A Brooklyn Guide for The Design Lover
My local favorites, neighborhood secrets, and insider picks from my corner of South Brooklyn
Welcome to my Brooklyn! Consider me your personal guide to South Brooklyn, the area just across the Brooklyn Bridge and south of that encompassing Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook (and some recos a little further afield). This area is known as the leafy, stroller-packed, grown up sibling to North Brooklyn (which includes Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick).
I’ve called this area home for about 1/4 of my time in New York City (almost 20 years and counting). I love living here for many reasons, but these are the three biggest: 1.) it’s a charming historical jewel box with beautifully preserved architecture, mostly comprised of brownstones; 2.) it’s located right on the waterfront, with hands down the best views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge; 3.) it truly feels like a neighborhood with a diverse array of independent businesses and specialty stores. So, if all of that sounds good to you, then come hang out!
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sense of spen• cer
noun [sɛns, əv, ˈspɛnsər]
Reflecting one’s identity through their interiors
A home with character and soul
When a house becomes a home
Pictured with my babe in front of the Manhattan skyline — Brooklyn Bridge Park has the best views.
This guide is for New Yorkers wanting an adventure in another neighborhood, current residents looking for new ideas, and of course out-of-town visitors — whether you’re looking to stay off-the-beaten path or explore it for the day.
Save this guide for future reference even if you’re not planning a trip right now and send along to friends who would benefit from these recos. I promise to continue updating it with new favorites that I just have to pass along.
Jane’s Carousel, Dumbo
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge & explore Dumbo: This activity tops most tourist guides, so I won’t belabor the point. But I will share my fav spots on this side. For a casual bite I like Dawn’s Til Dusk or Luke’s Lobster Roll (best one in the city). For pizza go to Juliana’s, not Grimaldi’s, trust me. Cecconi’s does not have the best food, but the location is unbeatable especially if you get an outdoor table (it’s where we had our anniversary party for this reason). For ice cream I prefer Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory over another certain chain. For outdoor drinks, try High Tide (open seasonally) right in front of the ferry dock or the rooftop of the 1 Hotel. Otherwise, it’s just fun to stroll around the cobblestone streets (don’t miss the money shot on Washington Street) and the waterfront around Jane’s Carousel. There’s a secret garden behind the River Cafe if you need to escape the tourist throngs which you should expect.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade: Just uphill from Dumbo is the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, which is where you’ll find some of the most historical and priciest real estate in Brooklyn (including the homes of many celebs). It’s best known for the Promenade, a stretch of walkway overlooking downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Grab a coffee and croissant at L’Appartement 4F, then go sit on a bench and soak up the view.
Brooklyn Bridge Park: This stretch of waterfront is like our Central Park. Former shipping piers were converted to green space and athletic courts, and there’s a bike/foot path that extends for miles. Movies with a View is definitely worth checking out in the summertime.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: I feel so fortunate this extraordinary garden is basically in my backyard. Every time I visit I get to experience something new as the seasons unfold. The rose garden holds one of the largest collections of roses in North America. You can always check out Plants in Bloom to see what’s at peak.
Cobble Hill Park: Where I can be found most nice days with my son. This park, which feels like it could be in Europe, is so beautifully maintained with lush gardens and seating both on grass and benches. There’s also a small playground for small children.
The Secret Garden: This plot of land was bought by a gentleman and turned into public garden. Now it is run by a foundation and a team of volunteer gardeners. Only open at select times, this garden is the perfect place to come to escape the city.
A jaunt to Red Hook: Red Hook isn’t that far from where I live, but it feels like a completely different place — it reminds me of a New England coastal village. I like to go as an escape on a summer weekend. Away from the bustle of the city, it’s a bit more chill and has really good food, ranging from seafood (Crab Shack, Red Hook Lobster Pound) to BBQ (Hometown BBQ). Strong Rope is a great spot to grab a beer on a hot day looking out at the Statue of Liberty and check out Sunny’s for live music.
When so much of the city has been taken over by chains or big international brands, it’s so nice to be able to support local businesses, and what you get is a much wider selection of options and much better quality too.
My biggest piece of advice: CHECK HOURS of the stores you want to visit as you’re planning your days. A lot of these stores are not open on Mon/Tues or have odd hours. I hate hearing from people who were so excited to shop that they came on days the stores were closed.
Porta, Boerum Hill
Home & Garden Stores
Within a few blocks, you’ll find the most exciting home stores in New York City. If you can’t make it in person, you can shop my picks from my favorite local home stores.
Salter House (Cobble Hill): The focus is on craft brands and home/clothing with a romantic country feel.
Collyer’s Mansion (Cobble Hill): A great mix of colorful, unique homewares, tableware, textiles, and original art from an interior design studio.
Antik (Cobble Hill): A selection of vintage/antique furniture and decor curated by an interior designer.
Porta (Boerum Hill): Tableware and decor crafted by artisans and brands in Europe, most of which aren’t available anywhere else in the U.S..
GRDN (Boerum Hill): A lovely garden shop with seasonal cut flowers, plants, handmade pots, and select homegoods.
Humble House (Boerum Hill): A second-hand furniture and decor store where there’s always something new to discover.