This week, we’re featuring **Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens** and **Columbia Waterfront**
We’re going by this unofficial [Google Map overlay](https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1VYN-6Vkk01byUCF7P13rT6ORT5g) as a GENERAL outline as to what the neighborhoods are. It’s not a strict requirement but try not to go too far outside of the boundaries.
Some optional prompts:
* What are some of your favorite food spots or “hidden gems”?
* Any “must have” or go to dishes from those particular spots?
* Are there any points of interest or events that is worth going out of the way to visit?
[Link to previous weeks](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/14rflbt/comment/jqrv7um/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
by crazeman
22 Comments
[Malai](https://www.yelp.com/biz/malai-brooklyn) is IMO one of the best ice cream places in NYC. Their flagship store is in Carroll Gardens and they some amazing ice cream that’s Indian-inspired. They also recently opened a outpost in Market 57 and you can their pints are often sold at Wholefoods or other supermarkets.
[Le French Tart Deli](https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-french-tart-deli-new-york) had a sign outside claiming that the NY Daily News ranked them as the #1 Croissant in the city. The store is super tiny and assuming. IDK if they’re the best but I thought their croissant was very good when I had it.
La Vara for Spanish
Frankie’s Spuntino
Court Street Grocers – fancy sandwiches
Ugly Baby for very spicy Thai
Defonte’s for ginormous Italian sandwiches
This is a great list: [https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/best-carroll-gardens-restaurants](https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/best-carroll-gardens-restaurants)
* Indian Table is really nice and specializes in Goan cuisine
* Skip Lucali and Baby Luc’s if you don’t feel like spending a few hours waiting for a table and head over to Sam’s on Court for an old school pizza experience. This place looks like a VFA post that hasn’t been updated since Eisenhower was in office
* Go to Monteleone just a few blocks south to get any one of a hundred different pastries that are all delicious, but especially the sfogliatella or casata cake
* Head over to Ferdinando’s on Union to get some Sicilian bites like Pasta con le Sarde or the Panzanelle or Vastedda sandwiches
* If you’re there in the summer, check out Gowanus Yacht Club for an ice cold Genny
* After you’re a little buzzed walk a few blocks north on Smith to Boat for an authentic dive bar experience. Do not get a draft beer here
* Take a stroll on Atlantic and head to Yemen Cafe to fill up on some chicken or lamb to stave off your hangover
Panzerotti Bites on Smith is underrated, incredibly delicious, 1 panzerotti is a good light bite
-Caputos Deli, family owned and now has delicious sandwiches
-Vinny’s of Carroll Gardens
The grandma pizza from Pronto on Court Street
Paisanos in general – It’s a butcher but the sandwiches are also very good
Shelskys for a bialy and lox (specifically Member of the Tribe)
Also forgot Brooklyn Farmacy! Egg creams are great here. The frozen hot cocoa is also amazing.
-Frankie’s Spuntino, that whole block (they’re taking over)
-Defonte’s – insane sandwiches (I guess technically Red Hook? I dunno)
-Alma rooftop
-Yemen Cafe
-Bar Tabac, especially when they have live music
-Pizza Moto RIP
I haven’t seen it listed yet so just including
BORAN
which I think is very very good Thai food. Every time I go I also get the tapioca dumplings. I’ve never had them anywhere else but I do find them delicious!
Lucali is worth the wait. Of the more “artisanal” pizza shops in NYC, they’re definitely one of the best along with Scarr’s imo. Calzone is a must have at Lucali.
Carroll Gardens used to be an Italian neighborhood, and unfortunately some of the old school delis are closing or have closed. Go visit those spots up and down Court Street while you can
Zombie Hut is one of the best tiki bars in NYC
Gowanus Yacht Club is an awesome spot
Barely Disfigured makes great drinks
Mercado Central is a better market for Spanish foods and goods than more well known Spanish markets in thr city (looking at you Despaña and Mercado Little Spain)
Libertador is on one of the most beautiful blocks in the city, and their parillada is both glorious and reasonably priced
Lucali is one of the only places in the city that’s worth the wait
Boran for Thai if you can’t eat too much spicy food
Court St Bagels for amazing bagels
Le french tart deli has my fav pastries and made to order croissant sandwiches! Cute French groceries too. I also love Fish Tales seafood market. Amazing selection and helpful staff, and they always have rotating specials!
Court st grocery
Colony
French Louie
Buttermilk Chanel
The lard bread at Mazzola bakery is a staple.
And have to echo the Frankie’s chorus. Food and drinks are great and I got married there which was also 11/10!
– Al Balwadi on Atlantic is my go to for big groups. BYOB and massive meat/rice dishes that are perfect for sharing
– Boran for really good Thai in a casual spot. Love their duck basil dish.
– Bobbis Italian beef is a vibe. Cheap pitchers, great hot dogs. The must get is the tavern style pizza.
– President Food Corp on Colombia has real good Dominican food for lunch. This deff hits the hole in the wall vibe.
– Caputos deli has the best sandwiches in the area. Nonnas lunch is my go to.
– B61 (not alma, skip the roof) has really good buffalo wings. 1 dollar during happy hour. Also just a cool little bar.
– Lilo. The pasta is great. The tiramisu is to die for. Small but just the best vibe. Cash only.
– F&F is the best pizza in the area for a slice. Yeah Lucali is good but the wait is absurd. I also like Pizza & Cazolne on union in a pinch. Really good fried calzones too.
– Hancos lowkey hits. Yeah its full of teenages drinking bubbly tea but the beef pho on a cold day is nice.
– Court Street Bagels are legit. so fresh. so good. Get 6 and some cream cheese and have a party. Stands up with the citys best bagels imo
– Tacos Casomigos is a truck on court and union. Their nachos and sopes are really good. So is the all pastor. Whats crazy is a new mexican food truck has been posting up RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. Serious mexican food truck beef is brewing, I had the new one and I have to say that had some really good meats with a lot more variety (inject saudero in my viens plz)
– Along with F&F – Frankies the restaurant is my go to for a celebration. Their sausage and sage pasta is absurdly good.
– There so many good bakeries in this area but got to call out Mazzola for the different loafs (mainly lard bread) and Montelones for the pastries. Go get like 6 mini cakes from Montelones and bring it to ur next bday party. Ppl will lobe it.
– Surprisingly, ton of really good bars in the area too. Floyds, Congress Bar, Elsa, Bk Social, Yacht Club, Clover Club all have cool and different vibes. If your into music Jalopy Tavern has tons of shows. Also on the border, Other Half Brewery makes the best IPAs in the business. Green City is forever a top 5 for me.
WingBar, Lilu, JuJu Japanese Deli, Court St Grocers & Court St Bagels, Buttermilk Channel, Hanco’s
Lucali, Sociale, The Chocolate Room, Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain, Emma’s Torch, Avlee Greek Kitchen, Henry Public, Mimi Cheng’s, Poppy’s, Bagels by the Park, Breakfast by Salt’s Cure, Joya, Brandon’s Donuts, One Girl Cookies
Lot of good places recommended here.. I’ll add Brooklyn French Bakers which in my opinion has one of the best croissants in the city
Elsa has phenomenal cocktails
Damascus Bakery/Darna Falafel/Zerda are three quick takeout options for very good Mediterranean food
Rucola is a great cozy Italian restaurant
Nabilas is a great Lebanese restaurant
Lu Anns wild ginger is good for Vegan food
Brooklyn Heights (slightly north of where you specified): Tutt Heights for their green “pitza”, all their dips, falafel
We love Marco Polo for Italian food, especially the red wine pasta tossed in a parmesan cheese wheel. Excellent martinis.
Lillo as someone else mentioned. No restroom, no liquor, no credit cards but delightful pasta, coffee, paninis, and tiramisu.
Al Badawi is excellent Palestinian for groups.
Court Street Bake Shop makes the best bread – ciabatta, focaccia, lard bread (you never knew you needed this!), and everything else.
Buddy’s Burritos is one of my faves (though my kids prefer Chipotle – WTF). Love their nachos and tacos.
Bar Tabac – we love the live music, ambiance, and cocktails.
I’m sure I’m forgetting so many places but others have likely named them.
Bar Bete!!! Haven’t ever had a disappointing meal, and so accommodating to dietary restrictions.
DAE- new Korean coffee shop/ dinner on weekends. Doing some very creative things