The 25 best restaurants in Brooklyn

There was a time when dining in New York City was synonymous with dining in Manhattan, but all that feels like ancient history now.

In the past decade, Brooklyn has become the city’s culinary incubator, the borough where innovative chefs create food trends that go on to take over the rest of the city, the country, and even the world.

Thanks to the diverse population, there's a dizzying array of cuisines—from West Indian to Middle Eastern to dim sum to Mexican—so finding top-notch global eats is as easy as hopping on the subway.

You won’t find legendary institutions like Nathan’s Famous or Di Fara Pizza on this list of our favorite eateries—we think of them as places to get a quick bite, and we love them for that—but you will find a collection of outstanding locations where you can sit, have a proper meal, and taste the best of what Brooklyn has to offer.

SEE ALSO: Here are some of the best places to visit in Brooklyn's hipster epicenter

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Barboncino

Where: Crown Heights

Sometimes a pizza parlor is more than just a spot for a bite to eat; it’s a gathering place, a place to warm your bones night after night. Barboncino is that and more.

Here, friends meet for specialties like the standout Neapolitan pizza (order the "Arugula") and the famous veal and pork meatballs topped with Parmesan and for the convivial bar scene. Settle in with the after-work crowd and you'll feel like a Crown Heights local, or stop by for late-night drink specials. Tuesday is jazz night.

Krupa Grocery

Where: Windsor Terrace

The name refers to the small grocery that used to occupy the space, which has been completely transformed into an intimate restaurant serving inventive fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The marble bar in the front room is a convivial spot for drinking or dining; there are tables in the back room and outside on the patio in warm weather. The daily-changing menu might include anything from breakfast gnocchi to a skate po'boy to hanger steak with bone marrow, or lighter snacks like homemade charcuterie or deviled eggs with chicken liver and cocoa nibs.

Colonie

Where: Brooklyn Heights

The key to this perpetually popular restaurant's success lies in its use of ultra-fresh ingredients, sourced from local purveyors and presented with style in an upscale-casual space that honors its neighborhood's historical roots. There's always an oyster special, along with a selection of small plates like octopus with chorizo, duck egg with farro, and carrots with sunflower and candied garlic. The main courses, among them roast chicken and a sizable pork chop, tend to be hearty, though whole fish, fresh from the market, is on the menu as well. Dessert options include a sticky date cake, Vermont cheeses, and rich, sweet wines.