The traditionally Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint, in North Brooklyn, is full of great food. Some of the best restaurants in Greenpoint serve traditional Polish food, while others couldn’t be further from blintzes and pierogies. Tastes from all over the world are found at Greenpoint restaurants. Hop on the East River Ferry for a quick ride across the water to Greenpoint or venture on the G train to explore this enclave of Brooklyn.
New to the Greenpoint restaurant scene this year, El Born serves traditional Catalonian tapas straight out of Barcelona. Owner Elena Manich created a menu prominently featuring vegetables, seafood, and some meat, along with excellent Spanish wine pairings. Because the plates are all shared here, the more people you dine with, the more dishes you can try! Dive into an order of Pop a la pedra, stone grilled octopus served with potatoes and paprika ($15), tender and flavorful to the last tentacled bite. The Montadito de bou, paper thin slices of filet mignon with machengo cheese ($8) is another highlight you should munch on.
651 Manhattan Ave, elbornnyc.com
This restaurant was put on the map with their blind dinners– no seeing, just tasting, but even when you can see Eat’s food it’s some of the best in Greenpoint. Menus change daily with local, seasonal ingredients prepared in creative ways and served on their very own ceramic pottery. Head out for brunch, for farm-fresh eggs with tasty veggies and breakfast meats or indulge in the dinner menu, which has included everything from spicy chicken polenta to coconut rice with mushrooms and chutney.
124 Messerole, eatgreenpoint.com
Located in the former home of Greenpoint Glass Works, Glasserie connects Greenpoint’s industrial history to the contemporary Greenpoint restaurant scene. One of the most upscale restaurants in the neighborhood, the menu is a splurge but totally worth it. The menu is simple, like the Syrian cheese with pickled beets ($8) or the lamb & bulghur croquettes ($8) but complex flavors are packed into the dishes. Perhaps the most famous of Glasserie’s dishes is the rabbit, served with chickpea stew, pickles, griddle bread & herb salad ($78).
95 Commerce St, glasserienyc.com
This cafe is known for having some of the best food in North Brooklyn and the wait for a table definitely goes with the reputation. Organic and local foods dominate the menu, creating flavorful staples like black kale salad with spicy anchovy dressing, aged gouda & hazelnuts ($13) or the sweet corn and mochi fritters with tomato and fromage blanc ($12).
18 Bedford Ave, fiveleavesny.com
This pizza restaurant is notorious for its hours-long lines, but put your name in and head to a bar in the neighborhood until you’re ready for your perfectly cooked pizza! The menu includes classic pizzas with mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, and basil, with the option to add sausage or Paulie Gee’s house-made vegan sausage (don’t knock it till you try it). Cheese-lovers are in for a treat but vegans will also enjoy the animal-free options on the menu, like the vegan Grapeful Dead pie made with baby spinach, olive oil, nutritional yeast and house pickled red grapes.
60 Greenpoint Ave, pauliegee.com
Brand new to the Greenpoint restaurant scene is this sustainable seafood restaurant, which sustained itself as a pop-up before becoming a brick-and-mortar store and restaurant in August 2014. Order a lobster right out of the tank at $11/pound, and enjoy it steamed with all the fixings. Lobster rolls ($16) , spicy green Thai curry mussels ($14), and fish tacos ($9) are also great choices.
114 Nassau Ave, greenpointfish.com
One of the oldest Greenpoint restaurants, Lomzynianka, serves up traditional Polish food that’s way too easy to stuff your face with. Kielbasa, blintzes and pierogies are all menu staples, and these carb-loaded, meaty and sweet treats are all worth a visit. Every entree, like beef goulash, pork chops, and veal meatballs come with mashed potatoes and a vegetable, and no menu item exceeds $8! For a Polish feast at a bargain, this is the place to go!
646 Manhattan Ave, lomzynianka.com
David is the resident nerd around these parts. Running a popular tech blog (TheUnlockr.com) for the past 6 years, he’s taken his over-analytical mind and made the transition to food.
