The Best Food and Restaurants in Brooklyn Complete experience centers around a few key neighbourhoods – especially WilliamsburgDUMBO, and the areas around the Brooklyn Bridge – where you can find everything from Michelin‑recognised fine dining to casual pizza slices with skyline views.[1][5] For Singapore travellers and investors, Brooklyn offers a walkable, food‑focused way to understand New York living – something that directly helps when comparing lifestyle and property options back home in Singapore via Homejourney.
This article is a focused food and restaurant companion to our broader Brooklyn travel guide Brooklyn NYC Travel Guide: Safe, Smart Trip Planning with Homejourney . It zooms in on where to eat, what to order, typical prices, and how to explore safely and efficiently – written from the perspective of a Singapore-based traveller who visits New York regularly and is used to comparing it with dense, transit-friendly areas like Tanjong Pagar or Tiong Bahru.
Why Brooklyn’s Food Scene Matters for Singapore Travellers
Brooklyn NYC has evolved into one of the most diverse food districts in the United States, with everything from Middle Eastern to Japanese to modern American bistros, many clustered in compact, walkable neighbourhoods similar in feel to Telok Ayer or Joo Chiat.[1][2][5] For Singaporeans, this means you can plan days around eating and walking, without needing a car, and use each neighbourhood’s food options as a proxy for what daily life might feel like if you ever choose to live or invest there.
Most mid-range restaurant mains in Brooklyn today range from about USD 20–35 (roughly SGD 26–47 at recent FX levels), with casual slices, bagels, and tacos from USD 4–8.[2][3] Compared to a typical dinner at a mid-range restaurant in areas like Tanjong Pagar or Holland Village, expect Brooklyn to feel slightly more expensive per head, especially once you add 15–20% tip and tax.
Best Food & Restaurants in Williamsburg: Brooklyn’s Trendiest Dining Hub
If you only have time for one food area in Brooklyn, make it Williamsburg. Think of it as a mix of Tiong Bahru’s cafés and Keong Saik’s restaurants, with the East River and Manhattan views as a permanent backdrop.
Essential Williamsburg Restaurants
- Lilia – A widely loved pasta spot helmed by Chef Missy Robbins, often described as some of the best pasta in New York, with a focus on vegetables, grilled fish, and pastas that are worth planning a trip around.[2] Reservations are tough; book 2–4 weeks ahead for dinner or try for a walk-in at opening time.
- Misi – The sister restaurant to Lilia in the old Domino Sugar building near the waterfront, known for its pastas and vegetable dishes, and one of the hottest seats in Williamsburg.[2] A pro tip from frequent visitors: Friday lunch is easier than evenings.
- Leo – A sourdough pizza favourite, praised for its chewy yet crisp crust and excellent salads and wine list.[2] If you love artisanal pizza more than dense old-school slices, this is the spot.
- Laser Wolf – An Israeli grill and salatim-focused restaurant perched atop The Hoxton hotel, offering grilled meats, abundant small plates, and one of the most striking East River–Manhattan sunset views in Brooklyn.[2] It’s especially popular for its set-style experience where you mainly choose your grilled main.
Insider Tips for Williamsburg (From a Singapore Perspective)
- Book early: Popular spots like Lilia and Misi can feel like trying to book hot omakase counters in Singapore – reservations release about 2–4 weeks ahead and are snapped up within minutes.[2] Mark your calendar and be flexible with lunch timings.
- Time your sunset: For Laser Wolf, look up sunset timing and book 45–60 minutes before. The combination of grilled meats and the skyline feels similar in ‘wow factor’ to having dinner at a Marina Bay Sands rooftop spot, but with a much grittier, industrial charm.[2]
- Walking distances: From Bedford Avenue subway station to many of these restaurants is 5–12 minutes on foot. If you’re travelling with older parents used to short Orchard Road distances, allow more time, especially in winter.
DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge: Restaurants with Iconic Views
The area between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, known as DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), is where you get the postcard shots you often see on Instagram – cobbled streets, red-brick warehouses, and sweeping East River views. It’s also one of the best areas to combine sightseeing and eating in one compact, safe, and walkable zone.
Time Out Market New York: One-Stop Food Court with Brooklyn Bridge Views
Time Out Market New York, located at Empire Stores in DUMBO, brings together multiple curated eateries under one roof, selected by Time Out’s editors.[1] Expect fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, and creative ice cream from Sugar Hill Creamery, spread over two floors with wide windows overlooking the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline.[1]
- Why it’s great for Singapore families: Like a higher-end, design-forward version of a Singapore food hall, you can let everyone pick different vendors while still sitting together. This is especially convenient for multi-generation families with differing spice preferences and dietary needs.
- Price guide: Mains range around USD 15–25, snacks and desserts around USD 6–10. Add 10–15 minutes queueing at popular stalls during peak hours.
- Best timing: Aim for early lunch (11.30am–12pm) or late lunch (2–3pm) to avoid crowds and secure window seats. Sunset from the second floor is spectacular on clear days.
Pairing Food with Brooklyn Bridge Walks
Many Singapore travellers like to combine a Brooklyn Bridge walk with one solid meal. A common pattern:
- Start from Manhattan, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in 20–30 minutes, stopping for photos.
- Explore DUMBO’s waterfront parks and the classic Manhattan Bridge photo spot at Washington Street (another 20–30 minutes leisurely).
- End at Time Out Market New York or a nearby pizzeria/café for lunch with a view.[1]
For families with kids or older parents, this sequence keeps walking distances manageable, with toilets and indoor seating at the end – similar to planning a loop around Marina Bay that ends inside a mall.
Beyond the Icons: Other Brooklyn Neighbourhood Food Highlights
While Williamsburg and DUMBO dominate Instagram, some of Brooklyn’s most interesting food lies in quieter residential areas, not unlike how some of Singapore’s best eats sit in neighbourhoods like Balestier or Serangoon.
Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint & Prospect Heights
- Newer spots in areas like Bed-Stuy and Prospect Heights focus on sandwiches, daytime cafés, and seasonal menus, with local food writers highlighting places like Barker Cafeteria, Gertie 2.0, and 1 of 1 Sandwich for their fresh, cooked-from-scratch meats and creative combinations.[3][4]
- These neighbourhoods are calmer than downtown Manhattan and feel closer to the lived-in vibe you might find in Singapore HDB heartlands, but with more brownstones than high-rises.
Michelin-Recognised Brooklyn Restaurants
According to the MICHELIN Guide, Brooklyn today hosts dozens of listed restaurants, covering Middle Eastern, barbecue, modern American, and more, with venues like Ayat, Tanoreen, and Hometown Bar-B-Que among those recognised.[5] If you’re planning a special anniversary or business dinner, checking the latest guide gives an up-to-date shortlist of high-performing spots.
Note: MICHELIN listings and ratings change annually; always confirm current status and opening hours through official MICHELIN channels before booking.[5]
Safety, Transport & Money-Saving Tips for Brooklyn Food Lovers
Brooklyn is generally safe in its main tourist districts, but like any large city, it requires basic precautions. Singapore travellers used to low crime should adjust expectations slightly, especially late at night.
Getting Around
- Subway: The fastest way between Manhattan and Brooklyn. For Williamsburg, use the L train to Bedford Avenue; for DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge, use the A/C/F/R to stations like High St–Brooklyn Bridge or York Street and walk 5–10 minutes.
- Ferry: NYC Ferry routes along the East River connect areas like DUMBO and Williamsburg and double as a scenic mini-cruise, especially at sunset. Ferry taps feel familiar to Singapore’s public transport users.
- Walking
References
