Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
An anchor destination for a wonderful brunch or evening meal alone, for a date, or w/ friends. Warm, informative, respectful services, delicious apps, entrees and desserts and of course the bourbons.
24 locals recommend
Char No. 4
196 Smith StAn anchor destination for a wonderful brunch or evening meal alone, for a date, or w/ friends. Warm, informative, respectful services, delicious apps, entrees and desserts and of course the bourbons.
Old school. No frills, just classic south Brooklyn characters, lots of laughs, and amazing pizzas.
17 locals recommend
Sam's
598 Grand ConcourseOld school. No frills, just classic south Brooklyn characters, lots of laughs, and amazing pizzas.
The restaurant of the moment in all of NYC. The wait will be about an hour so enjoy drinks out back while you work your appetite into a frenzy. Dishes great for sharing, inexpensive, & flavor packed!
97 locals recommend
Pok Pok NY
117 Columbia StreetThe restaurant of the moment in all of NYC. The wait will be about an hour so enjoy drinks out back while you work your appetite into a frenzy. Dishes great for sharing, inexpensive, & flavor packed!
The bakery of the moment in the Cobble Hill area. There is a lot of competition. Go here for a pain au chocolat and coffee and consider your day elevated.
105 locals recommend
Bien Cuit
120 Smith StThe bakery of the moment in the Cobble Hill area. There is a lot of competition. Go here for a pain au chocolat and coffee and consider your day elevated.
One of my favorite new places that has opened in adjoining Boerum Hill neighborhood in the past two years. A wonderful dinner experience sitting down or sitting at bar. Walking to & from tops too.
148 locals recommend
Rucola
190 Dean StOne of my favorite new places that has opened in adjoining Boerum Hill neighborhood in the past two years. A wonderful dinner experience sitting down or sitting at bar. Walking to & from tops too.
The classic Cobble Hill French bistro. The duck salad is one of my top 5 - you heard it correct - dishes in NYC. It is simple & mind-blowing. Always bustling, the staff is super as are the burgers.
113 locals recommend
Bar Tabac
128 Smith StThe classic Cobble Hill French bistro. The duck salad is one of my top 5 - you heard it correct - dishes in NYC. It is simple & mind-blowing. Always bustling, the staff is super as are the burgers.
The Carroll Gardens restaurant that launched the "Franks" NYC food empire. The staples on the menu still knock it out of the park. Always a memorable experience. A nice 10-minute walk away.
165 locals recommend
Frankies 457 Spuntino
457 Court StThe Carroll Gardens restaurant that launched the "Franks" NYC food empire. The staples on the menu still knock it out of the park. Always a memorable experience. A nice 10-minute walk away.
Another big time popular restaurant that attracts locals, tourists, and Manhattanites alike. They deliver results at brunch and evenings are a treat but get there early, i.e. 5:30pm.
159 locals recommend
Buttermilk Channel
524 Court StAnother big time popular restaurant that attracts locals, tourists, and Manhattanites alike. They deliver results at brunch and evenings are a treat but get there early, i.e. 5:30pm.
The Franks' expanded beyond Spuntino to open this German steak house. You may initially angle for the steak frites but the German specialties will make you think twice. Order Austrian wine.
111 locals recommend
Prime Meats
465 Court StThe Franks' expanded beyond Spuntino to open this German steak house. You may initially angle for the steak frites but the German specialties will make you think twice. Order Austrian wine.
Brucie
234 Court StSneak in here for an ice cream sandwich dessert. Trust me.
$5 Vietnamese Sandwiches and bubble teas to go along with it. Every tried either? They are top rate and if you are new to this world, an $8 investment puts you "in the know".
90 locals recommend
Hanco's
134 Smith St$5 Vietnamese Sandwiches and bubble teas to go along with it. Every tried either? They are top rate and if you are new to this world, an $8 investment puts you "in the know".
KI SUSHI
122 Smith StTop sushi place in the neighborhood.
Terrific little coffee shop on a small park. A nice 5-minute stroll away.
28 locals recommend
Ted & Honey
264 Clinton StreetTerrific little coffee shop on a small park. A nice 5-minute stroll away.
French bistro that serves delicious pastries and breads. Stop by and say hello.
17 locals recommend
Provence en Boite
263 Smith StFrench bistro that serves delicious pastries and breads. Stop by and say hello.
Cafe Pedlar
210 Court StreetThe locals flock here to get their Stumptown roasted coffee.
Essentials
This bakery makes the best pitas & the hummus (you order it to go) is outrageously good. Order it "with everything". A wide selection of delicacies to satisfy the most discriminating sweet tooth.
20 locals recommend
Damascus Bread & Pastry Shop
195 Atlantic AveThis bakery makes the best pitas & the hummus (you order it to go) is outrageously good. Order it "with everything". A wide selection of delicacies to satisfy the most discriminating sweet tooth.
My butcher shop. You may or may not want to cook while in town but you surely could do for some prosciutto and provolone stuffed peppers, right? Try both the long ones and the short cherry peppers!
30 locals recommend
Paisanos Butcher Shop
162 Smith StMy butcher shop. You may or may not want to cook while in town but you surely could do for some prosciutto and provolone stuffed peppers, right? Try both the long ones and the short cherry peppers!
Shopping
Men's retail shop offering upscale casual men's clothing and accessories. Worth a look just to see the design and count how many motorcycles are parked inside.
Smith + Butler
225 Smith StMen's retail shop offering upscale casual men's clothing and accessories. Worth a look just to see the design and count how many motorcycles are parked inside.
Upscale women's boutique serving fashionable, well-dressed women who love fashion and blend old looks and new. As a dude, I don't frequent; however, my gal friends love the place.
22 locals recommend
Bird Brooklyn - Cobble Hill
Upscale women's boutique serving fashionable, well-dressed women who love fashion and blend old looks and new. As a dude, I don't frequent; however, my gal friends love the place.
ARTICLE&
198 Smith StLocal women's boutique that is a top choice for my female friends.
Drinks & Nightlife
Rated the #1 new bar in America in 2010 by Esquire Magazine, Clover Club is a Top 5 cocktail destination in NYC. Live Jazz Wednesday night. Solid brunch.
143 locals recommend
Clover Club
210 Smith StRated the #1 new bar in America in 2010 by Esquire Magazine, Clover Club is a Top 5 cocktail destination in NYC. Live Jazz Wednesday night. Solid brunch.
This bar serves artisan meats and cheeses and a wide array of New York State craft beers. A solid conversation spot.
60 locals recommend
61 Local
61 Bergen StThis bar serves artisan meats and cheeses and a wide array of New York State craft beers. A solid conversation spot.
Everything Else
15 minutes away (walk West on Atlantic Avenue to the waterfront) and you have the free Governors Island Ferry (through Labor Day). A great daytime adventure.
9 locals recommend
Fort Jay
Andes Road15 minutes away (walk West on Atlantic Avenue to the waterfront) and you have the free Governors Island Ferry (through Labor Day). A great daytime adventure.
Central Park's sibling is roughly 1.5 miles away by foot or only 5 stops away on the F or G trains. It is breathtaking & also doubles as my go to running destination (there & back w/loop 6.5 miles).
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park
Central Park's sibling is roughly 1.5 miles away by foot or only 5 stops away on the F or G trains. It is breathtaking & also doubles as my go to running destination (there & back w/loop 6.5 miles).
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveOne of the best botanical gardens in the country.
Always something cooking at the museum. The collections are deep and diverse and the special exhibitions will surprise and delight you.
3011 locals recommend
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyAlways something cooking at the museum. The collections are deep and diverse and the special exhibitions will surprise and delight you.
This is the quarter-mile promenade overlooking Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, & the Brooklyn Bridge that has been featured in countless movies. A great walk, a nice running route, & many benches!
407 locals recommend
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Pierrepont PlaceThis is the quarter-mile promenade overlooking Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, & the Brooklyn Bridge that has been featured in countless movies. A great walk, a nice running route, & many benches!