Bedford Avenue is unarguably the most famous street in trendy Williamsburg, and for good reason too. Stretching through the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Crown Heights, this street happens to be one of NYC’s hottest and hippest. The culmination of indie shops, cafes, bars, and multicultural flavor makes exploring Bedford Avenue feel like a journey through the pulse of Brooklyn’s creativity and diversity. However, if you’re not local, it could easily become overwhelming. Here is a traveler’s guide to the best of this dynamic neighborhood hub.
The Vibe
Bedford Avenue has an electric, eclectic energy. During the day, families, young professionals, students, and artists mix seamlessly. Chic fashionistas browse boutiques as hipsters, sporting the latest trends, sip iced coffees. Vintage shops spill their wares onto the sidewalk, where locals chat in Spanish, French Creole, and English. At night, the atmosphere transforms into a lively hybrid of dive bar haunts, hip-hidden speakeasies, and warehouse party vibes. Although the Avenue shifts personalities block by block from upscale to artistic, vintage to modern, an electric current of creativity and self-expression unites the many faces of Bedford Avenue.
Getting Around
Bedford Avenue stretches over 2 miles, so taking the subway is the easiest way to traverse the entire strip. The L train stops at Bedford Ave in Williamsburg. If you are trying to get to the southern end near Prospect Park, take the Q train to the Parkside Ave station. Citi Bike docking stations also allow for quick one-way bike trips between destinations.
The major hubs in Bedford Avenua are McCarren Park and Ft Greene Park. Many shops and eateries are walkable from each other within neighborhoods. It takes 10-15 minutes to get from the north of McCarren Park to the south of Ft Greene Park. Taxis and rideshares are readily available, though traffic can get congested on weekends.
Like every other place in New York, parking is extremely limited, especially on weekends. If driving, expect to hunt for street parking or pay for hourly garage parking. The B57 bus runs the length of Bedford Ave from north to south but remember to keep coins handy for the bus fare.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
The locally-owned shops along Bedford Avenue offer endless opportunities for discovering handmade goods, vintage finds, and quirky gifts. Standouts include Bedford Vintage for its curated selection of timeless fashion, Artists & Fleas for an incredible array of local arts and crafts, and Catbird for beautiful customized jewelry. You can also stop for a special memento at LoveShackFancy.
Food and Drinks
You can’t walk far without hitting a coffee shop on Bedford, and this is perfect for recharging between boutiques. Some top spots are Blue Bottle Coffee for its smooth signature New Orleans-style iced coffee, Devocion for beautifully presented latte art, and Café Grumpy for its hip, casual vibe. If you’re into matcha, you can get your matcha fix at MatchaBar.
Bedford Avenue also has an international food scene that rivals the city’s best dining neighborhoods. For authentic Italian, al di là Trattoria charms. Lilia offers fresh-from-scratch regional Italian in a chic setting. Fette Sau satisfies BBQ cravings, while Peter Luger Steak House serves a porterhouse for the ages. Other must-tries include falafel at Duzan, pierogies at Karczma, and mole poblano
Bedford Avenue delivers with awesome street food for when you need a fast, cheap, delicious pit stop between epic shopping sessions. Grab hot, crispy churros from the Cuzco Cart outside the Bedford L train. Indulge in an epic loaded falafel from the legendary Mamoun’s. Nothing beats juicy burgers from Fossil Fuel by the waterfront.
Nightlife
Once the shops close, Bedford Avenue’s nightlife springs up. Stylish FiDi types frequent trendy cocktail bars Maison Premiere and Hotel Delmano. Post-work crowds also like to hit up classic local pubs like Turkey’s Nest and Alligator Lounge for beers, shots, and free personal pizza. The Commodore is great for tropical drinks with a nautical theme. When all is said and done, you can dance the night away at House of Yes.