A Wine Lover's Playbook to New York City: Brooklyn Edition Pt. 1 (Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick)

Hey guys!

This week, we’re kicking off the Brooklyn edition of our neighborhood wine guide series. As you may know, Brooklyn is massive, like literally the same population as Chicago. And there’s tons of neighborhoods, dozens of standout restaurants, and more wine bars than anyone could reasonably keep track of. So instead of cramming everything into one chaotic Brooklyn list, we’re breaking it up into parts.

In Part 1, we’re focusing on the north part of Brooklyn, so think Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick. These three neighborhoods have a constant flow of new wine bar openings, established bottle shops, and low intervention wine lists everywhere from rooftop bars to pizza spots. If you're looking to drink well in Brooklyn, this is a great place to start.

Enjoy 🙏 

Wine Bars🍷 

Sometimes it feels like there’s an endless selection of wine bars in New York, and it’s probably true. With so many great options, it can be tough to narrow it down. Whenever I go out, 9 times out of 10 it’s to a wine bar, so here are a few in Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Greenpoint that we love:

Plus de Vin, East Williamsburg 📍 

Plus de Vin is quietly tucked along a quiet stretch of East Williamsburg near McCarren Park. When you walk in, you’re greeted with warm lighting, sleek interiors, and a massive bottle wall that looks more like an art installation than a wine shelf. The real surprise comes when you walk to the back. After a few narrow, black hallways, you find yourself in a massive sunroom. By day, it feels like a greenhouse; by night, like a planetarium. And always perfect for big groups. The BTG list is tight and thoughtful, always with a hidden gem or two. The staff here are great people who are welcoming, curious, and genuinely fun to hang with. If you’re in the neighborhood, this one’s a must.

Cherry-on-Top, Bushwick 📍 

Cherry-on-Top feels like a little oasis in the middle of Bushwick. It’s a rooftop wine bar with pink walls, funky furniture, and a rotating cast of neighborhood regulars mixed with new faces. Downstairs is cozy and candlelit, but climb the narrow staircase and you’ll find yourself on a sun-drenched rooftop lined with mismatched chairs and string lights. It almost feels familiar, like you’re on your grandparent’s patio, in the best way possible. It’s on of my favorite ways to spend a Summer afternoon. The wine list is full of gems, too. If you're close by (or not), definitely make this a stop.

Lise & Vito, Greenpoint📍 

Much like the local couple the bar is named after, Lise & Vito has an incredible amount of energy. The moment you walk in, you’re hit with pink fluorescent light, retro seating (especially that front booth), and often a DJ spinning what feels like your new favorite song. There’s bar seating if you want to chat with the staff (who are the best), a row of cozy two-tops along the wall, and a few booths in the back that are perfect for groups. The vibe is up-tempo, just like the wines. The list is expansive, approachable, and priced generously. And for a fun side quest: grab a pie from the coveted Chrissy’s Pizza down the block and bring it in to enjoy with a glass (yes, they allow it).

Other Spots to Save:

Williamsburg: Sauced Brooklyn, With Others, Rude Mouth, BABA on Withers, Maison Premiére, Win Son Bakery

Bushwick: The Ten Bells BK

Greenpoint: Achilles Hill, Bouquet, Million Goods, Lovebirds Bar, Heaven and Earth, Pan Pan Vino Vino

Restaurants 🍽️ 

This part of the list feels like an impossible task because of the sheer number of restaurants in New York. We usually gravitate towards places with phenomenal wine lists, and thankfully, that often means they have a solid menu as well. Here are a few favorites in Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Greenpoint:

The Four Horsemen, Williamsburg📍 

This one requires no introduction, and some might roll their eyes when reading this, but no Brooklyn wine guide is complete without including this institution. The Four Horsemen is arguably the best place to drink natural wine in New York. That reputation comes down to the team: they’re obsessive in the best possible way, and it shows in every aspect.

The wine program was built by the late, great Justin Chearno, who we tragically lost in August 2024. His vision lives on through the incredibly dedicated team still running the show.

The list is deep, sharp, and constantly evolving, full of iconic producers, rare finds, and under the radar gems from all over the world. Here, you can just hand over the list, say “pick something fun,” and be completely taken care of. The food is just as phenomenal. Every dish feels precise, balanced, and built to complement what’s in your glass. Yes, it can be a splurge, but it’s never overhyped. If you care about wine, even a little, this one’s essential.

Bonus: The Four Horsemen team is on their way to opening up their new spot right across the street called I Cavallini, another must add to your list when it opens.

Ops, Bushwick 📍 

Ops is one of Brooklyn’s natural wine landmarks. It hits that rare sweet spot, casual but sharply focused. The space is warm and unpretentious, all exposed brick and cozy seating, with the smell of sourdough pouring from the massive wood-fired oven. The pizza is naturally leavened, blistered, chewy, and consistent.

Somehow, the wine list might be even more impressive than the food. It’s full of bottles I can almost guarantee you won’t find anywhere else in the city, and the care behind the selection is obvious. What makes Ops feel special is how much the crowd gets it too. Everyone seems to know they’re at some place special, and odds are you’ll end up talking to someone just as into it as you are, probably while waiting for the one shared bathroom.

Ops nails the vibe of a neighborhood favorite that also happens to be one of the best places to drink wine in New York.

Bonus: Ops is opening a new location in the East Village this month, and as someone who lives nearby, I already know I’ll be there way too often.

Diner, South Williamsburg📍

Diner has been a fixture under the Williamsburg Bridge since 1999. Housed in a 90 year old Pullman dining car, it remains one of the most distinctive dining spots in the neighborhood. The menu changes daily, centered around seasonal produce and thoughtful cooking. You might get perfectly dressed greens, a standout steak, or an unexpectedly great seafood dish, but the real star of the show is the burger, which is always a must.

Don’t expect a printed menu. It’s all recited and scribbled directly onto the butcher paper by a server who knows it by heart, which, in my opinion, makes the whole experience even better.

The wine list is tight but packed with fun bottles. Last time I was there we got a De Moor Chablis that I still think about to this day. Whether you're posted up at the bar for a glass and a snack or sitting down for the full spread, Diner consistently delivers. I’ve never left anything but satisfied.

Other Spots to Save:

Williamsburg: Lighthouse BK, Le Crocodile, Hotel Delmano, Leo, Sweetwater, Huda

Bushwick: Roberta’s, Winona’s, Farm To People, Falansai, Win Son

Greenpoint: Chez Ma Tante, Cecily, Fulgurances

Wine Stores 🛍️ 

One of the many things I’m thankful for about living in New York City is the incredible access to wine. Wine stores are where I spend most of my time and money because, quite frankly, it’s a lot easier and cheaper to buy wine and drink it at someone’s apartment. That said, here are some of our favorites in Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Greenpoint:

Stranger Wines, Williamsburg📍 

Stranger Wines feels less like a wine shop and more like the living room of your most wine-obsessed friend. A staple in the neighborhood for over several years, the space is large and it packed with bottles that are all thought-provoking and usually at a great price. The shelves are arranged more by vibe than region, which makes browsing feel like a treasure hunt. You’re just as likely to leave with a fizzy Czech Pét Nat as you are a smoky Catalonian red. The staff is always approachable, excited to share what they’re into. Oh, and if you want to see the really rare stuff, just walk straight back to the tiny, unassuming wooden shelf in the back.

Dandelion Wines, Greenpoint📍 

Dandelion Wine is the kind of neighborhood shop every neighborhood wishes it had. It’s warm, welcoming, with handwritten tags, overflowing shelves, and a front window that’s always dressed for the season. The selection is eclectic, with a great mix of easy weeknight drinkers and bottles that feel a little more special. The staff is so friendly, super knowledgeable, and happy to point you toward something you’ve never heard of but will probably love. It’s Greenpoint through and through.

Irving Bottle, Bushwick 📍 

Irving Bottle is more than just a wine shop, it feels like a passion project brought to life. We recently had an event there and it made me love the shop through and through. Every bottle on the shelf has a story, and the people behind the counter genuinely want to tell you about it.

The selection is curated with care and a sense of curiosity. You get the feeling that whoever’s buying for the shop really loves everything on the shelf. Whether you’re looking for an easy chillable red, an obscure Alpine white, or just something new to fall in love with, Irving Bottle is the kind of place where you walk in for one bottle and leave with three, and a few great conversations too.

Other Spots to Save:

Williamsburg: The Natural Wine Company, Bedford Wines and Spirits, Spirit Animal, Vine Wine, Bibber & Bell Wine and Spirits

Bushwick: Henry’s Wine and Spirits, Starr Wines, Lovebirds Wine Shop, Wild Wines, Heart’s Wine and Spirits

Greenpoint: Bin Bin Sake

That’s it for this week! Like I mentioned, this is Brooklyn Part 1 for a reason, there’s way too many spots to squeeze into one. I’m sure I missed a ton of places that I’ll probably be mad at myself for later. Stay tuned for Part 2!

Thanks for reading and, as always, drink responsibly 🥂