The Resy Guide to Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens & Cobble Hill Neighborhoods

Bar Bête has only been around for two years, but they’ve used that time to make quite an impact on the neighborhood (and on the dining scene in general). You can’t go wrong with their highly photographable crispy duck fat potatoes, which you’ve probably seen on your coolest friend’s Instagram story, or the beautifully fresh roasted scallops. Finish it off with a glass of pet-nat or orange wine, or perhaps one of their signature spirit-forward cocktails. During the warmer seasons, the outdoor setup is one of the area’s nicest. Indoors, the marble tables shine and the wooden bar just begs you to sit and linger for an extra drink.

See also: Books are Magic. The neighborhood’s (world’s?) best bookstore is just blocks away and is always worth a pop-in.

Let us spell out an evening for you. Once you’ve made your Resy at Gersi (we like the covered back patio, but the inside is as cozy as cozy gets), order a bottle of wine. Maybe you don’t usually order a bottle, but tonight is an exception. Start with the mussels, and maybe the double kale Caesar. Then, the bucatini carbonara, or the pappardelle with mushrooms, or both — dealer’s choice. Finally, as you get to the dregs of that bottle you said you wouldn’t finish, grab two of whatever dessert special Gersi is running tonight. You’re welcome.

If you want to feel like a true neighborhood local, look no further than the stretch on the corner of Court and Luquer streets. Frankies 457, the cozy and congenial restaurant in the middle of the block, serves one of the best pastas in Brooklyn (the cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter), a most satisfactory classic Caesar, and, if you can make it for lunch, a prodigious meatball Parm. On the corner sits Franks Wine Bar, where you can supplement the Frankies menu with a classic burger (get the American cheese, not the cheddar) and fresh vanilla creme brulee (once you’ve scraped the dish clean, you’ll see the flecks of vanilla at the bottom).

See also: If you’re still hungry after dinner, or even if you’re not, take our advice and stop at F & F, the counter pizzeria tucked between these two restaurants from the same team. Grab the hot sausage and brown butter sage in slice form, or go classic with a Sicilian– there’s no way to make a mistake here.

If you’ve never had PDQ, or pão de queijo, Santo Brúklin should be your next stop. It’s a Brazilian specialty, cheese bread, that they serve with requeijāo, guava jam, and housemade pork ‘nduja. That alone is worth the trip, especially once you add on a caipirinha, but Santo has lots more going for it. Not only is the cuisine a rare find in this part of Brooklyn, but the vibe inside is just … fun. The music is loud (but not too loud) and the service is exactly what we dream of: friendly, encouraging, and frankly, cool. Pro tip: Check their Instagram for specials.

In yet another one of our submissions for best-dining-corner in Brooklyn, we present La Vara and its sister, Saint Julivert Fisherie. La Vara serves exceptional Spanish tapas that aren’t too small, taking influence from both Jewish and Moorish cuisines. Cantabrian anchovies with dukkah butter and charred sourdough; cochinillo, a slow-roasted suckling pig with tximitxurri; bakalao, a house-cured salt cod with pisto and pil pil sauce … we can go on and on. Their sister restaurant, Saint Julivert Fisherie, is right next door and equally as exciting. Don’t skip the hamachi collar there.

Read all about the menu at Saint Julivert Fisherie here.

June was a bit ahead of its time when it came to the natural wine craze. Now, almost everywhere you eat has an orange on the menu, but back in 2015 when they first opened, it just wasn’t nearly as common. Maybe that’s why their selection is so impeccably curated. Their wine list alone is eight pages, but never fear if that’s not your thing — spirits abound as well. Our ideal evening involves the 18-month aged comté with a glass of Famille Bauer gruner veltliner, but if you’re more than a bit peckish, the grilled duck breast is sure to satisfy.

Emma’s Torch is dinner with a cause. They employ and train refugees in the art of cooking, supporting them through their careers as they get jobs in the industry. As if this wasn’t reason enough to make the visit, it also means that their menu is both international and inspired. Dishes like berbere spiced chicken, tamarind barbecue wings, and pistachio bread pudding grace the menu, but you can feel good about ordering just about everything.

Known for their aureate fried chicken, Buttermilk Channel boasts one of the best brunches in the neighborhood. Make sure you get your Resy early; lines can go down the block even in freezing temps. If you aren’t feeling the fried fowl, their smoked trout rillettes and the buttermilk pancakes are both serious. For weekday dinner, things can be calmer, especially when the lights inside dim and you have to read the menu close to the candles. Trust us on this order – go with the duck meatloaf.