The 13 best restaurants in Williamsburg right now

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aaron Arizpe (@pocketfork)

What is it? The folks behind The Four Horsemen—including LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy—opened this restaurant right across the street from their original spot in July 2025. Despite being much larger, this follow-up to the beloved (and notoriously difficult to get into) natural wine bar immediately had every reservation snapped up, and for good reason. Chef Nick Curtola runs the kitchen here, too, serving up his super-seasonal, always-new twist on Italian food, including hits like gnocchi, twisted trofie pasta and a creamy, can’t-resist tiramisu. 

Why we love it: The Four Horsemen is known for their wine list of over 800 bottles, but I Cavallini has a full liquor license, so you can try the team’s take on cocktails. Their cocktails lean Italian, and the wine list is all Italian, too: all the better to pair your pasta with the perfect drink. 

Time Out tip: I Cavallini keeps some space reserved for walk-ins, but your best bet for a table is the very first seating at 5pm. Come hungry, join the small line and enjoy your early dinner. Then stick around the bar to make your way through the cocktail list. 

Address: 284 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: Entrees are around $40

What is it? Forgive us if you’ve heard this before, but this is one of those restaurants where you simply must order the chicken. These days, most spots are churning out their (often excellent) versions of roast chicken, but JR & Son is doing their bird a little differently. As an Italian joint, they’re going all-in on chicken parm, covering it in spicy tomato sauce, gooey mozz and toasty sesame seeds. (Once you finish the chicken, the sauce is ideal for sopping up with the bread service’s olive focaccia and cheesy garlic bread.)

Why we love it: The snacks here are just as good as the entrees, with crispy onion rings, a shrimp cocktail and stracciatella served with black caramel and salty bottarga. Pair them with a few rounds of dirty martinis (they make theirs with manzanilla), and you’ve got yourself a party. 

Time Out tip: Leave room for dessert. JR & Son has reimagined the colorful layered Italian cookie as a slice of cake, encasing it in chocolate, spreading it with raspberry jam and infusing it with fragrant coconut. It’s a throwback dish, just like the pistachio sundae, which comes topped with whipped cream and a crispy magic chocolate shell that shatters satisfyingly beneath your fork. 

Address: 575 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Entrees are around $25

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @soda.eats

What is it? This new spot from the taco geniuses behind the neighborhood’s Yellow Rose keeps it simple with craveable sandwiches, rotating frozen cocktails and memorably thick slices of cake. It’s a little bit Southern—think green tomatoes and Carolina rice—but the menu is mostly designed to reflect the spot’s cozy, all-are-welcome-here vibe.   

Why we love it: Patty. Melt. Gooey, oozy, buttery-crispy, this thing’s got a cheese pull that looks as good as it tastes. It’s packed with onions, which have been melted down, to great effect, to nearly nothing before being slid between two slices of Pullman bread. Pair it with a couple of frozen cocktails, and you’ve got yourself the perfect date night. 

Time Out tip: Stop by for a couple of drinks on your way to dinner—the bar snacks, like olives and crispy Idaho potatoes, are some of our favorites in the whole neighborhood—but don’t be surprised if you find yourself canceling your other reservation once you see the pork chop delivered to the folks at the table beside you. 

Address: 524 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Tue–Thu, Sun 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm

Expect to pay: Entrees are around $25

What is it? Kellogg’s, the beloved 24-hour diner right on the corner of Metropolitan and Union, closed in 2023, sending partiers into a panic: Where, now, could one go to eat pancakes at four o’clock in the morning? Luckily, the team behind Old John’s opened it up again. It’s still ready for action all day and all night, although now it has cornmeal masa pancakes and a pastry case full of hits like jiggling slices of pretzel salad (which is not, in fact, a salad, but a layered dessert made with jello and whipped cream) and red eye chocolate cake made with chicory coffee. 

Why we love it: The new Kellogg’s still has the heart of a diner. At ten in the morning, the booths are crowded with families sharing waffles and scrambled eggs; at four in the morning, it’s full of folks rolling in from the bars for late-night enchiladas or chicken-fried steak. (Plus, they have a full bar for those who want to keep the party going.) 

Time Out tip: They serve breakfast all day, so you can score a western omelette with hash browns or deep-fried Texas French toast for lunch, dinner or a late-night snack. 

Address: 518 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Daily 24/7

Expect to pay: Expect to pay around $15 per breakfast dish

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Johnny’s (@johnnysbk)

What is it: This Chinese-Peruvian spot serves up affordable, easy-to-love rotisserie chicken and spare rib platters. The late patriarch of the family-run Johnny’s, for whom the restaurant was named, started serving up pollo a la brasa in New York City in the 1970s, so it’s safe to say they know exactly what they’re doing. The chicken’s served with aji verde, a spicy, pale-green Peruvian sauce made with jalapeños, cilantro and tangy mayo, plus white or veggie fried rice. 

Why we love it: Chifa—the fusion of Cantonese and Peruvian food—isn’t yet well-known in NYC’s fine dining world, although it certainly should be. Get to know the flavors with dishes like arroz chaufa, or fried rice, and lomo saltado, a stir-fried beef dish served with veggies, tart soy-vinegar sauce and a huge portion of rice. 

Time Out tip: All you need for a low-key night here is a combo platter of rotisserie chicken and a few rounds of frozen drinks. Johnny’s bar does it up right, with frozen lychee pisco sours and chicha morada, made with rum, lime and spiced purple corn juice from Peru. 

Address: 642 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–10:30pm; Sun 5–10pm

Expect to pay: A half chicken combo plate is $25

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙚 ₍^. .^₎⟆ (@chisters_eats)

What is it? The team behind the highly regarded Cafe China opened this Sichuan spot in 2017, and it’s fair to say that the crowds have hardly thinned since. Reserve a table in the buzzy dining room for a taste of Birds of a Feather’s best-in-class mapo tofu, tea-smoked duck and spicy soft shell crab. 

Why we love it: The wontons in chili sauce are a standout here—they’re dropped in a vibrant red sauce, then scattered with dried chilis, peppercorns and scallions, resulting in a dish so sweet and spicy that you might find yourself ordering a second bowl. 

Time Out tip: Every weekday from noon to 4:50, you can score a lunch special for as little as nine bucks. Go for fried rice with fermented mustard green shoots, or treat yourself to double-cooked pork belly with chili, miso sauce and a side of white rice to cool yourself off. If you find yourself craving their ma po tofu more often than you can assemble a quorum for dinner, the $14 lunch special hits the spot every time. 

Address: 191 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Wed noon–10pm; Thu noon–10pm; Fri noon–10:30pm; Sat 11am–10:30pm; Sun 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: Entrees start at $18

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by the four horsemen (@fourhorsemenbk)

What is it: Walk into co-owner James Murphy’s intimate, convivial, natural-wine focused restaurant (ideally with a reservation, as the super-small space is always packed), and you’ll find that you’re in for the ride of your life (or at least your week). A roster of daily specials always keeps you on your toes, and the wine list has tons of delicious options in the $50–$100 price point. 

Why we love it: Even at 10 years old, The Four Horsemen is still at the forefront of NYC diners’ minds. It’s the go-to spot for lovers of natural wine (Justin Chearno, their late beverage director, was one of the movement’s most influential leaders), as well as those who want to be taken on an adventure through the surprises of the menu, which changes weekly.  

Time Out tip: Reservations drop 30 days before at 7am, so you’re gonna need to set your alarm to score a reasonable time for a date. Or suggest to your date that you kick off work early and meet there at 5:30pm on the dot. You just might score a walk-in, where you can linger over a minimal intervention wine while feeling like two of the coolest people on Earth. 

Address: 295 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5:30–10:45pm; Fri–Sun 11am–10:45pm

Expect to pay: Expect to pay around $30 for entrees

What is it? This shining jewel at the corner of Broadway and Bedford has been Williamsburg’s premier duck destination since it opened at the end of 2020. Here, the dry-aged crown of duck is adorned with swiss chard and parsnips before being presented tableside and then sliced through, its crackling skin revealing the magic inside. 

Why we love it: For the same reason ducks probably hate it: the menu, which leans heavily on the waterfowl. Duck bolognese pappardelle; duck pithivier, a savory pie with pistachio and a classic citrus sauce; and salty duck mortadella, served with mustard and pillowy brioche, have all come together to help earn this spot its Michelin star. 

Time Out tip: If you’ve read Make Way for Ducklings one too many times, there’s plenty of other meats on the menu. Oysters with a golden beet mignonette and littleneck clams with horseradish and parsley juice are standouts on the brief list of shellfish, while the stuffed casoncelli pasta with suckling pig, porchetta and cracklings might make you forget you ever loved Babe.  

Address: 136 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5:30–9:30pm; Thu 5:30–9:30pm; Fri–Sat 5–10:30pm

Expect to pay: Mains start at $40; the crown of duck is $148

What is it? With its chicly weathered dining room and fairytale garden, Maison Premier still offers all the marvelous martinis and raw bar bites that made it famous over a decade ago. It’s totally classic—some might even call it old-school—with enough absinthe and oysters to keep you going until last call. Caviar service, bread and butter (with She Wolf sourdough, thank you very much), steak tartare and even an absinthe creme brûlée round out the small menu, which has been smartly designed for the intimate sharing of snacks. 

Why we love it: Their Old King Cole martini is made tableside—you can add a bump of caviar for $15 bucks—but we’re mostly here for the absinthe. The bitter wormwood and spicy anise are on display here, with an assortment of absinthes from Switzerland to Pennsylvania served with water and a sugar cube, just like Van Gogh drank it. Or choose it mixed into a cocktail, like the Pan American Clipper with spiced grenadine and absinthe verte, or the Yellow Parrot with chartreuse and apry. 

Time Out tip: Head to the enclosed garden, open from April through November, for a little more of that Starry Night vibe. 

Address: 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Tue noon–1am; Wed–Fri noon–1am; Sat–Sun 11am–1am

Expect to pay: About $20 per small plate; absinthe cocktails start at $21

What is it? Chef Calvin Eng shared that he had one rule when approaching his first solo venture. “There was one rule in the very beginning for my bar team, my managers, and all the sous-chefs: every dish had to be a banger,” he said in Coveteur, and it seems he has done exactly that. Still hot after its debut, the Williamsburg restaurant continues to please with Cantonese-American hits, including the wonderfully umami-heavy MSG Martini.

Why we love it: Everything on the menu is begging to be photographed, from a tinned dace dip starter, made with fermented black beans and served with buttery Ritz crackers, to the chow nai sundae with malted fried milk, Ovaltine hot fudge, vanilla ice cream, buttered peanuts and (for 

an extra two dollars) salty pork floss. This is Cantonese food completely reimagined into cacio e pepe with fermented bean curd and a cha siu bkrib sandwich served on a milk bun and paired with fries and sweet-and-spicy ketchup. 

Time Out tip: You might not think of a Cantonese restaurant as a cocktail destination, but the cocktail list features, as Chef Eng might say, “banger” after banger. The sour cherry Negroni, black tea Penicillin and MSG martini with olive brine, vodka or gin, shaoxing wine and, yes, MSG, are an excellent way to while away an evening in Williamsburg. 

Address: 398 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri–Sat 5–10pm; Sun, 4–9pm

Expect to pay: About $20 per dish

What is it? The much-discussed Peter Luger is an endless source of fascination in and outside of NYC. The truth is, your out-of-town guests would probably rather grab steaks, chops and burgers here than at any of the trendy new options. Just don’t skip the famous-for-a-reason creamed spinach, wedge salad and German fried potatoes along with your steaks, okay?

Why we love it: Peter Luger’s porterhouse remains hard to beat. It might be more the vibe than the meat—rushing waiters, giant scoops of creamy schlag on every dessert, and folks who have, and perhaps more importantly, look like they have, Peter Luger house accounts—are all part of the ambiance, making it a memorable night out every single time. 

Time Out tip: If you want to try the Luger-Burger, you’re gonna have to go at lunchtime, as it’s not on the menu at dinner. Get it with fries on the side, a thick slab of bacon and an ice-cold martini to sip while you sit at the bar and fantasize about opening up your very own Luger account. 

Address: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Daily 11:45am–9:30pm

Expect to pay: A steak for two costs around $150

What is it? It doesn’t get any more red-sauce than this Italian joint—the bustling waiters are dressed to the nines in bowties, the parking lot is always packed and the spaghetti and meatballs hit the spot every single time. When so much of Williamsburg feels unrecognizably new (even from, like, last week), Bamonte’s keeps the old neighborhood vibes alive. It’s one of those spots where the old timers and the new transplants can agree that it’s an excellent spot to break bread.  

Why we love it: There are endless Italian options in New York City, including some noteworthy new spots on this very list, but sometimes you just want a plate of old-school chicken parm with a side of spaghetti. Stop by for your anniversary, a promotion or a milestone birthday—there’s plenty to celebrate with huge plates of stuffed mushrooms, penne vodka and pork chops. 

Time Out tip: This might be the best place in NYC to go during your latest Sopranos rewatch. A couple of episodes were filmed here, but not, um, that episode. 

Address: 32 Withers St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Wed–Thu noon–10pm; Fri–Sat noon–11pm; Sun 1–10pm

Expect to pay: About $20 per entrée

What is it? Kokomo’s Caribbean-inspired menu includes fruit bowls with coconut whipped cream and sweet plantain pancakes at brunch, plus slow-braised oxtail with caramelized butter beans and rice and peas, whole red snapper with red Thai curry and flatbreads topped with pasta, shrimp or truffled mushrooms at dinner. Try the ackee and saltfish shumai dipped in spicy scotch bonnet sauce, or their coconut curry lentil stew with butter beans and roti to soak up every last drop. 

Why we love it: Even in the shortest days and darkest nights, Kokomo’s bar brings a little bit of sunshine to cold and dark NYC. Classics like the Painkiller with Caribbean rum, orange and spices join new twists like the frozen Hennycolada on a drink menu that takes you as close to the islands as you can get without booking a flight. 

Time Out tip: Slept through brunch? Head to Kokomo’s “drunch,” an all-day Sunday celebration where you can nurse your hangover with a few bubbly pear-ginger Kokomosas, jerk-infused wings with char-glazed gochujang sauce and caramelized banana brioche French toast with chicken and strawberries.

Address: 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon, Thu 4–10:30pm; Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat 11am–4pm, 5pm–2am; Sun 11am–4pm, 5–11pm;

Expect to pay: Entrees start around $20