What to eat, drink, and do in DUMBO
Whether you arrive in DUMBO by foot, ferry, or the A,C, or F subway lines, you'll find yourself in one of New York City's most desirable neighborhoods.
DUMBO, which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is known for its spectacular views of Manhattan, world-class waterfront park, thriving art and food scenes, and what may be NYC’s most Instagrammable hot spot: the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street with the Manhattan Bridge in the background.
This section of Brooklyn, however, was not always as charming as it is now. Prior to becoming a tourist destination, the neighborhood was an industrial hub. The historic buildings that now house loft apartments and art galleries were factories that produced everything from cardboard boxes to Brillo pads during their manufacturing heyday in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (both of which were actually invented in DUMBO). Manufacturing slowed after the Great Depression, and the area didn’t recover until the 1970s, when a wave of artists moved in, inspiring developers to reconsider the East River-adjacent neighborhood.
Today, the pioneering spirit lives on in various forms. Not only did one of Brooklyn’s most ambitious waterfront revitalizations take place here, but DUMBO has also become a magnet for tech startups, most notably Etsy, which is headquartered at the former Watertower printing site. With it came a flurry of other developments, resulting in the history-meets-modern-day character that distinguishes this thriving area. It now also houses multiplex Empire Stores, which has its own food hall (Time Out Market), as well as a SoHo House (aka DUMBO House).
ONEYOGAHOUSE
90 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Where To Eat
Casual / Pizza
Juliana's
19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Classic & specialty pies from a coal-fired oven in a modern space by pizza legend Patsy Grimaldi.
Casual / Pizza
Grimaldi's
1 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria serves traditional coal-fired brick oven pizza using pizza-making traditions originating in Brooklyn over 100 years ago.
Casual / American
Westville
81 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Fresh produce & locally sourced meats lead the list of ingredients at this popular American spot.
Casual / Greek & American
Clark's Restaurant
80 Clark St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Greek & American comfort food in a casual, neighborhood diner setting that buzzes at breakfast.
Casual / Coffee & Cafe
Bluestone Lane DUMBO
55 Prospect St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Consistent with our Manhattan based cafés, our all-day menu is focused on seasonal, health-oriented offerings including brunch highlights such as our Avocado Smash, a new twist on our classic Bircher Muesli and Bacon Egg Roll, which can all be paired with our cold-pressed juice range such as the Portsea and Fitzroy.
Casual / American
Vingear Hill House
72 Hudson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Seasonal New American cooking served in a cozy, salvaged-decor setting with a garden.
Casual / Mexican
Gran Electrica
5 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Regional Mexican fare plus mezcal & tequila cocktails in a rustic-chic space with a patio.
Casual / Ramen
Kogane Ramen
76 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Bowls of ramen & Japanese sides, plus sake, served in a warm, snug space with wood walls.
Fine / American
The River Cafe
1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Landmark eatery, newly renovated, offering a New American menu & stunning views of Manhattan.
Casual / Sandwiches
Bread & Spread
151 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Creative sandwich counter in a market featuring roasted meats, toasted bread & local ingredients.
Fine / Mediterranean
Celestine
1 John St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Contemporary place for wood-fired Med & Middle Eastern fare with wine, cocktails & river views.
Casual / Ramen
Tsuta
22 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
The very first ramen spot in the world to garner a Michelin star’s first U.S. location
Casual / Italian
Cecconi's
55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Wood-fired pizzas, pastas & other Italian dishes are complemented by cocktails & waterfront views.
Casual / American
Inga's Bar
66 Hicks St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
This new Brooklyn Heights corner spot serves comfortably deft seasonal cooking.
Casual / Italian
Noodle Pudding
38 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Large portions of Italian comfort food are dished for crowds. Cash only & no reservations accepted.
Casual / Bakery
Almondine
85 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Renowned bakeshop turning out classic French breads & pastries, plus light cafe fare.
Casual / Bakery & Coffee
Butler Bakeshop
40 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Freshly prepared meals and delicious baked goods, paired with the finest espresso from the good people at Intelligentsia.
Casual / Bakery
Burrow
68 Jay St #119, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Pint-sized, upscale bakeshop supplying muffins, cookies & custom cakes.
Casual / Ice Cream
Ample Hills
1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Flagship scoop shop in a former fireboat station serving creative flavors.
Casual / Ice Cream
Oddfellows
44 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Offering an ever-growing list of small-batch ice creams, vegan frozen desserts and sorbets – over 400 flavors so far!
Casual / Ice Cream
Sugar Hill Creamery
55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Family-owned ice cream shop offering scoops, shakes & other treats with unique flavors.
Where To Drink
Casual / Coffee
Arabica Roastery
20 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Humble cafe offering a diverse coffee bean menu, plus croissants & homemade snacks.
Casual / Coffee
Zaruma Gold Coffee
66 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Offering Ecuadorian Coffee, homemade pastries some with premium Ecuadorian cacao.
Casual / Coffee
Beepublic Coffee
181 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
A wide variety of organic coffees, teas, iced drinks, sweet and savory vegetarian and vegan food options.
Casual / Coffee
Devoción
105 York St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
The freshest coffee straight from the farm to your doorstep. Sourced from Colombia and roasted in Brooklyn.
Casual / Bar
Evil Twin Brewing
43 Main St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Roomy, bohemian brewhouse with a diverse beer menu, plus coffee & homemade pastries.
Casual / Bar
Time Out Market
55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Bi-level waterfront hangout showcasing a curated lineup of local food & drink plus cultural events.
Casual / Bar
The Binc
60 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dark, intimate speakeasy with a chill, classy atmosphere, for creative cocktails & small plates.
Casual / Bar
Seamore's
66 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Relaxed eatery serving sustainable seafood plus beer, wine & cocktails in bright, beachy digs.
Casual / Bar
PIPS
129 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Cozy bar with coastal Italian vibes serving natural wines, Italian-style aperitifs & small plates.
Casual / Bar
Le Boudoir
135 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Styled after Marie Antoinette’s chambers, this cozy hideaway offers cocktails, snacks & live jazz.
What To Do
Outdoors / Recreation
Brooklyn Bridge Park
1 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Spanning over 1.3 miles of Brooklyn’s waterfront, from the Columbia Heights waterfront district to the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO, this treasure of a park offers breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan’s panoramic skyline and the New York Harbor. Tourists and New Yorkers alike can be seen admiring the iconic cityscape across the East River while strolling along a continuous promenade of six diverse piers.
More active crowds are guaranteed to appreciate Brooklyn Bridge Park’s numerous recreational facilities, including playgrounds, basketball courts, sports fields, and Brooklyn’s newest roller skating rink.
Visitors will take delight in the wide array of award-winning food and drink concessions that provide delicious refreshments for parkgoers as they enjoy the elegant landscapes and breathtaking views.
Whether it’s your next workout space or a family outing to the historic Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn Bridge Park has something for everyone!
Outdoors / Recreation
Pebble Beach
81 Washington St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
This section of BBP features a popular nautically-themed playground and much more. At Pebble Beach, take a seat on curving stone bleachers to enjoy the view of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Relax on a rolling lawn or perch on Main Street Terrace to take in the surroundings from a high vantage. Go for a climb on North America’s largest outdoor manmade bouldering facility, DUMBO Boulders, beneath the Manhattan Bridge. Main Street also welcomes canine companions to its colorful, imaginative dog run. 99 Plymouth, a BBP facility located at Main Street, offers public restrooms, the BBP Conservancy’s Environmental Education Center, and a Community Room and entrance gallery that host rotating local art installations.
Outdoors / Recreation
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Washington Street (2 blocks from Front street)
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, and you can walk it, drive it, bike it, or admire it from afar from multiple vantage points around the city.
One way or the other, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see when traveling to Brooklyn. It’s not just an enjoyable experience for tourists; many born-and-bred New Yorkers find themselves still charmed by the bridge. There’s even a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge, above the roaring car traffic, so it’s a wonderful stroll
The DUMBO entrance is a stairway in the underpass located on Washington Street, 2 blocks from Front Street where the famous DUMBO Instagram photo is. There is a stairway in the underpass that is the entrance leading directly to the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.
Performing Arts
St. Ann's Warehouse
45 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Formerly the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity on Montague Street, in 1980 the site was converted into a venue for classical music.
Books
Melville House Publishing
46 John St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
This warehouselike Dumbo space is a shop from independent publisher Melville House
Clothing
Front General Store
143 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Retro store offering vintage clothing, shoes & accessories for men & women, plus dry goods/hardware.
Day Spa
Plaza M Spa
46 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Modern luxe day spa offering safe, sanitary, and non-toxic nail care, massage, waxing, and services in a stylish atmosphere.
Art / Books / Coffee
Usagi
181 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Calm, Japanese-inspired cafe & exhibition space featuring an art gallery, bookstore & coffee bar.
Art / Events
Powerhouse Arena
28 Adams St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Bright, roomy spot that functions as both a bookstore focused on art & an event & exhibition space.