Ask A Local: Insider Tips & Hidden Gems for Brooklyn

At Sim Local, our team is spread out across the world, giving us a unique insider perspective in over a dozen cities. We created this series to highlight the hotspots and hidden gems, with details only locals can provide. This week, the spotlight is on Brooklyn, New York.

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There’s a Brooklyn for everyone. The vibrant and diverse New York borough has some of the best culinary experiences, shops, galleries, and live music in the world. After living there for three years, and visiting friends and family for longer – I still have a million and one things I still want to see and do.

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‍First thing’s first – if you’re going to Brooklyn, keep in mind that the borough is huge. Brooklyn is bigger than Paris and would be the fourth most populous city in the US if it was its own city. So you’ll want to be strategic about which part of the borough you’re going to explore on which day. Here are a few neighbourhoods to explore and the main attractions once you’re there.

One of the best ways to experience Manhattan is from very high up, away from the crowds. And Williamsburg’s rooftops have some brilliant skyline views of the iconic New York City skyline. The William Vale hotel has a 22nd floor rooftop bar. Westlight is your best bet for drinks that come with epic sunset views across the East River. Grab a spot on its wraparound terrace.

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I’m not biased, even New York Magazine’s Grub Street dubbed Williamsburg the best place for pizza in the world – all in one convenient square mile. You really can’t go wrong here, whether you want a slice or a whole pie. Some slice shops for starters include the aptly named Best Pizza, L’Industrie, Fini, Leo and of course – Joe’s Pizza – an affordable classic. Then cross McCarren Park to Greenpoint for a Hell’s Boy slice (pepperoni and hot honey, or its vegan alternative) from Paulie Gee’s – your grand finale.

The L train conveniently gets out right on Williamsburg’s buzziest street, where you’ll find independent shops (Catbird is a classic), cafes, restaurants, bars and some of the best people-watching in the whole city. Walk up and down Bedford; you can take it all the way to McCarren Park (which crosses over to Greenpoint) or veer off down North 6th or 7th Streets for more shops, cafes and bars, all the way to the river.
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‍- Prospect Park, Brooklyn Museum & Brooklyn Nets

Saturday morning is the time to pick up some local snacks from Park Slope’s Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket and Flea Market before heading to Prospect Park for a picnic. There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park – from the zoo and dog beach, to a seasonal skating rink and the Botanical Gardens. But it really comes alive in summer with free concerts and movie screenings. Hop across the road for a cultural fix at the impressive Brooklyn Museum, then catch a basketball game (or show) at the Brooklyn Nets’ home in the Barclays Center.

Adrenaline junkies, make your way south to reach one of Brooklyn’s most iconic destinations. Coney Island is known for its beach, boardwalk and being home to NYC's largest amusement park – which is right on the beachfront. It’s also known for its quirky events, from the Mermaid Parade in June to the 100+ years-old annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which runs each 4th July and is taken very, very seriously.

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For a typical Williamsburg afternoon, start with lunch at K’far at The Hoxton for middle eastern flavours or try the iconic Kellogg's Diner, which has recently been revamped. For dinner, make your way to Fan Fried Rice Bar, for Taiwanese food, and end your night with cocktails and karaoke at Goldie’s (or Skinny Dennis for beer with a side of honky-tonk). 

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Brooklyn is a melting pot of cultures, so try and find the historic restaurants, bakeries and bars that celebrate it. In Greenpoint, that could be the best Polish pierogies and baked goods, which you’ll find at places like Syrena Bakery, that’s been open since the early 90s, or try Pierozek for handmade pierogi.

Credit: Scott Lynch | Brooklyn Magazine

‍Brooklyn’s Italian history runs deep. This is best seen each July when the historic Giglio Feast, which dates back to 1887, comes to town. There are band stands, parades and plenty of Italian food stalls, but the main event is the ‘Dancing of the Giglio’, which involves the lifting of an impressive seven-storey structure called the Giglio.

‍You can pick up some real treasures in Brooklyn’s thrift stores (I hold my $25 Calvin Klein denim jacket, which has ‘Judy’ sewn on the back, very dearly). You can find a high concentration of them in Williamsburg just off Bedford Ave at places like Buffalo Exchange, Beacon’s Closet and Monk Vintage.

‍‍For an alternative to Brooklyn Bridge Park, try Domino Park – a 5-acre oasis which runs along the East River in Williamsburg – on the site of the old Domino Sugar Factory. Beyond ogling the great views by the Williamsburg Bridge, there’s an elevated walkway above taco hotspot, Tacocina, a dog park and Chef Missy Robbins’ Misi is right there, for one of Brooklyn’s best dinners (as is Sunday in Brooklyn for one of the neighbourhood’s most popular brunches). 

‍Best Of Brooklyn 

• Best pizza: Paulie Gee's Slice Shop (110 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222)
• Best bagel: Frankel’s (631 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222) 
• Best fast food: Go to a local bodega and order a chopped cheese sandwich
• Best bookshop: Mcnally Jackson (76 N 4th St Unit G, Brooklyn, NY 11249)
• Best dive bar: Lucky Dog (303 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211)
• Best fancy bar: Maison Premiere (298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249) or Goldie’s

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- Tal Dekel-Daks is a freelance travel writer