Williamsburg, in Brooklyn, has already been considered the coolest neighborhood in New York City. Today, there is controversy over how much the region still deserves this title. Although there is still plenty of hipsters, big corporations arrived – like Whole Foods and Apple, just to name a few – which, in the opinion of many, ends up taking away that local vibe of the area. Rentals in Williamsburg are also more expensive than many places in Manhattan. Polemics aside, you can not deny that the neighborhood is cool – and has a lot to offer. It goes beyond Smorgasburg! See my suggestions below!
Restaurants
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Cafe Mogador – this super charming place serves Mediterranean food and was featured on HBO’s Girls series. The food is delicious! They serve cuscus, falafel, and kebab, just to name a few of the delights. Best falafel I ever had! They usually offer a price-fix menu brunch. In the back of the restaurant, there is an indoor garden, beautiful! Check out the menus.
Address: 133 Wythe Ave.
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Cheeseboat – Cheeseboat is a Georgian cuisine restaurant. The specialty of the house is the Cheesebreads. Their price ranges from $10 to $20 and they have different formats – some resembling a pizza, some reminiscent of lasagna. The most famous of them is the Cheeseboat. The dough is delicious – the Cheeseboat is like an open calzone and the filling has lots of cheese. It is enough for two people.
Address: 80 Berry St.
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El Almacén – Argentinean restaurant, open only for dinner every day, and for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. A great option for a dinner for two and for those who appreciate a great meat – it will be your best choice here! When we were there, we ordered the Churrasco – steak + fries – and it was enough for the two of us. The empanadas are also delicious! Access the website and check out the full menu.
Address: 557 Driggs Avenue.
Drinks
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Westlight Rooftop – this is my favorite rooftop in New York City. There is no other rooftop with a view like this! Located on the 22nd floor of The William Vale Hotel, it offers nothing less than the city skyline – with buildings like Empire State the One World Trade Center, not to mention the East River, resulting in a spectacular image. The bar has an indoor area – which is great for winter – and a wide-open area, surrounded by glass, which makes the experience even more complete. In addition, there is also the second-floor space called The Turf Club, with artificial grass and ample space. Westlight is a bar, so, the menu offers choices of wines (glasses and bottles), cocktails ($14 on average) and also a selection of beers ($7 on average) . If you get hungry, there are also some options like burgers, fries, salads, and other appetizers. But remember that it’s a bar, not a restaurant.
Address: 111 North 12th Street.
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The Williamsburg Hotel – another great rooftop option with amazing skyline views, it also features a pool! This rooftop is known for the glorious parties with DJ’s. Also, it is worth mentioning the Water Tower, which is right above the rooftop, sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, along with a finely curated menu of artisanal cocktails, rare spirits, champagne, and a rotating lineup of NYC’s most popular DJs. This bar is so cool!
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Brooklyn Brewery – one of the best-known beers produced here in New York is from this brewery. The place has a Tasting Room where you can try the more than 10 beers available (5 for $20 or $5 each). You can also order a pizza. Tasting Room is open on Fridays, from 6 pm t0 11 pm, Saturdays, from 12 pm to 8 pm, and Sundays, from 12 pm to 6 pm. They also offer tours! Monday- Thursday, 5 PM sharp- 7 PM – Reservation Only – $15 – Book here. On Saturday, they offer free tours on the half-hour from 12:30 pm – 6 pm – and Sundays on the half-hour from 1 pm – 4 pm.
Address: 79 North 11th Street.
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Sweet treats
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Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream – this Ice Cream place started in 2008 out of a buttery yellow truck on the streets of NYC. They make all their ice cream from scratch in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The Classic scoops are crafted with nothing more than fresh milk and cream, cane sugar, and egg yolks. The Vegan scoops are made with housemade cashew milk, organic coconut milk, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, and organic carob bean. There are a lot of flavors and it is delicious! My favorite is the pistachio one!
Address: 204 Wythe Ave.
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Martha’s Country Bakery – sweet paradise! This bakery is very famous here in New York and the Williamsburg location is huge! They offer everything: cakes, puddings, muffins, cookies, besides coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Awesome! And the slices are huge!
Address: 263 Bedford Ave.
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Smorgasburg – Smorgasburg is certainly the most famous all-food market in NYC. There are more than 80 vendors that offer the most diverse types of dishes and snacks, sweet and savory. From April to October, on Saturdays in Williamsburg, Sundays at Prospect Park.
Address: 90 Kent Ave.
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Patisserie Tomoko – this place is a unique combination of French and European influences with a touch of Japanese-inspired tastes and flavors. The place is cute, entitled to the French soundtrack and everyone sits at the counter, where you can spy on the staff setting up the desserts. The options include some pastries and also the tasting menu. The course consists of an amuse, dessert of your choice, and petits fours. They offer a select list of wines, coffee, and teas. The menu provides suggestions for the best pairings for your desserts. Dessert Prix Fixe (Change Daily): Standard $12 for two-course and Premium $16 for three-course.
Address: 568 Union Ave B.
Shopping
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Soap Cherie – Focused on body and bath products, Soap Cherie is a Brooklyn based brand and the products are handmade, using natural and organic ingredients. They offer a lot of items such as soaps, bath bombs, bath salts, body wash, body lotion, bath foam, as well as diffusers. As if the fact that the products are handmade was not enough, there is still the design of the packaging: the foam bath resembles a sparkling wine. The bath salts resemble a bottle of milk. And the soaps … oh, the soaps! In addition to the traditional bars, Soap Cherie creates “baked goods” for your bath. If you’re in the mood for cheesecake, ice cream cones, cupcakes, or even whipped cream, Soap Chérie has you covered. Even more, the ingredients are just perfect: sweet almond oil, shea butter, coconut and olive oil, and cocoa butter.
Address: 218 Bedford Ave.
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CatBird – it is one of the most famous stores in the neighborhood. In 2004, Rony, the founder, opened Catbird as an ever-changing shop of her favorite things. She sold some clothes, elbow patches, iron-on, and pretty ribbons. She also carried jewelry that she either made or got from jewelers. Little by little, her curatorship of accessories became famous – and they are what makes the store a reference in jewelry not only in Williamsburg as in New York. Check out the website.
Address: 219 Bedford Avenue.
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Artists & Fleas – art, fashion, jewelry, design, and vintage in one place. That’s how we can summarize Artists & Fleas, which happens Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 7 pm. More than 30 vendors.
Address: 70 North 7th.
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Bulletin – Created as a direct response to the current political climate, Broads supports female-run businesses by showcasing 40 completely female-driven brands and featuring products made for women, by women. Ranging from graphic tees to feminist zines, every product carries a message of empowerment and celebrates individuality. The curation of products is incredible and super diverse. From shirts that always have something to say to pins, from earrings to chains, from cards to calendars, from decorative objects to keychains: everything in the Bulletin is super empowering
Address: 145 Wythe Avenue.
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Package Free – this store was founded by Lauren Singer – she popularized the zero waste movement through her blog Trash is for Tossers and is an expert on all things waste. All of the trash that she has produced over the past 5 years fits inside of a 16oz mason jar. She is also the founder and CEO of The Simply Co., an organic, vegan laundry detergent company. The main goal of the store is to help you to reduce your waste and finding alternatives to single-use plastic products convenient and simple. They source the products from individuals and brands with missions to create a positive environmental impact. Since opening, they’ve kept an estimated 1,597,640 plastic straws, 851,950 plastic bags, and 490,856 non-recyclable cups out of the landfill, to name a few. You will find products like stainless steel containers, bamboo straw, cosmetics poufs, menstrual organic pantyliner, bamboo toothbrush – plus natural cosmetics: liquid soap, laundry detergent and so on
Address: 137 Grand St
Places to visit
Domino Park – The six-acre, privately-funded park, designed by the lead designers of the High Line, is part of Two Trees’ redevelopment of the former Domino Sugar Factory site into a mixed-use office and residential community in Williamsburg. The park is located on the banks of the East River and the name is a tribute to the old Domino Sugar Factory. Today, the old factory mixes with the look of the place, and its ruins contrast with the modern structure of the park. Also, the Sweetwater Playground will transport youngsters back to the sugar industry by way of slides, conveyor belts, tunnels, and other exciting amenities. In addition to the playground, the structure of the park has a beach volleyball court, plenty of space to sit, sunbeds, dog run, bathrooms, restaurant – Tacocina, specializing in Mexican tacos – and of course, a simply incredible view that contemplates the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and the wonderful Williamsburg Bridge.
Address: 15 River St.
Williamsburg Bridge – finally, when you think about crossing a bridge here in the city, you probably think about Brooklyn Bridge, right? Well, Williamsburg Bridge is not full of tourists and has an exclusive lane for bikes and another for pedestrians. Also, how cool is the fact that the bridge is pink from the inside?
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
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10 Non-touristy things to do in New York City - Laura Peruchi | NYC
May 29, 2023 at 7:03 am[…] Check Things to do in Williamsburg […]