A Perfect Day In... Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Indagare’s Trey Ross shares the best places to eat, drink, shop and explore in her favorite neighborhood in New York City’s liveliest borough.

If there is a cure for boredom, it’s Brooklyn. Brooklyn is a place to nest for both the early birds and the night owls, where you don’t need a passport to dine on cuisine from every corner of the globe and creativity practically pours out of the cracks in the concrete. And Williamsburg is virtually skyscraper-less and completely walkable, the best mode of transportation for enjoying the thriving street art scene or finding your new favorite hole-in-the-wall. With luxury hotels popping up along the East River waterfront and highly anticipated restaurant openings, Williamsburg is also poised to be SoHo’s little sister–Hermès and Chanel have arrived to ritzy North Sixth Street, along with Sugarfish and Jack’s Wife Freda on Wythe.

Contact Indagare or your Trip Designer for assistance planning a trip to New York City. Our team can match you with the hotels that are right for you, as well as advise on all our favorite activities and must-see sites. 

Morning Rituals

Start the day with a coffee and guava croissant from Devoción, conveniently located near Domino Park for a morning stroll along the East River waterfront with epic city views. Extra points if you’re able to secure a coveted reformer at East River Pilates beforehand. For a more relaxed breakfast, pop into 12 Chairs—order the soft scramble with smoked salmon on challah, or hummus and fresh pita.

Afternoon Delights

For the in-laws, a chic family member or a colleague you need to impress, go for brunch at Michelin-starred Meadowsweet. For large groups, Radegast Hall & Biergarten serves large beers and even larger brats and pretzels (during Oktoberfest reservations are a must and the band is very fun). There is always a last-minute party in Brooklyn. For the best stock up, take a quick walk north into Greenpoint for Big Night–maximalists and foodies alike will love the selection of caviar, bespoke potato chips, funky oyster plates and unique mixers for the bar cart. Pick up precious treasures at Scosha, where the designs include delicate charms, semiprecious stones and bright beaded and string bracelets. Beam is the spot for mid-century furniture pieces; Casa Ziki, for extraordinary accents—especially the Harrison Scott Furby sculptures. Salt Lizard NYC has sourced the most stunning antiques (if you love it, buy it). If all the shopping has you famished, a quick bite from Court Street Grocers or the award-winning Birria-Landia food truck is great for on-the-go. Both are near Rocka Rolla—ask for the coffee drink, they’ll know what you mean.

In the Evening

Everyone cannot stop talking about Laser Wolf (myself included)—make sure at least one person at the table orders the cauliflower main and chicken wings to share (with an extensive cocktail and wine list, gorgeous Manhattan views and free dessert, make a night of it). Other neighborhood highlights: Ume (wear appropriate footwear and socks to take your shoes off at the door), Kings Co. Imperial (book the back garden), Le Crocodile in the Wythe Hotel (the French onion soup is phenomenal) and any of Missy Robbins’s Italian empire—Lilia, Misi and the new MISIPASTA. For late-night martinis: Deux Chats or Hotel Delmano. For late-night piña coladas: The Commodore or Café Balearica. For Saturday Night Fever, without a trip to Bay Ridge: the light-up dance floor at Ciao Ciao Disco, a time machine to the golden years of discotheques. For anyone who says that you can’t stargaze in New York City, let the Financial District office lights across the river be your artificial stars from a rooftop patio.