Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs comprising the greater New York City, and it’s got no shortage of great places to eat! If you’re curious about what the best places to eat in Brooklyn are, you’ve come to the right place. From Peter Luger Steak House to Buttermilk Channel, join us as we take a look at the best restaurants in Brooklyn.
Peter Luger Steak House
We’ll start this article off by taking a look at a simple location that should appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. There are few that don’t enjoy a nice, dry-aged steak, and that’s exactly what you’ll find when you set foot in Peter Luger Steak House. Located in Williamsburg just a short distance from the Williamsburg Bridge, Peter Luger Steak House has been serving tried-and-true steakhouse fare to the borough of Brooklyn for well over 100 years. The restaurant was first opened up in 1887, but it went by a different name.
When Peter Luger Steak House first opened up, it was called Carl Luger’s Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley. The eclectic eatery grew over the ensuing century to become more steak-oriented, and it’s now considered to be the preeminent steakhouse in the Brooklyn area! The steaks are aged in-house, and eating them is an incomparable experience.
If steak isn’t your thing, you may prefer the equally excellent lamb chops. There’s also salmon, as well as a burger that’s served during lunch hours. This burger goes by the name of the Luger Burger, and it’ll fill you up and then some.
Frankel’s Delicatessen
The Luger Burger is a great option for lunch in Brooklyn, but it’s pretty heavy! Those looking for a lighter lunch may want to pay a visit to Frankel’s Delicatessen. Frankel’s Delicatessen is a Jewish deli that has become a community staple in the neighborhood of Greenpoint. There isn’t that much seating available, but guests can always take their food to go if there isn’t any room. Though the ambience of Frankel’s Delicatessen will certainly be a treat for anyone that’s never been to a Jewish deli, the food is where the real wonders are.
Frankel’s Delicatessen is known best for it’s latkes and pastramis, though you can never go wrong by simply ordering an everything bagel with a side of cream cheese.
The River Cafe
The River Cafe may refer to itself as a cafe, but it’s really a high-class restaurant! If you’re looking for a place to take your romantic partner during your stay in Brooklyn, then the River Cafe is an excellent option. However, you’re going to need to have the funds to pay for it! The River Cafe isn’t cheap, but the experience of dining at the restaurant is second to none. One of the things that make the River Cafe so romantic is the live music. The restaurant has had the same jazz pianist playing live music for nearly as long as it’s been open.
Given that the River Cafe has been around since 1977, that’s a long time! The pianist is named Dom Salvador, and he is renowned even outside of his longtime tenure here.
The ambience is a large part of the charm when dining at the River Cafe, but the popular romantic spot also has some incredibly fine cuisine. One of the most popular items on the menu is the Wagyu steak tartare. However, some might prefer ordering the Irish Point Oysters. The restaurant is located in the neighborhood of Dumbo. For those that don’t know, the neighborhood’s name is an acronym that stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”. Guests planning on attending should note that there is a strict dress code.
Roberta’s
There are plenty of great pizza joints in Brooklyn, but Roberta’s is one of the more unique ones. If you’re interested in wood-fired artisanal pizzas, then this restaurant is certainly worth checking out! One of the things that make Roberta’s stand out is its breakfast pizzas. Guests will get the chance to experience pizzas featuring such diverse toppings as duck prosciutto and ice-cream sandwiches. There are currently two Roberta’s locations in Brooklyn, with one being located in Bushwick and the other being located in Williamsburg.
Petite Crevette
Petite Crevette is a seafood eatery located in the Columbia Street Waterfront District neighborhood of Brooklyn. The eatery has made a name for itself with its Southern-style seafood fare, featuring a menu that includes shrimp po’ boy sandwiches and mustard-crusted salmon. Petite Crevette has become a favorite amongst locals in the area, starting out from humble beginnings in the early 1990s and then expanding to a bigger location in 2008. Another Southern favorite that can be found at Petite Crevette is Key lime pie, which is some of the most authentic that you’re liable to find in Brooklyn.
Insa
Insa is a Korean establishment located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Gowanus. You’ll find two beloved Korean traditions being practiced at Insa, with those being BBQ and karaoke! The place has become particularly popular with large groups, as you can rent out rooms for fairly cheap and have yourselves a party. Some of the items on the menu that you’ll see being ordered the most include the Bulgogi beef, which goes great with a side of dumplings. If you’re really in the mood to party, you may also want to try out the sake. For desert, the item of choice is the lemon mochi cake.
Di Fara Pizza
Roberta’s is a great place to get artisanal pizzas with unique toppings, but Di Fara Pizza is the place to go if you want pizza that stays true to it’s Italian roots. Di Fara Pizza first opened up back in 1965. At the time, the restaurant’s owner had just recently emigrated from Southern Italy, where he learned to cook. That owner is still around today, and his pizza-making methods are still being passed down to the new employees that he hires at both of his pizzeria’s Brooklyn locations.
The original Di Fara Pizza location can still be found in Williamsburg, and that’s the only location where you’ll find the eatery’s signature cheese calzones. However, the two locations mostly share the same menu. The best thing to order is pizza by the slice, though you can also order a whole pie.
Bunna Cafe
If you’re a vegan (or a fan of Ethiopian food), then we’ve got a restaurant for you! Buna Cafe serves up Ethiopian fare that’s entirely plant-based. The food is served in a by-the-scoop fashion, and every meal comes with an allotment of injera. For those that don’t know, injera is a type of flatbread. If you like spicy lentil dishes and sweet, crumbly baklava, then this is certainly a restaurant that you’ll want to check out. There are also special vegan scrambles for brunch on the weekends.
Al di la Trattoria
We’ve taken a look at a couple of pizza places, including one that stays true to it’s Italian roots. However, the best Brooklyn location for authentic and traditional Italian fare in general would have to be al di la Trattoria. Al di la Trattoria is located in the neighborhood of Park Slope. As compared to Di Fara Pizza, the cuisine at al di la Trattoria is inspired by Northern Italy instead of Southern Italy. The ingredients are locally sourced, and the menu changes fairly often. However, you can always count on getting an authentic Italian experience.
The menu at al di la Trattoria is filled with Italian favorites like polenta, ravioli, and spaghetti, but there’s always a fancy twist. Common meats on the menu include octopus and rabbit, and there are plenty of deserts for when you’re done. If you’re ordering desert, don’t pass on the homemade gelato!
Olmsted
Olmsted is an eatery in the neighborhood of Prospect Heights offering farm-to-table fare in a casual setting. Many farm-to-table restaurants break the bank, but that isn’t true with Olmsted. Still, the cuisine is fantastic! You can’t go wrong with the duck sausage and the duck eggs, which go perfectly when paired with some of the eatery’s signature carrot crepes.
Buttermilk Channel
The last Brooklyn eatery that we’ll be examining in this article is Buttermilk Channel. Buttermilk Channel is located in the neighborhood of Carroll Gardens, and it’s best known amongst Brooklyn locals for it’s indelible buttermilk fried chicken. If you like fried chicken, you’ll definitely want to try it out. Those that are in the mood for something lighter can try out the duck meatloaf, or the veggie burgers.
The veggie burgers are made in-house, and they consist of mushroom and barley. There are also oysters and mussels on the menu, and brunch on the weekends. The pecan pie French toast seems to be the thing that brings most of the customers in during brunch hours.
Brooklyn is a borough with plenty of culinary experiences to offer it’s visitors. Whether you’re looking for something fancy and romantic or something more casual, the above picks represent some of the very best eateries in the area.