Sophie Mancini

Slinging tacos until the wee hours, Birria Landia’s beloved taco truck specialises in Tijuana‑style birria de res: tender beef stewed in a rich, adobo‑fuelled broth, folded into tacos, mulitas, or tostadas, always paired with a generous cup of piping, salty consommé for dipping. Prices are modest, and while the line can get heavy on the weekends, it’s all part of the fun. Gobble it street-side.   

Gehad Hadidi, the owner of Midtown institution La Bonne Soupe, opened this more personal restaurant influenced by his Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian heritage. The space feels right for a more mature date night, and serves up sharing plates of smashed cucumbers with smoked labneh and lemon zest, blistered grapes with tahini, tortellini stuffed with spiced minced beef and smothered with yoghurt, and charred, melt-in-your-mouth eggplant under a pile of crispy garlic and swimming in chilli oil (in a good way). 

Tucked off an unassuming street in East Williamsburg, Win Son's exterior pays homage to New York's beloved bodegas, but the light-filled interior has a crisp, modern vibe thanks to glossy blonde wood tables, exposed brick walls and a small, polished bar that's perfect for both solo diners and couples. This bright little spot aims to showcase Taiwan's culinary landscape with a fresh perspective. Don’t miss briny clams in a thick bath of Shaoxing rice wine, bobbing with cubes of red kabocha. This may be paired with soft bao – their unique twist is as addictive as it is sloppy – and tailed by thick and chewy zha jiang mian (noodles simmered with tender lamb, chilli oil, and Sichuan peppercorn). 

A Brooklyn-bred roastery, Variety Coffee Roasters is a Williamsburg institution, known both for its smooth brews and its epic people watching. 

At the super casual East Williamsburg wine bar, you order your wine and food at a counter up front, coffee shop-style. There’s no official wine list. Instead, the sommelier eavesdrops behind the cashier, jumping in to answer any questions about the rotating selection of bottles up front. Come here for a great glass of natural wine pre-dinner and a few nibbles. 

By day, Land to Sea serves Asian-inspired drinks such as mandarin latte and ginger latte, on top of other coffee and tea selections; in the evenings, it moonlights as an intimate creative venue, hosting events such as mahjong nights, wine tastings and art workshops. For Emily Shum and Eva Zhou – Land to Sea’s co-founders – the cafe is a love letter to their Asian-American upbringing and a homage to their immigrant families. 

Lala’s Brooklyn Apizza does New Haven-style (thin and crispy), paired with communal tables on a rooftop patio. On a balmy summer's evening, coupled with a cold beer from their partner brewery, Grimm Artisanal Ales, there is no better combo. 

East Williamsburg’s got plenty of coffee shops, but Brooklyn Ball Factory has got charm. It’s a Japanese comfort-food spot meets speciality coffee shop where the matcha’s the real deal, and the bento boxes, and onigiri are as pretty as they are filling. If you head upstairs, the rooftop’s a total win – sunny, breezy, and just hidden enough to feel like you’ve found something special. 

Opened in September 2025, this 3,200 square foot space with soaring ceilings was designed for high-fidelity sound and no-nonsense dance culture (stickers are stuck on to your camera before you walk in to discourage photo taking for total presence). On some nights, there’s a second DJ booth set up outside for alfresco listening. Expect electronic / dance music in long format sessions and dose of Brooklyn nightlife (no bottle service, VIP sections, or pick up culture – just spacious industrial design, immersive sound, and people joyfully minding their own business).