Jul 5, 2016 3 min read fort greene

The 5 Best Places To Have Brunch In Fort Greene And Clinton Hill

Image via Black Forest Brooklyn. — Brunch is better when it’s boozy. (Courtesy Black Forest Brooklyn)

Food is one of the best parts of covering Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. From Peck’s to Greene Grape Provisions, there’s gastronomic magic in these parts (especially when matzoh is involved.) We’ve even won Michelin distinctions and, most importantly, a pizza smackdown with the home of the trash pile.

One thing Fort Greene and Clinton Hill do especially well is brunch. It’s not quite breakfast, it’s not quite lunch… anyway, it’s one of the best ways to spend a morning and/or afternoon. The plethora of brunch options in these parts is bananas, so we’ve ranked them… in ascending order.

5. Greene Grape Annex (753 Fulton Street between South Portland Avenue and South Elliot Place)

greene grape annex - chai and pastries 2 — Greene Grape Annex’s scones might be seasonal in nature, but they’re always stand-out. (Courtesy Fort Greene Focus)

The Greene Grape Annex is an easy place to get comfortable, and few things are nicer than strolling into a lazy breakfast of carbs and coffee. That’s why we’re so fond of the scones, which are a wonderful way to start any day but an especially luxuriant way to spend brunch.

4. Pillow Cafe (505 Myrtle Avenue between Ryerson Street and Grand Avenue)

bacon ceddar waffle from pillow cafe — The bacon cheddar waffle from Pillow Cafe (Courtesy Fort Greene Focus)

Brunch can be a form of indulgence, and it is hard to think of something more hedonistic than this bacon cheddar waffle. We wouldn’t recommend that this replace your morning oatmeal, but it’s certainly more fun. The dish even comes with eggs and seasonal fruit, which might allay nutritional concerns, but mostly just add to the Dionysian delight.

3.Black Forest (733 Fulton Street between South Elliott Place and South Portland Avenue)

The flammkuchen is an ordered right for more than just one. (Courtesy Fort Greene Focus) — Black Forest’s flammkuchen is an ordered right for more than just one. (Courtesy Fort Greene Focus)

Fort Greene is blessed with a multitude of great beer gardens, but you can find the fantastic flammkuchen at Black Forest. This massive flatbread is topped with sour cream, caramelized onions, and wild mushrooms on a thin crust to produce a delicious, fragrant meal that can serve you and a few friends.

2. Aita (132 Greene Avenue on the corner of Waverly Avenue)

Braised beef hash with seasonal vegetables and a poached egg, $13. — Aita’s braised beef hash with seasonal vegetables and a poached egg. (Courtesy Fort Greene Focus)

This Italian spot in Clinton Hill is a not-so-hidden gem. Aita is owned by Italians and will soon have a branch in Fort Greene. Be sure to try the the braised beef hash. It’s a rich, hearty dish in which every ingredient could stand strong on its own, but is even better once it’s coated in the yolk of a poached egg.

1. Mekelburg’s (293 Grand Avenue between Greene Avenue and Clifton Place)

Smoked salmon tartine (Courtesy Instagram/Mekelburg's) — Mekelburg’s smoked salmon tartine (Courtesy Instagram/Mekelburg’s)

Clinton Hill’s Mekelburg’s is one of our favorite haunts, not least because it offers something for everyone and any time. However, brunch can be especially rewarding when you indulge in the smoked salmon tartine and marry it to one of their ever-changing and always on-point selection of beers. The tartine is smoky, savory, rich, creamy, and has just a bit of bite. It’s genuinely stand-out and deserves its place near the top.

These are our favorites in the neighborhood as of now, but we want to know what you think.

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