GUIDES

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

By
Coolstuff Team
July 4, 2025

For a lot of people, New Yorkers included, Williamsburg is what comes to mind whenever someone says, "Brooklyn." The sprawling neighborhood may have commercialized a bit from its hipster awakening in the early 2000's, but there are still tons of exciting independent businesses dotting the blocks – including new ones opening up every day. 

We've put together an exhaustive list of our Williamsburg hits, from bakeries and cafes to the best nightlife and places to stay – all with a focus on cool, local, and unique spots that you MUST check out in the neighborhood.

Originally published August 25, 2023 • Updated July 4, 2025

Stay

Moxy Williamsburg

Our home base in Williamsburg this past weekend was the new Moxy Williamsburg on Bedford Ave. There’s something about being right in the heart of the neighborhood that makes staying at the Moxy feel like you really live there. We loved the plush bed and modern room a lot… and we loved the fun vibe and lobby arcade game (possibly) even more!

Another reason the Moxy helps you feel like you’re a part of the neighborhood is that people who live in Williamsburg actually hang out there. Everyone enjoying a rooftop apertivo at Lillistar was clearly a local and while having a fantastic Israeli dinner at Mesiba, we ran into a handful of friends - including ones we had dinner plans with the following evening! 

Bar Bedford

Lillistar

Mesiba

Clockwise from left:

Room at the Moxy Williamsburg, Bar Bedford, Lillistar, Mesiba

Shops

We’ve publicly (on this website) critiqued Williamsburg in the past for, at times, feeling a bit like a mall. BUT that’s unfair to the many amazing independent shops in the neighborhood. Let’s set the record straight with six great stores you need to check out as soon as possible – especially Haricot Vert's Dreamworld, a very cool jewelry shop with a charm bar, craft nook, and café!

Haricot Vert's Dreamworld

Leif

Sabah Williamsburg

Seven Wonders Collective

Beam

Catbird

Close Friends

Salon

Regeneration

Chelsea Garden Center

Mociun

Clockwise from top: Haricot Vert, Beam, Mociun, Seven Wonders Collective, Lief

Coffee & Bakeries

Williamsburg, like much of Brooklyn, is a great coffee shop neighborhood. Whether you’re lingering over a cup in the backyard of Homecoming or taking a cup to-go from Buddies before going skating, there’s a coffee waiting for you in Williamsburg. Here are our favorites:

Birdee

Apollo Bagels

Bakeri

Devoción

Clockwise from left: Homecoming, Devoción, Bakeri

Lunch

A benefit of having a young-leaning neighborhood demographic is just how many casual and affordable places there are to grab lunch. Seriously, we could do an entire guide on just where to eat a midday meal in Williamsburg. But for now, here are a few we keep coming back to:

Super Burrito

Martha’s Country Bakery

Moonburger

Depanneur

Clockwise from left: Super Burrito, Martha's Country Bakery, Depanneur

Pizza

Williamsburg has strong Italian roots (as well as Boricua, Jewish, and Irish) so it’s no surprise it has some of the best slices in the city. We love sitting down for dinner at Leo’s or just keeping it casual by grabbing a slice to go from Fini.

L’Industrie Pizza

Leo

Williamsburg Pizza

Ace’s Pizza

Fini Pizza

Best Pizza

Mo's General

Clockwise from left: Leo, L'Industrie, Fini, Ace's

Dinner

While the phrase, “dinner in Williamsburg,” might make you shudder and think of an 8-person dinner where splitting the check was…confusing, let us reassure you that Williamsburg has many fantastic places for a date or dinner for a small group. All more formal than the great slices listed above, some of these places are downright celebratory (hello Michelin-starred Four Horsemen.) So get out your reservation app, because these spots book up quickly.

Diner

Jr & Son

Kellogg's Diner

Shota Omakase

elNico

Brooklyn Winery

The Four Horsemen

Maison Premiere

Clockwise from left: Maison Premiere, Brooklyn Winery, The Four Horsemen, Diner

Drinks

What could be a more classic pairing than drinks in wburg with friends? Some of our favorite bars in Brooklyn are here in this neighborhood, like Hotel Delmano, and we keep returning time & time again. If you’re into having live music alongside your bevvys, try St. Mazie or Lot Radio. 

With Others

Hotel Delmano

Rose Marie

Rude Mouth

The Lot Radio

Layla

Sauced

EBBS Brewing

St. Mazie

Talea

Clockwise from left: Layla, EBBS, St. Mazie, Sauced

See

For all the commercial to-dos in Williamsburg, it’s easy to forget that its outdoor spaces are some of the most widely utilized in the city (raise your hand if you’ve been to a birthday party in McCarren Park.) So think of this closing note as a little reminder to take a break and enjoy the city air while you’re enjoying the best of what the neighborhood has to offer.

McCarren Park Greenmarket

Domino Park

Left: Domino Park, Right: McCarren Park Greenmarket

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