Live Like a Local in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York

Across the East River, Williamsburg is a hip neighborhood full of vitality

Brooklyn has always marched to the beat of its own drum. With its rich array of cultural enclaves, artistic and architectural triumphs, and outdoor attractions, it’s an experience separate from its New York siblings. Check out this Brooklyn guide for further proof. The borough’s popularity has intensified in recent years; although the Williamsburg neighborhood has existed since the early 19th century, the past decade has made it the face of Brooklyn’s widespread reputation.

Welcome to Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg lies along the westernmost area of Brooklyn. It’s situated north of Bedford-Stuyvesant, south of Greenpoint, west of Bushwick, and east of the East River. Originally an industrial epicenter, Williamsburg is now associated with hipsters and an indie music scene. Like much of Manhattan, the neighborhood is rife with celebrities, from current residents like actors Ed Westwick and Zoe Kravitz to those born or raised in the area, like author Henry Miller, award-winning star Barbra Streisand, and singer Barry Manilow.

Williamsburg’s proximity to Manhattan makes it an attractive option for anyone living in the city. The Williamsburg Bridge connects Brooklyn to the Lower East Side of Manhattan (discover our neighborhood guide to the Lower East Side), while multiple subway lines run underneath the neighborhood. If you’re staying in New York City, don’t rule out the outer boroughs; Williamsburg might just be the perfect fit for you!

Go shopping in Williamsburg

Given its trendy reputation, it comes as no surprise that Williamsburg is a shopper’s paradise, particularly for those with bohemian, vintage, or eclectic tastes.

• Main thoroughfares include North 9th Street, home to a selection of hardware and home improvement stores, and North 7th Street, which hosts a diverse mix of repair shops and fashionable hotspots. There’s also Grand Street, which extends into the eastern parts of Williamsburg and has its own namesake subway station. Bedford Avenue is the longest street in Brooklyn, and it weaves its way through no fewer than six neighborhoods. The stretch through Williamsburg has plenty of shops that are worth a visit.

The Mast Brothers use the best ingredients in their scrumptious chocolate

• Looking to pick up something secondhand as a fresh find? Artists and Fleas Market, Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads Trading Co., and Junk are all great places to start. You’ll find vintage and secondhand treasures at discounted prices. If you’re looking to add to your record collection, you can’t beat Earwax Records or Rough Trade NYC for vinyl classics and contemporaries. After your shopping spree, treat yourself to some artisanal creations from Mast Brothers Chocolate (chocoholics will not want to miss tours of the factory either).
• Think Williamsburg is too urban for shopping malls? Think again. Shops at the Loom houses more than a dozen specialty shops, including handmade clothing, jewelry, and a skate shop. The Shops at 240 Kent Avenue also has an assortment of stores, from a handcrafted perfumery to an organic juice shop.

A new form of green space: North Brooklyn Farms converts abandoned lots into urban farms

• If you want to incorporate healthy ingredients in your cooking, shop at Williamsburg’s farmer’s markets. North Brooklyn Farms seeks to reclaim vacant lots for agriculture and recreation, Greenmarket Farmers Market brings together hundreds of local farms and fisheries to encourage Brooklynites’ support of these independent food makers, and East Williamsburg CSA matches residents with the freshest produce while sponsoring community involvement.

Coffee, restaurants and nightlife in Williamsburg

Delicious meatballs are the centerpiece of The Meatball Shop’s menu

When hunger strikes, you’ll never be short on options in Williamsburg. Whether it’s coffee, restaurant dining, or nightclubs, this Brooklyn district has you covered.

• Barbecue lovers won’t want to miss Fette Sau for its smoked-in-house meats.
• Think poultry and pastries is a weird combination? Prepare to be surprised at Pies-n-Thighs, which is well-loved for its fried chicken and flaky desserts.
• There’s no false advertising at The Meatball Shop, a restaurant specializing in meatballs of all kinds.
• International fare is what Williamsburg does best, from the Mexican cuisine at Mesa Coyoacan to the Japanese tapas at Bozu.
• Other eateries worth checking out include Traif, Zenkichi, DuMont Burger, Maison Premiere, Caracas Arepa Bar, Pates et Traditions, and Rye.
• Tight on cash? Cheap eats can be found in the vicinity, where the average meal will cost you less than $8. Falafel connoisseurs need to check out Oasis for Middle Eastern staples. American stadium food–hot dogs, chips and dip, and cheese puffs–is always on the menu at The Levee, where you can challenge your friends to a game of pool or beat the high score at pinball. Patrons rave about the sandwiches at Graham Avenue Meats and Deli, the perfect place to pick up a quick lunch. And what would New York be without its pizza, the best in the world? You can choose between the unique creations of Vinnie’s Pizzeria or the more traditional Carmine’s Pizzeria (and we have more recommendations for the best pizzas in the city). Also worth noting are the restaurants Crif Dogs, The Bagel Store, Vanessa’s Dumpling House, and Nam Nam.

Icing flavors you won’t find anywhere else make Dunwell Doughnuts a unique pastry shop

• Need your caffeine fix? There are plenty of coffee shops in Williamsburg. Blue Bottle Coffee takes pride in vintage coffeemaking techniques, and takes the process seriously with their hot coffee made to order.
• Black Brick is a great winter getaway for its cozy, rustic charm in the midst of a metropolitan city.
• For a full-service café, House of Small Wonder brings European chic to the streets of Brooklyn.
• And what’s coffee without its tasty complement: the doughnut? Thankfully, Dunwell Doughnuts has an extensive menu of over 200 flavors that rotate daily, so you can try something new with each visit!
• Don’t forget to stop by Gimme! Coffee, Fortunato Brothers, Toby’s Estate Coffee, Bakeri, and Oslo Coffee Roasters. Some of our other favorite coffee spots across New York are compiled within this helpful list (we can help give suggestions on the best bagels, too).

A taste of Germany is always available at Radegast Hall and Biergarten

• After hours, kick back at one of the neighborhood’s many bars. Radegast Hall and Biergarten transports visitors to an authentic German beerhall, complete with live music every night. Barcade is an appropriate portmanteau: it combines the finest beers on tap with a host of classic arcade games. For fancier fare, try Huckleberry Bar, though its creatively named cocktails (examples include I Think I Love You and The Owls Are Not What They Seem) should balance out the formalities. Don’t neglect to include these hotspots on your barhopping list: Union Pool, Café Moto, Alligator Lounge, Spuyten Duyvil, Berry Park, The Whiskey Brooklyn, Hotel Delmano, and The Gutter.
• A diverse selection of nightclubs also call Williamsburg home. Verboten represents the cutting edge of modern entertainment, with state-of-the-art speakers and visual art displays. This n’ That is raunchy and fun, with frequent drag shows and outrageous events catered to its mostly LGBTQ clientele. For a more relaxed setting, take a trip to The Woods, where you can sip spirits on an outdoor patio. Check out Bembe, Output, and TBA Brooklyn, too.

Stay or live in Williamsburg

Williamsburg is the perfect neighborhood, whether you’re looking to make a permanent move or only staying temporarily. New York Habitat has accommodations to fit your personal needs, and we’ll work with you throughout the process. If your time in Brooklyn is brief, we suggest our Williamsburg vacation rentals or a bed and breakfast. These accommodations will provide comfort no matter how long you’re in New York.

For long-term arrangements, our Williamsburg furnished apartment rentals and roommate shares are the best ways to settle and adapt to city life. With New York Habitat’s guidance, the stress will be minimal and you can start enjoying all that Williamsburg has to offer! Before you make the move, brush up on our New York etiquette tips.

Things to do and see in Williamsburg

Thanks to its centuries’ worth of history, it should come as no surprise that Williamsburg is home to several notable museums, landmarks, and parklands.

• For a quirky, cultivated collection of New York relics, stop by the City Reliquary. This museum displays everything from architectural fragments to subway artifacts. It provides a unique glimpse into New York City history and sponsors community events. Another non-profit institution is the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, which links the artistic world to the Williamsburg public. Rotating exhibits and events speak to the ever-changing trajectory of art in contemporary society.

A statue of George Washington stares proudly over the Continental Army Plaza

• Williamsburg is a prime tour destination for architecture buffs. The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburg stands proudly near the Williamsburg Bridge and remains an impressive example of neoclassical design. A sculpture of George Washington graces the Continental Army Plaza, the small park built alongside the Williamsburg Bridge. Once the biggest sugar refinery in the world, the Domino Sugar Factory is now in redevelopment. Many of the buildings have been gutted and demolished already, and it is unclear if any structures on this historic site will survive the reconstruction. See it, if possible, while you still can.

East River Park is a favorite among Williamsburg residents

• Want to experience the great outdoors in the urban jungle? Williamsburg can help! Perhaps the most famous example of green space in the neighborhood is the sprawling seven-acre East River State Park. Its wide green spaces and spectacular panorama of Manhattan attract residents and visitors alike. The reinvented McCarren Park appeals to the public for its sporty facilities and seasonal fairs. The waterfront Grand Ferry Park, named for the aquatic transport of passengers and farm produce of the 1800s, is a great spot for jogging and admiring native plant species. Inventor Peter Cooper is commemorated at Cooper Park. The park’s dog run is especially popular with canine owners!

What are your favorite spots in Williamsburg?