With tree-lined streets and brownstones as far as the eye can see, Bedford-Stuyvesant, aka Bed-Stuy, is a special kind of place in Brooklyn. This expansive, historically Black neighborhood charms with art galleries, murals of hip-hop legends, and some of the most exciting dining spots in the city.
An ideal day in Bed-Stuy starts with arguably the best breakfast burrito in the city at Ursula, and ends with an invitation from Winona’s to wine down your week with glasses of natural wines. It should also include some Trinidadian eats, courtesy of A&A Bake Doubles and Roti, a local and award-winning institution. And for a bit of a splurge, nothing beats the communal Nigerian fine-dining experience over at Dept. of Culture. So, take the G train and get into eating in Bed-Stuy.
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For your brunching needs …
In need of a brunch place that passes the vibe check? Plan your escape to Sally’s. During the a.m. hours, this playful Caribbean and Asian spot pleases with oxtail eggs Benedict and shareable hangover nachos with wonton chips, bacon, eggs, and a curry cheese sauce. A little hair of the dog comes in the form of unlimited mimosas, beer, wine, and island-inspired cocktails. The weekend DJ brings it home with all the tunes, so don’t be surprised when the table next to you gets up to groove.
For a place to catch up with friends …
If you can’t remember the last time you’ve gotten your friends together in one spot, be the responsible one in your group and schedule a meet up a Dick & Jane’s Bar Room. Unlike their sister speakeasy spot in Fort Greene (also named Dick & Jane’s), the bar room in Bed-Stuy has plenty of seating, including a few outdoor tables during the summer months. Have a quick catch-up over a few cocktails or get into the details over shishito peppers, burgers, and the crispy half chicken. Live music is a constant here, so check out their social to see who’s playing next.
For when a breakfast burrito is calling your name …
During the height of the pandemic, Ursula’s siren song of New Mexico-style breakfast burritos gave New Yorkers ample reason to mask up and get out of their homes. Soon, the small but mighty takeout window became a hub for Queer cookery and community, and they also earned a nod from the James Beard Foundation. Relocating to a larger, sit-down space in the spring of 2023, Ursula has since expanded with a full bar menu, green chile cheeseburgers for dinner, and blue corn pancakes for brunch. However, the breakfast burritos will forever remain a star, thanks to soft scrambled eggs, hash browns, and dealer’s choice of chorizo, bacon, or vegan eggs and beans, dressed in a coat of red or green New Mexican chile of your choosing, if you like.
For a doughnut craving …
It’s not uncommon to find a steady line outside of Fan Fan Doughnuts. It’s also not uncommon to find us in it. Once you reach the counter, you can easily catch owner, cookbook author, and James Beard Award nominee Fany Gerson behind the glass. There, she pulls on her Jewish and Mexican heritage for globally influenced treats. Fill up on mango lassi glazed doughnuts, guava and cream cheese-filled eclairs, and sticky buns dusted with freshly ground cinnamon from Mexico. Colder months call for a cup of hot cocoa topped with a toasted hunk of a marshmallow. But come summertime, you can cool off with paletas (a Mexican-style popsicle) or a swirl of housemade soft serve in a doughnut.
For a Negroni every which way …
Named after the alleged creator of the Negroni — Count Camillo Negroni — Bar Camillo proudly expresses its love for this bitter cocktail. With nine (count ’em, nine!) variations on the menu, you can easily play Negroni bingo, starting with the classic before moving on to the scotch- or bourbon-based variations. Also, don’t forget to try one of the New York Negronis, made with liquor from distilleries and producers in the area. Whichever one you choose, pair it with a Roman-style pinsa, the restaurant’s other claim to fame, so you can walk straight upon leaving.
For when you have a hankering for fried chicken …
A taste of Nashville in New York is found at Peaches HotHouse. Similar to its sister restaurants under the Peaches umbrella, Peaches HotHouse is home to all the Southern fixins: collard greens, baked mac and cheese, and cake-like cornbread. But we come here for the crispy, crackly fried chicken. You can order this juicy bird regular, hot, or extra hot (no, seriously, it’s hot AF) on a plate or sandwiched between two buns. If your mouth is feeling the burn, cool off with the rum-forward Brownstone Punch before going in for more.
For happy hour …
The happiest hour is happening at Winona’s. Their apero hour provides one of the city’s finest (and most affordable) happy hours, with olive oil martinis, spritzes, and glasses of natty wine for just $9. Beyond sipping, the menu has a solid list of snacks with discounted oysters and their famous scotch egg. If happy hour happens to slide into dinner, like it often does, expect to also enjoy a menu of crudo, housemade pasta, and Berkshire pork collars.
For a taste of tiramisu …
It’s the end of the meal at Macosa Trattoria. The burrata is long gone, and only pits and lemon peels remain of the olives. You’ve twirled your last forkful of the oxtail-laden pappardelle, and just a trickle of wine remains in your glass. You wonder, is it time for the check? No, you know better. You flag down the waiter and order the tiramisu. A family secret, the tiramisu is taken straight from co-owner Salvatore Gandolfo’s grandmother. Savor the mascarpone-heavy, coffee-soaked cake one forkful at a time to make it last.
For a fine-dining experience without the pretense …
A night at Dept. of Culture reads more like an intimate dinner party with friends than a fine-dining tasting room. And that’s the point, according to chef and owner Ayo Balogun. Filled with pictures of Balogun’s relatives and a record player that spins Nigerian music, the ’70’s-inspired space is centered around a communal table that encourages conversation. Here, Balogun brings the story of north-central Nigeria to the table, rotating his menu based on the day’s haul from local African markets. The four-course menu has featured the likes of octopus rubbed in suya, wara, or Nigerian cheese curds, and an aromatic pepper soup that singes the throat in the best way possible. Pro tip: Dept. of Culture is a BYOB restaurant. So, bringing a few beers or a bottle of wine to cut the heat is not only wanted but warranted.
For a casual dinner …
Operating since 2018, Mama Fox has all the trappings of a neighborhood favorite. The long wooden bar beckons thirsty patrons over cocktails and conversations while a thoughtfully balanced (and seasonal, of course) list of plates is sure to nip hunger of any size. Nibble on the smoked mussel dip and whipped ricotta with a swoop of caraway dressing before diving into mains of short rib with pommes purée and rigatoni alla vodka.
For smashburgers and a smashing good time …
In 2017, chef Trevor Lombaer bought a one-way ticket to explore the culture and cuisines of Bangkok. But, ever the millennial, he also started swiping on Tinder, matching and meeting with Sutathip Aiemsaard on the third day of his trip. They’ve been together (and cooking) ever since. The couple made a name for themselves in New York, first by selling pad Thai out of a converted hot dog cart, before hosting a summer-long pop-up in the Hamptons. In September 2023, the duo finally set up shop in Bed-Stuy at Little Grenjai, with a limited menu (thanks to a kitchen with no gas), griddling Chiang Mai chi dogs and their famous krapow smashburger. Even now that the kitchen is fully up and running, the smash burger (available for lunch only) is still, well, a smash, thanks to a topping of holy basil, lemongrass and bird’s eye chile giardiniera, and a bright orange fish-based sauce.
For when you want a slice and then some …
Sometimes, a slice of cheese is all you need. But sometimes a slice with fried chicken, cinnamon toast, and a swirl of syrup is all you need, too. And for that, you go to Cuts & Slices. Behind it all is sneaker concierge turned chef Randy Mclaren. Since 2018, this Trinidadian shop has continued to draw a crowd and even the attention of celebrities like Odell Beckham Jr. and Questlove. The slice with the biggest buzz goes to the sweet chili oxtail. Part meaty, tender, and sweet, this oxtail pie doesn’t skimp on the meat, making it easily worth the $11 price. But if somehow oxtail is not your thing, the chopped cheese or the jerk chicken alfredo is sure to be.
For Trinidadian specialties …
Trinidadian natives Noel and Geeta Brown have manned this popular (and James Beard Award-winning) takeout counter for over 20 years. For just a few bucks, you can walk away with a feast of shark or smoked herring bakes, potato roti wraps, and aloo pies from A&A Bake Doubles and Roti. The curry channa doubles with puffed flatbreads are one of the more popular items, which you can order regular or with a warming hint of spice. While they are easy to eat on the go, standing at the counter and scarfing them down hot is the best plan of action.
For a taste of the coast on a toast …
For the past seven years, chef Nick Perkins has been sharing his take on Mediterranean cuisine inside a space no bigger than a New York studio apartment. But Hart’s proves that the best things come in tiny packages. Take the clam toast. Bubbling in a white wine sauce, the manila clams are spooned on top of two thick hunks of sourdough bread, lashed with a herby pancetta soffrito. The result? Briny and bright, herbaceous, and all-around wonderful.
For date night …
Dimmed lighting? Check. Exposed brick? Check. Japanese tapas and a full raw bar? It’s official. The Trad Room is date night ready. For the first meet and greet, cozy up to the bar and see if there’s a spark over shared sake and bites of agedashi tofu. Three dates in? Snag a black tufted booth and dive into the more important questions (Long-term career goals? Kids? New York or nowhere?) over a whole branzino set to feed two. And if the red flag makes itself known, go solo, order a mirin martini, and pat yourself on the back for dodging another bullet.
For when you want to catch the game …
Throw on your jersey and fly over to The Swan for all of your game-watching needs. Looking to get a bit rowdy for game day? Park it at the copper bar and make friendly with the bartender over a few pints and loaded nachos. But if you are more of a casual watcher, the back of the restaurant tends to be a bit quieter, with booths and plenty of TVs to catch the game at your own leisure.
Morgan Carter is a food, lifestyle, and travel writer based in Brooklyn. Her work has been published in Eater, Food52, and the James Beard Foundation. Follow her on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Follow Resy, too.
