BEST MEXICAN
RESTAURANT
CHELA
408 5th Ave.
(718) 701-1891 – www.chelaparkslope.com
Brothers Felipe and Carlos Arellano began
their culinary career as young children in
Oaxaca, Mexico. At the age of 4, they were
already making ceviches and learning the art of
developing flavor using salt, acidity, and local
produce. As young adults, Carlos and Felipe
packed their bags and migrated to California to
break into the action on the bustling restaurant
scene in Los Angeles. They worked in a variety
of restaurants on the West Coast before
deciding to come the Best Coast, settling in
NYC where they worked as chefs at the famous
Rosa Mexicano Restaurant. After working there
for several years, they were poached to join the
successful boutique chain of restaurants, Besito
Mexican, where they have worked for the past
decade as the Executive Chef and Executive
Sous Chef respectively. The brothers are excited
to bring their love and passion of all foods
Mexican to Park Slope.
BEST MIDDLE
EASTERN
TANOREEN
7523 3rd Avenue
(718) 748-5600 – www.tanoreen.com
Tanoreen offers an unforgettable dining
experience, serving the best Middle Eastern
fare including falafel, schwarma and so much
more. The restaurant was the brainchild of
Chef Rawia, who after years of serving families
and friends at parties, decided to open her
own restaurant offering Palestinian and
Middle Eastern food. Each dish is prepared
with love, as if you’re eating right in Rawia’s
home. Sample the Lebanese delicacy tabouleh
(parsley, mint, onion, bulgur, lemon-olive oil),
baked kafta tahini (finely ground lamb, onions
& parsley, potatoes, house-made tahini sauce
with rice), kebobs, rice pilaf and so much more.
BEST ORGANIC EATERY
COCOA GRINDER
8511 3rd Ave.
(347) 517-4561 – www.cocoagrindernyc.com
Since 2013, Cocoa Grinder has been serving
up some of the finest coffee to suit any coffee
lover. Their delectable coffee beans are
sourced locally from small farmers overseas
and shipped right from their regions and are
roasted in-house for that perfect cup of joe.
Cocoa Grinder has also been serving up more
than just coffee. Their incredible selection
of health-conscious menu items, including
an all-day breakfast menu and a selection of
sandwiches and bowls, will have you wanting to
try more than just their delicious brews. With
locations throughout Brooklyn, Cocoa Grinder
provides an ideal space for coffee lovers who
need a place to enhance their daily grind or take
a well-deserving break from it.
BEST RESTAURANT
SKINFLINTS
7902 5th Avenue
(718) 745-1116
Brooklyn’s a borough of great restaurants,
but our readers think Skinflints in Bay Ridge
eclipses them all. The longtime restaurant & bar
offers a menu of burgers & other American eats,
plus outdoor seating. The food is always good,
and so is the service. The prices are extremely
reasonable, especially considering how good
the food is. They have some of the best burgers
in Brooklyn, served on an English Muffin bun.
It’s the simple feeling of a pub-style restaurant
combined with delicious food and great service.
There’s nothing like being able to order your
favorite meal amongst friends and family at a
great place that feels like it’s truly part of the
community. Skinflints offers a modern but
classic version of an unforgettable taste.
BEST ROMANTIC
DINNER
THE RIVER CAFÉ
1 Water St.
(718) 522-5200 – www.rivercafe.com
Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or a special
anniversary, there’s no more romantic spot
in Brooklyn to enjoy a great meal than The
River Cafe on the East River Waterfront. Since
its opening in 1977, the eatery has offered
the highest level of cuisine prepared from
the freshest and finest ingredients available
anywhere. As a result, the restaurant emerged
at the forefront for the arrival of Classic
American cuisine on the East Coast, searching
out the finest and purest ingredients in every
aspect. Impress your loved one and celebrate
that special occasion at The River Cafe.
BEST SANDWICH DEAL
A.L.C. ITALIAN GROCERY
8613 3rd Avenue
(718) 836-3200 – www.alcitaliangrocery.com
Sometimes you just have to have a great
hero sandwich, and A.L.C. Italian Grocery
in Bay Ridge will make you a fantastic one
for a reasonable price. Louis Coluccio Jr.
founded A.L.C. in 2002 as a nod to the
historic salumerias that seemed to be all but
disappearing. Louis wanted a return to the
‘mom and pop’ shops he grew up with and
thought there would be no better place for this
than the neighborhood where he was born and
raised, and currently resided. In 2018, serving
Brooklyn and the rest of the city, ALC is a
neighborhood market that represents heritage,
family, and great food.
BEST SEAFOOD
RESTAURANT
RANDAZZO’S
Emmons Ave.
(718) 615-0010 – www.randazzosclambar.nyc
It only makes sense that Randazzo’s is
Brooklyn’s best seafood restaurant, considering
how close it is to New York Bay. They’ve been
on Emmons Avenue since 1986 and have
created a tradition of providing great customer
service and customer satisfaction. Randazzo’s
are proud and honored to be part of a hundred
year old family legacy that they hope will
continue for another hundred years as the
sixth generation of Randazzo children become
a part of the family business and Brooklyn
community.
BEST SOUL FOOD
AND SOUTHERN
RESTAURANT
PIES N’ THIGHS
66 S 4th St.
(347) 529-6090 – www.piesnthighs.com
If you’re in the mood for some stick-to-yourribs
Southern comfort food, then Pies ‘n’ Thighs
in Williamsburg is your go-to place. Opened
in 2006 in the shadow of the Williamsburg
Bridge, Pies ‘n’ Thighs has been serving up huge
donuts, two-napkin smoked pork sandwiches
and salty, crispy fried chicken. The food at Pies
‘n’ Thighs offers something that can be offered
at processed chains but when served at their
convenient location, feels like it was made at
home and feels like true southern cuisine done
right. They believe that comfort food speaks to
everyone.
BEST SPANISH
EL VIEJO YAYO
36 5th Ave.
(718) 622-8922 - www.yayo2.com
Looking for some authentic Spanish cuisine? El
Viejo Yayo offers a huge menu full of delicious
Latin American options that will take you
36 DIME BEST OF BROOKLYN 2019 • WINNERS GUIDE • BESTOFBK.COM
on a culinary journey. Known for its Lobster
Paella, Baked Chicken, Chicken Soup (Sopa
de pollo), and an assortment of Mofongos,
all of the dishes at El Viejo Yayo are made
so the customer gets the most out of every
plate. Each menu option is made with the
freshest ingredients, ensuring a full and happy
stomach, and the full bar has a huge selection
that can pair with the customer’s meal. Their
friendly and well-trained staff are committed
to providing guests a comfortable atmosphere
with top-notch service to ensure for a pleasant
experience. El Viejo Yayo is the perfect place for
a casual get-together, a romantic evening with
your partner or even a private party.
BEST STEAKHOUSE
PETER LUGER STEAK HOUSE
178 Broadway
(718) 387-7400 – www.peterluger.com
In the battle for best steakhouse in Brooklyn,
everyone else is in a race for second place
— because Peter Luger is the undisputed
champion of beef. The iconic steakhouse
has old-school waiters serving aged beef in a
German beer hall setting. Still under Forman
family management, the restaurant has been
rated the top steakhouse in New York since
1984, has earned itself a Michelin Star, and has
joined the ranks of American classics. It’s often
referred to as a “monument to meat” but the
beer selection is excellent too, providing you
with refreshments during your delicious meal.
However, the steaks are why Peter Luger’s
Steakhouse is considered one of the best in the
country and certainly the best known and best
loved in Brooklyn. There’s nothing else like it
in New York City, and New York City wouldn’t
have it any other way.
BEST SUSHI
SUSHI KATSUEI
210 7th Ave.
(718) 788-5338 – www.sushikatsuei.com
Opened in 2014 in Park Slope, Katsuei brings
excitement to both locations by offering a Sushi
& Sashimi Omakase experience in New York
City at an affordable price. Their chefs offer a
touch of modern creativity to Edo-mae style
sushi (Traditional Japanese-Edo Period). Many
selected fish is flown in from Tsukiji fish market
in Tokyo, Japan & is served at Katsuei. Each
nigiri sushi piece is topped with a flavorful
combination of ingredients to bring a balanced
& harmonious umami experience in each bite.
Let the excellent, helpful and kind cooks and
staff at Katsuei take you on a wonderful journey
of delicious sushi & sake that you will never
forget. Book a Katsuei experience today!
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
SKYICE
63 5th Ave.
718-230-0910 – www.skyice.net
SkyIce Sweet and Savory is family business
from the northern mountains of the Chiang
Mai Provence and Bangkok in Thailand, their
mission is to bring you the freshest, highest
quality food with health and mother earth in
mind. SkyIce takes pride in using the freshest
ingredients in the preparation of all of their
dishes, including the Salmon Fruits & Nuts
Salad and the Chicken Green Curry Crepe.
SkyIce is open late so that no matter what time
you’re craving a delicious meal, they can always
satisfy your hunger. While their prices are
reasonable, the quality of the food and desserts
are outstanding, with each dish bursting with
flavor and zest! Nothing is more important to
SkyIce than their customers’ satisfaction, so
they make sure to have your food delivered
right to your door as quickly as possible.
BEST UPSCALE/FINE
DINING
PETER LUGER STEAK HOUSE
178 Broadway
(718) 387-7400 – www.peterluger.com
If you want to impress a business client or
celebrate a special event in style, there’s no
place better than Peter Luger Steakhouse in
Williamsburg. It’s been consistently rated among
the very best steakhouses not only in New York
City, but the world over. Come dressed for
success and dive into a plate of porterhouse steak,
accompanied with a tomato-and-onion appetizer
and side dishes including fried potatoes and
creamed spinach. Remember to bring your cash
though: Peter Luger doesn’t accept credit cards.
BEST VEGAN
RESTAURANT
V SPOT
156 5th Ave.
(718) 928-8778 – www.vspot.restaurant
VSPOT was founded in Park Slope in 2006 by
Danny Carabaño, a former Brooklyn Tech math
teacher and current compassionate plant based
foodie. VSPOT rapidly became known for its
unique empanadas, spicy buffalo strips and
traditional Colombian dishes such as arepas
but with a vegan twist. They have hosted food
competitions, fundraisers, birthday parties,
book signings, stand up comedy shows and
even started a popup vegan market. VSPOT is a
vegan place that allows you to choose from a ton
of options, for everyone from the experienced
vegan eater to someone who’s looking to take
their first foray into vegan cuisine. Supported
by a helpful staff and reasonably priced, VSPOT
serves the community with healthy options and
great food that doesn’t sacrifice taste for health.
BEST VEGETARIAN
RESTAURANT
THE JUNGLE CAFÉ
996 Manhattan Ave.
(347) 987-4981 – www.junglecafenyc.com
Jungle Cafe is a vegetarian restaurant in
Greenpoint dedicated to nutritious, wholesome
vegetarian food at a reasonable cost, using local
farmers and ingredients. By using high quality
ingredients, utilizing conscious preparation by
their employees, supporting vegan cuisine and
avoiding animal products, they acknowledge the
interconnectedness of our environment, spiritual
and physical selves. They present Jungle Cafe
to the Greenpoint Brooklyn community with
love and gratitude and are delighted to nourish
everyone with delicious meals served in a
welcoming environment. Using reclaimed wood,
community members personally built every
last detail in the restaurant. The intention was
always–build it with love and people will feel
it when they enter. And most guest agree upon
entering, it just feels good to be in Jungle Cafe.
BEST VIETNAMESE
HANCO’S BUBBLE TEA & VIETNAMESE
SANDWICH
147 Montague St.
(347) 529-5054 – www.hancosny.com
With his parents’ recipes and the helping hands
of his siblings and aunt, Hanco’s was established
in 2005. Located in the heart of Brooklyn,
Hanco’s specializes in Vietnamese cuisine and
serves signature favorites such as Vietnamese
sandwiches, banh mi, pho noodle soup, and
bubble tea. Bustling, no-frills Vietnamese place
open seven days a week. Because it comes
from a family atmosphere, Hanco’s feels like
an organic part of the community in Brooklyn
Heights. They serve Vietnamese food that comes
from the heart and goes straight to your taste
buds. The service is excellent and the prices are
reasonable. Hanco’s is a special place, where a
generational recipe gets served with care to an
ever-expanding customer base who continuously
return for more of that family recipe
RESTAURANTS
/www.chelaparkslope.com
/www.tanoreen.com
/www.cocoagrindernyc.com
/www.rivercafe.com
/www.alcitaliangrocery.com
/www.randazzosclambar.nyc
/www.piesnthighs.com
/www.yayo2.com
/www.peterluger.com
/www.sushikatsuei.com
/www.skyice.net
/www.peterluger.com
/www.vspot.restaurant
/www.junglecafenyc.com
/www.hancosny.com
/www.chelaparkslope.com
/www.tanoreen.com
/www.cocoagrindernyc.com
/www.rivercafe.com
/www.alcitaliangrocery.com
/www.randazzosclambar.nyc
/www.piesnthighs.com
/www.yayo2.com
/BESTOFBK.COM
/www.peterluger.com
/www.peterluger.com
/www.sushikatsuei.com
/www.skyice.net
/www.vspot.restaurant
/www.junglecafenyc.com
/www.hancosny.com