Guidebook for Brooklyn

Karen
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Food Scene

They have the best ramen (soup) in the city! Seriously. Their broth is fantastic.
283 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chuko
565 Vanderbilt Ave
283 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have the best ramen (soup) in the city! Seriously. Their broth is fantastic.
Adorable neighborhood favorite. Coffee is great, and the food is quite good. Hip ambience (but no crazy loud music). Outdoor benches to people watch in the nice weather. [https://www.milkbarbrooklyn.com]
125 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Milk Bar
620 Vanderbilt Ave
125 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Adorable neighborhood favorite. Coffee is great, and the food is quite good. Hip ambience (but no crazy loud music). Outdoor benches to people watch in the nice weather. [https://www.milkbarbrooklyn.com]
The name is a bit deceiving (it's not "old" per se) but the bagels are the real deal: real, delicious New York bagels, with 6 types of cream cheese options to choose from. :)
59 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe
645 Vanderbilt Ave
59 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The name is a bit deceiving (it's not "old" per se) but the bagels are the real deal: real, delicious New York bagels, with 6 types of cream cheese options to choose from. :)
Middle Eastern food galore -- this place is fantastic, and always spot on. Falafel, shawarma, hummus, babaganoush, zattar bread: eat them all. Also, neat trick, in the nice weather they have a backyard and you can sit outside, backyard entrance is on the side of the building (inside restaurant and backyard are not connected for customers!). Cash only.
88 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Zaytoons
594 Vanderbilt Ave
88 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Middle Eastern food galore -- this place is fantastic, and always spot on. Falafel, shawarma, hummus, babaganoush, zattar bread: eat them all. Also, neat trick, in the nice weather they have a backyard and you can sit outside, backyard entrance is on the side of the building (inside restaurant and backyard are not connected for customers!). Cash only.
A literal Brooklyn institution: an old school diner, great from breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Don't be put off by the long lines on the weekends, it's bigger than it looks and they will even come through the line with food samples, coffee, and water, to ease the wait.
225 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Tom’s
782 Washington Ave
225 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A literal Brooklyn institution: an old school diner, great from breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Don't be put off by the long lines on the weekends, it's bigger than it looks and they will even come through the line with food samples, coffee, and water, to ease the wait.
Original location is in the Lower East Side, they opened this outpost in the past few years to spread the done goodness to Brooklyn.
313 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand St
313 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Original location is in the Lower East Side, they opened this outpost in the past few years to spread the done goodness to Brooklyn.
Upscale dining in the neighborhood, with New American fare: walk-ins are risky and frequently unsuitable, try to book a reservation ahead of time.
124 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Olmsted
659 Vanderbilt Ave
124 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Upscale dining in the neighborhood, with New American fare: walk-ins are risky and frequently unsuitable, try to book a reservation ahead of time.
Upscale Italian dining, check for reservations.
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Faun
606 Vanderbilt Ave
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Upscale Italian dining, check for reservations.
A neighborhood standby for Mexican food that was so popular, they expanded to this location. YUM.
566 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chavela's
736 Franklin Ave
566 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A neighborhood standby for Mexican food that was so popular, they expanded to this location. YUM.
Great neighborhood spot, and there's something on the menu for everyone. Good lunch special here (1/2 sandwich + 1/2 soup), and brunch is great. They also have a nice backyard.
123 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cheryl's Global Soul
236 Underhill Ave
123 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great neighborhood spot, and there's something on the menu for everyone. Good lunch special here (1/2 sandwich + 1/2 soup), and brunch is great. They also have a nice backyard.
This place is a winner. I can't really attest to the ice cream per se (i'm lactose intolerant!) but the sorbet is great. Be warned: this is a popular spot, there's often a line out the door.
370 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt Ave
370 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This place is a winner. I can't really attest to the ice cream per se (i'm lactose intolerant!) but the sorbet is great. Be warned: this is a popular spot, there's often a line out the door.
Authentic Northern Italian food. This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in all of New York. Great value for such an incredibly delicious meal, and their wine program is fantastic. You will spend 4x in Manhattan for a meal that does not reach this bar. Note: they don't really do reservations, first come / first serve, so there's often a wait. The also have a wine bar right next down, down the side of the building: same menu, same wines (if you just want to grab a drink before seating in main room).
205 (рекомендации местных жителей)
al di la Trattoria
248 5th Ave
205 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Authentic Northern Italian food. This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in all of New York. Great value for such an incredibly delicious meal, and their wine program is fantastic. You will spend 4x in Manhattan for a meal that does not reach this bar. Note: they don't really do reservations, first come / first serve, so there's often a wait. The also have a wine bar right next down, down the side of the building: same menu, same wines (if you just want to grab a drink before seating in main room).
Large coffeeshop, good pastries, and laptop/work friendly. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but has a large back room as well. It's a great excuse to wander up and down Franklin Avenue as well, which has a lot going on.
160 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Breukelen Coffee House
764 Franklin Ave
160 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Large coffeeshop, good pastries, and laptop/work friendly. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but has a large back room as well. It's a great excuse to wander up and down Franklin Avenue as well, which has a lot going on.
Cute little coffee joint that can get quite busy at times. Coffee, croissants, bagels, and cafe tables. Not laptop/work friendly. And this gives you a great excuse to walk up 7th Avenue, with its restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
85 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cafe Regular
318 11th St
85 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cute little coffee joint that can get quite busy at times. Coffee, croissants, bagels, and cafe tables. Not laptop/work friendly. And this gives you a great excuse to walk up 7th Avenue, with its restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
Great healthy foods, smoothies, vegan options, and nice staff.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nûrish
637 Washington Avenue
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great healthy foods, smoothies, vegan options, and nice staff.
ice cream. seriously. it's nyc expensive, but worth it. they have MANY vegan flavors, as well as dairy flavors, and they have inventive monthly specials. believe the hype!
313 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
620 Manhattan Ave
313 (рекомендации местных жителей)
ice cream. seriously. it's nyc expensive, but worth it. they have MANY vegan flavors, as well as dairy flavors, and they have inventive monthly specials. believe the hype!
Solidly good, fresh ingredients, get it.
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Maya Taqueria
637 Vanderbilt Ave
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Solidly good, fresh ingredients, get it.
Solidly good Indian food, fast delivery.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Namaste
195 5th Ave
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Solidly good Indian food, fast delivery.
Great cupcakes, regular cake, and cookies, and they also do pretty good coffee / iced coffee as well. Solid.
93 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Little Cupcake Bakeshop
30 Prince St
93 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great cupcakes, regular cake, and cookies, and they also do pretty good coffee / iced coffee as well. Solid.

Drinks & Nightlife

They have a rotating list of beers on tap -- changes weekly, easygoing vibe, can be lively or chill, depending on timing, and is great for both.
38 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Gold Star Beer Counter
176 Underhill Ave
38 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have a rotating list of beers on tap -- changes weekly, easygoing vibe, can be lively or chill, depending on timing, and is great for both.
I have friends who will trek an hour just to have their Bloody Mary. This place is a quintessential neighborhood spot -- has a pool table in back, great cocktails, and during the summer there is outdoor seating in both the front and side of the building for people watching along Washington Ave.
136 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bearded Lady
686A Washington Ave
136 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I have friends who will trek an hour just to have their Bloody Mary. This place is a quintessential neighborhood spot -- has a pool table in back, great cocktails, and during the summer there is outdoor seating in both the front and side of the building for people watching along Washington Ave.
Another great beer bar, that has a great selection on tap, but multiple refrigerators full of imported specialties. They have a lovely backyard in the nice weather.
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Covenhoven
730 Classon Ave
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Another great beer bar, that has a great selection on tap, but multiple refrigerators full of imported specialties. They have a lovely backyard in the nice weather.
Fancy, speak-easy style cocktail bar. There is no sign out front, just white tiled building, but inside its a dark wood bar with stools, and barkeeps with bowties and mustaches, and fancy (strong) cocktails.
234 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave
234 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fancy, speak-easy style cocktail bar. There is no sign out front, just white tiled building, but inside its a dark wood bar with stools, and barkeeps with bowties and mustaches, and fancy (strong) cocktails.
Great bar, nice backyard, owners are rad.
28 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ode to Babel
646 Dean St
28 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great bar, nice backyard, owners are rad.
Bar and restaurant, this place USED to be a hardware store called Sisters (that is now rebranded as Hardware 2.0 and a few blocks away), they sometimes have bands play, lively spot, beautiful inside.
191 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sisters
47 E 124th St
191 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bar and restaurant, this place USED to be a hardware store called Sisters (that is now rebranded as Hardware 2.0 and a few blocks away), they sometimes have bands play, lively spot, beautiful inside.

Parks & Nature

This is an Olmstead park, it's quite large (smaller than Central Park, but bigger than most), and very easy to access the Long Meadow, where Brooklynites can be found with their dogs, lovers, children, BBQs, bikes, and more. There is a loop for both bikers and runners, and it is also quite a nice walk as well. The history of the park has quite a bit of intrigue, if you're interested you can read more here [http://bklyner.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-prospect-park-history-parkslopestoop/]. Entrance is at Grand Army Plaza.
3418 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Проспект Парк
3418 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is an Olmstead park, it's quite large (smaller than Central Park, but bigger than most), and very easy to access the Long Meadow, where Brooklynites can be found with their dogs, lovers, children, BBQs, bikes, and more. There is a loop for both bikers and runners, and it is also quite a nice walk as well. The history of the park has quite a bit of intrigue, if you're interested you can read more here [http://bklyner.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-prospect-park-history-parkslopestoop/]. Entrance is at Grand Army Plaza.
I love this place, and it is a great way to spend an hour or two (or three!). There is a Japanese Garden and Pond, and Rose Garden, Cherry Blossom field, and deeper in to the Gardens, you'll find the Steinhardt Conservatory, which houses the Bonsai Museum, three climate-themed plant pavilions, a white cast-iron and glass aquatic plant house, and an art gallery. #endorse [https://www.bbg.org]
396 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Botanic Garden station
396 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I love this place, and it is a great way to spend an hour or two (or three!). There is a Japanese Garden and Pond, and Rose Garden, Cherry Blossom field, and deeper in to the Gardens, you'll find the Steinhardt Conservatory, which houses the Bonsai Museum, three climate-themed plant pavilions, a white cast-iron and glass aquatic plant house, and an art gallery. #endorse [https://www.bbg.org]
It's a great park to wander around, not too big, not too small, and lovely rolling hills.
791 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Парк Форт Грин
South Portland Avenue
791 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It's a great park to wander around, not too big, not too small, and lovely rolling hills.

Arts & Culture

This really is a world class museum: interesting architecture, great rotating exhibits, and an interesting permanent collection storage are displayed entirely for visitors to view and learn more about (called the Luce Visible Storage and Study Center). First Saturdays happen on the first Saturday of the month, where the Museum throws a full day of programming, events, live music, panel discussions, and more. They are free/no fee days for the regular exhibitions (special exhibitions might still require a fee). Don't miss! Learn more: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org
3011 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей Бруклина
200 Eastern Pkwy
3011 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This really is a world class museum: interesting architecture, great rotating exhibits, and an interesting permanent collection storage are displayed entirely for visitors to view and learn more about (called the Luce Visible Storage and Study Center). First Saturdays happen on the first Saturday of the month, where the Museum throws a full day of programming, events, live music, panel discussions, and more. They are free/no fee days for the regular exhibitions (special exhibitions might still require a fee). Don't miss! Learn more: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org
This is the central library for Brooklyn, and has cool design. Given its proximity to Grand Army Plaza, there are often activities, music, dance lessons, pop-up shops in the warmer months.
383 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Brooklyn Public Library
383 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is the central library for Brooklyn, and has cool design. Given its proximity to Grand Army Plaza, there are often activities, music, dance lessons, pop-up shops in the warmer months.

Essentials

It's got groceries. :)
98 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ideal Food Basket
631 Gates Ave
98 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It's got groceries. :)
It's got groceries. :)
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Foodtown of Prospect Heights
632 Vanderbilt Ave
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It's got groceries. :)
Drug Store and Pharmacy: useful, and right by the 7th Avenue B/Q station.
132 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Duane Reade
1517 Cortelyou Rd
132 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Drug Store and Pharmacy: useful, and right by the 7th Avenue B/Q station.
Drop off wash and fold. Drop off in the morning to be ready by the close of business (if you drop off mid-day, you'll have to wait until the next day to pick up).
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bubbleworks Laundry & Dry Cleaning
718 Washington Ave
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Drop off wash and fold. Drop off in the morning to be ready by the close of business (if you drop off mid-day, you'll have to wait until the next day to pick up).
Fancy grocery store, not too much more expensive than Ideal, and great selection.
522 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Union Market
240 E Houston St
522 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fancy grocery store, not too much more expensive than Ideal, and great selection.
Beloved local plant shop / nursery.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Natty Garden
636 Washington Ave
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Beloved local plant shop / nursery.
Do it Best Hardware of Clinton Hill | Clinton Hill hardware store | brooklyn Benjamin Moore paint store | prospect heights
900 Fulton St
Normal hardware store.
This hardware store is locally and black owned, I always try to support them and shop there when I can.
Hardware 2.0
860 Atlantic Ave
This hardware store is locally and black owned, I always try to support them and shop there when I can.
Normal pharmacy, but like, way less intense than Duane Reade. This is my go to pharmacy, the people that work there are nice, and the lines aren't crazy.
25 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kings Pharmacy
241 Bedford Ave
25 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Normal pharmacy, but like, way less intense than Duane Reade. This is my go to pharmacy, the people that work there are nice, and the lines aren't crazy.

Entertainment & Activities

BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is actually a multi-building endeavor: they have music & dance performances, a movie theater that plays art house cinema, and they have a cafe / bar in a few locations. Definitely worth looking at their schedule to see what's up.
115 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bam Howard Gilman Opera House
30 Lafayette Ave
115 (рекомендации местных жителей)
BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is actually a multi-building endeavor: they have music & dance performances, a movie theater that plays art house cinema, and they have a cafe / bar in a few locations. Definitely worth looking at their schedule to see what's up.
Saturdays, best selection is in the mornings, in the warmer months this place is PACKED.
206 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Рынок Гранд Арми Плаза
Flatbush Avenue
206 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Saturdays, best selection is in the mornings, in the warmer months this place is PACKED.

Shopping

Lovely and eclectic bookstore, this place has been around for a while (this is its second home, after moving from Park Slope). New and used books, art books, graphic novels, dive in to the stacks and find your new favorite!
51 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Unnameable Books
615 Vanderbilt Ave
51 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lovely and eclectic bookstore, this place has been around for a while (this is its second home, after moving from Park Slope). New and used books, art books, graphic novels, dive in to the stacks and find your new favorite!
Vintage / second hand spot, worth a look when looking for interesting scores.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
1 of a Find Vintage
619 Vanderbilt Ave
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Vintage / second hand spot, worth a look when looking for interesting scores.
They have great finds here, just depends on what's come in. I just got a great silk blouse there (beautiful pattern, short kimono sleeves) for $10!
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Housing Works Thrift Shops
266 5th Ave
55 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have great finds here, just depends on what's come in. I just got a great silk blouse there (beautiful pattern, short kimono sleeves) for $10!
They have 2 locations (the other one is in Williamsburg), and have made a name for themselves for their 2nd hand clothing. Worth a look, depends on what has come in.
71 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Beacon's Closet Park Slope
92 5th Ave
71 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have 2 locations (the other one is in Williamsburg), and have made a name for themselves for their 2nd hand clothing. Worth a look, depends on what has come in.
Yes, it's a shopping mall, but there are some helpful stores in here: Uniqlo, Target, DSW (a shoe store for men and women), Victoria's Secret, and more.
477 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Atlantic Terminal station
477 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Yes, it's a shopping mall, but there are some helpful stores in here: Uniqlo, Target, DSW (a shoe store for men and women), Victoria's Secret, and more.
Fancy foods, imported items, and fresh meats and cheeses can be snagged here. Pricier than a grocery store, but tasty!
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
R&D Foods
602 Vanderbilt Ave
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fancy foods, imported items, and fresh meats and cheeses can be snagged here. Pricier than a grocery store, but tasty!