Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Low-key supplier of Southern comfort-food favorites along with offbeat options like fried pig tails. Great ambiance. Fantastic food. Good cocktails
166 locals recommend
The Brooklyn Star
593 Lorimer StreetLow-key supplier of Southern comfort-food favorites along with offbeat options like fried pig tails. Great ambiance. Fantastic food. Good cocktails
Hip, laid-back French bistro in East Williamsburg that's popular for weekend brunch.
297 locals recommend
Le Barricou
533 Grand StHip, laid-back French bistro in East Williamsburg that's popular for weekend brunch.
Gimme Coffee
495 Lorimer StQuick and easy coffee that's solid. This is the real deal
Il Passatore
14 Bushwick AveBest Italian food in the neighborhood
Real deal western Chinese cuisine. This place is a food network favorite. If I was on death row, Liang Pi "cold skin noodles" might be my last meal.
57 locals recommend
西安名吃 Xi'an Famous Foods
648 Manhattan AveReal deal western Chinese cuisine. This place is a food network favorite. If I was on death row, Liang Pi "cold skin noodles" might be my last meal.
Caracas Arepa Bar
291 Grand StOMG . Arepas. So good.
My favorite little locally sourced build-your-own salad joint. This is a chain but if you're into salad, this is your jam
130 locals recommend
sweetgreen
162 N 4th StMy favorite little locally sourced build-your-own salad joint. This is a chain but if you're into salad, this is your jam
The food is phenomenal - but lines can be crazy. Brunch = fantastic. Ricotta pancakes are my favorite but also GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES
800 locals recommend
Five Leaves
18 Bedford AveThe food is phenomenal - but lines can be crazy. Brunch = fantastic. Ricotta pancakes are my favorite but also GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES
Pies 'n' Thighs
166 S 4th StBest biscuits and fried chicken around. Also pie :)
Times calls it “one of the more extraordinary restaurants in the United States.” Bourdain raved about their food on No Reservations. Then there was that whole naked waitress thing. Believe the hype.
1621 locals recommend
Roberta's
261 Moore StTimes calls it “one of the more extraordinary restaurants in the United States.” Bourdain raved about their food on No Reservations. Then there was that whole naked waitress thing. Believe the hype.
1/2 block away. Funky creative Mexican served in industrial quarters with an Airstream-trailer kitchen & rooftop bar.
87 locals recommend
Zona Rosa
571 Lorimer St1/2 block away. Funky creative Mexican served in industrial quarters with an Airstream-trailer kitchen & rooftop bar.
This is the corner stop. They serve bagels, breakfast foods, coffee, snacks + beer! AND they are open 24/7. These people know me by name.
117 locals recommend
Bagelsmith
566 Lorimer StThis is the corner stop. They serve bagels, breakfast foods, coffee, snacks + beer! AND they are open 24/7. These people know me by name.
If you're into BBQ this is the joint. Popular dry-rub BBQ, beer & bourbon with an industrial, cafeteria-style setting.
441 locals recommend
Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan AveIf you're into BBQ this is the joint. Popular dry-rub BBQ, beer & bourbon with an industrial, cafeteria-style setting.
Piano bar serving up good food. Really nice ambiance for a late night drink or a date night
150 locals recommend
Manhattan Inn
632 Manhattan AvenuePiano bar serving up good food. Really nice ambiance for a late night drink or a date night
This is one of my serious favorites. It's a bit remote to get to and often has a wait, but insanely good Vietnamese street food at good prices. Michelin mention
137 locals recommend
Bunker Vietnamese
99 Scott AveThis is one of my serious favorites. It's a bit remote to get to and often has a wait, but insanely good Vietnamese street food at good prices. Michelin mention
This place is a bushwick fav. Mexican place INSIDE a tortilla factory. Damn good, and super authentic.
289 locals recommend
Tortilleria Mexicanas Los Hermanos
271 Starr StThis place is a bushwick fav. Mexican place INSIDE a tortilla factory. Damn good, and super authentic.
Drinks & Nightlife
Trivia contests, spelling bees & live bands lend a unique vibe to this offbeat watering hole.
157 locals recommend
Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer StTrivia contests, spelling bees & live bands lend a unique vibe to this offbeat watering hole.
Barcade
388 Union AveIt's a BAR and an ARCADE in one! Video games and beer. Duh.
Steps from the apartment. $1 personal pizza with every drink you buy. Does it get any better?
84 locals recommend
Alligator Lounge
600 Metropolitan AveSteps from the apartment. $1 personal pizza with every drink you buy. Does it get any better?
Food and booze. Directly underneath the apartment with a great backyard to chill
15 locals recommend
Northern Bell
612 Metropolitan AveFood and booze. Directly underneath the apartment with a great backyard to chill
Ironically named bar featuring cheap drinks, a photo booth & a six-hole mini-golf course.
81 locals recommend
Bushwick Country Club
608 Grand StIronically named bar featuring cheap drinks, a photo booth & a six-hole mini-golf course.
Popular bar set in a former pool supply store with live music & a taco truck in the backyard.
521 locals recommend
Union Pool
484 Union AvePopular bar set in a former pool supply store with live music & a taco truck in the backyard.
Metropolitan
559 Lorimer StLocal (super hipster) gay bar.
Classic-looking bar with a garden, specializing in rare Belgian beers, plus cheese & meat plates. If you're into craft beers - this is the spot.
125 locals recommend
Spuyten Duyvil
359 Metropolitan AveClassic-looking bar with a garden, specializing in rare Belgian beers, plus cheese & meat plates. If you're into craft beers - this is the spot.
I'm part owner/investor of this spot and it's by the far the coolest Bushwick dive around. If you're planning a trip, let me know!
136 locals recommend
Boobie Trap
308 Bleecker StI'm part owner/investor of this spot and it's by the far the coolest Bushwick dive around. If you're planning a trip, let me know!
Perched on the eighth floor of the Wythe Hotel is The Ides, a hotel bar with an enormous roofdeck and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Drinks can be a bit spendy here, but the views A+
152 locals recommend
The Ides Bar
80 Wythe AvePerched on the eighth floor of the Wythe Hotel is The Ides, a hotel bar with an enormous roofdeck and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Drinks can be a bit spendy here, but the views A+
Local dive. Jukebox tunes, old-school signs, big beers, pinball & outdoor grill grub.
70 locals recommend
Rocka Rolla
486 Metropolitan AveLocal dive. Jukebox tunes, old-school signs, big beers, pinball & outdoor grill grub.
High design details and excellent cocktails. This dimly lit bar has an unmarked entrance that's a hallway that leads to the bar - makes you feel like you're in a speakeasy!
45 locals recommend
Larry Lawrence
295 Grand StreetHigh design details and excellent cocktails. This dimly lit bar has an unmarked entrance that's a hallway that leads to the bar - makes you feel like you're in a speakeasy!
Arts & Culture
Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan AveA great venue to see local bands
Glass-encased modern movie theater with stadium seating, concessions & discounted days & hours.
468 locals recommend
Williamsburg Cinemas
217 Grand StGlass-encased modern movie theater with stadium seating, concessions & discounted days & hours.
Movies screened with global fare & craft cocktails served at patrons' seats.
941 locals recommend
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan AveMovies screened with global fare & craft cocktails served at patrons' seats.
Very sceney. Genre-defying bowling alley in Williamsburg with high-tech lanes, live tunes & food by Blue Ribbon.
825 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe AveVery sceney. Genre-defying bowling alley in Williamsburg with high-tech lanes, live tunes & food by Blue Ribbon.
Not to be confused with Brooklyn Bowl - Old-school, low-tech bowling alley with a serious 70s vibe. Love this spot.
184 locals recommend
The Gutter
200 N 14th StNot to be confused with Brooklyn Bowl - Old-school, low-tech bowling alley with a serious 70s vibe. Love this spot.
Sightseeing
Great to people watch. Part of the park also has a track and field for exercise
798 locals recommend
McCarren Park
776 Lorimer StGreat to people watch. Part of the park also has a track and field for exercise
YOU CANNOT MISS THIS: Smorgasburg happens every Saturday on the Williamsburg waterfront at East River State Park, featuring purveyors from New York City and across the region -100 vendors of delicious
777 locals recommend
Smorgasburg
90 Kent AveYOU CANNOT MISS THIS: Smorgasburg happens every Saturday on the Williamsburg waterfront at East River State Park, featuring purveyors from New York City and across the region -100 vendors of delicious
SUNDAY ONLY top vendors of furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as a tightly curated selection of jewelry, art, and crafts by local artisans and designers
104 locals recommend
Brooklyn Flea - Williamsburg
50 Kent AvenueSUNDAY ONLY top vendors of furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as a tightly curated selection of jewelry, art, and crafts by local artisans and designers
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Pierrepont PlaceBest view of lower Manhattan and the freedom tower
Essentials
The closest most affordable grocery to me if you don't feel like spending more at one of the fancy organic stores down the block..
583 locals recommend
Key Food Supermarket
55 Fulton StThe closest most affordable grocery to me if you don't feel like spending more at one of the fancy organic stores down the block..
Shopping
Weekend-only indoor market with hip, handmade arts & crafts items, antiques & vintage clothing.
197 locals recommend
Artists & Fleas Williamsburg
70 N 7th StWeekend-only indoor market with hip, handmade arts & crafts items, antiques & vintage clothing.
Tiny boutique in stylish digs offering rings, bracelets & other designer trinkets & unique gifts.
142 locals recommend
Catbird
108 Bedford AveTiny boutique in stylish digs offering rings, bracelets & other designer trinkets & unique gifts.
Everything Else
MOST DELICIOUS DONUTS EVER. Get there earlier in the day. They sell out of the favorites
255 locals recommend
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop
727 Manhattan AveMOST DELICIOUS DONUTS EVER. Get there earlier in the day. They sell out of the favorites
Grass Roots Juicery
336a Graham AveGREEN JUICE and other fresh pressed delicious
Laundromat! Right downstairs. Closes at 8pm. Opens at 7. You can do your laundry there or drop it off for them to do it.
Spin City
Laundromat! Right downstairs. Closes at 8pm. Opens at 7. You can do your laundry there or drop it off for them to do it.