Tucked into Brooklyn’s northwest corner — just above Williamsburg and south of Long Island City — Greenpoint has of late shed its sleepy image and emerged as a borough hot spot, with a lot of cool restaurants and coffee shops, besides the real state investment. The 2012 arrival of Lena Dunham and her HBO show “Girls,” which adopted Greenpoint for its setting, gave a boost to the hood’s pop cultural cache. With a quiet atmosphere – with charming streets and architecture – Greenpoint can be a great option for a day in New York – especially if you are looking for places off the touristic route. If you live in the city, that could be a great area to explore – especially during the spring/summer season.
Eating
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Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop – this bakery is like a neighborhood jewel – it has been established over 60years ago and has loyal customers. Here, as the name suggests, you should try the donuts, that come in traditional and also different flavors, such as red velvet (which is one of the most popular). The place also offers coffee, milkshakes, and sandwiches.
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Karczma – this place is serving traditional polish food for over a decade. A surprisingly affordable restaurant, designed to resemble a farm, this is a great introduction to Polish food: you can try pierogis, which are like Polish pastries, and other delicacies like potato pancakes and stuffed cabbage.
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Paulie Gee’s – it is one of the most beloved pizzas in the city. The pizzas are wood-fired, the reviews are wonderful and, of course, there are lines. The founder, Paul Giannone, is a pizza enthusiast who decided to fulfill his dream after a career in the world of technology. He imported a wood oven from Napoli and seeks excellence in his pizzas, making his own mozzarella and using only first-rate ingredients, many of them organic and local.
Drink
Spritzenhaus33 – this is a huge Beer Hall with over 100 varieties of craft beers, cocktails, and a wine list. The 6,000-square-foot beer hall features a wood-burning oven and a marble bar. Here, the idea is to enjoy a good beer (prices start at $6) and trying some small bites. The menu is focused on German cuisine – the highlight is the sausages, including the vegan version, served as a hot dog, with bread and toppings. Each of these is $8 on average. There are also Belgian fries ($6), pretzel ($4), and salad ($11). The atmosphere is so cool! Great for a happy hour!
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Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. – this brewery is focused on producing small batches of beers. The goal is to make beer honoring the brewing traditions of England, Belgium, and Germany while maintaining the creative spirit for which the U.S. craft beer movement is known. Small production gives you the flexibility to try and taste new beers. Since opening in 2014, Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. has produced more than 200 varieties of beer. The factory also has an area with a bar and rooftop, where it is possible to taste the beers – there is a menu with appetizers and small plates too. It is a great spot for happy hour in the summer!
The Brooklyn Barge – this bar is next to the Transmitter Park – with the same spectacular views, plus food and drinks. The place has tables, umbrellas, and a very lively atmosphere. The Brooklyn Barge usually opens from April to October. In addition to beers and drinks, there is a menu with options such as sandwiches, fries, and salads – you can check out all the options and prices here.
Shopping and other things to do
Ziolko Cosmetics – Greenpoint is home to the second-largest concentration of Polish immigrants in the United States, behind Chicago. You will see a lot of Polish restaurants and even the supermarkets feature a lot of Polish products. The area is also full of Polish pharmacies, like Ziolko Cosmetics, where the highlight is the mix of different brands. There are European brands – some Polish – as Eveline, Bielenda, Soraya, and Ziaja. Another thing that caught my attention was the presence of brands such as L’Oreal, Nivea, and Garnier, but with items from Europe, totally different from those found here in the US. I must also highlight the great customer service.
Transmitter Park – one of the Greenpoint highlights is due to its location. Transmitter Park is on the banks of the East River and the view of Manhattan is amazing. The park itself is small – but there is a platform on the river which offers a wonderful view of the Empire State, One World Trade Center, and Chrysler Building, as well as all other buildings. It is worth taking some time to enjoy the view!
Address: Greenpoint Ave & West St Brooklyn.
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North Brooklyn Boat Club – NBBC’s mission is to enable and advocate for human-powered boating on the waterways of New York City. The core of this mission is helping the local community get out on its home waters. They do this through public and educational events and secondarily through scheduled member trips that explore the local estuary in more detail. NBBC’s public paddles are held in the Broadway Stages Boatyard on Newtown Creek several Saturdays every summer; these do not require signing up in advance and are open to all. Check the calendar for details and upcoming opportunities.
How to get there
You can use the G line or even the NYC Ferry (which is more fun, of course!)
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