New York, NY

bar • restaurants

The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog

Award winning Irish pub with some pretty epic cocktails and old timey decor.

Brooklyn, NY

bar • restaurants

Henry Street Ale House

Great happy hour spot next to subways. Variety of their rotating drafts is excellent.

Brooklyn, NY

cafe

Cafe Luluc

The fluffiest most pillowy pancakes I have ever eaten. Can be a long wait but well worth it.

New York, NY

bar • restaurants

The Spotted Pig

Possibly the best burger in NYC, and not just because of the epic burger itself but the space is very cool, dim lighting, a village hot spot known as a place to see and be seen (sometimes celebrities), and it is a great date spot to cozy up on a cold winter's night with red wine and that epic burger. Heads up, wait times can be over 2hrs so you'll want to put your name in and go explore the village neighborhood nearby. Maybe grab a pre dinner drink around the corner.

New York, NY

restaurants

Emily - West Village

My favorite pizza in all of New York City! Not your typical pizzeria where you walk in and buy a slice. It's a trendy sit down restaurant in the village with truly amazing pizzas. The Emily pizza with truffle and honey is my favorite pizza in the city. Their burger is also great Make a reservation at this one or the original location in Brooklyn.

New York, NY

restaurants

Keens Steakhouse

My favorite steakhouse in New York. Old timey decor with old smoking pipes lining the entire ceiling throughout. Old school feel which I find far superior to that of the modern glitzy steakhouse you'll find elsewhere in Manhattan. Known for mutton but I always get the thick cut bacon, porter house, creamed spinach, and potatoes. Wash it down with old fashioneds. My go-to guys night out spot.

New York, NY

cafe • restaurants

Maman

Oh man. Avocado toast and really great ambience if you decide to sit and eat. Bakery and coffee to go is really yummy too.

New York, NY

bar

Old Town Bar

My favorite spot for wings in NYC. The perfect amount of crispy and hot. One of the oldest bars in NYC, too. This is the kind of place that has an old school cash register, the perfect pint of Guinness, and a no joke famous urinal in the men's room. That last part sound weird? Trust me it's actually famous and the bar threw a monster party to celebrate the massive single piece of special porcelain's 100th birthday. Just ask the bartender about it...then check it out for yourself.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Henry Public

Really old school laid back casual bar / restaurant. Awesome burgers, yummy cocktails, and the perfect ambience to just grab the newspaper and slowly sip down a few beers while some fun old folky music plays in the background. They have live music sometimes too. Among our favorite neighborhood spots to do all the above!

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Watty & Meg

Had a rockin' bloody Mary and BLT here while sitting at a table outside over the summer. If you like BLTs then you're probably as picky as I am with them. Each ingredient needs to be awesome and this one was perfection. Apparently the rest of the brunch menu is yummy too.

New York, NY

restaurants

Malatesta Trattoria

Two things - 1. Long wait time because no reservations. 2. All the homemade pastas are so insanely delicious that you'll forget you were just waiting for two hours on the sidewalk. Get here before it opens so you're in the first seating.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream

A few diff locations in the city but this is our neighborhood ice cream spot. They have a double chocolate chip black raspberry that is amazing. They also have dog treats on the menu in case you roll in with your pup.

New York, NY

bar

Milk and Hops

A spot for beer lovers. Tons of diff kinds on draught and in cans/bottles ranging the whole spectrum in a casual laid back spot in Chelsea. When it's warm they open all the floor to ceiling glass doors so the nice weather spills in. Last time I was here I walked by around 4pm on a weekday and it already had a bunch of people working on their laptops sipping beers. Small menu with rockin sandwiches too especially for grilled cheese lovers.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Grimaldi's Pizza

The potentially very long wait times indicate it's a tourist trap, which it kind of is, but if you're in Brooklyn Heights or DUMBO area and you're craving pizza, then it really is very good pizza.

New York, NY

bar

Please Don't Tell

PDT, which stands for Please Don't Tell, is a speakeasy bar hidden away behind a secret wall inside an old telephone booth inside a hot dog joint in the East Village. I told you it was a speakeasy! It is tiny and only accepts reservations that you have to make at exactly 330pm the day before when their phone lines open. If you're lucky you'll get a table at a time you'd like...then just enjoy the ride and trust the bartenders.

New York, NY

restaurants

Scarpetta

Upscale casual and in a trendy new decor at their new location, but even if that's not your style the homemade pastas certainly will be! This photo has three of them and one of the fish options of the night. Everything was yummy and service was excellent. Lots of booth seating good for groups of four or six people. Just don't fill up on the unlimited stromboli bread they offer for free.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Colonie

Agree it's an excellent date night spot!

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Vinegar Hill House

Hidden gem! Although locals know it, it is very much off the beaten path and tucked away under the Manhattan bridge but away from the tourist commotion in downtown DUMBO. This restaurant is always busy, few tables, yummy cocktails, small but great menu, and is a perfect date night spot. I had their famous pork chop over jalapeño grits - epic. Definitely make a reservation!

Brooklyn, NY

outdoors • restaurants

Henry's End

Known for its game (namely chicken, duck) options, the menu here has gone relatively unchanged in 40 years, which is to say that this place has been amazing for decades. Located on the main drag of Brooklyn Heights just off the subway. If on date night definitely share the Mrs Mud Pie dessert!

New York, NY

restaurants

Morandi

Bustling Italian joint in the village with excellent food and great wines. Very popular spot on Fri and Sat nights especially. Fun vibe for a date but maybe too loud here if you're looking for good convo over a large group dinner.

Brooklyn, NY

bar • restaurants

Bar Bruno

Super dog friendly - as in has a dog menu with hamburger patty and pup healthy desserts and a complimentary water bowl. For humans - delicious classic margarita, kale cheese dip, and steak tacos.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

River Deli

Small family owned restaurant on one of the most beautiful cobble stone streets in all of Brooklyn. It's an Italian restaurant but I find myself here normally during early lunch hours when the creative breakfast dishes with some Italian flair never disappoint. There's something special about being waited on by someone who is related to the chefs and the owners. Very homey feel. Can get busy but if there's a wait just walk around the neighborhood and marvel at the beautiful brownstone homes.

New York, NY

restaurants

Ice & Vice

I stumbled in here by accident late one night after a dinner nearby. Seemingly remote location but absolutely worth the walk - it's a delicious boozy ice cream store! Quite possibly the best ice cream I've ever had in New York buuuuuut I had had a couple drinks by the time I got there so can't say for sure. 😁

New York, NY

bar • restaurants

Porchlight

All around awesome. Good place for group dinner and drinks.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Noodle Pudding

Don't let the name fool you - this place has some of the best homemade pasta in NYC. On the main drag in Brooklyn Heights just a few feet from the subway and Brooklyn Bridge, this place is a busy old timey Italian restaurant with countless classic southern Italian dishes. The pastas are absolutely amazing. And if you've ever been lucky enough to go to Italy and have sliced beef cooked rare with rosemary and rock salt...the one at Noodle Pudding is the closest you'll get to it this side of the Atlantic.

Brooklyn, NY

bar • restaurants

Red Hook Tavern

Long wait potentially. Make a rez by using Resy or calling at 3pm. If there's a wait it'll be worth it!

New York, NY

restaurants

Emily - West Village

My fave pizza in NYC. Period.

New York, NY

bar • restaurants

La Contenta Oeste

Sweet brunch spot. Everything is good. If you like micheladas def order the Michelada Al pastor - perhaps my all time fave here.

New York, NY

bar

Cedric's at The Shed

Great happy hour spot for a small group. Cool space delish cocktails.

New York, NY

bar

Spring Lounge

Fun young spot in Soho. Dive like, no frills, and always a good time! Busy by 6pm.

New York, NY

restaurants

Jacob's Pickles

Bring your appetite! Very filling delicious southern food most dishes are on the heavier side but all amazing. Very good Bourbon cocktails, bloody Mary, and all around good brunch options too. Great location on upper west side too and restaurant just recently renovated in 2018.

Brooklyn, NY

bar • restaurants

Jack the Horse Tavern

Tucked away among the row houses and brownstone buildings of Brooklyn Heights is this awesome gem. Great food, cocktails, fun date night kind of ambience. They also have a little oyster bar attached next door that offers weekday happy hour with $1 oysters and other good specials!

Brooklyn, NY

bar • restaurants

Ends Meat

Locally sourced dry cured meats aplenty. Yum sandwich spot inside Industry City. Delish canned beers too

Brooklyn, NY

cafe • experience • restaurants

Maglia Rosa NYC - Industry City

Cool multi purpose space that feels like a transport directly to Italy in the <1970s. Vintage Italian bike jerseys and retro memorobilia galore. Yum sandwiches and soup too. Try the ricotta squash toast (if in season)!

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Lilia

Great outdoor seating. Delicious Italian food. Fun W burg spot! They have a piano in the garden out front if you dare to play too.

Brooklyn, NY

bar • restaurants

BERG'N

Very fun spot for an event or a big group hang session. Everything from burgers to pizza to good draught beers to drinking games and board games all at communal tables plus a private space perfect for an event.

Brooklyn, NY

bar • outdoors

DUMBO Archway

In the heart of the touristy section of Dumbo, I'm Raykammendating this spot because it's a great outdoor yet covered space often used for events and things but on most summer days there is a booth called Dumbo Station under the archway that serves super tasty beers. Say hi to David - he's the man and he saw I spilled a bunch of my draft beer and he filled my cup back up for free.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Hibino

No question the best sushi in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Holla area. Always packed. Thankfully delivers via postmates too. Order anything - it's all good!

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Saint Julivert

Small, quaint, delicious seafood spot. Perfect for date night. The octopus and ceviche and key lime pie were our faves. Yummy mezcal based beet cocktail was creative refreshing and delicious top. Make a rez. If there's a wait go across the street and kill time in the beautiful neighborhood park or check out the stunning nearby brownstone homes.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Passatempo cafe

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Alma

The only really good Mexican in the area. Huge place with multiple floors and tons of outdoor space. The Alma Viva spicy margarita and Short Rib Enchiladas were amazing.

New York, NY

restaurants

Kopitiam

Creative Malaysian dishes - our fave Malaysian place in NYC!

New York, NY

bar • restaurants

The Smith

Everything is good here. And with multiple locations it's become one of my go-to spots for brunch and dinner.

New York, NY

bar • restaurants

Ear Inn

Maybe the oldest bar in NYC. Burgers and Guinness. That's all you need to know.

Brooklyn, NY

bar

Achilles Heel

Old timey. Feels like the "Henry Public" of W-burg. Delicious food. Yum cocktails and they offer and "Old Bud" which is a shot of overholt and a budweiser for $11.

Brooklyn, NY

cafe • restaurants

Chez Ma Tante

Best pancakes in NYC. No question. Also, if you're there for brunch try the quiche and the bloody Maria too. Yum!

Brooklyn, NY

bar

The Brooklyn Barge

Fun outdoor spot for frozen drinks, beers, etc. Basically "The Frying Pan" of Brooklyn. It's also dog friendly!

Brooklyn, NY

experience

CrossFit Dumbo

Great facility and supportive/fun/motivated members make this a great spot to join or drop in.

Brooklyn, NY

bar

St. Gambrinus Beer Shoppe

Needless to say...lots of great beers and rotating draughts. They offer small pours too so you can sample easily. Nice outside area out back where you can seat yourself too. Laid back and chill. My kind of spot.

Brooklyn, NY

restaurants

Roberta's

Not your typical pizza joint. This place is an experience. Always busy, fun outdoor area that's dog friendly, rustic decor with graffiti art, and did I mention ridonk pizza?!