This Brooklyn Neighborhood Is So Much More Than an Instagram Hot Spot
Snap your bridge photo, then explore DUMBO like a local.
No matter how you arrive in DUMBO—by foot, ferry, or the A,C, or F subway lines—you’ll land in one of NYC’s most attractive neighborhoods. Short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, DUMBO is known for its breathtaking views of Manhattan, world-class waterfront park, flourishing art and food scenes, and what might be NYC’s most Instagrammable hot spot: the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street with the Manhattan Bridge in the background.
Once an industrial center, it’s now an art and tech hub, as well as a popular neighborhood for Brooklyn families who have moved into the growing number of high rises. DUMBO’s vibrant creative scene, as well as its eclectic mix of residents and businesses, have resulted in the historic-meets-modern-day character that makes the thriving area so unique. Yes, it’s a big tourist destination and the streets are packed on the weekends, but it’s also a great place to relax by the water, do some vintage shopping, or eat some of the city’s best pizza. Here’s the ultimate guide to the neighborhood, with the best restaurants, bars, galleries, hotels, and things to do in DUMBO.
Things to Do in DUMBO
Take a stroll along the waterfront
DUMBO is anchored by the picturesque Brooklyn Bridge Park, which spans 1.3 miles from Columbia Heights to the Manhattan Bridge. Picnic on the lush lawns, play pickleball at Pier 2, or take a whirl on the restored antique Jane’s Carousel. From there, you’re a stone’s throw from Pebble Beach, boasting unencumbered views of downtown Manhattan, and a quick walk to Washington Street, the oft-Instagrammed cobblestone block of the Manhattan Bridge framed by two historic red brick buildings. It’s a buzzy spot for a reason.
Go shopping for vintage goods
DUMBO may have a touristy reputation, but the area is packed with indie brands and vintage stores if you know where to look. Along Front Street, check out Front General Store, where owner Hideya Sagawa carefully curates a selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and home decor, followed by Crowley Vintage, Thea Grant, and 2nd Street Dumbo. For clothing by local designers, pop into Bots Clothing Co., an apparel company that draws influences from streetwear culture, and Yesaet, a sustainable brand inspired by ancient African craft. Bookworms will also appreciate the neighborhood’s handful of bookstores: Powerhouse Arena, Melville House Bookshop, and Usagi, which also doubles as an exhibition space and coffee house. The long-running Brooklyn Flea is open on weekends between April and December, bringing dozens of vendors selling vintage clothing, furniture, and more.
Explore the local art scene
Though DUMBO may get more buzz nowadays as a growing tech hub, it first got its name in the 1970s from the artists who then called it home. The neighborhood continues to boast a strong gallery presence, including the women and non-binary-led A.I.R., non-profit organization Smack Mellon, and fiber arts specialists Loop of the Loom.
Catch a show or two
If music is more your speed, there are several places to take in some tunes. Catch live performances at St. Ann’s Warehouse, presenting contemporary plays and concerts inside a tobacco warehouse-turned-theater, or Bargemusic, a year-round floating concert hall that plays chamber music while docked on the East River. The Front Street bar Superfine also hosts live music acts every Sunday and jazz every second and fourth Wednesday of the month (listen while sipping on its killer Bloody Mary).
Restaurants and Bars in DUMBO
For meals with a view: There’s no shortage of spots to enjoy both dinner and sweeping skyline views. Consider Celestine for wood-fired Mediterranean, Cecconi’s for Italian, or The Osprey for farm-to-table New American. For special occasions, it’s worth splurging at The River Cafe, a fine-dining landmark considered one of NYC’s most romantic restaurants.
For some of the best eats in New York City: DUMBO may be small, but there’s no shortage of good restaurants. Enjoy regional Mexican at Gran Electrica and Saigon-inspired seafood and small plates (pro tip: order the garlic butter clams) at Em Vietnamese Bistro. Em also serves up a superb pho, but if you’re craving other forms of noodles, swing by Michelin-starred ramen shop Tsuta or the more eclectic pan-Asian Lucky Rabbit Noodles. The neighborhood is also a big brunch destination—local favorites include Vinegar Hill House, Westville, and Butler Bakeshop.
For iconic slices: Any culinary tour of Brooklyn must include pizza and DUMBO is home to not one, but two New York institutions: Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s, both founded by legendary pizza maker Pasquale "Patsy" Grimaldi (the latter is still associated the Grimaldi family). An outpost of another beloved Brooklyn pizza shop, L&B Spumoni Gardens, is also set to open in the neighborhood.
For late-night bites: Caviar and seafood towers may not be the first after-dark dishes that come to mind, but pair a beer with the late-night food at Nobody Told Me for an oh-so-NYC midnight snack. Open until 2 am daily, the bar offers beer, wine, and cocktails, plus the aforementioned seafood and other comfort-food favorites (burgers, wings). Gair is open until midnight on weekdays and 2 am on weekends, so you can wind down with a drink and a bulgogi fried chicken sandwich or Hokkaido lobster roll inside a renovated 19th-century warehouse with soaring ceilings.
Hotels in DUMBO
After a day of roving the cobblestone streets, you’ll need a place to rest. Situated near Pier 1, the trendy 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has an unbeatable vantage point, not to mention a plunge pool, spa, rooftop bar, and other luxurious accommodations. The Tillary Hotel is a bit further away, but still conveniently located off the Manhattan Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn. Its rooms have stylish, mid-century modern vibes and there are several communal spaces, including a rooftop garden bar where you can watch the sun set over Brooklyn.