How to Spend a Perfect Day in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

This neighborhood guide is curated by one of our New York City-based editors who knows it best.

Jessica Chapel

Commerce Writer

Jessica Chapel is the Commerce Writer at Condé Nast Traveler, where she covers travel booking and retail content. She has lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for over six years—and has been in love with the neighborhood ever since she heard stories of it from her grandfather, who owned a factory on Graham Avenue in the '80s.

Williamsburg has never sat still. I’ve lived in this vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood for over six years, but my roots run deeper—my grandfather owned a sweater factory on Graham Avenue through the late ’80s and well into the ’90s. At the time, the building was part of the neighborhood’s growing Puerto Rican community, with Latin music pouring through the streets and homemade Caribbean food served hot on most corners (this before rising rents pushed him out and back to Puerto Rico, a common theme of this era). The area has changed massively, first in the 2000s with the emergence of young urbanite hipsters and café owners sharing the streets with bewildered Hasids, and more recently with high-earners. Today, it’s true that the north waterfront now hums with designer shops and polished lofts that feel more like Manhattan (or a luxury mall) than Brooklyn. But down the quieter blocks to the south and east, beneath the gloss, there’s a heartbeat pumped by mom-and-pops shops, local dives, restaurants equal parts dimly-lit and swank, and community green spaces. If you know where to look, Williamsburg’s soul is still very much intact.

Skip the chains and the new designer pop-ups. Instead, tap into the real texture of the neighborhood: the old social clubs with cultural character, new restaurants with a cool ambiance and flavor, and less scene-y bars with just enough edge to steer away (some of) the crowd. Of all of the places to eat and play—and there’s plenty at that—these are my favorite for a perfect, low-key day and dance-y evening in my favorite neck of these Brooklyn woods.

9 a.m. Coffee and a cozy (or on-the-go) breakfast

Start your morning easy and head to PPL, my go-to for a to-go coffee—mine, a sweet iced latte with oat milk. It’s tucked into a small corner spot with an interior layered with hanging plants and a hushed hum of regulars. When the hunger strikes, head straight to Santa Fe, a tiny New Mexican-inspired joint where they crank out some of the best breakfast burritos I’ve ever tasted. (The potato version hits the sweet spot if you’re vegetarian.) It’s all counter-service here in the morning—and while lines can snake out on weekends, they move fast and it’s worth every minute.

If you want to settle in for a sit-down brunch, Allswell delivers a rustic and cozy feel with solid plates and strong coffee (or top-of-the-line brunch cocktails)—great for people-watching, solo journaling, or catching up with a friend you haven’t seen in too long.

11 a.m. Stroll McCarren Park

Come late morning, it’s time for a neighborhood walk, and McCarren Park is never too far away. Sure, Domino Park has the views, gloss, and scene, and it’s worth seeing at least once, but McCarren feels greener, more lived-in—it’s therefore better for people-watching (see: the occasional photo shoot or softball game). On weekends in the warmer months, the farmers market spreads out across the edges of the park, dotted with families, local-to-Upstate NY farms and produce vendors. Photographers walk around with Polaroids, and often request if you’d like your very own photo memento in exchange for a small fee. Food trucks line up with sweet and savory options. Kids on scooters zip past dogs napping in the shade. If the sun’s high, grab a cold drink from Parkhouse—a buzzy venue in the middle of the park that invites all from stroller to laptop crowds, and everyone in between. It’s chaotic in a right way—though, given its convenient location, overpriced if you decide to eat or drink there.

1 p.m. Shop local

In the early afternoon, I like to wander east toward some of my favorite shops. Monk Vintage sits near the park and never fails to surprise me—a true treasure trove of eclectic finds, from fringe dresses to perfectly broken-in boots. A few blocks away, Stella Dallas Living feels like walking through a curated gallery of Americana: vintage textiles, worn denim, and racks of beautiful, tactile things you didn’t know you wanted til you saw them. Then there’s Female Form, down on Grand Street—it’s drenched in pink and stocked with trendy jewelry, stylish gifts, and more than a few summer dresses I didn’t need but somehow brought home. All can be relied upon to find spontaneous joy.

2:30 p.m A late(r) lunch

To quell that post-shopping appetite, head to Anthony and Sons Panini Shoppe for a properly fat and utterly delicious Italian sandwich like the Godmother hero—to name a few of its ingredients, spicy soppressata, prosciutto cotto, and fresh mozzarella. If you’re still near the park, post up outside Five Leaves for a more classic (and buzzy) Williamsburg moment. It’s home to New American fare with a touch of Australian influence. That said, the brunch menu here is killer, from which you mustn't miss its tasty ricotta pancakes. For something more on-the-go, grab another bite from the food trucks (especially the ones serving Mexican tacos and bowls) still holding court around the northern corners of McCarren. If you find yourself fancying an afternoon beverage, head to Mugs Ale House. While a lively, local, sports-watching crowd pours in at night, this Bedford Avenue hotspot is less crowded when light-filled. Bonus points for when the large windows are flung wide open. (It serves its bar food just right, too.)

5 p.m. Fine wines, martinis, and more

As the sun starts thinking about setting, transition into the early-evening glass-of-wine or cocktail phase. The new-to-the-neighborhood wine bar Rude Mouth has become an instant favorite—it’s stylish but not too, designed with the kind of thoughtful curation that makes every pour feel intentional. Bar Madonna is another recently opened cocktail bar, that’s actually right next to Rude Mouth. I was skeptical at first (another swanky new spot just down the block from home), but the second I walked in, I got it: The lighting, the staff, the martini—it offers up a warm, elevated vibe worth lingering over. But if there’s time and you’re in the mood for full-on ambiance, Maison Premiere, on Bedford Avenue, is the crown jewel of Williamsburg itself. With a Southern Gothic vibe and oysters that arrive on beds of crushed ice, it pulls you into another era—equal parts New York, New Orleans, and old-world Europe. It's moody, magical, and home to innovative cocktails, stellar martinis, as well as a killer absinthe list, which features the largest selection of such in the US. True, it’s sometimes hard to get in if you’re not willing to wait for seating, but you can book a reservation in advance to ensure a spot. On cozy evenings when the weather is stormy or rainy, it might be best to catch a movie at Nitehawk Cinema. The old-fashioned yet elevated theater plays new releases, old classics, and has a food and cocktail menu for orders directly to your seat.

7 p.m. Low-lit dinner from hip owners

Dinner depends on the mood, of course: If I’m coming straight from a drink at Rude Mouth, St. Anselm is a no-brainer. It’s romantic, yes, but also all-around satisfying, from its pricepoints (especially compared to other steakhouses in NYC) to its simple and tasty dishes. The Butcher’s steak is perfect for sharing—especially when paired with fingerling potatoes and long green beans. The space feels like slipping into a cozy dark wood cabin you didn’t know you needed. For something more shareable and unexpected, Birds of a Feather is always on the table, its local Sichuan Chinese dishes are elevated (It is the brainchild of Yiming and Xian, the Michelin-starred duo behind Cafe China) but unfussy.

I recommend everyone and anyone to book a reservation at Gus and Marty’s, a newer traditional Greek restaurant on a block hugging McCarren. It quickly won me over with its fabulous food; plus, the owners make you feel like you’re part of something just by walking in with their warm hospitality. If I’m hanging closer to the southeast end of the neighborhood, I’ll slide into a seat at Leo. The pizzas are top-tier, cocktails are fresh, and the whole place glows with energy (and great music playing via the loud speaker outside) as the sun goes down. Sit outside under the lights, share a pie, and stay a while—or, grab a slice at their one-stop-shop next door and keep it moving.

9 p.m. (til late) Dive bars, live music, and loads of late night fun

Once night fully falls, Williamsburg shifts gears. The Commodore is where I go when I want to post up with a big group, sit outside, and let the night unravel. Known for its chicken sandwiches and quirky interior decor (there’s a fish tank in the wall), it always promises good music, great drinks, and a little chaos. Rocka Rolla is next-level for late nights—a grungy, red-lit haunt where you’ll meet every type of person imaginable and maybe challenge a stranger to a round of bocce. Right across the street from this dive, you'll happen upon famed birria taco truck, Birria-Landia. (It's often you'll see groups taking their orders back to Rocka Rolla for full-on indulgence.)

Caribbean Social Club, or “Toñita's” as locals often call it after the 85-year-old owner, always feels like stepping into a Puerto Rican house party. It's the last Latinx social club in the neighborhood, with a strong community of regulars who come to catch up over the pool table, dominos, and dancing to salsa and reggaetón (wherever there’s space is a de facto dance floor). If you come early enough, you might even find homemade Puerto Rican food served potluck style. Expect to order your drinks in Spanish here, and make way for the regulars—this place is a slice of home away from home for many Boricuas, and the wider Latinx diaspora. (Editor's note: Caribbean Social Club is currently closed while Toñita is in Puerto Rico for her pop-up at Bad Bunny's El Choli residency—keep an eye on her Instagram for information on the reopening.)

And lately, Fred’s Dog House has crept up as a favorite. From the same folks behind St. Mazie’s (a jazz bar and restaurant across the street), this place feels like a third home. At Fred’s you’ll find bluesy live music on the weekends, vegan hot dogs that don’t taste like regret (the bánh mì one is a standout), and an indoor-outdoor flow that makes it feel like a portal to another world. The red checkered floor and open-air steel garage door facade make for a space that just checks all the boxes. And if I’m still standing and ready to groove, Nicky’s Unisex is home to neon lights, funky tunes, and a disco ball. Given it's often too crowded for my liking on weekends, Mr. Melo gives me one last stop: craft cocktails, a fun crowd, Greek-inspired bites, and DJs that keep things spinning until well past midnight.