In a borough where you can stumble into nearly any corner (a bodega, a food hall), and find decent tacos, what elevates the very best restaurants? The food is clearly essential, along with the chef’s vision and the quality of ingredients. But if all you crave is a flawless burger, we assure you, there are apps for that. Brooklyn’s top tables don’t just serve memorable meals; they create experiences.
Namkeen
$ | (347) 658-3383 | WEBSITE
These days, there’s an abundance of fusion restaurants in Brooklyn. It seems like every other spot offers some mash-up of global flavors with American comfort food. Most of these fusion places are kind of overcomplicated, but Namkeen feels like a straightforward spot where you can grab a seat and sample bold, satisfying dishes. This place easily has the most impressive Nashville sandwich in the borough, with perfectly layered flavors in the generously sized, reasonably priced offering.
Stop by for a casual meal, and try the fries with maple syrup and that mysterious sauce.
Abilene Bar
$$ | (718) 522-6900 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Brooklyn, Abilene Bar looks like the slightly cluttered rec room of a 1990s superfan, complete with a unique Milli Vanilli shrine that adds an interesting touch to the ambiance. The $14 cocktails here are custom creations that pair perfectly with late-night eats, while the generous portions of wings—the best in the city—come at a great price alongside quality fries.
You’ll receive friendly service during your visit, but if you need something more substantial, try the delicious goat cheese and pear salad for a treat. It’s not a very big place (perfect for unwinding), but they cram a lot of fun atmosphere inside, and there is, appropriately, an impressive dedication to comfort food and good times.
Neta Shari
$$$$ | (347) 210-8438 | WEBSITE
Neta Shari, a sushi counter tucked away in bustling Brooklyn, looks like a restaurant. Because, for years, that’s what it was. Then, it got new chefs, one of whom is widely praised for their craft with king salmon and scallop. And now it’s a real sushi-lover’s spot, where you can settle at the counter and enjoy an impeccable omakase made by someone who can talk you through each of the 18 courses.
The mood is nice and casual, and the well-priced menu features essential fresh fish with simple preparation that highlights the quality.
Casa Azul
$$ | (929) 337-6767 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever looked down at your cocktail and realized it’s as clear as water, you can thank this Brooklyn spot: It’s been at the forefront of the clarified-drink movement since opening. But while Casa Azul serves those crystal-clear cocktails, it’s so cozy inside this welcoming, family-friendly restaurant that you’ll barely notice the transparency—you’ll just taste the smooth, balanced flavors.
That hardly matters though: the house drinks are interesting, perfectly executed, and discounted during Happy Hour. The seasonal cocktails are great too—we’d recommend starting with anything mezcal-based. Sit at a table with friends, or at the bar if you’re solo, and order some enchiladas when you need a bite.
Kokomo Caribbean Restaurant
$$$ | (347) 799-1312 | WEBSITE
After a lengthy search for authentic Caribbean flavors in Brooklyn, I finally discovered Kokomo Caribbean Restaurant, and it got my full attention. They didn’t really put much thought into the name of that restaurant, but don’t let that dissuade you from coming here. At Kokomo, you feel like you’re dining inside of the vibrant home of a well-traveled chef.
Near the entrance, there’s a colorful mural, and in an adjoining dining area you’ll find some wooden tables, woven placemats, and banquette seating nestled into a cozy corner. Come by for a meal when you need something lively and welcoming, and be careful with the rum punch. Kokomo makes the tastiest, most subtly spiced one I’ve had, served with a hint of nutmeg on the side.
East Harbor Seafood Palace
$$ | (718) 765-0098 | WEBSITE
The day the last old-school dim sum parlor closed in Manhattan was a sad one for lovers of authentic, bustling Cantonese dining. But there’s still some elaborate cart service involved at East Harbor Seafood Palace, which preserves the Brooklyn Chinatown tradition. Their focus just stayed on food. The dim sum—all around $5 per plate—comes divided into steamed, fried, and baked varieties, and we’d recommend sampling one from each section of the menu.
Start with the shrimp dumplings, a combination of fresh seafood and delicate wrapper. They come with a soy-chili side sauce, and they taste like the savory-sweet essence of Cantonese cuisine (in the best way). There are still some hearty stir-fries here, and even if you’ve just stopped in before exploring Brooklyn, order the crab fried rice, and the massive portions of fresh seafood.
Harlem Seafood Soul
$ | (646) 533-8518 | WEBSITE
Harlem Seafood Soul is that spot in DeKalb Market where you go for Harlem-inspired soul food with real comfort and flavor. It’s been around for a while now, back when people started craving that crispy fried shrimp and cheesy mac and cheese as their go-to comfort dishes. It’s still a great place to grab a satisfying meal that hits all the right notes. Overhyped location aside, this place keeps things warm and inviting.
It’s just a casual, welcoming space with simple décor, attentive staff, and a family-friendly vibe. Stop by for dinner, and try the Uptown Combo if you’re really hungry.
Mooburger
$$ | (718) 246-8259 | WEBSITE
If you manage to try every vegetarian option on the menu at this lively spot in Brooklyn, well done. The selection includes Beyond burgers, fresh salads, loaded nachos, and those irresistible French fries that keep you coming back for more. But if you simply order the first thing that catches your eye, we applaud that choice too. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and satisfying, the food here delivers more than you’d expect, and a meal at Mooburger always feels like a treat.
Grab some onion rings (though they can be a bit oily), bring the family on weekends, and stop by on a weeknight for quick, attentive service in a fun atmosphere.
Sottocasa
$$ | (718) 852-8758 | WEBSITE
If you absolutely must eat pizza that transports you straight to Naples, make it Sottocasa. Open for years now, this Brooklyn pizzeria has an authentic vibe, complete with cozy brick walls, rustic wooden tables, and the heavenly scent of baking dough. The magic is as real as ever, and the pizza selection is always outstanding, with perfectly charred crusts and fresh toppings.
Settle into a snug booth in the warm dining room, or grab a seat at the counter and watch as a pizzaiolo crafts your pie with the precision of a master artisan.
Cafe Nube
$ | (646) 226-3844 | WEBSITE
Cafe Nube is a straightforward neighborhood spot just outside the subway station. It’s casual and functional, with plenty of tables and outlets surrounded by simple seating. Grab your laptop, order a coffee, and try the standout egg biscuit sandwich, sometimes customized by warming the biscuit and adding different cheeses. You can also sample some creative tacos like the Korean chicken gochujang with slaw or the sriracha miso tofu, as long as you’re comfortable with the self-service setup.
(The atmosphere is definitely more work-friendly than fancy.)
Paddy’s of Park Slope
$ | (718) 369-0831 | WEBSITE
Paddy’s of Park Slope is tucked away on a quiet Park Slope street, but it isn’t especially hard to spot, because there’s usually a crowd of regulars spilling out onto the sidewalk. Once you make it inside, you’ll find yourself in a cozy, wood-paneled space that feels like a classic, welcoming Irish pub. There’s no official food menu, so in order to get something to eat, you can bring your own or order delivery to the bar.
After the friendly bartenders are done pouring a perfect Guinness or mixing a hot cider, they’ll hand you a drink that’s exactly what you needed. The booths near the TVs are the most coveted seats for sports fans, but if you grab one of the stools at the bar, you can enjoy the convivial atmosphere and maybe catch an Irish music jam.
Ruby’s Bar & Grill
$ | (718) 975-7829 | WEBSITE
Many of Brooklyn’s boardwalk spots are either touristy or overly polished. Refreshingly, Ruby’s is neither. It’s more like a classic neighborhood joint with worn wooden floors, a well-stocked jukebox, and smooth-as-butter bourbon pours. Those bourbon pours come with a solid selection of draft beers, which would be forgettable if they weren’t served in such a lively atmosphere. Elsewhere on the menu, we really like the reasonably priced food that somehow feels both convenient and satisfying.
Thief
$ | (917) 909-1166 | WEBSITE
Sometimes, you walk into Thief and think, ‘No way this is just a dive bar.’ The seasonal cocktails they’re known to feature include spiced pear liqueur, cranberry shrub, and smoked cinnamon syrup. And you know what? That smoked cinnamon syrup works really nicely with bourbon and orange bitters. The original Brooklyn Thief opened as a late-night spot, but now you can find them in a cozy space perfect for catching up or date nights.
Standing isn’t the vibe, and they don’t cater to rowdy crowds, so this definitely isn’t a partytime bar, but if you want to drink something entirely inspired, grab a little table in the candlelit room.
moonbowls
$ | (866) 692-9615 | WEBSITE
This delivery-only spot offers a delicious selection of bowls, and the vegan options live up to the hype. But we also order from here to satisfy some very specific comfort food cravings. Moonbowls operates out of a DoorDash ghost kitchen, and the best way to enjoy your BBQ Chicken Bowl is right at home after a long day. Packed with fresh ingredients and bold sauces, it tastes like a chef’s creation, if your chef happened to specialize in quick, indulgent lunches.
For something a bit lighter, try one of the vegan bowls with crispy cauliflower or sesame tofu—and save room for Sweet Loren’s edible cookie dough.
Minnows Bar
$ | (631) 791-3187 | WEBSITE
Minnows Bar is a hangout that never disappoints. This always-welcoming neighborhood spot in Brooklyn is essentially a cozy local dive, with 70’s tunes pumping through the speakers and a warm, wood cabin vibe that wraps you in comfort. But this isn’t just a place for a basic beer. The standout dishes are all crave-worthy and delicious, from the exceptional chicken tenders to the simple, perfectly smashed burger that hits the spot. Don’t leave without trying the widely missed beef sandwich.
Zheng Jin Ji 郑锦记 Fuzhou Cuisine
$ | (929) 250-2320 | WEBSITE
Zheng Jin Ji is a small restaurant with food that exceeds expectations, and it’s just as satisfying. But while other spots might feel cramped or rushed, this Brooklyn storefront is more like a cozy kitchen in Fuzhou’s most authentic neighborhood. It’s lit up like a warm afternoon, with simple wooden tables, steam rising from bubbling pots, and lots of shared moments.
There are about 5 standout dishes on the menu, including two soups, one bun, one noodle dish, and a couple of items that are as comforting as the atmosphere. Try the beef soup with rich broth, the fish ball soup stuffed with pork, or the pork and preserved vegetable sesame bun.
O’Keefe’s Bar & Grill
$$ | (718) 855-8751 | WEBSITE
Ordering fish and chips with shoestring fries doesn’t necessarily sound very exciting. But at O’Keefe’s Bar & Grill, the crispy, golden-brown fish, served up with a mountain of thin fries and a side of tartar sauce, might be the beginning of a very satisfying meal.
This Brooklyn spot has a main area that’s first-come-first-served, but it’s worth it to grab a stool at the worn wooden bar, where you can sit on a padded seat and watch a friendly bartender pour you a cold beer while eating hot chicken tenders with waffle fries.
Perry’s
$ | (718) 934-9800 | WEBSITE
Perry’s is from the tradition of classic American diners, a neighborhood spot that feels as though it has been serving comfort food for decades. Aside from the generous portions, the restaurant has very little in common with trendy new eateries. Think of this place as a ’50s diner without the jukebox. Perry’s has a roomy layout and a relaxed color scheme, and, ideally, it’s where you should start every lazy weekend morning in Brooklyn.
If you want, you can order a veggie omelette (made delicious, of course), or you can enjoy one of their other vegetarian options with service that ranges from considerably attentive to making you feel completely at home.