Where to Eat in Brooklyn NY: 11 best restaurants

Planning to visit Brooklyn during your trip to New York and would like to discover restaurants worth eating at? Read on!

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

9 min read

Where to Eat in Brooklyn NY: 11 best restaurants

Characteristic Brooklyn Bridge | ©Joe Hunt

Where to eat in Brooklyn? The million-dollar question that we all have when we work up an appetite while sightseeing in one of the best neighborhoods in New York.

In Brooklyn you will find a lot of restaurants that offer gastronomic proposals for all palates and pockets, but where can you eat well and leave happy? In this post we review 10 restaurants in Brooklyn where eating is a pleasure and, moreover, with fantastic views of the city. If you prefer, you can also hire a gastronomic tour of Brooklyn to not miss any of its most typical local dishes. Let's start!

1. The best pizza in Brooklyn at Grimaldi's

Entrance of Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn| ©Filipe Fortes
Entrance of Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn| ©Filipe Fortes

The pizzas at Grimaldi's are so good that they're almost a tourist attraction in Brooklyn. Hundreds of people make the pilgrimage to this restaurant located just under the Brooklyn Bridge for their delicious pepperoni pizza. No matter how long the line that often forms at the entrance, it's worth it!

At Grimaldi's they prepare a great Neapolitan pizza whose secret is in the dough and the charcoal-heated brick oven, which creates a crispy crust and a unique flavor that is impossible to achieve in any other type of oven. Their unmistakable seal has earned them numerous awards in the United States, so you have to try these pizzas!

To accompany, I recommend ordering a caprese salad or a bruschetta trio. And for dessert, there is nothing better than a chocolate cannoli - mamma mia, it's delicious!

Useful information

  • Address: 1 Front Street, Brooklyn.
  • Recommended dish: Pepperoni pizza
  • Ideal for: Family and friends

Book a food tour in Brooklyn

2. The gastronomic variety at Time Out Market

Empire Stores in Manhattan where Time Out Market is located.| ©dumbonyc
Empire Stores in Manhattan where Time Out Market is located.| ©dumbonyc

In the DUMBO area there is no shortage of restaurants to eat at. That's why sometimes it's so difficult to agree on which one to go to, especially if you're traveling with your family or a large group of friends where everyone wants something different. Fortunately, Time Out Market is located in this neighborhood. A food hall that will be a lifesaver for many travelers who have this problem.

In Time Out Market you will find more than twenty food stalls where you can try many different styles of dishes (Japanese, Italian, Lebanese, Thai, vegetarian, etc.) without leaving Empire Stores, the building where this food hall is located and that testifies to the industrial past of Brooklyn in the nineteenth century.

To round off a delicious meal, how about a cocktail to toast your trip to New York? At Time Out Market there are three bars where they prepare fantastic cocktails and the Time Out Market Bar has a fabulous panoramic view of the New York skyline.

Useful Info

  • Address: 55 Water Street, Brooklyn.
  • Recommended dish: The mac and cheese at Jacob's Pickles.
  • Ideal for: Couples and friends

Book a food tour in Brooklyn

3. Aldama's artisan tequila and tacos

One of Aldama's famous tacos with octopus.| ©Andrea Grujic
One of Aldama's famous tacos with octopus.| ©Andrea Grujic

If you love the flavors of Mexican cuisine and can't get enough of tacos, beans and guacamole, you have to visit Aldama restaurant in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

A place where you can eat Mexico in bites but with an original and different touch to what we are usually used to, as it delves into a menu of regional Mexican dishes.

Some of the dishes I recommend you try at Aldama are the grilled shrimp, the crispy tuna taco or the guacamole with bits of salsa macha. And to finish, a few glasses of tequila or artisanal mezcal while listening to live music from Thursday to Saturday at their cocktail bar.

Useful information

  • Address: 91 South 6th Street Williamsburg, New York 11249
  • Recommended dish: The crispy tuna taco.
  • Ideal for: Couples and friends

4. Nathan's Famous hot dogs, the most popular in New York City

Nathan's Famous in New York| ©Tony Fischer
Nathan's Famous in New York| ©Tony Fischer

If you travel to New York in summer, one of the best plans you can make is to go to Coney Island, the Brooklyn neighborhood where New Yorkers escape to when they want to enjoy a day at the beach or when they feel like eating Nathan's Famous, the most famous hot dogs in New York.

Located on the Coney Island boardwalk, Nathan's hot dogs have been dazzling New Yorkers since the first food stand opened here in 1906. The business has grown so much that today they have a large location here where they even hold competitions to see who can gobble Nathan's Famous hot dogs the fastest: the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

And it's no wonder people devour them because they are addictive and cost very little money. If you are passing through Coney Island and feel like a quick bite to eat in less than 10 minutes, these hot dogs are the best option. However, they also have other dishes on the menu such as hamburgers or fried chicken.

Useful information

  • Address: 1205 Boardwalk W, Brooklyn, NY 11224,
  • Recommended dish: Hot dogs
  • Ideal for: Family and friends

Book a food tour in Brooklyn

5. Noodle Pudding's Italian Risotto

A plate of Risotto| ©Giorgio Minguzzi
A plate of Risotto| ©Giorgio Minguzzi

If you like pasta, at Noodle Pudding you will enjoy it like a child because they specialize in it. Rice, corn, buckwheat... all the options you can imagine!

But in this restaurant located in the Brooklyn Heights area you can not only eat the flagship dish of Italian cuisine but also many other proposals that will make your mouth water: mushroom risotto, ossobuco with rosemary, grilled chicken breast with vegetables and so on and so forth.

Noodle Pudding's service is good, as is its value for money. In fact, finding such a cheap bottle of wine in Manhattan to accompany your meal would not be as easy as in this nice and cozy Brooklyn restaurant. Give it a try because you won't regret it!

Useful information

  • Address: 38 Henry St, New York, NY 11201
  • Recommended dish: Mushroom risotto.
  • Ideal for: Couples and friends

Book a gastronomic tour in Brooklyn

6. Alma's brunches overlooking Lower Manhattan

Taco plate in New York| ©Maxim Pierre
Taco plate in New York| ©Maxim Pierre

If after a long walk through the streets of Brooklyn, which is undoubtedly one of the best neighborhoods in New York, you are looking for a place with a nice view for dinner, Alma is the restaurant to go to. It is made up of three floors and from its open-air rooftop it has wonderful panoramic views of the Lower Manhattan skyline that are highly coveted during spring and summer nights.

But that's not its only attraction, it's also the food! Mexican-inspired, at Alma you can eat delicious tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, ceviche, nachos and guacamole, among other dishes. And if you accompany them with a glass of iced margarita... you won't be able to resist!

Also, on weekends they celebrate brunches so it's a good occasion to drop by Brooklyn and pay a visit to this restaurant. The portions are generous and the value for money excellent, what more could you ask for?

Useful Info

  • Address: 187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
  • Recommended dish: Enchiladas de pollo (chicken enchiladas)
  • Ideal for: Family, friends and couples

Book a gastronomic tour in Brooklyn

7. Celestine's turmeric gin and tonics and hummus

Gin & Tonic drink| ©Paul Lowry
Gin & Tonic drink| ©Paul Lowry

If during your trip to New York you are looking for a sophisticated place to dine after a stroll in Brooklyn, Celestine restaurant will meet all your expectations.

Located on the DUMBO waterfront in Brooklyn, not only does it have beautiful views of the East River, the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and the city skyline, but the menu will transport you to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern coasts with its delicious dishes and cocktails inspired by the cultures of this part of the world. You will enjoy with all your senses!

Celestine: it is the perfect place to go to enjoy a romantic dinner or a brunch with friends. The atmosphere is very pleasant, the service is good and the menu has options for different occasions. I recommend trying the hummus, the crudités, the baby kale salad or the fried chicken sandwich with buttercream. And as a finishing touch to a delicious and exotic dinner, a turmeric gin and tonic.

Useful information

  • Address: 1 John St. Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Recommended dish: Hummus
  • Ideal for: Couples and friends

Book a gastronomic tour in Brooklyn

8. Pio Bagel's fresh bagels

Facade of Pio Bagel in Brooklyn| ©Pio Bagel
Facade of Pio Bagel in Brooklyn| ©Pio Bagel

Sometimes it's hard to take a break when you're having a great time exploring Brooklyn. However, it always comes to take a break to refuel and continue with more energy. Pio Bagel is a great option if you don't want to eat something that takes a long time, their bagels are so good that you can eat them in the blink of an eye!

The place is open every day for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The bagel is the star product of the house. You can eat it alone but if you put some filling it will be richer and you will lick your fingers. I recommend the Mexican bagel (spicy) and the bagel delight (vegetarian).

Besides bagels you can also order salads, sandwiches, soups or sweets. There is quite a variety to choose from but all the products are fresh and delicious. The service at Pio Bagel is friendly and prompt, and the prices are reasonable, so you'll be sure to come back!

Useful information

  • Address: 1 John St. Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Recommended dish: Mexican Bagel
  • Ideal for: Friends and family

Book a food tour in Brooklyn

9. The oriental flavors of Yaso Tangbao

Yaso Tangbao in Brooklyn| ©Shinya Suzuki
Yaso Tangbao in Brooklyn| ©Shinya Suzuki

If you are looking for Far Eastern flavors in Brooklyn, Yaso Tangbao is the restaurant you have to go to try the best Shanghai street food without leaving New York.

A place very frequented by the neighbors of the neighborhood who almost keep the existence of this place as a secret so that it does not become too crowded. Its Asian-inspired dishes are so good that they have nothing to envy to those prepared in the kitchens of Chinatown.

The menu of :::link|text=Yaso Tangbao|url=https://yaso.kitchen/:: is extensive and there are options for all tastes, even for vegans. I recommend you order the curry fried rice, the spicy pork dumplings or the slow cooked tofu. You will leave there with a full belly and a smile from ear to ear.

Useful information

  • Address: 148 Lawrence St., Brooklyn, NY, 11201
  • Recommended dish: Curry fried rice
  • Ideal for: Friends and family

10. Fornino's pizzas and calzones overlooking New York City

Huge, great pizzas at Fornino's.| ©Bex Walton
Huge, great pizzas at Fornino's.| ©Bex Walton

There are several reasons to drop by Brooklyn Bridge Park but there is no doubt that the views of the New York skyline and the pizzas at Fornino are two of the most powerful.

It's a restaurant I recommend you go to especially in the spring and summer, as there is a rooftop dining room from which you'll have spectacular views of the sunset over Manhattan while you indulge in a tasty freshly baked pizza.

However, there are other options on the menu at Fornino in case you don't feel like ordering pizza such as salads, meatballs, sandwiches or calzones prosciutto, so make sure you go to the restaurant with a good appetite because you'll want to try everything you can!

Useful information

  • Address: Pier 6, Brooklyn, NY 11201
  • Recommended dish: Pizza Margherita
  • Ideal for: Friends, couples and family

Book a food tour in Brooklyn

11. Turkish meatballs at Abracadabra Brooklyn

Turkish Meatballs Dish| ©alanagkelly
Turkish Meatballs Dish| ©alanagkelly

Abracadabra Brooklyn is a cozy cafe located in Williamsburg (near the eponymous bridge) where you can enjoy a healthy and tasty meal while you take a break during your route through Brooklyn.

If there is something surprising about this small place is that its size is inversely proportional to the portions served here, always abundant (even the most gluttonous eaters will not leave with an empty stomach!), but there is enough space to eat inside. Another option is to order take-out and have a picnic in a neighborhood park on a nice weather day.

The dishes are made with organic and seasonal ingredients. You can find in their menu from quinoa burritos and Turkish meatballs to vegan burgers with hummus. And for those with a sweet tooth, I recommend trying their chocolate cake with raspberries or brownie, which are out of this world. In addition, Abracadabra Brooklyn has vegan and gluten-free options.

Useful information

  • Address: 347 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
  • Recommended dish: Turkish Meatballs
  • Ideal for: Friends, couples and family

Book a gastronomic tour in Brooklyn