Williamsburg has evolved a great deal over time, from an industrial district to an artistic community to a destination for music and nightlife. Today, the neighborhood’s development is on the rise, and there are so many new amenities for Brooklyn families. In the last few years, Williamsburg has also seen a wave of new kid-focused play spaces, family-friendly restaurants, and programming that make it even easier to put down roots with young children.
Williamsburg is bordered by Greenpoint to the north, Bed Stuy to the south, Bushwick and East Williamsburg to the east, with a series of beautiful waterfront parks on the East River. Find out about things to do, family-friendly amenities, kid-friendly restaurants, and more!
Key facts about Williamsburg
- Total population: 64,444
- Median age: 32.3 (young!)
- Race demographics: 26% Hispanic, 57% White, 4% Black, 8% Asian
- Total households: 29,542
- Family households: 12,282 (42% of households)
- Median household income: $129,838
- Average household size: 2.2
Play spaces, drop-in activities, and classes for kids
- PLAY Greenpoint | Award-winning after-school and birthday party venue for children ages 4–8 in Greenpoint, where STEAM learning is the heart of everything they do.
- Space Club | Indoor sensory playground built for kids of all ages in Greenpoint. They designed this space for adults who need more space for their kids to run, jump, stretch and play. In late 2024, Space Club completed a major expansion that more than doubled its footprint, so there’s now even more room for climbing structures, imaginative play, and birthday parties.
- Purposeful Play | Purposeful Play infant and toddler classes incorporate integral elements that support and promote the development of infants and toddlers through music, movement, puppets and more.
- Area 53 Adventure Park | This adventure park has a ropes course, rock climbing, zipline, skating, an arcade, and so much more for all ages.
- Canopy | A chic play space for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers. Located in North Williamsburg, Canopy now offers structured class packs and flexible open-play sessions for babies and toddlers up to age 4, plus community events for new parents.
- Brooklyn Zoo | Offers after-school classes in tumbling on the trampoline, parkour, and Ninja Warrior, plus birthday parties, private lessons, and more.
- Twinkle Playspace | This magical play space is for kids 6 and younger. It has a life-size climbable tree and endless areas for creative exploration, like a fire house, general store, beauty parlor, and so much more. Twinkle has been a family-run indoor playground mainstay in Williamsburg for over a decade and continues to be one of the best indoor options for winter, rainy days, and toddler birthday parties.
- Ferox Ninja Park | Trampoline-based amusement center offering obstacle courses, parkour, and ninja-warrior games, plus a cafe.
- The Tiny Scientist | Offers STEM and science classes for ages 5-10.
- SkateYOGI | Kids ages 2-15 can learn to skateboard at this skate school based in Williamsburg and also Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
- AquaBeba | A swim school in Williamsburg for infants, toddlers, children, and their caregivers.
- Geek Forest | An electronics and robotics shop that offers engineerings, programming, and design classes for kids ages 5-14.
- Vital Climbing Gym | Kids 6 and up can learn how to climb and boulder at this indoor gym, which also has teams, climbing clubs, camps, and birthday parties.
- Ms. J’s Gymnastics | A gymnastics school with classes, after-school programs, camps, birthday parties, and family fun!
Family-friendly restaurants
- L’Industrie | Simply the best pizza in town, there’s no indoor seating here, but in the summer months grab an outdoor booth and enjoy the best slice in the city.
- Isla and Co | Aussie brunch spot, newly opened in Williamsburg, perfect for a weekend family brunch – right by Grand Street playground!
- Pura Vida | Expansive health-focused restaurant in North Williamsburg, great for a quick healthy breakfast or lunch with kids – don’t miss the caesar wrap!
- La Nonna | This large Italian trattoria on Kent Avenue is a great, easy family-friendly dinner spot, with huge portions and delicious pastas.
- Aurora | Garden Italian restaurant on Grand Street, near Domino Park, with a leafy back patio that works well for early family dinners; kids can finish the meal with house-made gelato.
- Talea | The female-founded brewery is family-friendly and even has Jazz Baby family music classes for ages 6 months to 4 years on Sundays, from 10:30 to 11:15am.
- Sage | This Thai restaurant on Graham Avenue has a kid’s menu, plus a spacious backyard and tuk tuks for kids to play on.
- Veselka | The East Village Ukranian diner recently opened their newest location in Williamsburg. Come for the classic Veselka favorites: beef stroganoff, Ukrainian meatballs, stuffed cabbage, schnitzel, and borscht.
- Mother’s | This family-friendly neighborhood spot serves burgers, craft beers for grown-ups, and has outdoor seating.
- Jack’s Wife Freda | Locations all over NYC including in Williamsburg, this is a favorite spot for brunch.
- Egg Shop | Cafe that serves egg sandwiches and bowls for breakfast and lunch.
- Blue Collar | In addition to burgers, serves breakfast all day, plus milkshakes!
- Sunday in Brooklyn | This neighborhood restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is a great spot for weekend family brunch.
- Cafe Mogador | Serves Moroccan tagines, couscous, and more for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch.
- Tacocina | Located in Domino Park, this taqueria is a picturesque outdoor space overlooking the East River and adjacent to the Domino Park playground. A great spot for kids to eat and play!
Spots for date night out
- Aska | Aska is a two Michelin-starred Scandinavian restaurant led by Swedish chef Fredrik Berselius. Housed in a restored 1860s warehouse near the Williamsburg Bridge, Aska is an intimate dining experience with just ten tables per night. The tasting menus, ranging from 10 to 19 courses, showcase seasonal ingredients sourced from the Northeastern U.S. Aska made it into The NY Times’ list of the top 100 best restaurants in NYC; see the full list here!
- Bang Bang Bangkok | This Thai restaurant with a tasting menu is one of the most unique dates you’ll go on this year! Bang Bang Bangkok is designed to look like the interior of a bus that “transports” diners between different markets in Bangkok. The illusion is brought to life with huge screens covering the bus windows. This creative dining experience is $155 per person for a 10-course tasting menu.
- Bar Blondeau | Perched on the 6th floor of the Wythe Hotel, Bar Blondeau offers sweeping skyline views from its wraparound terrace. The seafood-forward menu by Chef Aidan O’Neal features seasonal French-inspired dishes, paired with natural wines and standout cocktails.
- Bar Madonna | Bar Madonna was was inspired by a painting that hangs in the back of the space, showing a group of people drinking martinis. It’s an Italian-American cocktail bar that draws patrons for the food just as much as the drinks. The menu features dishes like smashed meatball parmigiana and oxtail croquettes. There is a selection of original cocktails including the Madonna Bellini – a mix of peach, plum, gin, and prosecco – and the Bialetti, combining vodka, coffee liqueur, Oloroso sherry, hazelnut, and coffee.
- Birds of a Feather | Birds of a Feather is a modern Sichuan restaurant on Grand Street from the Michelin-starred team behind Café China and China Blue. The minimalist dining room sets the stage for bold, peppercorn-laced dishes and shareable small plates, plus excellent cocktails and a well-chosen wine list.
- Deux Chats | This Williamsburg spot is known for its martinis and seafood towers, and the Art Nouveau decor is reminiscent of Parisian brasseries and bistros. There’s also plenty of small plates for you and your date to share!
- Enso | Enso is a Japanese restaurant offering both a 12-course tasting menu ($95/person) and a 16-course omakase experience ($195/person), plus craft cocktails and Japanese whiskies. The chef and owner is Nick Wang, who also operates Amami and Ako Sushi.
- Kru | Kru is a contemporary Thai restaurant that reimagines historic Thai recipes through a modern lens. Chef Ohm Suansilphong’s menu highlights vivid flavors, seasonal ingredients, and beautifully plated dishes that feel special-occasion without being overly formal.
- Fish Cheeks | Fish Cheeks, the Thai seafood spot in Noho, has opened a second location at 661 Driggs Avenue. The menu features favorites like Mama Tom Yum ramen, marinated raw blue crab, and a loaded seafood tower. Expect Thai-inspired cocktails, including the Prala-Tini—a martini with anchovy vinegar and tomato garnish.
- Francie | Francie is a New American brasserie in a limestone former bank building at Broadway and Bedford. The elegant dining room and open kitchen frame a menu of European-inspired dishes, from handmade pastas and shellfish to a showstopping Crown Roast of Duck for two.
- The Four Horseman | The Four Horsemen is a Michelin-starred restaurant and wine bar in Williamsburg, co-founded by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Known for its extensive natural wine selection and New American small plates, the restaurant won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program in 2022. It also made its way into The NY Times’ list of the Top 100 best restaurants in NYC. This is hard reservation to get, so plan ahead!
- JR & Son | The same team behind Kellogg’s Diner opened this spot in Williamsburg. They restored JR & Son, a dive bar that dates back to the 1930s and closed during the pandemic. The kitchen is led by Chef Patricia Vega, alum of Thai Diner and a former Top Chef contestant. The menus includes Italian-American classics with a modern twist, like arancini salad, a spicy chicken Parm, and a rainbow cookie cake for dessert.
- I Cavallini | I Cavallini is the Grand Street sibling to Michelin-starred The Four Horsemen, with a cozy dining room that leans into pasta, seasonal plates, and a serious wine program. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxed but elevated date night with thoughtful cooking and polished service.
- Layla | Layla is a Euro-inspired aperitivo bar and restaurant on Bedford Avenue with a lively front bar, intimate dining room, and leafy backyard patio. Expect seasonal share plates like oysters, ravioli, and steak tartare, a strong cocktail list, and a fun soundtrack that makes it an excellent first-date (or fiftieth-date) spot.
- Laser Wolf | Located on the roof of The Hoxton Hotel, Williamsburg, Laser Wolf serves Israeli cuisine cooked over live coals, cocktails, and amazing views of the Manhattan skyline.
- Lilia | Lilia is a renowned Italian restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, helmed by acclaimed chef Missy Robbins. Housed in a transformed auto body shop, the airy space features an open kitchen and wood-fired grill. The menu showcases handmade pastas, wood-fired seafood, and Italian cocktails. Another Williamsburg spot in the The NY Times’ list of the Top 100 best restaurants in NYC.
- Little Fino | Little Fino offers a day-to-night menu in the William Vale hotel, and they have a beautiful courtyard space. For breakfast, they serve juices, and pastries, and sandwiches and burgers later in the day. They have inventive cocktails for grown-ups including a Root Beer Negroni and a Campari Creamsicle.
- Maison Premiere | Maison Premiere is a renowned oyster bar and cocktail lounge inspired by New Orleans absinthe cafés. It has a horseshoe-shaped bar, window seating, and a beautiful garden. The oysters and cocktails have even earned it a James Beard Award. They also have seafood towers, caviar service, small plates, wine and beer.
- Misi | Misi is an Italian restaurant located in the Domino Sugar Refinery in South Williamsburg. Led by chef Missy Robbins, they serve simple but excellent pasta that is made fresh every morning. The menu includes ten house-made pastas and ten antipasti plates. Guests can sit at the bar, the kitchen counter, or the main dining room. For dessert, enjoy gelato. And check out Misipasta, their sister grocery and aperitivo bar also serving pasta dishes.
- Peter Luger Steak House | Peter Luger is a legendary Williamsburg steakhouse and an NYC institution dating back to 1887. Famous for its dry-aged porterhouse, old-school service, and wood-paneled dining room, it’s the spot for a splurgey, classic New York date night.
- Psaraki | Psaraki is a Greek seafood restaurant in Williamsburg near Domino Park, with beautiful views overlooking the East River and Manhattan. Their menu includes raw bar items, traditional Greek appetizers to share, whole fish, lobster pasta, and more.
- Sauced | Sauced is a natural wine bar with a cute interior and a gorgeous backyard that is perfect for a summer date night. You can order wine by the glass at the counter, where servers will help you find the perfect pour for your mood. Then grab a pillow or cushion under the tree and cozy up with your date!
- St. Anselm | St. Anselm is a beloved, brick-walled Williamsburg steakhouse known for its signature butcher’s steak and wood-fired grill. The intimate space, open kitchen, and excellent value make it perfect for couples who want great steak and seafood in a laid-back setting.
- St. Mazie | St. Mazie has a Roaring ’20s feel, with live jazz most nights! You can dine in at their “Supper Club,” located in their cellar, or enjoy drinks and bites at high tops or at the bar on the main floor. There is also a beautiful backyard garden open in the warmer months. They serve great cocktails, oysters, and a full dinner menu.
- The Residence of Mr. Moto | This sophisticated cocktail spot is a sister bar to the The Office of Mr. Moto in the East Village. Both locations are themed around a fictional Mr. Moto, with decor that includes artifacts from his travels, his art collection, even his favorite clothing and accessories. Guests are meant to feel that they’re sipping cocktails in his personal residence. Alongside drinks, the menu features upscale Japanese cuisine.
Parks and outdoor spaces
Domino Park (South Williamsburg)
Domino Park has amazing waterfront views, is about 10 minutes away from the East River Ferry’s South Williamsburg stop, and has so many activities for kids and families: from the Domino Park playground inspired by the old sugar factory, water sprinklers with a view of the bridge, Tacocina’s waterfront taqueria, and the elevated walkway with even more expansive views of the East River.
Nearby is also Padel Haus with outdoor courts, as well as Putting Green Mini Golf, a seasonal pop-up is designed to showcase the problems and solutions of pressing climate change issues.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (North Williamsburg)
Formerly East River State Park, Marsha P. Johnson is a seven-acre waterfront park located along the East River. There are play areas, green spaces, and stunning waterfront views of Manhattan. The park is home to Smorgasubrg on Saturdays!
McCarren Park (bordering Greenpoint)
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.
Other amenities for kids and families
- Berry Street Playground | Recently renovated and reopened, one of the best playgrounds in the area. Other local favorites: Grand Street Playground and McCarren Playground.
- Nitehawk Cinema | New parents, don’t miss out on the Adults w/ Infants program!
- McNally Jackson Bookstore | Excellent children’s book section.
- Brooklyn Bowl | Family Bowl and Rock & Roll Playhouse shows are great for the whole family. Brooklyn Bowl continues to host Rock & Roll Playhouse weekend shows, which are specifically geared toward kids, along with daytime Family Bowl sessions.
Affording Williamsburg (data by Peter Riolo | Compass)
- Average 2-bedroom rent for the last 3 months is $6,202
- Average 2-bedroom condo sale price ytd 2024 is $1,660,000
How to get there
- Subway: Served served by the L, J, M, and Z trains.
- Ferries: Take the East River Ferry to South Williamsburg or North Williamsburg.
Updated: March 2026. Main Image: Williamsburg Bridge from Domino Park.
