Brooklyn's first wave neighbourhood: Peter Luger steakhouse since 1887, Hasidic bakeries on Lee Avenue and a young restaurant row on Bedford and Berry.
Peter Luger has dry-aged porterhouse on Broadway in Williamsburg, New York City since 1887. Cash or house card only, no reservations after 17:00 for walk-ins.
Signature: Porterhouse for two, Bacon, extra thick
Order: Porterhouse for two, sliced and sauced at the table.
Tip: Book at least four weeks ahead for dinner. Lunch is the easier seat and the same meat.
Calvin Eng's Williamsburg Cantonese American room in New York City runs roast pig, cha siu sui mai and orange-shrimp toast. Open since 2022.
Signature: Roast pig, Cha siu sui mai
Order: Roast pig with crackling, shared between four.
Tip: Walk-ins at the bar from 17:00. The roast pig sells out by 21:00 most nights; pre-order it when you book.
Devoción on Grand Street in Williamsburg flies fresh-harvest Colombian beans into the cafe every week in New York City. Order the cold brew on tap.
Signature drink: Cold brew on tap
Tip: The greenhouse skylight room at the back is the working-from-cafe spot. Closes 19:00 on weekends, 20:00 weekdays.
James Murphy's natural-wine room on Grand Street has set the bar for Williamsburg wine bars in New York City since 2015. At 295 Grand Street.
Signature pour: Domaine de la Pinte Arbois savagnin
Wine focus: Natural wines from France, Italy, Germany, Austria
Food: Small plates by Nick Curtola
Tip: Reservations open four weeks ahead on Resy. Counter walk-ins from 17:00; the snack menu runs the whole night.
Kings County Imperial on Skillman Avenue in Williamsburg runs Chinese American food alongside tea-infused cocktails in New York City. At 20 Skillman Avenue.
Signature drink: Genmaicha Mai Tai
Food: Chinese American kitchen
Tip: The garden out back is open April to October. The egg roll and the Mai Tai pairing is the editor pick.
Maison Premiere on Bedford Avenue has poured absinthe and shucked oysters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City since 2011. James Beard winner 2016.
Signature drink: Absinthe service and house Sazerac
Food: Raw bar with 30+ oyster varieties and seasonal plates
Tip: Oyster happy hour 16:00-19:00 weekdays is the way in; the garden opens April through November and books weeks ahead.
Brooklyn Brewery on North 11th has anchored Williamsburg craft brewing in New York City since 1988. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Tip: Friday and Saturday tours are free; arrive by 17:00 to get on the list. The taproom pours every Brooklyn release in pint glasses.
Smorgasburg has run the city's biggest outdoor food market on the Williamsburg waterfront in New York City since 2011. Open apr-oct, sat 11:00-18:00.
Tip: Arrive at 11:00 for the cleanest queues. The market closes at 18:00; vendors sell out by 16:00 most weekends.
Smorgasburg runs every Saturday April through October on the Williamsburg waterfront in New York City. 100 vendors, ramen burgers, lobster rolls.
Tip: Arrive at 11:00 for clean queues; vendors sell out by 16:00. The market closes at 18:00. Free entry, food cash-and-card.
L'Industrie on South 2nd Street has sold $5 slices and a $7 burrata slice in Williamsburg Brooklyn New York City since 2017. At 254 South 2nd Street.
Try: Burrata square slice
Tip: Order ahead online to skip the line. The burrata slice is the Instagram order; the plain is the better slice.
Best Pizza in Williamsburg Brooklyn has sold $4 New York slices in New York City since 2010. At 33 Havemeyer St. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Try: $4 white slice
Tip: The white slice with sesame seeds is the cult order. Cash only; the line moves fast.
Music Hall of Williamsburg on North 6th is the 650-capacity Bowery Presents room that took over the former Northsix and books indie, electronic and rock.
Tip: Doors typically 19:00 with show at 20:00. The mezzanine has a clear sight line; the floor pit fills fast at the rail.
Brooklyn Bowl in a converted Hecla Iron Works building pairs sixteen bowling lanes with a 600-capacity music stage and Blue Ribbon kitchen serving the fried.
Tip: Reserve lanes early on show nights; standing-room music tickets are cheap and let you eat at the rail.
Westlight perches 22 stories above Williamsburg on The William Vale roof with a wraparound terrace that swings from East River views to the Midtown skyline.
Tip: Lines stretch on weekends after 21:00. Visit on a weekday at golden hour or reserve via OpenTable to skip the entry queue.
3 Dollar Bill on Meserole opened in 2018 in an old Otto Huber Brewery building. Ten thousand square feet split between dance floor, drag stage and outdoor.
Tip: Look for Drag Race headliners on weekends; ticketed parties sell out via See Tickets. Mondays often free for community nights.