Hellbender

I came here on a Monday night around 7:30 PM. I had a martini for $10 and I was chatting with a…read morefriend. We were sitting at the bar and we each got an espresso martini and were not bothered to order more. They had cider and IPAs there all for under $10. When I was heading out, I saw someone with their dog on the couch and they also seem to be some games you could play. The decor is very cool. They also have a TV at the end of the bar. It was playing Hulu while I was there.

According to the Internet, this is the #1 bar in Ridgewood, so I decided to check it out with BF…read moreafter dinner at Rolo's. The bar is a bit on the smaller side in terms of seating, but it has a TON of personality. I loved the eclectic decorations and knickknacks around the seating areas and the bar. The bartender had the TV tuned in to Jeopardy, so my inner (or extremely obvious?) nerd was beaming. In terms of the drinks themselves, I tried the cocoa orange whiskey (?) infusion on the rocks, and my BF had the chipotle paloma. We would both say they were solid, definitely not at "craft cocktail" level, but decent. This bar has a fun + dive-y feel - the kind of place where you get a beer, a plate of chicken nuggets, and watch trash tv with your neighborhood crew (I think they actually do have people who have a weekly Bachelorette viewing during the week). Definitely worth checking out if you're already in the area and looking for ~vibes.~

I'm loving the 'BAR' sign outside.

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Dada

4.8(15 reviews)

0.3 mi•Ridgewood

The atmosphere here is definitely 10/10. Incredible dreamlike back patio with lots of seating,…read moreinside feels like a cafe during the day with lots of light, good music and it looks like fun events. We opted for snacks over drinks but obviously I'll be coming back for a cocktail. The butter bean salad was really yummy, with a nice diversity of mix-ins and some briny and fresh flavors adding brightness. The mushroom sliders were a skip, not very flavorful or well prepared, but we met the chef and they were very kind and earnest about feedback. I bet everything else is really good, that dish just needs a little love! It's clearly an artsy communal hub in Ridgewood, definitely check it out.

Dada is a lovely cocktail bar tucked away in the midst of other great bars in Ridgewood. They do…read morehave live music that never has a cover fee which is really great, but of course tipping is appreciated! I forgot which drinks I had but they were good & not diluted. I also got the zeytoon parvardeh to snack on which was quite tasty. I never had it before & was pleasant surprised- I'd definitely order it again at a Persian place. The live music was great too & you can come & go as you wish. All in all, if I'm ever in the area again I'd 110% go back.

Every Sunday, Music Explorers, live intelligent music for all. 2 Sessions at 10.30 & 11.30 am

Patio seating

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NYC writers at Dada Literary Café (Constantine Jones, Danielle Blau, Mani Tehranchi) taking a break at Dada's backyard

Cassette

4.5(18 reviews)

0.0 mi•Ridgewood

Such a cute spot, the cocktails were delicious (especially close to to bone) and there was an alt…read morerock concert in the stage area. I chilled at the bar because I was only there for a quick drink. It was pretty small in a cozy way. Definitely a grungy lil spot. Will be back.

This used to be the best bar in Ridgewood, but they got rid of the outdoor seating and started to…read moreemphasize shows downstairs. Nothing wrong with that in theory, but their space is way too small to be a venue. None of the Ridgewood cognoscenti hang out here anymore. They're all at Cozy now. RIP

Special vodka cocktail

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Paradise in a Glass

Julia's

4.6(323 reviews)

0.1 mi•Ridgewood

I had been wanting to check this place out for some time. We decided to have a birthday brunch for…read moremy husband. The breakfast was absolutely delicious! I was very impressed. The place is small but quaint. It felt very cozy. The service was great. We were greeted right away upon entering. They were family friendly and had options for my little one. Overall great experience. Seriously dreaming of that breakfast we had!

This place is always packed for brunch and for a good reason. The food is delicious, I try…read moresomething new each time and my picky self loves it. The cocktails are crafted well and the staff is kind.

Patatas Bravas, Oysters, Lox Sandwich & Aperol Spritz

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Storefront

Daddy’s Bar

5.0(3 reviews)

0.6 mi•Ridgewood

I found Daddy's Bar while searching for some afternoon drinks before catching a show at the…read moreknockdown center - the minute I saw the menu, I was sold! The cocktails are very well-balanced and delicious... at a very reasonable price! Ambiance inside is really sleek. Dark, with the occasional neon light that gives the interior a sultry glow once the sun goes down. There is a pool table in the back, and I saw a poster for Monday night pool tournaments. While I didn't get her name, the bartender was friendly and made the most delicious drinks. Daddy's is a really cool spot, and I'm looking forward to returning!

Service Ambiance great drinks not watered down decent prices…read morePool table in the back gets much use

Espresso martini

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Drinks

Peg's Cavalier

5.0(3 reviews)

0.3 mi•Ridgewood

Very chill neighborhood bar. I've had their signature mocktail, the BB bird, at least a dozen times…read moreand it has not gotten old. It's like a fancy tropical fruit punch. Highly recommend! They also have some NA beers. My favorite time to visit Peg's is in the early afternoon on a weekend. I've been able to snag a table outside or inside and read a bit before the evening crowd rolls in. I am really not a crowd person, but whenever I've gone to Peg's, whether it's been chill or busy, the bartenders are attentive. Follow their Instagram for news about events and food pop-ups that they're hosting. They also sell some great merch! I've lived in the area for a while and the space that Peg's now occupies was closed for ages. It was previously a bar with a sign outside that read "The Last Call." Walking by it for so long, I often pondered about what it looked like inside and what it would be like to re-open it. Thanks to the team at Peg's for delivering a bar that is welcoming in this space! You've made my neighborhood bar dreams come true.

Lovely, chill vibe inside- classy and cool. The cocktails were good, and the service was too. Very…read morespacious with plenty of seating.

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Outside

Rolo's

4.4(528 reviews)

0.1 mi•Ridgewood

The food is delicious. This is my favorite local restaurant which btw is a Michelin Bib selection…read more I recommend that you start with one of the breads and get the pickled carrots as starters. The main menu changes but I loved all the pastas that I have tried. The steak is one of my favorite items on the menu. My husband and I shared a t-bone that was about 28 ounces. We also had crispy potatoes. No leftovers. For dessert don't skip the homemade ice cream. Chocolate malt is my favorite. Make a reservation or come early. The service is excellent and attentive. I think it has a hip young ambiance. Love the open kitchen.

Maybe I was starving, maybe it had just been a long day, or maybe it really was the best meal I've…read morehad in quite some time. We ordered the Polenta Bread w/olive oil and sea salt, the spring pea salad, the famed two sheet lasagna and the pork chop w/leeks. The polenta bread reminded me of a moister, chewier and softer pizza dough. The spring pea salad was fresh, crunchy, fragrant and refreshing. The lasagna was everything you'd hope it to be and the pork chop is a standout! They also top everything with maldon sea salt so I was a happpppy girl. Service is also amazing, our server was kind and all of the bussers were incredibly observant. 12/10 would recommend, the vibes are immaculate.

Beautiful bar

Mrs. Crispy

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Sweet cream cherry crumble

Filthy Diamond

4.8(20 reviews)

0.8 mi•Bushwick

I had their Bloody Mary at the Bloody Mary Fest. It was on the minty, watery side, and a bit too…read morepeppery for my taste. Still, I liked the atmosphere, and I'd come back to give it another try.

Randomly stumbled upon this gem after the lounge I planned to visit was closed, and I'm so glad I…read moredid! Located in Bushwick, this Black-owned jewel was exactly what my friends and I were looking for. It's laid-back, with a backyard that's perfect for enjoying drinks in the warmer months. The music set a cool, relaxed vibe, and the bartender served up quick, delicious drinks without missing a beat. Filthy Diamond is the perfect spot for an afternoon drink with friends or a casual date. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself. Who knows, maybe we'll run into each other, and you can tell me how right I was about this place. Cheers! *Sorry, I forget to take photos when im enjoying myself. Promise to take pics the next time I visit.

Made in House Bloody Mary and Booze Free Bloody Joseph

Pouring the best Guinness & Old Speckled Hen in Brooklyn. Boom!

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Spinning Vinyl All Day. Bring in a record for donation, sign it, and it's always here for you to listen to.

Lovejoys

4.2(75 reviews)

1.1 mi•Bushwick

Wheelchair accessible

Live music

I was invited to Lovejoys for a birthday celebration. On this day in particular, it was rainy and…read morevery cold. So there were a sprinkle of people inside of the venue. I could tell on a day where the weather was better, there would be more of a crowd. Nevertheless, the DJ was pumping R&B music. The vibes were good. I would return at a later time just to see what a different crowd brings to Lovejoys.

Aida and the Love Joys team !! Just wanted to say a big thank you again. Yesterday was perfect. It…read morewas intimate in the right way. The right amount of people came in and it was a good amount of people! There was laughs, amazing music, dancing and your staff was so kind and so on point. Leo is a godsend. so I just wanted to say thank you so much again! truly appreciate you for the gift you gave us of yesterday. I hope your staff relayed that they enjoyed themselves Thank you for helping to create a core memory!!

Really beautiful bar. Doesn't feel like you're in Bushwick.

Disco nova

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Lovejoys & Palme D'or

GreenStreets Salads

3.9(261 reviews)

1.2 mi•Bushwick

•$

This place is a hidden Gem in Bushwick, on the corner of Irving and Starr street outside of Maria…read moreHernandez Park. We stopped in for lunch Salads and wraps, they also have paninis green juices and fresh smoothies. It's fresh food really good clean aesthetic but it is really expensive .... I might come back here but probably not I can get the same chicken ceasar wrap (same size) at my local deli for 9.99. Service was good

This is a cute and cozy salad place, with plenty of healthy options. I chose the soup and salad…read morecombo, chorizo taco salad and the baked potato soup. Salad was very tasty, a bit too many jalapeños for my taste. The soup was also good, I liked that it wasn't salty. Service was good, I was also with my partner. He had a chicken and mushroom soup and fajita panini which he enjoyed. I'd eat here again.

Southwest Flank Steak Salad

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Indoor Seating

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

6 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

C D.

2 years ago

There are so many great Central American spots in the neighborhood owned by locals to enjoy instead this sub par quality and incredibly overpriced gentrifier spot. Drinks were passable, but very disappointed by the food, and unsurprised to find out it's owned by the same aggressively gentrifying and racist developer, Kermit Westergard, who's responsible for some of the other soulless spots in the neighborhood (and responsible for displacing whole buildings of tenants!). For both your wallet, your stomach, and your ethics, take your business elsewhere. read more

Geraldo P.

360

2 years ago

Hellbender in Ridgewood is an absolute vibe! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the energy. Warm, lively, and effortlessly cool service. The food? Unreal. Every bite is packed with bold, beautiful flavors that make you want to order the whole menu. And can we talk about Yara? She's created something really special here. Thoughtful, delicious, and just downright fun. Whether you're sipping on a killer cocktail or diving into some of the best Mexican food in town, Hellbender is a spot you'll want to keep coming back to. 10/10, no notes. read more

Liz K.

2 years ago

In addition to the delicious food (we highly recommend the churros!) the staff made us feel welcome. Sarah was a particularly welcoming bar back, who was witty, charming, and full of vivacious life! She made our meal even more delightful read more

Paul A.

1 month ago

I went to the grand opening. Zero stars. 2 years plus later I haven't recovered. I still will give it another try.

Chocolate C.

2 years ago

This place is amazing great ambiance and great service. I really like their location as well

Garrett K.

1 year ago

Loud overpriced hipster shit hole with terrible food. Don't waste your time or money.

Hellbender - mexican - Updated September 2026

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Rolo's

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Little Ruby's Williamsburg

4.0

(65 reviews)

This spot had a great menu that accommodating a variety of tastes - including one in my party who…read moredoesn't like anything spicy. We decided to sit in their semi-covered outside area in one of those wooden alcoves that sit against the street. Ordering was a breeze and our server was helpful and attentive. They serve breakfast til 4pm, which accommodates those who just wanted breakfast/brunch, with plenty of options for all. I had the Crispy Rice Bowl, which in addition to being tasty and full of fun textures to crunch, has an egg on top. I would definitely order this again! I found this spot on Yelp, looking for a spot with breakfast served after 2pm in walking distance of the hotel I was at, and it was so easy to find multiple options- but this one won out with its menu and good ratings.

Service was terrible. Ordered a dessert with my entree to…read morecome out later. Waiter scoffed at me that I ordered it now. I apologized and said I could order it later. He scoffed again and said "yea well that's my job". 5 minutes at the table and somehow the waiter hates us already.

Chinaloa

4.4

(16 reviews)

this entire place is a 10/10. the owner was who served us and he was so welcoming and sweet. the…read moredrinks were all 10/10z anything that says passion fruit please get it!! the mango drink was also nice. after trying half the drink menu i was tipsy!! the food was so delicious i liked every single thing i ordered. the birria bao buns deserve another trip to have them. they are perfect. the aesthetic of the place is just perfect.

The food here was tasty! We ordered:…read more - Birria bao buns - Crispy chorizo dumplings - Gobernador spring roll - Honey wasabi shrimp tempura roll - Baja style roll Loved that the bao buns came with consomé - it totally elevated it! Some dishes were definitely more fusion than others, but I thought the appetizers were strong! One of the biggest disappointments to me was the honey wasabi shrimp roll - the shrimp was placed on top of the roll rather than inside it. In addition to that making it difficult to eat, the roll underneath was just a cucumber avocado roll, so the $22 price tag felt a bit steep. Can't speak to the drinks, but this was a delicious meal! Simple interior, but service was great.

Monarch Izakaya Restaurant

4.4

(199 reviews)

You can tell a lot of care in effort went into this place. A really cool dining room with multiple…read morelevels. Main dining room is street level, there is a mid level that looks quieter good and then the top level has some nice booths and tables adjacent to the open doorway to the outdoor patio. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Food was very good. We had tuna and salmon hand rolls, the addictive cabbage which seemed like a play on unfermemted Kimchi with a sweeter flavor profile which was excellent, the miyatake fried rice which was exceptional and the curry black cod which was similar to a Tim yum flavor. Cocktails were interesting and good. Would definitely recommend for a chill, different feeling spot for dinner.

Had an impromptu double date last night at Monarch. We enjoyed the last of our August summer nights…read morein the outdoor terrace outside and enjoyed the brussels sprouts, chicken tsukune and sesame noodles to name a few. Bites were decent but I think I need to give them another try for brunch. It's a good vibe though if you're looking for a quieter dinner just to catch up with some friends. I'll be back for round 2 some time!

Lingo

4.5

(162 reviews)

Late to review but a friend and I had a brunch reservation here back in March when we were visiting…read morefrom out of town. Our reservation was for right when they opened so we were the first few to get seated. The owner was so sweet and made sure to get us inside and out of the cold while we waited. There's a bar at the front of the restaurant and the seating is all in the back. I loved how simple and modern and warm it felt while we were dining there. To share, we ordered the Japanese Breakfast Set ($29) and Miso Ricotta Mushroom Toast ($19). All the components of the breakfast set were curated so well and with intention. The toast was absolutely amazing and so flavorful. I'd love to come back and try their Apple Tart Tatin Pancakes!

We decided to try Lingo for brunch and were seated pretty quickly. The host was friendly and…read moreaccommodating, and we were happy to get a table on the lovely outdoor patio, which made for a great brunch setting. We ordered the Japanese breakfast set, the slow-cooked pork sando, and the single-stack apple tart pancake. Overall, everything was tasty and well prepared. The Japanese breakfast had some standout elements, especially the generous portion of fish, the flavorful pickled vegetables, and the perfectly cooked rice. That said, we were hoping for a bit more variety to round out the set. The slow-cooked pork sando was enjoyable, although the fries were probably our least favorite part of the meal. They tasted like frozen fries, which felt a little out of place compared to the quality of everything else. We also really enjoyed the apple tart pancake--it was a delicious way to end brunch. Overall, we had a great experience and are looking forward to coming back to try more of the menu.

Sunday In Brooklyn

4.0

(1.7k reviews)

Top 10 Burger of all time. Best pancakes Ive ever had. When I come back to NYC I am absolutely…read morecoming back

I'm obsessed with Sunday in Brooklyn!!! Everything about our visit was enjoyable and lovely. We had…read morea reservation and got our table right away. It was a warm day in the city so we opted to sit inside. Because it was my friend's birthday, we were given a little card and they gave us a candle alongside the pancakes! The server was nice and answered all our questions. We of course, got the hazelnut pancakes! We also tried to oat milk mocha, s'mores espresso, breakfast sandwich with avocado, and the cheddar biscuit. The food looked wonderful and tasted even better. As a southern gal, I was skeptical about the biscuits, but they were buttery and savory and fluffy. They were definitely more of a bready biscuit than a flaky one, but delightful nonetheless. The breakfast sandwich had a great flavor and I liked the option to add avocado to keep it vegetarian. I just wish there were more slices of avocado on it. The espresso was good but nothing too special. The star of the brunch would have to undoubtably be the pancakes. The hazelnut flavor was divine and coupled with a fluffy, cake like pancakes!! I definitely would go back just for the pancakes alone. I highly recommend eating here!!

Oxomoco

4.2

(804 reviews)

Oxomoco absolutely lived up to its Michelin star. Everything I tried was delicious, and I left…read morewishing I'd had room for even more. Definitely get value for the price. I started with the Viva la Vida--tequila, elderflower, watermelon, and dragon fruit--which was exactly my kind of drink: fruity, refreshing, and a little girly. Later, I had the Spicy Mango Margarita. It was more straightforward and familiar, but I love mango, so it still hit the spot. The Oxomoco Guacamole was excellent, and the roasted cherry tomatoes added a great burst of freshness. The oysters had just the right amount of heat from the chile de árbol oil, which really elevated the flavor. The Soya Marinated Tuna Tostada was another standout: fresh fish, a little spice, and the perfect crunch from the tostada. That and the oysters were probably my favorites. I also really liked the Soft-Shell Crab Tacos. The crab seemed almost tempura-style? I happened to be craving fresher flavors that day, so they didn't hit quite as hard as the oysters or tuna tostada, but they were still really good and everything balanced nicely. For dessert, I tried the Hoja Santa Curd with strawberry shaved ice and syrupy strawberries. The curd had a unique flavor I'd never experienced before, but it paired beautifully with the strawberry and made for a cold, refreshing finish. I was completely full, but I couldn't leave without trying the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, so I got them to go and ate them for breakfast the next morning. The lamb was packed with flavor and still absolutely delicious. The outdoor ambiance where I was seated was great, and the service was excellent. My waitress was sweet, knowledgeable, quick to answer every question, and checked in exactly the right amount. I would absolutely come back. Highly recommend.

Finally tried the Michelin starred oxomoco! We ended up sitting at the bar instead of our outdoor…read moreseating, which I preferred because the inside vibes were great. For dinner, our waiter recommended 4-5 dishes and this was the perfect amount for 2 people. We got the salsa, it comes out with 6 different styles of salsa. I think next time I would prefer to get the guac, this didn't feel like an actual dish. We also got ceasar which we loved. The portions were huge and dressing and cheese was fab. We then moved to the aguachile, so fresh and good. Finally, our favorite two dishes were the tuna tostada (comes out as one large tostada) and the sauce and tuna was amazing. We ended with the beef cheek taco and this was AMAZING. So rich with flavor you only need one and so so good. Loved this spot! Definitely lived up to the hype. The waiter also coursed the meals out perfectly.

Frijoleros

4.5

(16 reviews)

Hidden gem!! One of the best restaurants I've been to, I…read moreloved every bite of it. "La Fresa la más fresa" is a must try, strawberry foam with mezcal, give me 10 more. And the tuna chicharrón was just perfection. This place is such a unique concept. I loved the modern Mexican concept. Thank you!

While I know several other people who have enjoyed their meals here, the flavors, pacing of the…read moremeal, value, and menu descriptions made my meal less than desirable here. We ordered the fish tacos, hamachi crudo, tuna tostada, charred octopus, and Frijoles de Olla, which is their namesake tamal. I couldn't tell based on the menu descriptions how large these dishes were so I asked our server for some guidance, but these ended up being much larger than he described. We ended up with 5 dishes that we thought were small plates to be much larger, and ended up with way too much food. The hamachi crudo was so fishy I didn't want to eat it, the tamal had no flavor, and the charred octopus, while pretty tasty, took nearly an hour to hit our table, which we weren't given a heads up about. The tuna tostada was the best bite and topped with a very aromatic salsa macha I quite enjoyed. The cocktails were pretty good as well. These didn't really hold up as leftovers, so I found myself kind of disappointed so much food was wasted and that the food didn't taste very good to begin with.

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