15 Wonderful Restaurants in Greenpoint (Foodie’s Guide)
Greenpoint is one of those neighborhoods that is packed with a long list of great things to do! There are incredible restaurants, delicious bars, great outdoor parks, and several small boutiques to shop for unique and one-of-a-kind gifts. It is also home to a large Polish population, containing many Polish restaurants, markets, and businesses, and it is often referred to as Little Poland.
Whether you are a local to Greenpoint or you are just visiting, this guide will provide you with all the best places to eat in Greenpoint. But don’t stop with just the food in Greenpoint while you’re in the area. Make sure you check out all the other best things to do in Greenpoint as well!
Best Places to Eat In Greenpoint
Karczma
Address: 136 Greenpoint Avenue
As mentioned above, Greenpoint is home to a large Polish population and has some of the best Polish food in Brooklyn (and quite possibly everywhere outside of Poland). Karczma defies those standards with the best pierogies around and is definitely one of the best restaurants in Greenpoint.
The vibes are also immaculate at Karczma. Waiters and waitresses are in traditional dress and the whole restaurant has a modern farmhouse feel with kitschy decor. It is also a great space for big groups at a very affordable price.
As far as food goes, this Greenpoint restaurant has all the best traditional Polish fare from amazing borscht in a bread bowl to the best pierogis in town. They also have a great lunch special during the week (except on holidays) including a lunch plate and soup for a very reasonable price.
Karczma has both indoor and outdoor seating and is open every day for lunch and dinner and should definitely be included on your list of best Greenpoint restaurants.
Pierozek
Address: 592 Manhattan Avenue
For another great Polish restaurant in Greenpoint, Pierozek should be next on your list. It was also recently a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation and for very good reason as this is definitely one of the best restaurants in Greenpoint.
The standout item on the menu are the pierogis as they should be since Pierozek literally translates to “little pierogis.” All are handmade and served with all the best ingredients including caramelized onions, traditional sour cream and a garlic dill sour cream sauce.
They have several different varieties but one of the best is filled with Murray’s cheese. They also have some delicious dessert-filled pierogis, which should be included at the end of your meal.
If pierogis aren’t your thing, Pierozek also has other traditional Polish fare including borscht and kielbasa.
Pierozek has a great outdoor patio with garden vibes and the indoor is decorated in traditional but modern Polish fare. Reservations are not accepted but they are usually able to accommodate walk-ins and are open every day for lunch and dinner.
Oxomoco
Address: 128 Greenpoint Avenue
Oxomoco is one of those places that you go to and know you’re going to have a great night. The space is immaculate (a spot at the bar is very necessary here) and the drinks are some of the best in town. Not to mention that the food at this Greenpoint restaurant is so delicious, it has now earned itself a Michelin star.
It also comes from the same owners as Speedy Romeo (check out this restaurant in Clinton Hill where you also will not be disappointed), so you know it is going to be amazing.
As far as those delicious cocktails go, don’t leave without trying a paloma or frozen margarita that comes in a glass almost as large as your face. The bar snacks should also be on your list of necessary appetizers including but not limited to the chile-lime popcorn, fancy peanuts, smoked mango, and pickled vegetables.
For food, make sure you get the Tlayuda Oxomoco, an open-faced quesadilla covered in popcorn, the guacamole, Punta Verde Caesar salad, and most importantly, the tacos. All are amazing and served on corn tortillas imported from Mexico.
Reservations are recommended but it also shouldn’t stop you from eating at one of the best restaurants in Greenpoint. They have both indoor and outdoor dining but like I mentioned above, try for a spot at the bar if possible just so you can admire the beauty.
Paulie Gee’s & Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop
Address: 60 Greenpoint Avenue (Paulie Gee’s) & 110 Franklin Avenue (Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop)
If you’ve read any of these other local foodie guides, you know how important I think it is to have a good pizza spot in every neighborhood. Lucky for Greenpoint, they have two. Paulie Gee’s and Paulie Gee’s slice shop make some of the best slices around and the best food in Greenpoint, not to mention some of the best pizza in Brooklyn.
You’ve also probably read about Paulie Gee’s somewhere (or seen it on Instagram) and it is at one point or another been on your list of places to go. The restaurant in Greenpoint has sit-down options while the slice shop is more a grab-and-go. Both are equally great so if the wait is long, head down the block for a slice and you won’t be disappointed.
First and foremost, you order the best pizza around: the Hellboy. It’s a pie with fresh mozzarella, Italian tomatoes, Berkshire sopressata piccante, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Mike’s Hot Honey. They have one without honey but please don’t order it. Order the Hellboy. The hot honey is everything.
If you’re at the restaurant, make sure you get a salad to start. The Gates of Eden is the best one on the menu. Served with seasonal greens, gorgonzola cheese, house candied pecans, sliced red onions, dried cranberries, Bosc pear, and red wine vinaigrette, it is both delicious and refreshing. They also have a great vegetarian french onion soup to start.
Paulie Gees and Paulie Gee’s slice shop both have vegan options available. The slice shop has slices while the restaurant offers whole pies. Neither location takes reservations and has both indoor and outdoor seating options available at one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint. The restaurant is open every day for dinner and the slice shop is open every day for lunch and dinner.
21 Greenpoint
Address: 21 Greenpoint Avenue
21 Greenpoint feels like one of those Greenpoint restaurants that you never knew you needed to go to until you go and then you realize that you want to go back every week. It is the perfect place for a large group outing, a casual date or a solo meal at the bar.
Not to mention, the whole place feels like a giant fort with an a-frame background, hanging plants and tile and wood tables where you can enjoy some of the best food in Greenpoint. They also have a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation, making it not only a top restaurant in Greenpoint, but in the city.
The food at 21 Greenpoint is seasonal American with great seasonal fare including beets, watermelon and panzanella salads. The menu rotates with each season so each time you come, you’ll get to experience something different and equally amazing. They also have great pizza that they do different nights of the week and their burger is pretty delicious.
21 Greenpoint accepts reservations and has both indoor and outdoor seating. They’re open for dinner Thursday – Sunday and brunch on Sundays. This Greenpoint restaurant is almost as far to the waterfront as you can go so make sure you don’t pass it!
Restaurant Yuu
Address: 55 Nassau Avenue
Easily one of the finest dining options and best restaurants in Greenpoint to try is the latest addition to Brooklyn’s Michelin-star restaurants, Restaurant Yuu.
Japanese chef, Yuu Shimano who completed his culinary training in a prestigious Japanese culinary institute before moving to France and working at multiple Michelin-star establishments. Restaurant Yuu combines the fusion of Japanese precision and French refinement offering guests a 15-course French omakase dining experience.
The entire dining experience is a theatrical one, orchestrated seamlessly from the open-concept kitchen in front of the tasting counter. If you opt to do the pairing with your dining experience, expect a finely curated selection of sakes and wines that complement each course.
If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime culinary excursion, Restaurant Yuu is definitely where you’ll want to go.
Sereneco
Address: 113 Franklin Street
Continuing on the tour for some of the most beautiful restaurants in Greenpoint wouldn’t be complete without Sereneco. The space is light and airy with a long wooden bar, white paper lanterns and greenery lining the ceiling. Not to mention they have some of the best food in Greenpoint.
Don’t leave without ordering a gin and tonic. They are all carefully and craftily curated with a unique touch different to other places that serve the classic G&T. As far as food goes, the whipped ricotta is a must as well as the seared scallops. The burger with chili mayo is also something to write home about. Please don’t leave without trying their crispy fingerling potatoes too.
Sereneco offers both indoor and outdoor seating and accepts reservations. They offer to-go counter service every morning and daily lunch and dinner (except Sunday dinner) with brunch on the weekends. They are closed on Mondays.
They also do great brunch on the weekends and are one of the best spots for brunch in Greenpoint!
Rule of Thirds
Address: 171 Banker Street
The first time I walked into Rule of Thirds I fell in love. I’d seen their famous (and definitely worth the hype) pancake soufflé all over Instagram but little did I know how great the vibes were also going to be.
The outdoor seating is large and feels like you’re in someone’s private courtyard with private tables. Inside you can sit at large wooden booths and tables and admire the giant glass canister with sake or sit at the bar seats and watch the chefs go to work. Either way, you’ve got a great seat at one of the best restaurants in Greenpoint.
If you come for brunch, order the Japanese soufflé pancake. It is melt-in-your-mouth amazing and worth a visit alone to Rule of Thirds. Other standout items are the Karaage (fried chicken), shishitos and the Oshizushi. You can’t go wrong with chicken or blade steak tonkatsu either.
They also have unique and very delicious cocktails that you should order and finish your meal off with some of their incredible sake.
Rule of Thirds is open for brunch on the weekends and is one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint. They are open every day for dinner other than Tuesday and Wednesday and accept reservations.
Di An Di
Address: 68 Greenpoint Avenue
Di An Di is always packed and for good reasons this is a great restaurant in Greenpoint. Not only does it have some of the best food in Greenpoint, but it is also another very stylishly designed space with plants lining the walls, Scanadivan furniture, and pastel pink all over.
The food is Vietnamese with a variety of classics to their own unique dishes to something in the middle. I have yet to order anything I don’t like on the menu but standouts include bánh xèo-wrapped summer rolls stuffed with grilled pork, shredded chicken salad, Bánh Tráng Nướng Chay and the Pho Thin.
Di An Di accepts reservations and they are open for dinner every day but Monday and lunch Wednesday – Sunday. Di An Di is closed on Mondays. They are always crowded, which tends to mean loud volumes but it is still one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint.
Taqueria Ramirez
Address: 94 Franklin Street
There are not enough words in the English language to describe how incredible the tacos are at Taqueria Ramirez. I really didn’t think that Los Tacos No. 1 could be beat but then I tried Taqueria Ramirez and this instantly became one of my favorite Greenpoint restaurants that brings the flavors of CDMX here to Brooklyn, some of the best tacos in Brooklyn actually!
You come here for the tacos and you keep coming back for the tacos. It is modeled after the taco shops in Mexico City complete with colorful plastic plates and authenticity. All the tacos are incredible so please just try them all. For your first time? Definitely try the tripa, suadero, al pastor, and the nopales.
Taqueria Ramirez does not take reservations and while the line gets long, they are definitely worth the wait. The tacos are cheap(ish) at $4 a piece and you should make it a priority to try them all. The best ones sell out quick so try to get there before 8 PM for the best selection. They have about 10 seats inside, which also fills up quickly, so plan on standing outside to eat. Trust me, it’s also worth it.
Fulgurances, Laundromat
Address: 132 Franklin Street
With origins originally in Paris, you can already know Fulgurances, Laundromat or more casually known as Laundromat, is going to be delicious and immediately should be added to the list of best restaurants in Greenpoint.
The space is intimate and is located in an old Laundromat, which immediately adds to the charm of the place. The menu changes regularly but is a great spot for a date night or special occasion but the coolest part about the place is that the restaurant functions like an artist’s residency for chefs where rotating chefs come in to share their own carefully curated menu.
Laundromat is open for a 6-course tasting menu Tuesdays through Sundays and they are closed on Mondays. They also have an incredible wine pairing that you can add to your meal. They accept reservations and offer both indoor and outdoor seating for one of the most unique Greenpoint restaurant experiences.
Esme
Address: 999 Manhattan Avenue
Esme is a very beautifully designed space. It’s bright. It’s colorful and is vibrantly light-filled, crisp, and clean. It also has all the best neighborhood vibes making this one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint.
All three meals are done very well at Esme. For brunch, come for the blueberry pancakes. For lunch, come for the savory french toast complete with thick slices of french toast covered in tomato-braised kale, eggs, and parmesan. For dinner, get the gem salad and the trout or chicken. All are amazing and all will leave you very satisfied.
Esme is open every day for lunch and dinner and offers brunch on the weekends. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and accept reservations for some of the best food in Greenpoint.
Le Fanfare
Address: 1103 Manhattan Avenue
Another place on this list of restaurants in Greenpoint that is one of the best is Le Fanfare. It is a place that you don’t always hear a lot about but it is a place that you should hear a lot about. It is also one of my favorite places for Italian in the city (and I’m an Italian connoisseur).
Le Fanfare has a really cool facade but they also have a really cool indoors. They also have a really cool backyard patio with giant umbrellas and bistro-style tables. They also have jazz music so really, they have it all.
For food, start with the burrata and grilled octopus. The kale salad and meatballs are also a great addition. For mains, I love every pasta I’ve tried but my favorites are the pesto gnocchi and the cacio e pepe. For dessert, don’t skip the handmade cannoli with pistachios and ricotta. Seriously, save room for these.
Le Fanfare is open for brunch on the weekends and dinner daily. They accept reservations and have both indoor and outdoor dining.
Bernie’s
Address: 332 Driggs Avenue
For the best neighborhood, and old-school vibes, head to Bernie’s. It’s got your standard neighborhood fare with checkered red tablecloths, vinyl booths, and the kitschy decor of all your favorite old-school places. They also have an incredible burger, which alone makes this one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint.
Spoiler: The menu just says chips and dip and for some reason, I assumed that was going to be salsa and chips. Maybe this is the Tex-Mex-loving part of me and while salsa is one of my favorite dips around, I was pleasantly surprised that pimento cheese and ruffles came out instead.
Also order the garlic bread, mozzarella sticks and shrimp cocktail. You’re with friends after all, right? Because even if you don’t come with them, Bernie’s is the place you’ll happily make small talk with your neighbor.
For entrees, get the burger. The grilled steak and baby back ribs are close seconds, although others say these are the best choices on the menu. They also have a veggie burger for our vegetarian friends. End your meal with a brownie sundae and enjoy one more beer while all this heavy, yet delicious, food settles.
Bernie’s does not accept reservations and they are closed on Mondays. Dinner is served every other day. They do not take out orders and everything is first come, first served for seating in both an indoor and outdoor setting.
Glasserie
Address: 95 Commercial Street
Glasserie is as far north as you can go before you leave Brooklyn and is located in former factory space, giving it all the best Brooklyn neighborhood vibes. They also serve up some of the consistently best food in Greenpoint making it one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint.
If you come for brunch, order the mezze feast. If you come for dinner, create your own mezze fest with the tahini and vegetables, labne, honey & griddle bread, the smoky eggplant, and the tzatziki. For entrees, the half chicken is one of my favorites in town. They also have great baklava, which you should save room for after you Mediterranean feast.
Glasserie offers both indoor and outdoor dining and delivery. They also accept reservations and are open every day for lunch and dinner as well as brunch on the weekends.
Best Places to Eat in Greenpoint (Post Summary):
- Karczma
- Pierozek
- Oxomoco
- Paulie Gee’s & Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop
- 21 Greenpoint
- Restaurant Yuu
- Sereneco
- Rule of Thirds
- Di An Di
- Taqueria Ramirez
- Fulgurances, Laundromat
- Esme
- Le Fanfare
- Bernie’s
- Glasserie
About Our Guest Author
Molly Royce – Originally from Oklahoma, I moved to NYC for grad school and have had a hard time wanting to leave ever since. There really is no better borough than Brooklyn where I live with my boyfriend and our black lab, Frankie. There’s no greater city in the world and I can’t wait to share my love of the city, eating, and drinking with all of you.
Did we miss your favorite restaurants in Greenpoint? Let us know in the comments below! Happy feasting!
