Fort Greene is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and possibly one of the borough’s best kept secrets. Situated between the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Downtown Brooklyn, Prospect Heights, and Clinton Hill, the neighborhood’s charming old brownstones and townhouses make it the perfect backdrop for a mid-day stroll, while a healthy culinary scene makes it a must-visit locale for mouthwatering eats you’ll be running to tell your friends about (and log on Beli). After all, there’s a reason it was recently named one of the nicest places in America!
Here are our favorite spots to eat, drink, hang, and spend your money (apologies in advance) in Fort Greene:
Table Of Contents
Best Coffee Shops in Fort Greene
1. Head Hi
If you live more south then Head Hi is a bit of a trek north of Fort Greene Park, but it’s definitely worth it. This laid-back espresso bar and art-centric bookshop is the perfect place to caffeinate before a long day of exploring the neighborhood. Plus, it also hosts cultural events such as talks, book launches, art shows, music performances, and more.
📍 146 Flushing Ave.
2. Textbook Cafe
For a casual, all-day café dishing out coffee and comfort food, look no further than Textbook. Be sure to try their beloved fried chicken sandwich or the classic French favorite: the Jambon-Beurre, with a spread of rich butter, layers of delicate slices of ham, and crunchy cornichons on their signature Noon bread.
📍 118 DeKalb Ave.
Best Restaurants in Fort Greene
3. Miss Ada
Led by Israeli-born Chef/Owner Tomer Blechman, Miss Ada serves Mediterranean food with a twist. Their menu is overwhelming in the sense that you’ll want to try it all–and honestly, you should! Go with a group of friends so you can try a bit of everything, just be sure you get multiple orders of the Chicken Shawarma Hummus Musabaha.
📍 184 DeKalb Ave.
4. Theodora
Theodora is the sister restaurant to both Miss Ada and Nili in Carroll Gardens. In a nutshell, Theodora evolves the Mediterranean flavors chef Tomer is known for, focusing deeply on seasonal produce and dry-aged seafood with an emphasis on wood-fired dishes. And, to be quite honest, we can’t tell if we’re more obsessed with the interior or the food. Learn more.
📍 7 Greene Ave.
5. Walter’s
Don’t let the hipsters standing outside Walter’s deter you–if you’re craving a Wagyu French Dip Sandwich you must stop here. Regulars and newbies alike also love their famous fries, which are thin, crispy, and often called the best in the area.
📍 166 DeKalb Ave.
6. Strange Delight
For a taste of New Orleans without the flight, head to Strange Delight (look, we’re poets!). The centerpiece of the menu is oysters, which are served five ways: Cold Local Oysters, Charbroiled Oysters, Spicy BBQ Oysters, Oysters Rockefeller, and Fried Oyster Basket. Not a fan? Don’t worry, there’s more than just oysters…
📍 63 Lafayette Ave.
7. Roman’s
Ingredient-driven restaurant Roman’s has been churning out spirited, Italian-influenced food for over a decade, and there’s a reason it’s not going anywhere. Try the Ravioli with gorgonzola, mascarpone, and caramelized onions!!!
📍 243 DeKalb Ave.
8. Café Paulette
Settle into one of Café Paulette’s red leather banquettes for French café fare and organic wines in a charming, cozy space. Honestly, what more could you ask for?! Don’t miss the Moules Marinères Pei. Right next door is also Petit Paulette, perfect for coffee in the morning and a glass of natural wine and a tartine in the evening.
📍 1 S Elliott Pl.
9. Buff Patty
Grab a seat at your choice of red checkered tableclothed tables to relish in the (incredible) flavors of a spicy beef patty–which is, according to some, the best beef patty they’ve ever had in their life! Wash it all down with a soda and you’re golden. Quick, easy eats; what more can you want?
📍 376 Myrtle Ave.
10. Sukh Thai
Sukh Thai brings the flavor of Thailand to the bustling streets of New York City. The food is reliably delicious–with some of the best curry samosas you’ll ever have in your life–and the ambiance feels like you’ve been transported to a dining train cart in another time. Pair this all with a fabulous staff and your only regret will be not trying it sooner.
📍 723 Fulton St.
Best Bars in Fort Greene
11. Dick and Jane’s
For mixologist-made cocktails in a tile-lined bar, head through the hidden speakeasy-style unmarked door. It may be small–with only a couple of tables and a bar with about ten seats–but it’s well worth a visit.
📍 266 Adelphi St.
12. The Rockwell Place
Joel Tompkins and Toby Cecchini, owners of The Long Island Bar, opened The Rockwell Place at the end of 2018, and it’s been a go-to ever since. They frequently host BAM/BRIC/Theater opening and closing parties, making for one fabulous night out!
📍 31 Rockwell Pl.
Best Parks in Fort Greene
13. Fort Greene Park
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the 30.2-acre namesake park is the focal point of Fort Greene. The park hosts a Greenmarket (more on this below), tennis programs, and exciting events such as Movies on the Lawn and Poetry in the Park. Looking for the perfect picnic spot? Look no further than Fort Greene Park!
📍 Dekalb Ave. & S Portland Ave.
Best Markets & Shopping in Fort Greene
14. Thirst Wine Merchants
Love natural wine? Love supporting small artisans? Then Thirst Wine Merchants is a must-visit. You won’t find a selection as carefully curated as theirs, and they even have a membership–after filling out a quick questionnaire to help understand your palate they’ll send you four wines each month tailored to your profile! Who doesn’t love getting wine in the mail?!
📍 11 Greene Ave.
15. Elly’s Market
Though the space isn’t huge don’t doubt the inventory at Elly’s Market, a market and bodega filled with a variety of goods from fresh flowers to a larger-than-usual selection of gourmet foods (with an emphasis on Asian foods such as frozen ramen, mochi snacks, and instant noodles).
📍 230 DeKalb Ave.
16. The Center for Fiction
The Center for Fiction is a nonprofit literary organization dedicated to celebrating fiction. They’re known for their special Literary Events, including innovative panels, lectures, conversations, and performances. And, since opening in Brooklyn, they’ve hosted authors such as Salman Rushdie, Mitchell S. Jackson, Geoff Dyer, Miriam Toews, and many more.
📍 15 Lafayette Ave.
17. Fort Greene Park Greenmarket
One of our favorite farmer’s markets in NYC, you can find Fort Greene Park Greenmarket outside the entrance of Fort Greene Park. Find everything from greens and potatoes to fresh seafood and baked goods. You can even pick up some wine pressed from Long Island grapes.
📍 Washington Park between Dekalb Ave. & Myrtle Ave.
18. Greenlight Bookstore
This classic independent bookstore has titles stocked in all genres, so if you’re looking to hop on the bandwagon of those reading the latest novel you’ll want to head here. Plus they also host reading events and kids’ story time.
📍 686 Fulton St.
19. UrbanGlass
Situated inside the historic 1918 Strand Theatre is NYC’s leading glass-blowing facility, UrbanGlass. Founded in 1977 by three artists, the space offers classes for beginners and experienced artists alike on techniques such as glass blowing, sculpting, glass staining and glass bead-making, while the shop stocks handmade glassware and jewelry to purchase.
📍 647 Fulton St.
Best Things to do in Fort Greene
20. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
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The Brooklyn Academy of Music is a multi-arts center and one of the premier cultural institutions in all of Brooklyn, but don’t let the name fool you–its offerings reach far beyond music. BAM hosts progressive and avant-garde performances of theater, dance, music, opera, and film programming across multiple nearby venues.
📍 30 Lafayette Ave
21. BRIC
BRIC is an arts organization that’s been shaping Brooklyn’s cultural and media landscape for over 40 years. It hosts exhibitions, concerts, performances, and screenings year-round.
📍 647 Fulton St.
22. Brooklyn Paramount
On the border of Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene is Brooklyn Paramount, which made its grand debut almost a century ago in 1928 and was brought back to its former glory, kicking off its grand re-opening season in March 2024. Though it mostly hosts musical events, you can also catch comedy shows, sporting events, special events, private programs, community events, and more. Learn more.
📍 385 Flatbush Ave. Ext