1. Bar Bolinas
455 Myrtle Ave (at Washington Ave), Brooklyn, NY
Restaurant · Clinton Hill · 42 tips and reviews
Liza Fryberger: Came with friends for brunch on Easter. Vibe was calm and warm- food less pretentious than imagined and super super delicious. I tried the posole, + avocado, and it was filling and perfectly spiced!
Katherine Krueger: Gravlox, chicken and pasta are all amazing. Really happy with this new find.
Stina P.: my favorite cheeseburger and kale salad. this spot is a neighborhood staple. sit outside in the back patio on summer days or the back room - there's not a bad seat in the place
2. Risbo
9.0
701 Flatbush Ave (Parkside Ave. & Winthrop St.), Brooklyn, NY
Restaurant · Prospect Lefferts Gardens · 19 tips and reviews
Mechelle Rayford: Pretentious gentrified. The set up and food are amazing! But there was fever from the staff and in my DM on IG! 😳 So unnecessary. No customer service. 😭 #american #bornandbred
Laini Madhubuti: The chicken is juicy, flavorful, and fantastic! Get a side of mac and cheese. Portions are plenty.
Cécile: Best rôtisserie chicken. Beautiful place and people.
nikki: completely prefer Tipsy, down the block. much less pretentious, wider selection, and more attentive staff. these guys can't stop polishing glasses to ring you up.
Jordan M: Knowledgeable and incredibly friendly staff. Owner Karen focuses on the most unique wines, often organic and women-owned.
Corkscrew Wines Brooklyn: It's cold out ideal night for a classic red French wine. Smooth and savory Bordeaux for only $13 and le petit saint Jacques for $12.
Lea Ceasrine: Maybe the ambiance is a tad pretentious, but it's the perfect date spot - the music selection was perfect throughout the night.
Bartlomiej Piela: Nice. So was the Braven White IPA. Local hops, local vibe.
Bruce Kirton: Nice to have another place in the hood, and I'm sure they'll do well, but I get the feeling it won't be for me. I'm looking for someplace that won't make me feel like I'm at the Lower East Side.
8. Spice & Grill
7.2
441 Myrtle Ave (Waverly), Brooklyn, NY
Indian Restaurant · Clinton Hill · 7 tips and reviews
Boris Zivkovic: Everything is delicious, freshly made and the staff if naturally nice. It became our local favorite spot despite all the good food in the area that is however more pretentious...
Stephen Hudecek: Some of the most delicious naan I've ever had. Chicken dumplings and entree were also both great. Very friendly staff. Highly recommended!
KE: Byob! The chicken vindaloo was awesome and 🌶 🌶 🌶
10. Featherweight
135 Graham Ave (btwn Boerum St & Johnson Ave), Brooklyn, NY
Cocktail Bar · East Williamsburg · 65 tips and reviews
Chamel Robertson: This is a great Hideaway spot. Perfect for first dates or just to mellow out the night. The Bartenders are all great and skilled enough to mix you up something on the fly minus the pretentious flare.
Ish Rai: It's a speakeasy bar hidden away in east Brooklyn. You have to try 'son a bee sting' if you're a gin fan. All cocktail looked amazing and the setting was intimate and cosy
Sunaina: Tucked away in Brooklyn. Look for the feather on a big black door. Dimly lit and a perfect setting to sip on some prohibition era drinks. Their version of old fashioned was perfect.
12. Ba'sik
8.3
323 Graham Ave (at Metropolitan Ave), Brooklyn, NY
Bar · East Williamsburg · 64 tips and reviews
Boris Jones: Set in a beautiful space, Ba’sik has a friendly staff and a crowd which is generally the same. There’s a low-key, casual vibe here which is free of pretentiousness. Great food too! Read more.
Kelly Blanchat: Really nice staff. Really beautiful space. Affordable brunch!
Stan Killian: Best smelling bathroom in NYC!
14. Olmsted
8.7
659 Vanderbilt Ave (Park Pl), Brooklyn, NY
New American Restaurant · Prospect Heights · 111 tips and reviews
Risa: Fresh and exciting without being stuffy or pretentious. Everything is well considered from the space to the plates and napkins. Get ALL the snacks, the carrot crepe, the scallops, and pork collar.
Roniel Tessler: FANTASTIC! Entree portions are on the smaller side so get other plates. The Hake was the best I've ever had, the guinea was exceptional (that confit sauce 😋), the clams in that carrot crepe 😋).
Eater: The quirky, comforting, and delicious menu is both whimsical and earnest. It is constantly evolving but standout items have included a novel twist on crab rangoon and the carrot crepe. Read more.