One of the best places to explore the city’s well-documented craft-cocktail craze, Clover Club is owned by master mixologist Julie Reiner (of Flatiron Lounge and Lani Kai fame). Behind the 19^th-century mahogany bar, a squad of bartenders attired in vests and ties meticulously concoct tipples from the drinks menu, which is divided into nine categories. Choose from group-friendly bowls of punch, standard-bearing throwbacks mixed with housemade bitters, and cobblers garnished with seasonal fresh fruit. At night, you can also order small plates like deviled eggs and squash crostini; on weekend days, a full brunch menu and a serious Bloody Mary program is available.

The team behind cozy and cool Soho restaurant Cómodo opened their second venture, on Fort Greene's neighborhood-y main street, Dekalb Ave. Also following a Latin American–inspired taste, the kitchen focuses on meats and veggies cooked on charcoal grills (in both the indoor, asado style as well as outside clay ovens). There is a gorgeous outdoor space in the back as well as a sunny, greenhouse-like atrium, a particularly charming seating option for delicious weekend brunches.

On Atlantic Avenue, Colonie is a local favorite for inventive, farm-fresh New American cuisine. Stay for the sticky date cake dessert.

Despite the seemingly endless array of pizza joints studding Brooklyn, foodies are loyal to Emily, which is adored for its delectable pies like the Colony (red sauce, homemade mozzarella, pickled chilis, pepperoni, honey) and the Emily (white sauce, pistachios, mozzarella, honey, truffle sottocenere). Opened in 2013, the Clinton Hill joint has also gained cult status with burger lovers: Emily serves theirs on a pretzel bun and topped with charred onion, melted cheddar and a special “Emmy sauce.” Go early: there are a limited number of burgers served each night.

Making the trek to this industrial stretch of northern Greenpoint, nowhere near any subway, requires some justification—and this truly unique, inspired Middle Eastern–inspired restaurant is it. The small plates (fava bean and chickpea dip served in fried potato husks, hot-grilled radishes dusted with za'atar) dished out in an ever-buzzing dining room outfitted with whitewashed brick and potted succulents are excellent. But really, Glasserie’s large-format rabbit is the jewel in its crown, cooked three ways and served with an addictive flaky griddlebread and myriad garnishes.

Chef Sean Rembold’s (previously at Diner and Marlow & Sons) take on a tavern, with warm lighting, warm service and warming food.

Coupling Israeli cuisine with views of the East River and Manhattan, Laser Wolf has become one of NYC's most coveted reservations.

Set in a dreamy French bistro-meets-Brooklyn warehouse interior, Le Crocodile serves up French fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lilia has transformed what used to be a run-down garage into a trendy Italian restaurant with an airy, elegant atmosphere. Missy Robins, who holds a Michelin star at her other two restaurants and was nominated twice for a James Beard Award, runs the kitchen here. The sophisticated Italian menu includes such creative dishes as cacio e pepe fritelle, cauliflower with spicy soppressata and Sicilian pesto and a stunning malfadini pasta with pink peppercorns. Wash it all down with Lilia’s signature Aperol spritz.

Head to Llama Inn for a Peruvian vacation by way of Williamsburg. The restaurant uses exotic ingredients and foreign influences to produce playful dishes like the Llama Del Rey sangria and beef heart skewers. The interior is equally fabulous and channels a sophisticated hipster vibe—artwork made of yarn covers one wall, multicolored lampshades and plants hang above tables and floor-to-ceiling windows allow the space to be flooded with light.

Indulge in absinthe and oysters at this perpetually packed Williamsburg hot spot. You’ll wait a while to be seated and service can be strained when it’s busy, but this NOLA-inspired haunt is nonetheless a charmer thanks to its serious cocktail program, stylish crowd, and excellent seafood-focused small plates and raw bar. Sealing the deal is the nostalgic décor—pale green walls, a marble U-shaped bar, and a vine-walled backyard that is one of the most romantic gardens in the city.

Missy Robbins is growing her Italian Williamsburg empire with her newest spot, MISIPASTA, which doubles as a dine-in restaurant and boutique.

You know this place is cool because neighborhood hipsters wait hours to eat here. You know it’s worth the wait because the Clintons also eat here (or they did once in 2012, propelling this far-flung Bushwick pizzeria to instant fame). It would be a disservice to classify Roberta’s as a mere slice spot, though, because it also grows seasonal greens on its rooftop garden, broadcasts food-focused shows from its in-house radio station, and creates artfully composed small plates not unlike those you would find at a much more refined restaurant uptown. And, yes, the artisanal pies served in this no-frills garage are whimsically named (Cheesus Christ), perfectly chewy, and utterly delicious. Ease the wait at this no-reservations establishment by throwing back a cocktail or two at its tiki bar in the back.

Though St. Anselm presents itself as a simple steakhouse—and its steak is indeed excellent—you’d be mistaken not to order off the rest of the menu, which celebrates the pleasures of the open fire. It is the grill, rather than red meat, that is given the starring role here, with superlative charred cuts of beef holding court alongside fire-roasted sardines and smoky eggplant slices on the well-rounded menu. Don’t leave without ordering a side of mashed potatoes, which have been, in fact, pan-fried to create a crusty golden top, fragrant with truffle oil and parsley. This Williamsburg eatery doesn’t take reservations, so plan to arrive when it opens or wait (for hours) at its sister craft-beer bar next door, Spuyten Duyvil.

For a fine explanation of Williamsburg’s hot-spot reputation for locals and in-the-know travelers alike, look no further than the Ides, the sixth-floor drinkery atop the Wythe Hotel. Enjoy finely wrought cocktails—made with locally distilled fixings, of course—in a red banquette or step onto the outdoor terrace, which affords sweeping views of Manhattan that will make you understand why you left the island in the first place.