Free Williamsburg

The Williamsburg Brooklyn-based culture guide to New York and beyond.

Brooklyn Restaurant and Bar Listings for Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint

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Traif

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You won’t find anything kosher on the menu – bacon donuts, baby back ribs, fois gras with egg and bacon, scallops – and that’s the point. In Yiddish, the name refers to foods that are forbidden by Jewish dietary laws, so it’s not too popular with the local Hasidim. Menu dishes have included delicious oddities including Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crabs, Strawberry-Cinnamon Glazed Berkshire Baby Back Ribs, and Risotto Of Maine Lobster with Spicy Sausage. A very non-Kosher experience for experimental eaters who love their pork and shellfish.

Featured Reviews

  • Chef Jason Marcus’s flaunting of all things unkosher could have been seen as a slap in the face to the nearby community of Hasidic Jews, but his orthodox neighbors are unfazed by the concept. Off of a hyper-seasonal menu and out of the diminutive open kitchen come neat small dishes for sharing.

  • There are three rules when it comes to eating at Williamsburg restaurant Traif: 1) Don’t be hungry, 2) don’t be on a diet and 3) don’t be a vegetarian. As to the first, all the food is served small-plate style, and while the dishes are delicious, they’re way better for sampling than stuffing yourself, and you’ll be furious if you gulp down a serving before you really get to taste it. To the second, the food is oft-slathered in barbecue sauce, fried or sprinkled with bacon, and it will kill your Weight Watchers points. And to the third, the restaurant’s name is a cheeky reference both to the decidedly unkosher shellfish and pork food it serves, and there are very few (if any) veggie options, so take a carnivore.

  • Given its name (which roughly translates as ‘non-kosher’), look for “lots of pork and shellfish” on the “innovative” Eclectic menu of this “intimate” Williamsburg “winner”, featuring a small plates–centric format geared toward “sharing”; regulars say “splurging on the tasting menu” is the way to go.

Getting There

Tutu’s

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Just off the Morgan L Train stop, Tutu’s, a cute gastropub serving reasonably-priced American fare, has the vibe of a locals’ hangout The dining room is adorned with dozens of paintings, seemingly hung at random above its spacious booths. Venture to the back room in the evening for live music and performance. The staff is always friendly, making Tutu’s a nice place to have a meal or a drink. The brunch is popular and has a great Bloody Mary. At night, we enjoy their Veggie Burger and the crunchy Sriracha Chicken Bites.

Featured Reviews

  • Tutu’s is the kind of place you can depend on. Whether you’re here for the oyster happy hour or a solo late-night burger or a hangover healing brunch, the food is solid, the prices are reasonable, and the vibes are good. There’s also plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and it transitions from more a restaurant to a bar feel as the night goes on. Come late enough, and you can join a dance party in the back room.

  • Near the Morgan Avenue stop on the L train, Tutu’s is part of the blossoming ecosystem around Roberta’s, the pizza joint that ascended to destination dining. The sprawling split-level space includes a bar cluttered with weathered booths and old portraits, and a raw basement space warmed by space heaters.

Getting There

TØRST

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TØRST is an essential destination for any lover of craft beer. The owners have elevated its consumption to an art form. The Danish bar, partially owned by one of the dudes behind Evil Twin Brewing, has 21 taps regulated by a “The Flux Capacitor” which ensures drafts are served with the right amount of carbonation and at the perfect temperature. Yes, it’s geeky as hell, but the staff is friendly and the impeccable design is Scandinavian minimalism at its very best. The beer list includes all-star brews like Evil Twin, Other Half, and Oxbow and a large selection of cans and bottles to further complicate your decisions. The affiliated restaurant Luksus closed in 2016, but fear not, TØRST now has its own revamped menu. There are about a dozen shareable plates including Littleneck Clams in Country Ham Broth, Pickled Mackerel, Crispy Chicken Skin, Asparagus with Smoked Trout, and some fantastic sourdough bread with a selection of cheeses. They also have sandwiches such as a tasty Fried Main Shrimp Sandwich and the obligatory Burger. It ain’t cheap, but it’s a wonderful experience.

Featured Reviews

  • The 21, temperature-controlled taps at this Greenpoint bar range from light to dark, each handle reflecting the color of the beer it pours. There is beer and only beer here, and it’s served in wine glasses. The inside resembles a 70’s-style model home. Yet, while the interior design harkens to the past, the brew selection is a foamy vision of the future… Only the best, most obscure brews are penned on the mirror above the marble countertops, which may as well include the message: “Serious Beer Drinkers Only.”

  • Started by a consortium of “hardcore beer and food” types (including a Momofuku research lab chef, a former beer sommelier from DBGB, and the guy behind Evil Twin Brewing), this temple to all things brew is dedicated to bringing you some of the tastiest and rarest suds. Torst is a Danish bar boasting over 20 carefully-selected beers, which are all kept fresh through a high-tech, temperature-regulating system.

  • The menu is divided into snacks, sandwiches, and small plates, but no matter what else you’re getting, you should also get some bread…. a knee-buckling reminder of just how good a bite of bread and butter can be… The Crispy Chicken Skin is a fun and satisfying riff on the classic plate of wings, with its crackling pieces of skin flattened and forged together, it’s served with a generous bowl of thick Point Reyes bleu sauce for dipping (this goes nicely on your bread, too), pickled slivers of celery, and a squirt bottle of Crystal hot sauce. For something more complicated and Nordic, order the chunky Beef Tartare, which may have been the single best dish I had across two meals here.

  • Scandinavian food is hotter than a Finnish sauna right now, so praise Odin that the same culinary Vikings who made gravlax sexy are out to conquer the bar scene as well. On the front line is new Greenpoint drinkery Tørst—Danish for “thirst”—helmed by legendary “gypsy brewer” Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø and chef Daniel Burns, formerly of the planet’s hottest restaurant, Noma in Copenhagen. These warriors are laying waste to tired ideas of what a great taproom should be, with a minimalist space that looks and smells like a modernist log cabin, and rare brews from thoughout Europe and North America.

Getting There

Vamos Al Tequila

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A fantastic and authentic Mexican restaurant in Greenpoint serving the family recipes of the married couple who owns it. The ambiance is drab, and the drinks are weak, but the food is always made-to-order and satisfying. The tamales are made in-house and are a standout. We love the Chicken Enchiladas in Green Tomatillo Sauce, but everything on the menu is pretty darn good. Brunch is available on weekends – and yes – they have a fantastic Huevos Rancheros.

Featured Reviews

  • Vamos Al Tequila sets itself apart by avoiding the hipster vibe of the neighborhood and focusing instead on authenticity. Native Mexican couple Cirilo Luna and Joaquina Flores brought their family recipes with them when they came to the states some 30 years ago. This shows in the very first bite of the complimentary salsa, spicy with abundant jalapenos. The somewhat cheesy décor is better thought of as festive, with flags, sombreros, a cactus, and even a fake taco stand between the dining room and the kitchen. Green, white, and red bulbs shine from above the bar, where flavored margaritas are served alongside Mexican beers. Tamales make for the best appetizer, with a jalapeno and steamed cheese combo or chicken with not-too-sweet mole sauce.

Getting There

Walter Foods

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A reliable gastropub with a solid raw bar and a loyal following. We love the French Dip, a throwback dish which is actually hard to find these days. The staff is always friendly and since Walter Foods has been around too long to have “buzz” the waits are never too long. A solid choice if you’re looking for a hearty meal and a fancy cocktail in a quintessential “new Brooklyn” establishment.

Featured Reviews

  • The space immediately announces itself as one you’d like to settle into: A dark wooden bar, with stools to match, is a prominent fixture, as are floor-to-ceiling windows and antique-style lighting that lend a warm glow and understated old-timey vibe. That aesthetic carries over to the food and drink, which, like the space, seems to give you exactly what you are in the mood for: Well-mixed cocktails, executed with seriousness by bow-tie–clad barkeeps, include classics such as the Tom Collins, a frothy refreshment of gin, lemonade and soda, and respectful innovations, like the fig sidecar, a soothing blend of fig syrup, aged rum and more lemonade. The dinner menu, meanwhile, is populated with hit-the-spot standbys: There’s a formidable French-dip sandwich—moist slices of filet mignon in a crackling baguette—and a heaping plate of juicy fried chicken, with a greaseless, well-seasoned crust. It’s no wonder that the formula seems to be working so beautifully right out of the gate.

  • Embodying Brooklyn’s “Socratic ideal of a neighborhood place”, these “pub-ish” spots supply “solid”, spiffed-up American comfort fare and “killer” cocktails; “reasonable” prices and “comfortable” interiors seal the deal – they “care about the details and it shows.”

  • The cocktails are all very good, and they will be served to you by guy who calls his vest a waistcoat. Second, this place has one of the best French dip sandwiches we’ve had. People talk all about the lobster roll and the fried chicken, but that French dip is where it’s at. Order that and a dozen oysters and you’re gonna be in good shape.

Getting There

Westlight

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Ascend to the top floor of the William Vale building in Williamsburg and you will be treated to a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. The view from their spacious wrap-around terrace is unparalleled in all of Brooklyn, and that’s a good thing, since the staff is generally rude and unaccommodating. Still, that view! Grab a seat outside and enjoy a small plate such as Butternut Squash Hummus or Shrimp Cocktail Dumplings. They have a burger available as well ($18) and assorted desserts if you have a sweet tooth. Reservations recommended.

Featured Reviews

  • Unsurprisingly, the food is even better than the drinks. Carmellini and executive chef Anthony Ricco (Spice Market) took cues from global street foods for the small-plates menu: Octopus skewers are generously meaty enough to withstand a bold seasoning of rocoto chili ($15), and crispy potato skins are rendered as little yuzu-hollandaise–sauced, caviar-crowned spuds that are a little too easy to pop straight in your mouth; you’ll wish you got more than six for $18. More filling is a dry-aged burger ($17) capped with a savory swath of mushrooms and onion jam. It’s a tad messy, but hey, nobody can judge you all the way up here.

  • Panoramic skyline views from the terrace and glassed-in lounge are the big draw at this hot rooftop bar in Williamsburg’s William Vale Hotel, also offering a menu of crafty nibbles conceived by chef Andrew Carmellini (The Dutch, Locanda Verde). As expected, a well-curated cocktail list comes with the territory.

  • Up on the 22nd floor, Westlight, the bar, affords nearly 360 views out over Queens, Brooklyn and the east coast of Manhattan—even the elevator vestibule offers an incredible vista. Swinging by last Saturday, a small line had formed outside the hotel when the bar opened at 4 p.m.; be forewarned that the outside line leads to yet another line inside. The system’s a good one, though, as it means the bar’s not slammed all at once and really everything moves pretty quickly from line to line to seat…

    Are we all down with $15 cocktails now or do I just have Stockholm syndrome for food writers? Either way, for a rooftop, prices aren’t completely heinous… You can get a decent glass of whiskey for $13 and beers are around $7.

Getting There

Zenkichi

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An insanely romantic Japanese izakaya with an eight course tasting menu of small plates. Zenkichi is our first choice in the neighborhood for best place to take a date. Diners are all treated to their own cozy, dimly-lit booths, with bamboo shades for extra privacy. Shadowy and filled with flickering candlelight and disorienting mirrors on the walls, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a 1940s film noir. The tasting menu ($75 per person) is updated seasonally — though signature dishes like Silky Tofu, Black Cod in a Miso Marinade, and an assortment of Sashima are routinely included. Vegetarian and wheat-free tastings are available as well. The food is not as rave-worthy as the ambiance, but you’ll not leave disappointed, especially if you sample the fantastic Frozen Black Sesame Mousse for dessert.

Featured Reviews

  • A curtain encases each mahogany booth: Some are cozy versions with L-shaped benches; others are more group-friendly. Dim lanterns and mirrors play up the mazelike atmospherics across three stories of walkways littered with pebbles and bamboo stalks. After an initial greeting, the waiter disappears. He reappears only when summoned by a discretionary buzzer. This tactic leaves ample time for relishing the deftly executed seasonal small plates presented on speckled ceramic dishes.

  • Though this Japanese standby might have seemed more novel a few years ago, Zenkichi still retains plenty of magic. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused, and the omakase is surprisingly well-priced for this neighborhood. Secluded booths offer a sexy vibe for date night, where couples can ring a bell for service… In addition to the à la carte and dessert menus, this kitchen also offers three variations on omakase: traditional, vegetarian, and wheat-free. But unlike the typical omakase, there’s something here for everyone, and the pre-determined dishes may unveil Saikyo miso cod or a heap of summer vegetables in Tosazu gelée.

  • The small plates and extensive sake selection may recall an izakaya, but the similarities end there. It’s not a lively setting, but a triple-decker labyrinth of a restaurant, where, upon entrance, you’ll be spirited away to a curtained-off booth, left to your dining companions.* (Let’s call it a good third-date restaurant. You’d better know you enjoy each other’s company.)

Getting There