Southwest Brooklyn is a part of Brooklyn, New York City that encompasses the neighborhoods of Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Kensington, Parkville, and Sunset Park.

Understand

• Bay Ridge has traditionally been a residential Irish-Italian-Norwegian neighborhood, but has had an influx of Arab, Asian and Russian families. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge connects to here from Staten Island, and Fort Hamilton, a United States Army Base, is here as well. There is a great variety of good values in food to be had in this neighborhood, especially on 3rd Avenue. The neighborhood is also one of the top bar areas in the non-downtown area of Brooklyn.
• Bensonhurst used to be Italian, but it now is home to a large Chinatown and has many other immigrants from Albania, Pakistan, Korea, Mexico, Guatemala and many Eastern European immigrants. The train runs above ground and it is a lively place with an Old New York feel. Many of the best "unknown" restaurants in Brooklyn (known locally but often ignored by the Manhattan-based establishment) can be found in Bensonhurst. Get there by taking the D train to 18th or 20th Avenues or Bay Parkway.
• Borough Park has the biggest Chasidic Jewish community in the city. You will see lots of kosher foods on sale, and shops that are closed every Friday night and Saturday but open on Sunday, due to religious rules. If these things are unfamiliar to you, a trip to Borough Park may be worthwhile.
• Kensington is south of Prospect Park. It is the most diverse neighborhood in Brooklyn and is one of the most diverse in the United States. It is one of the "up and coming" neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Many new trendy restaurants and boutiques have opened, making this neighborhood a hotspot. It is served by the F and G trains at Church Avenue, and the Q train at Beverly Road and Cortelyou Road.
• Sunset Park is often called New York City's little Puerto Rico and Brooklyn's Chinatown and is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City. It is just less than 20 minutes away from Downtown Brooklyn. Sunset Park is a place for all families to come and shop, and locals can be seen running errands in the heart of the neighborhood along 5th Avenue between 60th and 44th Streets. Its hilly terrain gives magnificent views of Downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan, Staten Island, Jersey City and the nearby Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Besides the Hispanic part of the neighborhood filled with families of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican and other backgrounds, the Chinese also put Sunset Park on the map with its countless Chinese restaurants found on 8th Avenue between 60th and 40th Streets.

Get in

By subway

For Green-Wood Cemetery itself, the best trains to take are either the D to 9th Avenue or the F to Fort Hamilton Parkway.

The D serves the center of the district, including Borough Park and Bensonhurst before continuing to Coney Island, while the N serves Dyker Heights after splitting off from the R in Sunset Park. The R terminates in Bay Ridge.

By bus

South west brooklyn main busses are served by the Jackie Gleason and Ulmer Park depots.

The B1, B6, and B64 serve the area and are apart of Ulmer Park depot.

The B4, B8, B9, B11, B16, B35, B37, B63, B67, and B69 are apart of Jackie Gleason depot.

The X27/X37 and X28/X38 express buses also serve this area and are located in the Ulmer Park depot.

By car

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge takes you to Bay Ridge from Staten Island. I-278 (Gowanus Expressway to Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) and the Belt Parkway can get you here from other parts of Brooklyn, as well as Queens and Manhattan (via the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges, as well as other bridges and tunnels).

See

Monument to the victims of the Brooklyn Theater fire of December 5, 1876 in Green-Wood Cemetery

Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

• 1 Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 526 59th St (enter on 5th Ave;  N  R  to 59th St), ☏ +1-718-492-9200. If you like your churches large and impressive, OLPH is not to be missed. This Roman Catholic basilica is bigger and more ornate than Brooklyn's cathedral near downtown. (updated Nov 2020)
• 2 Basilica of Regina Pacis, 1230 65th St ( D  to 62nd St), ☏ +1-718-236-0909. Step into this beautiful and grand Roman Catholic church and you might think you've been teleported to Italy. Be sure to look up. The paintings on the ceiling are breathtaking. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Green-Wood Cemetery, main entrance at 500 25th St (along 5th Ave; Subway:  R  train to 25th St), ☏ +1-718-768-7300, info@greenwoodcemetery.org. 8AM-5PM daily. Free.  
• 4 Harbor Defense Museum, 230 Sheridan Loop (on Fort Hamilton; Subway:  R  train to 95th St, then walk along 4th Ave to 101st St, then turn left and walk one block to the fort entrance. The MP at the guardhouse will direct you to the museum), ☏ +1-718-630-4349. M-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. A collection of military artifacts relating to the defense of America's harbors located inside still-working Fort Hamilton. Since the museum is located within an active US Army post, foreign visitors are not permitted. All visitors must have an ID. Free.  
• 5 Living Torah Museum, 1603 41st St ( F  to Ditmas Ave), ☏ +1-718-851-3215, info@torahmuseum.com. The Living Torah Museum is a group of Orthodox Jewish museums that opened in 2002 and drew approximately 600,000 visitors in the first twelve years. Originally a separate museum that opened in 2008, an exhibit on animals of the Bible and Talmud, known as the Torah Animal World merged with the main museum in 2014. It is also home to examples of Biblical and Talmudic archaeological artifacts and antique Judaica and Jewish books. From 2005-2016, the museum was home to the world's oldest known example of a stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments until it was sold at auction for $850,000 in November 2016. (updated Jan 2021)
• 6 Owl's Head Park, Shore Rd, 68 St, Colonial Rd (B64 bus or walk from  R  Bay Ridge Ave station). The park is good for a walk, and you can follow the path toward the water which takes you to the pier and a bunch of park stuff along the water towards the Verrazano Bridge. Those are all really refreshing walks. Free. 
• 7 Sunset Park (5th to 7th Aves between 41st & 44th Sts;  R  to 45th St). This is the park after which the neighborhood is named. It offers breathtaking views of the neighborhood and the Manhattan skyline, even as far as New Jersey. There are basketball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, walking paths, and urban wildlife. (updated Nov 2020)

Do

• 1 Christmas Lights at Dyker Heights. About 10 blocks, centered around the "Candy Cane House" on 84th and 12th. During the holiday season the locals bring up the most spectacular decorations-- do a Flickr or Google image search yourself and see! There's the house with the giant snowman, the house with the giant nutcrackers, the house with Winnie and Shrek, and the Toyland house with the animatronic reindeer. Go on a Friday or Saturday night, between 7 and 10. It'll put the Christmas spirit in you. 

Buy

• 1 Fei Long Market, 6301 8th Ave (at 63rd St;  N  to 8th Ave), ☏ +1-718-680-0118. 8AM–7:30PM daily. An absolutely massive shop selling all manner of Chinese ingredients, including a very good produce section. Can be extremely crowded, though, so go in the off hours. 
• 2 Industry City, 220 36th St (the area stretches from 32nd St to 41st St along 3rd Ave and the Gowanus Expressway/I-287;  D  N  R  to 36th St), ☏ +1-718-619-8664, hello@industrycity.com. General: 8AM–9PM daily; IC Food Hall: 8AM–7PM daily; Most retail shops: 10AM–7PM daily. Old, disused factory buildings have been transformed into retail, food, creative, leisure, and office spaces along the Sunset Park waterfront. Interesting food stores include Blue Marble Ice Cream, Japan Village, Li-Lac Chocolates and Sahadi's. Several bars and cafés will help quench your thirst. Industry City includes a "makers guild" and the Brooklyn design district. Nearby but not officially part of Industry City are large national retailers such as Costco, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Cost Plus World Market. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Kerekes Bakery & Restaurant Equipment (BakeDeco), 6103 15th Ave (at 61st St;  D  to 62nd St or  N  to New Utrecht Ave), ☏ +1-718-232-7044, sales@bakedeco.com. M–Th 9AM–6PM, Fr 9AM–1PM, Su 11AM–4PM (closed Su in Jul & Aug), closed Sa & Jewish holidays. Whether you're a restaurateur or a home chef, you can find a wide array of cooking and baking supplies at Kerekes/BakeDeco. Find almost anything you need for your kitchen or dining room. (updated Nov 2020)
• 4 Super Outflation Discount, 7315 15th Ave (between 73rd & 74th Sts;  D  To 71st St). 10AM–5PM (closed Su). This small neighborhood variety store manages to pack in loads of merchandise including food, housewares, health & beauty, toiletries, cosmetics, greeting cards, party supplies, and some clothing items. It's no Target or Walmart, but it's a step above Brooklyn's ubiquitous 99¢ stores. (updated Nov 2020)

Eat

Row houses as far as the eye can see on 72nd St. in Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge

The neighborhood's main thoroughfares are 3rd Ave, 5th Ave and 86th Street. Whether you're looking for shops, cafes, restaurants or nightlife you can probably find it on one of those streets.

• 1 Bay Thai, 6735 3rd Ave ( R  to Bay Ridge Ave), ☏ +1-917-905-2993. 11:15AM–9PM (closed M). Rich Thai food. (updated Nov 2020)
• 2 Brooklyn Harvest Market, 8102 3rd Ave ( R  to 77th St), ☏ +1-718-567-8600. 7AM–10PM daily. This is the place to get groceries; it's a grocery store with organic and otherwise fancy foods. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Gino's Restaurant, 7414 5th Ave ( R  to 77th St), ☏ +1-718-748-1698, ginos7414@gmail.com. Tu–Th 11AM–10PM, F Sa 11AM–11PM, Su 11AM–9:30PM, closed M. Popular local Italian restaurant with great pasta. (updated Nov 2020)
• 4 Hazar Turkish Kebab, 7224 5th Ave ( R  to Bay Ridge Ave). 11AM–10PM daily. A good kabob place. (updated Nov 2020)
• 5 Kathy's Dumplings, 7924 3rd Ave ( R  to 77th St), ☏ +1-718-833-7000. Su–Th 10:30AM–9:30 PM, F Sa 10:30 AM–10PM. Good dumplings. (updated Nov 2020)
• 6 Paneantico Bakery Cafe, 9124 3rd Ave ( R  to Bay Ridge–95th St), ☏ +1-718-680-2347, fpbuono@aol.com. 7AM–10PM daily. Amazing Italian sandwiches and a great bakery, too. (updated Nov 2020)
• 7 Rocky's & Nicky's Pizzeria, 6824 Colonial Rd ( R  to Bay Ridge Ave). 11AM–11PM daily. Pizza place with good slices. (updated Nov 2020)
• 8 Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, 7315 3rd Ave ( R  to 77th St). M–Sa noon–11PM, Su noon–10:30 PM. A really good Indian place. $10–15. (updated Nov 2020)
• 9 Tanoreen, 7523 3rd Ave ( R ), ☏ +1-718-748-5600. Noon–10PM (closed Su). Palestinian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine by chef Rawia Bishara. They started in a smaller ten-table location nearby in 1998, but good word-of-mouth and press led them to move to this larger location. Don't miss out on the flavorful appetizers/meze (hot and cold) and the succulent entrees. It'll be hard, but try to leave room for the yummy desserts. $25–40. (updated Nov 2020)

Bensonhurst

• 10 Il Colosseo, 7704 18th Ave ( D  79th St), ☏ +1-718-234-3663. Daily noon-9PM. Old-school Italian-American food. Made with fresh, quality ingredients, and delicious. Antipasti:$8-14.50; salads: $6-8.50; pasta: $10-17; risotti: $12-16.50; meat: $18.50-24; chicken: $13-15; seafood: $18.50-24; wood-burning brick-oven pizza: $7-15; desserts: $4-10. 
• 11 Lioni Italian Heroes, 7803 15th Ave ( D  79th St), ☏ +1-718-232-1411. M–Sa 8AM–7PM, Su 8:30AM–2:30PM. Choose from over 150 hero varieties, most named for Italian-American celebrities past and present. Each differs by the selection of cold cuts, cheeses, and toppings. Deli salads and other appetizers can accompany your sandwich. (updated Mar 2021)
• 12 Mama's Noodle House Mommas Noodle House, 1782 Bay Ridge Ave ( D  71st St,  N  18th Ave), ☏ +1-646-897-3171. Our chefs specialize in authentic and delicious Cantonese food. The staff at Mama's Noodle House is devoted to serving customers mouthwatering dishes that feature the highest quality ingredients available. Pad Thai Noodle, Basil Chicken Ho Fun and Minced Pork Noodle are all prepared quickly and delivered to you right away. 
• 13 Villabate Alba, 7001 18th Ave ( D  71st St,  N  18th Ave), ☏ +1-718-331-8430, info@villabate.com. M-Sa 7AM-9PM; Su 7AM-8PM; holiday hours 7AM-6PM. Wonderfully delicious Italian pastries - particularly Sicilian ones - and helpful, unaffected service. No place to sit, so get some items to go. Very inexpensive, too: A couple of pastries will cost you about $5.50. 

Dyker Heights

• 14 Krispy Pizza, 7112 13th Ave ( D  71st St), ☏ +1-718-745-9618. Su–Th 11AM–11PM, F Sa 11AM–midnight. You're in Brooklyn. Skip the chain pizza joints. This family pizzeria has been here since 1967. They offer over 15 varieties of pizza, including their specialty pie, Grandma’s Pizza, a thin crust Sicilian with fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and a touch of basil. Other popular options include fresh mozzarella pie, vodka sauce pizza, and a chicken parmesan pie. You can also get appetizers, salads, calzones, rolls, heroes, and pasta. Even vegetarians won't go hungry. (updated Mar 2021)
• 15 La Bella Marketplace, 7907 13th Ave ( D  or B64), ☏ +1-718-331-0050. M–F 7:30AM-8PM, Sa 7:30AM–7PM, Su 7:30AM–6PM. This neighborhood supermarket offers all the basics if you're self-catering, including prepared meals to heat at your lodging. On-the-go options include hot homemade savory items and pastries. They have an entire aisle devoted to Italian imports. La Bella isn't a large store, but if you're not in search of a specific brand, you should be able to fill most needs. (updated Sep 2021)
• 16 Mama Rao's, 6408 11th Ave ( N  Ft Hamilton Pkwy), ☏ +1-718-745-2269, mamaraos@aol.com. Tu–Su noon–10PM, M closed. A "red-sauce" trattoria in the Brooklyn tradition. It features Italian classics, including antipasto, pasta, and entrées. (updated Mar 2021)
• 17 Parkway Restaurant, 7504 13th Ave ( D  71st St), ☏ +1-718-745-4371. 9AM–8PM daily. Neighborhood restaurant serving diner-style food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Burgers, salads, wraps, soups, Greek specialities, and desserts. Soft drinks, beer, and wine available. (updated Mar 2021)

Sunset Park

• 18 8th Avenue (Third Chinatown) ( N  to 8th Ave). Stretching from 50th Street to 62nd Street, the avenue holds its own against Canal Street and Flushing. Fancy gourmet restaurants to alleyway noodle shops, Malaysian to Vietnamese and fare from every Chinese province, the neighborhood has it all. The area is particularly known as a nexus for immigrants from Fujian province. (updated Nov 2020)
• 19 La Isla Cuchifritos, 4920 5th Ave ( R  to 45th St), ☏ +1-718-748-9375. La Isla Cuchifrito Restaurant has been one of the most popular quick serve Latin establishments in Brooklyn for over 50 years. Puerto Rican food. 
• 20 Pacificana, 813 55th St (at 8th Ave;  N  to 8th Ave), ☏ +1-718-871-2880. 9AM–11PM daily. Cantonese and Hong Kong cuisine, specializing in dim sum. In the heart of Sunset Park's Chinatown, this "palace" is popular with the locals and attracts visitors from farther afield. (updated Nov 2020)
• 21 Tacos El Bronco, 4324 4th Ave (at 44th St;  R  to 45th St), ☏ +1-718-788-2229. Su–Th 10AM–1AM, F Sa 10AM–5AM. Since Sunset Park is home to many Mexicans and Mexican Americans, you will find authentic south-of-the-border cuisine here. If you like street food, check out their truck on 5th Ave between 37th and 38th Sts. (updated Nov 2020)
• 22 Tacos Matamoros, 4508 5th Ave ( R  to 45th St), ☏ +1-718-871-7627. 11AM–11PM daily. A neighborhood Mexican restaurant. (updated Nov 2020)

Drink

Caffe Cafe

• 1 Caffe Cafe, 8401 3rd Ave ( R  86th St), ☏ +1-718-748-8700. 7:30AM-10PM. A café with outdoor seating, allowing diners to observe the flow of people on Bay Ridge's 3rd Ave. (updated Sep 2021)
• 2 Omonia Cafe, 7612 3rd Ave ( R  to 77th St), ☏ +1-718-491-1435. Su–Th 11AM–1AM, F Sa 11AM–2AM. Greek café known for its delicious pastries. You can also get a full meal, but don't miss out on dessert. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Industry City, 220 36th St, ☏ +1 718-619-8664, hello@industrycity.com. Former warehouse and manufacturing complex. This area is now home to many bars with courtyards. (updated Aug 2022)
• 4 Judy's, 4022 5th Ave, ☏ +1 929-337-6252, judysbk@gmail.com. M–Th 7:30AM–midnight, F 7:30AM–2AM, Sa 9AM–2AM, Su 9AM–midnight. Coffee shop by day, bar by night. Popular with locals, and you'll often see regulars chatting with the friendly staff. (updated Dec 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Best Western Gregory Hotel, 8315 4th Ave (at 84th St in Bay Ridge,  R  to 86th St), ☏ +1-718-238-3737. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Free high speed internet access. Free continental breakfast. Lobby bar serves drinks 5-10PM daily. Meeting & conference facilities and business services. $119–238. 
• 2 Days Inn by Wyndham Brooklyn, 437 39th St (bet 4th & 5th Aves;  D  N  R  to 36th St), ☏ +1-718-732-0117. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Free parking, breakfast, and Wi-Fi. $123–229. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Insignia Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, 741 61st St (bet 7th & 8th Aves;  N  to 8th Ave), ☏ +1-718-567-5858. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Boutique hotel in Sunset Park's Chinatown. $100–241. (updated Nov 2020)
• 4 Park House Hotel Brooklyn, 1206 48th St (at 12th Ave;  D  to 50th St), ☏ +1-718-871-8100, geninfo@parkhouse.net. Check-in: No Saturday check-ins. "Kosher Suite Hotel" in Borough Park. A complimentary breakfast buffet is offered daily except Saturdays and Jewish Holidays. $211–236. (updated Nov 2020)
• 5 Wyndham Garden Brooklyn Sunset Park, 457 39th St (bet 4th & 5th Aves;  D  N  R  to 36th St), ☏ +1-718-972-0900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. This pet-friendly Sunset Park hotel offers free Wi-Fi. $176–340. (updated Nov 2020)

Connect

Kensington branch of the Brooklyn Public Library

• 1 Brooklyn Public Library – Bay Ridge, 7223 Ridge Blvd (at 73rd St;  R  to Bay Ridge Ave), ☏ +1-718-748-5709. M W F Sa 10AM–4PM, Tu Th 1–7PM, closed Su [lobby service only during Covid-19]. (updated Nov 2020)
• 2 Brooklyn Public Library – Borough Park, 1265 43rd St (at 13th Ave;  D  to Fort Hamilton Pkwy), ☏ +1-718-437-4085. [Closed for Covid-19] M 1–8PM, Tu W 10AM–6PM, Th 1–6PM, F 10AM–6PM, Sa 10AM–5PM, Su 1–5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Brooklyn Public Library – Dyker, 8202 13th Ave (at 82nd St,  D  to 18th Ave, transfer to B64 bus to 13th Ave and 82nd St), ☏ +1-718-748-6261. [Closed for Covid-19] M 10AM-6PM, Tu 1-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 1-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 4 Brooklyn Public Library – Fort Hamilton, 9424 4th Ave (at 95th St;  R  to Bay Ridge-95th St), ☏ +1-718-748-6919. M W F Sa 10AM–4PM, Tu Th 1–7PM, closed Su [lobby service only during Covid-19]. (updated Nov 2020)
• 5 Brooklyn Public Library – Kensington, 410 Ditmas Ave (between E 4th and E 5th Sts;  F  to 18th Ave), ☏ +1-718-435-9431. [Closed for Covid-19] M 10AM-6PM, Tu 1-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 1-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 6 Brooklyn Public Library – Mapleton, 1702 60th St (at 17th Ave;  D  to 62nd St or  N  to 18th Ave), ☏ +1-718-256-2117. M 1PM-8PM, Tu W 10AM-6PM, Th 1-6PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 7 Brooklyn Public Library – McKinley Park, 6802 Fort Hamilton Pkwy (at 68th St;  N  to Fort Hamilton Pkwy), ☏ +1-718-748-8001. [Closed for Covid-19] M Tu 10AM-6PM, W Th 1PM-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 8 Brooklyn Public Library – New Utrecht, 1743 86th St (at Bay 17th St;  D  to 18th Ave), ☏ +1-718-236-4086. M 10AM-6PM, Tu 1-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 1-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 9 Brooklyn Public Library – Ryder, 5902 23rd Ave (at 59th St;  F  to Avenue N), ☏ +1-718-331-2962. [Closed for Covid-19] M 10AM-6PM, Tu 1-8PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 1-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)
• 10 Brooklyn Public Library – Sunset Park, 5108 4th Ave (at 51st St;  R  to 53rd St or  N  to 59th St), ☏ +1-718-567-2806. [Closed for Covid-19] M 1-8PM, Tu W 10AM-6PM, Th 1-8PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. (updated Nov 2020)

Go next

Routes through Southwest Brooklyn

Midtown Manhattan ← Downtown Brooklyn ←	N  S	→ Coney Island
Downtown Brooklyn ← Prospect Park ←	N  S	→ Coney Island
Downtown Brooklyn ← Prospect Park ←	N  S	→ END
Queens ← Downtown Brooklyn ←	N  W	→ Staten Island → Elizabeth