Two sandwich halves held aloft with cold cuts and cheese visible. — A sandwich from Defonte’s.

Where to Eat in Red Hook Right Now

The city’s best barbecue, authentic key lime pie, and great gnocchi await

by Eater Staff Updated Mar 30, 2023, 4:53pm EDT

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A sandwich from Defonte’s.

| Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

by Eater Staff Updated Mar 30, 2023, 4:53pm EDT

Red Hook is like no other neighborhood in New York City. Let’s be honest, what that ends up meaning is that it can feel extremely remote from transportation, though taking the ferry is a lot easier than it seems and such a fun way to arrive in the summer months. But that quality is exactly what’s ended up making the waterfront neighborhood feel like an enclave unto itself and retained its charm even through change. Red Hook is way more than just a place to do your Ikea shopping. Particularly, as the weather warms up, it’s a great destination for bopping around, with a small-town feel.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

Red Hook Lobster Pound

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Red Hook Lobster Pound brings Maine vibes and lobsters shipped from the state to its picnic table-lined room decorated with nautical flags. Fresh lobster rolls are rightfully popular and available in traditional Maine and Connecticut styles as well as the unconventional BLT and Tuscan. For a more lasting impression, dig into the full lobster dinner or a New England seafood boil, and share the robust selection of other seafood-shack staples. There’s an additional location in the Urbanspace Vanderbilt food hall and a food truck with limited menus.

284 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 858-7650

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A plate of lobster rolls at Red Hook Lobster Pound. — A lobster roll from Red Hook Lobster Pound.

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Grindhaus

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Since opening in the throws of Hurricane Sandy, Grindhaus has seen many iterations, including one reviewed by Pete Wells. These days, the restaurant owned by Erin Norris, a former dominatrix, just wants to have fun. The menu here skews vegetarian-friendly in many dishes, but you wouldn’t necessarily notice. Don’t skip the artichoke dumplings and miso panna cotta with fruity cereal.

275 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 909-2881

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Miso panna cotta at Grindhaus. — A miso panna cotta dessert.

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San Pedro Inn

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Longtime Red Hook residents mourned the loss of dive Bait & Tackle, but San Pedro Inn, which opened in 2019, has kept much of its old-school charm alive. The no-frills bar, outfitted with vintage art, has one thing the original bar didn’t have: some truly stellar tacos and just-right, not-too-sweet margaritas.

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320 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 576-3916

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Defonte's Sandwich Shop

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Defonte’s, opened in 1922, was once slinging heros stacked with cured pork to dockworkers in the area. Now the secret of the counter-service joint’s top-notch sandwiches is out to a wider audience. Gorge on the Nicky Special, a mammoth sub containing ham, salami, and capicola, plus fried slices of eggplant, provolone, and hot peppers mixed with oregano and pickled vegetables. Cash only. There’s an additional Staten Island location.

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379 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 625-8052

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Court Street Grocers Hero Shop

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This outpost of Court Street Grocers, a mini-chain that offers a hip take on the old hero shop, fixes up creative sandwiches in a no-frills environment. The Droopy nestles roast beef, fried onions, arugula, herbs, and horseradish mayo, in a seeded roll. Interesting vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available, here and at additional locations in Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, and Greenwich Village.

116 Sullivan St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(347) 529-6803

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A cut sandwich on a roll showing the filling of pulled pork and sticky pink condiments. — A pulled pork sandwich with duck sauce from Court Street Grocers.

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Red Hook Tavern

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When Red Hook Tavern opened in 2019, its burgers immediately became the talk of the town. These days, it’s a lot easier to get into the restaurant and it’s still one of the best date-night spots in South Brooklyn. Red Hook Tavern is owned by Billy Durney, of nearby Hometown, so it's no surprise the meat reigns supreme here, though the menu has other dishes to offer like pasta and French onion soup.

329 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

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Dry-aged burger with American cheese, onions, and wedge fries at Red Hook Tavern — Red Hook Tavern’s burger is now served with cottage fries.

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Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies

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Key lime pie is all about the limes and Steve’s takes them seriously. The citrus fruit commonly found in South Florida is shipped to this tiny and mostly to-go shop, for a properly tart rendition of the dessert that would make the Sunshine State proud. Skip the more gimmicky bites for the pie itself, a minimalist mix of crunchy graham cracker and smooth filling with just the suggestion of sugar.

1011, 185 Van Dyke St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 858-5333

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An overhead photograph of a personal-sized key lime pie at Steve’s in Red Hook, Brooklyn. — A personal pie from Steve’s.

Fort Defiance

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After relocating down the block on Van Brunt Street, these days Fort Defiance (a part of the same team that owns Gage & Tollner) is a general store selling sandwiches and provisions — with a bar in the back. Dinner items lean snacky, with pimento cheese tip, oysters, deviled eggs, all best enjoyed with the spot’s Irish coffee it's come to be known for.

347 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(347) 457-5082

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An overhead photograph of burgers, deviled eggs, and other dishes on a picnic table. — A Fort Defiance spread.

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Somtum Der

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Isan-style Thai fare is the focus of this Red Hook spot (the restaurant also has an East Village sibling). Go for the papaya salad with salted eggs, grilled marinated pork, or deep-fried chicken thighs. There’s an outdoor area for warm-weather dining.

380 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(347) 227-7889

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a close up of a white bowl with pieces of tomato, lime, beef, and green shoots — A green papaya salad at Somtum Der.

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Bar Mario

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What had been Fort Defiance is now Bar Mario from Moreno Cerutti and Alessandro Bandini, Manhattanites who relocated to Red Hook in opening their new spot. The scene is pitch-perfect like a movie set, with throwback chandeliers and retro tile flooring in a cozy L-shaped room, and Edith Piaf on the speakers on one visit. Consider a few appetizers, like diminutive vitello tonnato, fried artichokes, or charcuterie, as well as gnocchi, and daily pasta specials — but truth be told, it’s more of a (fantastic) place to drink Italian wines and cocktails.

365 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(631) 616-5695

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The Good Fork Pub

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Sohui Kim (Gage & Tollner, Insa) relaunched neighborhood staple Good Fork as the Good Fork Pub last summer. Though formatted as a straightforward bar with a back area for additional seating and a backyard, there’s nothing typical about the food here. Kim’s kitchen is dolling out some of our all-time favorite bar food in the city with its kimchi beer cheese with crispy wontons, veggie smash burger with fried broccoli, pork dumplings, and Korean Philly cheesesteaks.

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391 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 643-6636

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A bowl of fried wontons with kimchi beer cheese basks in the natural light of a nearby window. — Fried wontons with kimchi beer cheese.

Brooklyn Crab

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The tri-level rowdy Brooklyn Crab is at least as much about festivity as food. While raw oysters and crab steam pots are fairly standard and pricey, the real draw is the bar atmosphere. Play games of mini-golf and cornhole while shooting mollusks and taking in the wide-open water views. Kids welcome.

24 Reed St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 643-2722

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14 Sun-Soaked Rooftops for Eating and Drinking in NYC

Hometown Bar-B-Que

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New York City’s best barbecue is in Red Hook, where the perfume of smoked animal fat wafts beyond the entrance. Served from a counter on butcher paper in the warehouse-like setting, meat offerings at Hometown including the fast-selling lamb belly and a standout brisket that can also be tucked into a roll for a sandwich. Lines tend to be long, especially when the weather’s nice, but the music and vibe makes it a party just waiting for food with a beer in hand.

454 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(347) 294-4644

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The dining room at Hometown Bar-B-Que, with an American flag mural on the wall — The line at Hometown Bar-B-Que.

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Where to Eat in Red Hook Right Now

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Red Hook Lobster Pound

Grindhaus

San Pedro Inn

Defonte's Sandwich Shop

Court Street Grocers Hero Shop

Red Hook Tavern

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Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies

Fort Defiance

Somtum Der

Bar Mario

The Good Fork Pub

Brooklyn Crab

Hometown Bar-B-Que

More in Maps

Red Hook Lobster Pound

Grindhaus

San Pedro Inn

Defonte's Sandwich Shop

Court Street Grocers Hero Shop

Red Hook Tavern

Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies

Fort Defiance

Somtum Der

Bar Mario

The Good Fork Pub

Brooklyn Crab

Hometown Bar-B-Que

Related Maps

All sharing options for: Where to Eat in Red Hook Right Now

All sharing options for: Where to Eat in Red Hook Right Now