Williamsburg

Note: Restaurants are categorized by cuisine and listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

French

  • Le Crocodile – Sprawling spot at the Wythe Hotel serving French fare, wine, and cocktails in an easygoing setting
    • Location: Williamsburg 
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, trendy 
    • Suggestions: Onion soup, roast chicken with herb jus and frites 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not hard to get 
    • A Good Place For: A nicer dinner with friends, when the parents are in town, a nice date 

Italian

  • Lilia  – In a redone auto-body shop, this Italian place offers wood-fired Italian fare and house made pastas
    • Location: Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, unassuming, casual 
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu, but specifically the sheeps milk cheese filled agnolotti and the mafaldini
    • Reservations: Required; reservations drop 28 days in advance at 10am. The restaurant saves the bar and some patio tables, as well as some spots on the outdoor piazza, for walk-in guests
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with a small group of friends, a third date
    • Sister Restaurant: Misi, Misi Pasta

  • Misi – Contemporary-chic Italian dining space dishing up elevated antipasto and  handmade pasta dishes
    • Location: Williamsburg 
    • Atmosphere: Modern, trendy, simplistic 
    • Suggestions: Mezze rigatoni, fettuccine with buffalo butter, whipped ricotta crostini, marinated butter beans 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are made available 30 days in advance at 10am. Some bar seats are reserved for walk-ins   
    • A Good Place For: A dinner with the parents, a special occasion, a nice date 
    • Sister Restaurant: Misi Pasta, Lilia

Mediterranean

  • 12 Chairs – Middle Eastern dishes (including standout hummus) featured in a laid-back, rustic setting
    • Location: Soho, Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Alive, loud, casual 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, grilled chicken 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a group dinner, dinner before going out 

  • Laser Wolf – Chic, relaxed rooftop restaurant with Israeli-style skewered snacks and Manhattan skyline views
    • Location: Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Rooftop, bustling, trendy
    • Suggestions: Lamb Kofta, Brisket Kebab, Chicken Shishlik, Brown Sugar Soft Serve Ice Cream 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations open 21 days in advance at 10am on Resy
    • A Good Place For: A group dinner, dinner at the bar, a meal to impress out of towners, nice rooftop views  
    • Note: The ice cream at Laser Wolf may be the best ice cream I’ve ever had 

Mexican

  • Jajaja – Jajaja is where south of the border flavor meets New York City flair to create global experiences rooted in local heritage
    • Location: West Village, Lower East Side, Hudson Yards, Williamsburg, Long Island City 
    • Atmosphere: Casual, light, well decorated 
    • Suggestions: Tacos, empanadas 
    • Reservations: Not required 
    • A Good Place For: A casual dinner, dinner with individuals who are vegetarian or vegan 
    • Note: All of the food at Jajaja is plant-based (i.e., vegetarian)

Brunch

  • Jacks Wife Freda – A lively all-day NYC bistro executing American-Mediterranean cooking & classic cocktails
    • Location: Soho, West Village, Union Square, Chelsea, Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Homey, lively 
    • Suggestions: Not particular standout dish 
    • Reservations: Strongly suggested for weekend brunch but most of the seating is reserved for walk in guests 
    • Note: I found the food here to be just average. It’s a hotspot for people visiting from out of town, but nothing special