Best of 36 cozy places in Williamsburg NYC

A sparkling gem on the corner of Broadway and Bedford, Francie has been the top destination for ducks in Williamsburg since opening in late 2020. The fantastical waterfowl is adorned with a bouquet of vibrant flora before being presented tableside and its crispy skin is cut away to reveal. the juicy meat inside. This dish, along with Francie's caviar soufflé pastries, pastas and traditional pork, helped her earn a Michelin star in the blink of an eye.

The team behind the prestigious Café China (which reopened in a new location last year) opened this Sichuan spot in 2017, and the crowds haven't slowed down since. Book a table in the lively dining room to try Birds of a Feather's best mapo tofu, tea-smoked duck, and spicy soft-shell crab. Lunch specials are also available Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

The much-discussed Peter Luger is a powerhouse of fascination in and out of New York, and it will take more than the occasional mockery to strip him of his classic status. Your out-of-town guests will most likely prefer to eat steaks, chops, and great burgers here than at the trendy new options, and it will remain among the city's most august institutions long beyond the viral headlines.

Step into co-owner (and former LCD Soundsystem frontman) James Murphy's intimate, friendly natural wine-focused restaurant and you're in for a treat. A list of daily specials will keep you on your toes and drinks are plentiful. Think of this place as a Wine 101 class.

When Philadelphia's Laser Wolf opened a New York edition on the 10th floor of the Hoxton Hotel last year, the fun sequel with fantastic, unlimited salatim and a good variety of good skewers came with more enthusiasm than money can buy. K'Far has moved into a larger space on the hotel's lobby level in late 2022: bigger, better, and surprisingly easier to book. Enjoy easy entry with fantastic preparations of tasty baklava, Palestinian lamb tartare, sea bream and chicken schnitzel.

Citrus ceviche and golden-skin roast chicken are among several solid options at Llama Inn. This lively and bright terrarium of a restaurant offers a wide variety of Peruvian food.

Kru's “modern interpretation of centuries-old Thai recipes swept best-of lists shortly after opening late last summer, and also earned it introduction to the Michelin Guide and a spot as a James Beard semi-finalist in short order. Some of those interpretations contain wonderful spiciness, such as beef tongue curry, and the smoked white fish sauce with anchovy, shrimp and chili pastes, coconut cream and grachai is a milder favorite.

Santa Fe BK makes margaritas the way God intended: hand-mixed with tequila, triple sec and citrus, available in single or double servings, spicy or non-spicy. The cocktails are a strong vote of confidence for the smothered burritos and enchiladas that follow, comfort dishes that are rarely done justice in New York City. Order them topped with red or green sauce (made with green Chimayo and Hatch chiles, respectively) or a mix of both, called “Christmas style.”

The name of this full-service Meat Hook restaurant is apt: the dark wood and mismatched vintage art on display really make it feel like a kind of homey diner. Like any self-respecting tavern, what's recommended here is the burger, which today includes Sungold jam, scallion aioli, pickles and American cheese; It also comes with pretty good fries (a rarity in 2022, as complimentary fries become few and far between). If red meat isn't what you're looking for, try other cozy classics like chicken Milanese.

If you come from the City of Brotherly Love and miss its famous cheesesteaks, the best opportunity to remedy the situation is at Federoff's, which looks like a fast food place straight out of the 60s or 70s. But the real focus of the place is a sandwich perhaps more appreciated by Philadelphians than tourists: a roast pork and broccoli rabe hoagie, lifted into orbit by a tangy provolone cheese.

A satisfying $15 lunch special, a $28 three-course prix fixe, a wide variety, and generously portioned dishes that actually pack some heat make Atithi a great neighborhood restaurant worth heading out to. Previously we enjoyed the cauliflower pakora and spicy lamb saag.

If fighting over lobster fries to karaoke sounds like a night well spent, Chino Grande might be for you. This Williamsburg restaurant, owned by a Win Son co-owner, bills itself as a "karaoke lounge," and although singing is only allowed after 10 p.m. m. Monday through Friday and at 11 p.m. On weekends, the bar is lively most of the day. Look for a short menu of snacks like swordfish skewers, five-spice pork ribs, and a $65 order of fries topped with a whole lobster.

Chef Luis Herrera, an alumnus of Blanca y Cosme, has arrived in Williamsburg with Ensenada, an ambitious seafood spot that combines the sensibilities of Mexico City and Baja California. That means kaleidoscopic aguachiles studded with shrimp, fish, clamato, cilantro, and sometimes lemongrass. Also look for shrimp and fish tacos, as well as whole butterflied fish rubbed with pastor-style spices. Jorsand Díaz, also a Cosme veterinarian, heads up the agave program, with a few dozen mezcals to choose from. Bryce David, owner of the Black Flamingo nightclub downstairs, is a co-owner.

The Commodore is a bar with diverse trends and a longer menu than some restaurants. Choose from alcohol (and hangover)-friendly items like fried chicken, nachos, burgers, and fries. Sandwiches and salads are also offered.

Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe is the rare case of a social media sensation that actually lives up to the hype. The sandwiches come out just as they appear online: rolled tightly and filled with Italian cold cuts, cheeses, and hot and sweet peppers. The menu is huge and popular orders include the Godfather (prosciutto, capicola, soppressata, salami, pepperoni, mortadella and mozzarella) and the FDNY (mozzarella, vodka sauce and a chicken cutlet that is way better than it should be) .

Bonnie's has become the mascot of our city's so-called reservation crisis, in which it seems impossible to get into everything good. Don't worry; is only partially true: This restaurant, owned by a former Win Son chef, can reserve its tables two weeks in advance in a matter of minutes, but there are a handful of seats at the bar reserved for walk-ins each night. The reward for those who persevere is a bathroom designed for mirror photos, plus well-executed American Cantonese dishes, including “cacio e pepe mein,” cha siu-glazed pork served McRib style, and that 53-pound fish. Dollars.

Few restaurants have achieved as much fame in such a short time as Zaab Zaab. The Elmhurst Thai restaurant opened in spring 2021, drawing reviews from Eater and the New York Times, before announcing a citywide expansion that includes three more locations. So tells the story of how Williamsburg ended up being one of the city's next great Thai spots. Called Zaab Zaab Talay, this seafood-focused restaurant (whole fish steamed in garlic-lime broth, papaya salad with oysters and crab legs) offers endless rewards for those with a spice tolerance.

Massimo Laveglia's Slice Shop remains one of the best pizzerias in town: a place to enjoy thin Roman-style slices and a place to quietly sip beer or wine in the spacious outdoor shed. The burrata slices show a nice contrast between the fresh, milky dairy and the warm tomato sauce, although the truffle pizza is the favorite here. Laveglia creates some wonderful magic by mixing good mushrooms, salty mozz, and a touch of truffle paste. The expensive mushrooms add a sweet perfume, without ever overpowering things.

After a pandemic-era bagel pop-up led to a permanent sandwich counter, owner Elyssa Heller expanded with this full-service restaurant. Edith's, which looks like a cozy general store, offers a casual all-day menu of chicken schnitzel, chopped salad with pickled mackerel, flaky malawach bread, and seasonal ice creams, including a tahini coffee that can be made with alcohol. Look for weekend brunch specials, like coconut macaroni French toast.