Brooklyn’s food scene is booming with fresh spots this month. Lele’s Roman at the Ace Hotel dishes up all-day Italian, while Ferrane Bakery in Brooklyn Heights blends Swedish pastries with African flair. Clinton Hill’s got a new lager bar with the addictive game crokinole, and a restaurant called Osteria Radisa will serve Emilia-Romagna cuisine in Carroll Gardens. A new Lidl opened in Downtown Brooklyn, Prospect Heights welcomed a new Peruvian restaurant, plus a hot brunch joint serving oatmeal griddle cakes. And the Italian-American bar JR & Son opened in Williamsburg, and a Greenpoint has a new retro Polish spot.
And there’s more coming: Barbuto heads to 1 Hotel in DUMBO, a queer sports bar spotlighting women’s games is coming to Clinton Hill, and the team behind Four Horsemen is launching a new Italian spot in Williamsburg.
But first, the news of some notable restaurants, bars, and cafes closing in our neighborhoods.
- The beloved Prospect Heights spot Bar Meridian at 406 Prospect Place closed. The space will be transformed into a new oyster bar from the team behind Cervo’s and Hart’s, expects to open by the end of the year.
- Pecking House, a Sichuan fried chicken restaurant in Park Slope, closed its doors this month. However, the location in Manhattan’s Chinatown remains open.
- Buddies Coffee, located on Grand Street in Williamsburg, closed on May 17. The cafe intends to reopen in a new location.
- Polka Dot, a fast-casual Polish restaurant in Greenpoint, has sadly closed its doors, The Manhattan Avenue family-run restaurant had launched a GoFundMe campaign back in January, citing financial struggles.
- The Crown Heights location of Winner closed down in May.
- The Williamsburg location of the vegan restaurant chain Planta closed on Wythe Avenue in May.
- That Bar in Park Slope served its final drinks on May 30. The woman-owned neighborhood spot was a lively venue for NY Liberty & Brooklyn Nets watch parties, karaoke, and more community events.
- Bed-Vyne Brew, a beloved Black-owned bar and community hub in Bed-Stuy, closed its doors on May 31 after 12 years. On its final night, regulars gathered to celebrate the space that had long been a gathering point for locals.
- Gertie, the beloved “Jew-ish” diner in Williamsburg, has announced that it will be closing its original location at 357 Grand Street this summer, on Sunday, June 16. The team has shared that they plan to focus on their sister restaurant, Gertrude’s, in Prospect Heights; however, they are also exploring new spots for “Gertie 2.0.”
This month’s restaurant openings
Ferrane Bakery | Brooklyn Heights
A new Swedish bakery has opened at 57 Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights. Inspired by the owners’ heritages, Ferrane Bakery served Scandinavian pastries and bread that are also inspired by East African and North African flavors. Try the cardamom bun and cinnamon bun, their Swedish princess cake, plus fresh-baked breads. Coffee comes exclusively from East African farmers. The space is warm and welcoming, with plenty of seating, and even an open window into the kitchen where you can watch bakers at work!
Lucky Rabbit & Uncle J’s | DUMBO
These DUMBO spots, both owned by chef Jeremy Dean, swapped places this month. The original, Lucky Rabbit, took over Uncle J’s space at 151 Front Street, and now Uncle J’s is located at 140 Plymouth Street. You’ll find all sort of Asian noodle dishes at Lucky Rabbit, and flavorful Caribbean fare at Uncle J’s.
Lele’s Roman at the Ace Hotel Brooklyn | Boerum Hill
The Ace Hotel’s stylish new restaurant serves Roman cuisine, led by chef Francesco Battisti. There is all-day service, from Italian breakfast pastries to pastas like cacio e pepe and flatbreads for lunch and dinner. The menu also features seasonal dishes like bucatini cacio e pepe and radiatore with octopus mezcal ragu.
Enerugi Ramen | Boerum Hill
Based in Greenpoint, Energy Ramen is opening a new location at 225 Atlantic Avenue. They will serve dishes like the 16-hour slow-cooked Pai Tan Rame and their spicy Miso Ramen. In addition to ramen bowls, they will serve small plates like gyoza and pork buns, and a selection of appetizers such as spicy tuna tartare and okonomiyaki.
Le Cafe Coffee | Downtown Brooklyn
A new location of the coffee shop Le Cafe Coffee has opened at 17 Hanover Place. They serve a variety of coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, cold brew, and pour-over.
Lidl | Downtown Brooklyn
Lidl, similar to Trader Joe’s and Aldi but with a wider assortment of brands and products, has opened its newest food market on Downtown Brooklyn. The new Lidl store is located at 490 Fulton Street, Second Floor, open from 8am to 9pm daily. Read more here!
Coffee Project NY | Fort Greene
Located at 78 Rockwell Place, Coffee Project reopened this month after renovations. They offer daily pour-overs, plus innovative drinks like their Kickass London Fog, Deconstructed Latte, Pandan Latte and Strawberry Matcha. Coffee Project is an independent, AAPI- and women-owned coffee brand with multiple locations across NYC.
Doppelgänger Bar | Clinton Hill
A fun new bar has opened at 415 Myrtle where you can drink cold lager and play their house game, crokinole. The game is a mix between shuffleboard and curling, played on a round wooden board, and perfect for a group hang!
DOP Fast Life | Clinton Hill
Park Slope’s Brooklyn DOP pizzeria has expanded with a new slice shop, DOP Fast Life, which opened this month on Fulton Street, at Cambridge Place.
Osteria Radisa | Carroll Gardens
From the team behind Clinton Hill’s Aita, Osteria Radisa is a new Italian restaurant the opened this month at 241 Smith Street, in the former space of Ruthie’s. The restaurant specializes in dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region, offering a menu including flatbreads and housemate pasta.
Lumiere | Columbia Street Waterfront District
A new bar and restaurant on Columbia Street has just opened, with elegant cocktails and New American fare with Middle Eastern influences. Open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 6pm.
Spudz Slope | Park Slope
This casual eatery opened this month at 212 Prospect Park West between 16th Street and Windsor Place. They serve fully loaded potatoes with creative topping, both savory and sweet. The family-owned operation also owns the Syrian Korean spot Syko and the grocery store Dukan Syko.
Impasto | Park Slope
This Clinton Hill pizzeria has opened a new location in Park Slope, located at 200 Garfield Place. The pizza is Roman-style, with options like Margherita, Porchetta e Patate, and Zucchine e Bufala, available as full pies or by the slice. Impasto’s sit-down sister restaurant is Aita in Clinton Hill.
Breakfast by Salt’s Cure | Prospect Heights
In the space formerly occupied by the restaurant LaLou at 581 Vanderbilt Avenue, a new location of Breakfast by Salt’s Cure has popped up. The popular breakfast spot already has locations across New York and Los Angeles, including an outpost across from Carroll Park, which has lines around the block on weekend mornings. They serve their famous oatmeal griddle cakes, plus eggs, home fries, sausage, and breakfast sandwiches.
Panca | Prospect Heights
Panca, a Peruvian restaurant based in the West Village, has moved to Brooklyn with a new location on Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights. They are currently serving dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and the menu features ceviche, rotisserie chicken, and lomo saltado. Walk-ins only!
Lisbonata | Crown Heights
Lisbonata, known for its buttery, extra-flaky pastéis de nata, or Portuguese egg tarts, has evolved from a Brooklyn farmers market stand into a standalone bakery at 619 Saint John’s Place in Crown Heights. The new location features a takeout window, outdoor seating, and serves Variety coffee.
Novelli Cafe | Prospect Lefferts Gardens
This new all-day spot on Nostrand Avenue serves Italian and Middle Eastern dishes, featuring handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and mixed grill platters, plus cocktails. They offer breakfast, brunch, dinner, and even deliver.
Commonwealth | South Slope
This neighborhood bar located at 497 5th Avenue (and 12th Street) had been closed for several months following the death of its owner. But the bar has reopened and is back in action!
Juici Patties | Bed-Stuy
Juici Patties, a beloved Jamaican fast-food chain, has launched its New York expansion with a new location in Bed-Stuy, as well as in the Bronx, serving classic patties with fillings like beef, curried chicken, shrimp, and vegan shrimp, plus coco bread. The chain dates back to 1980, and plans to continue expanding across the city.
Ler Lers | Bed-Stuy
This new Thai restaurant on Tompkins Avenue serves cuisine inspired by Bangkok street food vendors. The menu has a section devoted to street food, as well as noodles, rice, and curry.
JR & Son | Williamsburg
The same team behind Kellogg’s Diner has just opened an exciting new 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. Expect Italian-American classics with a modern twist, like arancini salad, a spicy chicken Parm, branzino with brown butter carrot purée and salsa verde, and a rainbow cookie cake for dessert.
Bascule | Williamsburg
During the day, the Bright Side cafe at 184 Kent serves brunch food. Now, at night, the space is Bascule, a wine bar. There is great outdoor seating, just in time for summer!
Fish Cheeks | Williamsburg
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.
Retro Polish Restaurant and Wine Bar | Greenpoint
This new restaurant will replace the beloved Christina’s, which was also a Polish restaurant. The new owner also runs Karczma, a Greenpoint favorite. Located on Manhattan Avenue, the menu features dishes like zucchini pancakes with smoked salmon and crispy duck pierogi. There will also be live jazz on Sundays.
Coming soon to our neighborhoods
Keep an eye out for more updates on these upcoming restaurants, bars, and bakeries, listed by anticipated opening date.
Meili Rooftop | Williamsburg | Opening June 11
Williamsburg welcomed this new Sichuan restaurant back in February, and now Meili is gearing up to open their new rooftop, with panoramic views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. Located on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Meili is located in the CODA Williamsburg Hotel. The rooftop will have a retractable roof and a large patio space, and will serve Sichuan small plates and creative cocktails.
Barbuto at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge | DUMBO | Opening June 2025
Chef Jonathan Waxman is expanding his beloved West Village Italian restaurant, Barbuto, from Manhattan to Brooklyn this summer, opening inside 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The menu will feature signature dishes like roast chicken with salsa verde in an industrial-style space with scenic views. The restaurant will occupy the former home of The Osprey, which had lovely outdoor seating in Brooklyn Bridge Park—hopefully Barbuto will offer the same!
Olmo | Ocean Hill | Opening June 2025
Opening mid-June on Saratoga Avenue, Olmo is a new Mexican tapas bar channeling the spirit of Mexico City cantinas. Guests can expect agave-based cocktails priced around $15, family-style plates in the $10-$25 range, and a soundtrack of modern Mexican Boleros. They will be open 5-11pm Wednesdays through Sundays to start.
Brooklyn Brasserie (BKB) | Bed Stuy | Opening June 20
This French-Belgian soccer pub will open on June 20 in the former Mama Fox space, serving steak frites, croquettes, and Belgian beers on tap. With outdoor seating, a kid-friendly atmosphere, and TVs and projectors streaming soccer throughout, BKB is aiming to be Bed-Stuy’s go-to for comfort food and community.
Selune | Bed Stuy | Opening June 2025
Selune, an elegant oyster and natural wine bar, will open this June in the landmarked space that once housed Oaxaca Taqueria. The menu features fresh oysters, seafood, and charcuterie, and natural wines from France, Italy, and the U.S. The restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday from 5am-12am on weekdays and will stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Crown Square Pizza | Rockaway Beach | Opening June 2025
Sean Aiken, known for his Neapolitan pizza pop-up Seany Pizza, is opening a permanent pizzeria at Rockaway Beach this summer. The new venture, Crown Square Pizza, will serve his signature Detroit-style pizza, and will open just in time for beach season!
Brooklyn Granary and Mill | Gowanus | Opening June 2025
This unique bakery coming to Gowanus will mill its own grain onsite. While the mill is now open, the bakery is slated to open in June. Located at 300 Huntington Street, milling operations take place upstairs and their bakery will be located downstairs. They will make loaves, baguettes, focaccia, croissants, and more. The operation is led by the former head baker at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, who hopes to bring stone milled whole grain from regenerative farms to Brooklynites.
Rose Marie | Williamsburg | Opening June 2025
The East Village Tex-Mex spot Yellow Rose is opening a new bar with Southern food in Williamsburg, on the corner of Ainslie and Lorimer. They will serve cocktails, beer, and comfort food.
Dolores | Bed Stuy | Opening Summer 2025
A new bar serving Mexico City-inspired food will open on Tompkins Avenue in Bed Stuy. Dolores is from the same team behind Winona’s, also in Bed Stuy. They will offer a cantina-style menu with cocktails by Leanne Favre, of Mayahuel, Leyenda, and Clover Club.
Athena Keke’s | Clinton Hill | Opening Summer 2025
Opening this summer on Greene Avenue, Athena Keke’s will be a queer sports bar focused on fostering community through a shared passion for women’s sports. Founded by two industry veterans who met in 2015, the idea was sparked during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they struggled to find bars showing international women’s games. As part of the NY Liberty Bar Network, Athena Keke’s will host big-screen watch parties, live game viewings, and offer Liberty-themed specials.
I Cavallini | Williamsburg | Opening Summer 2025
The behind the acclaimed wine bar Four Horsemen is opening a new Italian restaurant on Grand Street near Roebling Street (just down the street), slated for May. I Cavallini will have around 70 seats and a backyard, which is about double the size of Four Horsemen.
Temakase | Greenpoint | Opening Summer 2025
Temakase, a Manhattan-based hand roll bar, is opening its third location in Williamsburg this summer at 260 Kent Ave. The restaurant is known for made-to-order temaki served directly from chef to guest within seconds. The menu will feature a variety of hand rolls, crispy rice options, and a beverage list including sake, beer, and iced green tea.
Folk | Park Slope | Opening Summer 2025
The team behind the Park Slope restaurant Lore is opening a new cocktail bar at 689 6th Avenue. Slated to open this spring, Folk will serve both craft cocktails and small plates. Stay tuned for more updates!
Ziggy’s Roman Cafe | DUMBO | Opening Summer 2025
Many months following the closure of Main Street Landing in DUMBO, a new restaurant is coming to 15 Main Street, just steps away from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Stay tuned for more info!
Border Town | Greenpoint | Opening September 2025
Border Town, a pop-up operation known for its breakfast tacos, will be opening a permanent restaurant in Greenpoint in September 2025. It will be located at 189 Nassau Avenue at Humboldt Street, near McGolrick Park. They will serve serveral tacos de guisado and breakfast burritos for lunch and breakfast. Eventually, they hope to serve dinner fare, plus margaritas and micheladas.
Lucky Parlor | Ocean Hill
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 spot blends downtown Tokyo flavors with a casual Bed-Stuy bar feel.
FINI Pizza | Brooklyn Heights | Opening date TBA
A new pizzeria is coming to the former space of Estuary, located at 159 Bridge Park Drive, across from Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The pizza spot already has locations in Barclays Center, Williamsburg, and Amagansett.
Bong | Crown Heights | Opening date TBA
A Cambodian pop-up called Kreung will move into its permanent home at 724 Sterling Place in Crown Heights later this year. They will serve causal Cambodian dishes like Kuy Teav, Num Pang Paté, Somlor Machu Kreung. They are now in the final stretch of construction and will be opening their doors soon.
Book Club Bar | Bushwick | Opening date TBA
The East Village’s popular Book Club Bar announced that they will open a new location in Bushwick. They offer books, cocktails, coffee, with special events like author talks and book clubs.
Naya | DUMBO | Opening date TBA
Naya, a Mediterranean fast-casual chain serving bowls, rolls, salads, shawarma, and hummus, is opening a new location on Jay Street in DUMBO.
New Halal Restaurant | Brooklyn Heights | Opening date TBA
A beloved neighborhood fixture, Fatoosh Pitza & Grill, has closed its doors—but something new is on the horizon. The team behind Little Flower Cafe in Astoria and Blue Hour, the counter tucked inside a Bushwick gas station, is taking over the space at 330 Hicks Street near Atlantic Avenue. Their upcoming venture will be a halal-friendly spot serving everything from burritos to pastries and coffee, with a vibe that transitions seamlessly from morning to night. Stay tuned for more details!
Mariscos El Submarino | New locations in Park Slope & Clinton Hill | Opening date 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. Mariscos El Submarino is best known for aguachiles and shrimp cocktails.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream | Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn & Greenpoint | Opening dates TBA
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is opening a series of new locations in Brooklyn: 151 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights (pictured below), plus a “Flavor Lab” at 136 Franklin Street in Greenpoint and a location in City Point in Downtown Brooklyn. Stay tuned for opening dates!
16 Handles | Cobble Hill | Opening date TBA
Frozen yogurt fans, rejoice! A new location of 16 Handles has popped up at 300 Court Street in Cobble Hill.
ABC Kitchens | DUMBO | Opening date TBA
A massive new restaurant from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is coming to Empire Stores in DUMBO soon: the combined concept of ABC Kitchen, Latin-fusion ABC Cocina and vegetarian ABCVwill have approximately 300 seats in the old Sugarcane space that closed during the pandemic. Read more here!
Sweetgreen | Prospect Heights | Opening date TBA
The fast-casual serving salads and grain bowls will open at 78 St. Marks Avenue, on the corner of Flatbush.
Bond Street Coffee and Goods | Downtown Brooklyn | Opening date TBA
A new location of Bond Street Coffee and Goods is coming to the border of DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn, at Jay Street and Concord Street. Stay tuned for an opening date!
Hōp | Red Hook | Opening date TBA
The team behind Red Hook Tavern, husband and wife, are opening a Cambodian restaurant at 358 Van Brunt Street later in 2025. The restaurant will serve Cambodian breakfast dishes and pastries during the day, and will offer dinner in the evening: noodles, meats, stews, and more.
New Oyster Bar | Prospect Heights | Opening Late 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.
New Restaurant by Chef Eyal Shani | Williamsburg | Opening Late 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!
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Updated: June 4, 2025. Main Image: Ferrane Bakery in Brooklyn Heights.
