12 of the best kosher restaurants in Brooklyn

By Anna Rahmanan

New York is home to a vast variety of kosher restaurants, which span cuisine types, ambiance and boroughs.

Although a large portion of local kosher eateries operate in Manhattan, it’s in Brooklyn that things get a bit more experimental — and, as a result, interesting. Generally speaking, kosher restaurants tend to offer great food through subpar service, but we’re pleased to note that the latest crop of eateries to set up shop in Brooklyn has been paying particular attention to the dining experience as a whole, effectively turning the establishments into must-visit destinations for non-kosher palates as well.

Consider, for starters, that folks in Brooklyn comprise “the largest proportion [of Jews] by far among New York City’s five boroughs,” according to a 2020 article in Hadassah Magazine citing the then most recent survey by the UJA-Federation of New York. No surprise that restaurateurs are eager to stake a claim in the area.

It got us thinking: there are plenty of lists ranking the best kosher restaurants in New York so far … but doesn’t Brooklyn deserve its own classification?

Yes, it does.

First, a few ground rules: we mean “kosher” in the purest sense of the word: food that complies with dietary guidelines set by traditional Jewish law, including production and preparation, with certification and all. In an effort to keep things easy, we’re going to stay away from “kosher-style” eateries for now.

We also look at the project as a very loose ranking, so you might actually want to consider this more of a list of good kosher restaurants in Brooklyn that you should try to dine at in no particular order in the very near future.

Akimori
557 Kings Highway, Homecrest
Kosher sushi is having a moment, and we are absolutely here for it. Riding high on the current kosher omakase wave is Akimori, which also boasts locations in Manhattan, New Jersey and the Five Towns. Here, the fish is mainly sourced from Japan, New Zealand and the Mediterranean, and the average omakase will cost you between $90 and $130, which is relatively inexpensive compared to similar meals at other restaurants.

Bison and Bourbon
191 Seventh Street, Park Slope
It’s not easy to find a kosher restaurant that offers delectable food and a great ambiance. Bison and Bourbon in Park Slope, though, has it all: The crispy cauliflower and toasted chicken waffles make for ideal appetizers, followed by all sorts of steaks cooked perfectly and a chicken breast shawarma that you’ll want to recreate at home. It’s the drinks, though, that do it: The crimson sunset (mezcal, hibiscus syrup and lime juice) and the lavender berry (gin, lemon juice, lavender, strawberry and egg white) could easily be found on the menu of some of the most popular cocktail bars in town. Add to it all a large, pretty patio and the overall feel of the space — the restaurant is set up inside a former warehouse — and you’ve got yourself a go-to destination, regardless of your dietary requirements.

Bass and Bourbon
113 Hamilton Avenue, Carroll Gardens
Obviously related to Bison and Bourbon, the dairy version of the destination banks on the power of fish. Try the blackened peppered tuna, the pan-seared dorado and the simply prepared grilled branzino, which might be the best thing on the menu. Don’t be shy when it comes to the various pizzas, although we always suggest starting things off with a classic margherita. There’s a rooftop terrace on premise which is worth a visit.

Boeuf & Bun
271 Kingston Avenue, Crown Heights
Boeuf & Bun is a hamburger mecca that slings out both traditional and more creative takes on the classic food. The Down South belongs to the latter category and is made with slow-cooked BBQ brisket, purple cabbage slaw, fried pickles and BBQ sauce. The option shares menu space with the Nashville Hot, a fried chicken thigh sandwich dipped in Habanero hot sauce and served with arugula, country slaw, pickles and truffle aioli. There are some vegetarian choices on the list of offerings as well, but make sure to also try some of the small plates. The ribeye tartar is a raw dish you won’t find at many other kosher restaurants in the area and, while the beef arayes have been prepared any which way at other eateries, Boeuf & Bun does them really well.

Cafe Paris
4424 16th Avenue, Borough Park
Although open for dinner every night (except for the Sabbath on Fridays), Cafe Paris works better as a lunch destination, when you’ll likely more willing to dig into the baked eggplant, the 10-plus salads and sandwiches on offer and the many different varieties of omelets available for order. Our favorite? The Paris option, naturellement, which is made with feta, tomato and onions.

David’s
539 Kings Highway, Homecrest
One of the fanciest spots on the list, David’s offers classic kosher meat fare that’s steadily good. Special attention should be given to the stuffed zucchini dish, which oozes with rice and meat, especially if it’s something relatively out of the ordinary and very much Middle Eastern that you’re after. Keep in mind that the restaurant does not serve hard liquor.

GRÜIT by Abe’s
252 Empire Boulevard, Crown Heights
Kosher gastropubs are certainly not common, a fact that should draw you into GRÜIT by Abe’s regardless of what’s on the menu. Fortunately, the eatery deserves all the attention. The elevated bar food tastes good and looks even better (the pastrami burger is a must-have) and the top-notch cocktails are that much more enjoyable in the laid-back, nicely set-up space.

Izzy’s Brooklyn Smokehouse
397 Troy Avenue, Crown Heights
Izzy’s is that rare kosher restaurant that’s appreciated by the non-kosher masses as well — and for good reason. The smokehouse is a love letter to cured meats made by staff members that are quite literally barbecue artists, putting out the sort of food that you can write essays about. To be clear: You should try everything on the menu, from the pulled beef egg rolls to the “simpler” smoked hot wings, all four types of ribs and the insane sandwiches. Although red meat is obviously the star of the menu, there are pretty solid chicken options on premise as well. Don’t forget to add an order of smoked beans and candied sweet potato to whatever it is that you decide to revel in.

Koma
1618 Avenue M, Midwood
At Koma, kosher palates are (finally!) treated to the sort of raw fish cuts that have made sushi in general and omakase in particular among the most popular cuisines in America. You’ll get to order off a menu, but we highly suggest trusting the sushi chefs on premise and going for the omakase — your palate deserves the culinary expansion.

Pescada
1776 Ocean Avenue, East Midwood
If it’s seafood that you’re after, Pescada is the place for you. The white-tablecloth restaurant serves all types of fish, from a mushroom crusted salmon that will make you rethink how you usually prepare the popular fish, to a must-have British fish and chips dish made with turbo and an almost-sweet halibut topped with fennel.

Urbana
1305 53rd Street, Borough Park
Although considered hip by many, Urbana isn’t really that trendy looking. That said, the food is top notch and certainly worth a visit. Start with the forest mushroom pizza and a Neapolitan pie for the table, followed by the goat cheese egg rolls, the mozzarella nest and the Tuscany salad. Must-trys include the ravioli al carciofi, which are handmade agnolotti pasta filled with artichoke ricotta, served with roasted parsnips, toasted almonds and Bechamel sauce. The fish is good, but you’re going to want to leave some room for dessert as well.

Yakar Kosher Steakhouse
1385 Coney Island Avenue, Midwood
A mere look through Yakar’s Instagram account will have you craving burgers and steaks, but the social media page does not do the restaurant’s beautiful interior justice. Perhaps the most outstanding aspect of the eatery (formerly known as Bakar), though, is the fact that the staff dry ages the meat on-site, which is also why you should always order the charcuterie board to taste a number of homemade, cured meats alongside hummus, pickles, some crostini and mustard.