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Claro
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Claro
9.0
Claro is TJ Steele’s Michelin-starred Oaxacan restaurant on the Gowanus side of 11215, built around house-nixtamalized corn, wood-fired barbacoa, and a deep mezcal list. Since 2017 it’s become one of Brooklyn’s most serious destinations for regional Mexican tasting menus served in a warm backyard-and-bar setup.
Must-Try Dishes:
Barbacoa de borrego with consommé, Mole negro with handmade tortillas, Memelas with house chorizo
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Oaxacan tasting menus built around house-nixtamalized corn and mezcal.
Who should go: Serious diners chasing modern Mexican and special-occasion tasting menus.
When to visit: Prime-time evenings; book ahead for backyard tables.
What to order: Barbacoa with consommé, mole negro, mezcal-forward pairing.
Insider tip: The garden is coveted—note preference for outdoor seating when reserving.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be challenging after 6 p.m. on weekends—arrive early or use nearby paid garages on 4th Ave.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning upscale; polished outfits fit the tasting-menu format, though jackets are not required.
Noise level: Moderate; intimate but lively—conversation is easy at two-tops, slightly louder in the garden.
Weekend wait: Tasting-menu only and typically fully booked; walk-ins are rarely seated.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited; Claro can accommodate with advance notice, but Oaxacan menus lean meat-focused.
Vegan options: Very limited; ingredients like lard-pressed tortillas and traditional moles restrict options.
Gluten-free options: Strong options; nixtamalized corn-based dishes and tortillas are naturally gluten-free, and the kitchen handles accommodations well.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its intimate garden, attentive service, and impressive tasting menu make it ideal for a memorable, elevated first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. Claro books out days to weeks ahead; cancellations do occur, but walk-ins are rarely accommodated.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly; the tasting-menu format and quiet, refined atmosphere are better suited to adults and older teens.
Best For
Better for: Exceptional for serious Oaxacan cuisine, mezcal pairings, and celebratory tasting-menu experiences with a warm, personal touch.
Skip if: Skip if you want à la carte flexibility, fully vegetarian or vegan menus, or a more casual Mexican meal.
Claro
8.9
Claro is TJ Steele’s Michelin-starred Oaxacan restaurant where house-nixtamalized corn, wood-fired barbacoa, and an intimate back patio turn dinner into a full-on mezcal-and-mole experience. Locals treat it as a go-to for special-occasion outdoor dining when they want serious cooking without fussy formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Memela de Maria Sabina, Plato de Barbacoa (heritage goat with consommé), Mole Negro short rib
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 9.4
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Oaxacan cooking built around house-nixtamalized corn and a lush back patio.
Who should go: Serious diners seeking destination Mexican with outdoor seating.
When to visit: Golden-hour dinners on mild evenings for peak patio vibes.
What to order: Memela de Maria Sabina, Plato de Barbacoa, Mole Negro short rib.
Insider tip: Book the earliest or latest patio seating to avoid the tight middle-evening rush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Gowanus, especially after 6pm; expect to circle. No valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Smart casual; diners typically lean polished—think elevated but not formal. Patio-friendly layers recommended.
Noise level: Moderate; the patio has lively energy but still allows comfortable conversation.
Weekend wait: Nearly impossible without a reservation; walk-ins often face 60–90 minutes or are turned away during peak seasons.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—Claro does not serve lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some thoughtfully composed vegetarian dishes, but the menu leans protein-forward; expect 1–2 strong options.
Vegan options: Very limited; vegans may find only a dish or two adaptable depending on the season.
Gluten-free options: Excellent; many dishes are naturally gluten-free due to house-nixtamalized corn and masa-based preparations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's intimate, atmospheric, and offers a memorable tasting-style experience without feeling overly formal. The patio’s lighting and pacing make it especially strong for a first date that’s meant to impress.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Rarely during dinner service. Walk-ins may occasionally snag early or late patio tables on weekdays, but planning ahead is strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children; the menu is structured, the pacing slow, and the space intimate. Older teens who enjoy adventurous dining may be comfortable.
Best For
Better for: Claro outperforms competitors in mezcal depth, masa craftsmanship, and outdoor ambiance that feels genuinely immersive rather than simply al fresco.
Skip if: Skip if you prefer à la carte flexibility, need broad vegan options, or want a quieter indoor room—its patio energy and tasting-style focus may not suit those needs.
Claro
8.9
Claro is TJ Steele’s Michelin-recognized Oaxacan restaurant, where a set-course tasting menu, mezcal program, and open-kitchen patio make dinner feel like a focused chef’s counter experience. Handmade masa, deeply layered moles, and seasonal proteins anchor one of Brooklyn’s most talked-about destination meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Memela de Maria Sabina, Plato de Barbacoa, Mole Negro short rib
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Oaxacan tasting menus built around house-nixtamalized corn, wood-smoke, and an intimate patio-side open kitchen.
Who should go: Diners chasing destination-level Mexican and mezcal-focused evenings.
When to visit: Golden-hour patio seatings or early weeknights before peak.
What to order: Memela de Maria Sabina, Plato de Barbacoa, Mole Negro short rib.
Insider tip: Reserve bar seats near the open kitchen for the most chef’s-counter-style experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; the surrounding Gowanus blocks can be tight after 6pm, so plan extra time or consider a rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy; elevated but not formal—button-downs, dresses, and polished denim all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate; the open kitchen adds energy, but conversation at two-tops remains comfortable.
Weekend wait: No meaningful wait—tasting menu is reservation-only; walk-ins are almost never accommodated.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—Claro does not serve lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—occasional veg-forward courses, but the tasting menu is primarily built around meat and seafood.
Vegan options: Not recommended; the format and core dishes rely heavily on dairy, animal fats, and traditional moles.
Gluten-free options: Strong—masa-based cooking naturally avoids gluten, and the kitchen can accommodate most GF needs with advance notice.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—if you want a high-impact, intimate dining experience. The patio-side chef interaction and polished service make it memorable, though the structured tasting menu may feel formal for very casual first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Highly unlikely. The tasting menu format and small dining room mean reservations are essential; bar seats occasionally open, but it’s rare.
Is it kid-friendly? No—this is an adult-oriented tasting menu environment without kid-appropriate dishes or space. Best for diners 12+ with adventurous palates.
Best For
Better for: Destination-worthy Oaxacan cooking, refined masa work, and a tightly choreographed tasting menu that delivers more intimacy and chef access than most upscale Mexican peers.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte ordering, need flexible dietary accommodations (especially vegan), or want a casual, linger-as-long-as-you-like meal.