Fort Greene & Clinton Hill

“I’m a believer that a morning cafe hang holds tremendous power — it sets the tone for the entire day. And as a highly particular coffee drinker, IXV (which falls slightly outside the border of FG) is far and away the best option nearby. IXV has the noble goal of reducing waste in the coffee space, which I respect the hell out of. So bring a tall mug and get their iced flash brew. Hang for a bit on their bootstrapped outdoor seating arrangement and enjoy your slow morning.


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“Way back in 2020, a meal at Miss Ada was my intro to Fort Greene. It’s the truest form of a “neighborhood restaurant” that I can think of. Such a warm, comfortable, inviting place that’s always there for you. It’s also one of the few brunches in the city I truly enjoy. Their food is stellar and approachable. Muhamarra, whipped ricotta, spicy bourekas with egg and lamb merguez, short rib & kofta skewers, and za’atar crusted salmon fall in the must-order category. It says a lot that a restaurant that’s only been around since 2017 feels like a true neighborhood institution.
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“I’m not a hugeee shopper, but I legitimately get excited to stop in Cardinal Gift Shop on S Oxford, say what up to Chelsea, and take home some vintage glassware for my apartment. Her selection of goods (which rotates often) is so thoughtful and cool. And she handmakes a bunch of the things she sells — like the badass park blanket I bought last week that’s hand-stitched with so much love.
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“Rhodora is in many ways the perfect neighborhood bar. Warm and woody. A place to drink wine on a sunny afternoon. A place to cozy up on a rainy day. It gets lively, but never in an overwhelming way. And they host some tasteful popups, like a Ha’s Dac Biet weekend residency last year that had the neighborhood buzzing and people lined up around the block.
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“Farmer in the Deli is a slightly ridiculous bodega that I’m told has gone viral. But I still wanna talk about it because I do go here often. It’s the place that chops the shit outta your sandwich. Like beats it into a strange amalgamation that somehow tastes wildly good. I get spicy turkey, pepperjack, hot peppers, pickles, lettuce, mayo, oil & vinegar. Chopped. On a hero. Open 24/7.
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“Hartley’s is a classic, warm, homey bar that takes their Guinness seriously — it’s my favorite pint in the entire city. They get so much right here: candle lighting, music and sound, the flow of ordering, even the suspense of waiting while a perfectly creamy pour settles. They have roughly 8 beers on tap (which I cannot imagine get ordered much), and a SEPARATE TAP for Guinness. That’s right, a designated Guinness station. It’s glorious.
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“Fort Greene Park is the undisputed focal point of the neighborhood. It’s a beautiful square of land that brings so much joy to its neighbors. Lots of grass to lay around in. The best tennis scene in all of Brooklyn. I enjoy FGP the most as the sun goes down, on say a very chill Tuesday. But Saturday afternoons around the FG Greenmarket get an honorable mention.
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“Sailor is the one true destination restaurant in Fort Greene. Sophisticated but unpretentious, it could make a weeknight feel special, a weekend feel casual. An incomplete, growing list of things I dig: the warmth from the host; perfect roast chicken; $9 house red wine; the soundtrack (and volume level); the creamy artic char pate; the weight of the negroni glass in my hand (and the excellent negroni within said glass); the curvy wood booths; the gold trim lettering; the profiteroles. It’s special stuff.
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“Down the road in Clinton Hill is an equally spectacular dinner option, Place des Fetes. The holy grail of neighborhood wine bars. It’s a place that nails the details. And it’s one of the best-designed restaurants in New York – a cozy and bright front room that gradually shifts to a darker, more intimate cavern as you move to the back. The wraparound counter seating creates a convivial energy. The hospitality is engaging and authentic. Their seafood, vegetables, and pasta dishes are what I love the most. The sardine toast — a buttery, smoky, umami-packed bite that I think about often — is legendary.

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“Petit Paulette is my nightcap of choice. The 15-ish-seat wine bar operates as a La Bicyclette offshoot by day, slinging good coffee and great pastries. But at night it’s a moody, dimly lit space that’s perfect for “just one more.” A funky glass of natural wine can be had while French indie-pop plays — a damn good way to wrap your evening.


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