Fort Greene
The Vibe
Cultural, historic, community-minded with serious artistic pedigree and Brooklyn pride. The neighborhood anchored by BAM's cutting-edge programming (Philip Glass, Merce Cunningham, Ingmar Bergman) maintains creative energy through pre-show dining at Cafe Paulette (French bistro across from Fort Greene Park) and post-performance drinks at Walter's neighborhood spot. The Infatuation highlights Colonia Verde with spacious back garden and monthly Sunday Asado BBQ parties. Seafood specialist Sailor (8.7 rating) and Italian LaRina's ivy-covered garden patio mix with Israeli Miss Ada's excellent falafel and outdoor garden.
Description
Historic Brooklyn neighborhood centered around Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and Fort Greene Park (1847, Olmsted & Vaux design). BAM's 1908 Renaissance Revival building hosted Enrico Caruso, Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and Pina Bausch, establishing Brooklyn as a global arts destination. The neighborhood's 19th-century brownstones and tree-lined streets attracted writers, performers, and activists - from Walt Whitman to Spike Lee (who depicted Fort Greene in 'She's Gotta Have It' and 'Do the Right Thing'). The BAM Harvey Theater's iconic 'distressed' interior and annual Next Wave Festival continue the avant-garde tradition.
Neighborhood Stats
Popular With
- Artists
- Writers
- Theater-Goers
- Families
- Creatives
Key Attributes
- Cultural
- Historic
- Arts
- Community
- Tree-Lined
Food Scene
Seafood leads with Sailor (8.7 rating, striped awning, comforting inventive dishes) and Strange Delight (8.3 rating, tiny subterranean spot, seasonal natural wine). Latin American Colonia Verde ranks as Fort Greene's most fun restaurant - spacious back garden with string lights, shrimp tacos, salted peewee potatoes, monthly Sunday Asado BBQ parties (8.3 rating). Italian LaRina serves smoked spaghetti aglio e olio in garden patio with ivy and colorful tiles. Japanese-Polish Ikigai offers $185 kaiseki tasting in Fort Greene townhouse (non-profit donating to Rescuing Leftover Cuisine). Pre-BAM options include Cafe Paulette's French bistro (steak tartare, duck confit) and Israeli Miss Ada.