Unique Places to Eat in Brooklyn

Brooklyn has flourished over the past few years, and we want to say it’s even more coveted than Manhattan at this point.

It’s a little quieter and less crazy and very family- and dog-friendly. It's also home to cool bars and ice cream shops, coffee shops and boutiques galore, a park that’s just as beautiful as Central Park and even James Beard-nominated/winning restaurants.

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If that’s not enough to convince you to spend a weekend (or maybe a lifetime) in the beloved BK, there are also museums and galleries spread around the borough as well as music events and a jam-packed ongoing calendar of events that includes artisanal markets, wellness activities, Smorgasburg and more.

However, we’ll save that list for another time and use this space to share our favorite Brooklyn eats and drinks. Good thing there’s a lot of walking involved—you'll want to work up an appetite every couple hours or so to hit all the good spots.

Looking for authentic Colombian food, but don’t feel like traveling to Queens? We’ve got you.

Bogota Latin Bistro has been a Park Slope staple for many years and is home to the tastiest (and largest!) bandeja paisa we’ve ever seen. For $23, you’ll get a Colombian platter filled with skirt steak, chicharron, white arepa, rice, beans, a fried egg, sweet plantain, avocado and cabbage salad. Whoa, that’s a mouthful, literally and figuratively.

If you’re looking for a laid back vibe, specialty cocktails and snacks, Bearded Lady is the right place. This Prospect Heights 1950s diner-style bar feels like the coolest throwback, though it’s not even a decade old. Order the grilled cheese, radish crudité and fresh oysters with a drink such as the Church Key, which is a delightful combo of Pimm’s, London dry gin, cucumber juice, ginger and mint.

A classic neighborhood favorite for nearly 10 years, Brooklyn Larder is easy to miss if you’re hurrying down the sidewalk, but the restaurant and market have developed a loyal following of customers who die for cheese, baked goods, ice creams and the best meatball sandwich in all of Brooklyn.

Stop in for a bite with a big window view of Flatbush Avenue or take your charcuterie supplies and roasted veggies to go with some craft beer or a bottle of wine. Whatever you decide on, you’ll be sure to venture back time and time again for years to come.

A James Beard Foundation-winning Best New Restaurant (of 2017), Olmsted offers a seasonal, ingredient-driven menu with many fresh herbs and veggies coming straight from the restaurant’s garden. What we love most about this place is that it’s unpretentious but still exciting.

From the beer battered squash rings and carrot crepe to the long island duck and old school chocolate mousse for dessert, every bite from start to finish is a party in your mouth. Not to mention the cocktails—who knew something as simple as a carrot-orange mimosa would taste so good?

Italian food is always a good idea. Al di La, a cozy Northern Italian restaurant on Brooklyn’s 5th Avenue, will always be packed no matter what day or time it is. Open for over 20 years, this neighborhood staple hits the spot for a carb-heavy meal of tagliatelle or stuffed tortelli and a yummy bottle of wine.

Save room for a cappuccino so you can continue with your day or night.

A one-of-a-kind Gowanus bar, Dirty Precious, serves cocktails all day with names like Sneakeasy (Scotch, Amaro, Vermouth) and One Night Stand (bartender’s choice). The music and decor both give off strong California vibes and the food menu changes from day to night. It includes salads, toasts, boards and bowls.

If creative cocktails aren’t your thing, there’s also tea and coffee here, along with beer (draft, cans and bottles) and a great selection of wines that includes wine on tap and bubbles.