TEN HIDDEN GEMS OF WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN
With Ari Harkov and Warner Lewis, Licensed Assoc. R.E. brokers in our Village Office and partners in The Harkov-Lewis Team
Ari: In 2007 my wife and I moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn. We absolutely love Williamsburg and have made Brooklyn our home ever since.
Warner: I’m a third generation Manhattanite who never thought to leave until I found a great apartment at The Edge—a condominium building on Williamsburg’s East River waterfront. Since then, I have never looked back.
Here are our top 10 best kept secrets of Williamsburg:
1. For your own European getaway in Brooklyn, dine in the magical outdoor garden at Aurora (70 Grand Street). This ivy-covered restaurant serves rustic Tuscan fare including handmade pastas and cheeses imported from Italy
2. The Wythe Hotel (80 Wythe Avenue at N. 11th Street) is one of most buzzed about spots on this side of the river. The building was an abandoned factory built in 1901 before its transformation into a chic hotel and nightlife venue. The Ides Bar on the sixth floor offers unbeatable views of the neighborhood and the city skyline from its terrace. At the base of the hotel is a restaurant called Reynard—another incredible space with exposed brick walls and wooden beams on the ceiling.
3. Pilgrim Surf + Supply is an unlikely neighborhood gem located at 68 N. 3rd Street. The shop sells surfboards and casual apparel that fits the Williamsburg aesthetic.
4. Only in Williamsburg will you find Mexican cuisine at a former 1950’s diner. Café de La Esquina (225 Wythe Avenue) operates in a space previously occupied by the Wythe Diner, and also has a Taqueria next door with take-out service and a garden with outdoor seating.
5. Dépanneur(242 Wythe Avenue at N. 3rd Street) is so much more than a deli. The shop makes great sandwiches and sells jarred goods, candies, kitchen accessories and more.
6. Nitehawk Cinema (136 Metropolitan Avenue) is a very unique theater in Williamsburg where you can sip on cocktails and dine on quirky dishes (e.g. Frito pie, bangers & mash) while watching Indie films.
7. For authentic Moroccan fare head to Café Mogador at 133 Wythe Avenue. The restaurant is an outpost of its East Village flagship, which has been around for 30+ years.
8. Bakeri (150 Wythe Avenue) makes amazing breads and pastries, and also serves breakfast plates and sandwiches. Insider tip: Bakeri is cash only.
9. Sprout Home is a home and garden shop located at 44 Grand Street. Aside from selling floral arrangements and gardening essentials, the shop also offers classes to inspire urban gardeners.
10. Shameless plug: grab a drink at Donna Cocktail Club—a bar that we co-own. Tucked away in the South side (27 Broadway), Donna has won many awards and slings the best cocktails in Williamsburg.
To connect with Ari and Warner and to view their Williamsburg listings visit their team website.
Thoughts and opinions presented in this post are those of Ari Harkov and Warner Lewis and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions or endorsements from Halstead Property, LLC.