A Guide to the Best Places to Eat and Drink in Brooklyn

No longer in Manhattan's shadow, Brooklyn is the place to find some of the most exciting and original restaurants in New York City – and maybe the entire world.

Brooklyn is a culinary embarrassment of riches; you could eat at a different spot every single day of the year and never be disappointed. Since both of us moved here, trying a new restaurant has become something of a weekly tradition for us, and we’ve found quite a few favorites. So with the help of our fellow Lonely Planet Brooklynites, we’ve narrowed down the dozens of places we’ve tried to a manageable list of the best local haunts all over Brooklyn.

It’s important to note that while the most popular places require reservations, Brooklyn still holds out the possibility of walk-ins, especially on weekdays and before the evening rush. The smaller your group, the easier it will be.

Looking to venture beyond Brooklyn? Eat your way through these iconic New York City neighborhoods. But first, consider these spots where to eat and drink in Brooklyn throughout the day.

Breakfast

Ursula

Bedford-Stuyvesant

Offering perhaps the best breakfast burrito in Brooklyn (and on Earth?), Ursula in Bedford-Stuyvesant impresses time and time again. This is one of the few places we would join a line for – and has the even rarer distinction of motivating us to get up and out of the house early on the weekend. Other hits on the menu include the blue corn pancakes and chilaquiles – bonus points for the vegetarian and vegan options. If you can’t make it for breakfast, Ursula serves lunch and dinner, too.

Radio Bakery

Greenpoint and Prospect Heights

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We know – actually, everyone knows – that Radio Bakery has been hyped over and over again since it opened in 2023. But this spot genuinely deserves the buzz – and is worth waiting in line for. If you aren’t big on lines but big on creative, perfectly baked, fresh pastries (with flavors like heirloom tomato and cheese, or blueberry and corn), arrive as early as possible on both weekdays and weekends; they open at 7:30am. If you’re at the Greenpoint location, take your goods on a morning meander to WNYC Transmitter Park to enjoy Manhattan skyline views.

Otway Bakery

Clinton Hill

If you prefer to satisfy your sweet tooth in the morning, go to Otway Bakery. Located on the border of Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights, this local pastry shop has an array of baked goods worth stopping in for. From the cardamom bun to a classic buttery croissant, decadent treats are best enjoyed on the go, during a picnic in nearby Prospect Park.

Shelsky’s

Cobble Hill and Park Slope

This is a go-to spot for a classic hand-rolled bagel. The ones here are just as New York bagels should be: sourdough-based and incredibly soft inside, but crisp on the outside. Opt for a simple egg-and-cheese (and trust us – they don’t skimp on the cheese here), or go the lox route and add capers, tomatoes and red onion. The potato latkes are also divine.

Coffee

Cafe Regular du Nord

Park Slope

Cafe Regular is a little hole-in-the-wall spot on a leafy side street in Park Slope. A large mural on the main wall and old-school padded booth seats exude charm. This is a favorite place to enjoy a cappuccino, a croissant and a book. The seating inside is limited; tables spill out to the sidewalk if the weather is nice. The coffee is excellent, the staff are friendly, and you can also head to nearby Brooklyn Botanic Garden after your cup of coffee.

Land to Sea

Williamsburg

Land to Sea is a favorite coffee spot in Williamsburg, with excellent coffee – whether drip or a specialty latte – and matcha drinks. You must pick up one of their Chinese pastries, such as bolo bao (pineapple buns), roast pork buns or tahini chocolate chip cookies. The back room is a perfect, relatively quiet spot where you can actually get work done – rare in NYC.

IXV Coffee

Boerum Hill

IXV Coffee is a zero-waste shop in Boerum Hill that’s a triple threat in the realm of sustainable goods: beyond coffee (they have amazing lattes), they sell reworked clothing and home goods.

Lunch

Hometown Bar-B-Que

Red Hook

Good BBQ is hard to come by in NYC, and Southerners and Tex-pats love this joint for its Texas-style brisket (they’ve got a pit and everything). The team also incorporates more global flavors into the menu, like Vietnamese hot wings and Korean sticky ribs. For meat lovers, ribs are a must-order, and you can't go wrong with a pulled pork sandwich or Frito pie (Frito chips topped with chili and all the fixings). Also on offer are fabulous vegetarian dishes like hot cauliflower wings, and scrumptious sides out the wazoo, such as mac n' cheese with Parmesan breadcrumbs and collard greens. For dessert, go for the banana pudding – as you would at any classic BBQ joint.

Gertie

Prospect Heights

With elevated takes on classic Jewish cuisine, Gertie in Prospect Heights is the place for a “Jew-ish”–style meal: sample some latkes, tuck into the pickle platter or select one of the menu’s delicious sandwiches. For a similar style of food with a fancier vibe, check out sister restaurant Gertrude’s for dinner. Note that reservations for weekend tables at Gertrude’s are a must.

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Café Paulette

Fort Greene

Delve into a photo-worthy French meal at quaint Café Paulette in Fort Greene – a neighborhood staple for over a decade. Take a stroll through Fort Greene Park before cozying up in the cafe with a steaming bowl of French onion soup. It’s an ideal way to unwind and relax midday.

Aperitivo

Rhodora

Fort Greene

Rhodora in Fort Greene represents one droplet of the wine-bar wave that has taken over most of the city – and it’s totally worth the hype. While this place is on the pricier side, the marinated olives are a must, and the burrata topped with tomato jam will likely be gone in a matter of moments

The Long Island Bar

Cobble Hill

On Atlantic Ave, the border between Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights, The Long Island Bar has been around since the early ’50s, its interior relatively unchanged over the decades. This will forever be the place where we learned to love a martini – they are simply fantastic here. On the food menu is a variety of American classics, from a top-notch burger (with a side of arguably the best fries in Brooklyn) to deviled eggs and cheese curds. It’s cozy yet lively, and one of our favorite places to enjoy a cocktail and bar food with a friend before a night out.

Deux Chats

Williamsburg

Raw-bar happy hours are popular in trendy Williamsburg; the one at Deux Chats is no exception. If you have a large group (or are just feeling very ambitious), you could always go for the gorgeous “martini fountain,” which serves 13.

Pizza

Roberta’s

Bushwick and Williamsburg

Bushwick’s rise to culinary fame began with this cult-favorite pizza shop–turned–mini chain, which has been dishing out inventive wood-fired pies in a renovated warehouse since 2008. Seek out the original Bushwick location, which was opened in a former garage, and dig into your pizza at their covered tiki bar next door.

OPS

Bushwick

There’s something about pizza and Bushwick that makes for a perfect match. At OPS, the vibe is local ingredients and global wines in a low-lit, cozy space. Lonely Planet photographer DeSean McClinton Holland vouches for the "amazing pizza and cocktails served by a friendly staff in a cozy environment – a slice of heaven.”

L’Industrie

Williamsburg

What everyone says is true: L’Industrie is one of the best pizza spots in not just Williamsburg, but all of New York City. It’s the epitome of a New York slice: large, thin, crispy crust. Most people overlook the weekly sandwiches served every Wednesday; don't be like most people. Tip: order ahead (whole pies only) to skip the line.

Dinner

Hungry Thirsty

Carroll Gardens

Hungry Thirsty serves some of the best Thai food in the city. Come ready for a serious kick – and heed the spice warnings on the menu. While their plates are constantly changing, you can always expect traditional Thai dishes with breathtaking, innovative twists.

Bar Mario

Red Hook

Bar Mario is everything you want in a comfort-food pasta spot – and one of Senior Director of Content Brekke Fletcher’s favorite spots in the city. Down in Red Hook, the unassuming restaurant serves hearty portions of classic Italian fare; come for the heaping plates of noodles, and stay for the great atmosphere. Fletcher’s insider tip? Hit Sunny’s Bar after dinner for drinks and live music to round out the night.

Kings Co Imperial

Williamsburg and Park Slope

You know this place is good by the high number of both takeout delivery folks and dine-in customers it attracts. It’s also an excellent spot for a group dinner if you make a reservation (they aren’t super competitive a couple of weeks out). Whatever you order, make sure the fried long beans and soup dumplings are involved.

Sweet Treats

Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie

Red Hook

This might be one of the top desserts in all of NYC. While it’s a trek to get here – either by bus or ferry if you're going on public transportation – that first bite of a “Swingle” (a miniature, chocolate-dipped, hand-squeezed key lime pie) has converted several of our editors to Red Hook’s biggest fans. There’s also a Swingle with mouthwatering raspberry puree; you can also buy an entire key lime pie to take home and share with your roommates or family. If, that is, you can wait that long without devouring the whole thing yourself.

Poppy’s

Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights

Poppy’s serves a solid cup of coffee, but it’s the desserts that land it on our list – specifically, the chocolate chip cookie. While at $5 it’s pricey for a cookie, you’ll be buying bites of pure joy in the form of a giant, golden-brown, soft cookie with a crisp exterior, dark chocolate chips and flaky salt on top. It’s worth it.

Fortunato Brothers

Williamsburg

If a slice of cake is what you're craving, head to this family-owned Italian Bakery in East Williamsburg. The blackout chocolate cake, tiramisu and Italian cheesecake are all perfect orders. And you can never go wrong with a few cannoli.

Bar

Doris

Bedford-Stuyvesant

Doris is a sultry spot in Bed-Stuy that is the perfect spot for a third date. It’s also a great place to hang out with friends, with a back patio with tons of seating to accommodate larger groups. (If you get tired of playing pool, don’t worry – there’s table tennis, too.) The cocktails are delicious here, and the fabulous grilled cheese sandwiches might be even more tempting.

Ornithology Jazz Club

Bushwick

Ornithology Jazz Club in Bushwick is a great place to start or end a night out. Daily live jazz shows and reasonably priced drinks make it easy to kick back and enjoy. If it’s too crowded, a sister establishment and jazz-listening room, Cafe Ornithology, is next door. If you’re trying to bar hop, just across the street is Mao Mao, which serves Thai street food and cocktails in an old cinema-turned-restaurant.

Mr Melo

Williamsburg

This is Director of Audience Serina Patel’s favorite bar in her neighborhood of Williamsburg. Expect a vinyl listening bar with great music, cool and trendy vibes and fun cocktails (think feta-brine martini and smoked eggplant margarita).