Rocca Cafe Lounge

Cafe Mogador has incredible food in both locations, obviously. But the Wythe location in…read moreWilliamsburg is a stand out! It's much more spacious and has indoor/outdoor seating. Great ambiance! This is my staple restaurant that I've been going to for years. It's about time I left a review. It's overdue! My favorite menu is their breakfast/brunch menu. I will continue to frequent this restaurant for good reason.

My friend and I were looking for a quick lunch spot and stumbled across Cafe Mogador! There was a…read morewaitlist as we went around 1:30 PM on a Sunday but we only had to wait about 10 minutes. I ordered the lunch falafel pita with salad and the falafel was perfectly fried and crispy. However, I thought the food overall was a bit bland. I unfortunately wouldn't come back because of that.

Interior just past the bar

Homemade Merguez Sausage Couscous

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Mint Ice Tea

Miriam

4.0(1.3k reviews)

7.0 mi•Park Slope

The food was amazing. Had the Jerusalem breakfast (formerly known as the Israeli breakfast) and the…read morelamb shawarma terracotta. The lamb was a balance of sweet and savory. The presentation in a terracotta dish with a baked dough cover added to the appeal. Great place for a Friday afternoon celebration with attentive service.

Miriam has always been great, we've been coming here for 4 years, but they keep changing the menu…read more Every time we come now it's different which I understand to a certain extent but we also come for the dishes we love. My husband LOVED the burek, but then they totally changed it and now it's just gone. The food is still delicious, but unpredictable of what we can / will order. The new space is beautiful and open and airy, but sadly the service has dipped. This place used to be almost too fast, we were in and out and we consistently knew we could come here and get out in a very timely manner. But now I literally had to flag down our waitress and I still didn't get her attention, another waitress came over to help us get our check. We also didn't get checked on at all, luckily our food was good and right. The table next to us didn't get greeted for water or anything so they had to flag down the guy delivering food to get a waitress. I thinkkk it may be because the wait staff is servicing here and the location next store but it's really impacted the experience. Totally understand that a lot of places are understaffed, but we've never experienced this before Miriam we love you, but pleaseeeeee stop changing the menu.

9.5 mi•Williamsburg - North Side

Inside

Chicken liver with beets

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Lamb Shawarma

K'Far

4.4(255 reviews)

We had a great dinner here last night! 4 of us tried to slide into bar seats at Laser Wolf at…read more5:30, and missed the very small window of where that's possible. I always knew Kfar was here and a good backup, so happy we finally "had the chance" to try it. We got several of their mezze - we loved it all, my personal favorites were the "Baklava" (kind of like a version of Halloumi saganaki?) and the kibbe nayah. After 4 apps, 4 of us split the "grilled meats for 2", and in total it was about the perfect amount of food. The vibe is very cool and trendy, the service was fantastic, and food was every bit as good as Laser Wolf. This place deserves to be a destination!

Stopped by K'far for drinks and the vibe was really cozy and effortlessly cool…read more The My Boy Blue (rye, plum, blueberry, lemon, honey, egg white) was very tasty! Deep purple, silky foam on top and tasted just as good as it looked. Smooth, fruity and perfectly balanced. Had it alongside a glass of Cava which was the perfect pairing. Solid drinks, good energy.

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Olea

4.2(1.1k reviews)

7.4 mi•Fort Greene

Had an incredible dinner here! I made a reservation on Resy for indoor dining (they have outdoor…read moredining, but I thought it was too cold outside even with heat lamps). It's super cozy inside, and they also give you pillows to sit on. Our server was really friendly and gave us great recommendations. We ordered a few different things to share for our party of two: - Bacon wrapped dates (5/5) so good!!! - Short ribs (5/5) I actually don't usually eat beef but these were so good and not dry. The orzo on the side also balanced it out well. - Kale salad (5/5) This seemed like a simple salad but it was so yummy and dressed well. The pine nuts tasted good with this too! - Vegan fruit sundae (2/5) Sadly this was the only thing that missed the mark. I didn't like the raisins and the almonds didn't really work well with everything but that was just me. The sorbet was also pretty sour. The best thing about this was the white cream on top (it tasted like real cream)

Okay! Came in recently for a cheeky happy hour perusal of the menu. No reservation, just walked in…read moreon a Monday right as they were opening for dinner service and we were seated right away. Drinks were great, nice amount of alcohol in them. We tried many things, would 100% recommend the Patatas Bravas & Brussels. We both enjoyed the Beef Empanadillas but my friend through the Chicken Shawarma sliders were very cilantro forward. Dessert was nice as well, I think the only disappointing item was the Spanish Pitza which we both didn't like. Very nice space, aesthetically pleasing. Can definitely see myself coming back to continue exploring the menu

Atmosphere

Lamb Pasta

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Kale Salad

Miss Ada

4.4(625 reviews)

7.5 mi•Fort Greene

I came here on a sunday evening with a reservation and got seated immediately! We were out in the…read morepatio area which was cute, but extremely loud. Our waiter was super attentive and helped us out with what to pick from the menu. We ordered 4 dishes to share: Whipped ricotta (10/10) we cleaned the plate it was so good Short rib hummus (8/10) really good with a slightly spicy kick to it Mackerel skewer (9/10) this was a special and had really crispy skin. The Aji sauce was also good! Octopus skewer (9/10) perfectly cooked with a nice crisp! We left stuffed and would absolutely come again

Excellent pita and desserts! Loved the steak and salad here. Each of the dips were excellent but I…read moreespecially liked the hot pita. Great choices of tapas style and sized meats. Excellent wine selection as well.

Outdoor set up

Whipped Ricotta and Babaghanoush

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Crispy Cauliflower

Theodora

4.5(211 reviews)

7.3 mi•Fort Greene

Theodora was honestly one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time…read more The food was exceptional. You can tell live-fire cooking is at the heart of everything they do, but what impressed me most was how intelligently they layered flavors on top of that foundation. Smoky, bright, rich, acidic, unexpected -- combinations that sound like they shouldn't work together somehow came together beautifully. The dry-aged fish especially was unreal. Beyond the food, the atmosphere was warm, intimate, and inviting without trying too hard. Cozy lighting, great energy, and a staff that genuinely made the experience feel personal and welcoming. This is the kind of restaurant that reminds you cooking is an art form. Easy 5 stars.

Ordered: Iara Cocktail (~$20): Cachaça, Mint, Coconut,…read moreMelon, Green Tea, Gentian Root Hildegard Cocktail (~$20): Bourbon, Fennel, Turmeric, Lemon, Verbena Ginger Foam Hiramasa Crudo (~$20): Finger Limes, Avocado, Dashi Whipped Ricotta Sourdough (~$17): Brown Butter, Honey, Sage Prawns (~$26): Honey Habanero, Pineapple Pico de Gallo Octopus (~$26): Smoked Shallot, Snow Peas, Freekeh Whole Butterflied Trout (~$48): Pil Pil, Harissa, Chermoula Doughnuts (~$16): Cranberry Pomegranate Jam & Crème Fraîche Anglaise Aya's take: Easy 4.5 stars and some of the best elevated seafood you will find in NYC. Theodora needs no introduction and the race to a reservation is proof. I was able to snag a reservation a month before I wanted to visit and opted for the chef's counter as many have recommended. I enjoyed sitting there and watching the controlled chaos in front of us. We were seated right in front of the Josper Mangal and Josper Oven which they use in many of their dishes. It offers the ability to preserve moisture while adding aromatics from the smoke. The Iara Cocktail was beautiful, light in flavor, and refreshing. If you're the type to sip on a cocktail throughout dinner, this is a good one! The Hildegard Cocktail was unified yet you can still taste the ingredients; I particularly enjoyed the Verbana ginger foam. So good! The Hiramasa Crudo was art in food form. A must get from the fresh fish to the citrus flavors to the garnishes. The Whipped Ricotta Sourdough was basically a dessert in the best way. The Sourdough was some of the best I've had and the whipped ricotta was fluffy, rich, and went crazy with the brown butter & honey. The Prawns were unbelievably delicious; I genuinely could've eaten 10 of them. It was smoky with a charred exterior and a clean, tender interior. The Pineapple Pico de Gallo was bright and tropical. The Whole Butterflied Trout was fantastic. The trout was buttery, moist, and so light. I can't decide if I liked the Harissa or Chermoula more. The skin got beautifully crisp from the Josper Mangal while retaining the tenderness on the inside. I wish we ended the meal there because this is where we lose the half star. The Octopus wasn't hot in temperature when we received it and it didn't have that smoky/char flavor like with the Prawns. There was also some flavor that was a bit off-putting I couldn't quite recognize. The Doughnuts were also pretty basic. They're essentially 4 doughnut holes at ~$4 each - an easy skip, in my opinion. All in all, Theodora is doing something special and is already booked & busy. If you snag a reservation, definitely go and thank me later!

Inside (bar)

Whipped Ricotta Sourdough (~$17)

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Whole Butterflied Trout (~$48)

Sawa

4.4(52 reviews)

7.0 mi•Park Slope

Went to Sawa for dinner with a group of six on a Friday night, and it was a great dinner. When you…read morewalk in, you are immediately greeted by a giant oven baking fresh pita as well as an open kitchen. There is also an outdoor dining area, as well as a mid-sized dining room and we were seated near the window. Sawa serves Lebanese cuisine with some more modern dishes. Additionally, they have a mostly Lebanese wine list, which gave us an opportunity to try some new wines. We ordered both a red and a white for the table, and I was especially drawn to the red, as the red was served chilled, light-bodied, and very enjoyable. Nearly all of the reds and whites on the menu are from Lebanon, with just one red from Morocco, plus a couple sparkling options from Lebanon as well. We started with several dips for the table: hummus, baba ghannouj, and muhammara. The hummus was incredibly smooth, and the muhammara was especially flavorful with large pieces of walnut throughout. Everyone at the table receives fresh pita, and we ended up ordering a few more to share. We also shared the Brussels sprouts and the snap peas. The Brussels sprouts were rich and flavorful, but the snap peas really stood out. They were unlike anything I have tasted before, intensely mint, served with garlic mint labneh, and very delicious. For mains, we focused on lamb: two orders of the lamb ribs, two orders of the kafta, and two orders of the sfeeha. We probably over-ordered by about one entrée, but otherwise it was the right amount of food for six people. The lamb ribs were phenomenal, fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. The lamb pies were also very good and came with a delicious dipping sauce. The kafta was good, though not quite as memorable as the other lamb dishes, but still very satisfying. Service was attentive throughout the meal, and despite the number of dishes on the table, the staff handled everything smoothly. The table got a little crowded at times, but it was manageable. I would absolutely recommend Sawa, especially for anyone who enjoys trying something a little different. They do classic Lebanese dishes very well, while also offering some creative dishes that feel unique and memorable. I am already looking forward to going back.

Great place. Good food with great service. Cozy atmosphere…read more A great place to share multiple dishes to try. Gets pricey, but worth trying

9.5 mi•Williamsburg - North Side

Sawa's beautiful open kitchen.

Gem salad

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Layali lubnan

Laser Wolf

4.4(513 reviews)

•$$$$

Excellent service from Josh!…read more ACYE literally on their sides, reminds me of Korean ban chan. Their hummus is amazingly rich with excellent quality olive oil. And omg bread, eat it right away when it's warm. Four of us got all the meats except chicken and seafood. It was all tender, juicy, flavorful and super delicious. A rainy night had the curtains down, but we still enjoyed the view. Classy entrance in the hotel lobby to the elegance terrace like rooftop. Brooklyn in the house fo sho!

Went to Laser Wolf with my wife on one of those depressing rainy Brooklyn days where you question…read moreevery life decision that led you outside. Luckily, unlimited salatim healed us emotionally. We did the prix fixe -- my wife got the steak shishlik, I got the trout. Before the actual entrees even arrived, we were already fighting for survival against wave after wave of hummus, babganush, potatoes, pickled cabbage, olives, Israeli pickles, and endless fresh pita. At one point I'm pretty sure the pita basket respawned automatically like a video game. We also ordered the halloumi which was delicious, but absolutely unnecessary. That cheese showed up like an uninvited cousin to Thanksgiving dinner. Nobody needed it, but somehow we were still happy it came. The drinks at the bar were the real MVPs. Fruity, dangerous, and exactly what you want while staring dramatically out a rainy window pretending you're in an A24 film. The trout was excellent. My wife's steak was slightly over salted, which honestly just gave us an excuse to drink more cocktails. Overall, 10/10 experience. Come hungry, leave bloated, slightly tipsy, and emotionally attached to the pita basket.

View from the counter

Platter with dips etc

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Window view

Al Badawi

4.3(282 reviews)

7.9 mi•Brooklyn Heights

Truly a stunning Palestinian Restaurant on Atlantic avenue that has fresh, flavorful food, and is…read moreBYOB. On your table is zaatar and olive oil upon arriving. It feels like an indoor garden in the restaurant. Piping hot bread appears quickly. All the food is stellar, the portions are really big! The labneh was just absolutely amazing, the meat pie was too good to be true, and the lamb dishes are all fantastic! Don't walk away without halloumi though. Make this an afternoon, go for lunch, go to Sahadi's next door afterwards for some at home staples, and enjoy. Everyone is kind here, it's child friendly - it's a gem!

Al Badawi is such a great addition to Atlantic Ave! The family style traditional dishes are all…read moresuper flavorful and have enough variety for different palettes. The falafel are some of the best around!! The fresh hot pita service is also great and will keep kids occupied. It's nice to BYOB as well! It's great to go early with family or wait a little later for a date night or friends hang!

Great vibe inside

Pistachio Flatbread

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Mixed Grill

Opera Cafe Lounge

3.9(860 reviews)

0.2 mi•Sheepshead Bay

Great location and very attentive wait staff. The food from appetizers to drinks was delicious and…read moreyou feel like you are into in Brooklyn but some place that is far away and you are fully emerged into the culture. They salads were fresh alike they were just picked from the garden. Highly recommend for everyone and will definitely be returning soon.

Grest restaurant. Very large Beautiful Turkish interior. Nice menu with many vegetarian options ,…read morebut no gluten free bread or rolls unfortunately . Staff were friendly , service was fast for the most part, although slow to provide water. There were a few mishaps, however staff tried nicely to make corrections . Nice bread basket at start of meal. Lots of different seating configurations , and lounging opportunities. Also there are private rooms available which looked nice for a party space. Food was very tasty . Would return. Parking on the street.