10 Must-Try Restaurants In Brooklyn Heights, New York City

Atlantic Avenue’s Colonie opened its doors near the East River in 2011, exhibiting a warm and inviting atmosphere that mirrors the beauty of its historic surroundings. Guests enjoy a rustic view of exposed brick, rough-finished wood and a wall made entirely of garden-fresh herbs, whilst sampling from an eclectic menu of New American cuisine. Brunch and dinner menus offer full entrees and small bites as well as the option to share a selection of tapas-style plates including crostini, vegetables, meats and cheeses. With the mission of supporting local vendors and attracting an energetic clientele with delicious, bistro-style fare, Colonie is a great excuse to stay local.
Colonie, 127 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 855 7500

A neighborhood mainstay since 1973, Henry’s End sources quality, seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors to craft a menu of hearty, predominantly meat-based dishes. The décor accompanies a laid-back atmosphere in an intimate dining room with exposed brick walls and an open-plan kitchen. Choose from a dinner of mustard seed crusted tuna with soy and spinach or chicken breast with goat cheese and fig jam. For the serious carnivores, Henry’s End offers a wild game menu of exotic dishes such as New Orleans turtle soup, kangaroo with spinach and sweet potato and herb crusted elk chops. While much of Brooklyn’s gastronomic scene has steadied its gaze towards fashionable minimalism and peculiar trends, Henry’s End maintains an old-fashioned community feel where it’s all about the food.
Henry’s End, 44 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 834 1776

Fostering the magic combination of great food and a welcoming atmosphere, Iris Café is a neighborhood favorite that keeps its local customers loyal. There are two components – Store #7, a small grocery shop and take-away café, and Store #9, a sit-in café that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a fully stocked bar. Tucked away on the quiet side street Columbia Place, Iris Café is the hidden gem of Brooklyn Heights, and a prized gem at that. The rustic interior is elegant yet modest, with a tree installation climbing up exposed brick walls, illuminated by warm candlelight. The café was voted best in New York in 2010 by New York Magazine, and customers rave that the simple but always delicious American Nouveau fare is highly worth any waiting time incurred.
Iris Café Store #9, 20 Columbia Place, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 722 7395

The product of its owners’ passion for good food and tasteful design, Jack the Horse Tavern is a vision of success as one of the most favored restaurants in the Brooklyn Heights area. Despite its reference to a remote fishing lake in Minnesota, Jack the Horse tavern is a Brooklyn institution through and through, with a gold-hued tin ceiling, brick accents, wood panelling and antique posters. Free of pretentiousness but full of character, the restaurant balances sophistication and ease in the realms of both food and décor. The menu is dynamic with something for everyone, including an autumn vegetable risotto, roasted free-range chicken, pan roasted fluke and Maine mussels in a white wine sauce. Providing a long wine list to pair with your food, Jack the Horse Tavern is well worth a visit.
Jack the Horse Tavern, 66 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 852 5084

Don’t let the name deter you, Noodle Pudding offers some of the best Italian food in Brooklyn Heights. Hearty entrees in large portions come at small prices, and it’s one of the few remaining eateries in which a $15 bottle of wine actually hits the spot. Customers appreciate the notably pleasant wait staff and the atmosphere is characterized by a warm, convivial energy. The menu is extensive with typical Mediterranean options such as pastas and risottos, as well as daily specials like grilled baby artichokes with peppery arugula and Parmesan cheese. The restaurant offers no exterior advertisement so it’s easy to miss, and does not accept credit cards so guests must come bearing cash.
Noodle Pudding, 38 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 625 3737

In contrast to Brooklyn’s predominantly rustic theme of exposed brick and wood accents, Ozu offers a notably pleasant and roomy interior featuring a clean, contemporary ambiance. Customers agree that Ozu’s modern décor, friendly wait staff and fresh sushi make it a solid choice for anyone in the market for good Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine. The menu offers a gigantic selection of salads, appetizers, soups and sushi as well as reasonably priced sake, beer, wine and cocktails, so there’s something for everyone and always a new dish to try for repeat customers. Ozu is perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner where the food is consistently good and the ambiance is trendy, reminiscent of a Manhattan-based sushi bar.
Ozu, 78 Clark Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 797 3288

For over 20 years, Yemen Café and Restaurant has been serving Brooklyn Heights the best in Yemeni cuisine. The eatery’s main focus is on its fresh, delicious food served in generous portions, as the décor is simple with a laid-back, cafeteria-style atmosphere. Dishes are a cultural combination of Middle Eastern and Indian flavors, with naan-style flatbreads, roasted lamb with rice and thick stews of potato and hearty vegetables. Red meat is the star of the show, but fresh fish and vegetable dishes are also on the menu. Yemen Café and Restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and offers a limited menu of teas and soft drinks. The lively ambiance, friendly staff and acclaimed dishes keep local customers coming back for more.
Yemen Café and Restaurant, 176 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, USA +1 718 834 9533
By Rachel Gould