Top 10 Best Brooklyn Kosher Restaurants
Brooklyn is arguably the most “hip” borough of New York City and also one of the most diverse from a Jewish perspective. By extension, Brooklyn has a plethora of eclectic, great kosher restaurants to offer. As part of our ongoing “Best of Kosher” series, our ranking of the top 10 best Brooklyn kosher restaurants illustrates how Brooklyn has something to offer everyone, from Williamsburg’s “heimish” old-school delis to the more bohemian restaurants of Crown Heights and Flatbush.
While Brooklyn has a lot to offer the kosher diner, specific Jewish neighborhoods of the borough, such as Flatbush, have been losing a sizable share of its young population to the environs of Lakewood, which, as a result, has a burgeoning and arguably the most dynamic kosher restaurant scene. That said, Brooklyn and Flatbush, in particular, have been experiencing a renaissance of sorts in the kosher food scene, with numerous new restaurants opening recently. In addition, if someone has tried all the great restaurants in Brooklyn or wants to get a taste of what the small island called Manhattan offers, a short hop over the East River brings one to some of the “Big Apple’s” most iconic and legendary kosher restaurants.
Bennys (Avenue M Location)
Best Pizza
Flatbush
As the mecca of pizza, Brooklyn packs a strong punch when it comes to great options. While there is much controversy about who makes the best kosher pizza, and it is pretty close, in our view, Benny’s Pizza on Avenue M is the winner. There are several important caveats, though. First, do not confuse Benny’s location on Avenue J with the one on Avenue M. The one on Avenue M is the founding location and has a different oven, so the pizza comes out differently and better, in our opinion. Also, Benny’s offers an “original” and “regular” slice, which is unnecessarily confusing. The two types of pizza are different in numerous ways, including the kinds of cheese used. The “original” slice is the winner but is more expensive too. While you are there, if you like eggplant parmigiana, getting one in wrap or pasta form is a great choice, too.
Get The Credit Card That The Jewish “Points Experts” Use For Kosher Restaurants
Kosher Bagel Hole
Best Bagel
Flatbush
Like pizza, the bagel is quintessential Brooklyn. Whether it is the water or something else, a great Brooklyn bagel should be crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside. Kosher Bagel Hole fits the bill for a great bagel and has two locations near each other, one on Coney Island between Avenues J and K and one on Avenue J and East 13th Street. We prefer the location on Coney Island and go for either tuna on a bagel twist or cream cheese and lox toasted on an everything bagel.
Bison & Bourbon
Best Burger
Red Hook
If you’re in the mood for some delicious steak with a unique “industrial ambiance,” Bison & Bourbon is the place to be. Located between Park Slope and Red Hook, a “hipster” neighborhood of Brooklyn not far from the Brooklyn Bridge, the restaurant is quite large, with outdoor, indoor, and upper-level seating. Bison & Bourbon’s dry-aged steaks and burgers are the “go-to” items on the menu, combined with a strong showing on their craft cocktail menu. Also, be sure to check out Bison & Bourbon’s sister dairy and fish restaurant, called Bass & Bourbon, which is nearby.
Izzy’s BBQ Addiction
Best Smokehouse
Crown Heights
Founded by Sruli “Izzy” Eidelman, a veteran in the art of smoked BBQ and a winner of multiple competitions, Izzy’s brought smoked favorites to the kosher consumer in New York. The trademark favorite smoked delicacies available at Izzy’s range from brisket, “burnt ends,” dino ribs, and smoked chicken sandwiches. In addition to the original location in Brooklyn, Izzy’s locations can also be found in Manhattan on the Upper West Side and in Miami.
Cafe Renaissance
Best Upscale Dairy Cafe
Flatbush
Cafe Renaissance brings what every neighborhood needs: a consistently good cafe with fan favorites. From pizza and pasta to classic appetizers such as the much-loved mozzarella basket, there is a reason that Cafe Renaissance is a “full house” on a nightly basis. Another great nearby option for classic dairy cuisine is the Brooklyn location of Cork & Slice, which also offers an assortment of pizzas, pasta, and fish.
Sunflower Cafe
Best Brunch Spot
Flatbush
Harkening back to the old-school Tel Aviv cafe, Sunflower Cafe is a stalwart of the Brooklyn kosher dining scene and offers classics like “the Israeli breakfast.” With outdoor dining options during the warmer months, Sunflower is the perfect place for a relaxed brunch on a sunny day, where you can just relax and imagine being back on a Tel Aviv tree-lined street.
The Loft Steakhouse
Best Steakhouse
Borough Park
The Loft Steakhouse is a kosher dining gem in the heart of Borough Park in Brooklyn that can go toe to toe with some of the most well-known non-kosher steakhouses in town. Some of the standout items are the Delmonico steak and beef tacos. Besides the great food, the ambiance is unique and impressive, with diners ensconced in a “wine library.”
Contrary to the belief that in order to get a “world-class” kosher steak, one must travel to the neighboring borough of Manhattan, in addition to the very impressive Loft, there are other great kosher steakhouse options in Brooklyn. Both Bordeaux Steakhouse in Flatbush and Glatt A La Carte in Borough Park are great additional options.
Falafel Tanami
Best Falafel
Flatbush
It is quite uncommon for a Kosher restaurant to make it to the “big leagues” and get featured as one of the best restaurants, especially in a city such as New York, which has some of the best restaurants in the world. Falafel Tanami, a non-descript falafel joint in Flatbush, holds just those bragging rights, though, after coming in at number 68 in the New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells’ ranking of the Top 100 NYC Restaurants. From the crispy falafel to the creamy hummus, Falafel Tanami brings back fond memories of authentic Israel to the streets of Brooklyn.
Sushi Meshuga
Best Sushi
Flatbush
Sushi Meshuga is one of the oldest stand-alone kosher sushi joints in Brooklyn. It stands apart from the bunch with a no-frills offering of high-quality and reasonably priced rolls. From classic favorites such as spicy salmon rolls to the more inventive “fish and chips” roll, Sushi Meshuga provides reliably good sushi without breaking the bank. Its sister location in Borough Park is called Sushi Meshuna, and the rumored reason is that Meshuga was a bit too crass for the Borough Park certification and/or clientele. Lastly, if you are a spicy mayo fan, we find that Sushi Meshuga’s spicy mayo is more “real” than the other kosher sushi joints.
Essen Deli
Best Kosher Deli
Flatbush
A top 10 Brooklyn kosher restaurant list would be remiss if we didn’t have a classic kosher deli. We must admit, though, that when Essen Deli came into being approximately a decade ago, we did not think success was in the offings. After all, kosher-style delis are a dying breed of a foregone era. For context, “In the 1930s, there were at least 1,500 Jewish delis in New York City alone. Now, only 300 remain countrywide and only a few dozen in the Big Apple.”
Essen Deli pays respect to the kosher deli’s historical roots with classics like pastrami and other traditional open-face sandwiches but also offers Chinese-themed items on its quite large menu. The service at Essen can be hit or miss, though. It also moved recently about two storefronts down, from Coney Island Avenue to right off of Coney and Avenue J.
In addition to Essen, be sure to check out Gottlieb’s in Williamsburg, a truly historical old-school spot.
A Bonus Healthy Juice Spot
Though we reached our top 10 limit, we have to include a bonus addition offering healthy salads, juices, bowls, and other food. Very Juice has two locations, both in Flatbush: one on Avenue M and one on Avenue P. Their acai bowls, in particular, are unique in their natural taste without having an overly sweet and artificial flavor.
Overlooking Brooklyn Kosher Restaurants? Fugeddaboutit!
Brooklyn is easy to overlook, with its more famous sister borough of Manhattan just a quick hop away. While Manhattan certainly has some of the best kosher restaurants in the world, overlooking Brooklyn’s kosher restaurants is a mistake. Brooklyn brings its flair and diversity of choices to the table and has numerous kosher restaurants that are must-visits for the kosher foodie.
We hope this list helps you find your next favorite kosher restaurant in Brooklyn, NY!
