Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Possibly the best coffee in New York, along with local Dough donuts. Grab a bite and sit in Fort Greene park or watch the local basketball league. CLOSED FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD :(
116 locals recommend
BitterSweet
180 Dekalb AvePossibly the best coffee in New York, along with local Dough donuts. Grab a bite and sit in Fort Greene park or watch the local basketball league. CLOSED FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD :(
Gourmet deli for the best baked treats, the BEST roast chicken in town, beer taps, a backyard and lots of locally made goodies.
64 locals recommend
Peck's
455A Myrtle AveGourmet deli for the best baked treats, the BEST roast chicken in town, beer taps, a backyard and lots of locally made goodies.
Bisou Bisou
264 Carlton AveCafe by day, trendy neighbourhood restaurant by night
Hidden gem for the best authentic deli sandwich - there's always a queue (but it's worth the wait). Turkey pastrami is my fave, don't forget the sweet peppers, and say yes to the oil and vinegar at the end.
14 locals recommend
Farmer in the Deli
357 Myrtle AveHidden gem for the best authentic deli sandwich - there's always a queue (but it's worth the wait). Turkey pastrami is my fave, don't forget the sweet peppers, and say yes to the oil and vinegar at the end.
The local wine and spirits store, with lovely staff. Ask for a recommendation, they have great knowledge
40 locals recommend
Gnarly Vines
350 Myrtle AveThe local wine and spirits store, with lovely staff. Ask for a recommendation, they have great knowledge
Big open space right near the waterfront. Grab a coffee and walk Brooklyn Bridge Park, explore DUMBO or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan
136 locals recommend
Brooklyn Roasting Company
Big open space right near the waterfront. Grab a coffee and walk Brooklyn Bridge Park, explore DUMBO or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan
Madiba
195 Dekalb AvenueA lively South African restaurant that's always lots of fun
A popular American Mexican takeaway chain for a quick bite or takeaways
269 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
193 W 237th StA popular American Mexican takeaway chain for a quick bite or takeaways
Forget McDonalds - these are the best cheap, authentic American burgers for when you're feeling naughty.
60 locals recommend
Five Guys
296 Bleecker StForget McDonalds - these are the best cheap, authentic American burgers for when you're feeling naughty.
One of my favourite local low-key restaurants for a steak and a pint
82 locals recommend
Building On Bond
112 Bond StOne of my favourite local low-key restaurants for a steak and a pint
American BBQ in a cool setting, with local beers and whiskeys. Gets busy and no reservations, so go early
441 locals recommend
Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan AveAmerican BBQ in a cool setting, with local beers and whiskeys. Gets busy and no reservations, so go early
A big open space where freelancers (like myself) like to work during the week. Great coffee, and make sure you try the breakfast sandwich
284 locals recommend
Partners Coffee
125 N 6th StA big open space where freelancers (like myself) like to work during the week. Great coffee, and make sure you try the breakfast sandwich
Great coffee - these are the beans you'll find in the apartment for our Rocket espresso machine
123 locals recommend
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
30 W 8th StGreat coffee - these are the beans you'll find in the apartment for our Rocket espresso machine
Two Hands
164 Mott StAustralian-run brunch hot-spot in Soho. Surprisingly great prices.
Sal's Pizzería
544 Lorimer StPIZZA! Authentic New York style
Popular brunch spot in Williamsburg/Greenpoint - expect a wait. Where all the trendy W'burg people hang out
800 locals recommend
Five Leaves
18 Bedford AvePopular brunch spot in Williamsburg/Greenpoint - expect a wait. Where all the trendy W'burg people hang out
Great American BBQ - slow roasted meats and Southern food in a honky-tonk setting
51 locals recommend
Mable's Smokehouse & Banquet Hall
44 Berry StGreat American BBQ - slow roasted meats and Southern food in a honky-tonk setting
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
30 W 8th StGreat coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee
76 N 4th StTry the New Orleans iced coffee - delish.
A key Harlem spot to eat - experience Southern culture. Book for brunch or dinner before you go
1044 locals recommend
Red Rooster
310 Lenox AveA key Harlem spot to eat - experience Southern culture. Book for brunch or dinner before you go
Popular brunch spot in Soho. Prepare for a wait - get there before 11am for a shorter wait
131 locals recommend
Jack's Wife Freda
226 Lafayette StPopular brunch spot in Soho. Prepare for a wait - get there before 11am for a shorter wait
Cafe Colette
79 Berry StPopular W'burg spot for brunch and more
Swallow Cafe
49 Bogart StGreat coffee and bagels
Roberta's
261 Moore StCool pizza spot and bar - has a great outdoor area
A New Zealand-owned coffee shop where you can get a 'flat white' (our most popular type of coffee). Great coffee.
43 locals recommend
Happy Bones
394 Broome StA New Zealand-owned coffee shop where you can get a 'flat white' (our most popular type of coffee). Great coffee.
Drinks & Nightlife
My local. Entirely stocked by drinks and snacks made in New York state. Grab a craft beer or a well-priced cocktail.
30 locals recommend
Cardiff Giant
415 Myrtle AveMy local. Entirely stocked by drinks and snacks made in New York state. Grab a craft beer or a well-priced cocktail.
No frills space with picnic tables - try one of the most popular local beers... or three!
456 locals recommend
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th StNo frills space with picnic tables - try one of the most popular local beers... or three!
It's the place to be in Brooklyn to catch the sunset over the Manhattan skyline. Unusual for its 'no tipping' policy
20 locals recommend
The Blue Room
80 Wythe AveIt's the place to be in Brooklyn to catch the sunset over the Manhattan skyline. Unusual for its 'no tipping' policy
Take a stroll down into Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill and visit this laidback bar. Popular for people writing their screenplays and novels over a beer
60 locals recommend
61 Local
61 Bergen StTake a stroll down into Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill and visit this laidback bar. Popular for people writing their screenplays and novels over a beer
Barcade
388 Union AveBar with old arcade video games
Best cocktails I've had. There was a plum one on the menu - don't miss this if it's still there.
54 locals recommend
Saxon + Parole
316 BoweryBest cocktails I've had. There was a plum one on the menu - don't miss this if it's still there.
Beauty Bar
231 E 14th StOld beauty salon, still with the chairs. Low key bar
Play shuffleboard while being served cocktails in this massive space. $50 for an hour, 2-4 people. Recommend going during the day if you want to play as otherwise there'll be a waiting list.
176 locals recommend
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
514 Union StPlay shuffleboard while being served cocktails in this massive space. $50 for an hour, 2-4 people. Recommend going during the day if you want to play as otherwise there'll be a waiting list.
Berry Park
4 Berry StTwo-level pub with a beautiful rooftop, near McCarren park.
Large beerhall-type space good for daytime hangouts over beers and cards. Has a fireplace in the winter
170 locals recommend
Spritzenhaus33
33 Nassau AveLarge beerhall-type space good for daytime hangouts over beers and cards. Has a fireplace in the winter
Enter the Five Guys burger joint downstairs, and past the counter to the left you'll find a set of stairs. Go up and find a cute wee bar on the second floor.
50 locals recommend
The Garret
296 Bleecker StEnter the Five Guys burger joint downstairs, and past the counter to the left you'll find a set of stairs. Go up and find a cute wee bar on the second floor.
Hotel Delmano
82 Berry StSmall, classy bar in Williamsburg with great cocktails
Shopping
Cheap shopping all along Fulton - from Macy's to Nordstrum rack to all the US brands
136 locals recommend
Fulton Mall
Cheap shopping all along Fulton - from Macy's to Nordstrum rack to all the US brands
Lots of shopping for when you've got money to blow. Lots of sample sales too - so google before you go
909 locals recommend
SoHo
Lots of shopping for when you've got money to blow. Lots of sample sales too - so google before you go
Madewell
486 BroadwayGood quality women's clothing store chain, with many locations
Parks & Nature
Fort Greene Park
South Portland AvenueWalk, jog, picnic, play tennis or people watch
The Brooklyn version of Central Park. Start at Grand Army Plaza to see the beautiful entrance to the Brooklyn library, then wander through the park. Families will head there for sledding when it's been snowing. Great for picnics and sports in the summer.
3418 locals recommend
Prospect Park
The Brooklyn version of Central Park. Start at Grand Army Plaza to see the beautiful entrance to the Brooklyn library, then wander through the park. Families will head there for sledding when it's been snowing. Great for picnics and sports in the summer.
Wander through Williamsburg for great coffee, food and shopping, then up through McCarren park to catch the Nassau Ave 'G' train back home. In summer it's full of young families and the 'hipsters' that Williamsburg is known for, as well as baseball games. There is good coffee and food all around the park, too.
997 locals recommend
Williamsburg
Wander through Williamsburg for great coffee, food and shopping, then up through McCarren park to catch the Nassau Ave 'G' train back home. In summer it's full of young families and the 'hipsters' that Williamsburg is known for, as well as baseball games. There is good coffee and food all around the park, too.
Entertainment & Activities
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic AveCatch an NBA game
Catch a $4 cult movie and get your burgers and beers delivered to your seats
274 locals recommend
Syndicated Bar Theater Kitchen
40 Bogart StCatch a $4 cult movie and get your burgers and beers delivered to your seats
The nicest movie theater in town - and it's just around the corner. Armchair seats and in-theater ordering of food and drinks. Good for those cold days. Recommend buying tickets online in advance.
266 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown Brooklyn
445 Albee Square WThe nicest movie theater in town - and it's just around the corner. Armchair seats and in-theater ordering of food and drinks. Good for those cold days. Recommend buying tickets online in advance.
Old school bowling alley in a gritty, graffiti-clad part of town, with drinks
184 locals recommend
The Gutter
200 N 14th StOld school bowling alley in a gritty, graffiti-clad part of town, with drinks
Bowery Ballroom
Popular concert venue
Essentials
The best nearby supermarket of more premium quality. Don't miss the cake section, the cheese section and even the kombucha section
140 locals recommend
Brooklyn Fare
200 Schermerhorn StThe best nearby supermarket of more premium quality. Don't miss the cake section, the cheese section and even the kombucha section
Looks small from the street, but go down the escalator to a small supermarket, right under the apartment
Redbox
218 Myrtle AvenueLooks small from the street, but go down the escalator to a small supermarket, right under the apartment
Everything Else
The perfect place to pop up to for dinner, drinks, or just wandering around.
997 locals recommend
Williamsburg
The perfect place to pop up to for dinner, drinks, or just wandering around.
One of my favourite areas. Still a little gritty, but lots of gems to be found - restaurants and bars.
29 locals recommend
Gowanus
One of my favourite areas. Still a little gritty, but lots of gems to be found - restaurants and bars.
Where lots of the young people go out. But full of coffee and places to eat, and feels like 'New York' of the movies
214 locals recommend
Lower East Side
175 Eldridge StWhere lots of the young people go out. But full of coffee and places to eat, and feels like 'New York' of the movies
Technically the 'gay area', with classic bars such as the historical Stonewall Inn. But there are many bars and places to eat to explore, in a peaceful yet happening suburb. Greenwich Village, also known as 'the Village' is great to wander around.
6 locals recommend
Greenwich Street
Greenwich StreetTechnically the 'gay area', with classic bars such as the historical Stonewall Inn. But there are many bars and places to eat to explore, in a peaceful yet happening suburb. Greenwich Village, also known as 'the Village' is great to wander around.