Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Beast of Bourbon
710 Myrtle AvenueA great bar, bbq, and music joint.
Brooklyn Kolache Co.
520 Dekalb AveMy favorite neighborhood coffee spot and quiet work space.
Dough Doughnuts
5th AvenueDon't miss this on your visit. The city's best donuts!
Stop in for coffee or a light meal or stay and use their wi-fi.
114 locals recommend
The Civil Service Café
279 Nostrand AvenueStop in for coffee or a light meal or stay and use their wi-fi.
Excellent authentic Mexican food at dirt cheap prices. They also deliver!
43 locals recommend
Castro's
511 Myrtle AveExcellent authentic Mexican food at dirt cheap prices. They also deliver!
Cinnamon Girl
277 Nostrand Ave.Grab a coffee or pastry to go or pick up some organic food items.
Make your way here after your walk over the bridge and have a cheap delicious meal. I always get the steamed vegetable dumplings and a sesame pancake. Every time.
288 locals recommend
Vanessa's Dumpling House
118A Eldridge StMake your way here after your walk over the bridge and have a cheap delicious meal. I always get the steamed vegetable dumplings and a sesame pancake. Every time.
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StGet a meat sandwich. It's famous.
Prince St. Pizza
27 Prince StSkip Grimaldi's and Lombardi's and just grab a slice here.
THE BEST PIZZA HANDS DOWN. Expect long waits or go at an unpopular time.
1621 locals recommend
Roberta's
261 Moore StTHE BEST PIZZA HANDS DOWN. Expect long waits or go at an unpopular time.
It's easy to find great pizza but this place is popular. Grab lunch or dinner here when you're exploring the neighborhood.
102 locals recommend
John's of Bleecker St.
278 Bleecker StIt's easy to find great pizza but this place is popular. Grab lunch or dinner here when you're exploring the neighborhood.
If you're a fan of the TV show Girls, this is the coffee shop on the show. They also serve excellent food-try brunch or pizza.
590 locals recommend
Speedy Romeo
376 Classon AveIf you're a fan of the TV show Girls, this is the coffee shop on the show. They also serve excellent food-try brunch or pizza.
Great little to-go coffee and snack place. Grab on your way to the subway.
70 locals recommend
Marcy & Myrtle
574 Marcy AveGreat little to-go coffee and snack place. Grab on your way to the subway.
Clementine Bakery
395 Classon AveGreat vegan bakery
Wonderful little restaurant serving locally sourced creative dishes and specialty cocktails. Also open for coffee and pastries during the day.
47 locals recommend
Eva Jean's
30 Kosciuszko StreetWonderful little restaurant serving locally sourced creative dishes and specialty cocktails. Also open for coffee and pastries during the day.
Delicious cuban food. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Limited bar.
253 locals recommend
Pilar Cuban Eatery
397 Greene AveDelicious cuban food. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Limited bar.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is the locals bar. Excellent happy hour specials, full menu, chill backyard. It's a sports bar too if that's your thing.
51 locals recommend
Brooklyn Stoops
748 Myrtle AvenueThis is the locals bar. Excellent happy hour specials, full menu, chill backyard. It's a sports bar too if that's your thing.
Dynaco
1112 Bedford AveExcellent vibe, not too loud, creative interior, fireplace.
Great new neighborhood addition. Lots of drink choices, full food menu, rotating social events (trivia, live music, burlesque)
126 locals recommend
Bedford Hall
1177 Bedford AvenueGreat new neighborhood addition. Lots of drink choices, full food menu, rotating social events (trivia, live music, burlesque)
Black Swan
Large drink selection and popular food spot. Also shows soccer games.
Do you like old-school arcade games? Do you like beer? This is the place for you.
587 locals recommend
Barcade
388 Union AveDo you like old-school arcade games? Do you like beer? This is the place for you.
Very popular nightlife scene. A little dive-y, large outdoor space with a taco truck, live music or DJ in the back room. There will probably be a line to get in but it moves fast.
521 locals recommend
Union Pool
484 Union AveVery popular nightlife scene. A little dive-y, large outdoor space with a taco truck, live music or DJ in the back room. There will probably be a line to get in but it moves fast.
Excellent happy hour. One of my long time favorites. Score a window seat and watch all the people go by.
13 locals recommend
Local 138
181 Orchard StExcellent happy hour. One of my long time favorites. Score a window seat and watch all the people go by.
C'mon Everybody
325 Franklin AveLocal bar and live music venue. Cheap shows every night.
Everything Else
My almost daily haunt. Complete exercise facility with any kind of machine you'd want, lots of classes, a 4 lane pool, sauna, steam room.
96 locals recommend
Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA
1121 Bedford AveMy almost daily haunt. Complete exercise facility with any kind of machine you'd want, lots of classes, a 4 lane pool, sauna, steam room.
Huge outdoor pool with separate adult lap area. FREE! June-August.
30 locals recommend
Kosciuszko Pool
670 Marcy AveHuge outdoor pool with separate adult lap area. FREE! June-August.
Laundromat. Open until 9 weeknights and 24 hrs on the weekends. Costs about $5 to wash and dry a large load.
13 locals recommend
Atlantis Super Wash Center
873 Bedford AveLaundromat. Open until 9 weeknights and 24 hrs on the weekends. Costs about $5 to wash and dry a large load.
Rent a bike by the day or week. Great for short trips around the city. Return to any Citibike docking station. Ask me about time limits.
277 locals recommend
Citi Bike
Rent a bike by the day or week. Great for short trips around the city. Return to any Citibike docking station. Ask me about time limits.
A hot yoga and movement studio with a free hot yoga class every saturday. Also, gymnastics, capoeria, core, pole dancing, etc.
68 locals recommend
Sacred Brooklyn
197 Clifton PlA hot yoga and movement studio with a free hot yoga class every saturday. Also, gymnastics, capoeria, core, pole dancing, etc.
Essentials
The nicer grocery store in the area but not as close as Compare foods on Bedford and Kosciusko.
663 locals recommend
CTown Supermarkets
330 Graham AveThe nicer grocery store in the area but not as close as Compare foods on Bedford and Kosciusko.
Closest grocery to the apt. Small but will have everything you need.
31 locals recommend
Compare Foods
991 Bedford AveClosest grocery to the apt. Small but will have everything you need.
Sightseeing
Check out the public sculpture garden and stroll around this charming arts/design/architecture campus.
80 locals recommend
Pratt Institute
200 Willoughby AveCheck out the public sculpture garden and stroll around this charming arts/design/architecture campus.
Spend a few hours wandering the beautiful gardens and conservatory. I am a member with free admission and you are welcome to use my card if you can pretend to be me.
2030 locals recommend
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveSpend a few hours wandering the beautiful gardens and conservatory. I am a member with free admission and you are welcome to use my card if you can pretend to be me.
Central Park's little sister is Brooklyn's pride and joy. Same designer as Central Park, great for picnics, cycling, running, ice skating, horseback riding. Has a zoo!
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park
Central Park's little sister is Brooklyn's pride and joy. Same designer as Central Park, great for picnics, cycling, running, ice skating, horseback riding. Has a zoo!
Great for a picnic, run, people watching, etc. Climb to the monument at the top for great views. Farmers market on Saturdays.
791 locals recommend
Fort Greene Park
South Portland AvenueGreat for a picnic, run, people watching, etc. Climb to the monument at the top for great views. Farmers market on Saturdays.
East River State Park
90 Kent AveGreat views of Manhattan.
A walk across this iconic structure is a must. It's something even I enjoy despite all the tourists :)
1505 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge PromenadeA walk across this iconic structure is a must. It's something even I enjoy despite all the tourists :)
Explore a preserved tenement building and learn what it was like to be an immigrant in NYC in the 19th century. It's like time travel. You must reserve your tickets ahead of time.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StExplore a preserved tenement building and learn what it was like to be an immigrant in NYC in the 19th century. It's like time travel. You must reserve your tickets ahead of time.
Chinatown
Walk around. It's another world. Also, cheap produce!
It's a beautiful park on elevated train tracks. It's awesome. Avoid on weekends-too crowded. I recommend the lounge chairs around 16th st.
2323 locals recommend
The High Line Park
It's a beautiful park on elevated train tracks. It's awesome. Avoid on weekends-too crowded. I recommend the lounge chairs around 16th st.
Pretty park on the waterfront with stunning views. Have a picnic, take a nap, or watch an outdoor movie on Thursday evenings in the summer.
951 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman StPretty park on the waterfront with stunning views. Have a picnic, take a nap, or watch an outdoor movie on Thursday evenings in the summer.
Walk around Brooklyn Heights in the evening and finish with the sunset here.
407 locals recommend
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Pierrepont PlaceWalk around Brooklyn Heights in the evening and finish with the sunset here.
A popular weekend activity. Browse vintage and handmade items. Get a snack from the food trucks. This location is on Saturdays. Sundays are in Williamsburg.
266 locals recommend
Brooklyn Flea
51 North 6th StreetA popular weekend activity. Browse vintage and handmade items. Get a snack from the food trucks. This location is on Saturdays. Sundays are in Williamsburg.
Swing by here when you're visiting Williamsburg. They have a rotating collection of interesting NYC related items.
39 locals recommend
The City Reliquary Museum
370 Metropolitan AveSwing by here when you're visiting Williamsburg. They have a rotating collection of interesting NYC related items.
This is a great treat for yourself. For $4 you can take a boat that crisscrosses the East River with stops in Long Island City, Queens, Midtown, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Dumbo and Wall Street.
58 locals recommend
East 34th Street station
East 34th StreetThis is a great treat for yourself. For $4 you can take a boat that crisscrosses the East River with stops in Long Island City, Queens, Midtown, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Dumbo and Wall Street.
This museum is dedicated to the history of the NYC subway system and is located in a decommissioned station. It sounds silly but it's actually really cool!
222 locals recommend
New York Transit Museum
89 E 42nd StThis museum is dedicated to the history of the NYC subway system and is located in a decommissioned station. It sounds silly but it's actually really cool!
Grab a cocktail ($10-$15) and take in the city views. This is an upscale place so dress decent. It's where the cool people hang out.
539 locals recommend
Wythe Hotel
80 Wythe AveGrab a cocktail ($10-$15) and take in the city views. This is an upscale place so dress decent. It's where the cool people hang out.
My favorite park in the whole city. It's great for people watching. Grab some food on Macdougal St (Mamoun's Falafel and Artichoke Pizza are good) and park in the lawn for a while.
946 locals recommend
Washington Square Park
Washington SquareMy favorite park in the whole city. It's great for people watching. Grab some food on Macdougal St (Mamoun's Falafel and Artichoke Pizza are good) and park in the lawn for a while.
Arts & Culture
A large collection of diverse art that rivals the Met and other world class museums. It's donation based and also hosts Free First Saturdays every month.
3011 locals recommend
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyA large collection of diverse art that rivals the Met and other world class museums. It's donation based and also hosts Free First Saturdays every month.
Multiplex playing the latest popular movies. Has discount tickets depending on the day and time.
468 locals recommend
Williamsburg Cinemas
217 Grand StMultiplex playing the latest popular movies. Has discount tickets depending on the day and time.
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan AveLocal indie cinema. Serves food and drinks during the movies.
Get same and next day discount tickets to Broadway shows. Less crowded than the Times Square location.
25 locals recommend
TKTS Downtown Brooklyn
Get same and next day discount tickets to Broadway shows. Less crowded than the Times Square location.
This intimate live music venue has 3 stages with a few acts every evening. Usually free or very cheap.
226 locals recommend
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen StThis intimate live music venue has 3 stages with a few acts every evening. Usually free or very cheap.
Where all the art galleries are. 18th-29th Sts between 10th and 12th Aves. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
192 locals recommend
Chelsea
Where all the art galleries are. 18th-29th Sts between 10th and 12th Aves. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Sports and music arena. You can catch a basketball or hockey game, popular music act, circus, and other entertainment events.
1418 locals recommend
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic AveSports and music arena. You can catch a basketball or hockey game, popular music act, circus, and other entertainment events.
You can bowl ($$$$), take in a live music act (free or nominal charge), and eat some of the best fried chicken in town at the Blue Ribbon restaurant inside.
825 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe AveYou can bowl ($$$$), take in a live music act (free or nominal charge), and eat some of the best fried chicken in town at the Blue Ribbon restaurant inside.
Watch the locals play a game of basketball or handball. You've definitely seen this place in the movies.
11 locals recommend
West 4th Street Courts
272 6th AveWatch the locals play a game of basketball or handball. You've definitely seen this place in the movies.
Shopping
Drugstore, pharmacy, convenience store with snacks, drinks, non-perishable food items.
311 locals recommend
Duane Reade
5411 Myrtle AveDrugstore, pharmacy, convenience store with snacks, drinks, non-perishable food items.
The popular shopping district. Start on Broadway between Houston and Grand St. Gets very crowded with tourists.
909 locals recommend
SoHo
The popular shopping district. Start on Broadway between Houston and Grand St. Gets very crowded with tourists.