Free Williamsburg

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

Cape House

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A New England-style clam shack smack dab in the middle of Bushwick/East Williamsburg. The space, situated at a busy intersection, will nonetheless transport you to Cape Cod. We recommend anything from the sea (of course) but the Chicken Sandwich and Burger are also pretty solid. Recommended dishes include Clam Fritters and the Haddock and Fries. The outdoor courtyard has ample seating and is the perfect spot to down a Cape House Lager while you munch on some Whole Belly Clams.

Featured Reviews

  • New England transplants will be happy to know they don’t have to go any further than Bushwick to get authentic chowder. Cape House, a clam shack and bar, offers all the classics and a few new options. Traditionalists might go for the whole belly clams, scallops or clam strips, available on a roll or as a platter ($8–$25), or the creamy chowder ($5 for a small, $9 for a large). Not a seafood person? Try a Worcester-style hot dog with chili ($5) or the fried chicken sandwich ($11). If you’re in the mood for a more formal meal, order the negroni-braised octopus with herb salad ($20) or the baked haddock with dill cream sauce ($23).

  • Styled after a New England clam shack, this Bushwick eatery offers raw, fried and grilled seafood, along with mai tais, frozen drinks and canned and draft beers. There are high-tops as well as regular tables, plus a lively outdoor counter facing the windows.

  • Cape House delivers on its most important promise: terrific clams in a pleasant, casual, boozy-if-you-want-it environment. Get here soon though, while the patio’s still an option, for a final taste of summer before we all have to huddle inside.

Getting There

The Commodore

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The Commodore is the place to go when you’re itching for a campy frozen drink, in a retro setting, with some damn good food to boot. The dive feels like a bar you’d find in Milwaukee in the 70s and once you order a Frozen Pina Colada with Ameretto Float you’ll be transported to that very era. People love The Commodore for its Chicken Sandwich – and with good reason since its made by the same people responsible for Pies n’ Thighs. The menu also features nachos, a burger, and many more artery-clogging delicacies. It’s a great bar so, sure, it gets crowded, but don’t let that keep you away.

Featured Reviews

  • It “looks and acts like a dive bar”, but this Williamsburg standby houses “some of the finest fried chicken and biscuits” going, along with other “revisited” Southern fare and “fabulous cocktails”; its “’70s den” look-alike digs are predictably “packed on weekends”, and the “order-your-food-at-the-bar system isn’t ideal”, but “super-cheap” tabs and an overall “chill vibe” go a long way.

  • First came the gastropub, an import from Britain featuring upmarket pub grub in an ale-drinking setting. Now, welcome the gastrodive, which further blurs the lines between restaurant and bar. The Commodore in Williamsburg, with its old arcade games, Schlitz in a can and stereo pumping out the Knight Rider theme song, offers the city’s best cheap-ass bar eats, served in a seedy venue where folks come to get blotto. The short menu—with descriptions as curt as the service you’ll encounter while ordering your food from the bartender—reads like a classic collection of fryolator junk. But the “hot fish” sandwich, for one, is a fresh, flaky, cayenne-rubbed catfish fillet poking out of both sides of a butter-griddled sesame-seed roll

  • The food is the work of Stephen Tanner, a native of Albany, Ga., who spent much of the last decade working in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, restaurants known for straightforward fare and strong flavors: Diner, Egg, Pies ‘n’ Thighs. Mr. Tanner is talented, but the food at the Commodore shouldn’t be cross-examined too closely. It’s mostly fried, or in a bun, or both. Ingredients are repeated. So are seasonings. So what? The Dead Kennedys never needed more than three chords.

  • In case you aren’t already familiar, The Commodore is a Williamsburg restaurant by Pies ‘n’ Thighs alum Stephen Tanner, and it’s bad for you. Bad because merely looking at the food here will jack up your cholesterol thirty points, and worse because everything is so good that you’ll crave it all the time. Eventually you too will be cutting imaginary deals with your organs to justify frequent visits.

Getting There

Dokebi Bar & Grill

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The place to go in Williamsburg when you’re craving Korean BBQ. Less crowded than many of the places you’ll find in Koreatown ( if admittedly less authentic) Dokebi Bar & Grill is a neighborhood staple. Other than the BBQ, which can be cooked in the kitchen or DIY style at your table, standouts include their fantastic Korean Tacos, Tuna Sashimi Bibimbap, and a dish known as Japchae — stir-fried cellophane noodles made from sweet potatoes. Dokebi Bar & Grill is great for groups and even has a fairly impressive cocktail and craft beer selection, so you’re not stuck drinking Heineken. If you’re in Greenpoint, visit the charming Little Dokebi — a smaller, intimate version of Dokebi Bar & Grill with a more focused menu.

Featured Reviews

  • You see a Korean restaurant in Williamsburg, and immediately you think scene over substance. That this is not the case at Dokebi is evident as soon as you start slurping soon dubu, an unapologetically briny, fiery stew of clams, shrimp, and tofu. Fortunately, this dish is no aberration. Except for a flavorless rendition of japchae, the classic glass-noodle stir-fry, the food is fresh and tasty, from the banchan, the collection of little dishes that accompany the Korean meal, to the bibimbap, a pile of rice, meat, and vegetables that cooks in front of you in a scalding hot stone bowl.

  • While Dokebi isn’t as authentic as a K-Town favorite like Kunjip, if the name of your game is comfort, than you’ve come to the right place. You come for three things: ridiculous Korean BBQ tacos, Bibimbahp in a hot stone bowl, and the extremely Chronic Brunch that’ll take good care of your hangover,

  • a thoughtful, health-conscious menu that does not so much forsake tradition as refurbish it, with modern fixings… On a drizzly night, a trio of friends sat down on maple-wood seats hand-built to resemble those in the courtyards of traditional Korean homes. Over yuzu cocktails, the group began grilling slices of crimson kalbi (Angus off-the-bone short ribs) and sashimi-grade tuna, an addition that Kim made to accommodate pescatarians… Next up were Korean tacos, ranging from spicy fish to pork shoulder to tofu. All arrived on corn tortillas (instead of flour, for gluten-free diners), plumped with bean sprouts, lettuce, and radish. The unanimous favorite dish? Samgyeopsal, braised grass-fed Berkshire pork belly that crisps into golden hunks and melts on the tongue like a good dirty joke told by a dokebi: a touch naughty but indisputably satisfying.

Getting There

The Drift

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A stylized dive in Greenpoint (in the former home of Boulevard Tavern) from the same people behind Williamsburg’s popular bar, The Commodore. There are a handful of booths and a long bar with an assortment of taxidermied critters on the wall, lending the place an off-kilter atmosphere. Pretty solid pub grub is available such as The Hangry Man (a Chopped Rib sandwich) and smaller bites including Chips with Onion dip and Deviled Eggs. There’s a small courtyard that’s open when the weather is warm.

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    • Featured Reviews

    • Brief cocktail menus forgo the team’s signature illustrations, although at this point, you’d have to have taken residence under a rock not to recognize The Commodore (a frozen, pineapple and cherry-speared piña colada with an amaretto float), or even the Orange Julio, an equally frosty El Cortez creation of gin and juice, elderflower and aperol. Neither Stephen Tanner nor Dennis Spina had a hand in the food offerings, but Alabama’s Mamie-Claire Cornelius seems to suit the style just fine. Embracing the exuberant, company-wide white trash tradition of pork boats and taco bowls, she’s devised a familiar, southern-leaning lineup of boiled peanuts and pimento cheese plates, and chopped rib, smoked chicken or mushroom sandwiches with mustard, all devoid of elevated, consciously clever chef embellishments. There may be smoked vidalias in the onion dip, but it’s a bit player next to mountains of Lay’s aggressively salted wavy chips.

    • Giving a swanky-looking redo to the former home of Greenpoint’s Boulevard Tavern, complete with tufted leather banquettes and barstools, this hangout from the Commodore and El Cortez team keeps the menu simple, with Southern-accented food like boiled peanuts, a smoked chicken sandwich and banana pudding.

    • Chris Young and the crew behind Williamsburg favorite the Commodore have a knack for opening bars that are fun and well-executed — just silly enough to never be too serious. They brought that to Bushwick with El Cortez a couple years ago, where you can make a meal out of taco salad and piña coladas, and now they’ve opened the Drift on the Greenpoint border. If El Cortez is Commodore on spring break in Mexico, then the Drift feels like what would happen if you moved it upstate or to Vermont. It’s appropriately cozy, with taxidermied animals, wood walls that wouldn’t be out of place in a ski lodge, leather booths, and a couple arcade games.

    • Occupying the former Boulevard Tavern, which closed in 2015, the Drift sits on a grimy strip of Robert Moses brutalism with six lanes of traffic and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway churning overhead. Once inside, the two-room, 750-square-foot rectangle is pleasantly schlocky, with retro signs for Schaefer and Busch Bavarian beer, snowshoe lamps and a backlit picture of a serene mountain lake. Patrons on high-backed chairs unsheathe boiled peanuts at the bar or cluster around aluminum empties in padded banquettes.

    • a homey spot serving breezy cocktails and Southern-style food. Frozen drinks like The Commodore — essentially a piña colada — and the gin-and-Aperol Orange Julio gesture to warmer climates (and the owners’ nearby venues), while cans of Modelo are a reminder that simplest is often best. Tufted leather chairs, wooden walls, and taxidermied animals give The Drift a lodge-like feel and set the scene for comfort first-plates like boiled peanuts, a South Carolina-style chopped ribbed sandwich, and pimento on Saltines.

    Getting There

    Egg

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    An uber-popular breakfast and brunch joint. The food is fantastic but the lines are excruciating.

    Featured Reviews

    • Egg has been in heavy rotation for what seems like decades at this point (probably since 2009). We love this place. There’s no bullsh*t here, just a stark white space with friendly service and reasonably priced, high quality food. The only downside? Don’t even bother trying to compete with the crowds on the weekends.

    • Known for “one of the best brunches in town”, this Williamsburg daytimer packs ’em in for “very good”, “simple” Southern dishes made with ingredients from its own upstate farm; there are “lengthy” waits on weekends, but given the “hip”crowd, at least there’s good “people-watching.”

    • This Southern-accented breakfast-only abode has no parallel in Billyburg or beyond. Perch on mismatched chairs at a paper-covered table, wake up at a leisurely speed to the old-time folk music on the sound system, and tuck into a cheap meal that may include eggs Rothko (a slice of brioche with a hole in the middle that accommodates a sunny-side-up egg, all of which is covered with sharp cheddar) or a terrific country-ham biscuit sandwich.

    Getting There

    Esme

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    A slightly upscale take on classic American dishes. Esme has a bright, relaxed ambiance and great food. Stick with simpler dishes like the Roasted Chicken or the Grilled Salmon with Roasted Fennel — Esme is at its best when they’re not trying too hard. During the weekend, grab a seat at their sunny bar, close to the espresso machine (their coffee is fantastic) for an ideal brunch.

    Featured Reviews

    • This is a neighborhood spot through-and-through. At peak brunch times, you might encounter a short wait, but never long enough to give you the usual soul-sucking feeling that there are about 137 better things you could be doing with your Saturday. The space is light and bright – “cute” enough that you feel like a productive member of society even if you’re so hungover you can’t form sentences, but laid-back enough that you can wallow in your hangover without judgment. When it’s warm, there’s even a covered back patio that beats any wobbly-table sidewalk situation any day.

    • Updated American classics deliver “big taste” at this relaxed Greenpoint bistro, whose understated style features reclaimed church pews and subdued hues; craft (and draft) cocktails are mixed at a wooden-ceilinged bar under exposed-filament bulbs that create a soft, “romantic” glow.

    • This sunny spot looking out onto Manhattan Avenue turns into a candlelit date destination by night. Upscale American dishes are served in a cozy, warm room filled with wooden two-tops, with a raised seating area in front. The pork-belly appetizer is both crispy and succulent, with four meaty cubes sitting in a mix of sweet apples, cranberries, and cabbage. While Spanish white anchovies are bit underwhelming, both in portion and flavor, the “borscht salad,” appropriate for the neighborhood’s Polish heritage, mixes small Brussels sprouts with wedges of pickled beets and baby potatoes, all satisfyingly melded by rich butter and dill.

    Getting There

    Extra Fancy

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    A New England-style seafood pub that’s more of a laid-back dive than its Extra Fancy moniker would suggest. The bar up front is spacious and isn’t usually too crowded. It’s a nice place to have a Narragansett Lager and some Littleneck Clams. Salt Cod Fritters, Lobster Roll and the Steamed Mussels are standouts on a menu that’s mainly from the sea but also features a few Southern classics like Deviled Eggs and Cornbread. In the warmer months they have a patio with frosty frozen drinks and snacks.

    Featured Reviews

    • Williamsburg’s Extra Fancy serves fried, grilled, and raw seafood, like fish & chips and lobster bisque fries, plus a notable secret sauce-topped burger. It’s open late — until 2am every night — and its special late-night menu will have you covered should you ever get a midnight lobster roll craving. The brick-and-wood interior is reminiscent of a New England seafood shack, albeit a hipster one.

    • lthough pedigreed chef Ross Florence, late of Le Bernardin, recently parted ways with Extra Fancy, the spot still turns out some seriously tasty seafood snacks. The Cape Cod clam fritters ($9) arrive at the table piping hot and golden brown, accompanied by a tangy chive-buttermilk sauce. Each fried nugget is studded with meaty littlenecks, sweet corn kernels and spicy bits of chili. Landlubbers can chow down on a juicy, grilled kielbasa ($12) served with tangy red-cabbage sauerkraut and swipes of caraway-mustard butter on a hot-dog roll.

    • Williamsburg “meets New England” at this “swinging” seafood joint whose clam shack–inspired menu features “fine oysters” and “fun comfort food” backed by “expertly made” cocktails; the “lovely” garden makes it a “perfect day-drinking” destination, but it’s also “great for late-night nosh.”

    Getting There

    Five Leaves

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    Five Leaves sits on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg and serves eclectic food at all hours of the day. Fresh flowers are everywhere you look, and the décor is nautically-themed which is always a plus in our books. Though seasonal entrees are sublime don’t miss the burger. Our favorite pancakes are from here on the weekend brunch menu, but we also love the truffle fries. The place has a well-deserved reputation for attracting douchey scenesters and the nouveau riche, making Five Leaves a fun (if a bit irritating) spot to people watch. On the downside, prepare to wait.

    Featured Reviews

    • This all-day Greenpoint “staple” “remains a favorite” in “hipsterville” for “out-of-this-world” burgers, “incredible pancakes” and other “reliable” New American eats; despite often-“crowded” digs and occasional “attitude”, it’s pretty “perfect for brunch” – with the “long lines” to prove it.

    • We still don’t love the food as much as some people seem to, and it can still be very cramped and crowded. But we will say that the consistency has improved – a lot. Brunch is and always has been the best time of day to eat here, but dinner can be a good move too, assuming you know what to order and most importantly – that you can be patient with the scene around you. Then again, I’m writing this from the perspective of someone who is more interested in the eating that goes at Five Points than in the hanging out that goes on at Five Points. If you’re 23, just got a job at Condé Nast, and have yet to taste a truffle fry, bump up this rating considerably. You’re gonna love it here.

    Getting There

    The Four Horseman

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    The Four Horseman is a fantastic, minimally designed wine bar that gets attention for the wrong reasons. Sure, it’s partially owned by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, but the truly interesting thing about this bar in South Williamsburg is its great wine selection and charming atmosphere. The design is informed by Nordic and Japanese minimalism, with wood-lined walls and ceilings and (of course) amazing acoustics. The wine list is extensive, but the staff is friendly and helpful when it comes to selecting one that fits your mood. Charcuterie with house-made bread is available, as are a number of small plates — we recommend the Beef Tartare. If you’re having dinner, the menu leans Italian and New American with typical dishes including Potato Gnocchi ($20), St. Louis-Style Sweet Port Ribs ($20) and a Pork Ragu ($20).

    Featured Reviews

    • Fear not if you know little to nothing about natural wine, the Four Horsemen is staffed with knowledgeable servers who will help you navigate the menu and let you taste anything. A focused food menu complements the wine, featuring small plates like cheese & charcuterie plus more dinner-satisfying options like flank steak and potato gnocchi. The Grand St space is small and minimal, with a bar upfront and small tables in the back.

    • Four Horsemen is a really cool little room. It’s the kind of place you walk into and immediately think to yourself, “I can definitely hang out here. Let’s drink.” It feels like a more comfortable version of Momofuku Noodle Bar, and is filled with a hip but unpretentious crowd. The attention to detail is impressive, from the colorful knives and wooden spoons to the subtle design details, like the slats on the ceiling going in different directions, and the super cool texture on the walls. Also, the natural wine list is well-priced and expertly curated.

    • A “killer wine list” filled with “quirky” finds is the headliner at this Williamsburg nook from musician James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), but the seasonal American fare is “spot-on” too; “sleek” and “perfectly dimmed” with a front bar, it draws “hip, but mature” types who keep the mood “convivial.”

    • You’re sipping wine in Murphy’s house, and it certainly feels like home. Cedar ceiling slats and decorative burlap sacks double as acoustics-enhancing sound absorbers for a crowd-pleasing playlist of equal parts Van Morrison and Kate Bush. Warmly personalized touches—cutlery from Murphy and Topsøe’s wedding, eucalyptus-scented bath towels—invite you to stay for another glass. If this is what the apocalypse looks like, sign us up.

    Getting There

    Frankel’s Delicatessen

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    The place to go when you’re craving an old school pastrami or corned beef deli sandwich, or a bagel with a schmear. Sure, this is Greenpoint, so it’s a hipsterfied version of a traditional Jewish New York deli, but who cares when the food is this delicious. We recommend The Number One, which is a bagel sandwich with Pastrami Salmon, Scallion Cream Cheese & Dill Cucumber Salad. Their Latkes and Matzo Ball Soup are winners as well. Sadly, seating is very limited and Frankel’s Delicatessen is only open until 4pm daily, so grab an order to go and dine outside in nearby McCarren Park.

    Featured Reviews

    • they’re “paying homage to Barney Greengrass, Murray’s and Russ & Daughters,” with the usual white glazed tiles and old family photos. In addition to selling smoked fish, pastrami, bagels and bialys, they have a chef, Ashley Berman, chopping chicken livers, making matzo ball soup and braising brisket based on a recipe from Anita Frankel, the brothers’ grandmother, for fork-tender beef, a tad sweet in the older generation tradition.

    • Frankel’s is not another Russ & Daughters. And it’s not even close to Sadelle’s. But it’s just as worthy of your Saturday morning. A retail shop and Jewish deli counter with around fifteen seats on the Greenpoint/Williamsburg border, Frankel’s was opened by two New York born and bred brothers, one of whom is in the band Holy Ghost!. We’ll give him a pass for that exclamation point since he’s partly responsible for this place.

    • Smoked fish from Acme and other sources, Browne Trading Company caviar, and Baz bagels line the refrigerator cases and shelves. Ashley Berman, a Food Network kitchen alum and self-described Jewish-deli obsessive, is the executive chef. Her sandwich-centric menu runs the gamut from a whitefish club to hot pastrami. There’s even a nod to Gray’s Papaya in the form of a two-franks-and-soda “recession special.”

    Getting There