Dinner in Brooklyn: The Ultimate Guide
Brooklyn is easily becoming the new Manhattan if it isn’t already. Being a Brooklynite myself, I no longer feel the need to trek into the city for great restaurants due to the growing amount of quality restaurants available in the borough. Check out my list of the best places to get a nice, quality meal in Brooklyn.
Traif
One of the most highly regarded restaurants in Brooklyn! Traif’s menu has a variety of uniquely prepared shareable plates of top-notch quality, so be sure to try as many dishes as your stomach can handle. While the small plates can be pretty pricey, the flavor and quality of the food make this a dining experience well worth the cost.
If you’re feeling spontaneous, get the chef’s selection menu where the chef chooses your plates. Note: your entire table has to participate in this menu if chosen. They also have a wine tasting menu.
Try:
Strawberry-cinnamon glazed ribs
Salt & pepper shrimp
BBQ braised short rib sliders
Burrata with bacon-bourbon marmalade
Bacon doughnuts with dulce de leche and coffee ice cream
Price range: $$$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: American | Neighborhood: Williamsburg | Map it
Aurora
Aurora has a lowkey, romantic vibe with its rustic decor and year-round indoor courtyard. The dishes are modern takes on classic Italian meals and all pastas are made in-house. The menu changes often, which allows you to try out a variety of dishes.
Try:
Burrata or whipped ricotta
Squid ink paccheri pasta
Lorenzo cocktail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Italian | Neighborhood: Williamsburg | Map it
Saraghina
One of my favorite dinner spots in Brooklyn. The ambiance is lively, food is consistently great, and the cocktails are top notch. The menu changes often so there’s always something new to try. They also have a bakery next door where they serve fresh bread, paninis, pastries, and coffee.
Try:
Salsiccia pizza
Spaghetti alla chitarra or truffle cacio e pepe
Ask for the off-menu Haitian Daiquiri cocktail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Italian | Neighborhood: Bed-Stuy | Map it
Bunker
After seeing their egg crepe featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, I thought I have to check this place out and I wasn’t disappointed. Gourmet Vietnamese cuisine is a dime a dozen in Brooklyn and this place is one of the top 3! Bunker is so popular, they recently expanded into a bigger space. The have just reopened after being closed for the summer, so go check them out.
Try:
Banh Xeo - egg crepe stuffed with bean sprouts, bacon, and shrimp
Beef Pho - grass-fed beef noodle soup
Coconut tapioca pudding
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Vietnamese | Neighborhood: East Williamsburg | Map it
Soco
Soco is a Southern cuisine staple in Brooklyn, known for its hearty and delicious dishes. You honestly can’t go wrong with anything you try on the menu, which makes you want to come back for more.
It’s a lively, upbeat environment and the waitstaff are the sweetest people! This place is popular so make reservations in advance.
Try:
Mac n’ cheese, f-que wings
Lobster, shrimp, and grits
Chicken and red velvet waffles
Mardi gras cocktail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Southern | Neighborhood: Fort Greene | Map it
Cafe Mogador
Whenever I’m in mood for tagine (which is often) I head over to Cafe Mogador. The ambiance is lively, the food is delicious, the drinks are strong and the desserts are tasty. This is another one of those places that consistently delivers quality food.
Try:
Mezze dips
Chicken tagine (can be prepared in different Moroccan sauces, my favorite is charmoulla)
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Mediterranean | Neighborhood: Williamsburg | Map it
Sea Wolf
The atmosphere at the Bushwick location is what first lured me into Seawolf, but the quality of the food is what kept me coming back. There are two locations: Bushwick and Williamsburg. The Bushwick location has immensely high ceilings and fun knick knacks all over the walls. The ambiance is very lively and loud and offers a fun dining experience. The Williamsburg location is a bit smaller and located on the East River waterfront offering amazing city skyline views. Both menus are the same, serving up a variety of seafood and meat dishes.
Try:
Happy hour oysters for $1 (daily, 4-7pm)
Cod fish and chips
Lobster mac and cheese
Painkiller cocktail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check their Instagram
Cuisine type: American | Neighborhood: Bushwick | Map it
Maite
You will never have the same meal twice at Maite. The Colombian/European inspired menu changes often to incorporate a variety of ingredients from farmers and markets. I personally love when restaurants do this, it allows the chef to get creative with the menu. Also, who wants to eat the same things over and over? Check out the menu on the chalkboard when you get in or get an idea of their cuisine at the link below.
Try:
Arepita or empanaditas
Steak (cuts range but the flavor profile is amazing)
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Colombian | Neighborhood: Bushwick | Map it
St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club
Grab your lover (or group of friends) and go enjoy a live jazz show while dining at St. Mazie. The ambiance is so amazing and the food and drinks are spectacular. They have a beautiful outdoor garden and basement supper club in case you just want to dine or drink and not see the show. Because of how popular this place is, it can get booked up quickly so I highly recommend making reservations. Check out their music schedule here.
Try:
Mazie’s famous burger
Charred brussel sprouts
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: American | Neighborhood: Williamsburg | Map it
Otis
Otis is one of a kind in the neighborhood, offering Manhattan quality food but right down the block from your apartment in Brooklyn. The space is beautifully appointed and the outdoor patio reminds me of a Tulum courtyard. The menu is limited on quantity but stacked in quality. The cocktails are top notch.
Try:
Revenge of the line cocktail
Burrata
Braised pork shoulder pasta
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: American | Neighborhood: Bushwick | Map it
Tabaré Bushwick
The original Tabaré is in Williamburg but I prefer the Bushwick location. It’s much more spacious and the vibe is chill and laid back. The walls are covered with antique salvaged goods that remind me of an old school saloon. Cash or Amex only!
Try:
Empanadas caseras
Octopus casserole
Churrasco
Pituco or Verde cocktails
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Uruguayan/South American | Neighborhood: Bushwick | Map it
Imani Caribbean Kitchen & Bar
Situated over two floors in a beautiful Brooklyn brownstone, Imani serves up some tasty Caribbean dishes. It’s always a vibe here, the food and drinks are flowing and the staff is super friendly. Be sure to make reservations because they book up quickly.
Try:
Ackee & salt fish spring rolls or mac and cheese
Tiger shrimp and grits
Oxtail stew
Coconut rum punch cocktail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Caribbean | Neighborhood: Fort Greene | Map it
Union Pizza Works
Known for their delicious wood-fired oven pizza. This rustic style Bushwick hot spot has amazing authentic Italian dishes and the menu rotates often.
Try:
Salame piccante or salsiccia pizza
Polpette or burrata
Tagliatelle al ragu
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Italian | Neighborhood: Bushwick | Map it
Leuca
Wonderful Italian restaurant located at the lower level of the William Vale hotel in Williamsburg. They currently have live jazz every Tuesday and Thursday, from 6-9pm.
Try:
Sheep’s milk ricotta
Grilled octopus
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Italian | Neighborhood: Williamsburg | Map it
Fandi Mata
This spacious, multilevel restaurant is very trendy, always lively, and serves consistently delicious food.
Try:
Mezze platter
Octopus a la plancha
Croquetas
Voyageur Passioné cocktail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Mediterranean | Neighborhood: Williamsburg | Map it
Evelina
A trendy and dimly lit Italian spot, perfect for a chill date night or casual dinner. The cocktails are delicious and the staff is super nice. The menu rotates often so you always get to try new dishes.
Try:
Squid ink spaghetti
Branzino fillet
Mercutio cocktail is a fun experience
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Italian | Neighborhood: Fort Greene | Map it
Negril BK
This massive place is big on flavor and vibes. This tropical restaurant is spread across three large dining spaces, one being a rum lounge bar. The menu has a little something for everyone.
Try:
Ackee and saltfish spring rolls
Curry chicken
Braised oxtail
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Caribbean | Neighborhood: Park Slope | Map it
Casa Ora
This place is incredibly beautiful and serves delicious Venezuelan cuisine. It’s a great idea to try a variety of dishes so be sure to order a lot and share plates. The menu is vegan friendly too!
Try:
Arepitas
Bollitos pelones (corn dumplings with impossible beef)
Red snapper
Price range: $$ | View the menu | Check out their Instagram
Cuisine type: Venezuelan | Neighborhood: East Williamsburg | Map it
