Unearth The Voyage
Brooklyn’s food scene is famous worldwide, but some of its most incredible restaurants never make the glossy magazine lists. Tucked away in neighborhoods like Bay Ridge, Gowanus, and Sheepshead Bay, these hidden gems serve up everything from Palestinian mezze to Uzbek kebabs without the hype or the wait times. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or just visiting, these spots will make you feel like you’ve discovered Brooklyn’s best-kept secret.
1. Al Badawi (Cobble Hill/Brooklyn Heights) – Rustic Levantine breads, musakhan, and smoky dips baked in a taboon oven
Walking into Al Badawi feels like stepping into a village bakery somewhere in the Levant. The star here is the taboon oven, a clay dome that turns out puffy, charred breads with an irresistible smoky flavor you simply can’t replicate at home.
Musakhan—roasted chicken layered with sumac-spiced onions over taboon bread—is their signature, and it’s easy to see why locals guard this place like a treasured secret. The dips, especially the baba ganoush, carry that same wood-fired depth that makes every bite memorable.
Open from late morning through evening, it’s perfect for a leisurely lunch or an early dinner when you want something authentic and soul-satisfying.
2. Haenyeo (Park Slope) – Korean coastal flavors with playful twists (don’t miss the rice-cake fundido)
Named after Korea’s legendary female divers, Haenyeo brings coastal Korean cooking to Park Slope with a refreshing sense of humor. This isn’t your standard Korean barbecue joint—think creative small plates that riff on tradition without losing respect for it.
The rice-cake fundido is pure genius: chewy tteok swimming in a bubbling pot of melted cheese and gochujang heat. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner.
Despite earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod, Haenyeo still feels like your neighborhood hangout, where the staff remembers your face and the vibe stays relaxed and welcoming.
3. Claro (Gowanus) – Handmade Oaxacan moles, house-nixtamalized masa, and a mezcal list that rewards exploration
Claro takes Oaxacan cooking seriously, starting with corn they nixtamalize in-house to make masa that tastes worlds apart from store-bought tortillas. Chef T.J. Steele’s moles are layered, complex, and worth every minute of the patient preparation they require.
The mezcal list reads like a love letter to Oaxaca’s distillers, offering bottles you won’t find at your average bar. Pair one with the duck mole or the mushroom tlayuda, and you’ll understand why this place has such a devoted following.
When warm weather hits, the patio becomes one of Brooklyn’s most coveted dining spots—casual enough for jeans, special enough to feel like an occasion.
4. Insa (Gowanus) – Korean barbecue with private karaoke rooms; stellar for groups without the tourist crush
Insa manages to be two incredible experiences under one roof: a top-notch Korean barbecue spot and a private karaoke paradise. The meat quality rivals any Manhattan Korean barbecue joint, but here you won’t fight tourists for a table or deal with hour-long waits.
After you’ve grilled your fill of galbi and pork belly, grab your crew and head to one of the karaoke rooms upstairs. The sound systems are legit, the song selection is massive, and nobody judges your questionable song choices.
It’s the kind of place where celebrations feel effortless—good food, great energy, and zero pretension. Perfect for birthdays, reunions, or just a Friday night done right.
5. Tanoreen (Bay Ridge) – A Palestinian trailblazer where mezze, roasted cauliflower, and lamb fetti turn first-timers into regulars
Bay Ridge might not be the first neighborhood that comes to mind for adventurous eating, but Tanoreen has been changing that story for over two decades. Chef Rawia Bishara brings her Palestinian heritage to every plate, crafting dishes that balance tradition with creative flair.
The roasted cauliflower arrives golden and crispy, draped in tahini sauce that makes you rethink everything you thought vegetables could be. Lamb fetti—tender braised lamb over crispy pita with yogurt—is the kind of comfort food that sticks in your memory long after the meal ends.
The atmosphere feels like dining in someone’s warm, welcoming home, where every guest matters and the food speaks for itself.
6. Baba’s Pierogies (Gowanus) – A tiny, love-letter shop to Eastern European comfort food (fried or boiled pierogi, plus seasonal fillings)
Baba’s is proof that you don’t need a big space to make a big impact. This pocket-sized shop turns out pierogies that taste like someone’s grandmother spent all afternoon folding them with love—because that’s essentially what happens here.
You choose your filling (potato and cheese is classic, but seasonal options like butternut squash or wild mushroom are worth exploring), then decide: fried for crispy edges or boiled for tender tradition. Either way, you’re getting handmade comfort in every bite.
The vibe is no-frills and deeply authentic, the kind of place where regulars chat with the owner and newcomers leave planning their next visit before they’ve finished eating.
7. La Vara (Cobble Hill) – Intimate Spanish kitchen exploring Moorish and Jewish influences—think saffron, almonds, and slow braises in a candlelit room
La Vara tells the story of Spain’s layered history through food, weaving together Moorish spices, Sephardic Jewish traditions, and Spanish technique into something wholly unique. The menu reads like a culinary history lesson, but every dish tastes like pure pleasure.
Saffron threads perfume slow-braised meats, almonds add crunch and richness to vegetable dishes, and the spice blends transport you somewhere between Andalusia and North Africa. The candlelit dining room feels romantic without being stuffy—perfect for date night or a meal with friends who appreciate nuance.
Reservations are smart here, especially on weekends when the small space fills quickly with locals who know they’ve found something special.
8. Yemen Café (Brooklyn Heights/Atlantic Ave.) – Legendary haneeth (slow-roasted lamb) and mandi rice, with complimentary soups and huge portions
On Atlantic Avenue’s historic Arab food corridor, Yemen Café has been serving some of Brooklyn’s most satisfying meals for years. The haneeth—lamb slow-roasted until it practically falls apart—arrives on a mountain of spiced mandi rice that could easily feed two hungry people.
Before your main course, complimentary lentil soup appears at your table, a small gesture that sets the tone for the generous hospitality that follows. Everything here is cooked with patience and served with pride.
The portions are enormous, the prices are shockingly reasonable, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Come hungry, leave happy, and probably with leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
9. Nargis Café (Sheepshead Bay) – Uzbek comfort classics—samsa, lagman, and charcoal kebabs—in a far-flung, very local pocket of Brooklyn
Sheepshead Bay might require a longer subway ride, but Nargis Café rewards the journey with Uzbek cooking that’s hard to find anywhere else in the city. The samsa—flaky pastries stuffed with spiced lamb or pumpkin—come out of the oven crackling and golden.
Lagman, the hand-pulled noodle soup, is pure comfort in a bowl, with springy noodles swimming in a rich, vegetable-packed broth. The charcoal kebabs arrive smoky and juicy, with that irresistible char you can only get from real fire.
The neighborhood feels worlds away from trendy Brooklyn, and that’s exactly the point—this is authentic, unpretentious cooking for people who care more about flavor than Instagram.
10. RAS Plant Based (Crown Heights) – Bright, modern Ethiopian flavors—kitfo, shiro, and veggie platters—done fully plant-based with serious spice cred
Ethiopian cuisine is naturally plant-friendly, but RAS takes it to another level with creative, fully vegan versions of classic dishes that don’t sacrifice a bit of flavor. The kitfo—traditionally raw beef—gets reimagined here with textured plant protein that soaks up berbere spices beautifully.
Shiro, the chickpea stew, is silky and rich, perfect for scooping with tangy injera bread. The vegetable platters are colorful, generous, and packed with the kind of bold spicing that makes Ethiopian food so crave-worthy.
The space feels bright and modern, a refreshing update to the classic Ethiopian dining experience while keeping all the warmth and communal spirit that makes sharing a platter so special.
11. Peppa’s Jerk Chicken (multiple Brooklyn locales; try Prospect Heights/Crown Heights) – Late-night staple for smoky jerk chicken and festival; more beloved by locals than guidebooks
When cravings hit after midnight and nothing but smoky, spicy jerk chicken will do, Peppa’s is the answer. This beloved mini-chain has multiple Brooklyn locations, but the Prospect Heights and Crown Heights spots capture that authentic late-night Caribbean vibe perfectly.
The jerk chicken comes charred and juicy, with a spice blend that builds heat slowly and keeps you reaching for more. Festival—sweet fried dumplings—provide the perfect counterpoint to all that fire.
Guidebooks might overlook Peppa’s, but locals know better. It’s the kind of place where cab drivers, nurses coming off shift, and night owls all converge for food that hits the spot every single time.
12. A&A Bake & Doubles (Bed-Stuy) – A tiny counter serving Trinidadian doubles, bakes, and roti—cheap, fast, and gloriously messy
A&A is barely bigger than a closet, but what comes out of this tiny Bed-Stuy counter is pure Trinidadian magic. Doubles—fried bara bread stuffed with curried chickpeas and topped with tamarind and pepper sauces—are messy, cheap, and absolutely addictive.
The bakes, fluffy fried dough paired with saltfish or other fillings, make for a satisfying breakfast or lunch that costs less than your morning coffee. Roti wraps are generous and packed with flavor, perfect for eating on the go.
There’s no seating, no frills, and no pretense—just fast, honest food made by people who know exactly what they’re doing. Grab extra napkins and enjoy every gloriously messy bite.
