Sheepshead Bay

Come for the roast beef (it’s expertly roasted in-house; choose between medium or well-done and ask for a side of fries-n-cheez), stay for the authentic, old-school Brooklyn vibes. This place has been a treasured neighborhood staple since the ’70s, and the retro decor and rows of banana-yellow booths are a testament to the decade.

Cherry Hill is truly special. In addition to all the traditional Russian-food staples—smoked fish, killer beet salad (sounds weird but it’s actually delicious), and what feels like fifty different pickled-veggie varieties—they have excellent produce and a bakery section that looks like something out of a fairytale.

As the nautical-themed interior suggests, this place is all about the fresh-caught seafood. Try to get a table on the canal-facing patio and order a Turkish Ezme salad and at least one whole-grilled fish (the Branzino is bomb) for the table. What’s special about the kitchen here is that every dish is kept simple to best maximize the taste without overpowering it with fancy preparation methods.

The menu at this casual Sheepshead Bay standby is massive and revolves around seafood-centric Italian food. There are clams (duh), mussels, lobster–and so much pasta. Whatever your order, make sure it’s smothered in the famous red sauce.