BESTOFBK.COM • WINNERS GUIDE • DIME BEST OF BROOKLYN 2021 51
RESTAURANTS
BEST SEAFOOD
BAR CRUDO
412 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 701-1894 www.barcrudobk.com
When you’re in the mood for delicious, fresh
seafood, you want to go to an eatery that truly that
specializes in it. At Bar Crudo, the team knows
its stuff when it comes to marine cuisine. What
started as a pop-up ceviche spot has since evolved
into a full-fledged oyster bar and restaurant — and
Brooklyn’s best place for seafood. Since December
2019, Bar Crudo has made a name for itself at its
flagship brick-and-mortar on Fifth Avenue, where
the staff is committed to sourcing sustainable,
organic and local products wherever possible,
including its own line of oysters cultivated by
small, family-owned farmers just outside of the
city. At Bar Crudo’s raw bar, you can induldge
in individual orders of oysters, octopus, shrimp
cocktail and crab — or order it all in one with Bar
Crudo’s mountainous seafood tower complete with
market oysters, jumbo shrimp, blue crab claws and
octopus. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong!
BEST SOUL FOOD/
SOUTHERN
PIES ‘N’ THIGHS
166 S 4th St Brooklyn
(347) 529-6090 www.piesnthighs.com
You don’t have to travel down South to
experience quality, comfort food. Pies ‘n’ Thighs
in Williamsburg delivers the best Soul Food/
Southern experience in the borough that’ll easily
rival the joints in other states. Since 2006, Pies
‘n’ Thighs has won the hearts of the community
by serving huge donuts, two-napkin smoked
pork sandwiches and salty crispy fried chicken.
Its menu is inspired by classic American dishes,
Mexican and Californian cuisine and the slow
food movement’s attention to ingredients.
There’s few places where you could agonize
over the option of ordering a “Rob Evans on a
Biscuit” — buttermilk biscuit with scrambled
eggs smothered in sausage gravy or a “Biscuit
with Jelly and Cream Cheese.” At Pies ‘n’ Thighs,
comfort food is for everyone.
BEST SPANISH
RESTAURANT
EL VIEJO YAYO
36 5th Ave Brooklyn (718) 622-8922
Looking for some authentic Spanish cuisine? El
Viejo Yayo offers a huge menu full of delicious
Latin American options that will take you on a
culinary journey. Known for its Lobster Paella,
Baked Chicken, Chicken Soup (Sopa de pollo), and
an assortment of Mofongos, El Viejo Yayo makes
sure that each guest gets the most out of every
plate. Each menu option is made with the freshest
ingredients, and the full bar has a huge selection
that can pair with the customer’s meal. Its amiable
and well-trained staff is committed to providing
guests a comfortable atmosphere with top-notch
service to ensure a pleasant experience. El Viejo
Yayo is the perfect place for a casual get-together,
a romantic evening with your partner or even a
private party.
BEST STEAKHOUSE
CHADWICK’S
8822 3rd Ave Brooklyn
(718) 833-9855 www.chadwicksbrooklyn.com
At the core of Bay Ridge’s restaurant scene is
Chadwick’s. No conversation can be had about the
best steakhouses in Brooklyn if it doesn’t include
this southern Brooklyn staple. The decadesold
eatery prides itself on being the answer to
finding great American Cuisine in Brooklyn.
With a beautiful oak bar, high ceilings, burgundy
banquettes and fireplace, the warm and inviting
atmosphere at Chadwick’s is perfect for any and all
occasions. Chadwick’s patrons enjoy a variety of
fantastic steaks, chops, pasta and seafood, as well
as tiered platters of lobster, oysters, shrimp, clams
and crab — all while knowing they’re supporting a
small business that’s made a big name for itself as
best steakhouse in the borough.
BEST SUSHI
MITOUSHI SUSHI
177 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn
(718) 935-1600
When you think sushi, there are a few words that
can come to mind: Fresh, Decadent, Delicious. All
of these things are true for the food at Mitoushi
Sushi on Atlantic Avenue. Mitoushi Sushi offers
a casual storefront setting for sushi rolls, sashimi
and other Japanese dishes. Offering a variety of
deletable dinner and lunch specials, Mitoushi
Sushi’s menu has everything from the classic
California, Alaskan and Boston Rolls to more
intricate orders like the Tiger Roll (crispy crab
meat, cucumber and spicy topped with salmon,
caviar and seaweed) and Bay Ridge Roll (deep fried
eel with cream cheese). It’s even got Poke Bowls,
teriyaki entrees and more! All for an affordable
price and in an atmosphere that will keep you
coming back.
BEST THAI
SKYICE THAI FOOD & ICE CREAM
63 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 230-0910 www.skyice.net
SkyIce Thai Food & Ice Cream is a family business
from the northern mountains of the Chiang Mai
Province and Bangkok in Thailand. Its mission is
to bring you the highest quality food with health
and mother earth in mind. SkyIce takes pride in
using the freshest ingredients in the preparation of
all its dishes, including the Salmon Fruits & Nuts
Salad and the Chicken Green Curry Crepe. SkyIce
is open late so that no matter what time you’re
craving a delicious meal, it can always satisfy your
hunger. The quality of the food and desserts is
outstanding, with each dish bursting with flavor
and zest! Nothing is more important to SkyIce than
its customers’ satisfaction, so it make sure to have
your food delivered right to your door as quickly
as possible.
BEST UPSCALE/FINE
DINING
THE RIVER CAFÉ
1 Water St Brooklyn
(718) 522-5200 www.rivercafe.com
Delicious food? Check. Amazing service? Check.
A breathtaking view of the Brooklyn Bridge?
The River Café has it all. For over 40 years, The
River Café has been recognized as one of the most
beautiful restaurants in the world. The elegant
dining room and strict dress code puts the fine in
“fine dining,” and the Michelin star menu offers
some of the most upscale dishes that will have your
mouth watering before they come to the table. The
highly attentive staff is there to ensure that your
meal goes smoothly from start to finish. With the
high level of refinement and service, you’ll quickly
make The River Café your go-to special occasion
dining spot.
BEST VEGAN PIZZERIA
PAULIE GEE’S
60 Greenpoint Ave Brooklyn
(347) 987-3747 www.pauliegee.com
Vegans don’t have to miss out on the cheesy–or
in their case, non-dairy cheesy–goodness of pizza.
At Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint, Brooklyn vegans
are able to enjoy a slice of pizza (or a whole pie)
without having to peel off the cheese. The pizzeria
offers several options that are completely free of
animal products and totally delicious, with different
“cheese” options such as vegan mozzarella,
vegan ricotta and vegan parmesan. Carnivores
and omnivores alike will also enjoy these pies.
If there’s a vegan ingredient combo that satiates
your tastebuds, Paulie Gee’s will let you make it,
allowing you to bring home a custom pie unlike any
other in the borough!
BEST VEGAN
RESTAURANT
THE VSPOT
156 5th Ave Brooklyn
(718) 928-8778 www.vspot.restaurant
Looking for some delicious vegan comfort food?
Stop by the VSPOT for a bite! Founded in Park
Slope by Danny Carabaño, the VSPOT pulls from
Danny and his brother Alex’s Colombian roots
to transform their Latin comfort food menu into
delicious vegan offerings. Everything on the menu
is completely vegan-friendly and totally delicious;
it will taste like you are biting into the original dish
that you would find in Colombia. From empanadas
and nachos to burritos and chicharron, you won’t
find yourself missing its meaty counterparts when
you take a bite of the VSPOT’s food. Be sure to
top off your meal with a dairy-free milkshake or
smoothie!
BEST VEGAN
SANDWICH SHOP
PERELANDRA NATURAL FOOD CENTER
175 Remsen St Brooklyn
(718) 855-6068 www.perelandranatural.com
The Perelandra Natural Food Center turns out
vegan sandwiches that would fool even the most
dedicated meat lover, serving vegetable-based
versions of all your favorite go-tos. Chow down
on vegan BLTs, pulled pork sandwiches, reubens,
and meatball subs that taste just like their
meaty counterparts, but without the guilt. With
a vegan-only menu, this Brooklyn Heights spot
offers customers more than a dozen plant-based
sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, as well as fresh
juices, signature smoothies, and cleansing juice
shots to wash it all down. No wonder it’s been a
local favorite for over four decades!
BEST VEGETARIAN
RESTAURANT
JUNGLE CAFE
131 Greenpoint Ave Brooklyn
(347) 987-4981 www.junglecafenyc.com
Jungle Cafe in the heart of Greenpoint prides itself
on being “deliciously vegan.” This communityoriented
Greenpoint Avenue eatery is dedicated to
nutritious, wholesome vegan food at a reasonable
cost. By using high quality ingredients, utilizing
conscious preparation by employees, and
eliminating animal products, Jungle Cafe comes
ready to better its patrons and the environment
– all while nourishing the soul. “Created by the
community, for the community,” as its mission
reads, Jungle Cafe has something for everyone
on its menu — from “Beyond Beef” empanadas
and macro bowls to kid-friendly grilled “cheese”
sandwhiches. It’s no wonder they’re best in the
borough when it comes to vegetarian restaurants.
BEST VIETNAMESE
SAIGON GRILL & BAR
4521 Ave N Brooklyn
(718) 338-8883 www.saigongrillandbar.com
Enjoy the best Vietnamese food in town at Saigon
Grill and Bar in Bergen Beach, where top-notch
cuisine and an upscale setting come together to
bring customers a memorable duning experience.
Dig into authentic Vietnamese noodles, fresh meat
and fish, and curried vegetables while sipping
on a flavorful drink from the fully-stocked bar.
Customers come back for the outstanding spare
ribs, dumplings, and the spiced meats, and they
stay for the relaxing atmosphere and prompt
service. The restaurant’s slick decor and stylish
setting makes it perfect for a date night or a special
night out on the town!
/BESTOFBK.COM
/www.piesnthighs.com
/www.chadwicksbrooklyn.com
/www.skyice.net
/www.rivercafe.com
/www.pauliegee.com
/www.vspot.restaurant
/www.perelandranatural.com
/www.junglecafenyc.com
/www.saigongrillandbar.com
/www.barcrudobk.com
/www.barcrudobk.com
/www.piesnthighs.com
/www.chadwicksbrooklyn.com
/www.skyice.net
/www.rivercafe.com
/www.pauliegee.com
/www.vspot.restaurant
/www.perelandranatural.com
/www.junglecafenyc.com
/www.saigongrillandbar.com
