Experience the Unique Charm of Greenpoint, Brooklyn
We used to spend a lot of time in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, when it was still transitioning and full of energy. Mom-and-pop shops thrived, and high-rises were few. Eventually, Williamsburg lost its unique vibe, but Greenpoint, the neighboring area, still retains that charm. These special spots will introduce you to and make you love this Brooklyn neighborhood.
Where is Greenpoint?
Greenpoint is located north of Williamsburg, with McCarren Park forming the shared border between the two Brooklyn neighborhoods. Both neighborhoods are also bordered to the east by the East River. Pulaski Bridge connects Greenpoint to Long Island City, crossing over Newtown Creek.
The spots highlighted in this article are all noted in the map above.
What makes Greenpoint special?
Greenpoint stands as Brooklyn's hidden gem, blending old-world charm with a modern twist. Known for its rich Polish heritage, this neighborhood boasts a delightful mix of traditional bakeries, quaint boutiques, and trendy cafes. As gentrification sweeps across Brooklyn, Greenpoint retains its authentic, approachable vibe, making it a favorite for those seeking a blend of history, culture, and a vibrant community spirit. Whether you're exploring its scenic waterfront or enjoying the local fare, Greenpoint offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Brooklyn's enduring allure.
Best Neighborhood Coffee Shops in Greenpoint
Paloma Coffee & Bakery
When good coffee arrived in New York City, many brewers and roasters took advantage of the larger spaces and cheaper rents in Brooklyn. Now, many years later, Brooklynites still don’t have any trouble finding a delicious cup of joe. Excellent coffee is part of Greenpoint’s DNA. Cafe Grumpy is such a fixture of the New York City coffee scene, it’s easy to forget that its first location opened in Greenpoint in 2005. But another local favorite is Paloma Coffee & Bakery, which roasts and brews its own coffee right in Brooklyn. The varied selection allows most coffee lovers to claim a favorite, and the pastries are just the icing on the cake.
Flower Cat
Eleva Coffee is the brainchild of a former coffee insider turned crusader. Though sustainability and ethical sourcing of coffee beans is, thankfully, more common today, Eleva takes it a step further by establishing long-term relationships with farming communities and investing in local infrastructure and education. Its flagship location in Greenpoint is sleek yet homey, with blond wood details and plenty of natural light. On the other end of the spectrum, Flower Cat has a homey, vintage, cool cat lady vibe, and is another great spot for a coffee date.
Best Things to Do in Greenpoint
Enjoy Awesome Outdoor Spaces
Manhattan skyline view from Transmitter Park
Greenpoint has valuable East River frontage, though much of it sat vacant for years. Transmitter Park housed the radio transmission towers for NYC’s public radio station from 1937 to 1997, but it wasn’t until 2012 that its transformation into a public park was complete. Transmitter Park boasts fantastic views of Manhattan, along with a recreational pier that attracts fishing enthusiasts. For something a little different, you could take the self-guided tour of Newtown Creek Nature Walk. The previous superfund site has had a stunning turnaround, and is now home to a site-specific environmental artwork by George Trakas.
Discover Undercover Spots for Insiders Only
A well-disguised door leads to a bar in the back
Sunshine Laundromat
Yes, Sunshine Laundromat is a functioning laundromat. But if you walk all the way to the back, you’ll discover that two of the stacked washing machines aren’t like the others. The well-disguised door leads you to a tiny bar that feels like it could be the neighborhood drinking hole in a TV sitcom. There’s a row of pinball machines, several coveted spots at the bar, and just enough tabletops where people can comfortably gather.
A tiny triangle of land dotted with card tables, folding chairs and patio umbrellas may not seem like a unique spot to enjoy your coffee, tea, snacks and light alcoholic beverages. But one feature makes The Lot Radio stand out from the rest. The music playing in the background is streaming from an independent music station funded by the proceeds of the kiosk.
Find Your New Community
Do you love food? So do we! Do you love books? So do we!! And you know what? So does Paige Lipari. She spent many years working at some of the most established bookstores in New York City, but when it came time to start her own, she decided to specialize in cookbooks. At Archestratus Books and Foods you’ll find all manner of hunger-inducing publications, as well as groceries, dry goods and freshly prepared homemade specialties. There’s also a great book club that gets together every six weeks or so. Our favorite specialty bookstores in NYC are all great places to make new friends.
Wilcoxson Brooklyn Ceramics
If you want to pick up a new skill or make something with your hands, Wilcoxson Brooklyn Ceramics has an extremely popular pottery class where you can make a mug or a planter in just 3 hours, with additional options to upskill if you’ve discovered a new passion. We often pop by to look at their beautiful products, and every time we’re in there the class participants seem to be having a blast.
Where to Eat in Greenpoint
There are a number of trendy brunch spots, casual cafes and reliable bistros in Greenpoint. There are some fine dining options that have created lots of buzz as well. But we’re fans of establishments that don’t take themselves too seriously. Greenpoint has a quirky side, with a tremendous amount of diversity and a strong spirit of innovation. Here are our consistent favorites.
The Most Comforting Comfort Food
For a long time, Paulie Gee’s was the reason anyone knew Greenpoint existed. New Yorkers can get pretty snobby about pizza, and Paulie Gee’s was always worth the trek. Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop is the answer to the landmark pizzeria’s no take-out policy, offering innovative square and traditional-shaped slices, with delicious vegan options.
Blue Light Speak Cheesy at Getaway Coffee
Forager Breakfast Sandwich from Blue Light Speak Cheesy
Meanwhile, weeks before the pandemic, an upstart entrepreneur moves from California to New York City to give her dream of a grilled cheese sandwich business a shot in the big city. To survive during a pandemic, she does the restaurant equivalent of couch surfing: opening pop-up stalls in local businesses to sell fantastic breakfast sandwiches, double-decker tacos, and--you guessed it--grilled cheese sandwiches. Now Blue Light Speak Cheesy permanently operates out of Getaway Coffee serving a delicious rotating breakfast menu Wednesday through Sunday.
A Taste of the Old Country
Once upon a time, the Polish population of Greenpoint was second only to that of Chicago’s. Polish immigrants started settling there in the early 20th century, and the numbers grew as Greenpoint’s warehouses, refineries and factories offered steady work and the promise of a better life. Though many Polish-Americans decamped from Greenpoint once gentrification crept in, the neighborhood’s ethnic identity has managed to survive. If you’re looking for authentic pierogi, Pierozek is a neighborhood newcomer that has no trouble competing with the mainstays. Ingredients are imported directly from Poland, and the young owners are committed to honoring their heritage one bite at a time, with their delicious handmade dumplings.
Shrimp Aguachile Verde at Mariscos El Submarino
There are plenty of taquerias in the city to fulfill your meat cravings. But Mexican seafood? Not so much. The husband and wife team behind Mariscos El Submarino have been working to change that, armed with quite a bit of passion and some incredible family recipes. At their Greenpoint location–their second after a successful launch in Queens– you can take a culinary trip to the states of Nayarit and Sinaloa on Mexico’s west coast and feast on incredible Mexican ceviches. There are cocteles, tacos, and tostadas piled impossibly high with mounds of seafood. But the star of the show here is the Aguachile, raw seafood dressed in vibrantly colored soupy sauces–some spicy, some tangy–along with a stack of tostadas for scooping and dipping.
Bakeries for Every Kind of Carb Lover
The ever-present line to Radio Bakery
Radio Bakery’s flaky croissant
Shortly after Radio Bakery opened, we stumbled upon it in the most New York way possible–we followed the line, thinking “What’s this?” and then quickly joined the long queue. From the team behind Ridgewood’s beloved Rolo’s, Radio Bakery offers a small but focused array of excellent breads, cookies, pastries and sandwiches. But the cornerstone of the menu are the flaky, buttery croissants, in both savory and sweet variations.
Syrena Bakery
Bakeri has great ambiance and a pastry case up front that makes choosing just one thing an impossible task. We’ve tried their Apple Cider Rose, Buttermilk Chocolate Cake, a variety of muffins, and we’ve never been disappointed. For old-school doughnuts, the neighborhood splits between Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop and Moe’s Doughs, but If you’re longing for paczek, Poland’s answer to the Jewish sufganiyot or Italian bomboloni, then drop by Syrena Bakery, where the Polish regulars line up for their breads and pastries.
Conclusion
One of Greenpoint’s best qualities is its ability to surprise. One moment you might be casually strolling down a street lined with quaint little shops, and the next you could come across a secretive warehouse with your favorite TV show’s name on the door. You could find a green space where the locals gather, or stumble across historic row houses. Greenpoint’s many sides-- the developed, undeveloped, historic, converted or repurposed--is what makes it such a joy to explore.
Like it? Share the article below!
