Brooklyn has fast become one of New York’s hottest boroughs thanks to its booming food, bar, and shopping scenes. From discount designs to authentic Polish pierogis, Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood offers something for every G-train taker. Here are 10 of our favorite spots in one of the city’s most exciting up-and-coming areas.
Famed slice-slinger Paulie Gee is a beloved Brooklyn hotspot for good reason. With inventive toppings such as dried cherries, hollandaise sauce, and vegan meatballs, this neighborhood hangout redefines the iconic New York slice. Great for fans of local flavor, Paulie Gee’s menu also features popular local vendors including Mike’s Hot Honey and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream.
Stocking the girly peasant dresses and leather clogs of your most Pinterest-perfect dreams, People of 2Morrow is a sartorial sanctuary for twee-loving New Yorkers. Showcasing high-end finds from labels like Chloe and Rag & Bone alongside products from local designers, the shop curates a can’t-miss collection of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Bar-cum-restaurant Milk and Roses is an ideal destination for both a mid-morning brunch and post-sundown drinks. Enjoy Italian-inspired American fare in the restaurant’s sun-drenched dining room, featuring homey touches such as towering bookshelves and handwritten menus. For date-night diners, explore the bar’s extensive wine and cocktail selection in the idyllic backyard patio.
Popular summertime spot Lobster Joint serves up the borough’s best seafood, boasting creative concoctions such as lobster huevos rancheros and buttery, fried oyster sliders. Also offering lobster mac and cheese, crab cake sandwiches, and the fan-favorite lobster claw bloody mary, this casual eatery is a premier dining destination all year round.
Sample authentic Polish cuisine at Karczma, a family-owned establishment bringing foreign flavor to its own backyard. Servers clad in traditional Polish garb dole out ethnic staples such as pierogi, spicy beef goulash, and kielbasa, along with an exciting array of Polish beers. Great for diners craving comfort food, this no-frills eatery delivers the best that Little Poland has to offer.
Expect to find lines down the block at Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop, where the raved-about sweets more than live up to their hype. From well-executed classics like the old-fashioned glazed and Bavarian cream to innovative flavors including French toast and the popular red velvet, Peter Pan Donut is a veritable wonderland of New York noshes.
Hunt for fabulous finds at Dusty Rose Vintage, a sprawling warehouse filled with women’s, men’s, and children’s designs. Open to the public on Thursdays to Sundays, Greenpoint’s best-kept secret stocks everything from grungy denim jackets to vintage neckties. Also hosting a variety of quirky, creative events such as tarot card readings and illustration workshops, Dusty Rose Vintage strives to make both your wardrobe and social life that much rosier.
McCarren Park, New York | Courtesy of WORD Bookstore
McCarren Park
A foliage-filled haven shared by Greenpoint and Williamsburg, McCarren Park is well loved by local children and adults alike. Pick-up games, soccer matches, and frolicking children contribute to the park’s bustling environment and make the 35-acre green space a summer fun mainstay.
Part community center and part independent bookshop, WORD is one of Greenpoint’s most popular, pocket-sized destinations. In addition to its carefully curated stock of classic and contemporary fiction, WORD also boasts a jam-packed calendar of author readings, workshops, and lit-themed parties.
Great for group outings, local beer garden Spritzenhaus combines your love of draft beer, tasty foods, and board games. Sample affordably priced selections from the bar’s extensive beer list as you snack on sausages and soft pretzels before challenging your company to a nail-biting round of Jenga.
