A Guide To Williamsburg Brooklyn

This list of restaurants, bars, boutiques and activities proves Williamsburg is worth a trip across the East River.

Despite shedding its identity as a true bohemian enclave, Williamsburg still retains a strong sense of aspirational cool. You’ll see more shiny condominiums and expensive cocktail bars in the neighborhood these days (as well as more resident finance guys taking advantage of the ferry connection to Wall Street), but you’ll also find sprawling vintage stores, dark and rowdy watering holes and gourmet espresso bars in unexpected places (think barbershops, boutiques and even laundromats).

Bedford Avenue, the first Brooklyn stop on the L train from Manhattan, is the bustling heart of Williamsburg, lined with smoke shops, bagel bakeries and posh retail. At its northern end Bedford runs into McCarren Park – a local hang-out with lawns, sports grounds, an outdoor pool and communal barbecue grills.

If you want some idea of what the neighborhood used to be like before it was transformed by gentrification, visit East and South Williamsburg, where the presence of immigrant communities is still prominent. Family-run venues and long-standing establishments are a nice contrast to the hipster homogenization and elevated prices of northern Williamsburg.

Check out what Williamsburg has to offer with these bookable tours trips and experiences in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

How to get to Williamsburg

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Domino park in the late afternoon and Manhattan skyline in the background.

From Manhattan it’s a single subway stop east to Bedford Avenue on the L train. But be aware of delays caused by nighttime and weekend track maintenance on the L that’s scheduled to start on April 27, 2019, and run for at least 15 months. You can instead take a Citi Bike across the Williamsburg Bridge (but be warned: it’s steep), take the J or M train to the Marcy Avenue stop and walk, or catch a ferry from either Wall Street/Pier 11 or East 34th Street. If you’re making the journey from Queens or South Brooklyn the G train will take you to the Metropolitan Avenue stop, which is close to all the action.

Where to stay in Williamsburg

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The newest independent hotel The William Vale in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Williamsburg’s first noteworthy hotel, The Wythe, has a rooftop bar that used to command long lines on summer weekends. That changed when competition sprang up in the form of the William Vale and the Williamsburg Hotel – two luxury accommodations with their own industrial-chic appeal and Manhattan-skyline views. If huge hotels aren’t your thing, book Urban Cowboy, an ultra-hip boutique B&B situated inside a townhouse. The decor has a Wild West feel (think dreamcatchers, Navajo blankets and salvaged wood), and in the backyard you’ll find a hot tub and a cabin with a working fireplace that will make you feel like you’re upstate.

Where to eat in Williamsburg

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Williamsburg Food Tour

What happens when foodies mimic the Brooklyn Flea? Smorgasburg is born. Rounding in 75 to 100 vendors on the Williamsburg waterfront, packaged and prepared foods as well as beverages are available for all to buy. Regarded as one of Brooklyn’s most popular tourist destinations, Smorgasburg attracts over 10,000 guests every Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Smorgasburg’s season launched in April and will continue until November 17th. Vendors include Bolivian Llama Party, Grady’s Pool Party, and Queen Majesty Hot Sauce among many others. Recommended by Laura Farrell
Go beyond and sample tastes that ensures Williamsburg rivals Manhattan when it comes to quality dining. Explore the streets flanking Bedford Avenue to discover Michelin-awarded restaurants and fast-casual spots, and try to book ahead if possible – this neighborhood also rivals Manhattan for crowds.

For Michelin-star Italian cuisine inside an old auto shop: Lilia

For American comfort food that can’t be beaten: Pies & Thighs

For the best steak in the whole damn city: Peter Luger

For the most Instagrammable brunch: Sunday in Brooklyn

For the juiciest barbecue: Fette Sau

Read our list of the best restaurants in Williamsburg

Where to drink (and dance) in Williamsburg

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Williamsburg is the king of Brooklyn nightlife (unless you’re looking for obscure warehouse parties – head to Bushwick for that). Whatever kind of night you had in mind – the cocktails-by-candlelight kind or the salsa-dancing-with-a-stranger-until-4am kind – you’ll find it here.

For oysters and absinthe: Maison Premiere

For live country music and free peanuts: Skinny Dennis

For boozy coffee slushies and jukebox hits: Rocka Rolla

For swanky cocktails and unparalleled views: The Water Tower Bar at the Williamsburg Hotel

For specialist beers and a rowdy Oktoberfest vibe: Radegast Hall

For Latin dancing and vacation-flavored cocktails: Bembe

For DJs in a wooden geodesic dome: Kinfolk 94

Read our list of the 10 best bars in Williamsburg

Where to shop in Williamsburg

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From indie designers and curated vintage to sweet little plant stores, this neighborhood is a haven for shopping beyond the usual retail chains.

For small jewelry labels and ethically sourced stones: Catbird

For tightly edited products from female-owned companies: Bulletin

For trendy menswear and lifestyle items that are vegan-friendly: Brave Gentleman

For apparel and decor from independent labels: Swords Smith

For cherry-picked retro clothing: Awoke Vintage

For apparel shopping with an attached art gallery: About Glamour

For houseplants and floral-design workshops: Sprout Home

What to do in Williamsburg

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When your arms are full of shopping bags and your stomach is full from grazing, stop by one of these unique spots for a complete neighborhood experience.

For a movie with table service: Nitehawk Cinema

For puppy-watching and picnics: McCarren Park

For bowling in a dive bar: The Gutter

For craft beers and a brewery tour: Brooklyn Brewery

For up-and-coming musical acts in a high-tech space: National Sawdust

For a tour of Brooklyn’s creepy side: Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours

For ceramics classes in a leafy backyard: Choplet

Walk the Williamsburg Bridge

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Williamsburg Bridge Tours

Breathtaking cityscapes, views of the East River and a scenic route linking South Williamsburg to Manhattan’s Lower East Side are all available when you walk the Williamsburg Bridge. Two lanes for bikers and pedestrians provide comfortable travel for both parties who wish to take in the view. Cyclists enter a few blocks east of Washington Plaza, while pedestrians enter at Berry Street between South 5th and 6th Streets. Both pedestrians and cyclists may enter at Clinton Street and Delancey in Manhattan. Take in a view of the neighboring Brooklyn Bridge and up Manhattan, as well as an abundance of street art and graffiti. Recommended by Laura Farrell

About the author

Esme Benjamin

Wellness Editor

Born and raised in Bristol, England, Esme has been geeking out over syntax her entire life. She studied English Lit by the Brighton seaside before moving to London to pursue her writing career in 2009, going on to work for Grazia Daily, The Telegraph and SheerLuxe. In 2013 she swapped The Big Smoke for The Big Apple, where she trained as a yoga teacher and contributed to Refinery29, Self, Fitness Magazine and Greatist. When she's not glued to her laptop or iPhone you'll find her drinking Kale Margaritas at an East Village happy hour, planning her next adventure, or hand-standing (with more vigor than skill) at the yoga studio.