NYCGuide
The Best Restaurants In Park Slope
Park Slope is a self-contained oasis of brownstones, strollers, and more grocery stores than you ever thought anyone needed. Should you find yourself there without a plan, head for 5th or 7th Avenue, the two major streets that run down the length of the neighborhood. That's where the (many) restaurants are. For everything from Ethiopian and Italian to some of the best bagels and bánh mì in Brooklyn, use this guide to the top spots in the area.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Kate Previte
Masalawala & Sons is from the team behind Dhakama and Semma. At this point, they know their brand: inventive, hyper-specific regional food you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere in the city. This time, the focus is on Bengali food, which means fish is king. Get the one wrapped in banana leaves, or try the fried fish with a tangy mustard on the side. The food is on par with their other restaurants, but you’ll stay longer because the bigger space is a better hang. You’ll see home goods for sale and a wedding party’s worth of colorful gajras hanging from the ceiling, and there’s a roomy patio out back.
photo credit: Rod Morata
If we want pizza in Park Slope, chances are we're at Brooklyn DOP. The space has a long copper counter and pictures of the owners’ families on the wall, and there’s an outdoor patio in the back. All the pies use four-day fermented dough—skip the round ones and go for the thin, crispy grandma pizza that’s made with a garlic confit sauce and tastes a little buttery from being baked over a layer of oil. Brooklyn DOP sells most of their pies by the slice, and if a grandma one isn’t available when you go, wait for it.
photo credit: Kate Previte
If you don’t want to spend your whole morning waiting in line at Winner, pop down the street to Simple Loaf Bake House. The pastries here tend to be enormous and fluffy rather than tiny and precious, and we’re very into that. Some of our favorites are the kouign amann—which isn’t as aggressively sweet as some others—and the savory roasted tomato kale danish. You can either grab some baked goods and go, or sit down and order a full cafe-style meal here since there's a big seating area in the back. This place tends to get packed on the weekends, so plan accordingly.
Everyone talks about the dukboki fundido at Haenyeo, a cozy minimalist restaurant that's perfect for date night. While this dish is amazing, there’s a lot more to this Korean spot than those Oaxaca cheese-topped rice cakes. Always start with the crispy zucchini scallion pancake, followed by the sizzling spicy pork bulgogi. The cold dishes, like the somen noodles in slightly sweet/nutty soy milk and hwe dup bop (basically bibimbap, but with tuna and fluke sashimi), are also outstanding. Since this place is in Park Slope, it’s appropriately kid-friendly, and you can easily drop in on a weeknight without a reservation.
photo credit: Kate Previte
At some point, coffee shops in this part of Brooklyn all start to look and feel the same. Casita of Brooklyn is a breath of fresh air, from the custom-tiled floor to the friendly staff that actually seem like they're happy to see you when you walk in. Their menu blends Greek and Latin influences, and they make a mean cafe con leche, a beverage about which we are incredibly particular. They also make a Greek frappe that’s absolutely better than the version you’ll find at most diners. Food-wise, you can get things like Greek spinach pie and guava and cheese empanadas. Their slogan is “home is a feeling,” and that’s exactly how this spot feels: homey.
photo credit: Kate Previte
Lotus is a great little Vietnamese place is often overlooked in favor of some of the splashier bánh mì spots in the Slope, but that’s a mistake. Sure, the decor is basically nonexistent, but if we want bánh mì in Brooklyn and we’re not going to Sunset Park, we’re going here. The bread has the perfect crusty-to-chewy ratio, and they don’t shy away from making things spicy. Our favorite is the classic, but we also enjoy the sardine and tofu. The summer rolls here are also very good.
Bonbon Lakay is the kind of place you really want to have in your neighborhood. It’s an incredibly charming cafe with ample seating, and the food will make you want to walk back to the kitchen and personally thank the chef. The menu contains several riffs on the classic Haitian dish griot—we are deeply obsessed with their griot sandwich, a pile of BBQ sauce-smothered fried pork with sweet plantains, spicy pikliz, and white sauce barely contained by a potato roll.
photo credit: Liz Clayman
With its leather booths and fancy light fixtures, Fausto feels like a West Village date spot where you'd go with someone you’re at least a little serious about. It's a very good, modern Italian restaurant, and the menu is filled with things you’ll want to eat: like a snapper crudo, meatballs, orechiette with pork, a simple fusilli with tomato sauce, a roast chicken, and a lamb chop. All of it is well-executed, and very enjoyable. Yes, you can eat similar dishes at other high-end, modern Italian places around the city and country, but if there were a loyalty program for tagliatelle ragu and little gem salads, we’d enroll, so no complaints there. Additionally, the service is notably friendly and welcoming, and the wine list and cocktails are excellent.
Miriam is the holy grail of Park Slope brunch, with all the rustic wood details and globe lighting fixtures of a Pinterest-perfect restaurant. Whether you're looking for your usual french toast and benedicts, or you’re bored of all that and want something next-level, Miriam is here for you. This Israeli spot makes some truly excellent Mediterranean dishes (get the burekas), and the environment is homey but still lively. If you’re looking to party, get a pitcher or three of sangria.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Park Slope has it all, and excellent Ethiopian food is no exception. This casual spot on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus is a reliable choice for group dinners, especially if there are vegans in the mix. The space has big windows, a faux-thatched ceiling, and booths that make it easy to get cozy with your friends around a bunch of delicious food. We always go for the combinations here—the vegan option is $89 for four people and comes with four stews—because it’s such a good deal.
If you want to eat Latin food and enjoy a party-like atmosphere, go to Bogota Latin Bistro. For something a little more calm and upscale, try Palo Santo. This Latin/Caribbean restaurant is on the bottom floor of a brownstone, and its wood-covered, low-key interior is perfect for anyone who always complains about loud restaurants. The big, arched windows, exposed brick walls, and plant-filled patio will make you feel like you're on vacation, and we love their tacos and ceviche.
Sushi Katsuei is a pretty nondescript-looking sushi restaurant in Park Slope - white walls, carpeted floor, plain wood tables. They also serve the best sushi in Brooklyn, and the prices are pretty reasonable (at least for quality sushi). The basic omakase starts at $57, and that's what you should order, but there are also some pricier versions, in addition to plenty of à la carte options. For a quick but luxurious lunch, you can grab a special 6-piece sushi set for $28. Expect things like sardine, ocean trout, and various types of clam.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Russo's is an old-school Italian deli is the kind of place that makes you want to stop what you’re doing and make some pasta immediately. But if you can avoid the tempting fresh pasta and sauces and keep your eyes on the prize, the Italian deli sandwiches are excellent. Get any that involve the fresh mozzarella and you’ll be happy. This is more of a to-go spot than a place to sit and eat, but sometimes that's exactly what you need. There’s also a second location in South Slope for your convenience.
