Foodie’s Guide to Best Bensonhurst Restaurants
If you’re looking for where to eat in Bensonhurst, you won’t be disappointed! The hard part will be deciding between all the delicious places to eat in this South Brooklyn neighborhood. When most people think of Bensonhurst restaurants, amazing Italian food and pizza probably come to mind. And you’ll find some of the best pizza in Brooklyn right here!
But the neighborhood has become much more diverse in the last few decades! Bensonhurst is even expected to grow bigger than Manhattan’s Chinatown and is often called Little Hong Kong. Today you can find amazing Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Russian, and Mexican restaurants in Bensonhurst.
I’ve lived in the neighborhood for almost a decade and it’s been interesting to see which restaurants have lasted and which haven’t. A lot of the restaurants on my list have stood the test of time and are loved by locals. Others are new, exciting, and making a big splash! And I’m happy to report that Bensonhurst coffee shops and bagel shops will please any true New Yorker.
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn may not be the main attraction for New York, but it’s full of history, different cultures, and really good food. Make sure to check out my guide on things to do in Bensonhurst. And if you’re hungry, get inspired with my list of the best Bensonhurst restaurants.
Best Places to Eat in Bensonhurst
Il Colosseo
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7704 18th Ave
If you’re looking for Bensonhurst Italian restaurants, Il Colosseo is a great choice. You won’t just find basic spaghetti with sauce here. This family-owned restaurant has been serving old-world Italian dishes in Brooklyn since the early 1990s.
We come here when we want to enjoy a warm meal in a warm setting! I love coming on a cold night and ordering the mushroom risotto. In my opinion, their risotto is the star of the show! But Il Colosseo is where my Italian husband goes for delicious seafood pasta dishes. And they have an extensive menu for their brick-oven pizza.
Il Colosseo is open 7-days a week for lunch and dinner. Come between 12 and 9 PM, except for Fridays and Saturdays when they’re open till 10 PM.
Hand Pull Noodle & Dumplings House
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7201 18th Ave
When it comes to Chinese restaurants in Bensonhurst, this is probably my favorite! Hand Pull Noodle & Dumpling House serves up all the classics you’d expect, plus some dishes that are more authentic than takeout. Come into the unassuming storefront and enjoy a dish at one of the tables or order takeout.
Nothing else compares to fresh hand-pulled noodles! Once you try them you can’t go back to premade. You can order them in a broth soup or fried. Try them with beef, chicken, seafood, pork, or sweet potatoes. I prefer them with braised pork and an egg.
I also recommend the special buffalo wings. They have a unique sauce with what I think is a Chinese 5-spice seasoning, but I’m not sure. Whatever it is, it’s delicious and you can’t find them anywhere else! And make sure you get an order of the adorable pork buns. Come by between 10:30 AM and 8:45 PM every day but Tuesday.
Chris’s Restaurant
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1866 86th St
The best Bensonhurst restaurants are the ones where the locals can make themselves at home, and Chris’s Restaurant is definitely on that list! This Polish American restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere where you can come enjoy a beer or cocktail at the bar.
Or enjoy a variety of authentic Polish dishes and comfort food at linen-covered tables. It’s a cozy setting, with candles set against deep stained wood and raw brick.
Locals come for the borsch, kielbasa, and fresh beer. I love the pierogis, which remind me of the ones I grew up eating. They’re definitely a crowd favorite at Chris’! There are also lots of soups, salads, meat dishes, and classic American sandwiches on the menu. And you must order the Chris Crepes. They’re these huge cheese blintzes topped in vanilla ice cream and chocolate and raspberry sauces.
Prince Tea House
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8510 21st Ave
Prince Tea House is a dessert restaurant located on a sleepy avenue off 86th Street, and it’s a hidden gem of South Brooklyn! There are actually a handful of Prince Tea House locations across the 5 boroughs and each of them has its own personality. This one is my favorite. I always sit in the sunroom in the back of the restaurant!
I love to come here with my best friend when we need a girl’s night, but the ambiance in the backroom would be perfect for a date night too. Everything is served in all kinds of beautiful chinaware and it’s all gorgeous to look at. You can enjoy fruit-topped waffles or a variety of French-Asian-style desserts. Or if sweets aren’t your thing, there are sandwiches and savory options like Takoyaki. And they offer a full afternoon tea service!
Also, see more of the best cafes in Bensonhurst too!
Viva Mexico Restaurant and Bar
1474 86th St
Check out Viva Mexico 86th Street between 15th Avenue and Bay 8th Street. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Bensonhurst. After growing up in South Texas, I missed authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex classics, and Viva Mexico gets my approval! Plus, they always have cold Mexican beer and frozen margaritas.
I love to sit at one of their tables in front of the restaurant on 86th Street, but the indoor dining room is a great, laid-back experience with Tejano music in the background. My test for authentic Mexican food is how they make their chicken mole, and theirs was delicious! From the flautas and fajitas to the quesadillas and enchiladas, Viva Mexico never disappoints me. They’re open every day from 3 to 10 PM.
Europa Pizza
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6423 20th Ave
Europa Pizza is absolutely beautiful. This Bensonhurst restaurant always caught my eye with its gorgeous domed entrance. Inside there’s a cozy ambiance with warm woods, exposed brick, elaborate wrought-iron details, and wine bottles lining the walls. It’s the kind of place you can enjoy a Sunday dinner with family or come for a romantic meal for 2.
On the menu, you’ll find a wide range of Italian classics. Some popular dishes are the penne vodka with shrimp and Bolognese. There are several authentic seafood dishes, as well as calzones and pizza made in a wood-fired brick oven.
My husband and I have different tastes, so when we go we get a pie split! So, I get a half-pie of the Europa with arugula and prosciutto, and he usually gets half Margherita. Also, they have Italian beer! Europa is open from noon to 10 PM, except for Fridays and Saturdays when they’re open till 11 PM. And they’re closed on Mondays.
Istanbul Bay
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2202 86th St
If you’re looking for where to go in Bensonhurst for great gyros, visit Istanbul Bay. It’s on the corner of 86th Street and Bay Parkway, and it’s always busy! This popular Turkish restaurant is welcoming whether you’re new to the cuisine or looking for authentic dishes.
Try kebabs, gyros, wraps, and more. Or peruse the Turkish Oven menu! You’ll find kitchen, beef, lamb, and seafood at Istanbul Bay. And I recommend the Turkish coffee and baklava together. Try out the generous seating in their beautiful indoor and outdoor dining. They’re open every day from 11 AM to midnight.
Twisted Wings
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8604 Bay Pkwy
Across the street from Istanbul Bay is Twisted Wings. You’ll always find this joint with cars double and triple parked outside because of their delicious wings! It’s one of the newer places in Bensonhurst, but they have quickly become a neighborhood favorite. While it can feel a bit pricey, we feel like their wings are worth it!
Maybe they are so popular because of their friendly staff, but it’s probably their tasty sauces! We’ve walked in and ordered out, and everything is always on point. The fries are your basic salted French fries, but they’re our favorite.
I get an 8-piece with mild buffalo sauce, and the wings are always perfectly drenched! And my secret is to order an extra cup of garlic parmesan sauce. They give you more than enough, and I dip the fries in it! You can also find burgers, soups, sides, and drinks on the menu.
New HK Tea & Sushi
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2033 86th St
One of the top Chinese Bensonhurst restaurants is New HK Tea & Sushi on 86th Street between 20th and 21st Avenue. Bensonhurst has been called little Hong Kong. It has the second-largest Chinese community in New York City, largely from the Hong Kong/Guangdong area.
This restaurant reflects that demographic, and it’s a refreshing experience if you’ve never tried Hong Kong-style Chinese food! The style refers to the metropolitan city of Hong Kong where food takes on other influences. So, you’ll often have European and Western ingredients or preparations in Chinese dishes. Try baked cheese clams or spam and egg sandwiches! Then you’ll see more traditional offerings like dumplings and miso soup.
Inside New HK Tea and & Sushi, you’ll find a quiet, casual space to eat with wooden tables. Enjoy large portions served in beautiful white dishes. I love the cheesy baked spaghetti dish, and no matter what, I always get an iced milk tea.
Mike’s Diner of Brooklyn
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1454 86th St
Every New Yorker has at least 1 favorite diner like they have a favorite bagel shop! Mike’s Diner makes my list of the best Bensonhurst restaurants because of its top-notch service to the neighborhood over the years. There’s just something comforting about knowing that your diner will be open when you go on the weekend for breakfast! But really, this is one of the best old-school diners in Brooklyn!
Mike’s is always clean and spacious with outdoor tables and both booths and tables inside. They serve all your diner classics, with options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. And Mike’s serves chicken and waffles, which I don’t find at a lot of Brooklyn diners for some reason, and it’s pretty good.
But I tend to order a spinach and feta omelet and coffee when I go for breakfast at a diner on the weekend. It’s another way I decide if a restaurant is good or not! Mike’s always has great coffee. And the spinach and feta omelet is always fresh and prepared just right!
El Tololoche Mexican Restaurant
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7201 16th Ave
When it comes to Bensonhurst restaurants, I think that El Tololoche is under-appreciated! You might see them also called by their old name, Blue Agave. They revamped and opened in 2019 as El Tololoche at their location on the corner of 16th Avenue and 72nd Street.
Sometimes at night, they’ll have karaoke and it’s always a fun time! A lot of people just come here for the drinks, and they’re all excellent. I recommend trying the tamarind margarita. If you get dinner, you’ll get to enjoy it when they make their fresh guacamole right at the table in front of you.
I love that everything on the menu feels like elevated versions of authentic Mexican dishes. The Fajitas Blue Agave is my favorite, made with nopales (cactus) and poblano peppers. They also have great seafood here. Before you come, just check the times. They’re open 7 days a week but vary the opening time afternoon.
Ortobello’s
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6401 Bay Pkwy
We begin and end with the best Bensonhurst Italian restaurants! Ortobello’s is on the corner of Bay Parkway and 64th Street. You probably wouldn’t think much of the weathered storefront, especially with all the other great restaurants in Bensonhurst! But this family-owned pizza joint is a must.
This old-school Italian food restaurant is a remnant of old Bensonhurst. Today, people come here for the red sauce and heaping portions of food that tastes homemade! They have Italian wine, and beer on tap. Enjoy a homie setting with family photos on the walls and a friendly atmosphere.
We go every few months and usually order something like the chicken francais and the penne vodka. And you won’t believe how big the chicken parmigiana is! Make sure to save room for coffee and the ricotta cheesecake.
About the Guest Author
Elizabeth Ramos – I moved to Brooklyn from my hometown in Texas in 2010 when I was dating my husband. It was a major transition going from the South to NYC, but I quickly learned to love it! There’s really no other place like it. I’ve spent a decade in the Bensonhurst and South Brooklyn area during my career as a writer, artist, and preschool teacher. Today, I work from home as a content writer in the areas of beauty, lifestyle, education, parenting, and travel so I can stay home with my 1-year-old daughter. When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find my little family exploring fun things to do around Brooklyn!
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