Everywhere You’ll Want to Eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

For Andrea Chetakian, delivering grilled cheese sandwiches to customers via a pulley system from the window of her Green Street apartment during the pandemic was simply a necessary step in adapting her business. Now, Chetakian has moved The Blue Light Speak Cheesy into a more sophisticated brick-and-mortar location (just downstairs from where her origin story began), creating a rotating menu of delicious breakfast variations. Our favorites are the stacked breakfast sandwiches piled high with soft scrambled eggs, crispy onions, and house made jelly.

Walk-ins only.

A true neighborhood treasure, El Pingüino is a favorite for those seeking to satisfy their pintxo bar cravings. Between your friendly bartender slinging ice-cold martinis (stirred, for at least one minute) and a half-off oyster happy hour (offered daily from 4 to 7 p.m.), it’s not hard to spend more than a few hours here. Wrap up your night with a slice of creamy, burnt Basque cheesecake and a glass of sherry — and you’ll want to make this place your own best kept secret. P.S. They also have a daily late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to midnight with $10 sardines, $10 Faccia Brutto Ferraris, and $12 Midori Sours.

As Greenpoint becomes dotted with more up-and-coming food destinations, we are finding cozy traditional spots that celebrate the neighborhood’s historic Polish community to be the real gems. Karczma is a family run bastion of old Greenpoint serving up Polish classics like hunter’s stew, kielbasa with onion and sauteed cabbage, and beer-roasted pork hocks. Their warm hospitality makes diners feel as if they’re part of the family, so grab a beer, seat at the bar, and chat up the locals.

This neighborhood darling attracts diners from far and wide in search of the best CDMX-style taco in New York. A no frills, dine-in only joint where you’ll feel as if you’ve walked in on a family reunion, Taqueria Ramirez is worth lining up and waiting for. Our go-tos are the suadero (a Mexico City-born style cut of meat stewed in fat that you’ll be hard pressed to find at any regular ole taco stand in this city), and tripa tacos, but everything on their short, but sweet, menu hits the spot.

Walk-ins only.

With more than 20 options of wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas to choose from, Paulie Gee’s knows what they’re good at. This dine-in only location (they have a slice shop down the street) reopened under new management in March 2024, but has maintained the same quality that keeps us coming back. Pair a craft beer with their signature Hellboy pie with a bubbly, charred crust, soppressata picante, and Mike’s Hot Honey, and you’ll see why Greenpointers love it here.

When you don’t want to go home just yet, step into this neon-lit railroad-style bar and you’ll find natural wine, interesting vermouths, and fun options like the Mom’s Spaghet’ti (that’s a Miller High Life topped with a pour of Aperol, a scrappy spritz, if you will) on the menu. Lise & Vito doesn’t take itself too seriously with a disco ball in the bathroom and music bumping at an 11 all night — you’ll be alright with letting loose here.

Walk-ins only.

If you like your wedge salad so laden with dressing you can’t even see the lettuce and take your martini so cold you’re crunching through ice crystals, this classic checkered tablecloth local favorite will be a certain delight. Bernie’s does not take reservations, so we recommend getting in the line about 15 minutes before they open to secure a table (trust us, it’s worth it). Try the signature French-style vinegar chicken with roasted shallots and peppers and finish with a lemon ice-box pie.

Walk-ins only.