The 10 Best Things to Do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn from a Local
Williamsburg is located on the north side of Brooklyn with the East River bordering it on the West. Today, it is arguably labeled one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York City. A popular place for all kinds of creatives from around the world to live, I’ve been happy to call Williamsburg my home for the last year. In this post, I’ll be sharing ten things to do here that I really enjoy, though there are so many more I haven’t even discovered yet! Expect more on Williamsburg and the surrounding areas as I learn my way around Brooklyn.
All the content in this post was created and shot by @passportinphotos.
Williamsburg Bridge
Devoción roasts coffee beans imported directly from Colombia here in Brooklyn within 10 days of leaving their origin, making it the only company in the world that roasts farm-fresh coffee within this short amount of time. Besides their exceptionally fresh coffee, their unique industrial space (a former warehouse) in Williamsburg makes sitting down for a cup of coffee and a chocolate croissant a true experience.
Pueblo Querido Coffee Roasters not only brings Colombian flavors to the neighborhood, but also a piece of its culture. Their newest Brooklyn location in Williamsburg (the other is in Greenpoint) opened in March 2020 and they’ve been going strong ever since.
One of McNally Jackson’s four NYC locations is here in Williamsburg. It’s an independent bookstore owned by Sarah McNally, a former editor at Basic Books.
Sunday in Brooklyn won me over this past year for having one of the coziest outdoor dining set-ups in town. The Bloody Marys and pancakes definitely factored in too. Check them out any day of the week for brunch or dinner.
Discover something unique to shop for at Artists & Fleas, open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Try gelato directly imported from Italy at Gelateria Gentile. They also serve coffee and pastries, if you’re in the mood for something else.
Fandi Mata is one of those places where the ambiance is just as amazing as the food. I highly recommend it for dinner with friends.
From the second you walk up to Rosarito, you can feel the Mediterranean vibe and chill tunes in the background. Definitely a neighborhood favorite.
One of the best things about living in Williamsburg is catching those Manhattan sunsets. Domino Park is perfectly situated right on the East River. It also has a lot to offer from a dog park, to “social circles” where people like to gather for picnics, a playground and even a Mexican restaurant (Tacocina). Come spend the day and stay to watch the sun go down behind that NYC skyline we all love.
Almost perfectly paired, Fox Fodder Farm and Dandy Wine & Spirits are both located on South 4th Street. So before you head home, step into what is literally “Spring inside” this gorgeous flower shop and stop in for a nice bottle of wine that’s been carefully selected by the staff at Dandy.
The Williamsburg Bridge, I’d say, is a much more laid-back version of what people usually confuse it with, the Brooklyn Bridge. You won’t really find tourists taking pictures here, but it has character and makes for a great way to get to and from downtown Manhattan easily either by foot or bike.
