7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Brooklyn (2026 Guide)

TLDR: Brooklyn's food scene covers everything from 60-year-old pizzerias to Michelin-recognized BBQ joints and revived 1879 chophouses. Expect long lines at the best spots, and prices ranging from $5 slices to $50+ dinners.

Brooklyn could be its own city when it comes to food. With nearly 2.7 million people spread across dozens of neighborhoods, the borough serves up everything from Sicilian square slices that haven't changed since the 1950s to boundary-pushing tasting menus.

I've eaten my way through a good chunk of it, and the places that stuck with me aren't necessarily the ones with the most hype. These seven spots are where I'd actually send a friend who asked me where to eat in Brooklyn.

1. Di Fara Pizza

Di Fara Pizza has been operating on Avenue J in Midwood since 1965, when Domenico DeMarco opened up after emigrating from Italy's Province of Caserta. The pizza is still made with imported ingredients including San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil cut with scissors over every pie.

I've waited in line here knowing it would take a while, and the slice justified every minute.

Did You Know? Di Fara became New York City's first $5-a-slice pizza place in 2009, up from 15 cents when it opened in 1965.

2. L&B Spumoni Gardens

L&B Spumoni Gardens is a Gravesend institution and started in 1939 when founder Ludovico Barbati traded his horse-drawn spumoni cart for a permanent spot on 86th Street. The Sicilian-style square pizza is what draws the crowds now, with cheese laid directly on the dough and thick tomato sauce on top. It's an upside-down approach that works brilliantly.

I recommend grabbing a slice from the outdoor window and eating in the garden area, then finishing with their house-made spumoni for dessert.

Did You Know? L&B Spumoni Gardens is now run by the fourth generation of the Barbati family, and Food Network named it the source of New York's best pizza slice in 2025.

3. Hometown Bar-B-Que

Set in a sprawling warehouse in Red Hook, Hometown Bar-B-Que has been smoking meats over oak wood since opening in 2013. The brisket is the star, peppery with a deep smoke ring, but the Vietnamese hot wings and jerk rib tips show a creativity you don't find at typical BBQ joints.

The line can be long, especially on weekends, so grab a beer and settle in. If you want to explore more of Brooklyn's food neighborhoods while getting context on the area's history, StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide can build you a custom audio walk connecting Red Hook's best spots.

Did You Know? Hometown Bar-B-Que holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, making it one of the few BBQ restaurants in New York City to earn Michelin attention.

4. Gage & Tollner

Gage & Tollner is a Downtown Brooklyn chophouse and originally opened in 1879, closed in 2004, and was brilliantly revived in 2021 by three local restaurateurs. The landmarked Victorian interior with its original gas lamp fixtures and arched mirrors is stunning.

I went for the oysters and a dry-aged steak, and both delivered. It's pricier than most spots on this list, but the combination of history and quality cooking makes it a genuine Brooklyn experience. Reservations recommended.

Did You Know? Gage & Tollner's interior was the third space in NYC history to receive landmark designation, after the New York Public Library and Grant's Tomb.

5. Taqueria Ramirez

Taqueria Ramirez is a tiny Greenpoint taqueria and captures the spirit of a Mexico City taco shop better than most places in the entire city. The menu is focused and the portions are generous, with fresh tortillas and well-seasoned meats at prices that feel almost too fair for New York.

I've gone multiple times and the consistency is impressive. It's walk-in only and tight on space, so expect to eat standing or take your tacos to a nearby park bench.

Did You Know? Taqueria Ramirez was named to Time Out's list of the best restaurants in Brooklyn, praised for its authentic and affordable approach to Mexican street food.

6. Randazzo's Clam Bar

Randazzo's Clam Bar has been serving seafood in Sheepshead Bay since 1932 and it still feels like a neighborhood institution rather than a tourist destination. The fried calamari is excellent, the steamed mussels are generous, and the whole experience is unpretentious in the best way.

I like sitting outside when the weather allows and watching the fishing boats come in. It's the kind of place that reminds you Brooklyn has a whole waterfront identity most visitors never see.

Did You Know? Randazzo's Clam Bar was named to the New York Times' 100 Best Restaurants in New York City list in 2025, confirming its status as a neighborhood seafood institution.

7. Bonnie's

Bonnie's is a modern Cantonese restaurant in Williamsburg has become one of the toughest reservations in Brooklyn, and for good reason. The menu combines Cantonese cooking traditions with creative twists that actually work.

I found the flavors bold and the portions meant for sharing. The space is lively without being overwhelming, and the cocktail list complements the food well. Getting a table takes planning, but it's worth the effort if you appreciate inventive Chinese cooking.

Did You Know? Bonnie's chef Calvin Eng grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and named the restaurant after his mother, Bonnie, who immigrated from Hong Kong and taught him everything he knows about Cantonese cooking.

Eat your way through Brooklyn

Brooklyn rewards the curious eater. These seven places are just a starting point, and some of the best meals I've had here came from wandering a neighborhood like Brooklyn and following my nose into wherever looked good.

Want to explore Brooklyn's food neighborhoods with more context? StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide lets you create your own audio walk with an interactive map, connecting the best restaurants with neighborhood history and local stories. Whether you're tracking down the perfect slice in Midwood or exploring Red Hook's waterfront food scene, a personalized guide makes the experience richer.