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Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Photograph: Matthew Williams

Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood guide

Our guide to the hipster hub—Williamsburg, Brooklyn—includes the best restaurants, bars, shops and hotels in the nabe

Written by
Jennifer Picht
&
Time Out New York contributors
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Known for its indie music and party scene, the ’Burg always offers a good reason to cross the East River and check out its delights. Locals of Williamsburg, Brooklyn already know the nabe is the prime place in the city to shop for vintage, catch a concert and peep some street art, but the ever-changing area always offers new restaurants, flea markets and shops to explore. The neighborhood may have rents higher than Gramercy and more crowds than Soho, but at least it’s free to visit. Heed the hipster call.

RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of things to do in Brooklyn

Things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg map

Williamsburg map

Navigate your way around town with this street and subway map of Williamsburg

Restaurants in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Lilia

Lilia

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

Chef Missy Robbins continue to pack her Italian stunner with guests coming far an wide for her rightfully famous pasta

Sunday in Brooklyn

Sunday in Brooklyn

  • price 3 of 4

Unlike their name may lead on, Sunday in Brooklyn is indeed open for brunch and dinner every day of the week

Llama Inn

Llama Inn

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

Any Lima lover could tell you that there’s more to Peruvian food than citrusy ceviche, though it's still a solid option on the menu

Bars in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Skinny Dennis

Skinny Dennis

  • price 1 of 4

You don’t have to fly down to Nashville for an authentic honky-tonk experience—just hit up this freewheelin’ spot

The Commodore

The Commodore

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4

Lovingly dubbed a gastrodive, this no-frills spot delivers strong drinks, salty food and a wonderful seedy atmosphere

Maison Premiere

Maison Premiere

  • price 3 of 4

You will find no bar more elegant than this French Quarter–inspired haunt

Night of Joy

Night of Joy

  • price 2 of 4

Billyburg’s bar scene skews divey, but this bi-level drinks den offers laid-back boozing sans the stench of stale beer

Hotels in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Wythe Hotel

Wythe Hotel

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4

Bask in the spotlight of Williamsburg at this hotel, which is smack-dab in the center of the action

Urban Cowboy B&B

Urban Cowboy B&B

  • price 2 of 4

Urban Cowboy is an ultra-trendy and stylish crack at country living, right in the heart of Williamsburg

Nightlife in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Baby’s All Right

Baby’s All Right

  • price 2 of 4

With spaceshiplike stage lighting, this spot has become something of an institution in Williamsburg

Output

Output

  • price 2 of 4

The sound system at this industrial-sleek club leaves every corner at the perfect decibel for dancing 

Brooklyn Bowl

Brooklyn Bowl

  • price 2 of 4

This bowling alley and live-music venue fully embraces the new mania for local nostalgia

Shops in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Myths of Creation

Myths of Creation

Bartender Xenia Viray boasts similar styles you’d find on the racks at Anthropologie but for a fraction of the price

Bulletin

Bulletin

Williamsburg’s beloved indie-brand boutique helps fierce feminists suit up for the resistance

Concrete + Water

Concrete + Water

This lifestyle shop in Williamsburg sells high-quality goods during the day, but will host occasional dance parties at night