Williamsburg Highlights – Eats, Drinks, & Things to Do

Why Williamsburg Ranks #1

If you're searching for the best area to stay in Brooklyn for tourists, look no further than Williamsburg. This neighborhood isn't just a place—it's a vibe. Situated along the East River with sweeping views of Manhattan, Williamsburg is a top choice for those seeking a Brooklyn neighborhood guide that offers both authenticity and excitement.

Back in the 80s and 90s, Williamsburg was the best area to stay in Brooklyn for first-time visitors wanting to experience the city's raw energy. We grew up here during the rougher days—when the Domino Sugar Factory was still active, buildings were boarded up and sold for a dollar, and the skate ramps under the BQE near Meeker and Union Ave were our second homes. Skaters like Richie Velasquez and Team PUSH made this place legendary.

Down near the end of Union Ave by the G train Nostrand Ave stop, you had JAY-Z and Memphis Bleek repping the sound of the Marcy Projects, putting our neighborhood on the map. Tom, Dick & Harry's was the spot where you got your sneaker fix—before StockX and GOAT existed, that’s where you got your grails. There were no official skate parks, so we built our own with plywood and hustle. Mike Tyson? Just a few J train stops away. Brooklyn royalty was always close.

Back then, Williamsburg had an edge. You could feel it in the streets, smell it in the bodegas, and hear it in the music that poured out of basement clubs and fire escape jam sessions. We saw graffiti as art, breakdancing as gospel, and the elevated subway as our private rollercoaster to Manhattan. The 1980s crack epidemic swept through like a storm—addiction and violence were rampant, and yet the community found ways to survive, resist, and rebuild. Some buildings were literally sold for $1 during city auctions. The Southside was rougher then, rumored to be run by a little-known biker gang who kept certain blocks in check.

The factories along Kent Avenue stood abandoned—monuments to a time gone by. We'd skate past rusted gates and broken windows, imagining what once was. As a young boy, I worked a few shifts at the Jewish fish stop off Hooper and Lee, learning hustle and respect before I even hit high school. My first real job was at the Northside Senior Center through the Summer Youth Employment Program. Later, I went to Harry Van Arsdale High School in the 90s—great times. The Northside has changed a lot, but one thing that still remains is the Italian Festival near Driggs and North 8th Street. On hot summer days, we’d cool off at the Metro Pool on Bedford and Metropolitan Ave—lined up early with towels and quarters for the lockers, it was the neighborhood's beach in the concrete jungle.

But neighborhoods evolve. The same streets that once echoed with the sounds of freestyle battles and skateboard wheels now hum with café chatter, boutique storefronts, and rooftop DJ sets. What was once gritty has grown into something vibrant—still pulsing with soul, just wearing a different outfit. Williamsburg didn’t lose its character; it remixed it. And for all the changes, there’s still that familiar energy—you just have to know where to look.

By the late 90s, the neighborhood saw the arrival of hipsters, artists, and indie filmmakers, transforming Williamsburg into a creative haven. Skating across the Williamsburg Bridge during golden hour and hitting Union Square for a twilight sesh under the Brooklyn Banks? That was the ritual.

Today, Williamsburg is a blend of legacy and reinvention—where century-old brick buildings now house third-wave coffee shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, and buzzing rooftop bars. And while the skyline may have changed, the neighborhood heartbeat is still strong. Below, we’ve pulled together a hand-picked guide to some of the best places to eat, drink, and explore in Williamsburg—each spot with its own story, flavor, and vibe. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or planning a longer Brooklyn stay, start here.

• Avant Gardner / The Brooklyn Mirage

  

  Category: Things to Do – Massive indoor/outdoor music complex known for immersive lighting and world-class DJs.

  Website: avant-gardner.com

  Address: 140 Stewart Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

  Phone: (347) 987-3146

• Lilia

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Upscale Italian eatery known for handmade pasta and elegant ambiance.

  Website: lilianewyork.com

  Address: 567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 576-3095

• Westlight at The William Vale

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Sleek rooftop bar with panoramic views and craft cocktails atop a luxury hotel.

  Website: westlightnyc.com

  Address: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 307-7100

• Maison Premiere

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Award-winning oyster bar with New Orleans flair and absinthe cocktails.

  Website: maisonpremiere.com

  Address: 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (347) 335-0446

• Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Artisanal ice cream parlor with vegan and classic options made from scratch.

  Website: vanleeuwenicecream.com

  Address: 204 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 701-1630

• Domino Park

  

  Category: Things to Do – Waterfront park with fountains, volleyball courts, and skyline views.

  Website: dominopark.com

  Address: 300 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: N/A

• The Williamsburg Hotel Rooftop & Pool

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Rooftop bar with panoramic skyline views, seasonal pool access, and live DJ sets.

  Website: https://arlohotels.com/williamsburg/

  Address: 96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 362-8100

• National Sawdust

  

  Category: Things to Do – Avant-garde venue for experimental music and multimedia art.

  Website: nationalsawdust.org

  Address: 80 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (646) 779-8455

• Brooklyn Brewery

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Iconic craft brewery offering tastings, tours, and community events.

  Website: brooklynbrewery.com

  Address: 79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 486-7422

• Brooklyn Bowl

  

  Category: Things to Do – Lively venue combining bowling, live music, and Southern-style eats.

  Website: brooklynbowl.com

  Address: 61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 963-3369

• Redd’s Tavern

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Neighborhood bar with pool, darts, and a laid-back vibe.

  Website: reddsbrooklyn.com

  Address: 511 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 387-9031

• Sea Thai

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Modern Thai cuisine with lively ambiance and stylish decor.

  Website: https://www.seausathai.com/

  Address: 114 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 384-8850

• McCarren Park

  

  Category: Things to Do – Sprawling green space with fields, playgrounds, and a public pool near the border with Greenpoint.

  Website: nycgovparks.org

  Address: 776 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

  Phone: (212) 639-9675

• Juliette

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – French bistro with a charming rooftop garden and classic brunch menu.

  Website: juliettewilliamsburg.com

  Address: 135 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 388-9222

• St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Live jazz bar with a cozy speakeasy vibe and a Mediterranean menu.

  Website: stmazie.com

  Address: 345 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 384-4808

• Sunday in Brooklyn

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – All-day brunch hotspot known for its pancakes, cocktails, and rustic design.

  Website: sundayinbrooklyn.com

  Address: 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 486-3300

• Peter Luger Steak House

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Legendary steakhouse serving dry-aged cuts since 1887.

  Website: peterluger.com

  Address: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 387-7400

• Artists & Fleas

  

  Category: Things to Do – Trendy indoor market with local artists, vintage finds, and unique crafts.

  Website: artistsandfleas.com/williamsburg

  Address: 70 N 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (347) 689-4078

• Beacon’s Closet

  

  Category: Things to Do – Popular secondhand shop known for curated vintage and designer fashion.

  Website: beaconscloset.com

  Address: 74 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

  Phone: (718) 486-0816

• Williamsburg Cinema

  

  Category: Things to Do – Indie and mainstream movie theater with retro charm and clean design.

  Website: williamsburgcinemas.com

  Address: 217 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 963-0369

• Smorgasburg

  

  Category: Things to Do – NYC’s largest open-air food market with dozens of vendors and riverside views.

  Website: smorgasburg.com

  Address: 90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: N/A

• Williamsburg Music Center

  

  Category: Things to Do – Historic venue offering live jazz, funk, and soul performances since 1981.

  Website: wmcjazz.org

  Address: 367 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 384-1654

• Aska

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Acclaimed Nordic restaurant offering a two Michelin-starred tasting experience.

  Address: 47 S 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (929) 337-6792

• Le Crocodile

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Chic French brasserie located at the Wythe Hotel, serving elevated comfort food.

  Website: lecrocodile.com

  Address: 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 460-8004

• Brooklyn Flea

  

  Category: Things to Do – One of NYC’s top flea markets for antiques, handmade goods, and vintage finds.

  Website: brooklynflea.com

  Address: 80 Pearl St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

  Phone: N/A

• 10ft Single by Stella Dallas

  

  Category: Things to Do – Well-curated vintage store offering stylish finds and designer pieces.

  Website: theshopkeepers.com/shops/10-ft-single-by-stella-dallas/

  Address: 285 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 486-9483

• Nitehawk Cinema

  

  Category: Things to Do – Dine-in cinema offering indie films, classics, and curated food & cocktails.

  Website: nitehawkcinema.com

  Address: 136 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 782-8370

• The Hoxton Rooftop

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Rooftop terrace with stunning views, seasonal menus, and creative cocktails.

  Website: thehoxton.com

  Address: 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 215-7100

• Baby’s All Right

  

  Category: Things to Do – Indie music venue with a lively bar scene.

  Website: babysallright.com

  Address: 146 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 599-5800

• Café Camellia

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Upscale Southern cuisine in a cozy setting.

  Website: cafecamelliabk.com

  Address: 318 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 388-0170

• Skinny Dennis

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Lively bar with live music and Southern charm.

  Website: skinnydennisbar.com

  Address: 152 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (347) 529-6023

• Veselka Williamsburg

  

  Category: Eat/Drink – Iconic Ukrainian diner serving hearty comfort food.

  Website: veselka.com

  Address: 646 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

  Phone: (718) 555-1234

• Music Hall of Williamsburg

  

  Category: Things to Do – Renowned live music venue hosting top indie and alternative acts.

  Website: musichallofwilliamsburg.com

  Address: 66 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

  Phone: (718) 486-5400