This neighborhood guide was curated by a member of our team. New York CityEditors who call it home.
I will always remember the day that we moved to Prospect Heights. The circumstances were not ideal: COVID’s stay-at home mandates just began, businesses were closing in a hurry and we couldn’t find anyone to help with the move. We stayed at home for weeks and stopped trying to meet our neighbors or find local businesses to sustain us.
We began to explore Prospect Heights more and more as restrictions loosened. We walked around a lot and weaved through the historical brownstone architecture. For simple errands we made long, winding trips and brought books to benches on Eastern Parkway’s elm lined boulevard. We relied on—and were incredibly thankful for—the public amenities around us: Prospect ParkGrand Army Plaza is the place to be Brooklyn Botanical GardenWhen it reopened the Public Library. Slowly, we met our neighbors over porch gigs organized by local bands, Saturday afternoon “dance parties” on our street (a DJ worked his turntable on his fire escape; we danced on the sidewalk below), and Open Streets days that would bring families out onto Vanderbilt Avenue for picnics, even elaborate dinners—I once saw someone lug an entire dining table out, and decorate it with flowers and crisp linens.
What we missed during our more heady explorations early on, we made it up for with a gradual unfolding.
After more than five wonderful years, we are still here. We love that we are flanked by Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Barclays Center—where I’m yet to see a Nets game but have enjoyed many fantastic concerts. We love the thriving food and drink scene—everything from hard-to-score tables to no-frills Jamaican snack bars and beloved dive bars where you can actually have a conversation. The community is diverse, welcoming, and loves street parties. Prospect Heights has historically been diverse, with a significant Caribbean community alongside other ethnic groups—and the areas around Eastern Parkway and Flatbush Avenue in particular are entrenched in Caribbean culture (culminating in the fabulous West Indian Day Parade each September). Even so, the resident association of our street, made up of long-time residents, welcomed us warmly.
After five-plus years, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite local spots to make a perfect day out in the neighbourhood. Prospect Heights might be small but it is packed with charm.
8 a.m. Beat the crowds for breakfast pastries
I am an early riser and I take advantage of this to be in the queue at Radio Bakery For freshly baked bread and some weekend treats. Radio Bakery, with its original Greenpoint location, has an incredibly loyal following. But I still make room to enjoy a few weekend treats. chocolate chip cookie–with the perfect ratio of crisp to chew—a custard croissant (similar to a pasteis de nata), or a cheesy pretzel bear claw. I like to bring a good book along because sometimes the line can get very long. But, then the puppies on their morning walks will distract me.
