A Neighborhood Guide to GOWANUS, Brooklyn
WHERE TO SHOP — WHAT TO EAT — WHERE TO DRINK — WHAT TO DO — WHERE TO STAY
I love telling New Yorkers I live in Gowanus. Their reactions can be plotted across a spectrum starting with envy and ending at disgust. “Near that amazing outdoor barbecue place?” I reply with an enthusiastic, "Yes!". “That toxic wasteland? Ick,” receives a slightly less enthusiastic "yes".
In year's past, Gowanus was one of Brooklyn’s main industrial hubs, so it should come as no surprise that the neighborhood’s namesake canal is heavily polluted. Warehouses expelled their waste into the canal, which ultimately emptied into the Gowanus Bay. Over time, black mayonnaise developed. Now, the canal is so polluted, the Environmental Protection Agency has declared it a superfund site and is in the midst of a multi-year, $100 million dollar toxic waste clean-up project.
The juxtaposition of trendiness and grittiness is exactly what makes Gowanus a neighborhood unlike any other destination in Brooklyn. With most blocks featuring two- and three-story aging warehouses, it's kind of place where you can walk around on a clear day and really enjoy a wide-open sky; an experience that is typically reserved for public parks in New York City. Gowanus has it’s own subway stop (Union Street on the R train) and is bordered by the more posh neighborhoods of Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. It's only a matter of time before the high-rises start going up here, too.
Beyond Gowanus' fetid canal, you’ll find a neighborhood full of heart, full of creativity, full of unlikely adventure. There's no better time to experience Gowanus than now. Welcome to Venice, Jerko.
SHOP
Gowanus Wine Studio & Tasting Table
Woman-owned and operated, community-centric wine & spirit shop featuring many wines crafted by women. Hosting tastings and other events.
💛 From Here to Sunday
A gift shop with art, tees, cards, and other funky collectibles. Formerly the Gowanus Souvenir Shop.
Image by Marie Frei
The Modern Chemist
Forget an essential? Need a card or a small gift for a friend? The Modern Chemist has been Gowanus’ drugstore since 2014. A few European hair and body products, too.
Atelier Canal
A female-led pop-up space with rotating retail merchants.
Craftspring
Dolls and other fun hand-felted ornaments made in Kyrgyzstan. Women-led and fair trade certified.
No Relation Vintage - Gowanus
Large warehouse converted to a thrift store. Go here for Levis, cowboy boots, and Liz Claiborne dresses.
image via @ltrainvintage
Clairewear Pottery
Functional porcelain pottery designed and created in the studio of Claire Weissberg.
Big Reuse
One of the best thrift stores in Brooklyn. Featuring books, housewares, furniture, and clothing.
EAT
Image via @claro.bk
Claro
Delicious Mexican food. See Claro's NYT restaurant review and Michelin star. It’s pricey and the dishes are small. There’s a back patio for outdoor dining.
Image via DAIgo SUSHI Roll Bar
Daigo SUSHI ROLL BAR
It was love at first bite at Daigo’s stall in Dekalb Market. When I heard they were opening a sushi roll bar in Gowanus, I was beyond thrilled. Try the spicy tuna cut cup or the shrimp with eel sauce roll.
Image by Marie Frei
💛 café mars
Chefs Paul D'Avino (wd~50, aska) and Jorge Olarte (Ssam Bar, Ma Peche, Cafe Boulud) are at the helm of this quirky Italian restaurant. Reservations highly recommended.
Image Via @Runnerandstone
💛 Runner & Stone
Delicious bread and pastries baked in house. My go-to for croissant. Best baguette in Brooklyn.
💛 Nene’s Taqueria
On the border of Park Slope and Gowanus you’ll find the best taqueria in the borough. If you want to take your taste buds on a trip to Mexico, this is the place.
image via @insabrooklyn
Insa
Korean BBQ with tabletop grills. Private karaoke rooms make it a popular birthday party destination. A bit pricey.
Union Cafe
Locals know this diner is the place to grab breakfast on a Saturday morning in Gowanus. Ask Annette for the “Hungry Man” breakfast special with french toast. Cash only.
Sixteen Mill Bakeshop
Delicious vegan, gluten-free, preservative-free sweet and savory handmade baked goods. Babka muffins are a personal fave. Get there early before items sell out.
Image by Marie Frei
💛 By Clio
This spacious bakery features unique flavors like masala and sumac, though there is a more traditional vegan snickerdoodle. The real standout sweets are the cakes: lemon velvet, chocolate chili mango with passion fruit curd, and earl grey citrus.
Image by Marie Frei
Root Hill Cafe
Neighborhood staple cafe. A few small tables on the sidewalk. Try the savory chicken pot pie.
Image by Marie Frei
Four & Twenty Blackbirds
Great (sweet) pies available to purchase whole or by the slice. Seating is pared down to a few chairs on the sidewalk.
Image via @Babaspierogies
Babas Pierogies
The best comfort food with a beer garden on 3rd Ave. Build-your-own pierogi menu.
image via @mmoona30
Kanan Indian Restaurant
Not glamorous from the outside (and no outdoor seating). Inside, you'll find the best Indian food in the area. Get the tikka masala to-go.
Image by Marie Frei
Park Life
Bar with an outdoor courtyard with a handful of picnic tables. The Mexican food served by the pop-up inside is convenient. Go with a group and get the steak tacos or chips and queso.
Dinosaur BBQ
Where to go if you want a platter of BBQ brisket or pulled pork with side dishes like corn or mashed potato. Big bar area and weeknight happy hours. Family-friendly.
Whisk & Whiskey
Cozy woman and minority-owned bar and bakery. Savory bakes and sweet cakes. They host frequent events, so be sure to check their Instagram.
Breweries
Image by Marie Frei
Strong Rope Brewery
Small craft brewery. Crowlers (large can of beer filled and sealed to order) make really great gifts. Outdoor seating area in front of the brewery. The newer sister location in Red Hook is preferable.
💛 Finback
A warehouse on President Street has been converted into the 2nd location for this hip Queens brewery. Try their Visible Spectrum, an IPA brewed with mango and dry hopped with Citra & Falconers Flight. The on-site pop-up restaurant, Dumplings Up, is excellent. Highly recommend the pork & shrimp, crab rangoon, and french fries.
Image by Marie Frei
Threes Brewing
There's a lot going on at Threes. It’s a bar (excellent craft beer), a coffee shop called 9th Street Espresso (used to be ideal for working remote), and a restaurant (The Meat Hook). Outdoor seating in the front. There’s a great outdoor courtyard in the back for hosting small events.
Wild East Brewing
Wild East uses European brewing techniques for producing modern American craft beer. I think they’re one of the best brewers in New York City. Try the Apricity, an American Sour with a tang that doesn’t overpower and a dry finish. Outside food is welcome.
DRINK
Image by Marie Frei
Halyards
Halyards gave me something to look forward to during the pandemic. Their slushy margaritas ($9) were a great deal. Sitting on the shipping dock watching the sun go down as the city was eerily quiet around us was something I’ll never forget. Now, there’s a large seating area in the street.
Image by Marie Frei
Mirror Tea house
The best place to sit and chat over a cup of tea. Occasional live performers. The only cafe besides Bagel Pub that makes my favorite iced banana latte. To-go orders only.
Image via Public Records
Public Records
Gowanus’ trendiest bar/restaurant/record and magazine shop. The old public records building has been transformed into a daytime café and bar, plus, a state of the art sound room in the back. Follow their Instagram to learn what’s happening tonight.
Image by Marie Frei
Beanmonger Coffee
Beanmonger brews Partners coffee and it’s where the neighborhood goes for their daily caffeine fix. Pastries and small bites, like avocado toast, are available. If you’re in the mood for something unique, try their egg cream.
Image via @blkmtnbk
💛 Black Mountain Wine House
Cozy little wine bar with excellent small dishes to nibble on. My favorite bar in winter because you can enjoy sitting by the indoor (wood burning!) fireplace. Truly a gem.
Image by Marie Frei
💛 BOND STREET COFFEE
Best iced coffee in Gowanus. Free WiFi plus indoor and outdoor tables make it an idea location to work remotely. All of the sandwiches are excellent.
Image via @dirtyprecious
Dirty Precious
The best cocktail bar. Perfect for a date. With friends, order the "Ti for Two" and pretend you're at the Mad Hatter's Unbirthday party.
💛 Gowanus Yacht Club (Seasonal)
Technically this outdoor bar is in Carroll Gardens, but we’ll let it slide. Picnic tables, cheap beer, and hot dogs. My late night go-to in the summer.
DO
Gil Hodges Community Garden
A quiet place to clear your mind (or eat take out from nearby Daigo or Root Hill). New building construction happening in the lot next door.
Image via @gowanusprintlab
Gowanus Print Lab
Learn how to make a custom t-shirt with their screen-printing class.
image via Gotham Archery
Gotham Archery
Unleash your inner Robin Hood at this archery club. Your first class is a mandatory beginner class. Group classes and private lessons available.
Image courtesy Brooklyn Ninja Academy
Brooklyn Ninja Academy
Ever watch American Ninja Warrior and think, “I wish I could try that?” Well, now you can! Book a 90-minute adult classes or a private group class at Brooklyn’s only ninja training facility. All skill levels are welcome at this gym.
Image by Marie Frei
Brooklyn Boulders
Hybrid rock climbing and other workouts in old Daily News garage. Popular with all ages.
Image by Marie Frei
Brooklyn Glass
Public glassblowing studio offering one day classes or more intensive weekly workshops. Check their calendar for info on classes and events.
Image By Marie Frei
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
If Wes Anderson designed a shuffleboard club, it would look like this. A 5-hour wait is typical on the weekend if you don't have a reservation. Consider this your warning.
Van Alen Institute
The Van Alen Institute is a non-profit agency dedicated to creating equitable cities through inclusive design. Each October, they host a neighborhood-wide all day block party.
Image via Malcolm Pinckney / @NYCParks
💛 "Double D" Public Pool [open Jun - SEP]
Adult and kiddie outdoor swimming pools open from the end of June through the start of September. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and sometimes free sunscreen. Check the rules on their website before going.
Image via Citywell Brooklyn
💛 CityWell Brooklyn
The neighborhood’s best kept secret - a backyard spa featuring a sauna and hot tub. Massages and accupuncture available (advanced booking is required).
Image Via Gowanus Dredgers
Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club
Explore one of the most polluted waterways in America with a life vest and canoe at your own risk. Seriously, this is really toxic.
Image by Marie Frei
Kick Axe Throwing
Axe throwing and drinking in an indoor venue that makes you feel like you’re in a ski lodge. Popular with small groups on the weekends.
Image By Marie Frei
Arts Gowanus Open Studio Weekend (October)
One weekend each October, hundreds of artists in and around Gowanus open their studios to the general public. Read more about this special event here.
Give back to Gowanus
The Gowanus Fridge, Gowanus Mutual Aid and CHiPS Food Pantry are all ways the community gives back to those in need of food and other essentials.
STAY
💛 TownePlace Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn
The TownePlace Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn is the newest hotel in Gowanus. The hotel is well situated for exploring the neighborhood and just a few steps from the R subway station on Union Street. Nearby, you’ll find Strong Rope Brewery and Finback Brewery.
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s newest trendy hotel is only a half-a-mile walk from Gowanus. Skip the restaurant and heads to the lobby bar for a date night. Great bar snacks, too.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Located 2.5 miles from Gowanus, this luxury hotel is a short walk or taxi ride away. The reclaimed wood tables, plush couches, and 25ft living green wall are equally eco-friendly and chic.
Courtesy Even Hotels
EVEN Hotel Brooklyn
One of the best affordable hotels in the area and also just a half-mile north of Gowanus. Quality is consistent and the room has ample space for working out. Good for large groups staying in the area.
Please note: there are several hotels located in Gowanus, and they are sometimes fully or partially in use as homeless shelters and shelters for refugees. I am thankful the city offers this service and simply encourage travelers to research their hotel in Gowanus before booking.
