Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Great gourmet pizza (they make their own dough in the bakery attached to it), plus good drinks and main courses. Two blocks away. One of the most popular restaurants in the area. Sometimes I will order for pick-up because it's really fast (20 minutes). Then I'll take it back home.
1260 locals recommend
Saraghina
350 Lewis AveGreat gourmet pizza (they make their own dough in the bakery attached to it), plus good drinks and main courses. Two blocks away. One of the most popular restaurants in the area. Sometimes I will order for pick-up because it's really fast (20 minutes). Then I'll take it back home.
Live music every night 8:30pm-11pm. Check their Instagram page for listings. One of my favorite places to go. On Sundays, there's a gospel brunch, starting around 1pm (and no music at night). It's an amazing place. Great cocktails, small plates. Bartenders and owner are great.
394 locals recommend
LunÀtico
486 Halsey StLive music every night 8:30pm-11pm. Check their Instagram page for listings. One of my favorite places to go. On Sundays, there's a gospel brunch, starting around 1pm (and no music at night). It's an amazing place. Great cocktails, small plates. Bartenders and owner are great.
A popular modern Southern food with dishes like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, wings (really good), short rib, mac and cheese, collared greens, etc. Good vibes and comfort food. If you like fried chicken, this is a must. Two blocks away.
756 locals recommend
Peaches
393 Lewis AveA popular modern Southern food with dishes like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, wings (really good), short rib, mac and cheese, collared greens, etc. Good vibes and comfort food. If you like fried chicken, this is a must. Two blocks away.
A fancy-but-not-too-expensive farm-to-table restaurant with French traditional dishes and a wide wine selection. (Steak frites, mussels, chicken, oysters, etc.) a nice outdoor space. Good happy hour specials. About 10-minute walk away. On Mondays they allow you to bring in your own bottle of wine.
350 locals recommend
L'Antagoniste
238 Malcolm X BlvdA fancy-but-not-too-expensive farm-to-table restaurant with French traditional dishes and a wide wine selection. (Steak frites, mussels, chicken, oysters, etc.) a nice outdoor space. Good happy hour specials. About 10-minute walk away. On Mondays they allow you to bring in your own bottle of wine.
A neighborhood French bistro. Come here on a weeknight and get a salmon nicoiçse or one of “les burgers.” It’s a nice place to have dinner. About 5-10-minute walk.
329 locals recommend
Chez Oskar
310 Malcolm X BlvdA neighborhood French bistro. Come here on a weeknight and get a salmon nicoiçse or one of “les burgers.” It’s a nice place to have dinner. About 5-10-minute walk.
Small place for tacos and burrito. Good for a fast meal or lunch. Two blocks away.
89 locals recommend
Oaxaca Tacos
478 Halsey StSmall place for tacos and burrito. Good for a fast meal or lunch. Two blocks away.
My favorite burrito/taco place for lunch. About 20-minute walk away. Or you can order for delivery.
96 locals recommend
Lucha Lucha
283 Nostrand Ave.My favorite burrito/taco place for lunch. About 20-minute walk away. Or you can order for delivery.
Cloud 9 Crepes
434 Marcus Garvey BlvdCrepes, bubble teas, coffee. New place. Two blocks away.
Great tacos. Atmosphere is really cool. It's tiny. They only take cash. At happy hour, you can get $5 margaritas.
70 locals recommend
Calaca
139 Putnam AveGreat tacos. Atmosphere is really cool. It's tiny. They only take cash. At happy hour, you can get $5 margaritas.
If you want to try the local Haitian food, check this out. Enjoy sandwiches and plates, including bone-in stewed chicken, fried fish, etc.
158 locals recommend
Grandchamps
197 Patchen AveIf you want to try the local Haitian food, check this out. Enjoy sandwiches and plates, including bone-in stewed chicken, fried fish, etc.
Asian fusion place that's affordable and has really good ramen (the spicy miso with pork, corn and baby bok choy is a favorite). It's tiny, with only 30 seats, so you should go at off-hours.
134 locals recommend
Nana Ramem
330 Malcolm X BlvdAsian fusion place that's affordable and has really good ramen (the spicy miso with pork, corn and baby bok choy is a favorite). It's tiny, with only 30 seats, so you should go at off-hours.
One of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn. Quintessential Williamsburg vibes. Menu changes every week. Next door, the restaurant called Diner, is under the same ownership. It's great, too. 20-minute Uber away.
419 locals recommend
Marlow & Sons
81 BroadwayOne of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn. Quintessential Williamsburg vibes. Menu changes every week. Next door, the restaurant called Diner, is under the same ownership. It's great, too. 20-minute Uber away.
It's been named the best steakhouse in New York City for 30 years in a row. Over 100 years old.
503 locals recommend
Peter Luger Steak House
178 BroadwayIt's been named the best steakhouse in New York City for 30 years in a row. Over 100 years old.
Cool place, in a train's diner car, at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge.
482 locals recommend
Diner
85 BroadwayCool place, in a train's diner car, at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge.
Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe AveGreat Moroccan food and good drinks. In the heart of Williamsburg.
Coffee one block from the apartment. They make their own bread and pastries.
126 locals recommend
Saraghina Bakery
433 Halsey StCoffee one block from the apartment. They make their own bread and pastries.
Bohaus
Cute coffee shop that also sells plants.
Cool market full of good food spots. The taco place inside is one of the best in the city. Google's offices are above it, too. It's a mix of tourists and New Yorkers at lunch time.
1123 locals recommend
Chelsea Market
75 9th AveCool market full of good food spots. The taco place inside is one of the best in the city. Google's offices are above it, too. It's a mix of tourists and New Yorkers at lunch time.
Famous New York pizza. Long lines sometimes. Check it out if you're near the High Line, in Chelsea.
426 locals recommend
Artichoke Basille's Pizza
321 E 14th StFamous New York pizza. Long lines sometimes. Check it out if you're near the High Line, in Chelsea.
Arguably the best burgers in the city (or country). There are a few of them in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Must try!
993 locals recommend
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueArguably the best burgers in the city (or country). There are a few of them in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Must try!
Big market with all imported Italian food and drink. There's a great and not-too-expensive restaurant in the back on the first floor (pasta!) and a rooftop bar and restaurant.
592 locals recommend
Eataly NYC Flatiron
200 5th AveBig market with all imported Italian food and drink. There's a great and not-too-expensive restaurant in the back on the first floor (pasta!) and a rooftop bar and restaurant.
Famous old pizza restaurant (gourmet, sit-down style) next to the Brooklyn Bridge. Touristy. Amazing views nearby.
180 locals recommend
Grimaldi's Pizzeria
1 Front StFamous old pizza restaurant (gourmet, sit-down style) next to the Brooklyn Bridge. Touristy. Amazing views nearby.
Arguably the best BBQ in the city. It's a little hard to get to (in Red Hook neighborhood) but worth it. Views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.
101 locals recommend
Hometown Bar-B-Que
454 Van Brunt StArguably the best BBQ in the city. It's a little hard to get to (in Red Hook neighborhood) but worth it. Views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.
Popular brunch spot on the north corner of McCarren Park in Williamsburg. In the center of the action there but a quiet spot.
800 locals recommend
Five Leaves
18 Bedford AvePopular brunch spot on the north corner of McCarren Park in Williamsburg. In the center of the action there but a quiet spot.
My favorite little seafood place. Go for the oyster happy hour (3-6pm or so) and sit at the bar.
93 locals recommend
Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co.
114 Nassau AveMy favorite little seafood place. Go for the oyster happy hour (3-6pm or so) and sit at the bar.
Dough Doughnuts
5th AvenueFamous donuts in Brooklyn (30 mins walk away)
Best Pizza
33 Havemeyer StIt is, some say, the best.
One of the most famous pizza places in America. Not far from the apartment, in Bushwick.
1621 locals recommend
Roberta's
261 Moore StOne of the most famous pizza places in America. Not far from the apartment, in Bushwick.
Like burgers? This is one my favorite spots. There’s a location in the East Village and in Chelsea.
37 locals recommend
Whitmans
406 E 9th StLike burgers? This is one my favorite spots. There’s a location in the East Village and in Chelsea.
Great brewery — go for the wide array of IPAs and other beers, nice vibes and the good merch.
35 locals recommend
Other Half Brewing Company
195 Centre StGreat brewery — go for the wide array of IPAs and other beers, nice vibes and the good merch.
If you want to go to the beach, head to Rockaway Beach and stop here after for the tacos and a slice of California life in NYC.
81 locals recommend
Rockaway Beach Surf Club
302 Beach 87th StIf you want to go to the beach, head to Rockaway Beach and stop here after for the tacos and a slice of California life in NYC.
Arts & Culture
Worth going, and get lunch at the museum's restaurant, which is called Untitled. It's expensive, but worth it.
885 locals recommend
Salmagundi Museum of American Art
Worth going, and get lunch at the museum's restaurant, which is called Untitled. It's expensive, but worth it.
If you want a really cool history of the city, this is worth a visit. Then ask someone where to get dumplings nearby in the Lower East Side.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StIf you want a really cool history of the city, this is worth a visit. Then ask someone where to get dumplings nearby in the Lower East Side.
Look up the schedule of symphonies and opera. But just visiting the outside is nice. There's a fountain and sometimes they broadcast the shows outside for free. Find the gelato stand for my favorite ice cream.
104 locals recommend
Lincoln Center Theater
150 W 65th StLook up the schedule of symphonies and opera. But just visiting the outside is nice. There's a fountain and sometimes they broadcast the shows outside for free. Find the gelato stand for my favorite ice cream.
Outdoor "museum" made up of actual stones from Ireland, honoring the Irish famine. It's right next to the World Trade Center Memorial, too. Nice views at sunset.
11 locals recommend
Irish Hunger Memorial
Vesey StreetOutdoor "museum" made up of actual stones from Ireland, honoring the Irish famine. It's right next to the World Trade Center Memorial, too. Nice views at sunset.
Worth it if you like museums. I think they're closed on Mondays. The gift shop and design shops are great for gifts. Good restaurant, too, if pricey.
2114 locals recommend
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetWorth it if you like museums. I think they're closed on Mondays. The gift shop and design shops are great for gifts. Good restaurant, too, if pricey.
Don't try to do it all in one visit. Spend time in a few areas. Walk in Central Park afterwards.
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveDon't try to do it all in one visit. Spend time in a few areas. Walk in Central Park afterwards.
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyCheck out the current exhibits!
Sightseeing
DUMBO is a neighborhood, and it stands for Down Under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Overpass. You'll get a close view of the bridges on the Brooklyn side. Then walk over to Brooklyn Bridge Park for restaurants and great views.
422 locals recommend
Dumbo
65 Plymouth StDUMBO is a neighborhood, and it stands for Down Under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Overpass. You'll get a close view of the bridges on the Brooklyn side. Then walk over to Brooklyn Bridge Park for restaurants and great views.
One of the coolest, grandest buildings in NYC. It's a train station, but just go for the views inside. There's also an Apple Store, restaurants, and a fancy market with food and gift shops.
781 locals recommend
Grand Central Terminal station
89 E 42nd StOne of the coolest, grandest buildings in NYC. It's a train station, but just go for the views inside. There's also an Apple Store, restaurants, and a fancy market with food and gift shops.
Parks & Nature
An "urban park" built on an old raised train track in Manhattan (Chelsea). Walk from 15th Street all the way to 30th. The Whitney Museum is nearby. Grab food at Chelsea Market (15th Street and 8th Ave).
2323 locals recommend
The High Line Park
An "urban park" built on an old raised train track in Manhattan (Chelsea). Walk from 15th Street all the way to 30th. The Whitney Museum is nearby. Grab food at Chelsea Market (15th Street and 8th Ave).
Good for biking or running, picnicking too. There’s a farmer’s market on Saturdays.
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park
Good for biking or running, picnicking too. There’s a farmer’s market on Saturdays.
Entertainment & Activities
Live comedy at its best. Book online and get there a little early. A weeknight show is the best chance to see a famous comedian "drop in" (happens a lot). Sit in the front row only if you want to be called out by the comedians!
323 locals recommend
Comedy Cellar
117 MacDougal StLive comedy at its best. Book online and get there a little early. A weeknight show is the best chance to see a famous comedian "drop in" (happens a lot). Sit in the front row only if you want to be called out by the comedians!
Cool independent movie theater in Williamsburg. Book tickets online and get there 30 minutes early (first come, first served seating). They serve food and drinks during the film. Big, comfy seats.
941 locals recommend
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan AveCool independent movie theater in Williamsburg. Book tickets online and get there 30 minutes early (first come, first served seating). They serve food and drinks during the film. Big, comfy seats.
Texas-based movie theater chain that serves drinks and food during the movies. Big seats and usually good movies showing. There's a fun bar inside, too.
266 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown Brooklyn
445 Albee Square WTexas-based movie theater chain that serves drinks and food during the movies. Big seats and usually good movies showing. There's a fun bar inside, too.
For the cost of a subway ticket, you can ride the ferry to Staten Island, one of NYC's 5 boroughs. This is the best and cheapest way, in my opinion, to get views of Manhattan. You get the ferry from the tip of Manhattan, next to Battery Park. Many New Yorkers commute this way every morning. There's not a lot to do in Staten Island (residential), but if you take a taxi you can explore.
254 locals recommend
Staten Island Ferry
Staten Island FerryFor the cost of a subway ticket, you can ride the ferry to Staten Island, one of NYC's 5 boroughs. This is the best and cheapest way, in my opinion, to get views of Manhattan. You get the ferry from the tip of Manhattan, next to Battery Park. Many New Yorkers commute this way every morning. There's not a lot to do in Staten Island (residential), but if you take a taxi you can explore.
Yankee Stadium
1 E 161 StGo to a game!