Travel the World Without Leaving these Brooklyn Neighborhoods
The heartbeat of New York City stretches far beyond a visit to Central Park and the Empire State Building. Let’s explore these lesser frequented Brooklyn neighborhoods for an authentic look into the backbone of the five boroughs.
Brooklyn will always have my heart. Being born and raised in this borough is something I’ll take with my wherever I go, and it’s safe to say I absolutely love telling others about my hometown. Many Brooklyn neighborhoods make a continuous appearance in my novel, Home in a Hundred Places, and in a sense, became her own character in the story. The ins and outs of the borough can take a lifetime to explore, but to me, that’s the fun of living in Brooklyn.
If the borough of Brooklyn stood as its own city, it would be the 3rd largest in the country. There are 77 unique neighborhoods across its 71 square miles. Whether you want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or find the next up and coming Williamsburg restaurants, finding fun things to do in Brooklyn can seem almost limitless. There’s a neighborhood for everyone, and some areas will make you feel like you’ve traveled to another country entirely, while others may make you feel right at home.
Sunset Park
If you can’t decide on having some of the best dumplings or tacos in New York City, have both in Sunset Park. Visit this Brooklyn neighborhood to experience a true melting pot of distinct cultures through Hispanic and Chinese restaurants and shops. Sunset Park is also the site of New York City’s most famous cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery, where many athletes and politicians are buried.
Located just south of Park Slope, Sunset Park is a mixture of authentic Hispanic cultures. For traditional, homemade Peruvian rotisserie chicken, find your way to La Brasa Peruana. For authentic Mexican cuisine, try tacos and tostadas at Tacos El Bronco Restaurant.
A section within this Brooklyn neighborhood is, the borough’s Chinatown. Entering the Fei Long Market has you questioning if you are actually in China, rather than Brooklyn. English isn’t widely heard in this supermarket and Asian produce takes center stage. The Shanghai Traditional Dumpling, a stand within the Fei Long Market’s food court, is traditional as it gets. Watch cooks meticulously pinch dumplings as you wait for your order.
Park Slope
Park Slope does get some tourist traction, but not as much as other Brooklyn neighborhoods like the classic Brooklyn Heights or ever evolving Williamsburg, one of the coolest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Park Slope is the perfect neighborhood for families and in my opinion, is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Brooklyn for its mix of urban characteristics and family friendly atmosphere. Centered by the famed Prospect Park, the tree lined streets of Park Slope are often lined with strollers. Park Slope is home to an artistic and literary crowd, with many independent cafes and bookstores in the neighborhood.
Finding casual eateries and fine dining are easy on Park Slope’s two main thoroughfares, 5th and 7th Avenues. Mariella and Benchmark are two of many restaurants in the area that serve locally sourced organic dishes.
Visiting Brooklyn neighborhoods wouldn’t be complete without having a slice or two. Smiling Pizzeria is as authentic as it gets for New York pizza. This no frills pizzeria is located right next to the subway station, which makes it an easy meal to grab and go. Let’s be honest, one of the best things to do in Brooklyn is getting a slice on your way to the subway.
To satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, head over to Buttermilk Bakeshop. Desserts are the main item on the menu, including a number of vegan options.
Brighton Beach
If you want to be transported to another country without leaving Brooklyn, head over to Brighton Beach. This is one of the most unique Brooklyn neighborhoods and is home to a vibrantly large Russian population. Approximately 600,000 Russian Americans call this section of Brooklyn home, making it the biggest population of Russians in the western hemisphere. I think it’s one of the best neighborhoods to visit if you want to experience a different part of the world at the edge of the borough.
Streets lined with Russian markets, shops, nightclubs, and restaurants fill this seaside neighborhood. Browse through Gold Label International Food for flavors of Russia at this local grocery store.
Located along the beach just next door to Coney Island, Brighton Beach is an area of Brooklyn where Russian is heard more than English. One of the most popular restaurants along the boardwalk is Tatiana, which serves traditional Russian dishes with an oceanfront view. The Brighton Beach boardwalk is a perfect spot for long walks and if the weather is warm enough, spend the day tanning on the beach and swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.
Make Yourself at Home
No matter how far I travel, Brooklyn will always be my home. So much of Home in a Hundred Places is rooted in Brooklyn, and so many of the characters in my novel were shaped by this beautiful piece of New York. In a way, Brooklyn and its international flare took center stage in parts of Home in a Hundred Places, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. So whether you are a first timer to Brooklyn, or you’ve lived in the area your whole life, there’s always plenty of Brooklyn neighborhoods to explore and feel at home in.
