WHERE TO EAT IN BROOKLYN

When Waris Dirie said that "Brooklyn's good. Brooklyn's funky. Brooklyn's happening." I think she may as well have been talking about the food. After all, it would be a travesty to serve this hip neighborhood with unimaginative, lackluster food. Stereotypically known to be the home of creatives and various ethnic groups, this borough oozes with that vibrant Big Apple appeal. Unlike Manhattan, however, its atmosphere is more relaxed and laid-back, making it the perfect backdrop for after-work chow or Saturday brunch, that is, if you can get a table.

I've listed below four eateries I enjoyed and would recommend to you in a heartbeat. Give em a visit should you find yourself in Brooklyn. :)

1. Five Leaves

Located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Five Leaves is the brunch hot spot. I say this because of the massive queue that never seemed to shorten during the Saturday noon Trina and I went there. They take no reservations, so coming here on an empty stomach is pretty much a gamble. A gamble I was willing to take upon seeing their menu the night before and setting my eyes on the Moroccan Scramble. Five Leaves serves quintessential brunch staples like eggs, sandwiches, and pancakes but adds their own spin to it. The only downside is really the queue, but everything else was great. Oh and hey, we spotted someone who may or may not be James Franco dining there too!

Five Leaves is located at 18 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, United States

2. Luke's Lobster

Okay, fine, Luke's Lobster is everywhere. But if you're in the DUMBO area and looking to snack into something, this offers the perfect bite. Ordered the Taste of Maine to sample all their rolls (shrimp, crab, and lobster), and OMG it was sooo good! The crustaceans tasted really fresh, it was seasoned well, and the bread that cradled it was just right - light but with a hint of crisp. Just looking at the photos is making my mouth water! Best part? These are harvested from sustainable farms so you don't have to feel guilty as you order seconds.

Luke's Lobster is located at 11 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

3. Roberta's

Your first meal after a 24 hour flight is often the most looked forward to. Lucky for me, Ia lives across the best pizza place this side of Bushwick and she knew of its "secret" item - the Bee Sting. It's a seasonal pie that isn't on the menu but you should definitely ask for it or else miss out on the tomato, mozzarella, soppressata, and honey (!) goodness. Aside from the winning combination of toppings, Roberta's crust is also really good - crisp with a nice chew to it. GREAT pizza served in a backyard garden that came straight out of Pinterest? Roberta's it is.

Roberta's is located at 261 Moore St, Brooklyn, NY 11206, United States

4. Cafe Mogador

Ia and I were hoping to try something new in Williamsburg, but all bets were off when she mentioned this moroccan cafe she tried previously. Good thing she liked it and didn't mind going back! Cafe Mogador serves freshly cooked authentic moroccan and mediterranean cuisine which reminded me a little of my favorite SG eatery, Artichoke. We had the Mixed Platter consisting of tabouli, eggplant & tahini, hummus, and arabic salad to start and the Lamb Tagines for the main. The lamb was so tender but we didn't really get to touch it much because we were already so full from the mixed platter. Don't let its looks fool you, it's very filling! We almost missed out on it had our super cute waitress not rush to key in our order to secure the last portion of eggplant & tahini. She's the best! The star of the night though, was the pot of moroccan tea. Not only was it served in the prettiest tea pot, it was, in Ia's words - the best tea ever.  

Cafe Mogador is located at 133 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Hope you enjoyed this mini food tour of Brooklyn! Please feel free to share your experience in these places below! Like it? Don't like it? Have Brooklyn favorites of your own? Drop a line below, I'd love to hear from you!

PS- Photo of the exterior of Five Leaves was taken from their FB page.