Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Smooch is an Australian-owned organic coffee shop and cafe. It's our neighborhood headquarters with a vibrant community of locals from around the world that are both friendly and engaging.
264 Carlton Ave
264 Carlton AvenueSmooch is an Australian-owned organic coffee shop and cafe. It's our neighborhood headquarters with a vibrant community of locals from around the world that are both friendly and engaging.
I cannot say enough about the seafood and raw bar at Walter's. The bar steak is also amazing, and the place has a great energy, too. Absolutely order the brussels sprouts if they're in season.
253 locals recommend
Walter's
166 Dekalb AveI cannot say enough about the seafood and raw bar at Walter's. The bar steak is also amazing, and the place has a great energy, too. Absolutely order the brussels sprouts if they're in season.
This coffee shop is too tiny to spend time in, but it's great for grabbing a drink on the go. Also, the donuts are delicious and come in the most mouthwatering flavors. Try the dirty chai latte!
116 locals recommend
BitterSweet
180 Dekalb AveThis coffee shop is too tiny to spend time in, but it's great for grabbing a drink on the go. Also, the donuts are delicious and come in the most mouthwatering flavors. Try the dirty chai latte!
Unbelievable brunch. I recommend the poached eggs and thick cut bacon. Everything is seasonally sourced from local farms. There's also a great garden out back.
79 locals recommend
Maison May Dekalb
246 Dekalb AveUnbelievable brunch. I recommend the poached eggs and thick cut bacon. Everything is seasonally sourced from local farms. There's also a great garden out back.
Amazing Italian food and a romantic atmosphere. What more could you ask for?
118 locals recommend
Dino
222 Dekalb AvenueAmazing Italian food and a romantic atmosphere. What more could you ask for?
This place is great for fresh pressed juices as well as healthy delivery options in case you want to stay home for an evening. The food is fresh and the delivery is quick.
14 locals recommend
Energy Fuel
606A 5th AveThis place is great for fresh pressed juices as well as healthy delivery options in case you want to stay home for an evening. The food is fresh and the delivery is quick.
Great place to go for breakfast, which they serve late into the day. It's also a nice place to grab a drink and sit on the back patio.
36 locals recommend
Maggie Brown
455 Myrtle AvenueGreat place to go for breakfast, which they serve late into the day. It's also a nice place to grab a drink and sit on the back patio.
Best Bloody Marys in the neighborhood. It's elevated soul food at its finest.
6 locals recommend
Abistro
250 Dekalb AveBest Bloody Marys in the neighborhood. It's elevated soul food at its finest.
Madiba
195 Dekalb AvenueYou'll find amazing African cuisine and Madiba.
Feel a bit like you're in Montmartre, Paris in this funky French bistro. Their wine is exceptional, as are their oysters.
329 locals recommend
Chez Oskar
310 Malcolm X BlvdFeel a bit like you're in Montmartre, Paris in this funky French bistro. Their wine is exceptional, as are their oysters.
What a gorgeous space with a wonderful back garden. Try the French toast if you're in time for breakfast.
30 locals recommend
Lola Bklyn
387 Myrtle AveWhat a gorgeous space with a wonderful back garden. Try the French toast if you're in time for breakfast.
The General Greene
229 Dekalb AvenueThis place makes awesome handmade ice cream!
This place is known for its Middle Eastern cuisine, especially its falafel wraps, lentil soup and pizza with merguez sausage. Quick delivery, too.
505 locals recommend
Black Swan
This place is known for its Middle Eastern cuisine, especially its falafel wraps, lentil soup and pizza with merguez sausage. Quick delivery, too.
Great for French, Moroccan food. The falafel is amazing, as is their garden and basically everything else on the menu.
Kif
219 Dekalb AveGreat for French, Moroccan food. The falafel is amazing, as is their garden and basically everything else on the menu.
I love this place! It's Cuban food and the restaurant is all run with environmentally friendly energy–solar panels and collected rain water. It's got an outdoor patio and great corn and tacos!
248 locals recommend
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton StI love this place! It's Cuban food and the restaurant is all run with environmentally friendly energy–solar panels and collected rain water. It's got an outdoor patio and great corn and tacos!
This coffee shop is literally at the end of our block. It's in the Brooklyn Navy Yards and has free wifi, food, coffee and tea, as well as an outdoor terrace. Nice and quiet if you need to work.
63 Flushing Ave
63 Flushing AvenueThis coffee shop is literally at the end of our block. It's in the Brooklyn Navy Yards and has free wifi, food, coffee and tea, as well as an outdoor terrace. Nice and quiet if you need to work.
Moto is an unbelievable bistro that has live music every night. Menu favorites for us are their artichoke and their date cake, so do yourself a favor and save room for dessert.
158 locals recommend
Cafe Moto
Moto is an unbelievable bistro that has live music every night. Menu favorites for us are their artichoke and their date cake, so do yourself a favor and save room for dessert.
In general, Smith Street is a great place to have a walk about. This coffee shop is cute and very well decorated. The coffee is fantastic and the staff are nice. They serve breakfast and lunch, too.
45 locals recommend
Smith Canteen
241 Smith StIn general, Smith Street is a great place to have a walk about. This coffee shop is cute and very well decorated. The coffee is fantastic and the staff are nice. They serve breakfast and lunch, too.
This place is known for putting a fresh spin on traditional Southern American dishes. I'd recommend its fried green tomatoes if they're in season.
12 locals recommend
Seersucker
329 Smith StThis place is known for putting a fresh spin on traditional Southern American dishes. I'd recommend its fried green tomatoes if they're in season.
Great place to pick up coffee while you're palling around Park Slope.
8 locals recommend
Red Horse Cafe
497 6th AveGreat place to pick up coffee while you're palling around Park Slope.
A quintessential New Brooklyn restaurant. The interior is rather rustic/refurbished. The menu is delicious and the location is great, right along the waterfront in South Williamsburg.
419 locals recommend
Marlow & Sons
81 BroadwayA quintessential New Brooklyn restaurant. The interior is rather rustic/refurbished. The menu is delicious and the location is great, right along the waterfront in South Williamsburg.
Love, Love, Love this place, especially for lunch on a nice day when you can sit outside. Food is amazing, fresh, local ingredients. They write the specials right on the table cloth.
482 locals recommend
Diner
85 BroadwayLove, Love, Love this place, especially for lunch on a nice day when you can sit outside. Food is amazing, fresh, local ingredients. They write the specials right on the table cloth.
You must eat here if you're in the neighborhood. It's a Park Slope institution.
205 locals recommend
al di la Trattoria
248 5th AveYou must eat here if you're in the neighborhood. It's a Park Slope institution.
Great place to grab coffee down by the Brooklyn Bridge. They roast it all themselves in the shop. It's right along the waterfront.
136 locals recommend
Brooklyn Roasting Company
Great place to grab coffee down by the Brooklyn Bridge. They roast it all themselves in the shop. It's right along the waterfront.
Love this place. It's in a great area of Greenpoint to grab a bite to eat and go for a wander. It's also right off the subway, which is convenient.
800 locals recommend
Five Leaves
18 Bedford AveLove this place. It's in a great area of Greenpoint to grab a bite to eat and go for a wander. It's also right off the subway, which is convenient.
Great place for brunch in the heart of Williamsburg. Sure to become a scene on the weekends when hipsters flock here for the Southern-style fare and eclectic ambiance.
251 locals recommend
Egg
109 N 3rd StGreat place for brunch in the heart of Williamsburg. Sure to become a scene on the weekends when hipsters flock here for the Southern-style fare and eclectic ambiance.
There's something very Dr. Zhivago about the interior of this place. Perfect for tea parties, dinner and people watching.
108 locals recommend
Roebling Tea Room
143 Roebling StreetThere's something very Dr. Zhivago about the interior of this place. Perfect for tea parties, dinner and people watching.
Shopping
This is a beautifully curated gift shop with wonderful fines from around the world carefully selected by its owner who has a great eye for quality craftsmanship.
29 locals recommend
Feliz
This is a beautifully curated gift shop with wonderful fines from around the world carefully selected by its owner who has a great eye for quality craftsmanship.
This is a wine store with an extensive collection of wine and a friendly, informed staff that is more than happy to help you find a bottle for any occasion.
40 locals recommend
Gnarly Vines
350 Myrtle AveThis is a wine store with an extensive collection of wine and a friendly, informed staff that is more than happy to help you find a bottle for any occasion.
This is a general store good for picking up home supplies and toiletries. It also develops film and can print out digital photos.
302 locals recommend
Walgreens
210 Union AveThis is a general store good for picking up home supplies and toiletries. It also develops film and can print out digital photos.
Stem
112 S Oxford StThe owner makes the most beautiful and interesting flower arrangements in the area.
If you need a new book to read at the park or on the plane, Greenlight is a great place to look. They carry a vast selection of volumes and even better, they have weekly events like author readings.
170 locals recommend
Greenlight Bookstore (Fulton Street)
686 Fulton StIf you need a new book to read at the park or on the plane, Greenlight is a great place to look. They carry a vast selection of volumes and even better, they have weekly events like author readings.
Great boutique with a well curated selection of clothing and accessories for women. Price points will put you back a bit.
22 locals recommend
Bird Brooklyn - Cobble Hill
Great boutique with a well curated selection of clothing and accessories for women. Price points will put you back a bit.
I would buy everything in this store if I could. It sells home and body accoutrements. Fair warning: you will fall in love with something should you step inside.
Layla
352 Atlantic AveI would buy everything in this store if I could. It sells home and body accoutrements. Fair warning: you will fall in love with something should you step inside.
Everything Else
This is hands down the best outdoor flea market in New York City. With over 100 independent designers and antique vendors, you'll never get bored. The food is fabulous, too!
266 locals recommend
Brooklyn Flea
51 North 6th StreetThis is hands down the best outdoor flea market in New York City. With over 100 independent designers and antique vendors, you'll never get bored. The food is fabulous, too!
One of the nicest and largest parks in New York City, Ft. Greene Park is a great place to spend an afternoon or just take a walk. It also has a farmers market on Saturday mornings.
791 locals recommend
Fort Greene Park
South Portland AvenueOne of the nicest and largest parks in New York City, Ft. Greene Park is a great place to spend an afternoon or just take a walk. It also has a farmers market on Saturday mornings.
This is where we take our clothes to be laundered. It's right up the street and you can either wash loads of laundry yourself or drop it off to be laundered for you.
Wash Cycle II
340 Myrtle AveThis is where we take our clothes to be laundered. It's right up the street and you can either wash loads of laundry yourself or drop it off to be laundered for you.
This is a full service day spa complete with hot and dry saunas as well as spa services. Great place to soak, sweat and detox.
11 locals recommend
Body By Brooklyn
275 Park AveThis is a full service day spa complete with hot and dry saunas as well as spa services. Great place to soak, sweat and detox.
Not only is Atlantic Terminal Brooklyn's largest subway connection station, it also houses a large selections of shops and restaurants including Target.
477 locals recommend
Atlantic Terminal station
Not only is Atlantic Terminal Brooklyn's largest subway connection station, it also houses a large selections of shops and restaurants including Target.
Here is the neighborhood bank branch in case you are looking for an ATM.
119 locals recommend
Chase Bank
975 Bedford AveHere is the neighborhood bank branch in case you are looking for an ATM.
This is my local yoga studio. They specialize in vinyasa yoga as well as meditation, and they offer $10 classes everyday, as well as a new member 1 month unlimited special.
16 locals recommend
Lucky Lotus Yoga & Vegan Cafe
334 Myrtle AvenueThis is my local yoga studio. They specialize in vinyasa yoga as well as meditation, and they offer $10 classes everyday, as well as a new member 1 month unlimited special.
Here is the local post office in case you need to mail a postcard, letter or buy stamps.
524 Myrtle Ave
504 Myrtle AvenueHere is the local post office in case you need to mail a postcard, letter or buy stamps.
Hopefully you won't to make a trip here on your stay, but just in case.
23 locals recommend
The Brooklyn Hospital Center
121 Dekalb AveHopefully you won't to make a trip here on your stay, but just in case.
I come here regularly for manicures and pedicures. It's clean, has a great nail polish color selection, and offers an array of services including facial waxing and massages
Butterfly Nail Plaza Inc
725 Fulton StI come here regularly for manicures and pedicures. It's clean, has a great nail polish color selection, and offers an array of services including facial waxing and massages
The guys here are really knowledgeable about bikes. I take my bike here for everything from putting air in my tires to fixing a flat or buying a new set of lights. They sell bikes too!
Bespoke Bicycles
64 Lafayette AvenueThe guys here are really knowledgeable about bikes. I take my bike here for everything from putting air in my tires to fixing a flat or buying a new set of lights. They sell bikes too!
If you want to work out while you're here, I'd recommend Crunch gym. Both my husband and I are members and would be happy to look into getting you a free pass for a few days if we can.
17 locals recommend
Crunch Fitness - Ft. Greene
691 Fulton StIf you want to work out while you're here, I'd recommend Crunch gym. Both my husband and I are members and would be happy to look into getting you a free pass for a few days if we can.
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th StWorth checking out for it's beer tastings and tours.
Live music venue that caters to Brooklyn's indie music scene.
234 locals recommend
Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan AveLive music venue that caters to Brooklyn's indie music scene.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great pub food and beer. I recommend the Lionshead pilsner and the fish and chips, though the French onion soup and Irish breakfast are great as well.
78 locals recommend
Brooklyn Public House
247 Dekalb AveGreat pub food and beer. I recommend the Lionshead pilsner and the fish and chips, though the French onion soup and Irish breakfast are great as well.
Essentials
Mr. Coco
414 Myrtle AveGreat for fresh produce and dry goods and reasonable prices.
This is a full-sized grocery store, and the one that we go to most often because it's so close to The Studio. They specialize in organic food and also make soups and smoothies to go.
51 locals recommend
Fresh Fanatic
88 Washington AvenueThis is a full-sized grocery store, and the one that we go to most often because it's so close to The Studio. They specialize in organic food and also make soups and smoothies to go.
240 Dekalb Ave
240 Dekalb AvenueGreat place for fresh produce and healthy food. They also sell flowers here, too.
Supermarket that sells fresh, organic fare. If you're staying for a while, it's worth the trek.
1296 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
130 Court StSupermarket that sells fresh, organic fare. If you're staying for a while, it's worth the trek.
Arts & Culture
One of New York City's most venerable performance art institutions. There is always an excellent live music or theater performance happening here. Great Jazz music. It also houses and movie theater.
221 locals recommend
BAM Fisher
321 Ashland PlOne of New York City's most venerable performance art institutions. There is always an excellent live music or theater performance happening here. Great Jazz music. It also houses and movie theater.
This movie theater is within walking distance of the studio, as well as along the bus route at the bottom of our street. It plays the latest movies, and there's tons of restaurants and bars around.
145 locals recommend
Cobble Hill Cinemas
265 Court StThis movie theater is within walking distance of the studio, as well as along the bus route at the bottom of our street. It plays the latest movies, and there's tons of restaurants and bars around.
There's always something performance art, entertainment, theater or activity based going on here. Worth checking out what's going on while you're in town.
Brooklyn Lyceum
227 4th AvenueThere's always something performance art, entertainment, theater or activity based going on here. Worth checking out what's going on while you're in town.
Sightseeing
I can think of no more beautiful place to spend an afternoon, or longer. The garden is gorgeous all year round, but if you're here over the late spring/early summer, the cherry blossoms are the best.
2030 locals recommend
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington AveI can think of no more beautiful place to spend an afternoon, or longer. The garden is gorgeous all year round, but if you're here over the late spring/early summer, the cherry blossoms are the best.