Brooklyn’s biggest restaurant news so far this January

Here are the biggest restaurant news stories in Brooklyn this month, from a long list of closings that piled up at the end of 2025 and in early 2026, to the sale of a 90-year-old bar in Brooklyn Heights to new owners, plus new openings this month, and many more to come in the next months.

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First, the news of a famous and historic seamen’s bar in Brooklyn Heights that will be changing hands after 90 years on Atlantic Avenue. Montero Bar & Grill is a legendary bar on Atlantic Avenue not far from the waterfront. Founded in 1939, the dive bar was a favorite haunt of seamen, and the interior is decorated with maritime relics from throughout the years. Today Montero remains beloved by the neighborhood and known for its lively karaoke on weekends. Owner Pepe Montero, who began working at his family’s bar when he was just 13, is selling to Alex and Miles Pincus, founders of Crew, the team behind Pilot (at Pier 6), Grand Banks, Drift In, Holywater, and The Yacht Club. The new owners plan to change very little and preserve the history of the place. They will, however, reopen the kitchen, which has not been active in many years.  

With the new year, Brooklyn saw several popular restaurants closed their doors, including:

• Seamore’s | DUMBO | All locations of this seafood spot with SoCal-inspired dishes in Brooklyn and Manhattan have closed their doors.
• Moo Burger | Cobble Hill | A burger shack beloved by local families, now closed after 15 years.
• Gus’s | Carroll Gardens | A neighborhood restaurant serving hearty dishes like chicken pot pie, pastas with rags, and  pork-and-ricotta meatballs.
• Gino’s Pizza | Park Slope | This pizzeria closed after more than 30 years in business.
• Mekelberg’s | Williamsburg | The specialty grocery store, which closed its original location in Clinton Hill about a year ago, will also close its Williamsburg location. Mekelburg’s was known for babka, breads, sandwiches, and beer selection.
• Blue Agave | Bay Ridge | A spot for tacos and margaritas closed in early January.
• More closings: Gino’s Pizza in Park Slope, Flatiron Steak in Park Slope, No Filter Coffee in South Slope, Father Knows Best in Bushwick, Five Boroughs Brewing Co. in Sunset Park, Emphasis Restaurant Cafe in Bay Ridge.

Now open:

Isla & Co. | Williamsburg 

Isla & Co., an Australian-inspired restaurant, opened this month at 66 Grand Street in Williamsburg. The Aussie menu features brunch dishes like Kimchi Sambal Scramble, Pulled Pork Hash, and Strawberry Cheesecake Waffles. For dinner, try the Crispy Chicken Sando, the signature “OG” Burger, Aussie Chicken Parma, and aSticky Date Pudding and Biscoff Tiramisu for dessert. Coffee drinks include  flat whites, cappuccinos and Aussie Iced Coffee, plus cocktails including their signature Espresso Martini Flights.

Dolly’s Swing & Dive | Williamsburg

The Williamsburg bar Dolly’s has relocated to 146 Wythe Avenue, with a soft opening on January 15 and grand opening on January 16. The bar features a fun lineup of cocktails, include the Flo Jo Espresso Martini made with vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso, an Overboard “Rum Punch,” St. Agrestis Negroni with Greenhook gin, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and more. Expect vintage artwork on the walls, a neighborhood crowd, and dancing. Open Thursday–Saturday 2pm until 4am and Sunday–Wednesday 2pm until 3am.

Lincoln Station | Park Slope

This is the second location of the all-day cafe Lincoln Station, which has long been in Crown Heights, just steps from the Brooklyn Museum. Lincoln Station was founded by the team behind the Italian restaurant Al Di La in Park Slope. The new Lincoln Station in Park Slope, like its sister location, serves coffee alongside a menu crafted by Chef Anna Klinger, featuring a Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, Meatball and Cheeseburger Sandwich, salads, and even a kid’s menu. For breakfast, you can grab an egg sandwich, breakfast bars, or fresh pastries. They also serve wine, beer, cider, and kombucha.

Coming soon:

Radio Bakery, based in Greenpoint and Prospect Heights, will open a third location in Clinton Hill in March. The Greenpoint location will also take over an adjacent flower shop on Manhattan Avenue to expand their kitchen operations.

The Peek Inn, from the team behind The Meat Hook, will open in Greenpoint in March. They will serve hot dogs and a “beertini” served dirty with olives. It will be located in the former Fin Du Monde space.

Partners Coffee will open their 2nd Williamsburg location at North 9th and Bedford this winter, in the former space of Teressa North Ninth.

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