their selection is huge, but you always end up with something.
20 locals recommend
Books Are Magic
225 Smith StEmma Straub's new bookstore. It's whimsical and enchanting. It doesn't seem like their selection is huge, but you always end up with something.
A cool little used bookstore that's close by. I think they're only open on the weekends, though!
Freebird Books & Goods
123 Columbia StA cool little used bookstore that's close by. I think they're only open on the weekends, though!
Arts & Culture
They always have quirky and interesting exhibits here about the history of Bklyn. I went to a Truman Capote exhibit here last summer and am also a member. If you get the chance to peek into their library, DO IT!
62 locals recommend
Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont StThey always have quirky and interesting exhibits here about the history of Bklyn. I went to a Truman Capote exhibit here last summer and am also a member. If you get the chance to peek into their library, DO IT!