3 Days to Dine, Drink & Explore the Best of North Brooklyn, NYC

Once you get settled, drop your stuff at the hotel and head out on a coffee —o r tea or neither — walk and get to know the neighborhood. Walk up and down the shops around Bedford and Grand Street, where you’ll find some excellent spots like Awoke Vintage, SHARKTOOTH and Dobbin St Vintage Co-op. After a morning of retail therapy, pop by Edith’s Sandwich Counter for lunch to go. I’m partial to taking my sandwiches and a six-pack from Talea to McCarren Park for an ideal afternoon.

After a well-deserved nap, head over to dinner at Llama Inn for a Michelin-starred Peruvian meal. Reservations are typically needed here, so if you can’t snag one in advance, pop over to Kings Co. Imperial for some amazing Szechuan food that also happens to be walk-in friendly. Cap off the evening at Night of Joy, the perfect dimly lit cocktail bar to wind down your first evening in Brooklyn!

Today is all about one of North Brooklyn’s biggest draws in recent years: its waterfront development. Start your day off with a nice, leisurely stroll through Domino Park. But before you take in the Manhattan skyline from the buzzy park, pop over to Ceremonia Bakeshop for a breakfast burrito and a latte to really set the day off right. If you’re visiting during the summer, play a round of mini golf at Putting Green BK.

Work your way up to Marsha P. Johnson State Park. If it’s Saturday, take in everything Smorgasburg has to offer. This large open-air market has amazing local food vendors and is a major neighborhood hotspot. Once you’re sufficiently full and your feet are tired, head back to the hotel for a rest and maybe a cocktail at the bar. If you are staying at the William Vale, a drink at their rooftop bar, the Westlight, is a must. For dinner, walk in to one of my absolute favorites in the neighborhood, meadowsweet, for a New American meal with service you’ll rave about. The menu has some seasonal rotations, but staples like the duck breast and burger never disappoint. You’ll cap off the night close by at Sauced, a wine bar with a gorgeous backyard that is the neighborhood’s worst-kept secret.

On your final day, take it easy and roam your way around the most charming North Brooklyn neighborhood, Greenpoint. Sleep in before heading out for breakfast sandwiches at Frankel’s. Then, you’ll mosey around the thrift stores and boutiques around Nassau Ave before popping into Torst for a beer off their extensive draft list, if you’re into that sort of thing.

It is a crime to visit Greenpoint and not eat a pierogi, so I’d recommend Pierozek for late lunch. From there, wander down to Franklin Ave for more shopping and cute bars, and maybe even grab a little treat from Radio Bakery while you explore the neighborhood. To cap off your North Brooklyn weekend, it doesn’t get much better than a movie with a view of Manhattan at Skyline Drive-in. No car required! And if, after the movie, you still find yourself a little peckish, grab late night pizza at Vinnie’s or Rosa’s. Because as we all know, no real trip to New York is complete without a slice!