Welcome to Williamsburg, the hippest and most happening ‘hood in all of Brooklyn. It’s hard to believe that just 20 years ago, Williamsburg was a place that you did not want to find yourself in; nowadays, you can’t pick up any form of travel-related literature without a reference to this Brooklyn neighborhood. With endless restaurants and a killer booze scene, Williamsburg is a foodie’s mecca. So grab your Chelsea boots and pork pie hat — we’re doing 48 hours in Williamsburg like the locals do.
DAY 1
Morning Coffee at Toby’s Estate
Start your day on North 6th Street with a proper dose of caffeine at Toby’s Estate. Bring your laptop or your favorite book and take a seat in this giant warehouse space accompanied by a cup of the famous Bedford Espresso blend. Pair with homemade avocado toast or fluffy, to-die-for goodness from Doughnut Plant. Curious about coffee? Schedule a private coffee course or take a class at Toby Estate’s brew school.
Mid-Morning Shopping Break
Burn off that breakfast with a vintage shopping break. Head to The Mini Mall on Bedford Avenue for handmade jewelry, clothing and lingerie. Still have a sweet tooth? Grab some imported chocolates or fresh cotton candy. Check out Brooklyn Denim Co. for all of your jeans needs. Prefer thrifting? Monk and Mother of Junk are not to be missed.
Lunch at Peter Luger’s
Love a good burger? Head to world-renowned Peter Luger’s for the best burger of your life. Insider tip: The burger is only available at lunchtime, so be sure to get there before 3:30 p.m. At over half a pound of meat per burger, you’re certain to walk out with leftovers for later. Up for a culinary challenge? Grab the tomatoes and onions that are drenched in special Luger sauce as an appetizer before your beastly-sized burger.
Afternoon Brewery Tour
Learn all there is to know about beer on a tour at Brooklyn Brewery. Tours must be booked in advance and cost $15. Throw back a couple of pints post-tour in the warehouse-style bar area; we recommend the Brooklyn East IPA. Celebrate the season you find yourself in with the current seasonal option on tap (lucky for you if it’s fall! #pumpkineverything) Don’t forget your souvenir shirts and glasses to take home.
Sunset Happy Hour
No trip to Brooklyn would be complete without a rooftop experience. Head to Berry Park at sunset for a stunning view of picturesque clouds over the Manhattan skyline. Classics such as the Aperol Spritz and Rye Old Fashioned are available, as well as handmade creations like The Ilegal and Rum Away. For a pre-dinner snack, the homemade artichoke dip is the best we’ve ever tasted.
Dinner
Williamsburg is a food lover’s heaven; no matter what you fancy in the moment, it definitely can be found somewhere in the neighborhood. Head to Fushimi for late-night Japanese, Cantina Royale for house made guac and tacos in a casual setting, or Pies ‘n’ Thighs for Southern-style home cooking — though be prepared to wait for a table. Grab a post-dinner cocktail at Maison Premiere, Williamsburg’s hottest New Orleans-style oyster house and cocktail bar, complete with a full absinthe list.
Brooklyn Bowl
End the night at Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg’s own live music-bowling alley-restaurant hybrid extravaganza. Check out its website in advance to see who’s playing, or simply knock down some pins with your group of friends. Fried chicken and French bread pizza are served up alongside beer on tap. Lane and shoe rentals are available seven days a week; mention “Sunday Night Special” after 8 p.m. on Sundays for 50 percent off your lane rental.
DAY 2
Coffee at Blue Bottle
Start your morning with a cup of joe from Blue Bottle Coffee. Located on Berry Street, this particular location offers a roasting facility, office space, lab, kitchen and cafe. All pour-over coffee is made to order, or if you prefer iced coffee, grab one of the signature cold brews. Complimentary public coffee cuppings are offered on Fridays at 12:30.
Picnic at East River State Park
Wander over to this 11-acre park on the waterfront for perfect views of the Manhattan skyline. Hit up Smorgasburg (seasonal Saturdays only), Williamsburg’s signature outdoor market, or pack a picnic basket complete with cheese selections from Bedford Cheese Shop. Find a perfect bottle to pair with your cheese at The Natural Wine Company, brimming with all sorts of organic, vegan and low-sulfur wine options. Prefer a simple slice of pizza? Head to Best Pizza, a small walk-up counter joint that lives up to its name. (Hint: These are the same guys of Roberta’s in Bushwick. Roberta’s quality without the wait? We’re in.)
Urban Winery Experience
Picnic bottle of wine got you hankering for more? Check out Brooklyn Winery, New York’s bustling urban winery specializing in small-batch wines, of which over 20 cuvées are produced. Conor McCormack, California native and in-house winemaker, brings precision and expertise to each bottle crafted. Both tours and tastings are offered, or simply stop by the full-functioning wine bar for a glass and a snack. We recommend a flight of the winery’s three Chardonnay expressions or the Barrel-Fermented Riesling.
Beer and Live Music
Prefer beer over wine? Head to Radegast Hall & Biergarten for beers, brats and live music. Throw back a couple of pints while listening to a live band, all while sitting at your communal wooden table. Insider tip: The sweet potato fries are some of the best in the city.
Dinner at Leuca
Treat yourself to a fine-dining experience at Leuca inside the new and very tony William Vale hotel. Leauca is Andrew Carmellini’s latest restaurant extraordinaire — he’s the same chef of Locanda Verde, The Dutch and Primi fame. The restaurant is based on southern Italian-style cuisine — you can never go wrong with wood-fired pizza and pasta — and it’s delicious. After dinner, make your way to the 22nd floor for a digestif or cocktail and a panoramic view of the city that’s guaranteed to be the most stunning nightcap you’ve ever had.
Where To Stay:
While you could stay at the very posh William Vale or Wythe Hotel — which also has a sick rooftop bar — we recommend Airbnb for a more authentic experience.