Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
They have the best ramen (soup) in the city! Seriously. Their broth is fantastic.
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Chuko
565 Vanderbilt AveThey have the best ramen (soup) in the city! Seriously. Their broth is fantastic.
Adorable neighborhood favorite. Coffee is great, and the food is quite good. Hip ambience (but no crazy loud music). Outdoor benches to people watch in the nice weather. [https://www.milkbarbrooklyn.com]
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Milk Bar
620 Vanderbilt AveAdorable neighborhood favorite. Coffee is great, and the food is quite good. Hip ambience (but no crazy loud music). Outdoor benches to people watch in the nice weather. [https://www.milkbarbrooklyn.com]
The name is a bit deceiving (it's not "old" per se) but the bagels are the real deal: real, delicious New York bagels, with 6 types of cream cheese options to choose from. :)
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Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe
645 Vanderbilt AveThe name is a bit deceiving (it's not "old" per se) but the bagels are the real deal: real, delicious New York bagels, with 6 types of cream cheese options to choose from. :)
Middle Eastern food galore -- this place is fantastic, and always spot on. Falafel, shawarma, hummus, babaganoush, zattar bread: eat them all. Also, neat trick, in the nice weather they have a backyard and you can sit outside, backyard entrance is on the side of the building (inside restaurant and backyard are not connected for customers!). Cash only.
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Zaytoons
594 Vanderbilt AveMiddle Eastern food galore -- this place is fantastic, and always spot on. Falafel, shawarma, hummus, babaganoush, zattar bread: eat them all. Also, neat trick, in the nice weather they have a backyard and you can sit outside, backyard entrance is on the side of the building (inside restaurant and backyard are not connected for customers!). Cash only.
A literal Brooklyn institution: an old school diner, great from breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Don't be put off by the long lines on the weekends, it's bigger than it looks and they will even come through the line with food samples, coffee, and water, to ease the wait.
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Tom’s
782 Washington AveA literal Brooklyn institution: an old school diner, great from breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Don't be put off by the long lines on the weekends, it's bigger than it looks and they will even come through the line with food samples, coffee, and water, to ease the wait.
Original location is in the Lower East Side, they opened this outpost in the past few years to spread the done goodness to Brooklyn.
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Doughnut Plant
379 Grand StOriginal location is in the Lower East Side, they opened this outpost in the past few years to spread the done goodness to Brooklyn.
Upscale dining in the neighborhood, with New American fare: walk-ins are risky and frequently unsuitable, try to book a reservation ahead of time.
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Olmsted
659 Vanderbilt AveUpscale dining in the neighborhood, with New American fare: walk-ins are risky and frequently unsuitable, try to book a reservation ahead of time.
Faun
606 Vanderbilt AveUpscale Italian dining, check for reservations.
A neighborhood standby for Mexican food that was so popular, they expanded to this location. YUM.
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Chavela's
736 Franklin AveA neighborhood standby for Mexican food that was so popular, they expanded to this location. YUM.
Great neighborhood spot, and there's something on the menu for everyone. Good lunch special here (1/2 sandwich + 1/2 soup), and brunch is great. They also have a nice backyard.
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Cheryl's Global Soul
236 Underhill AveGreat neighborhood spot, and there's something on the menu for everyone. Good lunch special here (1/2 sandwich + 1/2 soup), and brunch is great. They also have a nice backyard.
This place is a winner. I can't really attest to the ice cream per se (i'm lactose intolerant!) but the sorbet is great. Be warned: this is a popular spot, there's often a line out the door.
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Ample Hills Creamery
623 Vanderbilt AveThis place is a winner. I can't really attest to the ice cream per se (i'm lactose intolerant!) but the sorbet is great. Be warned: this is a popular spot, there's often a line out the door.
Authentic Northern Italian food. This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in all of New York. Great value for such an incredibly delicious meal, and their wine program is fantastic. You will spend 4x in Manhattan for a meal that does not reach this bar. Note: they don't really do reservations, first come / first serve, so there's often a wait. The also have a wine bar right next down, down the side of the building: same menu, same wines (if you just want to grab a drink before seating in main room).
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al di la Trattoria
248 5th AveAuthentic Northern Italian food. This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in all of New York. Great value for such an incredibly delicious meal, and their wine program is fantastic. You will spend 4x in Manhattan for a meal that does not reach this bar. Note: they don't really do reservations, first come / first serve, so there's often a wait. The also have a wine bar right next down, down the side of the building: same menu, same wines (if you just want to grab a drink before seating in main room).
Large coffeeshop, good pastries, and laptop/work friendly. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but has a large back room as well. It's a great excuse to wander up and down Franklin Avenue as well, which has a lot going on.
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Breukelen Coffee House
764 Franklin AveLarge coffeeshop, good pastries, and laptop/work friendly. It looks deceptively small from the outside, but has a large back room as well. It's a great excuse to wander up and down Franklin Avenue as well, which has a lot going on.
Cute little coffee joint that can get quite busy at times. Coffee, croissants, bagels, and cafe tables. Not laptop/work friendly. And this gives you a great excuse to walk up 7th Avenue, with its restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
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Cafe Regular
318 11th StCute little coffee joint that can get quite busy at times. Coffee, croissants, bagels, and cafe tables. Not laptop/work friendly. And this gives you a great excuse to walk up 7th Avenue, with its restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
Nûrish
637 Washington AvenueGreat healthy foods, smoothies, vegan options, and nice staff.
ice cream. seriously. it's nyc expensive, but worth it. they have MANY vegan flavors, as well as dairy flavors, and they have inventive monthly specials. believe the hype!
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Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
620 Manhattan Aveice cream. seriously. it's nyc expensive, but worth it. they have MANY vegan flavors, as well as dairy flavors, and they have inventive monthly specials. believe the hype!
Maya Taqueria
637 Vanderbilt AveSolidly good, fresh ingredients, get it.
Namaste
195 5th AveSolidly good Indian food, fast delivery.
Great cupcakes, regular cake, and cookies, and they also do pretty good coffee / iced coffee as well. Solid.
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Little Cupcake Bakeshop
30 Prince StGreat cupcakes, regular cake, and cookies, and they also do pretty good coffee / iced coffee as well. Solid.
Drinks & Nightlife
They have a rotating list of beers on tap -- changes weekly, easygoing vibe, can be lively or chill, depending on timing, and is great for both.
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Gold Star Beer Counter
176 Underhill AveThey have a rotating list of beers on tap -- changes weekly, easygoing vibe, can be lively or chill, depending on timing, and is great for both.
I have friends who will trek an hour just to have their Bloody Mary. This place is a quintessential neighborhood spot -- has a pool table in back, great cocktails, and during the summer there is outdoor seating in both the front and side of the building for people watching along Washington Ave.
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Bearded Lady
686A Washington AveI have friends who will trek an hour just to have their Bloody Mary. This place is a quintessential neighborhood spot -- has a pool table in back, great cocktails, and during the summer there is outdoor seating in both the front and side of the building for people watching along Washington Ave.
Another great beer bar, that has a great selection on tap, but multiple refrigerators full of imported specialties. They have a lovely backyard in the nice weather.
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Covenhoven
730 Classon AveAnother great beer bar, that has a great selection on tap, but multiple refrigerators full of imported specialties. They have a lovely backyard in the nice weather.
Fancy, speak-easy style cocktail bar. There is no sign out front, just white tiled building, but inside its a dark wood bar with stools, and barkeeps with bowties and mustaches, and fancy (strong) cocktails.
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Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt AveFancy, speak-easy style cocktail bar. There is no sign out front, just white tiled building, but inside its a dark wood bar with stools, and barkeeps with bowties and mustaches, and fancy (strong) cocktails.
Ode to Babel
646 Dean StGreat bar, nice backyard, owners are rad.
Bar and restaurant, this place USED to be a hardware store called Sisters (that is now rebranded as Hardware 2.0 and a few blocks away), they sometimes have bands play, lively spot, beautiful inside.
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Sisters
47 E 124th StBar and restaurant, this place USED to be a hardware store called Sisters (that is now rebranded as Hardware 2.0 and a few blocks away), they sometimes have bands play, lively spot, beautiful inside.
Parks & Nature
This is an Olmstead park, it's quite large (smaller than Central Park, but bigger than most), and very easy to access the Long Meadow, where Brooklynites can be found with their dogs, lovers, children, BBQs, bikes, and more. There is a loop for both bikers and runners, and it is also quite a nice walk as well.
The history of the park has quite a bit of intrigue, if you're interested you can read more here [http://bklyner.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-prospect-park-history-parkslopestoop/].
Entrance is at Grand Army Plaza.
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Prospect Park
This is an Olmstead park, it's quite large (smaller than Central Park, but bigger than most), and very easy to access the Long Meadow, where Brooklynites can be found with their dogs, lovers, children, BBQs, bikes, and more. There is a loop for both bikers and runners, and it is also quite a nice walk as well.
The history of the park has quite a bit of intrigue, if you're interested you can read more here [http://bklyner.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-prospect-park-history-parkslopestoop/].
Entrance is at Grand Army Plaza.
I love this place, and it is a great way to spend an hour or two (or three!). There is a Japanese Garden and Pond, and Rose Garden, Cherry Blossom field, and deeper in to the Gardens, you'll find the Steinhardt Conservatory, which houses the Bonsai Museum, three climate-themed plant pavilions, a white cast-iron and glass aquatic plant house, and an art gallery. #endorse [https://www.bbg.org]
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Botanic Garden station
I love this place, and it is a great way to spend an hour or two (or three!). There is a Japanese Garden and Pond, and Rose Garden, Cherry Blossom field, and deeper in to the Gardens, you'll find the Steinhardt Conservatory, which houses the Bonsai Museum, three climate-themed plant pavilions, a white cast-iron and glass aquatic plant house, and an art gallery. #endorse [https://www.bbg.org]
It's a great park to wander around, not too big, not too small, and lovely rolling hills.
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Fort Greene Park
South Portland AvenueIt's a great park to wander around, not too big, not too small, and lovely rolling hills.
Arts & Culture
This really is a world class museum: interesting architecture, great rotating exhibits, and an interesting permanent collection storage are displayed entirely for visitors to view and learn more about (called the Luce Visible Storage and Study Center).
First Saturdays happen on the first Saturday of the month, where the Museum throws a full day of programming, events, live music, panel discussions, and more. They are free/no fee days for the regular exhibitions (special exhibitions might still require a fee). Don't miss!
Learn more: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org
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Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyThis really is a world class museum: interesting architecture, great rotating exhibits, and an interesting permanent collection storage are displayed entirely for visitors to view and learn more about (called the Luce Visible Storage and Study Center).
First Saturdays happen on the first Saturday of the month, where the Museum throws a full day of programming, events, live music, panel discussions, and more. They are free/no fee days for the regular exhibitions (special exhibitions might still require a fee). Don't miss!
Learn more: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org
This is the central library for Brooklyn, and has cool design. Given its proximity to Grand Army Plaza, there are often activities, music, dance lessons, pop-up shops in the warmer months.
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Brooklyn Public Library
This is the central library for Brooklyn, and has cool design. Given its proximity to Grand Army Plaza, there are often activities, music, dance lessons, pop-up shops in the warmer months.
Essentials
Ideal Food Basket
631 Gates AveIt's got groceries. :)
Foodtown of Prospect Heights
632 Vanderbilt AveIt's got groceries. :)
Drug Store and Pharmacy: useful, and right by the 7th Avenue B/Q station.
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Duane Reade
1517 Cortelyou RdDrug Store and Pharmacy: useful, and right by the 7th Avenue B/Q station.
Drop off wash and fold. Drop off in the morning to be ready by the close of business (if you drop off mid-day, you'll have to wait until the next day to pick up).
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Bubbleworks Laundry & Dry Cleaning
718 Washington AveDrop off wash and fold. Drop off in the morning to be ready by the close of business (if you drop off mid-day, you'll have to wait until the next day to pick up).
Fancy grocery store, not too much more expensive than Ideal, and great selection.
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Union Market
240 E Houston StFancy grocery store, not too much more expensive than Ideal, and great selection.
Natty Garden
636 Washington AveBeloved local plant shop / nursery.
Do it Best Hardware of Clinton Hill | Clinton Hill hardware store | brooklyn Benjamin Moore paint store | prospect heights
900 Fulton StNormal hardware store.
This hardware store is locally and black owned, I always try to support them and shop there when I can.
Hardware 2.0
860 Atlantic AveThis hardware store is locally and black owned, I always try to support them and shop there when I can.
Normal pharmacy, but like, way less intense than Duane Reade. This is my go to pharmacy, the people that work there are nice, and the lines aren't crazy.
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Kings Pharmacy
241 Bedford AveNormal pharmacy, but like, way less intense than Duane Reade. This is my go to pharmacy, the people that work there are nice, and the lines aren't crazy.
Entertainment & Activities
BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is actually a multi-building endeavor: they have music & dance performances, a movie theater that plays art house cinema, and they have a cafe / bar in a few locations. Definitely worth looking at their schedule to see what's up.
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Bam Howard Gilman Opera House
30 Lafayette AveBAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is actually a multi-building endeavor: they have music & dance performances, a movie theater that plays art house cinema, and they have a cafe / bar in a few locations. Definitely worth looking at their schedule to see what's up.
Saturdays, best selection is in the mornings, in the warmer months this place is PACKED.
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Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Flatbush AvenueSaturdays, best selection is in the mornings, in the warmer months this place is PACKED.
Shopping
Lovely and eclectic bookstore, this place has been around for a while (this is its second home, after moving from Park Slope). New and used books, art books, graphic novels, dive in to the stacks and find your new favorite!
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Unnameable Books
615 Vanderbilt AveLovely and eclectic bookstore, this place has been around for a while (this is its second home, after moving from Park Slope). New and used books, art books, graphic novels, dive in to the stacks and find your new favorite!
Vintage / second hand spot, worth a look when looking for interesting scores.
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1 of a Find Vintage
619 Vanderbilt AveVintage / second hand spot, worth a look when looking for interesting scores.
They have great finds here, just depends on what's come in. I just got a great silk blouse there (beautiful pattern, short kimono sleeves) for $10!
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Housing Works Thrift Shops
266 5th AveThey have great finds here, just depends on what's come in. I just got a great silk blouse there (beautiful pattern, short kimono sleeves) for $10!
They have 2 locations (the other one is in Williamsburg), and have made a name for themselves for their 2nd hand clothing. Worth a look, depends on what has come in.
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Beacon's Closet Park Slope
92 5th AveThey have 2 locations (the other one is in Williamsburg), and have made a name for themselves for their 2nd hand clothing. Worth a look, depends on what has come in.
Yes, it's a shopping mall, but there are some helpful stores in here: Uniqlo, Target, DSW (a shoe store for men and women), Victoria's Secret, and more.
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Atlantic Terminal station
Yes, it's a shopping mall, but there are some helpful stores in here: Uniqlo, Target, DSW (a shoe store for men and women), Victoria's Secret, and more.
Fancy foods, imported items, and fresh meats and cheeses can be snagged here. Pricier than a grocery store, but tasty!
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R&D Foods
602 Vanderbilt AveFancy foods, imported items, and fresh meats and cheeses can be snagged here. Pricier than a grocery store, but tasty!