The 10 best restaurants in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a place of many faces. From the sandy boardwalk of Coney Island to the hipster havens of Williamsburg, this buzzy borough is brimming with culture, art and, perhaps most importantly, great restaurants. Though it’s a seemingly impossible task, we've whittled an endless list down to 10 essential spots where you can find some of the area’s best dishes. From storied pizza and bagels that need to be held with two hands to creative Vietnamese, here’s where to eat your way through this dynamic destination.
Evan SungOlmstead
Best for: a celebration
Led by a team whose former kitchens include those of the acclaimed Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Per Se, Olmstead serves up posh farm-to-table fare in a casual neighbourhood setting – and for what you’re getting, at a surprisingly casual price. Beyond the food itself being world-class, the level of detail and creativity that goes into every dish is seriously impressive, making it an ideal place to dazzle a date. What to try? The silky carrot crȇpe with clams is a must, as are the grilled scallops – and even the sourdough bread with garlic butter and chives. If you pop in for brunch, start with the jelly-filled krapfen doughnuts and then indulge in the duck duo – a plate of crispy duck sausage, scrambled duck eggs and maple flatbread. And no matter what time of day you visit, always try to grab a seat at the chef’s counter so you can watch the magic happen firsthand.
**Address:**Olmstead, 659 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11238
Phone: +1 718 552 2610
Website:olmstednyc.com
Paulie Gee's
Best for: big groups who take pizza seriously
Yes, we've already talked about pizza, but Brooklyn is really good at pizza. So good that we weren't even able to include the renowned Roberta's on this list. Instead it's time to talk about the legendary Paulie Gee's. The team at this dimly lit Greenpoint darling have a true passion for airy, wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. They don't offer takeaway as they want their pies consumed fresh and piping hot, and there's a good chance Paulie himself will stop at your table to make sure you're happy. Though it’s challenging to say which recipe takes home the gold, the Hellboy – a delicious combination of fresh mozzarella, Italian tomatoes, Berkshire soppressata picante, Parmigiano reggiano and Mike's Hot Honey – is a crowd favourite. It’s worth noting that, while 100 per cent worth it, this place is a commitment. They don't take reservations, and queues are often two to three hours long. Don’t have that kind of time? You’re in luck – they recently opened a slice shop just around the corner.
**Address:**Paulie Gee’s, 60 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11222
Phone: +1 347 987 3747
Website: pauliegee.com
Al di Là Trattoria
Best for: walk-ins
Sometimes all you want is a simple, no-frills supper at a casual neighbourhood spot where the staff know the locals by name and make you feel just as welcome. If you find yourself in this state of mind, you need to head to Al di Là. Ever discreet and charmingly rustic, this Park Slope staple is packed with old-world charm and has been serving up moderately priced Northern Italian food since 1998. It’s open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, and we suggest going for a casual evening with friends, ordering a few bottles of wine and indulging in the tagliatelle al ragu, braised rabbit, spaghetti neri alla chitarra with octopus confit, basil and hot chillies, and probably one or two of the nightly specials.
Address: Al di Là, 248 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215
Phone: +1 718 783 4565
Website: aldilatrattoria.com
Di An Di
Best for: vegetarians/weeknight dinners
Di An Di is delicious, cool and just plain fun. This spirited Scandinavian-styled Greenpoint hotspot serves up some of the most creative Vietnamese dishes we've ever tasted. Any night of the week, you'll find a hip-looking crowd feasting on Vietnamese ‘pizzas’, daikon rice-cake omelettes, summer rolls stuffed with everything from pork and taro to tofu, Vietnamese Scotch eggs made from quail eggs, pork sausage and green rice flakes and, of course, inventive varieties of pho.. Booking ahead is highly recommended, but if you do end up having to wait, the area has lots of great bars for a pre-dinner drink. Put your name down for a table and then head to Ramona for a classy cocktail or Achilles Heel for something a bit more laidback.
Address: Di An Di, 68 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11222
Phone: +1 718 576 3914
Website: diandi.nyc
Emily
Best for: pizza, or indeed a burger
Did someone say pizza? Of course they did, because it's one of the best and most highly debated things about Brooklyn. While Manhattan classics such as Rubirosa and Prince Street Pizza may attempt to steal all the glory, their sister borough has them beat by miles – and the winner just might be Emily. It’s a small space with a big personality, and the team at this Clinton Hill favourite is good at everything. From spicy, sticky wings to unconventional pizzas and one of the most talked-about burgers in NYC, there's really no wrong way to order here, but we do recommend going for the classics. Bring a few friends and share the Emily and Colony pizzas and one of the massive Emmy burgers. A cool £20 may seem a bit steep for a beef patty between two buns, but it’s a purchase you won't regret.
Address: Emily, 919 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, New York 11238
Phone: +1 347 844 9588
Website: pizzalovesemily.com
Frankel's Delicatessen
Best for: a hangover
On the corner of a busy street near McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Frankel's is a bright and airy Jewish delicatessen with about 15 seats, serving up classics such as lox, latkes, brisket and pastrami. While everything on the menu is excellent, some form of a bagel with cream cheese is the must-order item. If you're especially hungry (or have a hangover) try the specialty combo #1, which consists of a generous portion of pastrami salmon, cucumber and scallion cream cheese on your choice of bagel. If you're looking for something a bit lighter, an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese will never disappoint.
Address: Frankel’s Delicatessen, 631 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11222
Phone: +1 718 389 2302
Website:frankelsdelicatessen.com- La Vara
Best for: sharing plates
So well does La Vara blend in with the brownstones on a lovely tree-lined street in the heart of Cobble Hill, one might walk past its modest exterior and not look twice – which would be a crying shame for the distracted passerby. Operated by a husband-and-wife team who also run Txikito and El Quinto Pino in the city, this lively local serves up inventive and tasty Spanish tapas influenced by Jewish and Moorish flavours. It’s great for a date, or a catch-up with friends, and sharing is a must. Try the berenjena con miel – a perfectly fried aubergine drizzled with honey and cheese – as well as the cordero al ajo cabañil – a cumin-roasted lamb breast that's been shaped into a rectangle. It sounds strange but we'd never go back without ordering it.
Address: La Vara, 268 Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Phone:+1 718 422 0065
Website: lavarany.com- Chez Ma Tante
Best for: brunch
Named after a beloved hot-dog shack in Montreal, Chez Ma Tante is as unassuming as it is tasty. The tidy space has whitewashed brick walls, a simple bar and, when the weather permits, Parisian-style tables on the pavement outside, perfectly suited to Aperol Spritzes in the sunshine. The European-inspired menus offer elevated versions of classic dishes, such as chips with garlicky aioli, extra peppery Caesar salad, kedgeree with perfectly poached cod and a smooth and sweet maple crème brûlée. Whether for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch – and if it’s the latter, do not pass up the pancakes – whenever you choose to visit, you really can’t go wrong with this neighborhood gem.
Address: Chez ma Tante, 90 Calyer Street, Brooklyn, New York 11222
Phone: +1 718 389 3606
Website:chezmatantenyc.com- Lilia
Best for: grown-up dining
No list of Brooklyn's best restaurants would be complete without a mention of Lilia. Chef and owner Missy Robbins has transformed this former garage into a destination restaurant while still keeping its neighbourhood feel fully intact. Lilia offers pasta, fresh vegetables and an all-Italian wine list, and foodies from the world over flock here for the cacio e pepe fritelle, rigatoni diavola and sheep's-milk-cheese-filled agnolotti. The constant buzz around this place makes it notoriously difficult to get into, so try to book a month or so in advance. However, if you do end up having to wait, seize the opportunity to explore a more hipster side of Williamsburg with a drink at Pete's Candy Store or Hotel Delmano.
Address: Lilia, 567 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11222
Phone: + 1 718 576 3095
Website: lilianewyork.com- Blanca
Best for: serious foodies or a seriously special occasion
In hip Brooklyn fashion, to get to Blanca you have to wander through the gritty, graffiti-lined streets of Bushwick, past the backyard tiki bar of the widely adored Roberta's and finally arrive at a nondescript door that could easily lead to an empty warehouse. The setting may seem a bit odd, but behind that door is one of the best and most unique dining experiences in all of Brooklyn. In a small cement-floored room with only 12 stools, a bright-white bar and a shimmering open kitchen, Blanca offers a 19-course tasting menu for £150 a head. You can expect tiny yet mind-blowing courses, such as maitake mushroom with uni and pear, bread made from Roberta's pizza dough and toasted milk grappa – each of which is notably amplified by the £75 drink pairing. Yes, it's expensive, but it's a special occasion kind of place, one that creates an event in and of itself, Brooklyn style.Address: Blanca, 261 Moore Street, Brooklyn, New York 11206
Phone: +1 646 703 2715
Website: blancanyc.comLike this? Now read:
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