Bed-Stuy has managed to keep the spirit and soul of Brooklyn intact. Enjoy absolutely delicious soul food and a slew of unpretentious neighborhood spots spinning the best Caribbean, hip-hop and Afrobeats music. Local Alexander-Julian Gibbson's guide.
LessSalgado Playground is a sweet little neighborhood playground that teeters on the edge of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy. The playground has a basketball court, handball court and large turf field that invites guests for the perfect midday picnic setting.
Bed-Stuy Fish Fry is a legend and long-standing soul food staple in the heart of this BK neighborhood. The family-owned and -operated decade-old restaurant has four locations in the borough, all birthed from this small spot on the corner of Halsey Street and Howard Avenue. Take your pick from the extensive menu full of seafood selections, and make sure you don’t leave without a side of mac.
A quaint spot hidden behind a small flower shop on Broadway, this pastel-colored cafe serves up fresh coffee and Haitian fare while a backyard garden serves as the perfect setting for meetups and co-working. Thursday is jazz night, and other live music shows are throughout the week.
Endorsed by devout meat-eaters, Toad Style is a surprisingly delicious and tiny vegan spot straddling the border of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy. Its Sunshine Burger and banh mi with coconut-fried oyster mushrooms are chef’s kiss and they’re open till 11 p.m. to satisfy all your late-night vegan needs.
Peaches is a classic American restaurant with Southern notes, found in a historical brownstone neighborhood in Brooklyn. You’ll find shrimp and grits and po’ boys that taste much like your grandmother’s — if she were from Louisiana.