Guidebook for Brooklyn

Brian
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Food Scene

Classic neighborhood slice joint, with attached sit-down Italian restaurant and bar
106 locals raden deze aan
Carmine's Pizzeria
358 Graham Ave
106 locals raden deze aan
Classic neighborhood slice joint, with attached sit-down Italian restaurant and bar
Thai restaurant with attached bar area
244 locals raden deze aan
Sage
299-301 Graham Ave
244 locals raden deze aan
Thai restaurant with attached bar area
Inexpensive Thai noodle bar
16 locals raden deze aan
Hi Noodle Thai
333 Graham Ave
16 locals raden deze aan
Inexpensive Thai noodle bar
Fresh slices and Italian entrees, mostly to go
51 locals raden deze aan
Tony's Pizza
336 Knickerbocker Ave
51 locals raden deze aan
Fresh slices and Italian entrees, mostly to go
Fresh Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food -- we recommend the falafel
6 locals raden deze aan
Pita Palace
413 Graham Ave
6 locals raden deze aan
Fresh Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food -- we recommend the falafel
Casual and inexpensive Cali-Mex style taqueria
15 locals raden deze aan
Loco Burrito
345 Graham Ave
15 locals raden deze aan
Casual and inexpensive Cali-Mex style taqueria
Sit-down Mexican restaurant
277 locals raden deze aan
Mesa Coyoacan
372 Graham Ave
277 locals raden deze aan
Sit-down Mexican restaurant
Cheap, casual 24-hour Mexican diner
31 locals raden deze aan
Grand Morelos
727 Grand St
31 locals raden deze aan
Cheap, casual 24-hour Mexican diner
Neighborhood Chinese take-out spot
East Met West
752 Metropolitan Ave
Neighborhood Chinese take-out spot
Classic 24-hour diner and a popular stop after the bars close. It's not always great, but it's always open.
70 locals raden deze aan
Kellogg's Diner
518 Metropolitan Ave
70 locals raden deze aan
Classic 24-hour diner and a popular stop after the bars close. It's not always great, but it's always open.
Small cafe with a small but quality menu of Mediterranean food.
34 locals raden deze aan
Newtown
55 Waterbury St
34 locals raden deze aan
Small cafe with a small but quality menu of Mediterranean food.
Popular coffee shop, also serving baked goods
460 locals raden deze aan
Variety Coffee Roasters
368 Graham Ave
460 locals raden deze aan
Popular coffee shop, also serving baked goods
Low-key neighborhood coffee shop
28 locals raden deze aan
Charter Coffeehouse
309 Graham Ave
28 locals raden deze aan
Low-key neighborhood coffee shop
Coffee shop that specializes in pies and other baked goods
145 locals raden deze aan
The Blue Stove
415 Graham Ave
145 locals raden deze aan
Coffee shop that specializes in pies and other baked goods
Casual Vietnamese restaurant in a nondescript spot -- funky decor and very fresh ingredients, recommended
30 locals raden deze aan
Nhà Mình
915 Wyckoff Avenue
30 locals raden deze aan
Casual Vietnamese restaurant in a nondescript spot -- funky decor and very fresh ingredients, recommended
Neighborhood bagel shop that helped to originate the "Rainbow Bagel" craze.
130 locals raden deze aan
The Bagel Store Original Rainbow Bagel
69 5th Avenue
130 locals raden deze aan
Neighborhood bagel shop that helped to originate the "Rainbow Bagel" craze.
Popular all-vegan diner.
213 locals raden deze aan
Champs Diner
197 Meserole St
213 locals raden deze aan
Popular all-vegan diner.
Very popular pizza restaurant. Cooks with ingredients grown in their own garden. Basically the archetypal "artisanal" restaurant in the neighborhood
1621 locals raden deze aan
Roberta's
261 Moore St
1621 locals raden deze aan
Very popular pizza restaurant. Cooks with ingredients grown in their own garden. Basically the archetypal "artisanal" restaurant in the neighborhood
While this neighborhood isn't known for having a lot of great Indian food, this place checks out well
Indian Kitchen
739 Grand St
While this neighborhood isn't known for having a lot of great Indian food, this place checks out well
Casual cafe with hearty and fresh breakfast/brunch and sandwich options
18 locals raden deze aan
Willburg Cafe
623 Grand St
18 locals raden deze aan
Casual cafe with hearty and fresh breakfast/brunch and sandwich options
Vietnamese sandwiches and pho -- fresh and inexpensive
9 locals raden deze aan
Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches
311 Atlantic Ave
9 locals raden deze aan
Vietnamese sandwiches and pho -- fresh and inexpensive
Classic, super-cheap neighborhood diner -- good for breakfast, lunch or very late nights (open 3:30 am-4 pm)
62 locals raden deze aan
Tina's Place
1002 Flushing Ave
62 locals raden deze aan
Classic, super-cheap neighborhood diner -- good for breakfast, lunch or very late nights (open 3:30 am-4 pm)
Reliable, un-fussy neighborhood diner. Better than Kellogg's, but not open very late at night
13 locals raden deze aan
Sunset Diner
593 Meeker Ave
13 locals raden deze aan
Reliable, un-fussy neighborhood diner. Better than Kellogg's, but not open very late at night
Classic Italian pastry shop, super-fresh cakes and pastries. Table seating available. Has been around for decades. Popular with neighborhood families... and also a longtime Mafia hangout? (That's the local legend, at least)
86 locals raden deze aan
Fortunato Brothers
289 Manhattan Ave
86 locals raden deze aan
Classic Italian pastry shop, super-fresh cakes and pastries. Table seating available. Has been around for decades. Popular with neighborhood families... and also a longtime Mafia hangout? (That's the local legend, at least)
Pretty much the definitive Italian-American sandwich shop in this neighborhood. Take-out only
35 locals raden deze aan
Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe
433 Graham Ave
35 locals raden deze aan
Pretty much the definitive Italian-American sandwich shop in this neighborhood. Take-out only

Drinks & Nightlife

Eclectic music venue (live local and touring bands, DJs, karaoke), owned and managed by musicians, with full bar
11 locals raden deze aan
Sunnyvale
1031 Grand St
11 locals raden deze aan
Eclectic music venue (live local and touring bands, DJs, karaoke), owned and managed by musicians, with full bar
Bar with indoor and rooftop seating, regularly featuring live local rock bands and/or DJs
42 locals raden deze aan
Our Wicked Lady
153 Morgan Ave
42 locals raden deze aan
Bar with indoor and rooftop seating, regularly featuring live local rock bands and/or DJs
Neighborhood bar, also serving tacos at happy hour
48 locals raden deze aan
Reclamation Bar
817 Metropolitan Ave
48 locals raden deze aan
Neighborhood bar, also serving tacos at happy hour
Neighborhood bar with a Southern theme (country music and Southern rock on the jukebox) and a large rear patio
34 locals raden deze aan
Lady Jay's
633 Grand Street
34 locals raden deze aan
Neighborhood bar with a Southern theme (country music and Southern rock on the jukebox) and a large rear patio
Neighborhood dive bar with punk and hard rock on the jukebox, plus pool tables
13 locals raden deze aan
Second Chance Saloon
659 Grand St
13 locals raden deze aan
Neighborhood dive bar with punk and hard rock on the jukebox, plus pool tables
Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant and bar, with patio seating available
15 locals raden deze aan
Cape House
2 Knickerbocker Ave
15 locals raden deze aan
Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant and bar, with patio seating available
Punk/metal bar serving pub grub and brunch
78 locals raden deze aan
The Anchored Inn
57 Waterbury St
78 locals raden deze aan
Punk/metal bar serving pub grub and brunch
Irish-style pub, with patio seating in the rear and a popular brunch on weekends
125 locals raden deze aan
Harefield Road
769 Metropolitan Ave
125 locals raden deze aan
Irish-style pub, with patio seating in the rear and a popular brunch on weekends
Casual bar with rustic decor, happy hour until 9 pm, brunch on weekends and a huge rear patio. My personal favorite bar in the neighborhood, mostly for the backyard and the bartenders.
124 locals raden deze aan
Tradesman
222 Bushwick Ave
124 locals raden deze aan
Casual bar with rustic decor, happy hour until 9 pm, brunch on weekends and a huge rear patio. My personal favorite bar in the neighborhood, mostly for the backyard and the bartenders.
It's not in Bushwick and it's not a country club. It's a classic dive bar with cheap drink options, boozy smoothies, and a backyard area that has a disused miniature golf course in it.
81 locals raden deze aan
Bushwick Country Club
608 Grand St
81 locals raden deze aan
It's not in Bushwick and it's not a country club. It's a classic dive bar with cheap drink options, boozy smoothies, and a backyard area that has a disused miniature golf course in it.
Casual bar, with decor inspired by a '70s or '80s ski lodge. Nachos, chili and other pub snacks available (with some vegetarian options).
20 locals raden deze aan
The Drift
579 Meeker Ave
20 locals raden deze aan
Casual bar, with decor inspired by a '70s or '80s ski lodge. Nachos, chili and other pub snacks available (with some vegetarian options).
Music venue operated by the Bowery Presents group, capacity 1,800, that features well-known touring acts.
84 locals raden deze aan
Brooklyn Steel
319 Frost St
84 locals raden deze aan
Music venue operated by the Bowery Presents group, capacity 1,800, that features well-known touring acts.
Live music venue and bar, with diverse and consistently solid local acts playing, in the basement of Cape House restaurant/bar
Rose Gold Cocktail Lounge
96 Morgan Ave
Live music venue and bar, with diverse and consistently solid local acts playing, in the basement of Cape House restaurant/bar
Russian-inspired restaurant and bar -- dumplings and lots of vodka drinks
22 locals raden deze aan
Masha & The Bear
22 locals raden deze aan
Russian-inspired restaurant and bar -- dumplings and lots of vodka drinks
Neighborhood bar, featuring a small menu with a Phil Collins theme (really).
7 locals raden deze aan
Easy Lover
790 Metropolitan Ave
7 locals raden deze aan
Neighborhood bar, featuring a small menu with a Phil Collins theme (really).

Shopping

Small but eclectic and well-maintained record shop, featuring new and used records. My recommendation: Check the $6 used record bins.
28 locals raden deze aan
Human Head Records
289 Meserole St
28 locals raden deze aan
Small but eclectic and well-maintained record shop, featuring new and used records. My recommendation: Check the $6 used record bins.
Occult/witchy/new agey books and assorted items.
25 locals raden deze aan
Catland
985 Flushing Ave
25 locals raden deze aan
Occult/witchy/new agey books and assorted items.
Small bookstore specializing in lefty political books, art books and 'zines.
Quimby's Bookstore NYC
536 Metropolitan Ave
Small bookstore specializing in lefty political books, art books and 'zines.
Popular and well-maintained comic book (and graphic novel) shop.
19 locals raden deze aan
Desert Island
540 Metropolitan Ave
19 locals raden deze aan
Popular and well-maintained comic book (and graphic novel) shop.

Essentials

The closest laundromat. Open until 8:30 pm, last wash for self-service at 7. Closed Wednesdays. Despite the name, there are no beans to be found here
24 locals raden deze aan
Bean & Clean
909 Metropolitan Ave
24 locals raden deze aan
The closest laundromat. Open until 8:30 pm, last wash for self-service at 7. Closed Wednesdays. Despite the name, there are no beans to be found here
24-hour laundromat. For self-service, machines require use of a prepaid card. I have one already -- guests may borrow it, so you don't have to pay for a new card. Just load it up with however much money you need to do laundry and return the card to me when you're done.
11 locals raden deze aan
Lavanderia Express IV, Inc.
287 Graham Ave
11 locals raden deze aan
24-hour laundromat. For self-service, machines require use of a prepaid card. I have one already -- guests may borrow it, so you don't have to pay for a new card. Just load it up with however much money you need to do laundry and return the card to me when you're done.
Fully stocked grocery store, variety of fresh produce, lots of items on sale. My go-to supermarket when I'm doing a comprehensive grocery run.
43 locals raden deze aan
Ozzie's Fresh Market
639 Grand St
43 locals raden deze aan
Fully stocked grocery store, variety of fresh produce, lots of items on sale. My go-to supermarket when I'm doing a comprehensive grocery run.
Budget grocery store, smaller than others in the neighborhood. Good for staples, dry goods. OK place to find cheap produce that's a day or two away from going off.
73 locals raden deze aan
Bravo Supermarkets
785 Grand St
73 locals raden deze aan
Budget grocery store, smaller than others in the neighborhood. Good for staples, dry goods. OK place to find cheap produce that's a day or two away from going off.
Surprisingly upscale for the CTown chain (CTown is usually known as a budget supermarket). Good craft beer selection, specialty snacks, staples. Not the best produce prices in the area.
663 locals raden deze aan
CTown Supermarkets
330 Graham Ave
663 locals raden deze aan
Surprisingly upscale for the CTown chain (CTown is usually known as a budget supermarket). Good craft beer selection, specialty snacks, staples. Not the best produce prices in the area.
You can usually find both the cheapest and the freshest produce in the neighborhood here, also fresh kimchee and some Korean and Chinese spices. Stock depends on what's available from local wholesalers that day.
37 locals raden deze aan
To The World Farm
655 Grand St
37 locals raden deze aan
You can usually find both the cheapest and the freshest produce in the neighborhood here, also fresh kimchee and some Korean and Chinese spices. Stock depends on what's available from local wholesalers that day.
Need to ship a package? This is much closer than the closest post office branch, and doesn't have long lines
Qwik Pack and Ship
697 Grand St
Need to ship a package? This is much closer than the closest post office branch, and doesn't have long lines
Small grocery store (smaller than the Associated on Grand St.), handy for staples
238 locals raden deze aan
Associated Supermarket
238 locals raden deze aan
Small grocery store (smaller than the Associated on Grand St.), handy for staples
Greengrocer with some fresh produce, beverages, snacks and prepared foods (noodles, dumplings, etc.)
Mr Graham's Market
344 Graham Ave
Greengrocer with some fresh produce, beverages, snacks and prepared foods (noodles, dumplings, etc.)
The closest bodega -- reliable spot for sandwiches, beer, snacks, assorted household items. If you're looking for a classic NYC deli breakfast to go, egg sandwich and a cup of coffee, try here
11 locals raden deze aan
Latenight Deli Inc
905 Metropolitan Ave
11 locals raden deze aan
The closest bodega -- reliable spot for sandwiches, beer, snacks, assorted household items. If you're looking for a classic NYC deli breakfast to go, egg sandwich and a cup of coffee, try here

Parks & Nature

Very happening spot in warm weather. Running/walking track, field popular with local soccer leagues, newly renovated skatepark, basketball courts, squash court, tennis courts, picnic area with hibachi grills, dog run. Fun fact: Radiohead shot a music video here once
90 locals raden deze aan
Cooper Park
Maspeth Avenue
90 locals raden deze aan
Very happening spot in warm weather. Running/walking track, field popular with local soccer leagues, newly renovated skatepark, basketball courts, squash court, tennis courts, picnic area with hibachi grills, dog run. Fun fact: Radiohead shot a music video here once

Getting Around

L train at Graham Ave. & Metropolitan -- travels mostly east/west from 8th Ave. in Manhattan to Canarsie in Brooklyn. Under normal conditions, it's about a 12-minute subway ride from here to Union Square (Manhattan)
42 locals raden deze aan
Graham Av station
42 locals raden deze aan
L train at Graham Ave. & Metropolitan -- travels mostly east/west from 8th Ave. in Manhattan to Canarsie in Brooklyn. Under normal conditions, it's about a 12-minute subway ride from here to Union Square (Manhattan)

Arts & Culture

Small theater focusing on new works.
11 locals raden deze aan
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Ave
11 locals raden deze aan
Small theater focusing on new works.