Guidebook for Brooklyn Townhouse
Food Scene
Fabulous coffee, but the pastries aren't as good as they used to be. It's a great jumping off point for enjoying Fort Greene Park, the Saturday Farmer's Market along Washington Park Ave, or shopping on Dekalb. There is (very) limited seating inside but it can be hard to get a chair.
116 místní doporučují
BitterSweet
180 Dekalb AveFabulous coffee, but the pastries aren't as good as they used to be. It's a great jumping off point for enjoying Fort Greene Park, the Saturday Farmer's Market along Washington Park Ave, or shopping on Dekalb. There is (very) limited seating inside but it can be hard to get a chair.
This is hands down my favorite spot in the neighborhood for an incredible meal or a special occasion. The interior is a work of art--an assemblage of recycled weathered wood, rustic layered paint and antiques re-worked into unique lighting fixtures and wall decor. The cocktails are bespoke Manhattan and Negroni-types, always handsome and artful. Dinners usually include the juiciest pork chop or a hearty homemade pasta with kill-me-now ragù. The prices are high but it is so worth it. I recommend making a reservation on the weekends and under no circumstances should you miss out on the Guinness Chocolate Cake.
123 místní doporučují
Vinegar Hill House
72 Hudson AveThis is hands down my favorite spot in the neighborhood for an incredible meal or a special occasion. The interior is a work of art--an assemblage of recycled weathered wood, rustic layered paint and antiques re-worked into unique lighting fixtures and wall decor. The cocktails are bespoke Manhattan and Negroni-types, always handsome and artful. Dinners usually include the juiciest pork chop or a hearty homemade pasta with kill-me-now ragù. The prices are high but it is so worth it. I recommend making a reservation on the weekends and under no circumstances should you miss out on the Guinness Chocolate Cake.
Sister restaurant to Williamsburg mainstay Walter Foods, Walter’s has many looks: During the day, the expansive windows let in a wealth of natural light; in the evening, tungsten bulbs bathe the wraparound bar and leather banquettes in a cozy glow. Standout entrées include the pork chops with jalapeño grits and the seven-ounce burger on brioche. A solid cocktail menu rounds out the mix; try the Hemingway Daiquiri or the Pepino, made with Mezcal and muddled cucumber.
253 místní doporučují
Walter's
166 Dekalb AveSister restaurant to Williamsburg mainstay Walter Foods, Walter’s has many looks: During the day, the expansive windows let in a wealth of natural light; in the evening, tungsten bulbs bathe the wraparound bar and leather banquettes in a cozy glow. Standout entrées include the pork chops with jalapeño grits and the seven-ounce burger on brioche. A solid cocktail menu rounds out the mix; try the Hemingway Daiquiri or the Pepino, made with Mezcal and muddled cucumber.
A secret Japanese restaurant located INSIDE of another neighborhood favorite, Walter's (you enter by walking through Walter's and going through the small unmarked door in the back), Karasu is neither a sushi restaurant nor an izakaya — more of a casual neighborhood spot — and the menu includes savory egg custard, vegetarian ramen, and kampachi crudo. Cocktails are reinterpreted classics, served alongside sake, shochu, and Japanese whisky - all chosen to compliment the cuisine. I highly recommend reservations in advance--it fills up fast!
33 místní doporučují
Karasu
166 Dekalb AveA secret Japanese restaurant located INSIDE of another neighborhood favorite, Walter's (you enter by walking through Walter's and going through the small unmarked door in the back), Karasu is neither a sushi restaurant nor an izakaya — more of a casual neighborhood spot — and the menu includes savory egg custard, vegetarian ramen, and kampachi crudo. Cocktails are reinterpreted classics, served alongside sake, shochu, and Japanese whisky - all chosen to compliment the cuisine. I highly recommend reservations in advance--it fills up fast!
Chef-owned spot for contemporary Israeli & Mediterranean food & cocktails, with backyard seating. I'll confess I haven't gotten to try out this new spot to our neighborhood, but it gets consistently high marks from friends and reviewers. Let me know what you think!
79 místní doporučují
Miss Ada
184 Dekalb AveChef-owned spot for contemporary Israeli & Mediterranean food & cocktails, with backyard seating. I'll confess I haven't gotten to try out this new spot to our neighborhood, but it gets consistently high marks from friends and reviewers. Let me know what you think!
Mediterranean-Italian locale serving pastas, small plates & wood-fired dishes, plus cocktails. Popular with locals.
72 místní doporučují
Evelina
211 Dekalb AveMediterranean-Italian locale serving pastas, small plates & wood-fired dishes, plus cocktails. Popular with locals.
A haven for farm-to-table-y Latin American cooking (think: mushroom arepas, plenty of tacos), but also possibly Brooklyn’s best hidden steakhouse, with beef options — hanger steaks, grass-fed sirloin, a massive bone-in ribeye — taking up a solid chunk of the menu. One of the more popular brownstone-Brooklyn brunch destinations — especially in the warmer months, when the private, walled-off back garden turns into one of the best outdoor spaces, anywhere, to enjoy a meal.
92 místní doporučují
Colonia Verde
219 Dekalb AveA haven for farm-to-table-y Latin American cooking (think: mushroom arepas, plenty of tacos), but also possibly Brooklyn’s best hidden steakhouse, with beef options — hanger steaks, grass-fed sirloin, a massive bone-in ribeye — taking up a solid chunk of the menu. One of the more popular brownstone-Brooklyn brunch destinations — especially in the warmer months, when the private, walled-off back garden turns into one of the best outdoor spaces, anywhere, to enjoy a meal.
Tourists line up daily for a chance to try the coal-fired pies at one of the biggest names in Brooklyn pizza. Personally, I avoid this place because the lines tend to be quite long, especially on the weekends. But the pizza is quite good, and if you survive the line, you can tell everyone you had Grimaldi's coal oven pizza!
180 místní doporučují
Grimaldi's Pizzeria
1 Front StTourists line up daily for a chance to try the coal-fired pies at one of the biggest names in Brooklyn pizza. Personally, I avoid this place because the lines tend to be quite long, especially on the weekends. But the pizza is quite good, and if you survive the line, you can tell everyone you had Grimaldi's coal oven pizza!
Head Hi
146 Clermont AveNewest coffee shop to the neighborhood. Great coffee and lovely, intimate, serene interior.
Dinner Party was founded in 2021 by six young women with no professional cooking experience and only half-hearted pretensions of sophistication. Most of them were strangers when they started, but they were lifelong friends by the end of the first month open.
The restaurant aims to feel that way: like you’re dining among instant friends, laughing as much as you’re eating. The cuisine’s rustic and lovingly-made, balanced but never boring. It falls somewhere between French, Italian, and, as the chef loves to insist, “Californian” — reflecting the myriad possible directions of a set menu that changes every week.
Reservations are required for brunch or dinner (prix-fixe! See their website for more info and the offered courses for the current week)
Dinner Party
Dinner Party was founded in 2021 by six young women with no professional cooking experience and only half-hearted pretensions of sophistication. Most of them were strangers when they started, but they were lifelong friends by the end of the first month open.
The restaurant aims to feel that way: like you’re dining among instant friends, laughing as much as you’re eating. The cuisine’s rustic and lovingly-made, balanced but never boring. It falls somewhere between French, Italian, and, as the chef loves to insist, “Californian” — reflecting the myriad possible directions of a set menu that changes every week.
Reservations are required for brunch or dinner (prix-fixe! See their website for more info and the offered courses for the current week)
A bit of a hike, this import from Atlanta offers a sort of Carl's Jr take on vegan food with a lot of personality. Grab your eats and sit in the park across the street to enjoy. As a side note: the restaurant is in the Notorious B.I.G. building with a Biggie mural on the side: spread love, it's the Brooklyn way!
SluttyVegan Brooklyn
A bit of a hike, this import from Atlanta offers a sort of Carl's Jr take on vegan food with a lot of personality. Grab your eats and sit in the park across the street to enjoy. As a side note: the restaurant is in the Notorious B.I.G. building with a Biggie mural on the side: spread love, it's the Brooklyn way!
Spacious and full of natural light, this local coffee roaster offers a full line of espresso based drinks, coffees and a small but delicious selection of pastries. They also have a lot of fun swag and mementos that I like to get for gifts...
Brooklyn Roasting Company
Spacious and full of natural light, this local coffee roaster offers a full line of espresso based drinks, coffees and a small but delicious selection of pastries. They also have a lot of fun swag and mementos that I like to get for gifts...
Serving up smoked fish, caviar, bagels, and bialys, beloved New York City institution Russ & Daughters just opened their 4th NYC location just steps from our apartment. On the bottom floor of the Navy Yard's Building 77, the historic Jewish store, in business for over 100 years, is the first spot to open in the building’s new food production hall, offering breakfast, lunch, takeaway, and on and off-site catering. You can't go wrong with a Whitefish bagel.
16 místní doporučují
Russ & Daughters at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
141 Flushing AveServing up smoked fish, caviar, bagels, and bialys, beloved New York City institution Russ & Daughters just opened their 4th NYC location just steps from our apartment. On the bottom floor of the Navy Yard's Building 77, the historic Jewish store, in business for over 100 years, is the first spot to open in the building’s new food production hall, offering breakfast, lunch, takeaway, and on and off-site catering. You can't go wrong with a Whitefish bagel.
Killer cupcakes and locally owned--you won't be disappointed. They will also make custom orders.
6 místní doporučují
Brooklyn Sweet Spot
366 Myrtle AveKiller cupcakes and locally owned--you won't be disappointed. They will also make custom orders.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is one of the dwindling number of classic, NYC dive bars. A dusty, downstairs dive with incomparably cheap, stiff drinks, and barstools held together by duct tape. What's not to like?
44 místní doporučují
Alibi
242 Dekalb AveThis is one of the dwindling number of classic, NYC dive bars. A dusty, downstairs dive with incomparably cheap, stiff drinks, and barstools held together by duct tape. What's not to like?
Never too loud, mostly full of locals, this (not so) secret, laid-back cocktail joint offers mixologist-made cocktails in a tile-lined bar hidden behind a speakeasy-style unmarked door.
94 místní doporučují
Dick and Jane’s
266 Adelphi StNever too loud, mostly full of locals, this (not so) secret, laid-back cocktail joint offers mixologist-made cocktails in a tile-lined bar hidden behind a speakeasy-style unmarked door.
This bar, named after a famous hoax in upstate NY, serves only alcohol made in the state of New York, with a strong emphasis on beer and cider. The interior is lovely and cozy but often packed with locals.
30 místní doporučují
Cardiff Giant
415 Myrtle AveThis bar, named after a famous hoax in upstate NY, serves only alcohol made in the state of New York, with a strong emphasis on beer and cider. The interior is lovely and cozy but often packed with locals.
The Gatehouses is the tasting room for King's County Distillery, New York City’s oldest, largest, and premier whiskey distillery. But even better, the tasting room is right around the corner on Navy Street and is housed in the original gatehouse to the Brooklyn Navy yard. Once abandoned, the 1896 vintage structures resemble small castles. You can even sit inside one of the turrets if you are lucky enough to visit on a slow day. Make sure to visit the bathroom while you are there--it is a work of art in itself. They also offer small plates of food if you show up hungry.
The Gatehouses
299 Sands StThe Gatehouses is the tasting room for King's County Distillery, New York City’s oldest, largest, and premier whiskey distillery. But even better, the tasting room is right around the corner on Navy Street and is housed in the original gatehouse to the Brooklyn Navy yard. Once abandoned, the 1896 vintage structures resemble small castles. You can even sit inside one of the turrets if you are lucky enough to visit on a slow day. Make sure to visit the bathroom while you are there--it is a work of art in itself. They also offer small plates of food if you show up hungry.
Arts & Culture
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Museum, open Wed-Sun from noon-6, allows visitors to explore three floors of Exhibitions dedicated to the past, present, and future of the Yard. Pop into the new Yard Work gallery to see what people are making at the Yard today. They also offer tours of the Navy Yard on the weekends. Grab a coffee next door at Brooklyn Roasters. Best of all, admission is FREE!
24 místní doporučují
Building 92
63 Flushing AveThe Brooklyn Navy Yard Museum, open Wed-Sun from noon-6, allows visitors to explore three floors of Exhibitions dedicated to the past, present, and future of the Yard. Pop into the new Yard Work gallery to see what people are making at the Yard today. They also offer tours of the Navy Yard on the weekends. Grab a coffee next door at Brooklyn Roasters. Best of all, admission is FREE!
The Brooklyn Academy of Music is a performing arts venue in Brooklyn, New York City, known as a center for progressive and avant garde performance. It presented its first performance in 1861 and began operations in its present location in 1908. I have seen some of my most memorable theatre and dance performances here over the years. It also has a cafe and lecture hall and an indie cinema.
859 místní doporučují
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette AveThe Brooklyn Academy of Music is a performing arts venue in Brooklyn, New York City, known as a center for progressive and avant garde performance. It presented its first performance in 1861 and began operations in its present location in 1908. I have seen some of my most memorable theatre and dance performances here over the years. It also has a cafe and lecture hall and an indie cinema.
One of my favorite venues for seeing cutting edge theatre. In the heart of DUMBO near the water front. If you plan to see a show here make sure to spend some time at Brooklyn Bridge Park before the show.
52 místní doporučují
St. Ann's Warehouse
45 Water StOne of my favorite venues for seeing cutting edge theatre. In the heart of DUMBO near the water front. If you plan to see a show here make sure to spend some time at Brooklyn Bridge Park before the show.
You can take the B62 bus straight here from the stop on Park Avenue. The Transit Museum is a walk through the history of NYC's mass transit system and is hands-down one of my favorite lesser known museums in the city. It is built inside of a long-abandoned subway tunnel and is great for kids and adults alike, with interactive exhibits, a place to sit down and eat snacks, and on the bottom level, retired original NYC subway cars lined up end to end that span all eras of underground transit. You can walk through all the old cars and see what it might have felt like to ride the wicker-seated subway cars of the 1920's!
Muzeum městské hromadné dopravy MTA
99 Schermerhorn StYou can take the B62 bus straight here from the stop on Park Avenue. The Transit Museum is a walk through the history of NYC's mass transit system and is hands-down one of my favorite lesser known museums in the city. It is built inside of a long-abandoned subway tunnel and is great for kids and adults alike, with interactive exhibits, a place to sit down and eat snacks, and on the bottom level, retired original NYC subway cars lined up end to end that span all eras of underground transit. You can walk through all the old cars and see what it might have felt like to ride the wicker-seated subway cars of the 1920's!
Sightseeing
NYC's oldest bridge and the only one specifically designed for pedestrians. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite walks. You can also rent a Citibike and cruise across into Manhattan. Or just hand out underneath the footings in DUMBO at the waterfront park and soak in the sun and the art.
77 místní doporučují
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge BoulevardNYC's oldest bridge and the only one specifically designed for pedestrians. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite walks. You can also rent a Citibike and cruise across into Manhattan. Or just hand out underneath the footings in DUMBO at the waterfront park and soak in the sun and the art.
Parks & Nature
Fabulous park with monuments, tennis courts, and kid's playgrounds (x2!), and also close to many excellent restaurants on Dekalb Ave. A great place to relax and people-watch. Check out the Farmer's Market every Saturday along the park's east side.
791 místní doporučují
Fort Greene Park
South Portland AvenueFabulous park with monuments, tennis courts, and kid's playgrounds (x2!), and also close to many excellent restaurants on Dekalb Ave. A great place to relax and people-watch. Check out the Farmer's Market every Saturday along the park's east side.
Directly across the street you will find Commodore Barry park, acquired by the city of Brooklyn in 1836 and named after Commodore Barry who helped found the Navy Yard just to the north. It features a lawn, benches, and a free lap pool open in the summer. The sports field, kid's playground and basketball courts further west are scheduled for renovation in the next 12 months, a long-awaited face lift for Brooklyn's oldest park.
8 místní doporučují
Commodore Barry Park
Flushing AvenueDirectly across the street you will find Commodore Barry park, acquired by the city of Brooklyn in 1836 and named after Commodore Barry who helped found the Navy Yard just to the north. It features a lawn, benches, and a free lap pool open in the summer. The sports field, kid's playground and basketball courts further west are scheduled for renovation in the next 12 months, a long-awaited face lift for Brooklyn's oldest park.
Calling this simply a park does not do it justice. The Brooklyn Bridge Park wraps around the waterfront to the north and west of DUMBO and features greenspaces, city views, jogging and biking trails, sports areas, playgrounds, art installations, food vendors, and shopping. You can spend the whole day there and we sometimes do! You can check out the website to see if there are any scheduled events happening, or you can hop on the water ferry and ride across to Manhattan for the price of a subway ticket!
951 místní doporučují
Park Brooklyn Bridge
334 Furman StCalling this simply a park does not do it justice. The Brooklyn Bridge Park wraps around the waterfront to the north and west of DUMBO and features greenspaces, city views, jogging and biking trails, sports areas, playgrounds, art installations, food vendors, and shopping. You can spend the whole day there and we sometimes do! You can check out the website to see if there are any scheduled events happening, or you can hop on the water ferry and ride across to Manhattan for the price of a subway ticket!
Entertainment & Activities
Originally started in Austin, TX, the Alamo Drafthouse is a dine-in movie theatre. You can get comfy and order food and drinks (including alcohol) right from your movie seat. I recommend buying your tickets in advance; this is mandatory on weekends and evenings. Movies in NYC sell out quickly.
266 místní doporučují
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown Brooklyn
445 Albee Square WOriginally started in Austin, TX, the Alamo Drafthouse is a dine-in movie theatre. You can get comfy and order food and drinks (including alcohol) right from your movie seat. I recommend buying your tickets in advance; this is mandatory on weekends and evenings. Movies in NYC sell out quickly.
Opened in 2012, Barclays Center is the home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders and hosts premier concerts, championship boxing, and much more. See website for upcoming events.
1418 místní doporučují
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic AveOpened in 2012, Barclays Center is the home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders and hosts premier concerts, championship boxing, and much more. See website for upcoming events.
Getting Around
From this subway station you can be in Manhattan in 1 stop on the Q, B, or D trains. Be aware the B does not run on the weekends.
36 místní doporučují
DeKalb Av Subway Sta station
From this subway station you can be in Manhattan in 1 stop on the Q, B, or D trains. Be aware the B does not run on the weekends.
In less than a 10 minute walk, you can be on board the NYC Ferry! Walk through the mall at 141 Flushing Ave (be sure to notify the security desk that you are going to the ferry so they can open the gate for you), then walk across the parking lot and down the pier to the ferry dock. You can purchase tickets in advance on the website ferry.nyc or there at the kiosk. Make sure to know which direction you want and arrive at least 10 minutes early. For about the price of a subway ride you can travel in style across the river, or up and down to other points in Brooklyn and Queens! There is even a snack bar on board.
Dock 72
In less than a 10 minute walk, you can be on board the NYC Ferry! Walk through the mall at 141 Flushing Ave (be sure to notify the security desk that you are going to the ferry so they can open the gate for you), then walk across the parking lot and down the pier to the ferry dock. You can purchase tickets in advance on the website ferry.nyc or there at the kiosk. Make sure to know which direction you want and arrive at least 10 minutes early. For about the price of a subway ride you can travel in style across the river, or up and down to other points in Brooklyn and Queens! There is even a snack bar on board.
This is the closest Citibike station to the apartment at only 1 block away. You can return Citibikes at any station around the city. See the website for info on how to rent bikes and a map of all the stations.
Citi Bike: Park Ave & St Edwards St
This is the closest Citibike station to the apartment at only 1 block away. You can return Citibikes at any station around the city. See the website for info on how to rent bikes and a map of all the stations.