2026 has already brought a wave of openings and closings across Brooklyn. Among the standout debuts so far are a New American restaurant replacing Colonie in Brooklyn Heights, a natural wine bar in Clinton Hill, an Israeli cafe in Williamsburg, and a buzzy new taco spot in Greenpoint.
More highly anticipated openings are still to come later this winter and spring, including Bar Ferdinando in Carroll Gardens, Time Out Market’s Bark Barbecue opening a standalone restaurant in Bushwick, and several food options at Williamsburg Wharf—among them a fine dining restaurant from Israeli chef Eyal Shani, Breads Bakery, and a health-focused convenience store called The Goods Mart.
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This month’s restaurant closings
- Seamore’s | DUMBO | All locations of this seafood spot with SoCal-inspired dishes in Brooklyn and Manhattan have closed their doors.
- Gus | Carroll Gardens | The tavern known for comfort food and its wine menu closed on December 31.
- Moo Burger | Clinton Hill | The burger spot closed after 15 years.
- Alchemy | Boerum Hill | The London-style gastropub with brunch and cocktails has closed. The next door spot Uncle Barry’s will take over the location this spring with a new wings bar, called Drums & Flats.
- No Filter Coffee | Park Slope | This Gothic-themed cafe known closed after two years.
- Gino’s Pizza | Park Slope | This family-friendly neighborhood institution closed after three decades.
- Flatiron Steakhouse | Park Slope | This steakhouse near Barclays Center closed this month.
- The Owl Music Parlor | Prospect Lefferts Gardens | The live-music venue in a converted brownstone closed after 10 years.
- Five Boroughs Brewing Co. | Sunset Park | Five Boroughs closed their taproom and are searching for a new location.
- Blue Agave | Bay Ridge | This taco and margarita spot closed at the beginning of the year.
- Leif Irish Pub | Bay Ridge | The longtime Bay Ridge Irish pub and live music spot has closed.
- Emphasis Restaurant | Bay Ridge | Bay Ridge’s late-night Greek and American diner known for its waffles has closed due the owner’s retirement.
- Father Knows Best | Bushwick | The spot for coffee, food, beer, cocktails, and music has closed.
- Lacey Burger | Bushwick | A late-night smash burgers spot with live DJs in Bushwick has shut its doors.
- Mekelburg’s | Williamsburg | The specialty grocery store, which closed its original location in Clinton Hill about a year ago, has also closed its Williamsburg location. Mekelburg’s was known for babka, breads, sandwiches, and beer selection.
- Macri Park | Williamsburg | The LGBTQ+ bar known for drag bingo and karaoke closed mid-month.
- Egg Shop | Williamsburg | This breakfast sandwich favorite closed after a 9-year run.
- Guevara’s | Williamsburg | This Cuban woman-owned vegan cafe known for coffee and pastries closed alongside its nextdoor neighbor Mekelburg’s, owned by the same family.
- Bar Bruno | Greenpoint | This family-friendly Mexican spot for margaritas, tacos, and tortas shut its doors after 4 years.
Plus, the famous and historic seamen’s bar in Brooklyn Heights that will be changing hands after 90 years on Atlantic Avenue. Montero Bar & Grill is a legendary bar on Atlantic Avenue not far from the waterfront. Founded in 1939, the dive bar was a favorite haunt of seamen, and the interior is decorated with maritime relics from throughout the years. Today Montero remains beloved by the neighborhood and known for its lively karaoke on weekends. Owner Pepe Montero, who began working at his family’s bar when he was just 13, is selling to Alex and Miles Pincus, founders of Crew, the team behind Pilot (at Pier 6), Grand Banks, Drift In, Holywater, and The Yacht Club. The new owners plan to change very little and preserve the history of the place. They will, however, reopen the kitchen, which has not been active in many years.
This month’s restaurant openings
Confidant | Brooklyn Heights
Confidant, which closed in November in Industry City, has taken over the former home of longtime neighborhood favorite Colonie, at 127Atlantic Avenue. Co-ownded by Daniel Grossman and Brendan Kelley (both formerly at Roberta’s), they will serve New American dishes, from dry-aged fish and meats, pastas, and desserts and breads from pastry chef Mariah Neston. The wine list features 75+ all-natural bottles, alongside cocktails. The team is also opening a new all-day bakery and pizza restaurant with a wine bar, Lou & Bev’s, next door at 129 Atlantic Avenue (the former home of PIPS, also by Colonie owners), in the spring.
Bar Heretic | Clinton Hill
A new natural wine bar near Fort Greene Park has opened, also serving snacks and homemade bread. Walk-ins only, with late hours Thursday through Sunday.
DOK | Park Slope
A Thai restaurant and bar offering classics like pad Thai and basil fried rice alongside dishes like lenk zab pork rib soup and grilled chicken with spicy tamarind sauce.
Lincoln Station | Park Slope
This is the second location of the all-day cafe Lincoln Station, which has long been in Crown Heights, just steps from the Brooklyn Museum. Lincoln Station was founded by the team behind the Italian restaurant Al Di La in Park Slope. The new Lincoln Station in Park Slope, like its sister location, serves coffee alongside a menu crafted by Chef Anna Klinger, featuring a Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, Meatball and Cheeseburger Sandwich, salads, and even a kid’s menu. For breakfast, you can grab an egg sandwich, breakfast bars, or fresh pastries. They also serve wine, beer, cider, and kombucha.
Tamalería La Madrina | Crown Heights
A tamales to-go spot specializing in corn masa tamales wrapped in husks or banana leaves, filled with options like birria and pollo mole, plus breakfast burritos.
The Cat | Windsor Terrace
The Cat is a cozy jazz bar that debuted on New Year’s Eve, featuring live music alongside olive oil martinis, house-made hummus, tinned fish, charcuterie, and local bread.
They Say That | Bushwick
A Thai restaurant and wine bar will serve Isan-style hot pot, alongside standout dishes like squid ink fried rice with salted egg sauce and Panang curry mac and cheese with seared salmon. They also have weekday lunch specials.
Ace’s Pizza | Bushwick
The Detroit-style pizza shop has expanded with its fourth location at 423 Troutman Street, serving their signature square pies.
Isla & Co. | Williamsburg
Isla & Co., an Australian-inspired restaurant, opened this month at 66 Grand Street in Williamsburg. The Aussie menu features brunch dishes like Kimchi Sambal Scramble, Pulled Pork Hash, and Strawberry Cheesecake Waffles. For dinner, try the Crispy Chicken Sando, the signature “OG” Burger, Aussie Chicken Parma, and aSticky Date Pudding and Biscoff Tiramisu for dessert. Coffee drinks include flat whites, cappuccinos and Aussie Iced Coffee, plus cocktails including their signature Espresso Martini Flights.
Meat & Meet | Williamsburg
A sibling restaurant to Levantine, this new Middle Eastern spot focuses on skewers, lamb chops, baba ghanoush, hummus, eggplant fries, and knafeh for dessert.
Cafe Landwer | Williamsburg
This longtime Israeli cafe based out of Berlin has made its New York debut in Williamsburg with all-day service featuring Mediterranean favorites like short rib shakshuka and chicken shawarma hummus, alongside coffee and cocktails.
Dolly’s Swing & Dive | Williamsburg
The Dolly Parton–themed dive bar has relocated to a larger space in the neighborhood, at 146 Wythe Avenue. The bar features a fun lineup of cocktails, include the Flo Jo Espresso Martini made with vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso, an Overboard “Rum Punch,” St. Agrestis Negroni with Greenhook gin, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and more. Expect vintage artwork on the walls, a neighborhood crowd, and dancing. Open Thursday–Saturday 2pm until 4am and Sunday–Wednesday 2pm until 3am.
Parkhouse Cafe | Williamsburg
Replacing Blank Street at the McCarren Parkhouse, Parkhouse Cafe serves coffee drinks made with Verve Coffee beans and pour-over service.
Wayne & Sons | Williamsburg
The Tex-Mex restaurant based in the East Village now has a Brooklyn location, serving tacos, queso dip, and margaritas.
Peek In Cafe | Greenpoint
This all-day cafe serves custard-soaked French toast, acai bowls, scallop cream croquettes, shrimp burgers, and matcha lattes, with Korean-leaning dinner dishes like bulgogi ssam platters coming soon.
Border Town | Greenpoint
The popular taco pop-up’s first brick-and-mortar location opened on January 16, serving Sonoran-style flour-tortilla tacos filled with stewy meats, along with burritos, spicy bean dip, aguas frescas, and agave-based cocktails.
Coming soon to our neighborhoods
Keep an eye out for more updates on these upcoming spots! Our list is organized by neighborhoods, with the expected opening dates.
Pura Vida | DUMBO | Opening date TBA
The all-day café based out of Miami opened its first Brooklyn in Williamsburg this spring, and will open another outpost in DUMBO soon. The new cafe will be 4,000 square feet, located at 79 Front Street. Pura Vida focuses on health food, with avocado toast and egg dishes for breakfast, salads, wraps, and bowls for lunch, plus superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and wellness shots to drink.
Empanada City | Brooklyn Heights | Opening Summer 2026
A new empanada spot is opening at 107 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights this summer.
Just Salad | Downtown Brooklyn | Opening February 9
The fast-casual salad spot Just Salad has opened at City Point, brining a fast, healthy option to Downtown Brooklyn. Some upcoming specials include: Giveback Day 2/9 (with every purchase, $1 will go to Brooklyn Bridge Park), $5 Meals 2/10–2/11, Community Workers Day on 2/15 ($5 meals for community workers), $5 VIP Bowls 2/13–2/15 (with a reusable bowl), and Reusable Bowl Happy Hours weekdays 2/16–3/6 (bring or buy a Reusable Bowl for a $9.69 salad or warm bowl, weekdays from 3-6pm).
Ben and Jerry’s | Fort Greene | Opening Winter/Spring 2026
A new location of Ben and Jerry’s is opening at 431 Myrtle Avenue later this year.
Ingas Bar Sister Restaurant | Boerum Hill | Winter/Spring 2026
Ingas Bar, a popular neighborhood restaurant in Brooklyn Heights, will open a sister restaurant in Boerum Hill, in the former space of Café Kitsuné. The new spot will have an adjacent bar on Bond Street, which will follow the restaurant’s opening.
Bar Ferdinando | Carroll Gardens | Opening March 2026
Sal Lamboglia, owner of Cafe Spaghetti, Sal Tang, Swoony’s) is opening Bar Ferdinando, a reimagining of the 121-year-old Ferdinando’s Focacceria, which closed last March. The new spot was passed to Lamboglia by longtime owner Francesco “Frank” Buffa. all-day menu will focus on snacks, focaccia sandwiches, and Sicilian classics like arancini, pane e panelle, octopus salad, caponata, and insalata di mare. Plus, pastries like bomboloni and olive oil cakes from a pastry chef from Radio Bakery and Agi’s Counter. They’ll also serve Italian-inspired cocktails. The decor of the restaurant will preserve original artwork and fixtures as an homage to the neighborhood institution.
Trudie’s Tavern | Carroll Gardens | Opening date TBA
The team behind Gertie will 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, burgers, chicken and waffles made with matzo, steak and seafood towers, and more. They’ll also have a kid’s menu!
Hōp | Red Hook | Summer/Fall 2026
Two former staff members of Red Hook Tavern (and husband-and-wife team) will open a new Cambodian restaurant at 358 Van Brunt Street. They have just ended their pop-up residency at Runner Up in Park Slope, and will now focus on opening their new space. The menu will likely feature dishes including beef skewers, whole branzino, fried noodles, and charred vegetables.
Dial Up Days | Park Slope | Opening Winter 2026
A 90s/Y2K-inspired spot serving sandwiches and ice cream open on 7th Avenue between Berkeley Place & Union Street this winter.
Thursday Bread Coffee | Park Slope | Opening Winter 2026
A new bakery serving Swedish breads and pastries is coming to Park Slope this winter. They will serve Nordic-inspired coffee and light bites in addition to breads and baked goods. The bakery will be located at 140 5th Avenue.
Pies ‘n’ Thighs | Park Slope | Opening date TBA
The Williamsburg Southern food spot Pies ‘n’ Thighs is opening a second location at 224 Flatbush Avenue, the former home of Pecking House.
Mariscos El Submarino | Park Slope | Opening date TBA
This Mexican seafood joint based in Jackson Heights has recently expanded to Greenpoint and Clinton Hill, and will soon open another location at 226 7th Avenue in Park Slope, in the former hope of Maya Taqueria.
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 for more updates!
Bark Barbecue | Bushwick | Opening February/March 2026
This barbecue spot is expanding from a Time Out Market food stall to a new standalone 8,000 square foot restaurant. The pit master, Ruben Santana, will serve Texas-style barbecue with Dominican flavors. The menu will include brisket, chicharrones, smoked carnitas, and sandwiches with pulled pork, fried cheese, and sweet plantains.
Monday Diner | Bushwick | Opening Summer 2026
The former pastry chef of Gage & Tollner, Caroline Schiff, will open a diner in Bushwick this summer. The menu will include both savory dishes and sweet desserts, including cakes, pies, ice creams, and sundaes.
Partners Coffee | Williamsburg | Opening February 6
Partners will open their 2nd Williamsburg location at North 9th and Bedford this winter, in the former space of Teressa North Ninth.
Motek | Williamsburg | Opening Winter 2026
A new location of Motek, the Miami-based Mediterranean restaurant chain known for its Israeli-inspired, kosher-style dishes has opened on Wythe Avenue. They serve lunch, brunch, and dinner, with a food menu including hummus, pita, schnitzel, and more.
Fluke Moon (Ugly Baby) | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
Ugly Baby, the beloved Carroll Gardens Thai spot famous for their spicy dishes, has announced that they will reopen in Williamsburg. Now known as Fluke Moon, they will take over the former Emmy Squared Pizza at 364 Grand Street, and hope to open in February.
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 the former site of a Key Foods. Similar to Trader Joe’s and Aldi, Lidl offers a broad assortment of products, including its 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.
Allegretto | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
From the team behind Francie, this new spot at 132 Broadway will serve Neapolitan pizzas, Southern Italian snacks, and more dishes like Fried Bucatini and Little Gem Caesar, plus Italian-inspired cocktails and wine on tap. The space will feature a wood-fired oven and a garden backyard.
Breads Bakery | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
Following their latest opening at the new Pier 1 Pavilion in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Breads Bakery announced that they will open another Brooklyn waterfront location at Williamsburg Wharf. Breads is best known for their chocolate babka, plus croissants, baguettes, and more baked goods.
Naked Tomato | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
The renowned Israeli Chef Eyal Shani will open a new restaurant at Williamsburg Wharf, called Naked Tomato. 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.
The Goods Mart | Williamsburg | Opening date TBA
The Goods Mart, a convenience store focused on healthier snacks and pantry staples, is coming later this year to Williamsburg Wharf, the new mixed-use waterfront development at 470 Kent Avenue. This will be the shop’s first location in Williamsburg, joining a retail lineup at Williamsburg Wharf that includes a new location of Breads Bakery and a restaurant from chef Eyal Shani. The female-owned Goods Mart offers snacks, drinks, and everyday items from emerging brands.
The Peek Inn | Greenpoint | Opening March 2026
From the team behind The Meat Hook, The Peek Inn will open in Greenpoint in March. (Not to be confused with Peek Inn Cafe, which opened this month in Greenpoint!) They will serve hot dogs and a “beertini” served dirty with olives. It will be located in the former Fin Du Monde space at 38 Driggs Avenue.
New headquarters for Brooklyn Brewery | Greenpoint | Opening date TBA
Brooklyn Brewery will soon move to its new headquarters at 1 Wythe Avenue in Greenpoint, leaving behind their original space at 790 North 11th Street. Construction of the 41,000 square foot building is nearing completion.
