Guidebook for Brooklyn

Amy & Scott
Guidebook for Brooklyn

Essentials

HUGE supermarket by NYC standards, a 5-minute walk from our house. But the lines tend to be long. If you want a less chaotic experience, try the Flatbush Food Co-op or Key Food (also listed in our Guidebook).
68 localnici recomandă
Stop & Shop
1009 Flatbush Ave
68 localnici recomandă
HUGE supermarket by NYC standards, a 5-minute walk from our house. But the lines tend to be long. If you want a less chaotic experience, try the Flatbush Food Co-op or Key Food (also listed in our Guidebook).
A great wine store, expertly curated. Particularly good selection of Italian wines.
9 localnici recomandă
Kings County Wines
1420 Cortelyou Rd
9 localnici recomandă
A great wine store, expertly curated. Particularly good selection of Italian wines.
A great and inexpensive gym -- a vast number of cardio and weight machines. If you aren't a member, a day pass costs $10-30.
111 localnici recomandă
Planet Fitness
329 Wyckoff Ave
111 localnici recomandă
A great and inexpensive gym -- a vast number of cardio and weight machines. If you aren't a member, a day pass costs $10-30.
Gym with machines and classes. You can get a 7-day guest pass by signing up for a "trial membership." There might be other options available--call or visit.
21 localnici recomandă
Retro Fitness
1623 Flatbush Ave
21 localnici recomandă
Gym with machines and classes. You can get a 7-day guest pass by signing up for a "trial membership." There might be other options available--call or visit.
Organic and bulk foods. A Flatbush institution!
153 localnici recomandă
Flatbush Food Co-op
1415 Cortelyou Rd
153 localnici recomandă
Organic and bulk foods. A Flatbush institution!
Organic grocery store.
26 localnici recomandă
Natural Frontier Market
325 3rd Ave
26 localnici recomandă
Organic grocery store.
Our local branch of the post office.
119 localnici recomandă
United States Postal Service
1369 Broadway
119 localnici recomandă
Our local branch of the post office.
Gym with classes and machines. Day passes available: "Our Guest Workout program let’s you try our club for a fee (typically $10-$25). Call the club for exact pricing."
24 Hour Fitness
2163 Tilden Ave
Gym with classes and machines. Day passes available: "Our Guest Workout program let’s you try our club for a fee (typically $10-$25). Call the club for exact pricing."
Closest wine and liquor store. Not the best selection of wine (go to Kings County Wines for that), but all the liquors you might want. Good prices.
Flatbush Discount Liquor
1023 Flatbush Ave
Closest wine and liquor store. Not the best selection of wine (go to Kings County Wines for that), but all the liquors you might want. Good prices.
This is our gym (7-minute walk from our house). It opened in April 2017. Three floors of exercise! You can get a 3-day free access pass -- ask us for details.
Crunch Fitness - Flatbush
1038 Flatbush Ave
This is our gym (7-minute walk from our house). It opened in April 2017. Three floors of exercise! You can get a 3-day free access pass -- ask us for details.
A chain supermarket, smaller and less crowded/chaotic than Stop-and-Shop, though a longer walk (about 10 minutes from our house).
509 localnici recomandă
Key Food Supermarkets
492 Myrtle Ave
509 localnici recomandă
A chain supermarket, smaller and less crowded/chaotic than Stop-and-Shop, though a longer walk (about 10 minutes from our house).
Our wonderful, warm, worker-owned (cooperative) yoga and wellness center. In addition to a wide range of classes, Third Root has acupuncture practitioners and massage therapists (by appointment). Prices are on a sliding scale in order to make services accessible to everyone, regardless of income. We are so grateful that Third Root is in our neighborhood.
29 localnici recomandă
Third Root Community Health Center
380 Marlborough Rd
29 localnici recomandă
Our wonderful, warm, worker-owned (cooperative) yoga and wellness center. In addition to a wide range of classes, Third Root has acupuncture practitioners and massage therapists (by appointment). Prices are on a sliding scale in order to make services accessible to everyone, regardless of income. We are so grateful that Third Root is in our neighborhood.

Arts & Culture

The historic Kings Theatre (3-1/2 blocks from our house!) was painstakingly restored in recent years; the renovation cost $95 million. Past & upcoming shows include Ringo Star, Joshua Groban, Monty Alexander, and Lauryn Hill. Check the calendar on the web site for performance dates/times. They offer hour-long guided tours roughly twice a month ($11.70 at the box office, $15 online). kingstheatre.com
185 localnici recomandă
Teatrul Kings
1027 Flatbush Ave
185 localnici recomandă
The historic Kings Theatre (3-1/2 blocks from our house!) was painstakingly restored in recent years; the renovation cost $95 million. Past & upcoming shows include Ringo Star, Joshua Groban, Monty Alexander, and Lauryn Hill. Check the calendar on the web site for performance dates/times. They offer hour-long guided tours roughly twice a month ($11.70 at the box office, $15 online). kingstheatre.com
Our college, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY). It has a small but beautiful campus. Next to the library, you can enjoy a quiet moment at the Lily Pond.
39 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn College
2900 Bedford Ave
39 localnici recomandă
Our college, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY). It has a small but beautiful campus. Next to the library, you can enjoy a quiet moment at the Lily Pond.
Brooklyn's equivalent of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but hipper! Features one of the most impressive collections of Egyptian art in the world, lots of pieces by Brooklyn-based artists, and Judy Chicago's iconic feminist artwork "The Dinner Party" (1979). On the first Saturday of every month, admission is free in the evening, and there's live music, performance, and other programming. Admission is by suggested donation. www.brooklynmuseum.org
3011 localnici recomandă
Muzeul Brooklyn
200 Eastern Pkwy
3011 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn's equivalent of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but hipper! Features one of the most impressive collections of Egyptian art in the world, lots of pieces by Brooklyn-based artists, and Judy Chicago's iconic feminist artwork "The Dinner Party" (1979). On the first Saturday of every month, admission is free in the evening, and there's live music, performance, and other programming. Admission is by suggested donation. www.brooklynmuseum.org
Built by a family of Dutch settlers, this small abode now functions as an educational center. Though many of its activities are kid-focused, you can take a tour of the space on weekends to see how Brooklynites lived in the 19th century.
20 localnici recomandă
Lefferts Historic House
452 Flatbush Ave
20 localnici recomandă
Built by a family of Dutch settlers, this small abode now functions as an educational center. Though many of its activities are kid-focused, you can take a tour of the space on weekends to see how Brooklynites lived in the 19th century.
A fabulous children's museum that has some interesting Brooklyn-oriented exhibits.
489 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave
489 localnici recomandă
A fabulous children's museum that has some interesting Brooklyn-oriented exhibits.
BAM is one of our favorite venues in NYC for arts and cultural events. It also has a beautiful cinema featuring first-run and independent films. www.bam.org
859 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Ave
859 localnici recomandă
BAM is one of our favorite venues in NYC for arts and cultural events. It also has a beautiful cinema featuring first-run and independent films. www.bam.org
Theatre for a New Audience specializes in productions of Shakespeare plays and other classics (old and new). Located in Fort Greene, one of the hippest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. www.tfana.org
27 localnici recomandă
Theatre for a New Audience at Polonsky Shakespeare Center
262 Ashland Pl
27 localnici recomandă
Theatre for a New Audience specializes in productions of Shakespeare plays and other classics (old and new). Located in Fort Greene, one of the hippest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. www.tfana.org
Home of Mark Morris Dance Group, one of the US's most popular and universally admired modern dance companies. markmorrisdancegroup.org
32 localnici recomandă
Mark Morris Dance Group
3 Lafayette Ave
32 localnici recomandă
Home of Mark Morris Dance Group, one of the US's most popular and universally admired modern dance companies. markmorrisdancegroup.org
BCBC offers theater, dance, and music concerts from all over the world. A 20-minute walk from our house; two stops away on the 2/5 subway.
8 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
2900 Avenue H
8 localnici recomandă
BCBC offers theater, dance, and music concerts from all over the world. A 20-minute walk from our house; two stops away on the 2/5 subway.
One of the best-kept secrets in Prospect-Lefferts (the neighborhood just north of Flatbush), The Owl is an intimate, neighborhood-oriented music venue that also serves beer and wine. Shows are generally $10 cover/suggested donation and feature jazz and global music artists. The Owl is an easy 30-minute walk from our house or a quick ride in a Lyft/taxi.
27 localnici recomandă
The Owl Music Parlor
497 Rogers Ave
27 localnici recomandă
One of the best-kept secrets in Prospect-Lefferts (the neighborhood just north of Flatbush), The Owl is an intimate, neighborhood-oriented music venue that also serves beer and wine. Shows are generally $10 cover/suggested donation and feature jazz and global music artists. The Owl is an easy 30-minute walk from our house or a quick ride in a Lyft/taxi.

Shopping

This art-deco Sears was dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1932 and has been in continuous operation ever since. The building was landmarked in 2012.
23 localnici recomandă
Sears
9605 Queens Blvd
23 localnici recomandă
This art-deco Sears was dedicated by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1932 and has been in continuous operation ever since. The building was landmarked in 2012.
Office supplies and printing services. Interestingly, they also sell scrubs -- an indication of the many people in our neighborhood who work in the medical and caregiving professions.
14 localnici recomandă
Staples
1011 Flatbush Ave
14 localnici recomandă
Office supplies and printing services. Interestingly, they also sell scrubs -- an indication of the many people in our neighborhood who work in the medical and caregiving professions.
Old Navy Factory/Outlet store.
12 localnici recomandă
Old Navy Outlet
1009 Flatbush Ave
12 localnici recomandă
Old Navy Factory/Outlet store.
Outlet store.
19 localnici recomandă
Gap Factory
1016 Flatbush Ave
19 localnici recomandă
Outlet store.
Small, cute boutique specializing in home decor.
Collyer's Mansion
307 Atlantic Ave
Small, cute boutique specializing in home decor.
Boutique that sells gifts and art objects made by local artisans.
25 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn ARTery
1004 Cortelyou Rd
25 localnici recomandă
Boutique that sells gifts and art objects made by local artisans.

Food Scene

Excellent farm-to-table dining. One of our favorites, and one of the first restaurants to open on now-trendy Cortelyou Road.
229 localnici recomandă
The Farm on Adderley
1108 Cortelyou Rd
229 localnici recomandă
Excellent farm-to-table dining. One of our favorites, and one of the first restaurants to open on now-trendy Cortelyou Road.
Excellent wine bar that also serves small plates and cocktails.
118 localnici recomandă
The Castello Plan
1213 Cortelyou Rd
118 localnici recomandă
Excellent wine bar that also serves small plates and cocktails.
Excellent Asian fusion restaurant with delicious specials.
96 localnici recomandă
Purple Yam
1314 Cortelyou Rd
96 localnici recomandă
Excellent Asian fusion restaurant with delicious specials.
Some of the best Israeli/Middle Eastern food anywhere in Brooklyn. A tiny and unique place.
123 localnici recomandă
Mimi's Hummus
1209 Cortelyou Rd
123 localnici recomandă
Some of the best Israeli/Middle Eastern food anywhere in Brooklyn. A tiny and unique place.
A diner-type chain restaurant, for anyone who hankers for familiar comfort food.
69 localnici recomandă
IHOP
785 Flushing Ave
69 localnici recomandă
A diner-type chain restaurant, for anyone who hankers for familiar comfort food.
Decent and inexpensive Mexican food. They aren't listed on the menu, but if you'd like a margarita, ask for one -- they're pretty good.
38 localnici recomandă
Cinco De Mayo
1202 Cortelyou Rd
38 localnici recomandă
Decent and inexpensive Mexican food. They aren't listed on the menu, but if you'd like a margarita, ask for one -- they're pretty good.
A Flatbush institution, open here since the 1970s. Very good ice cream parlor that offers some unusual flavors, including Guava, Rummy Nut, Coconut, Mango, Great Nut, and Guinness.
9 localnici recomandă
Taste The Tropics USA
1839 Nostrand Ave.
9 localnici recomandă
A Flatbush institution, open here since the 1970s. Very good ice cream parlor that offers some unusual flavors, including Guava, Rummy Nut, Coconut, Mango, Great Nut, and Guinness.
Greatly appreciated for its creative and delicious pizzas.
90 localnici recomandă
Wheated
905 Church Ave
90 localnici recomandă
Greatly appreciated for its creative and delicious pizzas.
Popular cafe with great coffee and great food, including breakfast.
175 localnici recomandă
Cafe Madeline
1603 Cortelyou Rd
175 localnici recomandă
Popular cafe with great coffee and great food, including breakfast.
New Yorkers are finicky about their bagels, and Catskill, we think, serves some of the best bagels in the city. Our favorite: whole-wheat everything bagel, toasted, with cream cheese.
47 localnici recomandă
Catskill Bagel Co.
1416 Cortelyou Rd
47 localnici recomandă
New Yorkers are finicky about their bagels, and Catskill, we think, serves some of the best bagels in the city. Our favorite: whole-wheat everything bagel, toasted, with cream cheese.
Cafe with wifi.
88 localnici recomandă
Qathra Cafe
1112 Cortelyou Rd
88 localnici recomandă
Cafe with wifi.
Gastropub -- one of our favorite places in Ditmas Park. Delicious burgers and fries. The Mexican-inflected dishes are also excellent. Nice bar, too. Worth the walk!
79 localnici recomandă
The Ox Tavern
1715 Newkirk Ave
79 localnici recomandă
Gastropub -- one of our favorite places in Ditmas Park. Delicious burgers and fries. The Mexican-inflected dishes are also excellent. Nice bar, too. Worth the walk!
Hipster Italian restaurant, including fancy pizzas. A little spendy, which is the main criticism it seems to get.
84 localnici recomandă
Lea
1022 Cortelyou Rd
84 localnici recomandă
Hipster Italian restaurant, including fancy pizzas. A little spendy, which is the main criticism it seems to get.
A snack-shack sort of place, beloved by many Flatbush residents. Smoothies, burgers, fried seafood (i.e. fish/shrimp/etc. with chips), salads.
Uncle's
1117 Rogers Ave
A snack-shack sort of place, beloved by many Flatbush residents. Smoothies, burgers, fried seafood (i.e. fish/shrimp/etc. with chips), salads.
Asian fusion restaurant, specializing in ramen. Great interior design, too.
18 localnici recomandă
Bashi Channel
1120 Cortelyou Road
18 localnici recomandă
Asian fusion restaurant, specializing in ramen. Great interior design, too.
Tiny Indian restaurant with good curries, including some unusual ones. Also delivers--you can order online using Seamless.
48 localnici recomandă
Gandhi
34-14 30th Ave
48 localnici recomandă
Tiny Indian restaurant with good curries, including some unusual ones. Also delivers--you can order online using Seamless.
Amazing Thai food with interesting cocktails and a great atmosphere. It's a long walk from our house, but if you're feeling like Thai, in our opinion there's no better place!
77 localnici recomandă
Am Thai Bistro
1003 Church Ave
77 localnici recomandă
Amazing Thai food with interesting cocktails and a great atmosphere. It's a long walk from our house, but if you're feeling like Thai, in our opinion there's no better place!
National chain selling donuts, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, etc.
148 localnici recomandă
Dunkin'
182 Bedford Ave
148 localnici recomandă
National chain selling donuts, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, etc.
Haitian bakery. Many say that their Haitian patties (meat-stuffed flaky pastries) are the best in Brooklyn! Also they have excellent cake, sold by the piece--try the carrot cake!
7 localnici recomandă
La Baguette Shop
2705 Church Ave
7 localnici recomandă
Haitian bakery. Many say that their Haitian patties (meat-stuffed flaky pastries) are the best in Brooklyn! Also they have excellent cake, sold by the piece--try the carrot cake!
Best Roti in Flatbush, and possibly anywhere in Brooklyn.
Jen's Roti Shop
838 Flatbush Ave
Best Roti in Flatbush, and possibly anywhere in Brooklyn.
Cafe with delicious baked goods (including doughnuts), featuring Stumptown coffee.
76 localnici recomandă
LARK
1007 Church Ave
76 localnici recomandă
Cafe with delicious baked goods (including doughnuts), featuring Stumptown coffee.
Asian fusion restaurant that also serves brunch on weekends. Nice place to eat before or after taking a stroll in Prospect Park.
36 localnici recomandă
Hunger Pang
1021 Church Ave
36 localnici recomandă
Asian fusion restaurant that also serves brunch on weekends. Nice place to eat before or after taking a stroll in Prospect Park.
Hipster cafe offering gourmet coffee. A nice and easy place to get a latte on your way to Prospect Park.
9 localnici recomandă
Kettle & Thread
1219 Church Ave
9 localnici recomandă
Hipster cafe offering gourmet coffee. A nice and easy place to get a latte on your way to Prospect Park.
CORRECT ADDRESS IS 998 FLATBUSH AVE @ ALBEMARLE (not on Church Ave! -- this must be a Google error). This is a beloved local Guyanese restaurant (originally Sylvia's) that also serves Jamaican patties. Offers some vegetarian options, including roti and patties.
Island Express
998 Flatbush Ave
CORRECT ADDRESS IS 998 FLATBUSH AVE @ ALBEMARLE (not on Church Ave! -- this must be a Google error). This is a beloved local Guyanese restaurant (originally Sylvia's) that also serves Jamaican patties. Offers some vegetarian options, including roti and patties.
Tapas!
17 localnici recomandă
Manchego
1502 Cortelyou Rd
17 localnici recomandă
Tapas!
Weekly artisanal food market in Prospect Park on Sundays 11am-6pm from April to October. We go as often as possible! From our front door to Smorgasburg, it's a half-hour walk (up Ocean Avenue). Gorge on delicious food, snacks, and desserts and then take a long walk in the park. A great Sunday afternoon activity.
38 localnici recomandă
Smorgasburg Winter Market
625 Atlantic Ave
38 localnici recomandă
Weekly artisanal food market in Prospect Park on Sundays 11am-6pm from April to October. We go as often as possible! From our front door to Smorgasburg, it's a half-hour walk (up Ocean Avenue). Gorge on delicious food, snacks, and desserts and then take a long walk in the park. A great Sunday afternoon activity.

Drinks & Nightlife

A favorite bar in the area, especially among hipsters. Casual and friendly (it's also family friendly). Amazing garden in the back! A relaxed and chill place.
244 localnici recomandă
Sycamore Bar + Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Rd
244 localnici recomandă
A favorite bar in the area, especially among hipsters. Casual and friendly (it's also family friendly). Amazing garden in the back! A relaxed and chill place.
Popular bar where you can enjoy live music on a regular basis. Shows usually begin at 9pm or 10pm.
113 localnici recomandă
Bar Chord
1008 Cortelyou Rd
113 localnici recomandă
Popular bar where you can enjoy live music on a regular basis. Shows usually begin at 9pm or 10pm.
To be honest, Scott & I haven't been to FIB (Forever Tattoo Bar) yet! But the reviews on Yelp are great. This is the closest bar to our house, right by the Kings Theatre. Happy hour from 4-8pm featuring mixed drinks for $5-6. According to one Yelper: "Friendly bartenders, good cocktail options and a chill vibe. Small enough that we usually end up chatting with everyone else, which adds to the neighborhood feel. The owners have been running tattoo shops in Brooklyn for over a decade and fixed this place up themselves, so the décor is all tattoo-themed. Will be back!"
FIB Tattoo Bar
1051 Flatbush Ave
To be honest, Scott & I haven't been to FIB (Forever Tattoo Bar) yet! But the reviews on Yelp are great. This is the closest bar to our house, right by the Kings Theatre. Happy hour from 4-8pm featuring mixed drinks for $5-6. According to one Yelper: "Friendly bartenders, good cocktail options and a chill vibe. Small enough that we usually end up chatting with everyone else, which adds to the neighborhood feel. The owners have been running tattoo shops in Brooklyn for over a decade and fixed this place up themselves, so the décor is all tattoo-themed. Will be back!"

Parks & Nature

Brooklyn’s version of Central Park (but even better!), is a 20-minute walk to the north from our house. Walk up Ocean Ave all the way there. Kids of all ages might enjoy the Zoo, the Carousel, or the Lefferts Homestead Museum, which are located near the park entrance at Empire Boulevard. If you don’t wish to walk, you can take the B41 bus (at Flatbush Ave and Cortelyou Rd) to Empire Boulevard or Park Entrance, or the Q subway to the “Prospect Park” stop. www.prospectpark.org
3418 localnici recomandă
Parcul Prospect
3418 localnici recomandă
Brooklyn’s version of Central Park (but even better!), is a 20-minute walk to the north from our house. Walk up Ocean Ave all the way there. Kids of all ages might enjoy the Zoo, the Carousel, or the Lefferts Homestead Museum, which are located near the park entrance at Empire Boulevard. If you don’t wish to walk, you can take the B41 bus (at Flatbush Ave and Cortelyou Rd) to Empire Boulevard or Park Entrance, or the Q subway to the “Prospect Park” stop. www.prospectpark.org
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (in Crown Heights) features a cherry tree esplanade, Japanese garden, bonsai museum, children’s garden, desert and tropical pavilions, fragrance garden, and much more. www.bbg.org
2030 localnici recomandă
Grădina Botanică Brooklyn
990 Washington Ave
2030 localnici recomandă
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (in Crown Heights) features a cherry tree esplanade, Japanese garden, bonsai museum, children’s garden, desert and tropical pavilions, fragrance garden, and much more. www.bbg.org
The closest children's playground (about a 15-minute walk from our house), located on Cortelyou Rd at Argyle Rd.
Lt. Federico Narvaez Tot Lot
Argyle Road
The closest children's playground (about a 15-minute walk from our house), located on Cortelyou Rd at Argyle Rd.

Getting Around

Cortelyou Rd. station -- Q subway stop
21 localnici recomandă
Cortelyou Rd station
Cortelyou Road
21 localnici recomandă
Cortelyou Rd. station -- Q subway stop
Beverly Rd. station -- 2 and 5 subway stop
24 localnici recomandă
Beverley Rd station
Beverley Road
24 localnici recomandă
Beverly Rd. station -- 2 and 5 subway stop
Beverley Rd. station -- Q subway stop
24 localnici recomandă
Beverley Rd station
Beverley Road
24 localnici recomandă
Beverley Rd. station -- Q subway stop
The closest car-rental company. It's long walk from the house (30 minutes), or you can take the Q train from Cortelyou Rd to the Avenue H stop -- from there it's a short walk.
163 localnici recomandă
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
266 McGuinness Blvd
163 localnici recomandă
The closest car-rental company. It's long walk from the house (30 minutes), or you can take the Q train from Cortelyou Rd to the Avenue H stop -- from there it's a short walk.