230 Best Restaurants in Brooklyn, New York City

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We've compiled the best of the best in Brooklyn - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Vinegar Hill House

$$$ | DUMBO Fodor's choice

Outfitted with candlelit tables and a twinkling rear garden, this romantic destination is well worth the sloping walk up from the waterfront. Seasonal menus include inventive new American fare and crowd-pleasing brunch dishes, with a couple of pasta dishes and classics like roast chicken, chicken liver mousse, and pork chops always in rotation. Wait times can be considerable, but the cozy bar pours potent cocktails, local beers, and wine by the glass in the interim.

Wheated

$$ Fodor's choice
Pizza is the thing at Wheated, and the menu lists nearly 20 Neapolitan-style pies—all named after neighborhoods in Brooklyn, which is fitting for this laid-back, local's-favorite spot. There are several white (no sauce) and vegan options, but meat eaters should try one with Faicco’s sweet fennel sausage. Add a kick to your pie with locally produced Mike’s Hot Honey and the owner’s blend of ground, roasted Thai chili pepper. The cocktail menu has creative options that stand up to the pizza, so sipping drinks in the separate bar area is equally enticing.

Zenkichi

$$$ Fodor's choice
Modeled on Tokyo's intimate brasseries, this hidden Japanese restaurant serves no sushi: they specialize in exquisitely composed small plates, best enjoyed as part of the eight-course omakase (chef's tasting menu), though you can also order à la carte. Instead of a dining room, guests are seated in private booths separated by bamboo curtains, so other diners are audible but not visible. The gracious waiters can recommend sake to pair with your meal. This might be the closest to Tokyo you can get in Brooklyn.
77 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211, USA
718-388–8985
Known For
  • Japanese omakase
  • Private booths
  • Romantic date spot
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential

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983 Bushwick's Living Room

$$ | Bushwick
This popular spot on Flushing Avenue, near some of East Williamsburg’s most-frequented shops and restaurants, is best known for lunch and brunch comfort food, and also stays open for dinner. Sandwiches are the big thing—the Philly cheesesteak, marinated artichoke, and crispy buffalo chicken are among the standouts—though there's a bit of everything on the menu, and breakfast is served all day. Local artwork hangs on the walls.

Abracadabra

$
This Turkish-owned bakery is a cozy stop for a quick breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack. Grab a table in front of the street art--style mural and settle in with sandwiches and wraps, or vegan and gluten-free pastries like the coffee cake (served with berries in summer, pumpkin in fall). Chocoholics should try the intense Nutella pouf, a flaky confection filled with Nutella and served warm.

Adelina's Fraschetta Romana

$$ | Greenpoint
Neapolitan-style fried pizza—made with imported Italian flour, San Marzano tomato sauce, house-made mozzarella, and various toppings—is the highlight of the menu at this rustic Italian trattoria. Charmingly mismatched furniture conveys a low-key vibe. Start with the arancini (Sicilian rice balls stuffed with pesto, mushrooms, or sausage and fried) or an antipasto plate. Bonus: Oak barrels behind the bar hold "natural wines," made from sustainably grown organic grapes, on tap.
159 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11222, USA
347-763–0152
Known For
  • Fried pizza
  • Natural wines on tap
  • Rustic vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

al di là Trattoria

$$ | Park Slope

Roughly translated as "beyond," al di là has been a neighborhood favorite since it opened in 1998, and it's easy to understand why: it serves well-prepared Northern Italian dishes in a cozy atmosphere. The warm farro salad with seasonal ingredients and goat cheese is perfectly al dente; the hand-pinched ravioli are delicious; and meatier entrées like braised rabbit, Tuscan tripe stew, and pork loin scallopini with prosciutto are highlights.

Allswell

$$
An alum of Manhattan's much-lauded Spotted Pig gastropub opened this popular spot, where closely packed tables, medieval-looking chandeliers, and a patchwork of patterned wallpaper are a rustic backdrop for elevated pub fare. At dinner the roast chicken is a standout; at brunch it's hard to choose between fluffy pancakes and eggs Benedict.

Alma

$$
Spread over three levels, Alma is a neighborhood treasure, serving excellent Mexican food. The bottom floor is a busy bar; the second floor is a cozy dining room; and the third is a roof deck, heated in winter, with views of Manhattan. Start with a margarita and guacamole—or the salsa sampler-—then move on to delicious renditions of flautas (crispy rolled tortillas with various fillings), tacos, and enchiladas.
187 Columbia St., Brooklyn, NY, 11231, USA
718-643--5400
Known For
  • Year-round roof deck
  • Excellent margaritas
  • Upscale prices
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays

Almondine Bakery

$

Arguably the best French bakery outside Montmartre is on DUMBO's Water Street. Chef Herve Poussot helms this neighborhood favorite, baking chocolate raspberry croissants, mille-feuille, macarons, and pear tarts, as well as baguettes, quiche, and sandwiches. Pick up a snack and a coffee to take to the park.

Almondine Bakery

$ | DUMBO
Jacques Torres's partner Herve Poussot bakes Gallic pastries (think fresh-baked fraisier with fresh strawberries and mousseline crème) and delectable quiches and croissants, and serves sandwiches on award-winning baguettes, in this spot across the street from Torres's chocolate shop. The petit storefront's interior is nothing special, but the staff are friendly and the seating is abundant.

Amorina Cucina Rustica

$$ | Prospect Heights
This homey pizza-and-pasta restaurant splits the difference between sophisticated artisanal fare for adults and simpler, kid-friendly options. While thin-crust pies are available with just sauce and cheese (this is Brooklyn, so the tomatoes are organic and the mozzarella farm-fresh), Amorina shines when it comes to unusually topped pizzas, such as Gorgonzola and fruit with figs, or a sauce-free potato pie with caramelized onions. Pastas lean toward the classics, with tasty lasagna (meat and veggie) and fettuccine Bolognese.
624 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11238, USA
718-230--3030
Known For
  • Unusual pizza toppings
  • Family-friendly fare
  • Classic pastas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

Anopoli Family Restaurant

$
This Bay Ridge institution has been around for more than a hundred years, and the ice-cream sundaes are the stuff of childhood dreams—the banana split is fantastic. There's a full menu of typical diner fare that's decent, but the sundaes are the real attraction.

Antica Pesa

$$$
The Williamsburg outpost of the historic Roman restaurant serves handmade pastas in an upscale setting. Though the decor is modern, the recipes uphold tradition: try the spaghetti cacio e pepe (al dente pasta with pecorino Romano and crushed black pepper) or the carbonara. The extensive wine selection (all Italian) ranges in palate and price from an approachable $35 Dolcetto d'Alba to the absurdly extravagant $900 Masseto. Antica Pesa draws the A-list—Madonna, Julianne Moore, and Giorgio Armani have all dined here.
115 Berry St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211, USA
347-763--2635
Known For
  • Roman cuisine
  • Sleek modern design
  • A-list clientele
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

AP Café

$ | Bushwick
Conveniently located amid the street-art murals of the Bushwick Collective, this minimalist café has expansive windows perfect for art- and people-watching—though most of the crowd is busy staring at their laptops. Grab expertly pulled coffee on the go or stick around for Instagram-worthy healthy sandwiches, soups, and brunch dishes.

Archway Cafe

$ | DUMBO
Artwork by local artists lines the walls of this breezy café that serves soups, salads, and excellent sandwiches big enough to share. In warm weather, take your order to go, and enjoy an alfresco spread on nearby picnic tables beneath the Manhattan Bridge.

Areo Ristorante

$$
Bay Ridge families have been coming to this lively, upscale restaurant for old-school Italian food and old-world service for more than 25 years. The waiters are genial and the atmosphere is gregarious, which just goes to show that everyone's having a good time. The menu features mostly Neapolitan cuisine and you can't go wrong with any of the baked pastas; the veal marsala and the sea bass are also popular.
8424 3rd Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11209, USA
718-238--0079
Known For
  • Red sauce joint
  • Lively scene, especially on summer weekends
  • Big portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

Arepera Guacuco

$ | Bushwick
Arepas are griddled corn patties filled with meats and cheeses and sometimes vegetables; at this casual Venezuelan restaurant you watch them being freshly patted into shape and griddled, right behind the bar. Start with an order of tajadas (sweet plantains topped with shredded cheese) or the tequeños (fried green plantains). The latter are served with homemade salsa rosada (a mix of ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard that tastes better than it sounds) and picante nula (a hot sauce of jalapeños and tomatillos).

Atrium

$$$ | DUMBO
The industrial-chic interiors at this bi-level, French-accented New American destination include pendant lamps and a buzzy open kitchen. Seasonal New American dishes such as Long Island duck and market fish are paired with an array of wines by the glass, and the bar pours house cocktails made with local spirits and an array of international piscos, mezcals, and barrel-aged Spanish gins.

Avlee Greek Kitchen

$$ | Carroll Gardens
Authentic dishes and the use of top-grade products (olive oil, feta, freshly baked pita) are the reasons locals adore this restaurant. Start with the Prasini salad, a delicious blend of crisp romaine, dill, scallions, and a generous amount of the aforementioned salty cheese. The space is tight, and service can be slow during the busy dinner rush, but it’s worth the wait when you’re presented with a steaming plate of moussaka or haloumi cheese grilled to perfection.

Baked in Brooklyn

$
Follow the smell of fresh bread to this giant bakery with a storefront selling a variety of breads, cupcakes, cookies, danishes, and a select menu of sandwiches. It's especially convenient for picnics in Green-Wood Cemetery. The line of baked pita chips can be found all over the city.

Bar Tabac

$$ | Boerum Hill
A happening French bistro, with well-worn decor and live jazz several nights a week, Bar Tabac has been a neighborhood mainstay since opening in 2001. The aperitifs are impeccably chilled, the steak au poivre sizzles seductively on the grill, and the moules have just the right amount of broth for dipping your frites. This is the ideal destination for a romantic late-night bite, weekend brunch (perfect at a sidewalk table), or, if you're looking for a big party, Bastille Day.
128 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
718-923–0918
Known For
  • French bistro fare
  • Live jazz
  • Brunch or late-night
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted

Bar Tano

$$
This Italian corner restaurant with a lively bar scene is perfect for a casual meal, happy hour deals at the bar, and a leisurely weekend brunch or a romantic dinner. The menu hits all the high points, from bucatini pesto and carbonara, to a daily whole fish and wine-braised short ribs with polenta. Pizzas are great to kick off the meal.

Battersby

$$$ | Carroll Gardens
The five-course tasting menu is the $75 ticket to a reservation at this small, acclaimed restaurant. Chefs and co-owners Walker Stern and Joe Ogrodnek met while working for Alain Ducasse and are known for highly seasonal cooking that merges French techniques with the products of Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley, and points beyond. There's a small à la carte menu as well. Walk-ins are welcome.
255 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY, 11231, USA
718-852--8321
Known For
  • Five-course tasting menu
  • Consistently excellent dishes
  • The bar's deft hand with cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch

Bergen Dean Sandwich Shop

$ | Prospect Heights
Tucked a block behind the Barclays Center, this no-frills takeout gem has a small menu anchored by a slow-cooked, aromatic porchetta sandwich that is large enough to share (though you won't want to), as well as soups, snacks, and desserts. Other sandwich stars include chicken schnitzel, pork rib, and kimchi-spiced barbecue chicken.

Bien Cuit

$ | Boerum Hill
Locally ground flour, hand-mixed doughs, and European recipes are among this artisanal bakery and café's secrets to success. Some regulars drop by to stock up on classic challah, French pain de mie (a sweet bread good for sandwiches or to toast) and baguettes, and Italian Pugliese loaves, but others come for the pastries, sandwiches, or quiches. It's hard to choose among the cranberry danishes, fruit tarts, chocolate pecan tortes, or the flawless croissants, the latter served plain or with various fillings.
120 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
718-852–0200
Known For
  • Artisanal pastries
  • European baked goods
  • Favorite neighborhood stop
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner

Bittersweet

$ | Fort Greene
Tight on space but long on taste, this slim café is named for its two primary menu categories: coffee and desserts. Baristas know most customers both by sight and by their La Colombe coffee beverage of choice. Pair yours with pastries from the best of the local bakeries or opt for something savory like a salad or a sandwich on Balthazar bread.

Bridge Coffee Shop

$ | DUMBO
This homespun Latin American diner is the antidote to DUMBO's stilettoed galleristas and hipper-than-thou start-up scene. Neighborhood denizens, Latino expats, and the occasional off-duty mail carrier convene for hearty plates of pernil (roast pork), maduros (sweet plantains), and exceptional medianoche sandwiches.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Food Stands

$ | DUMBO
Several of Manhattan's and Brooklyn's top restaurants—including the Ace Hotel's No. 7 Sub and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory—have outposts along the waterfront just north of Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Across the street, a dine-in branch of Danny Meyer's global juggernaut Shake Shack has an entrance on Old Fulton Street.

Brooklyn Commune

$
House-baked pastries and breakfast are served every day of the week at this sunshine-filled eatery. Delicious sandwiches and a variety of tasty vegetarian and vegan options make up the rest of the menu offerings. Dinner isn't served, but weekend brunch is very popular.