Is Manhattan the foodie haven of
New York City? Perhaps. There's no denying that places like Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, and Little Italy are all a must for any foodie in the Big Apple. Nevertheless, true foodies should check out the other boroughs too. Take Brooklyn, for example. Known for its creative energy and youthful vibrancy, there's no doubt that this area's culinary scene is just as exciting. There's Wizard Hat Pizza, for example, which is one of Brooklyn's best pizza spots. Don't miss La Taq too, your next go-to place for authentic tacos. Craving Japanese food? Then look no further than Ikigai! It'll change your life!
Bang Bang Bangkok
Bang Bang Bangkok is one of many that prove just how diverse and different Brooklyn's culinary scene is compared to Manhattan. The other New York City borough might have the more luxurious, high-class restaurants, but this one has some of the most flavorful. True to its name, Bang Bang Bangkok gives a flavorful bang in your mouth with every dish. Its authentic Thai cuisine easily tantalizes your taste buds, from its spiciest offerings to its sweetest desserts.
Source: Bang Bang Bangkok
Cafe Mado
While it may be one of the newer kids on the
Brooklyn block, only having opened in 2023, Cafe Mado is undeniably a must-try for any foodie in New York City. Part of what's great about it is that it serves suitable dishes for each meal. In the morning, its sweets and pastries make for great companions with their hot cups of coffee. By the afternoon, its heavier and more flavorful dishes satisfy any cravings for lunch and dinner. Don't miss their honey and pepper-seasoned pork ribs, for example, which is enough to keep you stuffed and smiling all night long.
Source: Cafe Mado
Clover Hill
Clover Hill on Columbia Place is one of the most fascinating among the best places to eat in Brooklyn. You could almost say that there are two sides to it. The first, during the mornings, is the perfect brunch spot where you can indulge in European staples. Croque fromage or duck confit, anyone? Then there's the second side, which serves up sumptuous seasonal menus from the sea. Yes, you read that right! From the sea! Clover Hill is slowly but surely becoming one of the best seafood spots in all of New York City, not just Brooklyn.
Source: Clover Hill
Daphne's
Daphne's is the kind of friendly, local Italian diner just around the corner that you can always trust will serve you delicious food. It's not that fussy about its menu, the space has a pleasant ambiance to it, and the prices aren't all that bad. While Manhattan may boast its vibrant
Little Italy as the go-to foodie spot for Italian cuisine in New York City, Brooklyn's Daphne's is here to give it a good fight.
Source: Daphne’s
Francie
Francie is perhaps the fanciest spot on this list, especially since it's a
Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City. Located in Williamsburg, it's a sophisticated space devoted to European haute cuisine. Crudites or souffle cakes serve as its appetizers, already giving you a surge of refinery at first bite. Care for some pasta? Francie offers lobster ravioli, clam & bacon-laden conchiglie, or summer squash tortelli. As for its mains, you have the option of either spring lamb or dry-aged crown of duck, among many others.
Source: Francie
Ikigai
You didn't think this list would go on without a spot for Japanese food, did you? Ikigai on Lafayette Avenue is Brooklyn's ultimate Japanese restaurant. Some may not like its small portions, but rest assured that each bit-sized offering is worth its mid-to-high price points. Indulge in their okra risotto with sea beans and uni, for example, and get lost in the delicious fusion of Eastern and Western flavors. And for dessert? Their knedle-mochi dumpling with raspberry and sour cream is off the charts!
Source: Ikigai Instagram Page
La Taq
Care for some tacos? Then look no further than La Taq on 7th Avenue. The place may not serve the most authentic tacos, but they're undeniably among the most delicious. Each taco is so perfectly stuffed with the freshest ingredients that you could almost taste the open market or even the countryside farms where they came from. Burritos come bursting with perfectly cooked rice and well-grilled meat, each bite is heaven. It's enough to eat here every day even when you've just
moved to New York City.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lillo
Lillo is arguably one of the best pasta places in New York City, let alone in Brooklyn. The place isn't exactly rewriting the book on Italian cuisine, but it does excel in the culinary genre. Go for the classic lasagna, for example, and you'll get bursts of flavor and spices with every forkful. Some fettuccini with zucchini might not sound all that much at first, but a couple of bites is enough for you to consider this your new favorite dish.
Source: Lillo
Strange Delight
If you ever get a craving for oysters, look no further than Strange Delight on Lafayette Avenue. They may not be the most classic or most popular seafood option, but rest assured that they're flavorful enough to warrant high prices. At the same time, the oysters here truly embody the restaurant's name. They're a strange delight that might taste unsettling at first, especially if you're not a huge seafood fan to begin with, but place seasons and spices them in a way that will have you wanting more.
Source: Strange Delight
Wizard Hat Pizza
Finally, there's Wizard Hat Pizza on Rogers Avenue. You may think that pizza places in New York City are a dime a dozen and, for the most part, they are. From dollar pizza stores to boujee Italian restaurants, when you've eaten in one, you've eaten in all. Wizard Hat Pizza, on the other hand, argues otherwise. While it's true that the spot's pizzas aren't attempting to change the wheel in its pizza-making, their results are undeniably delicious and so satisfyingly flavorful.
Source: Wizard Hat Pizza
Brooklyn’s culinary scene is just as exciting as Manhattan's! The beloved borough has tons of great places to eat, from affordable pizza places to foreign menus that will have you wanting to travel to different countries.
