Brooklyn is where food meets culture, and its trendy dining scene is pure magic. Imagine industrial-chic spaces serving fusion dishes, rooftop spots with epic city views, and hidden gems that feel like best-kept secrets. From artisan pizza to next-level vegan fare, Brooklyn’s restaurants aren’t just about food—they’re about the vibe. You’ll find global flavors, Insta-worthy plating, and creative twists on comfort classics. These 21 must-try trendy spots are redefining what it means to dine out. Get ready to experience Brooklyn’s bold culinary energy like never before!
👉 Pro Tip: Dive into Brooklyn’s food scene with the NYC Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Food Tour. In three hours, you’ll explore Brooklyn Heights’ historic charm and DUMBO’s trendy vibe. Snack on iconic pizza, pastries, and global eats while taking in stunning Manhattan skyline views from the Brooklyn Bridge. Small group sizes keep things laid-back, making it easy to connect with the guide and other foodies. Don’t forget your camera for those perfect bridge and skyline shots—it’s a must-do for food lovers!
Unique Restaurants in Brooklyn: 21 Incredible Brooklyn Eateries
Brooklyn is a bustling hub where food lovers can find a world of flavors. For this reason, it’s one of the most sought-after places to stay in NYC. With Brooklyn’s unique restaurants, every meal becomes an adventure, blending traditional tastes with modern twists. Join us as we journey through these culinary hotspots, where each dish tells a story of this vibrant New York borough!
1. MyMoon
- 📍 Location: Williamsburg
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $75+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Spanish Tapas / Mediterranean
- 🔥 Standout Features: Boiler room setting, multi-level patio, tapas.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic dates, outdoor dining, group dinners, special celebrations.
Prepare to be moonstruck by the beauty of MyMoon! Housed in a dramatically converted 19th-century boiler room in Williamsburg, this spot boasts one of Brooklyn’s most breathtaking garden patios. Industrial chic meets secret garden paradise!
Share delicious Spanish tapas. Indulge in flavourful plates like classic gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). Tender grilled octopus with paprika potatoes, or savory croquetas de jamón (ham croquettes), are also fantastic. With its romantic ambiance, MyMoon is perfect.
2. NURA
Nura is the type of spot you’d cross borough lines for, if you weren’t lucky enough to already call Brooklyn home. This Greenpoint favorite serves up vibrant, globally inspired plates that are as visually stunning as they are addictive. Start with their signature Green Chutney Chicken for a flavor-packed punch, and if you love bread, the house-made naan with cultured butter is a must. The space itself is full of light, lush greenery, and chill neighborhood energy – perfect for a laid-back date night or catching up with friends. Don’t miss the craft cocktails, which are just as inventive as their food. Afterward, stroll over to Transmitter Park for epic sunset views over Manhattan. I was seriously impressed by how the flavors balanced boldness and comfort – you’ll leave happy and planning your next reservation.
3. Habana Outpost
- 📍 Location: Fort Greene
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cuban / Mexican Casual Fare
- 🔥 Standout Features: Eco-friendly (solar powered), outdoor patio, grilled corn, frozen mojitos, seasonal hours (check schedule).
- 🎯 Perfect For: Summer patio hangs, casual gatherings, Cuban corn lovers, cocktail seekers.
Welcome to Brooklyn’s first solar-powered restaurant and seasonal backyard party! Habana Outpost in Fort Greene is legendary for its massive outdoor courtyard, vibrant atmosphere, and delicious, affordable Cuban-Mexican eats. Your summer hangout just got an eco-friendly upgrade!
You should get the grilled corn Mexican style, slathered in mayo, cotija cheese, and chili powder – it’s iconic! Wash it down with a brain-freezing frozen mojito or margarita. Their Cuban sandwich is also a solid choice.
4. Claro
If you’re on the hunt for Oaxacan eats and next-level mezcal cocktails, Claro in Gowanus absolutely nails it. Their house-made moles are legendary, with a pork shoulder mole negro that’ll haunt your taste buds (in a good way). The homemade nixtamal tortillas are next level, and the garden patio – string lights, vines, the whole bit – sets the tone for a vibey, romantic night out. You’ll even spot an open kitchen where you can watch tortillas being made to order. Save room for the mezcal flight or the inventive house margaritas. With the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club just around the corner, keep the fun going long after dessert. I thought I knew Mexican food, but Claro was a delicious wake-up call.
5. Kokomo
- 📍 Location: Williamsburg
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Caribbean Fusion
- 🔥 Standout Features: Caribbean island theme, creative cocktails, fusion dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Caribbean flavor enthusiasts, lively dinners, fun dates, and tropical cocktail fans.
Take a trip to the islands without leaving Williamsburg at Kokomo! This spot bursts with vibrant Caribbean energy, from its colourful decor and island-inspired cocktails to its menu packed with bold, flavourful fusion dishes. Get ready for a taste of paradise!
Sip on exotic, rum-heavy cocktails. Dive into deliciousness with dishes like tender oxtail stew with rice and peas. Flavourful jerk chicken with a spicy kick, or crispy red snapper escovitch, are also fantastic. Kokomo offers a fun, flavourful escape.
6. Lighthouse
Lighthouse in Williamsburg is Brooklyn cool through and through, blending Mediterranean-inspired comfort food with a cheerful, “everyone’s-welcome” energy. This place is best known for its massive mezze platters and photogenic lemony hummus, but don’t skip the catch-of-the-day or any special listed on the chalkboard. The rustic, eco-chic space is part open-air, part cozy corners, complete with hanging plants and Edison bulbs. Pro tip: snag a sidewalk seat in warm weather. The cocktail list is full of fresh juices and playful combos. With McCarren Park just a short walk away, this is the ideal spot to fuel up before a laid-back afternoon around North Brooklyn. My kind of all-day hangout spot—both stylish and comforting.
7. Sea Witch
- 📍 Location: South Slope / Greenwood Heights
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per drink/snack
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Nautical Themed Dive Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Nautical decor, patio with koi pond, relaxed neighborhood vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Casual drinks, date nights, and dive bar fans.
Dive into a quirky nautical wonderland at Sea Witch! This South Slope neighborhood bar charms with its delightfully kitschy shipwreck-meets-dive-bar decor. But the real treasure? Their amazing, tranquil backyard patio is complete with a koi pond! Find your landlocked lagoon!
Grab a craft beer or a no-nonsense cocktail like a whiskey ginger. While food is limited to snacks like chips and salsa or pretzels, the unique atmosphere and stellar patio make Sea Witch a beloved local haunt for relaxed drinks.
8. Haenyeo
Inspired by South Korea’s Jeju Island women divers, Haenyeo in Park Slope offers creative Korean-inspired plates you won’t find anywhere else in the city. The KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower) is crispy, sticky, and shockingly addictive, while the spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki) come loaded with melted cheese for extra indulgence. The vibe leans fun and funky, with retro pop music and mod-Asian decór—think: patterns, murals, and a warm, buzzing energy. It gets busy, but the staff keep things breezy and genuinely friendly. After dinner, take a stroll through leafy Prospect Park just a couple blocks away. I loved feeling like I was discovering a hidden slice of Seoul, right off Union Street.
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9. House of Wax
- 📍 Location: Downtown Brooklyn (Inside Alamo Drafthouse)
- 💲 Price range: $14 – $20 per drink
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bar / Lounge (Oddities Theme)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Attached to Alamo Drafthouse, macabre wax figures, medical oddities, themed cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Pre/post-movie drinks and macabre enthusiasts.
Enjoy cocktails surrounded by curious characters at House of Wax. Located within the Alamo Drafthouse cinema, this bar doubles as a mini-museum showcasing eerie anatomical models, death masks, and other fascinating oddities from a 19th-century collection.
Sip on themed cocktails named after intriguing historical figures. Consider the “Anatomical Venus” or a classic Old Fashioned. It’s a unique, slightly spooky, and definitely conversation-starting spot perfect for grabbing a drink before or after catching a film next door.
10. Win Son
Bushwick’s Win Son has a cult following for good reason—it’s the ultimate Taiwanese-American comfort food spot, but with all the energy of an art-forward Brooklyn restaurant. Their scallion pancakes with egg and cheese are nothing short of legendary, while the lu rou fan (braised pork over rice) is pure savory satisfaction. The interior is playful and minimalist, with neon accents and a palpable buzz from the open kitchen and communal seating. Don’t skip their creative house cocktails, or the milk buns with honey butter if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Maria Hernandez Park is close by for a post-feast walk. I left wishing my stomach was twice as big because I literally wanted to try everything on the menu.
11. Zombie Hut
- 📍 Location: Cobble Hill / Carroll Gardens border
- 💲 Price range: $12 – $18 per drink
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tiki Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Classic tiki bar, tropical cocktails, bamboo decor.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Tiki drink lovers and rum seekers.
Escape to a tropical oasis at Zombie Hut. This beloved neighborhood tiki bar offers a classic, no-frills tiki experience – think bamboo, pufferfish lamps, and potent rum concoctions that live up to the bar’s name. Your vacation in a glass awaits!
Dive into classic tiki cocktails served strong and true. Brave the namesake Zombie, a potent mix of rums and fruit juices. Sip on a refreshing Mai Tai, or explore other fruity, rum-forward delights like a classic Piña Colada. It’s dark, relaxed, and perfect for escaping.
12. Olmsted
Olmsted is one of Prospect Heights’ crown jewels—a neighborhood restaurant that’s way more than just the sum of its (exceptional) parts. Expect hyper-seasonal American plates with backyard-grown herbs and produce that literally come from the chef’s own on-site garden. The carrot crepe with littleneck clams is always a standout, and the frozen yogurt dessert topped with candied vegetables is unexpectedly delightful. The ambiance is all fairy lights, potted plants, and the occasional chirp from backyard birds—there’s even a cozy fire pit. This is the place for a date night that’ll impress without feeling stuffy. A short walk lands you at the Brooklyn Museum or the Botanic Garden, making it the perfect dinner-and-culture combo. I adore how every dish feels personal and playful here.
13. Dinner Party
- 📍 Location: Fort Greene
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $55 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seasonal American / Intimate Supper Club Feel
- 🔥 Standout Features: Cozy neighborhood restaurant with seasonal shareable plates, quality ingredients, natural wine/cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Intimate dinners, seasonal food lovers, and sharing plates with friends/dates
Pull up a chair at Dinner Party. This charming Fort Greene spot captures the warm, inviting feeling of an actual dinner party, serving delicious, seasonal American food designed for sharing in a cozy setting. Feels like dinner at your coolest friend’s apartment!
The menu changes frequently. Expect creative vegetable preparations like roasted carrots with yogurt and dukkah. Flavourful pastas made in-house, or perfectly cooked fish dishes like pan-seared cod, are all meant to be passed around. Pair with their natural wines.
14. St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club
Sneak through a speakeasy-style entrance in Williamsburg and you’ll find St. Mazie—a moody, romantic haunt that pairs candlelit pasta dinners with live jazz. This place just oozes character, from its old-world-inspired tiles to heavy wood beams overhead. Their oysters are some of the freshest in North Brooklyn, and the saffron seafood risotto is a sleeper hit. The nightly music (think: gypsy jazz, blues, or classic piano sets) makes every meal feel like a party, and there’s even an intimate backyard patio for balmy nights. Brooklyn Brewery and the waterfront are within walking distance, so you can stretch your night out across the neighborhood. Every time I visit, I feel like I’ve stumbled into a Parisian time capsule—only with much, much better cocktails.
15. Action Burger
- 📍 Location: Williamsburg
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Burgers / Comic Book & Sci-Fi Themed
- 🔥 Standout Features: Comic book/sci-fi/video game themes, action figure displays, gaming stations, themed burgers.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Comic/sci-fi/gaming fans, unique burger experiences, casual eats, nostalgic gamers.
KA-POW! Bite into burgers and nostalgia at Action Burger! This Williamsburg spot is a haven for geeks, packed with action figures, comic book decor, and even video game stations where you can play while you wait. Where burgers meet superheroes!
Chow down on burgers named after your favorite characters. The “Hero Burger” with all the classic fixings is a good choice. The “Villain Burger” with spicy toppings, or a simple cheeseburger with fries, are also popular. The vibe is fun and casual.
16. Dept. of Culture
This Bed-Stuy newcomer is putting contemporary Nigerian food on the Brooklyn map, one chef’s tasting menu at a time. Dept of Culture is small—just one communal table—so every dinner feels like an underground dinner party with new best friends. The suya-spiced short rib is a must-order, and the rotating regional dishes (like the jollof rice or steamed moi moi) will totally change how you think about West African cuisine. Decor is hall-of-fame minimalism, with Afrobeat records spinning and Nigerian art on the walls. You’re not far from Herbert Von King Park if you need a pre-dinner stroll. I was genuinely inspired by the storytelling behind every dish, and the energy in the room is unforgettable.
17. Surf Bar
- 📍 Location: Williamsburg
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood Shack / Bar Fare
- 🔥 Standout Features: Beach bar theme (sand on the floor!), surfboards and nautical decor, casual seafood focus (oysters and lobster rolls), and tropical cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Beach vibe enthusiasts, casual seafood, and tropical drink aficionados.
Catch a wave at Surf Bar! This place fully commits to the beach bar theme, complete with actual sand on the floor, surfboards on the walls, and a menu focused on casual seafood delights. Surf’s up, drinks up! Kick off your shoes and chill.
Slurp down fresh oysters on the half shell. Devour a classic lobster roll, or enjoy other beachy bites like fish tacos or fried calamari. Their tropical cocktails like a Painkiller or Mai Tai complete the laid-back escape.
18. Fonda
Fonda brings modern Mexican flavors and a refined, festive vibe to Park Slope. The must-try: their guacamole, which is blended to order and topped with fresh cheese and sun-dried tomatoes—seriously, one of the best in town. But don’t stop there. The enchiladas suizas are swoon-worthy, drowning in a creamy tomatillo sauce that’s equally photogenic and satisfying. With colorful tiles, soft lighting, and a spacious bar serving killer margaritas (the hibiscus is my favorite), Fonda works for both date nights and small-group celebrations. Pop into neighborhood staple Community Bookstore afterward to wind down. Every time I’m at Fonda, the energy feels as fresh as the tortillas.
19. Patti Ann’s
- 📍 Location: Prospect Heights
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Elevated Midwestern Comfort Food / Family Friendly
- 🔥 Standout Features: Upscale Midwestern classics, family-friendly ambiance, quality ingredients, retro schoolhouse touches.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Midwestern food lovers, comfort food seekers,and family dinners.
Get a taste of elevated Midwestern comfort at Patti Ann’s. This charming Prospect Heights spot takes those hearty, familiar flavors from America’s heartland and gives them a delicious, thoughtful upgrade. It’s like your favorite casserole, but way better!
Indulge in sophisticated takes on classics. Think incredible fried chicken with all the fixings. Upscale tater tot casserole variations, or perfectly executed pork chops with seasonal vegetables, are also fantastic. The vibe is warm and welcoming.
20. Peaches Hothouse
- 📍 Location: Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy)
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern / Nashville Hot Chicken
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Nashville-style hot chicken (various heat levels), classic Southern sides, lively neighborhood vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Hot chicken fanatics, spice lovers, Southern comfort food seekers, and casual Bed-Stuy dining.
Feel the heat at Peaches Hothouse in Bed-Stuy! This spot is bringing the fiery, addictive flavor of authentic Nashville hot chicken to Brooklyn. Get ready to choose your spice level and dive into some seriously crispy, spicy, and delicious fried chicken.
Ordering the Nashville hot chicken, served on white bread with pickles, is essential. Their classic Southern sides like creamy mac and cheese, collard greens, or coleslaw are perfect accompaniments. It’s a true taste of Tennessee heat right in Brooklyn.
21. Sisters
- 📍 Location: Clinton Hill
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American / Neighborhood Restaurant & Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Skylit dining room, beautiful decor, lively neighborhood vibe.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Neighborhood dining, brunch enthusiasts, and cocktails.
Dine under the Brooklyn sky (indoors!) at Sisters. This Clinton Hill stunner boasts a gorgeous, plant-filled dining room with a massive skylight, creating a bright, airy atmosphere day or night. Where great food meets gorgeous design!
Enjoy well-executed modern American dishes. Sip on excellent craft cocktails at the beautiful bar. For food, consider their popular roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables, flavorful pasta dishes like a cacio e pepe, or their brunch favorite, eggs Benedict.
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