Greenpoint is the northernmost neighborhood in Brooklyn and home to a large Polish immigrant and Polish-American community. The neighborhood has a mix of traditional Polish restaurants and hip eateries, bakeries, bars, and live music venues. The once-industrial area is also home to art galleries, independent shops, and plenty of family-friendly amenities for kids. Find out about things to do, parks and kid-friendly spaces, restaurants, and more! Greenpoint is bordered by Williamsburg to the southwest, the BQE and East Williamsburg to the southeast, Newtown Creek and LIC (Queens) to the north, and sits on the East River waterfront, with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
Key facts about Greenpoint
- Total population: 38,980
- Median age: 34.7
- Race demographics: 15% Hispanic, 71% White, 3% Black, 6% Asian.
- Total households: 18,703
- Family households: 7,850 (42% of households)
- Median household income: $125,469
- Average household size: 2.1
Play spaces, drop-in activities, and classes for kids
- PLAY Greenpoint | Founded by a local mom, PLAY Greenpoint consists of The Play Lab (9 months to 7 years) and Play Kids (ages 4 to 8). Both offer drop-in play and birthday parties, and Play Kids also offers afterschool classes, drop-off movie nights, and more for older kids.
- Ms. J’s Gymanstics | A gymnastics school with classes, after-school programs, camps, birthday parties, and family fun!
- Ferox Athletics | Ferox is biggest ninja park on the East Coast for adults and kids at 40,000+ square feet! The gym includes ninja warrior courses and obstacles, a trampoline arena, and a full-size cafe where parents can hang while kids play. Open Play passes range from $30 – $39, they also offer birthday parties, classes and camps. Best for ages 5 and up.
- Space Club | An amazing indoor play space with tons of sensory areas for kids to explore. Kids will love to run, jump, slide, crawl, swing and bounce in their huge bounce house.
Restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries
- Karczma | One of the most famous and popular Polish restaurants in Greenpoint, and home to authentic handmade Polish Pierogi. Located on Manhattan Avenue.
- Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop | Great pizza spot on Franklin Street.
- Wanpaku | A modern izayaka and ramen shop. Serves Japanese small plates and shoe ramen.
- The Ramen Spot | Another destination for ramen!
- Taqueria Ramirez | Grab-and-go tacos on Franklin Street. Open Wednesdays through Sundays.
- Bernie’s | On Driggs Avenue, serves American comfort food on red-checkered tablecloths.
- Cafe Riviera | Cafe on Manhattan Avenue with a large selection of Polish and European treats like Babka yeast cake, almond pretzel and apple turnovers.
- Maman | Bakery on Kent Street with great coffee and cookies.
- Davey’s Ice Cream | Colorful ice cream shop on Meserole Avenue. This is the second location of the East Village shop.
- Naked Dog | This Italian spot in located near the waterfront.
- Radio Bakery | A destination bakery, expect to wait in line! Try their triple chocolate croissants and the “everything” breakfast focaccias.
- Fornino | Another location of the pizza joint, also in Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO’s Time Out Market.
- Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop | A 60-year-old donut shop on Manhattan Avenue. Cash only!
- Oh Dumplings | Located not far from the ferry, this casual spot serves dumplings and authentic Chinese food.
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Vamos Al Tequila | Authentic Mexican food.
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Burgers at 20 Grams | Jubilee Marketplace | This $2.15 burger went viral recently!
- Bagel Point | A great spot for hand-rolled, kettle boiled bagels.
- Frankel’s Delicatessen| Contemporary Jewish deli with smoked fish, classic deli sandwiches, and brisket.
- Homecoming | A stylish coffee shop that slow sells flowers.
- Cafe Alula | Lebanese cafe with outdoor seating in the front and back. Open every day from 8am-6pm.
There are so many new restaurants, bars, and coffee shops opening in Greenpoint! The following opened in recent months:
- Mokafé | This new coffee shop opened a new location on Manhattan Avenue, serving specialty coffee directly from Yemen. The coffee house also plans to open a larger flagship location later this fall, also on Manhattan Avenue.
- Chinta | This Thai restaurant opened in June on Franklin Street.
- Mariscos El Submarino | This Mexican seafood joint based in Jackson Heights opened a new location in Greenpoint in early June. Mariscos El Submarino is known for aguachiles and shrimp cocktails.
- Nick and Sons Bakery | This bakery’s first location opened in Williamsburg in 2018. This newest location is across from McCarren Park in Greenpoint, and sells croissants, cardamom buns, tarts, and other pastries. The bakery will also start serving pizza soon.
- Caffè Panna | The super popular Manhattan ice cream shop just opened its first location in Brooklyn in July, in Greenpoint on Norman Avenue. It is a Roman gelateria that also serves affogato and coffee.
- Prospect Butcher Co. | This butcher shop, based in Prospect Heights, opened a new location in Greenpoint in June. The worker-owned shop sells meat, cheese, cold cuts, charcuterie, sandwiches, condiments, beer, and coffee. Breakfast is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-12pm. They will also start hosting classes soon.
- Blue Collar Burger | The popular burger joint has a new location in Greenpoint!
Parks and outdoor spaces
McCarren Park (bordering Williamsburg)
McCarren Park is shared by Williamsburg and Greenpoint and has playgrounds, ball fields, and McCarren Park public pool in the summer. There are also dog-friendly areas, barbecuing areas, bocce courts, skate parks, and tennis courts.
McGolrick Park
McGolrick Park is a quiet park that is dog-friendly. There is also a play area with swings, water sprinklers, and a playground. There is a farmer’s market on Sundays.
WNYC Transmitter Park
WNYC Transmitter Park was once the working home of the WNYC radio transmission towers. Now the waterfront park has green space, a play area, water sprinklers, and a pier for fishing. There are lots of outdoor movie nights in the park; find the lineup of this summer’s screenings here.
A former industrial site, this park beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge is on the waterfront of Newtown Creek and has green space, areas for biking and skateboarding, and lots of local events.
Open Streets
The North Brooklyn Open Streets Community Coalition has worked to create open pedestrian areas including Williamsburg’s Berry Open Street as well as the following in Greenpoint:
- Banker’s Anchor | Brooklyn’s newest plaza, located at N15th St and Nassau Avenue.
- Bedford Slip | Located at the intersection of Bedford, Nassau & Lorimer.
Family-friendly shopping
- Word Bookstore | Independent book shop on Franklin Street offering readings and workshops.
- Hey Kids Comics | Carries exclusively graphic novels for kids. Located on Huron Street, open Wednesday to Sunday.
- Action City Comics | Another graphic novel booksores on Manhattan Avenue.
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Big Night | Sells home goods, pantry items, and great gifts!
- Archestratus Books + Foods | Bookstore with new and vintage cookbooks, plus a cafe with pastries.
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Awoke Vintage | Vintage clothes and accessories shop with a speciality in vintage denim.
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Greenpoint Toys | Toy store on Manhattan Avenue selling toys, puzzles, craft kits, and more.
How to get there
- By subway: There are two main subway stations in Greenpoint that usually service the G train: Nassau Avenue Station and Greenpoint Avenue Station. However, this summer, there is currently a shutdown on the G train. The shutdown started June 28 and will run in three phases: G trains are currently not running between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues until August 12. Then, trains won’t run between Bedford-Nostrand and Church Avenues through September 3. Previously, G trains were not running between Court Square and Nassau Av from June 28 to July 5. Free shuttle buses are running between stations undergoing repairs.
- By bus: The B62 bus runs from Downtown Brooklyn through Vinegar Hill and Williamsburg to Greenpoint.
- By ferry: Take the East River Ferry to Greenpoint.
Updated: July 16, 2024.
