NYC Neighborhood Guide: Williamsburg

I am so excited to finally be bringing you my Williamsburg neighborhood guide! When I started this series I wanted to share my recommendations for neighborhoods that I know and love in the city and Williamsburg is probably where I spend most of my time. Although I live in East Williamsburg I often find myself in Williamsburg proper also and there are soooo many fun things to do there! Whether you're grabbing a coffee in one of their many cute cafes, taking in the views at Smorgasburg or enjoying a delicious dinner at one of their awesome restaurants, there will always be something to keep you busy in this artsy Brooklyn hood. 

Coffee

Woops!

If you’re looking for a quintessentially cute and very Instagrammable cafe, look no further than Woops Bakeshop. Their coffee is yummy but the baked goods—especially the macarons—are what is really worth getting excited about.

Devoción

This Colombian coffee shop is one of my all-time favorite places to sit and have a cup of joe. Not only is the coffee phenomenal, but they also have a little menu of snacks including things like ham and cheese croissants. Keep in mind they don’t have Wifi on the weekends to avoid having laptop users camp out all day.

Toby’s Estate

This was the first coffee shop I ever went to in Williamsburg and so for that reason it still holds a special place in my heart. The brews are delightful and the vibe is minimalist but still cool, so it fits in perfect with the rest of the neighborhood.

BRUNCH

Juliette

A classic Williamsburg brunch spot is definitely Juliette. Whether you indulge in their classic dishes like Croque Monsieur or eggs benny or go for something more in the lunch category you won’t be disappointed by the food or the atmosphere. The roof opens at 12PM so definitely check that out if you get a chance.  

Two Door Tavern

Another great choice for brunch is Two Door Tavern. While I am sad that their bottomless deal is now gone (sad face), that doesn’t stop me from returning to enjoy the food! This is also a great dinner spot if you like classic pub food.

Rabbithole

If you want to shake things up a bit, venture to the south side of the neighborhood and fall down the Rabbithole. I went there with my parents and enjoyed every part of the meal, from the marble-top tables and lovely decor to the yummy dishes. 

DINNER

Diviera Drive

This restaurant is the perfect place to go on a summer night. Their outdoor seating is amazing and they’ve got some good food and drink deals like $39 for a pizza and a bottle of champagne and Tecate and tequila shots.

Surf Bar

If you’re in the mood for a trip to the beach but don’t want to make the journey to Rockaway or Coney Island, pop into Surf Bar. Not only are their seafood dishes super enjoyable, but there is literally sand on the ground and fishing gear on the wall to make you feel like you’re down the shore.  

Cheeseboat

Cheeseboat is one of my favorite places to bring people when they visit me in Brooklyn because it’s such a fun experience. This Georgian restaurant is all about the cheese and all about the bread, with their signature dish the Cheeseboat. I recommend getting one with the egg or prosciutto. I am so hungry just thinking about this.

Sightseeing

Smorgasburg

This is one of WIlliamsburg’s biggest attractions and it’s easy to see why. Between all of the amazing foods and the skyline views of Manhattan, it’s just a no-fail good time. Bring your foodie friend here and/or your photographer friend and spend the day trying all of the weirdest and most unique foods that the city has to offer.

Brooklyn Brewery

If you want to visit one of the city’s oldest breweries make sure you pop in here. There are free tours of the brewery every 30 minutes and you buy tickets for your beers so stay awhile and sample all of the best Brooklyn beers.

Artists & Fleas

For the girl or guy always looking for a cool new independent designer to discover, stopping into Artists & Fleas is a must! Weave in and out of different stalls and stands and discover cool new jewelry designers, bag makers, vintage collectors and more.   

Bike the Williamsburg Bridge

If you have a nice day and you want to get to or from Brooklyn via bike (or more likely if the L train is acting up for no reason) take some time to ride across the Williamsburg Bridge. You can rent a Citibike on a day pass for $12 and it’s a great way to see the city.

GOING OUT

The Wythe Hotel Rooftop

Hit up this trendy rooftop bar at sunset to catch some gorgeous views of the city! I went there on my birthday with Andrew and we had such a nice time hanging out on their roof. Keep in mind there are tables but only for food service so be prepared to stand if you're just grabbing drinks!

The Whiskey Brooklyn

If you’re looking for a standard, no-nonsense bar, this is the place for you! There’s not much to say about it other than it will start to get very crowded on weekends if you get there after 11 so keep that in mind when you head out.

Baby’s All Right

If you love seeing live music there is probably no better and more intimate place in the city to check out new bands than at Baby’s. A lot of the shows are very affordable so it’s the perfect place to grab a few friends and dance the night away. Also, they do great brunch!

Radegast Hall & Biergarten

One of my favorite places to go out in Williamsburg is definitely Radegast. I prefer Radegast during the day so if you and your friends find yourselves in the mood for some mid-afternoon Saturday beers this is the place to go. Do yourself a favor and order one of their amazing pretzels too!

What are your favorite spots in Williamsburg? 

yours,

Austen