The Best Restaurants In Park Slope

Park Slope is a self-contained oasis of brownstones, strollers, and more grocery stores than you ever thought anyone needed. Should you find yourself there without a plan, head for 5th or 7th Avenue, the two major streets that run down the length of the neighborhood. That's where the (many) restaurants are. For everything from Korean and Italian to some of the best octopus in Brooklyn, use this guide to the area’s top spots.

THE SPOTS

Masalawala & Sons

Masalawala & Sons is from the team behind spots like Dhamaka and Semma . At this point, they know their brand: inventive, hyper-specific regional food you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere in the city. Their focus here is on Bengali food, which means fish is king. Get the one wrapped in banana leaves, or try the fried version with a tangy mustard on the side. This food is on par with their other restaurants, but you’ll stay longer because the bigger space makes for a better hang. There’s a wedding party’s worth of colorful gajras hanging from the ceiling inside, and a roomy patio out back for the warmer months.

Sawa

For your next double date, head to this charming Lebanese spot on 5th Avenue where the chefs are sure to be rolling out pita rounds by the front door. They’ve got a big backyard with string lights, and a wine list that highlights producers from Lebanon and Morocco. Get some garlicky hummus and akhtabut, crispy octopus served with couscous, and the whole roasted dorade with a tomato pepper stew that’s great for a group.

Al Di La

Al Di La is a Northern Italian restaurant on 5th Avenue run by a couple who lives a few blocks away and know all the longtime Park Slope parents. After all, the place has been hosting ladies' luncheons, birthday dinners, and casual weeknight pasta meet-ups since 1998. On a regular Tuesday, prioritize the tagliatelle al ragú. For a no-hassle birthday dinner, do the exact same thing, plus the trippa alla toscana, and the pork shank if it's on special. It’s usually easy to walk in and get a table, and if there’s a wait, you can grab your first glass of wine at their wine bar right behind the restaurant.

Fausto

With its leather booths and fancy light fixtures, Fausto feels like a West Village date spot where you'd go with someone you’re at least a little serious about. Except—thankfully—it’s in Brooklyn. The modern Italian restaurant has a menu filled with things you’ll want to eat not once, but over and over: like orecchiette with fennel braised pork, a simple fettuccine with tomato sauce and calabrian chili, a roast chicken, and a pork chop. Bring someone you want to impress, and pay special attention to the cocktails, and the wine list.

Lore

Lore makes food inspired by popular dishes from around the world—sort of like an upscale Cheesecake Factory, without the huge hunker of a menu. Brunch and dinner both have an Indian and Korean streak, sometimes together. (Don’t knock the kimchi uttapam until you try it, it’s basically a masala-spiced kimchi pancake.) But they also serve fish and chips and jerk chicken, and pull it all off. Lore would work for a date, with its intimate bar area and some very nice hand soap, but it’s still casual enough to bring a couple of preteens—especially if your family can’t agree on what to eat that night.

Ghenet

This casual Ethiopian spot on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus is a reliable choice for group dinners, especially if there are vegans in the mix. The space has big windows, a faux-thatched ceiling, and booths that make it easy to get cozy with your friends around a bunch of delicious food. We always go for the combinations here—the vegetarian option is $99 for four people and comes with a choice of four vegetarian dishes.

Winner

There’s a lot going on at Winner: croissants and egg and cheese on english muffins in the morning, ham and cheese sandwiches and veggie bánh mì at lunch, or squishy focaccia by the slice and sourdough baguettes in the afternoon. Then, at night, Winner turns into Runner Up , a wine bar that’s great for splitting a bottle with a friend and talking sh*t over gochujang shrimp cocktail and beet-cured deviled eggs. It’s a lot to keep track of, we know. But Winner is worth a visit at every hour of the day.

Brooklyn DOP

If we want pizza in Park Slope, chances are we're at Brooklyn DOP. The space has a long copper counter and pictures of the owners’ families on the wall, and there’s an outdoor patio in the back. All the pies use four-day fermented dough—skip the round ones and go for the thin, crispy grandma pizza that’s made with a garlic confit sauce and tastes a little buttery from being baked over a layer of oil. Brooklyn DOP sells most of their pies by the slice, and if a grandma one isn’t available when you go, wait for it.

Simple Loaf Bakehouse

For one of the city’s best croissants , head to Simple Loaf. The 5th Avenue bakery makes them equal parts flaky and buttery, but we also like their kouign amann, and the savory roasted tomato kale danish. Pick up a box and take it on your Saturday morning stroll, or stay for a full breakfast or lunch—there’s a big seating area in the back, and a quiet patio for the warmer months. Either way, make sure croissants are a part of the equation. Besides the plain, we like the over-the-top chocolate and almond, and the somehow-even-more-over-the-top ham and cheese. They often sell out, especially on the weekends, so plan accordingly.

Haenyeo

Everyone talks about the dukboki fundido at Haenyeo, a sweet little date night restaurant. While this dish is amazing, there’s a lot more to this Korean spot than those Oaxaca cheese-topped rice cakes. Always start with the crispy zucchini scallion pancake, followed by the sizzling spicy pork bulgogi. Cold dishes, like the hwe dup bop (basically bibimbap, but with tuna and fluke sashimi), are also outstanding. Since this place is in Park Slope, it’s appropriately kid-friendly, and you can easily drop in on a weeknight without a reservation.

Miriam

Say hi to the holy grail of Park Slope brunch, with all the rustic wood details and globe lighting fixtures of a Pinterest-perfect restaurant. Whether you're looking for your usual french toast and benedicts, or you’re bored of all that and want something next-level, Miriam is here for you. This Israeli spot makes some truly excellent Mediterranean dishes (get the burekas), and the environment is homey but still lively. For those who want to party, get a pitcher or three of sangria.

Sushi Katsuei

Sushi Katsuei is a pretty nondescript-looking sushi restaurant in Park Slope—white walls, carpeted floor, plain wood tables. They also serve the best sushi in the area, and the prices are pretty reasonable (at least for quality sushi). The basic omakase starts at $60, and that's what you should order, but there are also some pricier versions, in addition to plenty of a la carte options. Expect things like sardine, ocean trout, and various types of clam.

Russo's Mozzarella & Pasta

Russo's is an old-school Italian deli—the kind of place where you will enter needing one thing and leave with thirty. Just make sure that in addition to the arancini, and the anchovies, and the fresh pasta, you also order an Italian sandwich. Get any that involve the fresh mozzarella and you’ll be happy. This is more of a to-go spot than a place to sit and eat, but sometimes that's exactly what you need. Russo’s has two other locations—one in the South Slope, and one in the East Village.