Guidebook for Brooklyn

Miriam + Brendan
Miriam + Brendan
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Essentials

Closest big supermarket. Nothing fancy, but a decent selection for basic stuff, and inexpensive.
48 locals recommend
Pioneer Supermarkets
191-199 Parkside Ave
48 locals recommend
Closest big supermarket. Nothing fancy, but a decent selection for basic stuff, and inexpensive.
Good pastries, sweets, breads and higher-end provisions like cheese, olives, etc.
12 locals recommend
Cortelyou Craft Beer
1211 Cortelyou Rd
12 locals recommend
Good pastries, sweets, breads and higher-end provisions like cheese, olives, etc.
Local wine shop
65 Fen
65 Fenimore St
Local wine shop
Big farmers market on Saturdays.
378 locals recommend
Grand Army Plaza
Flatbush Avenue
378 locals recommend
Big farmers market on Saturdays.
Organic food and groceries, with a juice/smoothie bar.
72 locals recommend
Downtown Natural Market
1701 Church Ave
72 locals recommend
Organic food and groceries, with a juice/smoothie bar.
Fresh (not organic) fruits + veggies 24 hours a day!
Park Fruit Farm
1824 Church Ave
Fresh (not organic) fruits + veggies 24 hours a day!

Food Scene

Great brunch and dinners. Pioneered "farm to table" eating in the neighborhood.
229 locals recommend
The Farm on Adderley
1108 Cortelyou Rd
229 locals recommend
Great brunch and dinners. Pioneered "farm to table" eating in the neighborhood.
Delicious brunch, lunch and dinners, in a charming space. $1 oyster happy hour Saturdays 2-8, and great, local live music from time to time.
118 locals recommend
The Castello Plan
1213 Cortelyou Rd
118 locals recommend
Delicious brunch, lunch and dinners, in a charming space. $1 oyster happy hour Saturdays 2-8, and great, local live music from time to time.
Great Filipino restaurant for brunch, lunch or dinner. Great decor and nice garden area too. The White House Exec and Pastry Chefs brunched here!
96 locals recommend
Purple Yam
1314 Cortelyou Rd
96 locals recommend
Great Filipino restaurant for brunch, lunch or dinner. Great decor and nice garden area too. The White House Exec and Pastry Chefs brunched here!
Yummy Middle Eastern food.
123 locals recommend
Mimi's Hummus
1209 Cortelyou Rd
123 locals recommend
Yummy Middle Eastern food.
Great for sitting outside at a cafe table on the boardwalk, drinking some vodka or coffee, and watching the people and waves.
Volna
3145 Brighton 4th St
Great for sitting outside at a cafe table on the boardwalk, drinking some vodka or coffee, and watching the people and waves.
Taco truck outside of Downtown Natural Market
72 locals recommend
Downtown Natural Market
1701 Church Ave
72 locals recommend
Taco truck outside of Downtown Natural Market
Closest sit-down Thai restaurant http://ditmasparkblog.com/food-drink/am-thai-bistro-opens-on-church-ave-with-a-monks-blessing-and-a-wedding
1003 Church Ave
1003 Church Avenue
Closest sit-down Thai restaurant http://ditmasparkblog.com/food-drink/am-thai-bistro-opens-on-church-ave-with-a-monks-blessing-and-a-wedding
Welcoming coffeshop with plenty of tables and a garden out back, wifi, and good coffee/snacks.
88 locals recommend
Qathra Cafe
1112 Cortelyou Rd
88 locals recommend
Welcoming coffeshop with plenty of tables and a garden out back, wifi, and good coffee/snacks.
We order delivery Indian food from here. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid, if typical, primarily Northern Indian dishes.
48 locals recommend
Gandhi
34-14 30th Ave
48 locals recommend
We order delivery Indian food from here. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid, if typical, primarily Northern Indian dishes.
Sit down Mexican restaurant.
59 Church Ave
59 Church Avenue
Sit down Mexican restaurant.
Free wifi, good music, plenty of space to sit amongst the laptop workers.
160 locals recommend
Breukelen Coffee House
764 Franklin Ave
160 locals recommend
Free wifi, good music, plenty of space to sit amongst the laptop workers.
A walk through the park to our favorite coffeeshop. Brooklyn Roasting Company coffee, baked goods from Balthazar, Dough Doughnuts, Trois Pommes, Amy's Bread...
48 locals recommend
Steeplechase Coffee
3013 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
48 locals recommend
A walk through the park to our favorite coffeeshop. Brooklyn Roasting Company coffee, baked goods from Balthazar, Dough Doughnuts, Trois Pommes, Amy's Bread...
Yummy sandwiches, delicious prepared foods, and imported Italian sodas, pastas and canned goodies.
35 locals recommend
Brancaccio's Food Shop
3011 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
35 locals recommend
Yummy sandwiches, delicious prepared foods, and imported Italian sodas, pastas and canned goodies.
Perfectly executed Middle Eastern food, with a large variety of dishes. Worth the trip.
32 locals recommend
Tanoreen
7523 3rd Ave
32 locals recommend
Perfectly executed Middle Eastern food, with a large variety of dishes. Worth the trip.
Eat cheap, delicious Venezuelan arepas and watch the waves. DJs or live music most summer evenings.
101-1 Shore Front Pkwy
New York 908L
Eat cheap, delicious Venezuelan arepas and watch the waves. DJs or live music most summer evenings.
The neighborhood's newest coffeeshop with Stumptown coffee, Dough donuts, wifi, lots of tables to sit, and (nicely separated from the seating area) kids activities like kids yoga and music.
1007 Church Ave
1007 Church Avenue
The neighborhood's newest coffeeshop with Stumptown coffee, Dough donuts, wifi, lots of tables to sit, and (nicely separated from the seating area) kids activities like kids yoga and music.
Beautiful space, good coffee, decent food seletion (but it's more of a coffee shop than a restaurant).
38 locals recommend
Cinco De Mayo
1202 Cortelyou Rd
38 locals recommend
Beautiful space, good coffee, decent food seletion (but it's more of a coffee shop than a restaurant).
It's famous. The wait's always quite long. The pizza is very delicious.
95 locals recommend
Di Fara Pizza
1424 Avenue J
95 locals recommend
It's famous. The wait's always quite long. The pizza is very delicious.
New pizza place, really tasty. Thin crust pizza with creative toppings, good salads, and delicious whiskey/bourbon etc drinks and full bar. Fancy pizza that's sure to please, and kid-friendly.
905 Church Ave
905 Church Avenue
New pizza place, really tasty. Thin crust pizza with creative toppings, good salads, and delicious whiskey/bourbon etc drinks and full bar. Fancy pizza that's sure to please, and kid-friendly.
New place with great brunch and dinner, farm-to-table kind of fare and good bar food with options for vegetarians and a nice selection of beers on tap. Nice 1 mile walk through the park to get there.
72 locals recommend
Hunter's
213 Smith St
72 locals recommend
New place with great brunch and dinner, farm-to-table kind of fare and good bar food with options for vegetarians and a nice selection of beers on tap. Nice 1 mile walk through the park to get there.
Tea and coffee, things to nibble on for breakfast. A nice space to work, and not far from Botanic Garden
90 locals recommend
Tugboat
546 Flatbush Avenue
90 locals recommend
Tea and coffee, things to nibble on for breakfast. A nice space to work, and not far from Botanic Garden
Coffee, tea, good pastries, breakfast sandwiches and salads. Also sells plants and medicinal herbs!
663 Flatbush Ave
Coffee, tea, good pastries, breakfast sandwiches and salads. Also sells plants and medicinal herbs!
"Gastropub". http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140129/prospect-lefferts-gardens/lobster-rolls-whiskey-coming-flatbush-avenue-gastropub
569 Flatbush Ave
569 Flatbush Avenue
"Gastropub". http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140129/prospect-lefferts-gardens/lobster-rolls-whiskey-coming-flatbush-avenue-gastropub
Bakery/coffeeshop/prepared foods. http://theqatparkside.blogspot.com/search?q=bluebird
583 Flatbush Ave
583 Flatbush Avenue
Bakery/coffeeshop/prepared foods. http://theqatparkside.blogspot.com/search?q=bluebird
"new American Asian" http://instagram.com/hungerpangnyc
1021 Church Ave
1021 Church Avenue
"new American Asian" http://instagram.com/hungerpangnyc
Close by, good burritos and tacos and fresh juices. They deliver to us.
Mallenche
1621 Church Ave
Close by, good burritos and tacos and fresh juices. They deliver to us.
We don't get tired of eating the same things at Batata, the quality is so good. We love the chicken shwarma, eggplant sandwich, and sweet potato falafel. Unique juices. Yum. And not expensive.
29 locals recommend
Batata pita bar
3021 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
29 locals recommend
We don't get tired of eating the same things at Batata, the quality is so good. We love the chicken shwarma, eggplant sandwich, and sweet potato falafel. Unique juices. Yum. And not expensive.
81 locals recommend
Risbo
701 Flatbush Ave
81 locals recommend
184 locals recommend
Bonafini
663 Flatbush Ave
184 locals recommend
184 locals recommend
Bonafini
663 Flatbush Ave
184 locals recommend
17 locals recommend
Honey Badger
67 Fenimore St
17 locals recommend
37 locals recommend
Ix Restaurant Food Coffee & Cacao
43 Lincoln Rd
37 locals recommend

Drinks & Nightlife

Flower shop by day, whiskey bar by night! Wonderful, cozy live music venue downstairs too.
244 locals recommend
Sycamore Bar + Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Rd
244 locals recommend
Flower shop by day, whiskey bar by night! Wonderful, cozy live music venue downstairs too.
Local dive bar, no frills.
9 locals recommend
Shenanigans Pub
802 Caton Ave
9 locals recommend
Local dive bar, no frills.
Laid back, nicely designed local bar with flatbed Ms. Pacman to play, comedy shows and karaoke from time to time, and a restaurant with "Mexican" (American) food next door, which is good in a pinch.
57 locals recommend
Lincoln Tavern
545 Flatbush Ave
57 locals recommend
Laid back, nicely designed local bar with flatbed Ms. Pacman to play, comedy shows and karaoke from time to time, and a restaurant with "Mexican" (American) food next door, which is good in a pinch.
Bar/restaurant. http://brooklynbased.com/blog/2014/09/15/top-10-brooklyn-restaurant-openings-this-fall/
504 Flatbush Ave
504 Flatbush Avenue
Bar/restaurant. http://brooklynbased.com/blog/2014/09/15/top-10-brooklyn-restaurant-openings-this-fall/
Man they have great drinks! Coffee shop by day, bar by night, Erv's reminds Brendan of tiny little bars in Tokyo that only fit a dozen people. Cozy.
147 locals recommend
Erv's
2122 Beekman Pl
147 locals recommend
Man they have great drinks! Coffee shop by day, bar by night, Erv's reminds Brendan of tiny little bars in Tokyo that only fit a dozen people. Cozy.
25 locals recommend
Edie Jo’s
630 Flatbush Ave
25 locals recommend

Arts & Culture

Russian bath with steam and sauna rooms, jacuzzis and delicious borscht, pierogies, etc. -- great for a rainy or cold day.
19 locals recommend
Brooklyn Banya
602 Coney Island Ave
19 locals recommend
Russian bath with steam and sauna rooms, jacuzzis and delicious borscht, pierogies, etc. -- great for a rainy or cold day.
www.prospectpark.org - Tons of stuff always going on in the park... great for running, walking, biking, just hanging out and reading on the grass. $3 donation concerts summer nights at the Bandshell
East Lake Drive
East Lake Drive
www.prospectpark.org - Tons of stuff always going on in the park... great for running, walking, biking, just hanging out and reading on the grass. $3 donation concerts summer nights at the Bandshell
High quality art exhibits, and fun, free parties the 1st Saturday of each month.
3011 locals recommend
Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Pkwy
3011 locals recommend
High quality art exhibits, and fun, free parties the 1st Saturday of each month.
Mainstream / Hollywood (mainly) movie theater
68 locals recommend
The Pavilion Theater
68 locals recommend
Mainstream / Hollywood (mainly) movie theater
Movies, concerts, and plays. A cafe/bar upstairs with frequent talks and free DJ nights.
221 locals recommend
BAM Fisher
321 Ashland Pl
221 locals recommend
Movies, concerts, and plays. A cafe/bar upstairs with frequent talks and free DJ nights.
Horseback riding in Prospect Park Call (718) 972-4588 for availabiity.
52 Caton Pl
52 Caton Place
Horseback riding in Prospect Park Call (718) 972-4588 for availabiity.
Brand new ice skating rinks (in the winter) and roller skating and water playground (in the summer). Cafe is open on weekends.
194 locals recommend
LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park Brooklyn
171 East Dr
194 locals recommend
Brand new ice skating rinks (in the winter) and roller skating and water playground (in the summer). Cafe is open on weekends.

Shopping

Our local dry cleaner. Tommy, the owner, is great. Tell him we sent you. They'll deliver/pick up too, if you need.
188 Parkside Ave
188 Parkside Avenue
Our local dry cleaner. Tommy, the owner, is great. Tell him we sent you. They'll deliver/pick up too, if you need.
Bike rental and juice bar! www.juicepedalernyc.com/Bike_Rentals.html
175 locals recommend
Cafe Madeline
1603 Cortelyou Rd
175 locals recommend
Bike rental and juice bar! www.juicepedalernyc.com/Bike_Rentals.html
Our local hardware store. They also do bike repairs.
Hawthorne Hardware
660 Flatbush Ave
Our local hardware store. They also do bike repairs.
New York Magazine's 2012 Best Toy Store!
8 locals recommend
Play Kids
668A Flatbush Ave
8 locals recommend
New York Magazine's 2012 Best Toy Store!
30 locals recommend
Greenlight Bookstore (Flatbush Avenue)
632 Flatbush Ave
30 locals recommend
12 locals recommend
D.Vino Wine & Spirits
188 Parkside Ave
12 locals recommend
Sunday greenmarket, with lots of fresh, local produce, cheese, breads, fish and more.
8 locals recommend
Brooklyn Public Library - Cortelyou Branch
Argyle Road
8 locals recommend
Sunday greenmarket, with lots of fresh, local produce, cheese, breads, fish and more.

Sightseeing

From the house, use the entrance @ Flatbush & Ocean Ave (which turns into Empire Blvd here). The new visitors center at the north entrance has a lovely green roof, definitely worth checking out.
2030 locals recommend
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington Ave
2030 locals recommend
From the house, use the entrance @ Flatbush & Ocean Ave (which turns into Empire Blvd here). The new visitors center at the north entrance has a lovely green roof, definitely worth checking out.
Great views of downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, great big lawns to hang out on, and free movies in the summer.
951 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman St
951 locals recommend
Great views of downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, great big lawns to hang out on, and free movies in the summer.
We really love the monkeys and the sea lions. Only $8 and good for kids. A nice walk through the park to get there.
540 locals recommend
Prospect Park Zoo
450 Flatbush Ave
540 locals recommend
We really love the monkeys and the sea lions. Only $8 and good for kids. A nice walk through the park to get there.
Central Library
415 Flatbush Ave

Entertainment & Activities

Our local library
7 locals recommend
Brooklyn Public Library - Flatlands Branch
Avenue P
7 locals recommend
Our local library
Fun for kids! Or adults?
26 locals recommend
Prospect Park Carousel
452 Flatbush Ave
26 locals recommend
Fun for kids! Or adults?
great lineups of live music in little room behind the bar
206 locals recommend
Barbès
376 9th St
206 locals recommend
great lineups of live music in little room behind the bar
great live music, cozy venu
27 locals recommend
The Owl Music Parlor
497 Rogers Ave
27 locals recommend
great live music, cozy venu