In the last 100 years, a lot of Norwegian, Syrian, Italian, Irish, and Greek immigrants moved to this part of southwest Brooklyn. The people and languages on streets like Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue are so different that they feel like multicultural bazaars.
“In addition to the existing Palestinian, Egyptian, and Yemeni populations, Latinx and Fujianese people are moving in,” said Dan Hetteix, who runs the progressive podcast Radio Free Bay Ridge. “Bay Ridge is where a lot of chefs try out their new ideas, which brings a lot of new life to the neighborhood. Some of the best and cheapest food in all of Brooklyn can be found here.”
This is a big claim, but after trying the Mexican food at Yucusiama (484 77th Street), which opened in a small storefront last year, it’s hard to disagree. The $8 quesadilla is filled with grilled chicken, raw onion, and melted Oaxacan cheese. The homemade corn tortillas are almost as light as crepes. Tortas are some of the best sandwiches that don’t get enough attention. They are made with soft buns that are brushed with refried beans and mayonnaise. All of the fillings are $9, but the suadero, which is thinly sliced beef flank layered with avocado, green pads of cactus, jalapeos, and stretchy cheese, is worth going back for.
Also worth a visit are Yemen Café’s slow-roasted, shredded lamb fahsah ($19.50) and soft, blistered discs of flatbread. The restaurant recently moved to a bigger space at 7317 Fifth Avenue, and it also has a location in Cobble Hill. The servings are big enough for a family and come with a salad and a peppery, flavorful broth.
There are still Italian restaurants in Bay Ridge. Piccante (7214 Third Avenue) is one of the best. Even though the kitchen looks small, it makes world-class fresh pasta like beef lasagna for $15 and pappardelle with honey-braised short rib ragù for $18, which you can eat all by yourself if you want to gain five pounds.
Food might be the biggest draw, but Mr. Hetteix said that artists are also moving into the area. Galleries like Underland (457 77th Street, Unit 1) and Stand4 (414 78th Street), which used to be a doctor’s office, have opened up.
If you don’t miss the last ferry at 9 p.m., Bay Ridge is much easier to explore than it was when the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano sailed here almost 500 years ago.
