Best Trendy Restaurants in Downtown Brooklyn
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Gage & Tollner
Historic Michelin-recognized chop house marrying landmark atmosphere with serious steaks.
Essential Picks
9
Gage & Tollner is a restored landmark oyster and chop house in Downtown Brooklyn, known for impeccably cooked steaks, seafood and a Victorian-era dining room lit by gas lamps. Locals and destination diners use it for special-occasion dinners where classic preparations and polished service matter as much as the room.
Must-Try Dishes:
New York strip steak, Dry-aged ribeye, Baked Alaska
What Makes it Special: Historic Michelin-recognized chop house marrying landmark atmosphere with serious steaks.
Notable Picks
8.6
A 100% plant-based Dominican and Caribbean spot in Brooklyn Heights, Next Stop Vegan reworks classics like sancocho, ropa vieja, and birria tacos into boldly seasoned vegan plates. Portions are generous, the room is compact but lively, and the menu balances hearty comfort food with fresher options and rotating specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
Churrasco Mofongo, Ropa Vieja Cubana, Birria Tacos
What Makes it Special: Plant-based Dominican and Caribbean dishes with serious flavor and portions.
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
Sound + Fury pairs house-brewed beer with thick-cut fries and loaded fry platters that show up on just about every table. The kitchen leans into shareable bar food, so the fries come well-seasoned, generously portioned, and designed to match IPAs and lagers in a big, industrial-style room. It’s a go-to in Downtown Brooklyn when you want fries to anchor a round of drinks, trivia night, or a casual hang with friends.
Must-Try Dishes:
House fries with dipping sauces, Loaded fries with toppings, Burger with fries
What Makes it Special: Brewery fries and loaded platters built to pair with house beers.
#4
Atti
8.1
Atti is an upscale Korean BBQ restaurant just off Fulton Mall, built around chef-selected han-sang sets of grilled meats and an extensive list of Korean spirits. It’s pricier than nearby options but draws diners who want polished service, sleek interiors, and tableside grilling without crossing the river to Koreatown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Atti Han-Sang BBQ Set, Butter Roasted Giant Cuttlefish, Grilled Giant Yellow Croaker
What Makes it Special: High-end Korean BBQ with polished design and chef-curated meat sets.
8
Don Neo Fusion is a second-floor Japanese izakaya on Montague Street where ramen shares the spotlight with donburi flights, skewers, and oversized nigiri. Diners come for the casual-but-polished setting, wide sake list, and the ability to pair a classic tonkotsu bowl with small plates and shared rice bowls. It feels more like a full night out than a quick noodle stop, especially for small groups and date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Tonkotsu Ramen, Mini Donburi Set, Chicken Katsu Don
What Makes it Special: Izakaya-style spot where ramen, donburi, and skewers share the stage.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Quick Bites Champions
Kings Co Imperial’s Downtown Brooklyn outpost operates primarily as a delivery-focused extension of the well-known Williamsburg Chinese restaurant, channeling the same playful, Brooklyn-leaning take on Chinese-American dishes. It’s less about ambiance here and more about composed rice bowls, dumplings, and bento-style meals that travel well to nearby apartments and offices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Soup Dumplings, Angry Pig Fried Rice, Cold Sesame Noodles
What Makes it Special: Delivery-first spinoff of a respected Brooklyn Chinese restaurant, geared toward composed boxes and shareable sides.