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18 Delightful Things To Do In DUMBO, Brooklyn

Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass, admirably referred to as DUMBO, is one of the best neighborhoods to explore in Brooklyn. Over the years the area has grown from being filled with industrial warehouses to now being a vibrant area filled with delicious restaurants, heavenly coffee shops, and unique shops. Plus, it boasts some of the most gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline you can find.

Here’s our ultimate guide to DUMBO, so you can see for yourself all the best that the neighborhood has to offer.

Coffeeshops

1. BEEPUBLIC Coffee

Latte in a white mug on a counter with a design on top made from foam at BEEPUBLIC Coffee in DUMBO
Instagram / @beepubliccoffee

Did you know bees are responsible for about 1/4 of coffee production and 1/3 of all food?! Yeah, neither did we, but BEEPUBLIC did, and so they serve responsibly-sourced food and drinks to save the rapidly declining bee population. Look at that, now next time you roll out of bed yearning for coffee, at least if you pick it up from BEEPUBLIC Coffee you’ll be doing yourself AND the bees a favor!

📍 181 Front St, Brooklyn

2. Butler

People's hands reading a book and digging into food on a table with a newspaper and various food items on plates at Butler in DUMBO
Instagram / @butlerbakeshop

A neighborhood favorite, Butler serves all your typical go to coffee drinks–from espresso and cold brew to lattes and cappuccinos. But beyond the coffee they also have a ton of other delicious options, such as matcha lattes, mushroom lattes, and turmeric ginger lattes.

📍 40 Water St, Brooklyn

Brunch/Breakfast

3. Bread & Spread

A sandwich made with egg, bacon, lettuce, and tomato cut in half with the halves stacked on top of each other from Bread & Spread in DUMBO.
Instagram / @breadandspread

Bread & Spread has been serving exquisite sandwiches, all roasted and toasted, since 2014, and they’re not stopping anytime soon (thankfully!) From the Porchetta, made with Creekstone duroc pork belly with garlic and fennel seed, picked red onions, arugula, red pepper spread, and aged provolone to the Cast-Iron Chicken Caprese, with organic chicken breast, fresh tomato, fresh basil, sundried tomato pesto, balsamic reduction, and fresh mozzarella on ciabatta their sandwiches are too good to pass up.

📍 151 Front St, Brooklyn

4. Bluestone Lane

Guy in an apron standing behind a counter with drinks in the background at Bluestone Lane in DUMBO
Source / Bluestone Lane

If you’re a breakfast all day sort of person, Bluestone Lane is for you. Their menu focuses on seasonal, health-oriented offerings that will make your mouth water, and we have two words: avocado toast. (P.S. pair it with the Honey I’m Home–BL cold brew, chocolate bitters, whisky, honey, vanilla bean and coffee liqueur–and you’re good to go).

📍 55 Prospect St, Brooklyn

5. Westville

A person holding a slice of avocado toast with an egg and hot sauce on top at Westville in DUMBO
Instagram / @westvillenyc

With a few locations around NYC, if you’re in DUMBO and you’re looking for brunch, be sure to stop by Westville. Don’t believe us? How does homemade waffles with berries, a breakfast burrito, herbed goat cheese flatbread, or eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon sound?!

📍 81 Washington St, Brooklyn

DUMBO Restaurants

6. Cecconi’s Dumbo

Interior shot of Cecconi's Dumbo with a black and white striped floor, blue chairs, tables, and chandeliers
Source / Cecconi’s Dumbo

If the modern day classic Italian food (think: hand-made pasta and wood-fired pizza) isn’t enough to get you here, imagine your meal being paired with stunning waterfront views of the Manhattan Skyline. They’re open for dinner, Friday lunch, and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

📍 55 Water St, Brooklyn

7. Ignazio’s

Instagram / @ignaziosthepizza

A Brooklyn staple, Ignazio’s is the place to go if you’re looking for good NYC pizza that won’t disappoint. From fan-favorite classic pies all the way to specialty pizzas they have it all. Plus, if you’re feeling up for a challenge, they even have a DIY pizza kit that has everything you need to make pizza in the comfort of your own home!

📍 4 Water St, Brooklyn

8. Celestine

Instagram / @celestinebklyn

For absolutely delicious Mediterranean food in DUMBO, look no further than Celestine. Serving both brunch and dinner, guests can enjoy classic Mediterranean dishes including a mezze platter, lamb skewers, whole branzino, and more. When the weather’s nice be sure to sit out on the big outdoor patio, which boasts panoramic views of the city skyline.

📍 1 John St, Brooklyn

DUMBO Bars

9. Gair

inside of gair bar in dumbo
Source / Gair

DUMBO’s newest addition is Gair, which opened earlier this year and is already iconic. Catering to three distinct waves of visitors each day–tourists who make the pilgrimage to snap a pic, the design and tech professionals who work here day-to-day, and the residents who crave a welcoming local option for drinks, dinner, and late-night rendezvous–it’s the perfect spot to people watch while sipping on a “Resting Spritz Face.” Read more about Gair here.

📍 41 Washington St, Brooklyn

10. Randolph Beer

Instagram / @randolphbeer

The ultimate summer spot, Randolph Beer is a brewery, restaurant, bar, and rooftop with self pour beer, classic arcade games, pinball, skeeball, and shuffleboard. Basically, if you’re looking to grab a drink and either play some games or enjoy golden hour on the rooftop, this is a good place to be.

📍 82 Prospect St, Brooklyn

11. Harriet’s Rooftop

Patio chairs outside at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge with the water and Brooklyn Bridge in the background in DUMBO.
Instagram / @1hotel.bklynbridge

Located at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, this rooftop boasts absolutely stunning views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Bridge. As one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn, guests can enjoy innovative cocktails, like the Flock of Seagulls made with Hendricks gin, Moet Ice, lychee, aloe vera, and cucumber, alongside eclectic Asian-inspired light bites. Plus, during the winter, the entire rooftop turns into a bar made entirely of ice!

📍 60 Furman St.

Hotels in DUMBO, Brooklyn

12. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Source / 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

One of our favorite hotels in DUMBO, Brooklyn is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge–even if you don’t actually need a place to stay you still will want to check them out. From their gorgeous rooms, rooftop pool with stunning views, wellness spa, and more, it’s the perfect place to head to for a vacation or a staycation alike.

📍 60 Furman St, Brooklyn

13. The Tillary Hotel

Source / The Tillary Hotel

This boutique hotel is conveniently located to easily explore not only DUMBO, Brooklyn but also Brooklyn Heights and Fort Greene. They even have their own indoor-outdoor beer garden, so you can enjoy a number of drinks including Brooklyn-themed cocktails and local brews.

📍 85 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn

Unique Experiences

14. DUMBO Archway/Station

Facebook / Dumbo Archway

In DUMBO Archway you’ll find The DUMBO Station–a seasonal beer and wine concession stand. Located under the Manhattan Bridge, The DUMBO Station season runs from April to October (noon to 10 p.m.) and often has live music sets for dancing and drinking.

📍 155 Water St, Brooklyn

15. DUMBO Gallery Walks

dumbo gallery walks
Exhibition view of Robert Swain: Color Energy, 2015 / Photo courtesy of Minus Space

DUMBO is the center of Brooklyn’s art and creativity, and on the first Thursday of every month DUMBO’s galleries stay open late for their DUMBO Gallery Walks–and they’re completely free! Why go to just one gallery when you can go to multiple in one night, all without spending a dime?! Read all about the gallery walks here.

📍 Various Locations

16. Brooklyn Flea

Source / Brooklyn Flea

If you’re looking for furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as a tightly curated selection of jewelry, art, and crafts by local artisans and designers Brooklyn Flea is the place to go. This flea market has been around since 2008 and has grown into one of NYC’s top attractions that operates every weekend of the year.

📍 DUMBO Archway – 80 Pearl St.

17. DUMBO House

Source / DUMBO House

For those looking to live the life of an NYC socialite, look no further than DUMBO House. This members only club has panoramic views of the NYC skyline, plus an expansive indoor and outdoor member space. Plus, when the weather’s nice you can take advantage of the rooftop pool and sun deck, bar, and terrace for outdoor dining.

📍 55 Water St, Brooklyn

Parks

18. Brooklyn Bridge Park

Source / Brooklyn Bridge Park

Arguably one of NYC’s most gorgeous waterfront parks is Brooklyn Bridge Park, which arguably has the best views since you’re right on the water facing Lower Manhattan. Head here if you’re looking to have some fun at the tons of sports court and fields, glowing carousel, and even a small beach on Pier 4.

📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park

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