My Park Slope Neighborhood Guide: A local’s guide to cafes, architecture, Prospect Park, and dining in the neighborhood
For first timers or if you’re rediscovering the neighborhood again!
This guide is written for anyone who wants to explore Park Slope - whether you’ve lived here for years and want to rediscover it, just moved in, or are showing an out-of-towner around. It maps out some of the places I return to time and time again - spots that help me feel grounded in the neighborhood, especially at the start of a new year, or that I love sharing with someone new to the neighborhood.
It’s written in the spirit of a Lonely Planet-style walking guide. Imagine you’re stepping into Park Slope for the very first time and need an itinerary you can follow on foot - taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes as you go. This is just one route of many, and I’d be happy to write more (a perfect date in Park Slope, South Slope, etc) if you’d like.
This particular walk focuses on central and North Park Slope, with stops I often take out-of-town visitors: included is a list of my top coffee shops, restaurants, local businesses, and attractions that I love taking visitors.
A handy Google Map is included at the end of this guide.
Start in North Slope
Begin in the northern part of the neighborhood by getting off at 7th Ave, Bergen St or Grand Army Plaza station on Flatbush Ave.
Make your way over to The Montauk Club to admire the facade- built in the late 19th century in a Venetian Gothic style, it’s one of Park Slope’s most striking buildings. The interior is open only to members (or guests), though limited community events are held here. (Park Slope Pulse is a great place to find a weekly roundup of neighborhood events.)
If you have time to linger nearby, a few architectural detours off 7th Ave are worth it:
Sterling Place & 7th Ave - near the site of the 1960 Park Slope plane crash, a moment that left a lasting imprint on the neighborhood.
176-178 St. Johns Place (between 6th & 7th Ave) with distinctive industrial details.
Coffee, Bagels & a Quiet Garden
At Lincoln Place & 7th Ave, Bagel Pub is a solid stop for bagels to fuel your walk.
From there, head to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Housed in a former mansion, it’s a lovely place to pause and admire from the outside. In warmer months, the garden is ideal for sitting with a book or enjoying food you’ve picked up nearby, often accompanied by music drifting out from within.
If you’re craving coffee, you’re spoiled for choice:
Cafe Regular: a much-loved neighborhood coffee shop with an instantly recognizable facade that’s popular with photographers and Instagrammers. Grab a Colson Patisserie pastry early here if you can.
HOM Cafe & Wine: known for Asian-inspired coffee, pastries and dim sum all day if you want something a little different.
Velvette Black (on Union St): excellent cold brew and flat whites, plus a surprisingly peaceful hidden backyard.
Toward Prospect Park
Continue up Union Street toward Prospect Park and take in one of the most beautiful stretches of townhouses in Park Slope - one of my favorite blocks to wander slowly and appreciate the details.
~~ Continued below the paywall - a quick tour of Prospect Park, famous landmarks including a residence of a former president, my top lunch/bar/dinner and entertainment spots - and places to cool down with ice cream and a beer/cocktail ~~