BROOKLYN EATS
Marlow and Sons, 81 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 384 1441
Ohhh shit, this place is the bomb. Enter through a a small store at the front and then be greeted by an awesome dining room, staff, wine list, and oysters that are shucked at the bar. Not the newest spot in town but with a small menu that changes every day and a really cool cozy atmosphere this place is an absolute winner.
Diner, 85 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 486 3077
Don’t be fooled by the run down external appearance; this little place is almost as good as it’s adjoining sister restaurant, Marlow and Sons. The interior, an old-school carriage style diner, will immediately win you over, and you’ll already have decided you love Diner before anyone even comes around to write the daily-changing menu onto the paper tablecloth, let alone try any of the food. Awesome for lunch or dinner.
Maison Premiere Oyster Bar, 298 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 347 335 0446
Just a little sign outside saying ‘Bar Oysters’ lets you know that this is actually THE oyster bar you are looking for. Once inside you take a seat at the circular bar and watch other folk across from you all sipping oysters, fine wines and cocktails. With over 20 oysters to choose from, you are given a pencil and can tick the style and the amount you want. Staff are knowledgeable and dressed impeccably, the music is awesome and there’s a general air of being in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th Century. This place is quality.
The Commodore, 366 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 218 7632
Dive bar/restaurant with a loose nautical theme, plastic tablecloths, booths and video games. Real stomach lining food! Try the favourite fried chicken sandwich, or a burger, the BBQ pork, tacos or something else that’s terribly unhealthy for you but tastes so good.
Five Leaves, 18 Bedford Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn +1 718 383 5345
Small, very hip and very good for all types of bistro foods, with great cocktails and oysters too. A nice design inside with a new, bigger version opening soon across the road. One of the most recommended places in Brooklyn, and it’s open till 1am which is handy as it can be hard to get seated early.
Saltie, 378 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 387 4777
In this little 8 seater cafe you’ll find a menu of 8 nautical themed sandwiches that are simple, yet stuffed with an almost impossible quantity of of ingredients. Opened by Caroline Fidanza, former chef of Diner. At breakfast time you’ll find other delectables like goat-cheese and jam tarts, and if you think you’re going to get away with just a sandwich for lunch, think again. There’s cookies, shortbread, muffins and other dangerous items on display.
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, 200 Schermerhorn Street, Downtown Brooklyn +1 718 243 0050
Brooklyn’s only 3 starred Michelin restaurant, the Chef’s Table dinner experience at Brooklyn Fare is something you must do in New York at least once. It’s tough to get a place at this 18 seater bar though, so be prepared to ring on Monday morning at 10.30am a few weeks in a row. This is the only time they take bookings, and it’s for the next six weeks. But this is worth it – who wouldn’t want to try a 25-30 (small!) course dinner with… your own wine! (You can call ahead and speak to the Chef to get BYO wine pairing recommendations).
Manhattan Inn, 632 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn +1 718 383 0885
Great looking bar and piano room with a restaurant out the back. The cocktails are gooood and the food menu is too, with a standout burger.
D.O.C Wine Bar, 83 North 7th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 963 1925
The kind of little restaurant/wine bar that will pull any passer by in from the street with declarations of “ohhh, this place is so cute”. Well, maybe if you’re a girl. Anyway, it’s got a really great vibe and in the summertime the tables outside and glasses of chilled white wine are too good a scenario to resist. The menu consists of formaggi, salumi, panini, and other Italian delicacies that are always so good they’re bad.
Dressler, 149 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 384 6343
This place is not so much typical ‘Brooklyn cool’ but has more of a Manhattan standard, having received a Michelin star 3 years in a row. The food isn’t mind-blowing but is still really good. It can wind up being a bit expensive, making it a perfect banker date night venue.
Aurora, 70 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 388 5100
If you’re after a rustic Tuscan vibe then this is your place. An awesome Italian wine list and delicious food, plus for the summer months they have a beautiful courtyard. There’s also a location in Soho, Manhattan.
Rosarito Fish Shack, 168 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 388 8833
This Mexican fish shack looks kinda minimal from the outside, but the inside is going to far exceed your expectations. The entrance is through the adjoining Tequila Bar, a large space in itself, let alone when you walk through to the double dining room with the seafood displayed on ice in front of the kitchen. More tequila infused drinks than you’ll be able to get through, accompanied by fish tacos and fresh seafood in an environment perfectly suited for getting a little bit merry with friends.
Paulie Gee’s, 60 Greenpoint Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn +1 347 987 3747
This has all you need from a pizza joint. Cozy atmosphere, a warm host (Paulie, who tends to mingle amongst the tables) and woodfired pizzas so good that you’ll be totally fine with admitting this is the only way you plan on spending your friday night.
Rye, 247 South 1st Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 218 8047
Old school American Bistro by chef Cal Elliot (ex Dressler and DuMont). The centre bar is a beautiful feature with some great cocktails being produced here. The food is delicious but the service can be a bit hit or miss.
DuMont, 432 Union Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 486 7717
Cool, reliable, hip, young – all the things that makes a good bistro you will find here. It’s comfort food with a twist at a reasonable price, with a burger so tasty that by popular demand they have also opened the DuMont Burger on Bedford – now that’s a home of a great burger.
Tabaré, 221 South 1st Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 347 335 0187
Cozy, dark and intimate, with a menu inspired by Uruguayan home cooking (but so very modern!). Fresh local produce sourced for their ever-changing menu, this is one of Williamsburg’s best kept secrets and THE ultimate place to take a date.
Calexio, 645 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn +1 345 763 2129
Taco truck turned restaurant, now with two locations (the other in Manhattan). These guys started with a cult following with their taco truck and have now taken all the classics from the truck to the table. Nothing fancy just good ol’ taco favourites.
Walter Foods, 253 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 387 8783
This slightly posh, nautical themed restaurant with waiters in bow ties AND a raw bar is bound to have you won over before any food even appears. Opened by Barrio Chino owner Dylan Dodd and ex-Balthazar bartender Danny Minch, this place has got nice little touches everywhere and the food is outstanding! Generous servings and fresh fresh seafood.
Supercore, 305 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn +1 718 302 1629
Comfort Japanese tapas with a twist. Quick, tasty, reliable and not too fancy – an all-occasion winner.
Roberta’s, 261 Moore Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn +1 718 417 1118
Just outside of Williamsburg in Bushwick, this is one of the most hyped places around, situated in and old garage, with mismatched tables and chairs, loud bluesy rock in the background and really really good wood fired pizzas with both standard and unusual toppings. There’s some other menu additions that you just cant help but order as well; the steak for two is killer. One downside, its impossible to get a table without a wait.
