There is no shortage of bars, coffee shops, taquerias, ramen outposts, and more in Bushwick. Now there is even a Mission Chinese Food, the Bay Area export having recently made its L train debut. Awash in high-end pizza and cheap cans of beer (see, of course: Lionshead pilsner at The Johnson’s), the rowdy neighborhood also has its fair share of interesting cocktail bars, innovative restaurants and local brews.
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Dunwell Doughnuts
222 Montrose Ave.
Vegan without going overboard to announce that they’re vegan. Dunwell has been killing the doughnut game in Bushwick since 2011 with peanut butter and jelly, blueberry, and classic glazed flavors that have made it a go-to even for the omnivorous among us. Now their St. Marks Place location brings vegan doughnut heaven to the East Village, as well.
Falansai
112 Harrison Pl.
For bahn mi, show up for lunch, but pho is now offered all day at this slightly hidden and always lovely Vietnamese restaurant. There is a big selection of bún, a rice vermicelli dish, abundant non-meat options—including an excellent pumpkin curry—and an array of meat and seafood.
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Faro
436 Jefferson St.
“Earth. Wheat. Fire.” reads the tagline of this spacious, minimalist restaurant serving housemade pastas and breads made with New York grains, but don’t consider chef Kevin Adey’s work here as Italian, as the seasonal cuisine uses those techniques to reflect locality.
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Honey’s
93 Scott Ave.
Mead, anyone? The “tasting room and social space” for Enlightenment Wines, makers of the honey-based brew, offers a traditional and very chill bar experience, with a list of house cocktails, a selection of natural wines, and more. One does not need to drink like it’s the time of Beowulf to have a good time here.
Jupiter Disco
1237 Flushing Ave.
A Blade Runner-themed bar could seem like a hokey idea, but in execution, Jupiter Disco is a dark, dystopian drinking dream, featuring a wide array of DJs, as well. Try the Slow Burn, with
rum, ginger, chili de arbol, pineapple, lime, and Pedro Ximinez sherry.
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Kings County Brewers Collective
381 Troutman St.
All dogs are welcome here, which is a big bonus at this tap room that has sought to restore a bit of Bushwick’s beer-drenched history. The bright spot is a great place to begin one’s night, whether with a flight or a pint. Follow their Instagram to check out what’s new.
Sunrise/Sunset
351 Evergreen Ave.
This all-day café has been going strong in the neighborhood for a few years now, serving as a place for coffee and work in the daylight hours and a cocktail bar at night. There’s a big food menu, with everything from avocado toast to a burger, and a fun wine list by the glass and bottle (yes, they have orange).
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Ops
346 Himrod St.
Speaking of wine, this small pizza restaurant has a verbal natural wine menu that is among the best in the city. The staff is be incredibly helpful in helping guests choose what will pair best with their pie selections, which go from standard marinara to a square pie to one with broccoli rabe and potatoes. Ops has quickly become the best restaurant for Neapolitan pizza in the neighborhood.
Los Hermanos
271 Starr St.
They make tortillas here, while also serving as a small taqueria and cantina. Since 2006, there are options from chorizo to bean-filled veggie and more, as well as quesadillas and other staples.
