BROOKLYN HEIGHTS & BOERUM HILL

Brooklyn Inn; 148 Hoyt St (bar) —go here for: historic ambiance, solid cocktails and beer selection, a late 20s/early 30s crowd
Rucola; 190 Dean St (restaurant) —go here for: fresh, creative cuisine, an oversized communal table, vegetable-focused dishes
Long Island Bar; 110 Atlantic Ave (bar) —go here for: one of the best burgers in the city, old-school neighborhood ambiance
Damascus Bakery; 195 Atlantic Ave (Middle Eastern bakery/grocer) —go here for: baklava, flatbreads, spices and mezze
French Louie; 320 Atlantic Avenue (French/Canadian restaurant) —go here for: socca (a style of chic pea pancake) and radishes with black olive butter
Henry Public; 329 Henry St (cocktail bar) —go here for: seasonal cocktails and bar snacks, vintage neighborhood pub ambiance

BUSHWICK / EAST WILLIAMSBURG

Win Son; 159 Graham Ave (inventive thai food) —go here for: bold spices, creative vegetables, buns and noodles
House of Yes; 2 Wyckoff Ave (club) —go here for: the bi-monthly, come-as-you-are "Get Down" dance parties on Thursday nights
Sea Wolf; 19 Wyckoff Ave (seafood) —go here for: fresh and fried seafood, afterwork cocktails, open air dining on a warm night
The Bushwick Starr; 207 Starr St (theater) —go here for: an impeccably curated calendar of small-scale productions
Bunker; 99 Scott Ave (Vietnamese) —go here for: some of the freshest Vietnamese in the city, the colorful decor

BED-STUY

Diamond Reef; 1057 Atlantic Ave (cocktail bar) —go here for: a birthday party / large group gathering, clever cocktails, backyard space

COBBLE HILL & CARROLL GARDENS

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain; 513 Henry St (ice cream parlor) —go here for: chocolate milkshakes, egg creams, retro vibe
D’Amico Foods; 309 Court St (coffee shop) —go here for: the house-roasted drip coffee
Caputo Bakery; 329 Court St (bakery) —go here for sfogliatelle, lobster tails and “bones of the dead” cookies
Moscot; 159 Court St (eyeglasses shop) —go here for: mod eyewear, back-garden concerts
Bien Cuit; 120 Smith St (bakery) —go here for: slow-fermented loaves (like their iconic miche), well-toasted puff pastries
61 Local; 61 Bergen St (public house) —go here for: a few hours of freelance work, local booze and snacks
Stinky Bklyn; 215 Smith St (cheese shop) —go here for: smelly and odd cheeses, local/artisanal foodstuffs
La Vara; 268 Clinton St (tapas restaurant) —go here for: shareable small plates influenced by the multi-cultural flavors of Southern Spain, like the crispy eggplant with melted cheese and nigella seeds
The Clover Club; 210 Smith St (speakeasy) —go here for: fresh takes on classic cocktails, seasonal specials (like the gin-based Green Giant with snap peas and tarragon) and live 1920s jazz (selected nights)
Nightingale 9; 329 Smith St (Vietnamese restaurant) —go here for: shaved collard salad, fried rice, anything & everything pork, unique lemonades
Shelsky's; 251 Smith Street (smoked fish shop) —go here for: top notch lox and Mill Basin bagels
Court Street Grocers; 485 Court Street (sandwich shop) —go here for: incredible edible between two slices of bread, like the "Broccoli Reuben", as well as hip or hard to find condiments from all over the world
June; 231 Court St (natural wine bar) —go here for: weird wines (keep an eye out for non-Lambrusco sparking reds!), shared small plates and unpretentious service.
Leyenda; 221 Smith St (cocktail bar) —go here for: latin-inspired cocktails and Mexican bites in a warm, rustic space
Ugly Baby; 407 Smith St (thai food) —go here for: no-frills, sinus clearing, deeply flavorful thai food

DITMAS PARK

Ox Cart Tavern; 1301 Newkirk Ave (American restaurant) —go here for: my favorite NYC burger (blended meat, creative toppings), especially “la Vaca”

DUMBO

Vinegar Hill House; 72 Hudson Ave (farm-to-table restaurant) —go here for: fresh/local better-than-homestyle cookin’, salted caramel custard
Jane’s Carousel/Brooklyn Bridge Park; Dock St (park) —go here for: Manhattan views, a few lazy hours lying on the grass
West Elm Market—go here for: useful and well-designed home goods, culinary classes
Gran Electrica; 5 Front St (Mexican restaurant) —go here for: Mezcal/Tequila drinks, aquachile, whole roasted fish, spicy chocolate pudding
Brooklyn Roasting Company; 25 Jay Street (coffee shop) —go here for: a sunny, spacious cafe to meet a friend or a first date

FORT GREENE & CLINTON HILL

BAM Café; 30 Lafayette St (bar and performance space) —go here for: Fri/Sat happy hour & free concerts, beautifully lit vaulted ceilings
Dino; 222 Dekalb Ave (Italian restaurant) —go here for: seasonal, simple, fresh cuisine; escarole salad, veal polpettini, outdoor seating
Mayflower Social; 132 Greene Ave (cocktail bar) —go here for: shoebox-sized ambiance, stiff drinks
Emily; 919 Fulton Street (Italian restaurant) —go here for: innovative wood-fired pizzas, cavatelli with ricotta, lemon and poppy seed
Roman's; 243 Dekalb Ave (trattoria) —go here for: Shewolf Bakery breads, cauliflower agrodolce and other rustic Italian plates
Sisters Bar; 900 Fulton St (cocktail bar) —go here for: a bright, beautiful interior, cocktails and light snacks (especially the fried artichokes)
Dosa Royale; 258 Dekalb St (modern Indian restaurant) —go here for: paper-thin, crepe-like dosas, fresh and flavorful curries, Indian breads that go beyond naan
Bar Bolinas; 455 Myrtle Ave (California cuisine) —go here for: global flavors and shareable small plates, a solid neighborhood burger, the backyard
Miss Ada; 184 Dekalb Ave (Middle Eastern cuisine) —go here for: mezze, vegetable- and spice-forward cuisine, the backyard
Metta; 197 Adelphi St (South American cuisine) —go here for: open fire cooking, global flavor, the charming booth seats in the large front windows

GOWANUS

The Bell House; 149 7th St (concert hall) —go here for: small venue headliners, indie up-and-comers
Lavender Lake; 383 Carroll St (bar/restaurant) —go here for: elevated bar food (especially the tomato soup and grilled cheese), spacious dance floor, cocktails
The Green Building; 452 Union St (event space) —go here for: an upscale farm vibe, large dinner parties
Littlefield; 6635 Sackett St (bar/concert venue) —go here for: Monday night comedy, concerts and lectures
Four & Twenty Blackbirds; 439 3rd Ave (pie shop) —go here for: decadent pie by the slice, like the irresistible black bottom oatmeal
Brooklyn Boulders; 575 Degraw St (rock climbing) —go here for: a fun alternative to your gym routine
Runner & Stone; 285 3rd Ave (bakery/restaurant) —go here for: sprouted spelt and other fresh-baked breads
Lucey’s Lounge; 479 3rd Ave (bar) —go here for: vintage living-room flair, quirky artwork, well-balanced and inexpensive cocktails
501 Union; 501 Union St (event space) —go here for: atrium-style lighting, casual open format
Threes Brewing; 333 Douglass St (Brewery with BBQ) —go here for: a large group outing, beers on tap, pulled pork, house party ambiance

GREENPOINT

The Gutter; 200 N 14th St (bowling alley) —go here for: affordable, low-fi bowling in a dive bar space
The Diamond; 43 Franklin St (beer bar) —go here for: unusual craft beers, shuffleboard, the backyard ski gondola
Ramona; 113 Franklin St (cocktail bar) —go here for: high-ceilings, a see-and-be-seen weekend crowd, after dinner cocktails
Glasserie; 95 Commericial St. (seasonal restaurant) —go here for: inventive, mediterannean inflected dishes and mezze style brunch
Ovenly; 31 Greenpoint Ave (bakery/cafe) —go here for: blue cheese + pecan scones with spicy "hot honey", savory sablé cookies, Bellocq Tea
Alter; 140 Franklin St (clothing boutique) —go here for: conceptual clothing and unusual jewelry
Le Fanfare; 1103 Manhattan Ave (Italian restaurant) —go here for: beautiful restaurant (and menu) design, the poached eggs with polenta at brunch
Sauvage; 905 Lorimer St (Modern Bistro) —go here for: the cumin-laced house bread and butter, crispy-skinned pike, an lovely wine-by-the-glass list
Threes Brewing; 113 Franklin St (beer bar) —go here for: local brews, live music, the charming stained-glass space
Odd Fox; 984 Manhattan Ave (coffee) —go here for: an intimate, home-like place to work, a charming local coffee shop
Norman + A/D/O; 29 Norman Ave (all-day restaurant and event space) —go here for: a place to work during the week, coffee meetings, fresh and healthy lunches
Littleneck Outpost; 128 Franklin St (sandwich shop) —go here for: the best breakfast sandwiches, coffee meetings
Goldie's Bar; 195 Nassau Ave (bar) —go here for: cheap frozen margaritas, the pool table, the pleasantly seedy Vegas-esque decor
Chez Ma Tante; 90 Calyer St (Canadian-inspired restaurant) —go here for: rich and flavorful farm-to-table cuisine, a low-key place for afterwork drinks
Archestratus; 160 Huron St (bookstore) —go here for: the cookbook selection, book and cookbook clubs, evening events

PARK SLOPE/SOUTH SLOPE

Café Steinhof; 422 7th Ave (Austrian restaurant) —go here for: an eclectic, cozy ambiance and mouth watering sausages
Oaxaca; 250 4th Ave (taqueria) —go here for: inventive tacos, like beef cheek, cactus and “korean”
Piccoli Trattoria; 522 6th Ave (Italian restaurant) —go here for: risotto, like the cauliflower with anchovy breadcrumbs
Al Di Là; 248 5th Ave (Italian restaurant) —go here for: upgrades on comfort classics, from exquisite soups to plate-licking pastas
Fonda; 434 7th Ave (Mexican restaurant) —go here for: must-try tortilla soup, chilaquiles, craveworthy (and complex) mole sauce
Cafe Regular; 318A 11th St / 158 Berkeley Pl (coffee shop) —go here for: La Colombe coffee, a particularly creamy cappuccino, a true local's hangout

PROSPECT HEIGHTS & CROWN HEIGHTS

Weather Up; 589 Vanderbilt Ave (speakeasy) —go here for: bespoke cocktails with hand-cut ice, an enviable playlist, sexy late night lighting
Brooklyn Museum; 200 Eastern Parkway (art museum) —go here for: special exhibits, a manageably-sized museum day
Breukelen Coffee; 764 Franklin Avenue (coffeeshop) —go here for: Stumptown beans, a simple breakfast, a quiet studying spot
Tooker Alley; 793 Washington Ave (cocktail bar) —go here for: prohibition ambiance, the gin martini menu
Bearded Lady; 686A Washington Ave (bar) —go here for: craft cocktails in a modern (see: non-speakeasy) space
Crown Inn; 724 Franklin Ave (bar) —go here for: dim-lit banquet seating, a stiff drink on a cold night, outdoor space in the summer
The Way Station; 683 Washington Ave (bar) —go here for: nerd-inspired ambiance, live music, quirky people watching
Bklyn Larder; 228 Flatbush Avenue (gourmet grocery) —go here for: cheese, cheese & more cheese; antipasti, the highest quality provisions, a quiet lunch
Mayfield; 688 Franklin Ave (farm-to-table restaurant) —go here for: "we share everything" eating, oyster happy hour, and plate-licking dishes at remarkable prices
Ample Hills Creamery; 623 Vanderbilt Ave (ice cream) —go here for: salted crack (caramel with saltine crackers)
Sharlene's; 353 Flatbush Ave (neighborhood bar) —go here for: a dive bar vibe in a cleaned-up package, vintage tunes
Rose's Bar & Grill; 295 Flatbush Ave (neighborhood restaurant) —go here for: unexpectedly creative cocktails, one incredible burger
Fausto; 348 Flatbush Ave (Italian restaurant) —go here for: fresh and elevated takes on traditional Italian fare, the amaro list
Atla Calidad; 552 Vanderbilt Ave (Mexican cuisine) —go here for: creative takes on classic dishes, the chilaquiles at brunch
Olmsted; 59 Vanderbilt Ave (Upscale American cuisine) —go here for: the carrot-clam crepe, a celebratory date night, the beautiful backyard

RED HOOK

Brooklyn Crab; 24 Reed St (seafood shack) —go here for: killer cocktails (like their spicy margaritas), corn hole, and freshly caught crustaceans (royale platter & fried whole bellies are my picks!)
Baked NYC; 359 Van Brunt St (bakery) —go here for: better-than-your-mom's takes on classic sweets (they were nominated for a James Beard Award you guys!)

WILLIAMSBURG

Radegast Hall & Beer Garden; 113 N 3rd St (beer garden) —go here for: brats, sauerkraut, great brews, chill/affordable dining
Fatty ‘Cue; 91 South 6th St (Pan-Asian bbq restaurant) —go here for: nasi ulam (rice salad), smoked eggplant nam prik, dragon pullman toast, pickle back chasers
Music Hall of Williamsburg; 66 N 6th St (concert hall) —go here for: indie bands or soon-to-be headliners, relatively intimate ambiance
Brooklyn Bowl; 61 Wythe Ave (concert hall) —go here for: funk/indie/pseudo-headliner shows, great food, bowling
Turkey’s Nest Tavern; 94 Bedford Ave (dive bar) —go here for: absinthe margaritas in styrofoam, McCarren Park-appropriate cups
Lodge; 318 Grand St (new American restaurant) —go here for: boozey brunch, holiday/ski-lodge ambiance, comfort food (addictive tater tots)
Post Office; 188 Havemeyer St (bar) —go here for: bourbon, rye, unusual cocktails, just-edgy-enough ambiance
Maison Premiere; 298 Bedford Ave (bar/restaurant) —go here for: oysters, yes, but also expert cocktails and a Midnight in Paris vibe
Zizi Limona; 129 Havemeyer St —go here for: mezze and other mediterranean eats, shared plates
Rough Trade; 64 North 9th St (record shop/music venue) —go here for: free live music, small venue intimacy, up-and-coming bands
Reynard; 80 Wythe Ave (bistro in the Wythe Hotel) —go here for: brunch — roast beef with watercress, zucchini and sunny side up eggs
Loosie Rouge; 91 South 6th St (cocktail bar) —go here for: shoebox ambiance and an incredible playlist, refreshing cocktails like the horseradish-infused "horse kick"
Lilia; 567 Union Ave (Italian restaurant) —go here for: industrial chic vibe, fresh Italian fare, upscale pasta, afternoon snack