New York City Recommendations

Brooklyn Heights

  • The best way to get to know Brooklyn Heights is to walk through it, get lost in it, and to eat everything that comes in your path!

    Here’s how we would recommend exploring this part of town on a crisp fall November day.

    Before we go further, we should say this: if you have a limited amount of time, the must see is the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. It’s a breath-taking walk that’s beautiful at all times of day, but especially at sunrise and sunset.

    FOR THE VIEW CHASERS 

    1. Brooklyn Heights Promenade

    The postcard shot. Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, all lined up for you like the city is showing off. For the love of god, just cue: Rhapsody in Blue.

    2. Squibb Park Bridge

    This is the thing that allows you to walk from Brooklyn Promenade down to the Brooklyn Pier river-front. It’s kind of an architectural feat! You still have those great skyline views on the way down, so it’s fun to walk across in and of itself. 

    3. Piers 2 & 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park (Coming with kids? They’ll love this!)

    The full park stretches along a long chunk of waterfront, but if you want the best of it without doing a five-mile day: Pier 6 has the Flower Field and a splash pad if any kids are along for the ride, and Pier 2 has covered courts (basketball, roller skating, pickleball) so it's usable rain or shine. And yes, you guessed it, iconic skyline views the entire way. 

    4. The Ferry 

    This is a Val favorite. Want the most beautiful and affordable tour of the New York City skyline for a mere 4 dollars? Wanna sail past the Statue of Liberty? Wanna see the Wall Street Pier from the Hudson? The New York City Ferry is the best, and most underrated way to do it. The ferry leaves right from the edge of Brooklyn Pier. The whole ride is about 40 minutes. It takes off about every hour, and you can find the schedule here. Grab a beer, sit up-top, let the wind blow right into your face, and look out straight into the skyline.

    FOR THE HISTORY BUFFS

    5. Plymouth Church 

    This church is immensely important in the history of Brooklyn. Under abolitionist preacher Henry Ward Beecher, Plymouth Church became known as the "Grand Central Depot" of the Underground Railroad, meaning this was a real, working stop where enslaved people seeking freedom were sheltered. Beecher used to hold mock slave auctions from the pulpit to raise money to free enslaved people, and the congregation actually did it. Abe Lincoln once attended. Inside, you’ll be able to find his original pulpit, and a literal chunk of Plymouth Rock.

    6. Center for Brooklyn History

    Formerly the Brooklyn Historical Society, housed in a Greek Revival building with a genuinely jaw-dropping interior … soaring ceilings, grand staircase, the whole production. 

    7. St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church

    Built in 1847, Gothic Revival, and home to some of the earliest American stained glass ever made, designed by William Jay Bolton. It's still an active community and arts space, so depending on timing you might catch a concert. Worth ducking into even just for the windows.

    FOR THE OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH WEIRDOS

    8. 58 Joralemon Street

    Our favorite piece of neighborhood trivia. From the outside, it's a totally normal, slightly too-quiet brownstone. It is, in fact, a disguised subway ventilation and emergency exit structure. No windows behind those shutters. It's been fooling people for over a century. 

    9. Love Lane

    Tiny, easy to miss, and worth finding anyway. It used to be a Native American trail* before it became a "mews"—a row of stables turned carriage houses—and later a spot where 19th-century couples would sneak off together, hence the name. Two minutes, tops, but a genuinely charming detour. *(A lot of the "old winding streets" energy people love about Brooklyn actually traces back to Lenape trail networks that colonial roads were later built on top of.) 

    10. The Fruit Streets (Cranberry, Pineapple & Orange)

    Three of the most photographed streets in Brooklyn, and despite what everyone assumes, they were not named out of some 19th-century fruit obsession — a developer just had a whimsical streak. Doesn't matter, they're gorgeous, and they've been backdrops for approximately one million films. Just keep swimming. 

  • Joe Coffee Company: Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, Joe Coffee Company is a neighborhood staple for caffeine aficionados. This cozy café serves meticulously brewed coffee, sourcing beans from sustainable farms around the world. Whether you’re stopping in for a latte or lingering with a book, its warm atmosphere makes it a perfect spot to recharge. Regulars swear by the house blend, a balanced brew that pairs perfectly with their homemade pastries.

    Address: 102 Hicks St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

    Montague Diner: this is your classic diner but re-imagined to make it feel as if you’re in a Michael Mann film. The food is great, the ambiance is special. Gets busy on weekend mornings, but reservations can be made in advance!

    Address: 148 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201

    L’Appartement 4F: If you want to impress your friends and tell them that you went to the “it” spot and got the “it” pastry… then this is your spot! Croissants are impeccable, the line is not.

    Address: 115 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201

    Shelsky’s: Been yearning for the classic NYC bagel? This place is great. A bit on the pricier side for a bagel, but it’s the One to get for a special occasion. Our favorite order is an everything bagel with lox cream-cheese. The best way to get the best fish without breaking the bank.

    Address: 141 Court Street

    River Deli: you’ll see this hit in our Dinner section as well. But it’s open for brunch on weekends. It’s a bit fancier. River Deli feels like it could have dropped out of an Edward Hopper painting: wide windows, a tree-lined street, exposed brick walls, green-and-white tiled floors, walls hung with burnished mirrors, a gallery of sepia-toned photos, and bistro seating.

    Address: 32 Joralemon St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

  • Dellarocco's Brick Oven Pizza: Thin-crust, brick-oven pizza with a gluten-free option. It’s the kind of place that’s not on the NYT hit-list, but locals love it. If you need the ultimate stamp of approval, our land-lords said this place passed their sniff test.

    Address: 214 Hicks St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

    Table 87: Another pizza spot a bit further from Dellarocco’s, but closer to the suggested activities. Val writing here: this is the sort of pizza that reminds me of home. It’s not super thin crust or super cheesy, but it’s just plain delicious and comforting. There’s rarely a wait for a table. And there’s gluten-free options!

    Address: 87 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

    Fini Pizza & Fini Patio Bar: Okay, for our final pizza recommendation of Brooklyn Heights: this pizza slice shop originates from Williamsburg. It’s right on the Brooklyn promenade. Of the standard slices here, the white slice with a slice of lemon is definitely the most special. For those who want to set out and walk and see the skyline, this is the easiest spot to grab a slice of zaaa on the way. Gluten-free is available here.

    Address: 159 Bridge Park Dr, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201

    Want to just grab a bite on the way over?

    Sahadi’s is our favorite spot. This legendary Middle Eastern grocery store has been open for nearly 75 years in Brooklyn Heights, which was once dubbed “Little Syria.” This place has lots of delicious prepared goods (in the back of the store) that you can pick up to go. Next door is: Damascus Bread & Pastry Shop which has the most incredible Syrian pastries with minced meats and such.

    Address: 187 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

  • Al Badawi

    River Deli

    Long Island Bar

  • Sunken Harbor Club

    Brooklyn Inn

Carrol Gardens

  • While Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and Fort Green have some more sites to see… Carroll Gardens is more of a local neighborhood you just enjoy. It’s where we live, and so this is just a small insight into how we like to enjoy our slice of Brooklyn:

    1. A walk down Court Street — The two commercial drags are Court Street and Smith Street. A walk down either is a mile of small shops and great people watching.

    2. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain — an old-timey ice cream shop where the egg creams and ice cream Sundays don’t disappoint. It’s a very fun destination.

    3. Red Hook – Carroll Gardens used to be part of Red Hook, until Robert Moses came in and separated the two areas by building the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). Red Hook is the ports, it’s where the film On the Waterfront was set, and it still has that industrial feel. Nowadays there are tons of shops and great restaurants there. You can check out the old Maritime-themed bar Sunny’s, grab a key lime pie on a stick at Steve’s, and walk along the park for a front row view of the Statue of Liberty.

    1. Salt’s Cure — the absolute best pancakes. Highly recommend the breakfast pork chop. This spot is a Matt and Val favorite. There is often a line here, so keep that in mind!

    2. Cobble Hill Coffee Shop — the diner of the neighborhood. Your classic red booths and unlimited coffee refills. It’s a comforting place.

    3. Stumptown — If you are near Atlantic Avenue and beginning your walk to Cobble Hill, this is a great place to grab a coffee… and as a bonus, it’s in a beautiful converted space.

    4. Saturn Road — another great spot for coffee. In fact, we spent several afternoons sitting in their backyard making this very website.

    1. Rucola — technically this is Boerum Hill, but we want to mention it because it is close to the Hilton Hotel. It’s the kind of place you can get a more upscale arugula salad or eggs Benedict. We love that it is tucked into the neighborhood brownstones which gives it a home-y feel.

    2. Court Street Grocer — bomb sandwiches.

    3. Caputo’s — An italian deli counter which also serves up some bomb sandwiches. You will be greeted with a hearty “howyaaadoinggg?”

    1. Lucali – this is the most famous pizza place maybe in all of NYC at this point after Beyonce and Jay Z said this was their favorite spot. Every few weeks another celebrity is spotted there – from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to Olivia Rodrigo just this past week. We even saw Jeremy Allen White and Rosalia walk right by our apartment building last year holding a Lucali takeout box… all this to say, there’s this insane system where you have to line up starting at like 3pm to put your name in for dinner. If you are staying past the weekend (either before or after), and you want to go here, let us know and we’ll try to help you out! We live just around the corner and our landlords know a guy.

    2. Baby Luc’s –

    3. Frankies 457, F&F Restaurant and Bar, F&F Pizzeria – these

    4. Boran

    1. Brooklyn Inn

    2. Brooklyn Social

    3. Congress Bar

    4. Abeline

PARK SLOPE/PROSPECT HEIGHTS

  • Prospect Park –iloveny.com said peak foliage in Brooklyn last year was the start of November, and if that is the case again, then Prospect Park is the place to be. After all, it is for sure the best park in all of New York (sorry, Central). We recommend entering through the north side of the park at Grand Army Plaza, where you will see the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch and, on Saturday, the Farmer’s Market. Upon entering, you can walk the loop which will take you past: 1) the Long Meadow – Fun fact: This mile-long patch of grass is one of the longest uninterrupted stretches in any park in the country 2) The historic Boat House 3) The 100+ year old Carousel

    Brooklyn Botanic Garden – It’s just outside of Prospect Park, and it’s another Brooklyn favorite. It’s worth going in every season, and fall foliage has got the the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. There are three incredible 20-foot-tall Japanese maples, just inside the front gate.

    Brooklyn Museum – If you got your fill of nature and are itching for a bit of indoor culture, then you’re in luck. The Brooklyn Museum is just another block down from the Botanic Gardens. It’s an impressive museum (many visitors are surprised this exists in Brooklyn) with some great pieces in the permanent collection (Matt’s personal favorite is the Kehinde Wiley painting. Wiley also painted Obama’s Presidential Portrait, but the here one is better!). It’s a very fun place to spend a few hours in the afternoon.

    Walking — The last recommendation, and possibly most important, for Park Slope and Prospect Heights… is to just walk. In Park Slope, stroll down 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue and see all the shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Walk up and down any of the residential blocks and see the jealousy-inducing brownstones. They. are. dreamy. And in Prospect Heights, a stroll down Vanderbilt or Washington will give you the same feel for the neighborhood.

    1. Tom’s Restaurant (Prospect Heights) – Some might say it’s the perfect diner, and I might agree. It’s almost 100 years old. You’ll find all your New York classics like egg creams and breakfast staples for about $10. It’s dependable. It’s satisfying. We go often.

    2. Vato (Park Slope) – This is one of those places that might have a long line for a weekend breakfast, but there’s a reason. Their breakfast tacos with homemade tortillas are addicting and, if I could, I’d literally eat 20 every time I went. They also have great pastries and coffee as well.

    3. Terrace (Park Slope) – Old-school Mexican diner with amazing breakfast burrito.

    4. Seventh Avenue Donuts and Diner (Park Slope) – This is a Matt favorite. It looks like it should be the set of a 1970s TV sitcom. They make so many fresh donuts daily. It’s right next to a movie theater. A dangerous combo.

    5. Bagels — Bagel Pub, Bagel World, Le Bagel Delight… you can’t go wrong with any of these.

    1. El Gran Castillo de Jagua (Prospect Heights) — Prospect Heights is known for its Caribbean community, and this Dominican spot is a highlight. After 50 years, the boiled chicken still falls right off the bone. You can also go for breakfast.

    2. Park Slope Ale House — You want a spot that fits the coziness of the neighborhood, a spot that feels like you’re tucked away among the brownstones… this gives the vibe. It’s a place to go if you want a giant lager (or glass of wine), and some well-made classic bar food: burgers, salads, wings.

    3. Pasta Louie Cafe (Park Slope) — Another cozy spot. And as the name says, they do pasta. Very good pasta. It’s low-key and neighborhood-y. You can’t miss here.

    4. Russo's Mozzarella and Pasta (Park Slope) — For all the L.A. folks, this is the Bay Cities of the area. Smaller. A little less polished. But it’s the real-deal Italian deli with all the goods. But beware, there is no seating here! It’s a place to pick-up and go.

    1. Omar's Indian Fine Cuisine (Prospect Heights) — I don’t even know how to describe this place, they literally serve Indian food, pizza, and bagels made fresh every day. The bagels are worth a morning pitstop, but Omar’s has some of the best Indian food in Brooklyn. The stand out is the breads (like the gobi paratha stuffed with shredded cauliflower) and the smoky goat chettinad is also a winner.

    2. Al di La (Park Slope) — If you have a spare night and you want to get a nice bowl of pasta with a bottle of red wine, this is the Park Slope spot. Very cozy. Very good.

    3. Geido (Prospect Heights) – A cool, casual, affordable Japanese dinner spot. Geido has walls covered in doodles from past customers — but there’s also very fresh fish, a long list of signature rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and a big Sapporo on draft.