Red Hook is one of the oddest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Nestled on the water and accessible by bus, car, bike, and ferry, it’s full of longtime local favorites. The neighborhood really comes alive in the sunshine, with plenty of outdoor spaces at bars and restaurants to socialize.
Surrounded by the Gowanus Canal on the east, and the Upper New York Bay on the west and south, it’s a breezy waterfront area. Famously, it was the home of New York City’s first IKEA.
In the summer, the neighborhood is bustling with art gallery openings. Van Brunt Street especially is full of longtime favorites and up-and-coming hot spots. Here are some of the best restaurants and bars to hit up while enjoying the bay breeze and sunshine.
Hoek Pizza
Pizza is obviously everywhere, but Hoek’s wood-fired pies and selection of Italian appetizers and sandwiches make it a must-visit. Sure you’ll get the staples expected at all pizza places, such as a basic margherita-style pie and meatball hoagie. But there’s also creative flavor combinations including a pizza with gorgonzola dolce, potato, and pancetta. Add on a specialty cocktail and you have the perfect combination. 117 Ferris St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, hoekbrooklyn.com
Cafe Kestrel
This six-table restaurant may be tiny, but it offers big flavors and is absolutely worth the wait. Throughout the week you’ll find a rotating menu of creative European eats. Sunday night is always curry night, and weekends brings brunch featuring egg dishes, meats, and salads.
The regular dinner is full of surprises, from bread with seaweed to tuna carpaccio to chicken with dates and capers. Start with the fried soft shell crab, which comes with black pepper mayonnaise, pickled ramps, and saffron. Because the space only seats around 20, it’s recommended to get a reservation. 293 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, kesnewyork.com
Jam’It Bistro
You’ll have to travel to the edge of Red Hook for this Jamaican restaurant, and well you should. It’s the closest to an island getaway you’ll get in Brooklyn, and the menu features a variety of Caribbean fusion dishes. Of course you can get beef patties, jerk chicken, and oxtail roti, but also sample coconut shrimp curry, codfish balls, and fried whiting. Enjoy the meal there or take it to go and eat by the water. 367 Columbia St, Red Hook, Brooklyn, jamitbistro.com
The Good Fork Pub
This restaurant officially opened in 2006 as the Good Fork Restaurant and Bar. It then closed in 2020 and reopened two years later as The Good Fork Pub. Either way, it’s good. The backyard gives best-friend-house vibes, and the charming interior is classy in a down-to-Earth sort of way.
On the menu you’ll find a lot of items that blend Asian ingredients with European-style dishes. For example, the Duck Nuts, a plate of mixed nuts cooked in duck fat with fried rosemary, and gochugaru; and the Cheesy Crab Fries with bacon. The restaurant is open every day for dinner and for brunch on weekends starting at noon. 391 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, goodfork.com
GOOG
Any foodie neighborhood worth its salt needs a good Thai restaurant. GOOG is relatively new to the neighborhood, but brings the same talent that ran the Michelin-recognized Somtum Der (closed this past May). The name GOOG refers to the person cooking in a small, home-spun eatery in Thailand, and you can bet they take that idea seriously.
On the menu you’ll find an array of curries, but also Northeastern-Thai specialties such as Laab Kua Nua (spiced pork), spicy morning glory leaves tossed in basil sauce with garlic, and chili, and a whole branzino with the restaurant’s signature “three-flavored sauce.” There’s also a hearty vegan and vegetarian menu and a great creative cocktail list featuring a Lemongrass Martini and Chai Old Fashioned, among other sips. 380 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, goognyc.com
Lundy’s of Brooklyn
The original Lundy Brothers restaurant opened as a seafood restaurant in Sheepshead Bay in the first half of the 20th century. While that iconic spot closed, the revived location continues the legacy. Situated right near the water, diners can enjoy fresh bites from the raw bar and seafood classics like crab cakes and lobster. You can also get steakhouse staples such as surf n’ turf and prime rib, rounding out the old school meal. 44 Beard St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, lundysofbrooklyn.com
Third Time’s the Charm
Stop in for the sourdough pizzas, and stay for the happy hour drink specials and maybe another entrée. Outside of pizza, the Cold “Carbonara” (with quotation marks because it involves peas) and the Trademark Infringement (fried onion petals) are must-trys. They have an extensive cocktail menu too, which includes five types of martinis. 375 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, charmbarnyc.com
Red Hook Tavern
This restaurant appears on many of the best-of NYC lists because of the fantastic burger. But that’s not the only must-have menu item. Start with the Mortadella, which comes with truffle-laced pecorino, olive oil, bread, and cultured butter.
You most likely need the French Onion Soup and the Chopped Kale Salad. After all, it’s not like the other kale salads, it’s a cool kale salad with Granny Smith apples, toasted almonds, two-year aged Gouda, and Champagne Dijon vinaigrette. Add on a choice from the extensive wine and cocktail menu, and you have a perfect dining experience, with or without the famous burger. 329 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, redhooktavern.com
Hometown Bar-B-Que
I have it on good authority from southern friends that this BBQ is the best you can get outside of their home states. Be prepared to wait in a long line for brisket, pulled pork, turkey, and spare ribs, which yes, are totally worth the wait. You can get the meat on its own, and in taco or sandwich form. It’s a classic summer experience, made even better thanks to the shoreline nearby. 454 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, hometownbbq.com
Brooklyn Crab
Launched in 2012, Brooklyn Crab really looks like someone picked up a New England crab shack and dropped it on Reed Street. With multiple levels, you get the full beach restaurant experience and an amazing view to boot.
It’s a great place to watch the sunset while eating crab and lobster, and to play some games on the ground floor level. Because of the large space, the restaurant is great for big groups, kids, and any seafood lover. 24 Reed St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, brooklyncrab.com
Sunny’s
There’s no Red Hook without Sunny’s, and it’s been a hub of the neighborhood since the mid 1990s. Today the beloved hangout spot hosts regular concerts, features local artists, and always has a vibrant crowd on the weekends. It’s a drinks-only bar, so perfect to stop in before or after a meal, or even when you need a rest while wandering around Red Hook. 253 Conover St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, sunnysredhook.com
Brooklyn Ice House
The perfect dive bar is hard to find, but Brooklyn Ice House approaches the title. The full bar is supplemented by a classic menu of burgers, hot dogs, wings, and chili. The Frito pie is another fun addition. Enjoy sunny weather in the backyard, or play a tabletop game inside if the climate leans stormy. Bonus, like a true dive bar, the drinks are cheap and flowing everyday from noon to 4 a.m. 318 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, Brooklyn, brooklynicehouse.shop
