Awesomeness in Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO?

[todd271828]

I'm moving out of a super tiny place in the West Village and I'm considering a few places in Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO. The only thing that's holding me back is that I have no idea what the area has to offer in terms of restaurants and coffee shops. Can any veterans of the area give me some tips?

I poked around for a while this past weekend and found some fast food places and a few Starbuckses, but nothing that had the personality I'm looking for. I'm positive I'm just not looking in the right areas. I don't mind walking for good food!

Thanks in advance!

[elecsheep9]

I hate to tell you, but neither of those areas are exactly "great" chowish neighborhoods. There is a small stretch on Henry Street that is great with Noodle Pudding, Henry's End and Le Petit Marche (although I've never gone to the latter place). There isn't that much on Montague Street, and I don't know much about Dumbo. I guess there is Five Front which is pretty good, the River Cafe (which is generally cost prohibitive, Grimaldi's (which is overrated and touristy). I've never been to Bubby's.

[sam1]

dumbo has maybe 5 restaurants and they're all okay...five front for american bistro...semi casual...superfine which is a good place for drinks but i find their food disappointing overall. there's a branch of rice on washington which is fine for what it is...and bubbys which has possibly the worlds worst service but they still do the same quality of food as the tribeca branch.

i think brooklyn heights is better because you have noodle pudding which is a favorite of mine. henry street always had its restaurants but more ones of quality have been popping up.

if you walk down to atlantic, you have pete's ale house, by far my favorite bar and grill in brooklyn...possibly the city. there's chip shop, a banh mi place, waterfalls which has great middle eastern food and others. and of course at atlantic, yr at the north end of smith and court street's food scene.

[NYJewboy]

I have lived in this neighborhood for 18 years, and elecsheep9 description above is quite accurate. Henry street and....well that's it around here. My only disagreement is that I think 5 Front is not vey good at all. Bubby's is mediochre at best.

[andrewr]

There's not a whole lot of awesomeness in BH or Dumbo, but there are some good finds among the dregs, as already mentioned. Henry St. in BH has long-standing neighborhood staples Henry's End and Noodle Pudding along with newcomers Le Petit Marche and Jack the Horse. Sushi at Iron Chef is acceptable. Pizza at Fascati's is a good for slices. Pizza at Grimaldi's is the subject of much debate-- if you go when it's not busy, it's possible to get an excellent pie there.

The southern end of BH-- along Atlantic Ave. has some nice options with Chip Shop, Pete's Waterfront Ale House, Tazza (coffee), Waterfalls and Yemen Cafe. Atlantic Ave also has Sahadi's, as well as the future location of Trader Joe's. Plus, it's not far to Smith St. and Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill restaurants.

[LJW]

In addition to the recommendations people have already made, I really like Teresa's (modest Polish place on Montague in BH; it's been there forever and they have good breakfast and yummy chicken soup). And the walk to Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens is very easy, which has some good places. As someone who spends a lot of time in Manhattan but lives in Brooklyn, I find the process of going out to eat in Brooklyn much more civilized, i.e. huge waits are the exception rather than the norm, there tends to be more space, and the prices are generally better. And there is good food. Also, Manhattan is always just a subway ride away.

[JennS]

Clark's Diner on the corner of Henry and Clark is also a great diner. Always crowded on weekends for brunch, but the wait is never too long and the owner is the nicest guy.

[Jill Brazil]

You can walk to all the great places on Smith Street.
When I lived in Brooklyn Heights Smith Street was just becoming a great restaurant area --- apparently now it has many great options. Perhaps others here can give more info. From Smithstreetrestaurants.com
" Smith Street, which begins at Atlantic Avenue, and runs south to Hamilton Avenue, has become the new, trendy area of New York City. New York Magazine dubbed Smith Street "the most innovative, exciting restaurant row" in the city."

[ceasar11]

if you are heading toward smith, there is also the important factors of Sahadi's, the upcomgin trader joes, damascus bakery and the slightly charming tazza.

[MB fka MB]

the trader joe's will be great, but I find sahadi's overrated and overpriced on many items. great for olives and nuts, but not really helpful for regular shopping.

[Brooklyn Enthusiast]

Brooklyn Heights: Noodle Pudding is amazing, as is Henry's End.
DUMBO: En Hecho has great breakfast and lunch, and ReBar has amazing beer/wine and tapas. Forragers Market has a great selection of meats, produce and cheeses. Superine and Five Front are also good.
I doubt you'll eat in your hood every weekend, so know that you have a lot of good choices in close proximity (plus NYC is only 15 mins away on the subway!)
Red Hook: Alma and The Good Fork are really good.
Park Slope: Blue Ribbon Seafood, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Al di La (all amazing)
Court Street: Frankie's 457
Smith Street: Can't remember by name, but lots to choose from.
You really have a lot to choose from. I say go for it!