History and nightlife collide in a Brooklyn-adjacent neighborhood deserving of more love.
family to scores of breweries , dive bars and sinfully overlook brunch spots — in addition to expansive greenery and famous blockbuster motion-picture photography localization — Ridgewood is one of New York City ’s most underrated neighborhood . locate on a singular triangle of land in Queens that ’s often misidentify for Brooklyn , it posture on borough lines and serves as a buffer storage between Bushwick ’s raucous party setting and Central Queens ’ serene residential areas , incorporating elements of both modus vivendi into its day - to - day .
For 100 , neighbour Bushwick has play as Ridgewood ’s sibling foe , as the two community of interests continually taste to distinguish themselves from one another despite at last have a fate in mutual . But because Ridgewood is a stop further from Manhattan on the subway lines , it ’s experience a important portion of its being in Bushwick ’s shadow , only now catch praise as rent hikes are encourage locals to consider more reasonably priced pastures .
enfold by the L and M subway lines , Ridgewood offers a diverse regalia of experience to be had — most of which are easily approachable by theodolite . Whether you ’re interested in eating , drinking , learning , or roaming , the neighborhood wo n’t allow you down . Here ’s everything you should know for plan the perfect visit .
Gotham Thrift NYC
Eat, caffeinate, and repeat with endless unsung culinary heroes
Any meal , any cuisine : Ridgewood ’s got it . In the dayspring , head toCute Cat Cafefor a lush backyard to sip a mocha in the bearing of roaming felid ; hole - in - the - wallCafe Nalafor Ridgewood - themed breakfast sandwiches ; the bakeryRudy ’s , a neighborhood gem since 1934 that ’s also a community hub where everybody knows everyone ; and on blue-ribbon days , upscale bakeshopMillers & Makersfor must - try out fancy pastry dough .
Sit - down breakfast with table service are also an option . For hangovers , Tasty Dineris the former - shoal greasy spoon of pick — but for brunch on the same calibre as any top NYC spot , the garden - to - table dishes atThe Acreand creatively crafted plate atJulia’swill rap your windsock off . Then there’sRolo ’s , a topically adore cafe and restaurant , which serves interesting savory dishes during weekend brunch ( on weekdays , they play more as a come - and - go coffee shop ) . And while most brunch place suffice inebriant , Ridgewood Ale Houseundoubtedly draws the drunken ( and liveliest ) crowd .
The eating house panorama is n’t all testicle sandwiches and hash browns , though . The upscale Asian - inspire carte atPorcelainis a prize model of New York City ’s superior culinary landscape , offering plates like Dandan Lasagna and Kimchi - Brined Fried Chicken to go with your vino . Nipponese restaurantMr . Sushidebuted earlier this year with an impressive natural selection of lunch special that’re much more affordable than its dining room ’s vibraharp . AndOdaan , a Nepalese and Indian restaurant , collar the flavors of the Himalayas .
Porcelain
Historic slice shopJoe & John’s — first opened in 1968 — is central to Ridgewood ’s pizza experience , and behind a mysterious doorway across the street lie elevated Caribbean - Romance intellectual nourishment atCream . Then there ’s upscale American restaurantLtauha , the most magical place to be on Myrtle Avenue come dusk . shut the culinary tour out with a trip toIce Cream Window , a ego - explanatory destination open on weekends .
Enjoy the diversity of a forgotten neighborhood’s thriving nightlife scene
The most remarkable part of Ridgewood is its power to prop up up so many flourish Browning automatic rifle even as it stays under the radar to outsiders . The neck of the woods ’s dive bars best capture the area ’s community feel , as each one bring its own unique feature : AtAunt Ginny ’s , it ’s a pool table ; atMilo ’s Yard , it ’s pinball ; atMyrtle Pub , it ’s the colourful lights and free popcorn ; atThe Bad Old Days , it ’s the book and plot collection ; and atJones Bar , it ’s the good luck charm of drinking along a strip of historic home .
When moth-eaten drinks simply wo n’t do , beer and wine spots includeQueens Brewery , an enormous brewing theatre with communal outing table seating room and a with child collection of tabular array and floor games . Evil Twin Breweryis a bit trendier , with a glass glasshouse - look taproom and a large out-of-door terrace . Bridge and Tunnel Breweryis the dive bar of brewing smirch , andGottscheer Hallis an old - fashioned German community gist with a no - falderol backyard beer garden . And classy wine-coloured barEsteris ideal for catching up with an old admirer over tasty saucer without having to scream over loud euphony .
When it comes to reign destination for craft cocktails , Cafe Plein Air — offer a weekday happy hour and seasonal bill of fare change — get you choose between shaken , stirred , and sparkling . Fresh Pond Cocktail Clubhas a sleek internal and spacious outside patio , whileWindjammer Baris delightfully nautical - themed , both in interior decoration and drink .
Trans-Pecos
If medicine and amusement are your jam , Trans - Pecosis the preeminent live medicine prevention showcasing local bands;The Deep Endis an retiring gay bar with pull performances , late - night parties , and shockingly great food;Nowadayshosts fun events in its massive outdoor railway yard and full - on raves in its indoor space;The Keepis a showy gothic bar with occasional burlesque and live music ; andBierWax Queensis a new bar in a historic Ridgewood theater where disk jockey spin out existent vinyl group from their accumulation of more than 3,000 record .
Wind down in nature, get lost in history, and thrift some vintage pieces
It might look sleepy at a first coup d’oeil , but Ridgewood does not disappoint in thethings to dodepartment . With sprawling green place , remarkable historical sites , and countless off - beat stores , its pastime are one of a kind , further warrant a sojourn .
On the south edge of the neighborhood in Highland Park is the 50 - acreRidgewood Reservoir , comprised of freshwater wetlands that once supplied water to Brooklyn . Today , it ’s known for its walk / biking paths ; lawn for barbecuing ; marshes and trees that bring home the bacon tax shelter to unique hoot and pull in ornithologist ; and call forth elevation for scenic glimpses of nearby skylines and cemetery .
Ridgewood also nod to its yesteryear with a fistful of historic site honoring nineteenth - century computer architecture , World War I veterans , and its European village in the 1600s . The most significant piece of history isThe Vander Ende - Onderdonk House : Built in 1709 , it ’s the metropolis ’s former Dutch Colonial stone house , and was once used to help mark the modulation between Brooklyn and Queens .
Ridgewood Reservoir|Photo by Daniel Avila
While the reservoir and historic center sit down at the north and south parts of Ithiel Town , fun shops flood everything in between . The popularTopos Bookstoreoffers unique books;Other People ’s Clotheshas thriftable fits ; andScorpion RecordsandDeep Cuts Record Store(where a one - eyed rescue pug greets customers ) are go - tos for used vinyl group . If vintage trinkets and decor are more your thing , visit one of several antique workshop , includingGotham ThriftandRidgewood Antiques . If you finger like spend some immediate payment but do n’t know where to start , just walk down Myrtle Avenue — the commercial dominion — and window store until your heart ’s desire .
Cozy up in a comfy outer-borough hotel
Ridgewood has n’t quite broken into the mainstream as far as tourism is pertain , meaning the neighbourhood ’s hotel option are few and far between . The trick for out - of - townsfolk visitors would be to remain somewhere off the L or M subway lines that ’s a bit closer to Manhattan .
The close country with noteworthy hotels is Williamsburg , in Brooklyn , just a small handful of stop away from Ridgewood on public passage . Off the L phone line arePenny , a homey hotel feature colorful nontextual matter and modern furniture , andHotel Indigo Williamsburg , a cad - friendly edifice tower over the neighborhood ( which also has an outdoor pool ! ) . Off the M line is42 Hotel , a swish 60 - way edifice with beautiful view and intimate common areas .
instead , a neat style to have the neighborhood ’s downcast - upgrade computer architecture from within is by booking anAirbnb .
42 Hotel
