Williamsburg reached peak cultural significance in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when artists moved into its industrial lofts because the rents were almost nothing and the spaces were enormous. What followed is the most thoroughly documented gentrification story in American urban history — the artists were eventually priced out by the people who wanted to live near the artists, who were eventually priced out by the luxury condos that went up after the 2005 rezoning, which transformed the waterfront from manufacturing to residential.
The neighborhood that exists today is expensive, crowded on weekends, and simultaneously genuinely excellent in ways that reward careful navigation. The restaurants on Bedford Avenue and the side streets are among the best in Brooklyn. The bar scene is the most concentrated and diverse in the borough. The East River State Park on the waterfront provides some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline available anywhere. And Smorgasburg, the outdoor food market that operates on Saturdays from April through October, remains one of the most distinctive food experiences in New York.
Where to Eat: The Honest Version
Lilia on Union Avenue is the most celebrated restaurant in Williamsburg and one of the most celebrated in New York City. Missy Robbins’s Italian restaurant — specifically the pasta program, which changes seasonally and is executed at a level that competes with the best Italian cooking in Manhattan — requires reservations weeks in advance but delivers what the reputation promises. The cacio e pepe frittelle and whatever pasta is currently the signature are the orders.
Peter Luger Steak House at 178 Broadway has been operating in Williamsburg since 1887 and remains the most famous steakhouse in New York City. The porterhouse for two (or three or four) is the only thing worth ordering and it is genuinely extraordinary — dry-aged on premises, sliced tableside, served with the house sauce that has been made the same way for over a century. Cash only. Reservations essential. Worth every complication.
Sunday in Brooklyn on Wythe Avenue is the neighborhood’s best brunch restaurant — the malted pancakes are the most discussed item but the full menu is well-executed and the room is beautiful. Weekend waits are significant; arrive at opening for the best experience.
Fette Sau on Metropolitan Avenue is the best barbecue restaurant in Brooklyn — a serious operation with a wood smoker, house-made sausages, and a beer garden that operates in warm weather. Order by the pound at the counter. The brisket and the pork belly are the anchors.
The Bar Scene: What’s Still Worth Going To
Williamsburg’s bar scene has more depth than any comparable stretch in the outer boroughs. The concentration on Bedford Avenue, Metropolitan Avenue, and the side streets between them means you can walk between genuinely different bar experiences in the span of a few blocks.
The Commodore on Metropolitan Avenue is the neighborhood’s most beloved dive-adjacent bar — the fried chicken (served until late), the cocktails at reasonable prices, and the warm atmosphere have made it a local institution. Spritzenhaus on North 14th Street is a beer garden in an actual converted space with an excellent German and Belgian beer selection. Hotel Delmano on Berry Street is the neighborhood’s serious cocktail bar — beautiful room, excellent program, worth the slightly elevated prices.
Smorgasburg and the Market Culture
Smorgasburg operates Saturdays at Marsha P. Johnson State Park on the waterfront from April through October, with over 100 food vendors covering everything from Korean BBQ to Venezuelan arepas to Japanese ramen. It is the largest weekly outdoor food market in the United States and draws 20,000-30,000 visitors on peak summer Saturdays. Go before noon to avoid the worst crowds and to get the items that sell out fastest. The market is free to enter; the food vendors accept both cash and cards.
The Artists & Fleas market at 70 North 7th Street operates indoors year-round with independent designer and maker vendors. Less food-focused than Smorgasburg but a better option in cold weather.
The Waterfront
East River State Park on the Williamsburg waterfront provides the best continuous views of the Manhattan skyline available from Brooklyn at street level. The park runs along the river at the foot of North 8th Street and is particularly beautiful at sunset when the light hits the Manhattan skyline from the west. Free, always accessible, and one of the genuine pleasures of the neighborhood that exists independently of any restaurant or bar.
The Williamsburg Bridge connects the neighborhood to the Lower East Side — the pedestrian and bike lane is free and the walk across takes about 20 minutes. From the bridge, you can see both waterfronts, both skylines, and the full width of the East River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Williamsburg still worth visiting?
Yes — the neighborhood has changed dramatically since its peak artist-enclave days but it retains genuine restaurant density, the best bar scene in Brooklyn, access to the East River waterfront, and a food market culture (Smorgasburg, the Artist and Fleas market) that has no equivalent elsewhere in the borough. The tourist-trap layer exists but is avoidable.
What is Williamsburg known for?
Williamsburg is known for being the center of Brooklyn’s gentrification wave that started in the early 2000s, its music and nightlife scene, Smorgasburg food market, the East River waterfront views of Manhattan, and a restaurant concentration that now competes with downtown Manhattan neighborhoods.
What subway goes to Williamsburg?
The L train from Manhattan (14th Street/Union Square) to Bedford Avenue is the primary route — one stop, about 6 minutes. The G train serves Williamsburg via Broadway and Metropolitan Avenue. The J/M/Z trains serve the southern Williamsburg area near Marcy Avenue.
Is Williamsburg expensive?
Yes — Williamsburg rents are among the highest in Brooklyn, and the restaurants, bars, and shops reflect the neighborhood’s demographics. That said, the range is significant: a $4 slice of pizza exists alongside a $28 cocktail. Budget visitors can navigate the neighborhood well if they know where to go.
Also see: our Williamsburg bars guide
Also see: our Brooklyn transportation guide
