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The Insider’s Guide to Williamsburg: Don’t Tell Them I Sent You
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items A hotel concierge would send you to the polished, corporate-friendly spots—the ones with PR teams and investor backing. But Williamsburg still has its secrets, if you know where to look. This list is for those who want the real thing: the hole-in-the...
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Sections
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Local Art Shops & Bookstores: The Last Traces of Williamsburg’s Artist Haven
Outdoor Activities: A Little Room to Breathe
Farmers’ Markets: The Best Places to Shop Like a Local
Food & Drinks
Local Art Shops & Bookstores: The Last Traces of Williamsburg’s Artist Haven
Williamsburg is—or at least was—known as an artist’s haven. While the high-rise condos and luxury boutiques have taken over much of the landscape, there are still pockets of creativity if you know where to look. Whether you’re stocking up on supplies...
Forget the soulless chain stores—this independent shop is packed with high-quality materials for painters, illustrators, printmakers, and all-around tinkerers. Whether you need professional-grade supplies or just want to browse and see what sparks in...
Artist & Craftsman Supply: A Treasure Trove for Creators
There’s something deeply satisfying about holding a perfectly imperfect, hand-thrown mug—and this Williamsburg studio offers just that. More than just a workspace for local ceramicists, it has a shop featuring pieces made by students and members, so ...
Choplet Ceramic Studio & Gallery
Tucked away on Metropolitan Ave, Desert Island is a shrine to independent comics, underground zines, and rare art books. The selection is eclectic, the staff is passionate, and the store itself feels like stepping into an alternate reality where corp...
Desert Island: Indie Comics & Zine Paradise
Spoonbill & Sugartown is the kind of bookstore you go into for one thing and leave with a stack of treasures. Specializing in art books, philosophy, esoterica, rare finds, and early editions, it’s a place for people who love books as objects as m...
Spoonbill & Sugartown: The Bookstore for the Creatively Curious
Located next door to Henry Miller’s childhood home, Black Spring Books is a bookshop and literary social club with a soul. They specialize in modern first editions, rare and vintage printings, and a carefully curated selection of used and new books. ...
Black Spring Books: A Literary Hideaway with History
Outdoor Activities: A Little Room to Breathe
Williamsburg may be better known for rooftop bars than green spaces, but there are still pockets of fresh air if you know where to find them. Whether you’re looking for a quiet moment by the water or a secret garden tucked between buildings, this sec...
A park within a park (McCarren), this gem feels like a secret, private garden. Grab a drink and snack down the street at Mya Brooklyn and enjoy it in the garden!
Green Dome Garden
A volunteer-run public plaza—if you're lucky you'll catch one of their events.
Banker's Anchor
A community garden and mutual aid project that will give you a surge of love for plants—and humanity!
McCarren Park Demonstration Garden - GrowNYC
Farmers’ Markets: The Best Places to Shop Like a Local
For all the overpriced shoppy shops Williamsburg, nothing beats shopping at a real farmers’ market. These markets aren’t just about fresh produce—they’re where local farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and artisans bring their best, creating a true commun...
The McCarren Park Greenmarket is the go-to for serious home cooks and casual market-goers alike. This well-established market has an incredible selection of organic vegetables, pasture-raised meats, fresh seafood, locally made breads, and even wine f...
McCarren Park Greenmarket: The Neighborhood Staple
Set against the East River with stunning skyline views, the Domino Park Farmers Market is small but carefully curated. Expect organic produce, fresh bread, farmstead cheeses, and local honey, plus a rotating mix of independent food vendors offering e...
Domino Park Greenmarket: Waterfront Views & Local Goodness
Tucked into the quieter, tree-lined streets near Greenpoint, the McGolrick Park Farmers Market is a favorite for those in the know. It has a cozier, more relaxed atmosphere than the McCarren market, but the quality is just as high. Expect farm-fresh ...
McGolrick Park Farmers Market
Food & Drinks
Skip the overhyped spots with hour-long waits and $19 matcha lattes—Williamsburg still has places where the food is actually good, the drinks are actually strong, and the people behind the counter actually care. From decades-old neighborhood staples ...
I love Lilia for dinner as much as the next girlie, but the secret spot (and the only option without a reservation) is their cafe. Grab a pastry in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening—you'll be sure to run into someone who lives nearby.
Lilia Cafe
Perfect espresso and a better selection of imported Italian treats than Eataly.
Vittoria Mercato
Sharing this one really will get me kicked out of the neighborhood. Catch the guys who grew up here swapping stories mid morning.
Oslo Coffee Roasters
Tucked away from the madness, Nick & Sons Bakery is what happens when someone actually cares about bread. This is the kind of place where the flour is stone-ground and the fermentation is slow. Your search for the best croissant is over.
Nick + Son's Bakery
Before Williamsburg became an influencer playground, Sweetwater was already here, serving up French-American comfort food in a space that feels like a neighborhood institution. Open since 2004, this cozy bistro has a laid-back but timeless feel, with...
Sweetwater Restaurant
Opened in 1999, Diner is one of the few Williamsburg restaurants that has survived the neighborhood’s changes without losing its identity. Housed in a 1927 dining car, it’s got all the charm of an old-school diner but with a constantly changing seaso...
Diner
For those who know, The Screen Door is the spot for small-batch, handcrafted ice cream in the McGolrick Park area. This indie ice cream shop keeps things seasonal and creative, offering flavors that balance classic nostalgia with unexpected twists. W...
The Screen Door