Living in Greenpoint – a neighborhood guide for families

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

• Twinkle Playspace | Great play space for kids 6 and under with a life-size climbable tree, a rope bridge and a space capsule. Offers drop-in play and birthday parties!
• Greenpoint Library | The renovated Greenpoint Library runs regular free kids’ programs like “Kids Create!” arts-and-crafts sessions after school, which are great low‑cost drop‑in activities for local families.
• Greenpoint YMCA | Greenpoint Y is expanding kids’ offerings for summer 2026, including Big Messy Art Camp, Swim + STEM Camp, and Swim + Arts Camp, plus traditional camp and Kinder Camp for younger kids.
• Little Explorers at McGolrick Park | A newer outdoor, child-led play program at McGolrick Park for ages 1–3, focused on messy, imaginative outdoor play—nice to mention as a seasonal option alongside the indoor spaces.
• 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

• Bakeri | A women‑owned bakery on Freeman Street with a cozy, vintage feel and Scandinavian‑leaning pastries. Come early for croissants, quiche, and biscuit sandwiches, or grab a loaf and a slice of cake to take home—seating is limited and the space fills up fas
• Bagel Point | A great spot for hand-rolled, kettle boiled bagels. Don’t miss the rainbow bagel!
• Blue Collar Burger | Popular a counter-serve burger joint serving griddled burgers, fries and handmade shakes in a retro space.
• Burgers at 20 Grams | Jubilee Marketplace | Try their viral burger
• Cafe Alula | Lebanese cafe with outdoor seating in the front and back. Open every day from 8am-6pm.
• Cafe Riviera | Cafe on Manhattan Avenue with a large selection of Polish treats like Babka yeast cake, almond pretzel and apple turnovers.
• Chinta Thai | This popular Thai restaurant is located on Franklin Street.
• Caffè Panna | The super popular Manhattan ice cream shop has a location at Greenpoint on Norman Avenue. Don’t miss the special soft serve flavours on weekends.
• Copper Mug Coffee | Popular Williamsburg coffee shop has opened their latest branch in Greenpoint, near Peter Pan.
• Davey’s Ice Cream | Colorful ice cream shop on Meserole Avenue. This is the second location of the East Village shop.
• Frankel’s Delicatessen| Contemporary Jewish deli with smoked fish, classic deli sandwiches, and brisket.
• Fornino | Another location of the pizza joint, also in Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO’s Time Out Market.
• Greenburg Cafe | A minimalist neighborhood café with an open backyard, Greenburg serves espresso drinks plus pastries, salads, and gourmet sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients. Look out for their seasonal specials, like pistachio‑rose or blueberry shortcake matcha lattes
• Homecoming | A stylish coffee shop that slow sells flowers.
• Karczma | One of the most famous and popular Polish restaurants in Greenpoint, and home to authentic handmade Polish Pierogi. Located on Manhattan Avenue.
• Maman | Bakery on Kent Street with great coffee and cookies.
• Mariscos El Submarino | This Mexican seafood joint, also in Jackson Heights, is known for aguachiles and shrimp cocktails.
• Moka & Co. | A Yemeni coffee spot arriving on Franklin Street, Moka & Co. specializes in spiced drinks like Mufawar coffee, Adeni chai, and pistachio‑topped matcha, alongside classic espresso. It’s a great pick when you want something a little different from your usual latte
• 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.
• Oh Dumplings | Located not far from the ferry, this casual spot serves dumplings and authentic Chinese food.
• Ovenly | Beloved Brooklyn bakery known for sea salt chocolate chip cookies and inventive cakes, Ovenly’s Greenpoint outpost is an easy stop for both weekday treats and weekend celebration desserts. Expect a steady line of regulars picking up pastries, breads, and coffee to go
• Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop | Great pizza spot on Franklin Street.
• Peek In Cafe | A new Korean‑inspired all‑day café on Franklin Street, serving coffee, pastries, and playful savory options like jambon beurre and jambon kimbap. Expect a bright, design‑y space that works for both laptop time and casual meet‑ups
• Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop | A 60-year-old donut shop on Manhattan Avenue. Cash only!
• Radio Bakery | A destination bakery, expect to wait in line! Try their triple chocolate croissants and the “everything” breakfast focaccias.
• The Ramen Spot | Another destination for ramen!
• Taqueria Ramirez | Grab-and-go tacos on Franklin Street. Open Wednesdays through Sundays.
• Vamos Al Tequila | Authentic Mexican food.
• Wanpaku | A modern izayaka and ramen shop. Serves Japanese small plates and shoe ramen.

Spots for a date night out

• Bar Americano | A Euro‑style cocktail and aperitivo bar on Franklin with low lighting, small plates, and serious drinks.
• Bernie’s | A nostalgic throwback to classic American diners, Bernie’s serves steaks, burgers, and wedge salads in a casual, retro setting. Its sidewalk seating is a hip place to eat outdoors in Greenpoint.
• Cafe Alula | Located at 252 Franklin Street, Cafe Alula specializes in Lebanese cuisine, offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. Patrons can enjoy their meals in a cozy, plant-filled backyard patio.
• Cecily | Cecily is a neighborhood wine bar and restaurant occupying a former art gallery space. The menu emphasizes seasonal, vegetable-forward dishes, featuring items like porcini “chicharrones” with egg yolk, mackerel toast, and butter beans with braised collards. Seafood offerings are particularly noteworthy, complemented by an extensive and thoughtfully curated international wine list.
• Chez Ma Tante | This neighborhood bistro located on Calyer Street in Greenpoint is named after a Montreal hot dog shack. They serve European-inspired menu featuring dishes like chips with garlicky aioli, pig’s head terrine, kohlrabi and apple salad, and grilled pork shoulder with salsa verde and lentils. The food is simple but exceptionally made, like an elevated caesar salad or the juicy roasted chicken. The space features clean white-washed brick walls and a long wooden bar. Chez Ma Tante made it into The NY Times’ list of the top 100 best restaurants in NYC; see the full list here!
• El Pingüino | Seafood‑focused bar with tinned fish, oysters, and sherry‑heavy drinks; intimate, European seaside vibe that reads very date‑night.

• Fulgurances Laundromat | Fulgurances is a French restaurant concept originating in Paris. Fulgurances Laundromat is located in a former laundromat space in Greenpoint, and the restaurant offers rising chefs the opportunity to lead a kitchen and craft their own seasonal tasting menus. Diners can choose between a six-course menu priced at $94 or an eight-course menu at $120, with optional wine pairings available. It’s a unique dining experience suited for a special occasion. There is also a limited à la carte menu is also available for walk-in guests.
• Lovebirds Wine Bar & Bistro | A cozy natural‑leaning wine bar with a bistro menu that’s been getting attention as a romantic, candlelit date spot in the neighborhood.
• Glasserie | Housed in a former glass factory, Glasserie offers inventive Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a focus on shared plates. Its lush courtyard provides a beautiful, tucked-away outdoor dining experience.
• Ilis | For a very special occasion, or for the super-foodie, consider Ilis, from the co-founder of Copenhagen’s Noma. It’s very pricey: a $325 tasting menu, $225 five-course prix fixe, or a la carte option at the bar. The restaurant emphasizes sustainable cuisine and serves seasonal plants, seafood, and game of North America. Diners can choose between the “Market Menu,” allowing selection of individual dishes based on seasonal ingredients, or the “Field Guide Menu,” a surprise tasting curated by the chefs. The expansive space features a central open kitchen where chefs both prepare and serve meals, creating an immersive dining experience.
• Lingo | This Japanese American restaurant serves exciting fusion dishes including smoked tamale sando, albacore tuna crudo, and beef and bone marrow pie. They also serve a wide array of seasonal cocktails made with Japanese spirits, as well as mocktails.
• Milk & Roses | This romantic Italian-American eatery features a garden-like back patio perfect for al fresco dining. Known for its pasta and wine list, it’s a charming spot for dinner or brunch.
• Naked Dog | This Italian spot in located near the waterfront serves top notch bruschetta, spaghetti, pappardelle with beef Bolognese’s, and bombolini for dessert. Naked Dog has both indoor and outdoor seating. Walk-ins only!
• Nerina NYC | A newer Mediterranean restaurant in Greenpoint with a mezze‑style menu designed for sharing, polished enough for a “proper” dinner date without feeling stuffy.
• Oxomoco | This Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant on Greenpoint Avenue specializes in wood-fired cooking. The interior has large skylights and a long indoor bar, and there is plenty of outdoor seating on the front patio. Try the pollo a las brasas, a half-chicken that comes with housemade tortillas and crispy red rice. More highlights include the lamb barbacoa, the beet chorizo, and the masa tempura shrimp. Plus, don’t miss out on the margaritas, palomas, and more cocktails.
• Sereneco | Sereneco offers New American cuisine with a healthy, seasonal focus, including grain bowls, fish dishes, and fresh vegetables. Its stylish outdoor terrace is great for brunch or dinner.
• U Omakase | U Omakase is Greenpoint’s only dedicated omakase restaurant, and breaks away from the traditional counter service. Instead, the restaurant has a 13-person U-shaped bar that feels more like communal dining. The omakase is $89 per person for at least 13 plates and sake. All seafood is flown in from Japan. Open Wednesdays through Sundays.

Parks and outdoor spaces

McCarren Park 

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.

Under the ‘K’ Bridge Park

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.
• Big Night | Sells home goods, pantry items, and great gifts!
• Archestratus Books + Foods | Bookstore with new and vintage cookbooks, plus a cafe with pastries.
• Awoke Vintage | Vintage clothes and accessories shop with a speciality in vintage denim.
• 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: April 2026