Ultimate NYC Guidebook
Bed-Stuy Favorites
We LOVE food. This list includes our favorite places in the neighborhood, but we can provide you with recommendations anywhere in the city.
The pizza is world-famous (you might see Jay-Z and Beyonce low key enjoying dinner here, Sean Carter grew up in the neighborhood) but the early morning breakfast is also outstanding. The ricotta blueberry pancakes are a favorite. Saraghina bakery is right around the corner, and is a morning MUST for fresh bread. The line is out the door most weekends. You can't have a bad meal here if you tried.
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Saraghina
350 Lewis AveThe pizza is world-famous (you might see Jay-Z and Beyonce low key enjoying dinner here, Sean Carter grew up in the neighborhood) but the early morning breakfast is also outstanding. The ricotta blueberry pancakes are a favorite. Saraghina bakery is right around the corner, and is a morning MUST for fresh bread. The line is out the door most weekends. You can't have a bad meal here if you tried.
The back garden of this restaurant is the most romantic spot in the neighborhood. Bonus: the food is excellent.
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L'Antagoniste
238 Malcolm X BlvdThe back garden of this restaurant is the most romantic spot in the neighborhood. Bonus: the food is excellent.
Vegan junk food inspired by Kung-Fu movies. Toad Style defies description, but if you want to taste some seriously delicious sandwiches check them out. The restaurant is tiny and uncomfortable, so I recommend take-out or delivery.
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Toad Style
93 Ralph AveVegan junk food inspired by Kung-Fu movies. Toad Style defies description, but if you want to taste some seriously delicious sandwiches check them out. The restaurant is tiny and uncomfortable, so I recommend take-out or delivery.
Chez Oskar is our go-to for a delicious and easy meal. French bistro style, this place is great for kids if you arrive before 7pm. A Brooklyn classic for 20 years. Their Bastille Day parties are legendary.
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Chez Oskar
310 Malcolm X BlvdChez Oskar is our go-to for a delicious and easy meal. French bistro style, this place is great for kids if you arrive before 7pm. A Brooklyn classic for 20 years. Their Bastille Day parties are legendary.
Our new favorite in the neighborhood. Trad Room is a Japanese-American restaurant in a beautiful old space: we recommend the oysters ($1.50 from 5-7pm), the salmon, the steak, and the yuzu ramen. They’re also open for breakfast if you want to sit down and enjoy your morning coffee.
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Trad Room
266 Malcolm X BlvdOur new favorite in the neighborhood. Trad Room is a Japanese-American restaurant in a beautiful old space: we recommend the oysters ($1.50 from 5-7pm), the salmon, the steak, and the yuzu ramen. They’re also open for breakfast if you want to sit down and enjoy your morning coffee.
Cute Haitian cafe with outdoor garden near the Myrtle/Broadway subway stop.
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Cafe Erzulie
894 BroadwayCute Haitian cafe with outdoor garden near the Myrtle/Broadway subway stop.
A 15 minute walk from the house, great new spot created for and by NYC artists. Monthly restaurant residency program, good for morning coffee and friendly, hip vibes.
OSTUDIO
366 Stockton StreetA 15 minute walk from the house, great new spot created for and by NYC artists. Monthly restaurant residency program, good for morning coffee and friendly, hip vibes.
Quite possibly the best bagel spot in the whole of NYC. Order online for pickup or you’ll have a long wait for food on the weekends.
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Greenberg's Bagels Bed Stuy
1065 Bedford AveQuite possibly the best bagel spot in the whole of NYC. Order online for pickup or you’ll have a long wait for food on the weekends.
Serving Haitian classics, everything on the menu is delicious.
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Grandchamps
197 Patchen AveServing Haitian classics, everything on the menu is delicious.
Inventive pizza sold by the slice, beloved by pizza connoisseurs and NBA stars alike. Matt recommends the spicy oxtail.
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Cuts & Slices
93 Howard AveInventive pizza sold by the slice, beloved by pizza connoisseurs and NBA stars alike. Matt recommends the spicy oxtail.
NOW BLACK STAR VINYL: located on Madison Street near corner of Marcus Garvey, across the street from the basketball courts. A great place to shop for vintage vinyl, books, and small gifts. Excellent coffee.
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Halsey & Lewis Records
480a Lewis AveNOW BLACK STAR VINYL: located on Madison Street near corner of Marcus Garvey, across the street from the basketball courts. A great place to shop for vintage vinyl, books, and small gifts. Excellent coffee.
Passionfruit Coffee
A great new place to “coffice”, lots of folks bring their laptops here.
Early Yves Cafe
A newish coffee and breakfast spot with lots of options if you’re up early.
“Ursula” just relocated from their first spot in Crown Heights. A fantastic place for burritos and snacks. A must visit.
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The Awkward Scone
387A Nostrand Avenue“Ursula” just relocated from their first spot in Crown Heights. A fantastic place for burritos and snacks. A must visit.
Miss Bagel
A new neighborhood favorite! Go early on the weekends or expect a wait.
NYC Classics
These are *the* spots: authentic NYC classics that stand the test of time.
The best, oldest diner in Chinatown located in the middle of a picturesque alley.
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Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers StThe best, oldest diner in Chinatown located in the middle of a picturesque alley.
Skip the whole of Little Italy and head to Bamonte’s in Williamsburg for the best Italian food. One of the oldest (if not *the* oldest) red sauce place in NYC. Bamonte’s is like something out of The Godfather: the service is fancy but not pretentious, the food is decadent, the drinks are strong. Get reservations if you’re going on a weekend.
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Bamonte's
32 Withers StSkip the whole of Little Italy and head to Bamonte’s in Williamsburg for the best Italian food. One of the oldest (if not *the* oldest) red sauce place in NYC. Bamonte’s is like something out of The Godfather: the service is fancy but not pretentious, the food is decadent, the drinks are strong. Get reservations if you’re going on a weekend.
Legendary burger place on the Upper East Side: skip the tourist traps and head here for lunch if you’re visiting Museum Mile.
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JG Melon
1291 3rd AveLegendary burger place on the Upper East Side: skip the tourist traps and head here for lunch if you’re visiting Museum Mile.
Where the SoHo artists used to hang, Fanelli’s is a pub with a relaxed atmosphere. The perfect place to chill out if you’re shopping in this area.
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Fanelli's Cafe
94 Prince StWhere the SoHo artists used to hang, Fanelli’s is a pub with a relaxed atmosphere. The perfect place to chill out if you’re shopping in this area.
The best ramen place in NYC. If you have to wait for a table, we recommend Ace Bar across the street.
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Minca
536 E 5th StThe best ramen place in NYC. If you have to wait for a table, we recommend Ace Bar across the street.
24/7 Ukrainian diner and East Village staple, one of my favorite places to go in NYC. I recommend the blintzes.
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Veselka
144 2nd Ave24/7 Ukrainian diner and East Village staple, one of my favorite places to go in NYC. I recommend the blintzes.
Skip Fraunces and try the Ear, a bar so old it existed when Canal Street was still a canal. The ceiling is low (people were shorter in the 18th century) but you can grab a drink and sit outside in nice weather.
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Ear Inn
326 Spring StSkip Fraunces and try the Ear, a bar so old it existed when Canal Street was still a canal. The ceiling is low (people were shorter in the 18th century) but you can grab a drink and sit outside in nice weather.
My go-to spot in the West Village for an easy breakfast or lunch.
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La Bonbonniere
28 8th AveMy go-to spot in the West Village for an easy breakfast or lunch.
A fancy hotel bar with giant murals painted by Madeleine author Ludwig Bemelmans. Not exactly kid-friendly, but if you go early they have a mocktail called the “Miss Clavel” for kiddos.
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Bemelman's Bar at The Carlyle
35 E 76th StA fancy hotel bar with giant murals painted by Madeleine author Ludwig Bemelmans. Not exactly kid-friendly, but if you go early they have a mocktail called the “Miss Clavel” for kiddos.
If you’re catching a Broadway show, this is our go-to for dinner. It’s charmingly small, serving French classics.
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Chez Napoléon
If you’re catching a Broadway show, this is our go-to for dinner. It’s charmingly small, serving French classics.
A classic French bistro with a lot of history. Ladies: if you dine here alone, the waitstaff will bring you a free glass of champagne :) We ate here after getting married nearby at City Hall.
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Balthazar
80 Spring StA classic French bistro with a lot of history. Ladies: if you dine here alone, the waitstaff will bring you a free glass of champagne :) We ate here after getting married nearby at City Hall.
The original Jing Fong closed during the pandemic, but this outpost is still running. The best dim sum in the city. A great place to celebrate something special. (Ping’s in Chinatown is also wonderful for dim sum but a bit pricey.)
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Jing Fong Restaurant
380 Amsterdam AvenueThe original Jing Fong closed during the pandemic, but this outpost is still running. The best dim sum in the city. A great place to celebrate something special. (Ping’s in Chinatown is also wonderful for dim sum but a bit pricey.)
The Odeon
145 W BroadwayA fun, raucous bistro that’s great for late night meals.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the oldest bars in Bed-Stuy, Casablanca just reopened after renovations and is a stylish, friendly bar full of locals and tourists.
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Casablanca Cocktail Lounge
300 Malcolm X BlvdOne of the oldest bars in Bed-Stuy, Casablanca just reopened after renovations and is a stylish, friendly bar full of locals and tourists.
Doris
1088 Fulton StA fun, crowded place for the cool kids.
You don't have to love reggae to love the chill island vibes at Lovers Rock. The friendliest bar in Bed-Stuy, but no small children allowed.
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Lovers Rock
419 Tompkins AveYou don't have to love reggae to love the chill island vibes at Lovers Rock. The friendliest bar in Bed-Stuy, but no small children allowed.
Local studio musicians form the backbone of this warm and inviting bar, the music is always excellent and extremely diverse. If you visit during the day, they have a very peaceful garden that doubles as a workspace for lots of people in the neighborhood.
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LunÀtico
486 Halsey StLocal studio musicians form the backbone of this warm and inviting bar, the music is always excellent and extremely diverse. If you visit during the day, they have a very peaceful garden that doubles as a workspace for lots of people in the neighborhood.
Owned by our lovely neighbor Sam, Mama Fox is a new bar/restaurant styled after the beloved Nita Nita (Sam’s old bar in Williamsburg). Cocktails are generous and strong. I recommend the Nita ‘rita.
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MAMA FOX
327 Stuyvesant AveOwned by our lovely neighbor Sam, Mama Fox is a new bar/restaurant styled after the beloved Nita Nita (Sam’s old bar in Williamsburg). Cocktails are generous and strong. I recommend the Nita ‘rita.
No-frills bar with a young crowd and a very laid back atmosphere.
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Turtles all the way down
236 Malcolm X BlvdNo-frills bar with a young crowd and a very laid back atmosphere.
Marian's Brooklyn
An easygoing bar with lots of outdoor seating and live jazz.
Sightseeing
It's silly, BUT IT REALLY WORKS. The Whispering Gallery never fails to impress. Bonus: get some fresh oysters at Oyster Bar, the entrance is tucked between the tiled arches.
Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Terminal
89 E 42nd StIt's silly, BUT IT REALLY WORKS. The Whispering Gallery never fails to impress. Bonus: get some fresh oysters at Oyster Bar, the entrance is tucked between the tiled arches.
At the end of the pier, you’ll find swings to sit in! For free! A beautiful spot to watch boat traffic on the East River and see the bridges. In summer, the rooftop of nearby Pier 17 hosts live concerts and outdoor movies.
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Pirs 35
FDR DriveAt the end of the pier, you’ll find swings to sit in! For free! A beautiful spot to watch boat traffic on the East River and see the bridges. In summer, the rooftop of nearby Pier 17 hosts live concerts and outdoor movies.
Like the High Line, Little Island can get crowded. I recommend going in the morning on a weekday.
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Mała Wyspa
West 13th StreetLike the High Line, Little Island can get crowded. I recommend going in the morning on a weekday.
Domino Park
15 Kent AveA great place to watch the sunset.
Arts & Culture
BAM is always doing something incredible: first-rate theatre, dance, and music. If you don't have tickets to a show, the BAMcafe on the second floor has live jazz and a lounge to enjoy by the general public.
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Akademia Muzyki w Brooklynie
30 Lafayette AveBAM is always doing something incredible: first-rate theatre, dance, and music. If you don't have tickets to a show, the BAMcafe on the second floor has live jazz and a lounge to enjoy by the general public.
Admission to the museum is FREE on the first Saturday of every month.
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Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern PkwyAdmission to the museum is FREE on the first Saturday of every month.
Weeksville was a free community of African-Americans established in 1838. A completely fascinating history embedded in the fabric of the city.
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Weeksville Heritage Center
158 Buffalo AveWeeksville was a free community of African-Americans established in 1838. A completely fascinating history embedded in the fabric of the city.
Founded by a design friend of mine, Color Factory is more than an IG backdrop. It’s inspiring and you’ll leave feeling happy.
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Color Factory
251 Spring StFounded by a design friend of mine, Color Factory is more than an IG backdrop. It’s inspiring and you’ll leave feeling happy.
Shopping
On-trend, small label fashion boutique adored by the best-dressed women in NYC. On Sunday mornings starting at 10am they serve a special neighborhood brunch.
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Sincerely, Tommy
343 Tompkins AveOn-trend, small label fashion boutique adored by the best-dressed women in NYC. On Sunday mornings starting at 10am they serve a special neighborhood brunch.
Vintage vinyl and cassette tapes, zines, and tshirts sold on consignment - a great space full of great people and positive vibes. Playground is also host to a community garden and library.
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Playground Coffee Shop
1114 Bedford AveVintage vinyl and cassette tapes, zines, and tshirts sold on consignment - a great space full of great people and positive vibes. Playground is also host to a community garden and library.
Alter
140 Franklin StMy favorite clothing store in Brooklyn.
November 19 Shop
37 Orchard StreetMy favorite place to shop for gifts.
Famous for making Chinatown shopping accessible to tourists, shop here for great gifts. If you’re in the market for a knockoff handbag, the sidewalks in this area are full of folks selling them.
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Pearl River Mart
452 BroadwayFamous for making Chinatown shopping accessible to tourists, shop here for great gifts. If you’re in the market for a knockoff handbag, the sidewalks in this area are full of folks selling them.
I’m so inspired by this shop. Beautifully curated with useful goods, I recommend the garden clogs or vintage inspired nightgowns. The shop also has a small coffee and tea counter.
Salter House
119 Atlantic AveI’m so inspired by this shop. Beautifully curated with useful goods, I recommend the garden clogs or vintage inspired nightgowns. The shop also has a small coffee and tea counter.
Getting Around
A/C subway entrance is located at Stuyvesant and Fulton. The A train runs express to Manhattan.
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Utica Av station
Fulton StreetA/C subway entrance is located at Stuyvesant and Fulton. The A train runs express to Manhattan.
JMZ subway with quick service to Williamsburg and the Lower East Side.
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Broadway/Myrtle Av station
JMZ subway with quick service to Williamsburg and the Lower East Side.
Citibike is my favorite way to get around the city in nice weather. It’s cheap, fast, and you get to see more! Traffic can be very dangerous in the city so be sure to bike in quiet side streets or streets with a dedicated bike lane. I’m obsessed with the new e-bikes you can rent via Citibike.
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CitiBike
Citibike is my favorite way to get around the city in nice weather. It’s cheap, fast, and you get to see more! Traffic can be very dangerous in the city so be sure to bike in quiet side streets or streets with a dedicated bike lane. I’m obsessed with the new e-bikes you can rent via Citibike.