9 Brooklyn BIPOC-Owned Restaurants to Try in 2024
Happy New Year, fellow food enthusiasts! If you’re anything like us, you’re constantly on the lookout for the next foodie adventure in our beloved borough. So we thought what better way to kick off 2024 than with a list of 9 newish BIPOC-owned restaurants in Brooklyn that have been delighting diners in our diverse and dynamic culinary scene.
1. Fatima’s Grill
Photo courtesy of Fatima’s Grill
Ditmas Park
Nestled in Ditmas Park, with roots in Los Angeles, Fatima’s Grill is a culinary gem that promises a delightful fusion of Mexican, American and Lebanese flavors—paying homage to Lebanese American owner Ali Elreda and the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood where he grew up. Their beef and chicken are halal zabiha. Even the Cheetos are halal. And their menu includes around 80 different items from Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Shawarma Burrito to tacos, Beef Shawarma Wrap to Falafel Vegan Wrap, to quesadillas, burgers and fries.
Fatima’s Grill
964 Coney Island Avenue
New York, NY 11230
2. Lingo
Photo courtesy of Lingo
Greenpoint
In the heart of Greenpoint, Lingo (the Japanese word for apple) effortlessly blends tradition with a contemporary twist. The restaurant’s name is a nod to owner and founder Misako Hsu’s Tokyo roots and affection for the Big Apple. Here you can sample dinner dishes like pillowy milk bread with smoked sake butter, yuzu duck, spice fried chicken and potato mille-feuille. They also offer a brunch menu with items such as yuzu ricotta pancake, spam eggs benedict, bacon kimchi fried rice and a miso black cod sandwich.
Lingo
27 Greenpoint Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222
3. UnTable
Photo courtesy of UnTable
Carroll Gardens
With no formal chef training, Thailand-born owner Rachanon Kampimarn (who everyone refers to as Un) proves that you don’t need to go to culinary school to create a masterpiece. Chef Un opened UnTable alongside two partners and friends, Meen Srisopa and Jessie Jaisean, this past year. The menu includes memorable dishes like the spicy “what the hell” fried rice, crab croquettes in tom yum puree and Chilean sea bass, to name a few. Their goal? To provide authentic Isan Thai food without having to fly to Thailand.
UnTable
529 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
4. HAAM Caribbean Plant Cuisine
Photo courtesy of HAAM
Williamsburg
HAAM, aka Health As A Mother, is a pandemic-born restaurant that offers thoughtfully crafted, plant-based Caribbean dishes inspired by chef/owner Yesenia Ramdass’ Dominican heritage and her husband Randy’s Trinidadian roots. Choose from savory items like flavorful chikn curry, king oyster mushroom “scallops” in yucca mash and signature empanadas (all meatless), or desserts like arroz con leche and guava cheesecake.
HAAM Caribbean Plant Cuisine
234 Union Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
5. Dept of Culture
Photo courtesy of Dept of Culture
Bed-Stuy
Though Dept of Culture opened in 2022, we still wanted to highlight it on our list for anyone who hasn’t yet gone. At this spot, Nigerian-born chef/owner Ayo Balogun hosts an intimate dinner party featuring a four-course meal prepared in an open kitchen and served alongside his stories of growing up in Nigeria. Your menu might include items like goat pepper soup, sweet potato puree soup with shrimp sauce, smoked haddock or caramelized plantains with ice cream. Lively music and shared BYOB bottles complement the atmosphere.
Dept of Culture
327 Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
6. Rua Thai
Photo courtesy of Rua Thai
Cobble Hill
In July of 2023 Cobble Hill welcomed Rua Thai, a culinary journey through the vibrant street food markets of central Thailand. The restaurant’s name Rua translates to rowboat, referring to vendor boats on the canals of the market. Led by chef/owner Kornpon Theeraumpornkul who grew up in those markets, the menu features items like summer rolls, curry dumplings, fish curry custard, crispy branzino, shrimp doughnuts, grilled river prawns and fried chicken with massaman curry dip. They also have an inventive cocktail menu along with multiple mocktail options.
Rua Thai
204 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
7. Antojitos Marineros
Photo courtesy of Antojitos Marineros
Bushwick
Since launching Brooklyn’s wildly successful Taqueria al Pastor a few years back, owner Pedro Ramales opened nearby Antojitos Marineros (translated to sailor snacks) in 2023. In partnership with Gerardo Lopez, Ramales’ new spot offers relaxing, beachy vibes alongside a Sinaloan-inspired seafood-lover’s menu consisting of fish tacos, aguachiles, tostadas, ceviches and more.
Antojitos Marineros
1625 Dekalb Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
8. Che
Photo courtesy of Che
Bed-Stuy
Since opening Daughter in Crown Heights a few years back, Adam Keita has provided the Brooklyn community with coffee, pastry, wine and a space where patrons can enjoy jazz, karaoke, figure drawing, art shows and other exciting events. And now he’s partnered with Sincerely, Tommy owner Kai Avent-deLeon, and friends Ariel Perez, Alex Sierra and Tyler Orti in a new Bed-Stuy spot focused on seasonal plates, natural wine, coffee and music. People are already talking about their egg sandwich (which looks delicious!), and their online menu features hearty vegetable-forward dishes that include a crusted artichoke burger and tamarind-chile glazed cauliflower tostada.
Che
302 Malcolm X Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11233
9. Masalawala & Sons
Photo courtesy of Masalawala & Sons
Park Slope
This is another one that actually opened in late 2022, but we thought it deserved a place on the list. At Maslawala & Sons, restaurateur Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya recreate the recipes that Mazumdar’s 75-year-old father grew up with in Kolkata, India. Using original techniques, authentic cookware and family recipes, the restaurant cooks up sharable small, medium and large sized items that include Biyebarir Fish Fry, Kosha Mangsho (goat stew), Daab Chingri (coconut prawns), vegetable and chicken biryani, and an impressive cocktail menu featuring a couple mocktails too.
Masalawala & Sons
365 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Our dedicated team of Park Slope-based real estate agents live and breathe Brooklyn, and are happy to help you with all your real estate needs—in addition to other restaurants recommendations of course. Contact us if you’re looking to buy, sell or rent a home in Brooklyn. Here’s to savoring the flavors of Brooklyn and finding your slice of local paradise!
