Whether it is spending a date night, catching up with friends, or getting your lunch during office hours, Brooklyn, NY, has the best warm and welcoming restaurants. The borough is filled with eateries, a rich exterior, a relaxing ambiance, and culturally rich food items. If you are currently narrowing down the options, here is a list of the ten warm and cozy restaurants near Brooklyn.
1. Lucali
- Opening Hours: 5 pm to 11 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
If you want to experience a casual and relaxed catch-up with friends, the Lucali restaurant on Henry St, Brooklyn, is it. This place specializes in Italian fast-food cuisine and has extensive menus for dinners, including special pizzas, the chef’s favorite herbs and spices, and unique toppings. Aside from the food, the rustic Italian decor with wood furnishings and metal ceiling tiles takes you back to the 90s timeless era.
2. Black Mountain Wine House
- Opening Hours: 3 pm to 1 am
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
For those planning a date night at a posh place, I have the Black Mountain Wine House in the heart of Brooklyn. The restaurant has a relaxing decor with an indoor fireplace, animal hide-shaped lamps, a cozy wooden interior, and plenty of art pieces across the dining hall. The place also does not compromise on food options and serves an elegant selection of items like salt cod, artichoke, goat cheese tart with roasted tomatoes, and much more.
3. Rucola Restaurant
- Opening Hours: 8 am to 11 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Rucola restaurant on the Boerum Hills offers a farm-to-table Italian cuisine experience in a welcoming environment with an extensive and fresh menu. The menu is supervised by Chef Joe Pasqaletto, who is passionate about providing simple yet ingredient-driven recipes like house-made paste, egg and cheese sandwiches, seafood entrees, and much more. Overall, the relaxed ambiance and friendly staff make the experience worth it.
4. Dino
- Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 12 am
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Casual Dining
Dino is yet another cozy restaurant located in the Fort Greene neighborhood, Brooklyn, that provides a relaxed and delicious experience. The place has exposed brick walls, simple decor, vibrant lights, and an outdoor patio, perfect for a warm lunch with friends and family. Speaking of the menu, the restaurant features Northern Italian cuisine prepared with native ingredients and a unique collection of exotic wines.
5. Shalom Japan Restaurant
- Opening Hours: 5 pm to 8 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Casual Dining
The Shalom Japan restaurant is conveniently located near the hip Williamsburg neighborhood, with many subway lines. The place itself has a relaxing vibe with brick walls, a simplistic interior, plenty of natural light, and chalkboard menus, adding to the unique Japanese aesthetic. The place is owned by a Japanese and Jewish chef who prepares culturally rich dishes with native ingredients.
6. The Four Horsemen
- Opening Hours: 11 am to 11 pm
- Delivery: Available (only once a week)
- Takeout: Not Available
- Dine-in: Available
Another cozy place located in the Williamsburg neighborhood is The Four Horsemen, with a cozy and sophisticated ambiance. The place has separate menus for weekdays and weekends, all designed with fresh vegetables and seasonally-available ingredients. Some of the hits at The Four Horsemen include clams in broth, beef tartare, soft shell crab, sugar snap peas with ricotta salad, and other tender meat items.
7. Aita
- Opening Hours: 5 pm to 10:30 pm
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Casual Dining
Aita restaurant, located on Greene Ave, is the neighborhood favorite, specializing in classic Italian cuisine. The restaurant gives old-school Italian vibes with a rustic interior, art pieces, and brick walls, giving a warm and welcoming vibe. The menu at the Aita is supervised by Chef Silvia Barban, which includes some hits like homemade pasta, crispy polenta, braised calamari, and suckling pig.
- Please note that the menu keeps changing depending on the seasonally available ingredients.
8. The Good Fork Pub
- Opening Hours: 4 pm to 12 am
- Delivery: Available within 7 km radius
- Takeout: Available within 7 km radius
- Dine-in: Available
Run by a husband and wife, the Good Fork Pub is a unique Asian-style restaurant, located in Brunt St, Brooklyn. The place has modern and creative architecture with details like curved ceilings, glass windows, eclectic decor, an old-school dining area, and warm lights, leaving guests with a pleasant experience. Aside from aesthetics, some hit menu items include Korean-style steak, grilled watermelon salad, and Tagliatelle Genovese.
9. Cafe Select
- Opening Hours: 12 pm to 12 am
- Delivery: Not Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
Cafe Select is a bistro-style European restaurant with a welcoming ambiance, serving a collection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner specialties. The place has a few Swiss hits, including Swiss Bratwurst with Roseti, Schnitzel, Hanger steak, burgers, fondue, and Raclette. At Cafe Select, you also get to enjoy private dinners in their intimate dining rooms (for up to 18 people) behind the kitchen.
10. Taverna Kyclades
- Opening Hours: 12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Delivery: Available
- Takeout: Available
- Dine-in: Available
If you want to spend time in a simplistic and welcoming place having delicious meals, definitely visit Taverna Kyclades. The place specializes in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with plenty of brews, displayed at the separate bar counter. The chef takes inspiration from old-school Greek cuisine for the menu which includes everything from lamb to salads, seafood, and fried cheese, all prepared with native, seasonally-available ingredients.
Final Thoughts
In essence, there is no doubt that Brooklyn is filled with warm and cozy restaurants, specializing in multi cuisines from all across the world. All you need to do is find the right cuisine, consider the decor, and narrow down your options.