Brooklyn is full of great things to eat, sights to see, and things to do. Even though many select rental apartments in Brooklyn over a stay in Manhattan for the borough’s more relaxed pace, the options can feel overwhelming.
Over the years, we’ve gathered a list of Brooklyn’s best, particularly for our Carroll Gardens guests. Planning a trip or already in town? Take a peek below and let the magic begin.
Friday Night
It’s Friday night in Brooklyn, and the weekend’s just begun! Shake off the workweek worries and get ready to let loose. Carroll Gardens is home to a vibrant culinary scene, as well as some of Brooklyn’s best drinks. We recommend starting the evening at happy hour to soak in the city before sampling the area’s delectable dining.
Happy Hour on Smith Street
Smith Street is one of Carroll Gardens’ most popular streets and is home to some of the city’s most unique bars and delicious drinks. Thankfully, there’s plenty of variety, too, with a spot perfect for every mood.
Barely Disfigured
Billed as one of the East Coast’s Top 10 New Bars, Barely Disfigured sits at the intersection of seductive and stylish. Housed in a former ‘house of ill-repute’ and massage parlor, the dark and cozy interior makes for an intimate date night. In warmer seasons, their 1800 square-foot garden makes for a perfect setting while you sink into the evening.
What to Get
For something light and refreshing, we love the gin-based George Washington’s Night Out with notes of kiwi, honey, and basil or the Prelude to a Broken Arm, made with vodka, elderflower, and cucumber.
If you’re more into a spirit-forward drink, order the Crystal Clear Espresso Martini and enjoy one of the few times novelty and taste succeed together. The Exterminating Angel (bourbon, sweet vermouth, pistachio, apricot) does the trick too.
Looking for a quick bite to hold you over? You can’t beat the tater tots with creamy jalapeño sauce.
Clover Club
Bringing the Wild West to the heart of Brooklyn, Clover Club is a saloon-style bar serving up casual vibes and knockout flavors since 2008. With dark-grain wood and leather galore, it’s the place to be for nights that’ll make you feel like the Gold Rush never ended.
What to Get
You can’t go wrong at the Clover Club. With a sprawling cocktail menu, there’s something for everyone and far too much to share even an abbreviated list of our favorites. Here’s the highlight reel:
Clover Club: The namesake. Gin sour with raspberry, lemon, and dry vermouth.
Forever Young: A science experiment gone oh-so right. Corn flake-infused tequila, limoncello, soy milk, and pandan.
Lava Lamp: The 70s and 80s called, and they want their drinks back! Rum with pineapple, guava, prosecco, and coconut sorbet.
Kula Negroni: Not a sbagliato, but perhaps even better. Gin and bianco vermouth with strawberry-infused Aperol and Campari.
Pair any of the above with their green chili dip or asparagus and artichoke arancini, and you’ll be feeling like the new Sheriff in town.
Brooklyn Social
No list would be complete without Smith Street’s original cocktail bar. A private Sicilian social club turned speakeasy, Brooklyn Social offers simple twists on classic cocktails in a setting rich in local history.
What to Get
Matt’s Ginger Old Fashioned brings a new kick to a old classic. Everything you know and love, plus some muddled ginger.
The Sicilian Fizz is an homage to the bar’s roots and enduring history. A mix of gin, blood orange, mirto, and egg white make for a drink that’s sure to please even the pickiest of drinkers.
For a simple summer sipper, the Neopolitan blends vodka with lemon, Italian triple sec, and pomegranate. Classic and refined, it’s never going out of style.
With a handful of hot-pressed Italian sandwiches to choose from, this old-time establishment is still bringing new-age satisfaction.
Saturday
Early Breakfast
There's no better way to fuel up for a full day of Brooklyn exploring than with a warm pastry and a strong cup of coffee, and Carroll Gardens happens to sit at the epicenter of the city's Italian bakery scene.
Mazzola Bakery
A neighborhood institution since 1928, Mazzola is takeout-only, cash-friendly, and worth every minute of the (sometimes long) line. Their lard bread is the stuff of local legend, still warm from the oven and studded with meat and cheese.
What to Get
Grab a loaf of Italian bread, a few flaky croissants, and an iced coffee, then carry your haul a few blocks to Carroll Park or Cobble Hill Park for a proper Brooklyn picnic breakfast.
Court Pastry Shop
Founded by the Zerilli family in 1948, Court Pastry Shop is an old-school Italian dessert shop and Court Street mainstay for good reason. Step inside and you'll find case after case of handmade Sicilian treats.
What to Get
Don't miss the cannoli, rainbow cookies, and biscotti. In the summer months, the custard Italian ices are a neighborhood cult favorite.
Shopping & Walking Tour
With bellies full of pastry, it's time to stretch your legs and take in what makes Carroll Gardens one of Brooklyn's most charming enclaves: its deep, garden-lined brownstone blocks and two beloved commercial corridors, Court Street and Smith Street.
Court Street
Court Street has been a hub of old-world Italian culture since the 19th century, and that spirit lives on today alongside newer boutiques, bookshops, and home goods stores. Wander past century-old pork stores and cheesemongers, then duck into the local shops selling curated home décor, vintage finds, and handmade gifts.
Smith Street
Just one block over, Smith Street tells a different story: sleek indie clothing boutiques, jewelry shops, and design-forward storefronts that have earned this stretch the nickname "Restaurant Row." Pop into a few of the independent shops for a locally made souvenir, or simply enjoy the architecture. Carroll Gardens' famously deep front gardens, some of the largest of any Brooklyn brownstone district, are in full bloom for much of the year and make for some of the best people-watching (and photo-taking) around.
Quick Lunch
Court Street Grocers
For a lunch that won't slow down your afternoon, this beloved sandwich shop has built a cult following for its creative, generously stuffed combinations and nostalgic deli vibe. Grab something to go and eat it on a stoop or in the park, Brooklyn-style.
Stretch Out in the Sun
Carroll Park
This shady, tree-canopied park is the true heart of the neighborhood. Locals gather here for bocce ball, a game of tennis, or simply a bench in the shade. On weekends, the seasonal farmers' market and playground make it a lively spot to sit back and watch Carroll Gardens go about its business. It's the perfect low-key way to spend an hour digesting lunch and taking in the scenery.
Dinner at Frankies Spuntino
A true Carroll Gardens classic, Frankies Sputino serves rustic Italian-American fare in a warm, garden-seated setting, complete with their own house-made olive oil.
What to Get
The homemade pastas are the star here, but the cured meat and cheese boards make an excellent way to start the meal before splitting a few plates family-style.
Sunday
Brunch
Café Luluc
Technically straddling the line between Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, this French bistro is worth the short walk. No reservations, no credit cards, just a line of regulars happy to wait for a table.
What to Get
The pancakes with mixed fruit and Black Bear maple syrup are the dish locals rave about most, though the quiche and fresh fruit bowls are excellent, lighter alternatives.
Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
After brunch, walk off the meal with a stroll toward the waterfront. Brooklyn Bridge Park offers sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, green lawns for lounging, and plenty of paths for a leisurely Sunday walk. If you'd rather stay closer to home base, Carroll Park and Cobble Hill Park both offer a quieter, more residential slice of Brooklyn green space, just steps from your Carroll Gardens rental.
Takeout & Delivery Dinner
There's nothing quite like ending a full weekend of exploring with a low-key night in, and Carroll Gardens makes staying in just as delicious as going out.
Sottocasa Pizzeria
This neighborhood favorite turns out Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies that travel (and reheat) beautifully. Order a classic margherita or something more adventurous, then settle in for a relaxed night at your apartment.
For a build-your-own antipasto night, swing by this fifth-generation Italian market for fresh mozzarella, cured meats, olives, and a loaf of their famous bread. Pair it with a bottle of wine from a local shop, and you've got yourself a perfect, no-fuss final night in Brooklyn.
Make Carroll Gardens Your Home Base
From candlelit cocktails on Smith Street to lazy Sunday strolls through Brooklyn Bridge Park, Carroll Gardens offers the kind of neighborhood charm you simply can't find in a Manhattan hotel. It's no wonder so many travelers are choosing Brooklyn apartment rentals over the typical hotel stay, whether they're in town for a weekend or settling in for a longer visit.
If you're searching for Carroll Gardens rentals that put you steps from all of the above, our cozy, newly renovated one-bedroom brownstone apartment is the perfect home base. With a private entrance, a shared garden courtyard, and a quiet residential block just minutes from Court and Smith Streets, you'll have the best of both worlds: peace and privacy, with all of Carroll Gardens' bakeries, bars, boutiques, and restaurants right outside your door.
Ready to plan your own perfect Carroll Gardens weekend? Book your stay today and experience Brooklyn like a local, not a tourist.
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