Perfect day in Red Hook, Brooklyn
I’ve been visiting every NYC neighborhood, trying to explore my own city the way I do when I travel. I’m 100 neighborhoods deep now and have documented it all on TikTok.
Now, I’m on a mission to write it all out—next up: Red Hook, Brooklyn.
When people think of Red Hook, a lot of them think IKEA, but there’s so much more to this neighborhood.
As I started doing these guides, I got really interested in the neighborhood’s history. Red Hook has been through a lot—from being one of the most important ports in the 19th century to being voted one of the worst neighborhoods in the country.
Now, it’s a cozy, homey neighborhood by the water, kind of isolated from the train system.
First stop: coffee. You can go to Black Flamingo—a beautiful garden, great quiches, good coffee, and old-timey photographs on the walls.
Or hit up Red Hook Coffee Shop. It’s a good place to get work done, and they sell vintage clothes too. The barista was super friendly, making every drink with love.
After coffee, food spot #1 is Hometown BBQ. Next door is a fishing store and Brooklyn Crab—both make me feel like I’ve been transported to Florida.
At Hometown BBQ, they’ve got great options: Vietnamese hot wings, Oaxaca chicken, and more. I went with cornbread, mac & cheese, brisket, and pastrami bacon. Everything was delicious. Heads up though—we waited an hour, and it’s not the cheapest.
Next, hit the Chelsea Garden Center, one of the biggest places in NYC to buy plants.
Every good itinerary needs a shopping street, and in Red Hook, that’s Van Brunt Street. There are lots of little shops. I love Piscina—their homeware and furniture give me Brooklyn Gaudi vibes. Their workshop is just around the corner if you want to check it out.
San Tokki is a self-proclaimed “weird plant shop” located in an Airstream trailer. They have a cool collection of cacti and other trinkets. I wouldn’t say the cacti are weird, but definitely special.
Record Shop is different from the overpriced, trendy record stores popping up around the city. This one feels like a real neighborhood spot, and they even have record players so you can test the records before buying. I felt like I was back in time here.
Lastly, check out Open Invite—one of those stores where you want to buy everything. For example, they have a cookbook from leaked emails.
There are also several galleries to walk into along the way.
After shopping, treat yourself to Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie. Only two shops in the USA use real fresh-squeezed lime in their pies, and this is one of them. They’re known for their chocolate raspberry-dipped key lime pies. The park across the street has the only frontal view of Lady Liberty you can get from NYC.
Then head to Pioneer Works, an art and event space, before checking out the Waterfront Museum. The owner is pretty quirky, and there’s tons of maritime history to soak up.
Grab a drink at Red Hook Winery with views and crashing waves, or hit one of the many breweries.
All this, of course, while waiting for your reservation at Red Hook Tavern—often called the best burger in NYC.
And that’s the perfect day in Red Hook, Brooklyn.