12 Must-Try Trendy Restaurants in Brooklyn That Will Blow Your Mind

Jon Miksis Jon Miksis clock Updated June 20, 2025 tourism Dream Destinations
by Jen
Unique Restaurants In Brooklyn
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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 12 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!

The top restaurants to visit in Brooklyn right now

Unique Restaurants in Brooklyn: 12 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!

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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.

MyMoon is one of the unique restaurants in Brooklyn.
MyMoon is a standout Spanish oasis, enchanting visitors with a moonlit garden and fairytale courtyard.

2. 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.

Habana Outpost is an eco-eatery, blending green innovation with family-friendly vibes.
Habana Outpost is an eco-eatery, blending green innovation with family-friendly vibes.

3. 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.

Kokomo in Williamsburg is a top spot for delightful Caribbean fusion dishes.
Kokomo in Williamsburg is a top spot for delightful Caribbean fusion dishes.

4. 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.

Sea Witch offers an oceanic ambiance to enjoy craft beers or classic brews.
Sea Witch offers an oceanic ambiance to enjoy craft beers or classic brews.

5. 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.

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House of Wax is a unique restaurant hosting a century-old wax figure collection.
House of Wax is a unique restaurant hosting a century-old wax figure collection.

6. 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.

Zombie Hut is one of the unique restaurants in Brooklyn.
Zombie Hut blends dim-lit tropical vibes and strong drinks for date nights in a tiki bar paradise. | Source: https://www.zombie-hut.com/

7. 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.

Dine at Dinner Party where food and friendship blend in a cozy, unique dining experience.
Dine at Dinner Party where food and friendship blend in a cozy, unique dining experience. | Source: https://www.dinnerpartybk.com/

8. 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.

Action Burger is the only sci-fi, comic book, and retro video game-themed eatery in the city.
Action Burger is the only sci-fi, comic book, and retro video game-themed eatery in the city.

9. 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.

Surf Bar is a beach-themed escape, offering sand underfoot, surfboard decor, and a seafood-focused menu.
Surf Bar is a beach-themed escape, offering sand underfoot, surfboard decor, and a seafood-focused menu. | Source: https://www.new-york-city-travel-tips.com/

10. 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.

Patti Ann’s offers fresh comfort food with a twist from chef Greg Baxtrom in a cozy, family-friendly setting.
Patti Ann’s offers fresh comfort food with a twist from chef Greg Baxtrom in a cozy, family-friendly setting. | Source: https://www.pattianns.com/

11. 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.

12. 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.

Sisters is one of the unique restaurants in Brooklyn.
Sisters is a visually striking eatery with a captivating design and a delightful menu.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Unique Places To Eat In Brooklyn

Seeking insider tips on Brooklyn’s dining scene? Our FAQ section reveals all you need to know about the unique restaurants in Brooklyn, ensuring your culinary journey is as exciting as the borough itself.

What food is Brooklyn best known for?

When you think of Brooklyn, you might think of its famous pizza. Thin crust, rich sauce, and gooey cheese make it a classic. But that’s not all. Brooklyn is also known for bagels that are just the right mix of chewy and soft. And let’s not forget the trendy artisanal foods that have popped up in recent years. From craft ice cream to innovative vegan dishes, the borough is a foodie’s dream. Each bite tells a story of Brooklyn’s diverse culture and history.

What part of Brooklyn has the best food?

If you’re hunting for a culinary adventure, Williamsburg is the place to be. It’s a neighborhood where you can find everything from street food to high-end dining. The area is a melting pot of flavors, with unique restaurants in Brooklyn lining the streets. Whether you’re craving Italian, Mexican, or something totally new, Williamsburg has a table with your name on it.

What is the oldest Italian restaurant in Brooklyn?

Bamonte’s holds the title of the oldest Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. Opening its doors in 1900, it’s a place where time seems to stand still. The classic red sauce dishes and the old-world charm make it a beloved spot. It’s a unique restaurant in Brooklyn that has seen generations come and go, all while serving up plates of pasta that taste like they’re straight from Italy.

Bamonte's is a classic Italian restaurant known for its authentic cuisine.
Bamonte’s is a classic Italian restaurant known for its authentic cuisine.

What is the restaurant at the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge?

The River Café is the gem nestled at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. With stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and a menu that’s just as impressive, it’s a must-visit. The restaurant is known for its fine dining and romantic setting. It’s a place where the city lights sparkle just as brightly as the dishes.

How do I find a unique restaurant in Brooklyn?

To find a unique restaurant in Brooklyn, start by exploring neighborhoods. Each area has its own flavor. Check out local blogs, ask residents, or take a walk and see what catches your eye. Look for places with a crowd, a sign of good food. And don’t be afraid to try something new. The most unique spots are often the ones you stumble upon.

Are there any waterfront dining options in Brooklyn?

Yes, Brooklyn offers several waterfront dining spots where you can enjoy a meal with a view. These restaurants range from casual to upscale, offering views of the East River or the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you’re looking for a place to have brunch or a romantic dinner, the waterfront restaurants in Brooklyn provide a memorable dining experience with scenic backdrops.

Can I find international cuisine in Brooklyn?

Absolutely, Brooklyn is a tapestry of cultures, and this is reflected in its food. You can travel the world with your taste buds here. From authentic Mexican tacos to Japanese sushi, and from Middle Eastern falafel to Russian borscht, the international cuisine available is vast and varied.

What makes a restaurant unique in Brooklyn?

A unique restaurant in Brooklyn often has a story, a theme, or a menu that sets it apart. It could be a historical setting, a creative culinary approach, or a special atmosphere. It’s a place that creates an experience, not just a meal. When you dine at one of these restaurants, you’re part of something special.

Final Thoughts on Unique Brooklyn Restaurants

As our journey through the unique restaurants in Brooklyn comes to an end, we hope you’re inspired to explore these culinary treasures. Each spot we’ve shared provides experiences that are as diverse and dynamic as Brooklyn itself. From the nostalgic comfort of a classic diner to the innovative twists of modern cuisine, these restaurants are the heartbeat of the borough’s vibrant food scene.

Brooklyn’s dining landscape is a canvas where chefs paint with flavors, and every meal is a masterpiece. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always a seat waiting for you at one of these unique tables. So, the next time you’re flying to New York, let your appetite guide you to one of these unforgettable spots in Brooklyn. Who knows what delicious discoveries await?

The top restaurants in Brooklyn for all types of travelers
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