This month, Brooklyn’s dining scene saw both closures and new arrivals, including a floating bar in Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 5 marina, a Carroll Gardens pasta spot with Italian pantry items, a Vietnamese café in Park Slope, a Mexican restaurant in Greenpoint, and a dessert café in Bay Ridge. More openings are coming this fall, including ABC Kitchens in DUMBO, a kid-friendly Roman pizzeria with a play area—also in DUMBO, Bar Ferdinando in Carroll Gardens from the owner of Cafe Spaghetti, Swoony’s, and Sal Tang’s, and a non-alcoholic bar in Greenpoint opened by a star of the Summer House reality series.
First up, some of this month’s notable closings:
- Park Plaza Diner, a Brooklyn Heights institution on Cadman Plaza West, is closing after 42 years. The diner was founded in 1983 by Peter Likourentzos and later run by his son Dimitri. The last day of service for both Park Plaza Diner and the adjacent Brooklyn BBQ is August 28.
- Bakery and café Alice’s Tea Cup To-Go in Brooklyn Heights has also announced that they will close their doors on August 31.
- Bohemien Bar, a Brooklyn Heights listening bar that opened in 2020, closed on August 12 at 97 Atlantic Avenue. Floyd, the beloved premiere league pub with bocce that has been looking for a new home since closing in December, has announced its rebirth as The Black Bull, and will take over the old Bohemian Bar space!
- The Prospect Heights restaurant Olmstead closed on August 17 after almost 10 years in the neighborhood.
- R&D Foods closed at 602 Vanderbilt Ave. in Prospect Heights on August 9 after 11 years. Gertie, the Williamsburg diner and sister to Gertrude’s in Prospect Heights, will take over the space this fall. R&D’s sister shop for home goods, R&D Goods, will remain open at 600 Vanderbilt Ave.
- Mitchell’s Soul Food, the Southern comfort food spot on Vanderbilt Avenue Prospect Heights, has closed permanently after more than 40 years in business.
- In Park Slope, Malaysian restaurant Curry Mee appears to have closed earlier this summer. The space is now home to Pangat, a new Indian restaurant from former Unapologetic Foods chef Soham Deshpande, which opened on August 8. (369 Fifth Ave.)
- Naruto Ramen, which had been on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope for 15 years, closed in late July.
- Sweet Talk, which served cocktails and Hawaiian fare, closed in Gowanus this month. They hope to open a new location in Brooklyn soon.
- Dirty Precious, a cocktail bar in Gowanus, will close their doors on August 9 after their lease expires.
- Fin du Monde, the Greenpoint restaurant serving French and American fare, had their last dinner service on August 16. However, they will offer private events and cooking classes starting in mid-September. Catch all their updates here.
- Ponyboy, the Greenpoint cocktail bar and club, closed this summer after seven years in business. The owner will continue to run nearby Taqueria El Chato.
- Greenpoint’s Franklin Corner Cafe, a 17-year-old deli once favored by the late director David Lynch, closed on August 4 after the landlord declined to renew its lease.
This month’s restaurant openings
Concrete Shoals | Brooklyn Bridge Park
A new bar by nearby Fini has opened at the Pier 5 marina in Brooklyn Bridge Park, offering sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Once off-limits to the public, the space now welcomes guests to sip cocktails from its floating dock bar, with plenty of outdoor seating including Adirondack chairs. The menu includes wine and beer, cocktails like Aperol Spritzes and a White Negroni Sbagliato, along with light bites. Open Wednesday–Friday from 5–10pm and 2–10pm on Saturdays and Sundays, the bar requires advance reservations on Resy, as guests must be escorted down to the dock.
Naya | DUMBO
Naya, a Mediterranean fast-casual chain, opened a new location this month on Jay Street in DUMBO. The menu lets you build your own bowl, wrap, or salad, starting with a base of rice, quinoa, lettuce, or pita, then adding proteins like chicken kebab, falafel, or beef shawarma, plus toppings such as hummus and baba ghannouj.
Phoenecia Diner Pop-Up at Montague Diner & Kellogg’s Diner | September 6 & 7 | Brooklyn Heights & Williamsburg
Catskills Phoenecia Diner is coming to Brooklyn for one weekend only, popping up from 9am-12pm at Montague Diner in Brooklyn Heights on Saturday, September 5 and Kellogg’s Diner in Williamsburg on Sunday, September 7. Famous for their fluffy pancakes and more delicious breakfast fare, you’ll be able to get the Phoenecia experience without leaving the city!
Qahwah Time | Downtown Brooklyn
Qahwah Time, a new coffee shop specializing in Yemeni coffee, has opened at 66 Court Street in Downtown Brooklyn. The shop sources its beans directly from Yemen and serves traditional brews alongside espresso drinks. Hours are 7am to 5pm daily.
Los Burritos Juarez | Fort Greene
The popular pop-up Los Burritos Juarez opened a permanent home at 54 Myrtle Avenue on August 14. You can choose from a menu of four burritos: chile colorado, salsa verde, mole, and frijoles con queso, plus a few additional dishes.
Tortelli | Carroll Gardens
A pasta shop called Tortelli has opened at 359 Sackett Street, near Smith. Expect handmade pasta (inlacing its namesake, a stuffed pasta), focaccia, and more Italian bites that you can either eat there or bring home. They also source Italian pantry items and ingredients: tomato sauces, olive oil, mozzarella, wine, and more, all straight from Italy!
Gnocchi on 9th | Park Slope
This East Village pasta shop, known for its viral $10 gnocchi-to-go, has opened its first Brooklyn outpost in Park Slope at 169 Seventh Avenue. The menu features fresh gnocchi served in Chinese-style takeout containers with sauces like vodka, black truffle cacio e pepe, pesto, and marinara. They also offer a Caesar salad and tiramisu. For their Grand Opening (Friday, September 5 at 5pm) the first 100 customers will receive a FREE Gnocchi Alla Vodka with Burrata!
Larry’s Ca Phe | Park Slope
Vietnamese coffee shop Larry’s Cà Phê, originally in East Williamsburg, has opened a second location at 384 Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. The new café offers a menu of snacks and small plates, including lemongrass beef skewers, tamarind tofu with rice noodles, kale salad, and chicken cutlet with lemon zest. Larry’s also serves Vietnamese coffee drinks made with house-roasted arabica beans and robusta from Nguyen Coffee Supply.
Pangat | Park Slope
A new Indian restaurant called Pangat opened on August 8 at 369 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, in the former Curry Mee space. The menu features dishes like tandoori and butter chicken, chili beef, Szechuan-style noodles, goat biryani, and the Mumbai snack SPDP (pictured below, puffs filled with potato, chutney, yogurt, and crispy noodles). The restaurant is currently BYOB, and there are future plans for a kid’s menu and family cooking classes.
Pulse Coffee | Park Slope
This new specialty coffee shop serving espresso drinks, matcha, and pastries has opened at 475 5th Avenue and 11th Street in Park Slope.
1 of 1 Sandwich Shop | Park Slope
A new sandwich shop has opened at at 82 5th Avenue in Park Slope, serving a variety of sandwiches from hot roast beef, a seasonal tomato sandwich, and a Bocadillo with ham, chorizo, and manchego.
Redberry Market | South Slope
A new premium supermarket has opened in South Slope at 575 4th Avenue. They are open daily from 7am to 9pm. Expect organic fresh produce, a deli counter, meats and cheeses, frozen foods, and more.
Formosa Dumplings | Prospect Heights
The Taiwanese family-run dumpling spot in Bushwick has opened a new location in Prospect Heights at 43 Underhill Avenue. They are open Tuesday through Thursdays and Sundays from 12-9pm, and Friday & Saturdays from 12-10pm.
Sweetgreen | Prospect Heights
Sweetgreen, the fast-casual chain known for its salads and grain bowls, has opened a new location at 78 St. Marks Avenue, on the corner of Flatbush in Prospect Heights. The menu features customizable bowls with a mix of greens, grains, proteins, and seasonal vegetables, plus rotating specialty salads.
La Contenta | Greenpoint
Based on the Lower East Side, La Contenta debuted its second location in Brooklyn on August 7, taking over the former Hungry Burrito space at 1079 Manhattan Avenue. They serve dinner and weekend brunch, and the menu features tacos, quesadillas, and nachos, as well as mains like hanger steak with salsa verde, fajitas, and chile relleno with succotash.
Kub Kao | Greenpoint
Kub Kao, a new Thai restaurant on Manhattan Avenue, serves classic dishes like pad Thai, curries, fried rice, and papaya salad, along with appetizers such as spring rolls, dumplings, and fried calamari. Drinks include Thai iced tea, coffee, juice, and soda as the restaurant awaits its liquor license. They are open daily for lunch (12:00-3:30pm) and dinner (4:30-10pm).
Pairing Café | Greenpoint
A coffee shop and florist in one, Pairing Café opened on August 9, offering pastries, potted plants, and flowers alongside drinks like matcha lattes. They also offer small bites, including lemon Earl Grey cookies, egg salad sandwiches, and more baked goods.
ChocoLava | Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge has a new spot for sweets: ChocoLava on 5th Avenue has opened its doors, serving crepes, waffles, ice cream, and shakes. the Dubai waffle with Kunafa pistachio, milk chocolate, and white chocolate is a must-try! There’s plenty of indoor seating for families to enjoy a treat.
Coming soon to our neighborhoods
Keep an eye out for more updates on these upcoming spots!
ABC Kitchens | DUMBO | Opening September 2025
A massive new restaurant from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is opening in DUMBO’s Empire Stores. The combined concept of ABC Kitchen, Latin-fusion ABC Cocina and vegetarian ABCV will have approximately 300 seats in the old Sugarcane space that closed during the pandemic. Read more here!
Drugstore | Time Out Market | DUMBO | Opening September 2025
Drugstore, famous for its smoothies, is coming to DUMBO this September. After a viral Hamptons pop-up, chef and restaurateur Jeremy Fall will be opening an all-day café concept in Time Out Market, offering Drugstore’s colorful signature smoothies, along with all-day breakfast, wraps, and more. Expect blends like the Golden Glow (pineapple, carrot, turmeric, lion’s mane) and Zero Gravity (cherry, spirulina, matcha). To celebrate, Drugstore is hosting a launch party on the rooftop September 7—a morning dance party with DJ Samantha Ronson, plenty of smoothies, and sneak peeks from the new menu.
Ziggy’s Roman Cafe | DUMBO | Opening October 2025
The Black Bull | Brooklyn Heights | Opening date TBA
Floyd, the beloved premiere league pub that closed in December, has announced its rebirth as The Black Bull, and will take over the old Bohemian Bar space at 97 Atlantic Avenue. The Black Bull promises to be “a new neighborhood bar, styled after a classic English pub…where the games are always on and local favorite Vanessa Forster-Whalen is behind the bar.” Stay tuned on their Instagram for updates.
Sea & Soil | Boerum Hill | Opening Early Fall 2025
Sea and Soil, a worker-owned bakery and café formerly on President Street, is moving to 388 Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill, with plans to open in early fall 2025. The new location will serve homemade sandwiches and baked goods, and the team is inviting the community to contribute mixtapes, CDs, and vintage records to help stock the shop’s music collection.
Bar Ferdinando | Carroll Gardens | Opening Fall 2025
Sal Lamboglia, the chef behind Cafe Spaghetti, Sal Tang’s and Swoony’s, is opening Bar Ferdinando, a reimagining of the 120-year-old Ferdinando’s Focacceria, which closed last year. The new all-day spot will serve snacks, focaccia sandwiches, and classics like Sicilian rice balls, pane e panelle, and octopus salad, alongside an Italian-inspired cocktail program. The restaurant will preserve original artwork and fixtures from the historic restaurant as an homage to the neighborhood institution.
Trudie’s Tavern | Carroll Gardens | Opening Winter 2025
The team behind Gertie (formerly in Williamsburg, now moving to Prospect Heights) will also open a new concept in Carroll Gardens, in the former home of Buttermilk Channel at 524 Court Street. The new spot will be called Trudie’s Tavern, and will serve steak and rotisserie chicken, chicken and waffles made with matzo, and more.
SoBol | Downtown Brooklyn | Opening date TBA
A new location of the açaí bowl chain SoBol is coming to Downtown Brooklyn, with a space in The Pioneer Building., located at 41 Flatbush Avenue.
Brooklyn French Bakers | Downtown Brooklyn | Opening date TBA
Another new food spot will open in The Pioneer Building at 41 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn French Bakers will serve artisanal homemade French pastries, along with coffee.
Aldi | Downtown Brooklyn | Opening date TBA
Another German discount supermarket, Aldi is opening a new location on Fulton Street near Flatbush Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn! Aldi is a budget-friendly, no-frills supermarket known for its curated selection of private-label and select national-brand products, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, pantry staples, frozen foods, and household essentials. Prices are lower than traditional grocery stores; products are often stocked in shipping boxes, and shoppers bag their own groceries.
Expansion of Sailor | Fort Greene | Opening date TBA
Sailor has announced plans to expand, taking over an adjacent slice shop on Dekalb Avenue. Always a tough table to get, the expansion will open up more space, or perhaps accommodate a dining room or a takeout area.
Athena Keke’s | Clinton Hill | Opening date TBA
Coming soon to Greene Avenue, Athena Keke’s is a sports bar celebrating women’s sports. Part of the NY Liberty Bar Network, it will host live games and be kid-friendly during the day.
Mariscos El Submarino | New locations in Clinton Hill & Park Slope | Opening dates TBA
This Mexican seafood joint based in Jackson Heights expanded to Greenpoint last summer, and will open additional locations in Park Slope and Clinton Hill soon.
Gertie | Prospect Heights | Opening Fall 2025
Gertie, the beloved “Jew-ish” diner that closed after many years in Williamsburg, has announced that they’ve found a new home in Prospect Heights. They will open in a space nearby their sister restaurant Gertrude’s, at 602 Vanderbilt Avenue. They’ll be focusing on bagels, plus house-smoked fish, meats, babka, and boozy sodas.
New Oyster Bar | Prospect Heights | Opening Fall 2025
Bar Meridian closed after five years in Prospect Height, but the team behind Hart’s, the Fly, Cervo’s, and Eel Bar is taking over the space to open a dedicated oyster bar by late 2025. The new spot will be located at 406 Prospect Place.
Il Leone | Park Slope | Opening Fall 2025
Il Leone, a popular pizza popup hailing from Peaks Island, Maine, is opening a new Brooklyn location on 7th Avenue between First and Garfield, in the former Bar Vinazo space. Founded by NYC native Ben Wexler-Waite, the restaurant will serve naturally-leavened, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas with locally sourced ingredients, including specialty pies like zucchini and squash blossom, asparagus, and lobster. Italian wines, cocktails, spritzes, and Maine beers will also be available.
Folk | Park Slope | Opening Fall 2025
The team behind the Park Slope restaurant Lore is opening a new cocktail bar at 689 6th Avenue. Folk will serve both craft cocktails and small plates. Stay tuned for more updates!
Antojitos BK | Park Slope | Opening Fall 2025
The Dominican street food spot in Sunset Park will open a new location in Park Slope this summer at Union and 4th Avenue.
La Merced | Park Slope | Opening date TBA
La Merced, a Mexican-inspired juice bar based in Greenpoint, is opening soon at 86 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, taking over the former Miss American Pie space. The shop will serve cold-pressed juices, smoothies, açaí bowls, soups, salads, sandwiches, and small plates like shrimp tostadas.
Macario Mexican Loncheria | Park Slope | Opening date TBA
Opening soon at 4th Avenue and 11th Street, Macario will serve Lonches Bañados from Guadalajara—“drenched sandwiches” soaked in flavorful sauces and filled with meats like pork, beef, or chicken, often topped with cheese, onions, or pickled vegetables.
Lidl | Park Slope | Opening date TBA
Paseo on Fifth, a new Park Slope development with two luxury apartment buildings, features a walkable retail paseo anchored by a brand-new Lidl grocery store, in the former space of a Key Foods. Similar to Trader Joe’s and Aldi, Lidl offers a broad assortment of products, including its famous 49-cent butter croissants, private-label Butcher’s Specialty meats, and Bon Gelati mini ice cream bars. Shoppers can also find gourmet favorites like frozen tiramisu, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, and authentic prosciutto. Learn more about Lidl and their most recent grand opening in Downtown Brooklyn here!
Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop | Gowanus | Opening date TBA
The beloved Greenpoint slice shop is slated to open a new location in Gowanus. It will be located in the former home of Ample Hills at 305 Nevins Street. Stay tuned!
Ramblin’ Chick | Gowanus | Opening date TBA
The founders of Ample Hills are launching a new fast-casual concept called Ramblin’ Chick featuring a chicken-based spin on the smash burger. The menu will also feature chicken hot dogs steamed in root beer, chicken chili, cheesesteaks, sloppy joes, fries, and shakes. Though they haven’t secured a permanent location yet, they hope to open in Gowanus in early 2026.
Hōp | Red Hook | Opening Fall 2025
Two former staff members of Red Hook Tavern (and husband-and-wife team) will open a new Cambodian restaurant at 58 Van Brunt Street in late 2025. The restaurant will serve Cambodian breakfast dishes and pastries during the day, and for dinner, fried noodles, grilled meats, stews, and more.
Expansion of Red Hook Tavern | Red Hook | Opening date TBA
One of the hottest spots in Red Hook, Red Hook Tavern, is expanding to take over the adjacent Red Hook Coffee Shop, which sold coffee and also vintage furniture before its recent closure. The tavern hopes to add a cafe space and also extend hours. The expansion date has yet to be announced, but Red Hook Tavern will have to close temporarily during the process.
Third Time’s the Charm | Red Hook | Opening date TBA
From the team behind Bad Cholesterol, this upcoming bar and restaurant at 275 Van Brunt will feature sourdough pizza, wine by the carafe, and backyard seating.
New Restaurant by Chef Eyal Shani | Williamsburg | Opening Fall 2025
The renowned Israeli Chef Eyal Shani will open a new restaurant at Williamsburg Wharf, the 3.75-acre development coming to Williamsburg’s waterfront. The restaurant will occupy 4,000 square feet on the ground floor at 470 Kent Avenue. Some of Chef Shani’s restaurants have included Port Sa’id, Michelin-starred Shmoné, HaSalon, Miznon, and the Kosher-certified restaurant Malka, with NYC locations on the Upper West Side and in DUMBO. More details about Chef Shani’s new venture in Williamsburg to come!
Lidl | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
Another 27,0000-square-foot location of Lidl is slated to open soon on the ground floor of 597 Grand Street in Williamsburg. The new store will occupy a mixed-use retail and residential building between Leonard and Lorimer Streets, which was also the former site of a Key Foods.
Whole Foods Daily Shop | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
Whole Foods is opening a 10,700-square-foot “daily shop” at 774 Grand Street in Williamsburg, part of its smaller-format, grab-and-go concept that launched last year in Manhattan, with outposts on the Upper East Side, StuyTown, and Hell’s Kitchen. Located on the ground floor of a mixed-use building, it will join the larger Whole Foods on Bedford Avenue and North 4th Street. The bodega-style shop will feature local Northeast products alongside fresh produce, sushi, rotisserie chicken, take-and-bake pizzas, seasonal salads, and 365 brand staples, plus artisanal cheeses and baked goods from Junior’s and Balthazar. It’s expected to open this fall.
Soft Bar | Greenpoint | Opening September 2025
The non-alcoholic bar and cafe Soft Bar is set to open September 17 in Greenpoint. The menu will feature zero-proof cocktails plus coffee, along with alternatives without the caffeine crash. Soft Bar is the venue of Summer House reality star Carl Radke.
Le Botaniste | Greenpoint | Opening September 2025
Le Botaniste is opening its first Brooklyn location at 673 Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint, joining seven others in New York. The plant-based restaurant serves dishes like rice and curry bowls, quinoa pasta Bolognese, chili with beans and grains, seasonal vegetable small plates, desserts, and natural wines.
Lucky Parlor | Bed-Stuy | Opening Fall 2025
Coming this fall from the team behind Trad Room, Lucky Parlor will serve up Japanese gyoza and cocktails on Ralph Avenue. Set in the old Caroline’s Donuts storefront, the new spot will have a casual cocktail bar vibe, with snacks like Japanese pan-fried dumplings.
Bojangles | East Flatbush | Winter 2025-26
Bojangles, the Carolina-born chicken chain, is returning to New York City after decades away, with its first new location opening this winter in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Known for hand-breaded fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, and all-day breakfast, the chain briefly operated in NYC in the 1980s. Bojangles plans to expand to more than 50 locations across New York and New Jersey in the coming years.
C-Town | Sunset Park | Opening date TBA
A new location of C-Town is coming to 5818 5th Avenue in Sunset Park. The supermarket chain known for being affordable, with a wide selection of everyday groceries, fresh produce, deli items, meats, dairy, baked goods, pantry items, and household staples.
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Updated: August 30, 2025. Main Image: Concrete Shoals in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
