Gordon K. 
Moving to Brooklyn? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Brooklyn Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Pescada New York (1776 Ocean Ave, Brooklyn): A sleek, white-tablecloth kosher restaurant serving up seafood delights with a takeout option. Perfect for those who love an elegant dining experience, for every meal.
- Ital Kitchen – Ital Kitchen was born from the idea of food that improves your happiness…simply put, happy food creates happy souls… Ital is the oasis of Crown Heights, created on the premise that food and atmosphere heals.
- The Good Fork – The Good Fork Restaurant and bar served eclectic seasonal New American food in a warm and cozy setting. Having opened their doors in March of 2006, they have had the pleasure of serving the wonderful Red Hook, Brooklyn community and beyond for over 14 years.
- Chilos (323 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn): Chilos has two taco truck locations: the original one in Bed-Stuy and a newer spot in Greenwood Heights. Both open to an outdoor patio space and sell agave spirits and margaritas to wash it all down.
- The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club (514 Union St): Located on the edge of Clinton Hill, these shuffleboard courts are the ultimate big-group activity.
- Cobble Hill Cinema – Who doesn’t love an independent boutique movie theater?! Make wonderful movie memories in this local spot featuring five theaters and a plethora of international and independent showings.
- Chavela’s(736 Franklin Ave Brooklyn) – Chavela’s offers authentic Mexican flavors served in a welcoming atmosphere with fantastic cocktails, lively music, and lots of laughter.
- Fritz (737 Fulton St, Brooklyn): Step into 1920s Berlin at this chic cocktail bar, where martinis are crisp, cold, and served with a sidecar. It’s the place to channel your inner Gatsby.
- L’Antagoniste – High-end, traditional French bistro fare with a variety of complimentary wines and beverages
- Biggie Mural – This Bed-Stuy landmark is a fantastic tribute to a local legend
- Prospect Park: Prospect Park is the flagship park of Brooklyn. It offers 586 acres of trails, paths, fields, meadows, and green space, and is a fantastic place to get some exercise or get lost in nature right in the heart of Brooklyn.
- Prospect Park Zoo: This zoo helps city residents get their wildlife fix right alongside Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The zoo is home to a range of animals from dingos and red pandas to the California Sea Lion.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: This world-class New York City botanical garden connects people to the world of plants, fostering curiosity and delight for New York’s green spaces while supporting a sense of community and stewardship around the environment. They offer nearly two dozen gardens, collections, conservatories, and features.
- Milk and Honey Cafe (1119 Newkirk Ave, Brooklyn): A must-visit halal coffee shop and brunch haven with outdoor patio seating. Don’t miss the spicy lamb flatbread and the salted caramel shake.
- Fun on Fifth Festival: The goal is simple: have fun on Fifth and support local businesses and vendors.
- Summer Stroll on 3rd: This annual event draws tens of thousands of visitors to Bay Ridge, with car-free streets, avenue-wide activities, and summertime fun on consecutive Friday nights.
- Prospect Park Zoo: This zoo helps city residents get their wildlife fix right alongside Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The zoo is home to a range of animals from dingos and red pandas to the California Sea Lion.
- Midwood Mardi Gras Street: Running for over 40 years, this annual street festival brings the heart of Midwood to life with entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, and more unusual experiences, like an FDNY fire safety demonstration, and Jewish organ performances.
- Colonia Verde (219 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn): Sharing is caring at this Latin American eatery by the Cómodo team. The airy, rustic space, complete with a greenhouse-like back room, makes it the perfect spot for communal dining.
- Aita (132 Greene Ave): Named one of the “Best Aperitivo Bars in NYC” by New York Magazine, Aita brings a slice of Italy to Clinton Hill. Locals love the grilled octopus and oxtail ravioli, proving you don’t need to trek to Manhattan for a fantastic dining experience.
- Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier – Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier was originally built in 1996 by the City’s Economic Development Corporation before becoming a city park in 1999. From the pier can be seen the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, Manhattan’s skyline, Staten Island, and the New York Harbor.
- Brooklyn Hero Shop (270 Vanderbilt Ave): One of the best Italian sandwich shops in Brooklyn, with all the usual suspects: roasted turkey heroes, classic tuna melts, and fried chicken sandwiches.
- Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies – Steve’s continual endeavor to improve his key lime pie in its quality stands out as one of the most authentic and uncompromising key lime pies North of the Sunshine State.
- Friends and Lovers – Friends and Lovers is a bar, performance venue, and community space in the neighborhood offering funky music, stiff drinks, and nice people.
- The Emerson (561 Myrtle Ave): A laid-back spot with craft beers, local art, and a garden patio for lazy summer afternoons. Named after poet Ralph Waldo Emerson who lived in the area.
- The Wicked Monk: (9510 3rd Ave, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn): If you’re searching for a bar that serves peanut butter and jelly shots – or just a bar with surprisingly good food – The Wicked Monk is your go-to. The vibe? Saturday night 80s disco fever.
- Taqueria Al Pastor (128 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn): Conveniently located just outside the L station at the corner of Stanhope and Wyckoff, Taqueria Al Pastor offers everything from juicy marinated pork cooked al pastor to grilled nopal cactus tacos. The homemade yellow corn tortillas are made fresh daily.
- Blueprint: This upscale lounge offers some of the most meticulously crafted cocktails in Brooklyn. They offer upscale, sophisticated accoutrements like cheese and charcuterie, as well as full-scale New-American classics like the Blueprint Duck Club and Rabbit Pot Pie.
- Stuyvesant Heights Historic District – The district’s over 800 buildings are a diverse array of row houses, tenant buildings, residences, and institutional buildings. They range from simple wood frame houses to grand chateauesque buildings.
- Strange Delight (63 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn): This recently opened New Orleans-inspired spot is a contemporary twist on the classic oyster bar. It’s the go-to for crunchy fried shrimp, crawfish, and red cocktails.
- The Crown Inn – A friendly neighborhood establishment, The Crown Inn offers craft cocktails and beer in a cavernous bar with exposed brick & Prohibition-style furnishings.
- The Brooklyn Ice House – Bar food, a big beer list & an ample back patio bring locals to this laid-back tavern.
- Barbès: This French-owned underground nightclub is a classic old bar that showcases local creative talent and strives to be “anti-dive”. Take that for what you will, but they refuse to compromise on certain details that just can’t be found elsewhere in NYC anymore.
- C’Mon Everybody (325 Franklin Ave): A lively LGBTQ+ watering hole and live music venue that, as the name suggests, is inclusive and welcoming.
- The Soul Summit Music Festival: A Sunday summer staple, this DJ collective brings soulful house music to Fort Greene Park. This celebration of music and community is free and open to all.
- Seaborne – Classic and modern cocktails served in an exposed-brick bar.
- Commune in Clinton Hill (69 Lexington Ave): A coffee cart, wine bar, garden, and collaborative workspace all rolled into one. The decor and ambiance, especially the outdoor garden, make it a productive spot for hosting networking events or 1:1 catchups.
- Cobble Hill Park – The park certainly isn’t the largest or most exciting in New York. However, it’s a nice little spot with a garden, benches, a great kid’s playground, and historical significance.
- Super Power – Casual spot for tiki drinks & frozen cocktails with colorful garnishes, plus a few bar bites.
- MAMA FOX – Modern new American fare complimented by a variety of craft cocktails
- Fabulous Fifth Avenue Street Fair: Held in nearby Park Slope, this bustling street fair is a must-visit. With live music and street vendors, it’s set along what Time Out New York calls one of the “the world’s coolest streets.”
- Taqueria Ramirez (94 Franklin St, Brooklyn): Located near the G train, Taqueria Ramirez does Mexico City street tacos right: limited meat (including offal) choices, heavy on the seasoning with self-serve salsas. If your Mexican cuisine standards are high, Taqueria Ramirez won’t let you down.
