Everywhere You’ll Want to Eat in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

P.S. If you’re more in the mood for Italian fare, their newest endeavor, I Cavallini, is just across the street and is just as excellent.

Behind a low-key entrance hides one of the city’s best bang-for-your-buck omakase seatings for $100. With additional locations in the West Village and Upper West Side, Mido Omakase Room isn’t putting on any airs: They serve a 15-course menu at an accessible price point without faltering on quality. Expect some fresh, delicate bites, and a fun sake list in a space where you can loosen up your tie.

At Shota, chef-owner Cheng Lin is crafting an omakase experience exalted by many as one the best in the city. With an emphasis on sourcing the finest aged soys to enhance the curing process, and zeroing in on razor-sharp technique, this meal is worthy of the splurge.

From the team behind beloved Bushwick pizzeria Ops, Leo is the slightly more put together sibling that also delivers some of the best pies around. Their bubbly sourdough comes dressed up in various forms, but the clam pie is our own slice of heaven. Don’t overlook the rest of the menu — their pan-fried half-chicken remains a staple and the soft serve is an unexpectedly delicious finale, but it’s the pizza here that keeps us coming back.

For those bleary-eyed nights where you need a little more motivation to keep going, stumble into The Commodore for a glorious fried chicken pick-me-up. With the kitchen open daily until 2 a.m. and the bar closing at 4 a.m., know that it can get busy even in the wee hours of the night. Complete the experience with a frozen piña colada with an amaretto float (the brain freeze comes free of charge).

Walk-ins only.

North 6th Street ain’t what it used to be, but somewhere between outposts of high-end luxury fashion brands, Sweetwater lays claim to a simpler time. Step inside this diamond in the rough (‘the rough’ being the aforementioned luxury stores) and you’ll feel right at home between the incredibly friendly hospitality and cozy, wood-clad bar. The menu is uncomplicated, with simple, quality fare ranging from a half-roasted chicken to a burger, perfect for the nights you just want a good meal without the fuss.

Each night at St. Mazie is a new experience. With nightly live music ranging from blues to swing jazz, the stacked calendar is reason to visit time and time again. The food isn’t remarkable, but you’re there for the sounds. The New Orleans-style bar is usually packed with love-stricken couples aiming to get closer, but don’t be afraid to stride in solo and indulge in an absinthe drip.

What was once an East Williamsburg bakery perfuming the air with fresh-baked pastries from a tiny pickup window is now housed in a larger space right off of McCarren Park. Teetering on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Nick + Sons is place is home to some of our favorite baked goods in Brooklyn. Don’t miss their cardamom buns, which are complex in flavor and maintain a perfectly chewy texture inside. We also love Sal’s Bread, which is a buttery brioche perfect for Sunday morning French toast.

Walk-ins only.

This European-inspired aperitivo bar is the perfect backdrop for your first date or milestone anniversary. Layla knows how to create a vibe with a banging playlist and laid-back, friendly hospitality. Share some small plates with your sweetie, grab a spritz (we love the Olive option finished off with a sherry blend) and take advantage of their gorgeous backyard.

The sleek, intentionally designed dining room at Kru sets the stage for a culinary journey reaching back 100 years, reimagining traditional Thai recipes once served to royalty. The menu unfolds with care and elegance at each stage, from opening with a small bite to their hearty beef tongue curry balanced with the mild sweetness of apple eggplant. You won’t find pad thai on the menu here, but you will get to experience lesser-known authentic flavors dressed up in a whisper of modernity.

The former Llama Inn space at the corner of Withers and Meeker Avenue is now home to this South American tavern from the same team that brought you Llama San. The menu is relatively concise, the drinks are ice cold and crafted with care, and the ambiance is both casual but also a bit refined. It’s the perfect kind of place to drop in for some expertly made fries (trust us) and a cocktail, but also one that’s great for special occasions or fuller, leisurely paced meals, too. We’re especially partial to the comforting grilled potato bread with cultured butter and the refreshing celery salad.