Living in Greenpoint – a neighborhood guide for families

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

• Bagel Point | A great spot for hand-rolled, kettle boiled bagels.
• Blue Collar Burger | The popular burger joint has a new location in Greenpoint!
• Burgers at 20 Grams | Jubilee Marketplace | This $2.15 burger went viral recently!
• 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 and European treats like Babka yeast cake, almond pretzel and apple turnovers.
• Chinta | This Thai restaurant is located on Franklin Street.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 based in Jackson Heights opened now has a location in Greenpoint. 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.
• Oh Dumplings | Located not far from the ferry, this casual spot serves dumplings and authentic Chinese food.
• Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop | Great pizza spot on Franklin Street.
• 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

• 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!

• 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.
• 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!
• 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 (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.

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: June 2025.