Where to eat on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue
Your favorite Park Slope sweetheart weighs in
Time Out’s recent (preposterous) declaration that Fifth Avenue is the “coolest” street in NYC has sparked a flurry of writing for me. I grew up right off of Park Slope’s Fifth Ave, so I reckon that I’m allowed to posit myself as an authority on the subject, and I’ve spent the past couple of weeks thinking a lot about this street that is so dear to me. Despite not believing Time Out’s ranking, I seized upon the headline as an excuse to write about what’s actually going on on Fifth.
Fifth isn’t cool. Rather, it’s a stroller-ridden haven for Park Slope moms and a homey hub for small, local businesses — at least, that’s what it has been for about fifteen years. This past week, I published two articles about Fifth from two different angles: first, this piece about the best, oldest establishments on Fifth Ave for the Brooklyn Eagle, which I actually wrote one full calendar year ago and was therefore particularly satisfied to finally see in print. Second, for the BK Reader, I wrote about how franchises are creeping in on the Northern end of Fifth. Lulu’s Cuts and Toys, a 20-year-old toy store, just got replaced by a Cinnabon/Carvel, which seems like a particular loss.
Now, I want to round out my coverage of Fifth with a discussion of the in-between — my favorite, medium-old small businesses that make the street feel like a hometown. If you’re heading to Fifth, here’s where you should eat.
Breakfast: Blue Sky Bakery (53 Fifth Ave)
One of my earliest memories is from the day my parents decided to move to our house. I was four? five? years old and we stopped by Blue Sky Bakery on the way to check out the property; my parents bought me a frosted cookie, we all sat on our coats on the floor of our new empty home to eat, and I distinctly remember thinking the cookie was too spicy because it had been frosted with lemony icing. Thankfully I eventually sorted out that lemon is not a spice. Now, I’ve known owners Eric and George for 20 years, I visit Blue Sky whenever I go home for fruit-stuffed muffins and cinnamon rolls, and I have a tattoo of a cinnamon roll. (Get the cinnamon roll without the spicy lemony icing, if available.)
Coffee: Clever Blend (97 Fifth Ave)
If you’re looking for coffee in Park Slope, go to Clever Blend. The owners are very Italian and willing to speak Italian with me, which I am always charmed by. They take bean sourcing seriously and also have a side-hustle gelato cart right in the window, which catches the light as the sun begins to set. It’s about to be perfect weather to sit at the tables outside with a book, just saying…
Brunch: Miriam (79 Fifth Ave)
I interviewed Miriam’s owner Rafi for my Brooklyn Eagle piece, and in the middle of our chat, his mother waltzed in and exclaimed, “He named [the restaurant] after me because he loves me so much!” The brunch here has had lines out the door every weekend for the past 20 years, but — huge hack — you can also order brunch on a weekday, when there is no line at all. I am particularly enamored of the Mediterranean crispy dough right now, which is served with a side of shredded tomatoes and harissa.
Lunch: 5ive Spice (multiple locations)
“5ive Spice” is a baffling name for a restaurant but the Vietnamese fare is quite good here. Cash only. I have not had their tacos and cannot vouch for them, but the pho is good, the banh mi is good, and the vermicelli noodles are great. There are also locations in Gramercy and Nolita, if that appeals more.
Dinner: TARIQUE (447 Bergen St)
Technically, TARIQUE is not on Fifth Avenue, but it’s just around the corner on Bergen, and its ethos feels very Fifth to me, so that’s my excuse. TARIQUE used to be called Corner Delhi and serve British/Indian food; now, owner Tariq has rebranded the restaurant as TARIQUE and it serves what he calls “New American” food, with a more varied menu that draws from all facets of his culinary background. My mother eats here essentially weekly because she loves the clay oven chicken and the samosas, so if you go there’s the added bonus of 1/7 odds that you’ll see her there.
Dinner #2: Haenyeo (239 Fifth Ave)
Probably the finest dining location on the street that I approve of. Haenyeo is named after female divers from Jeju Island in South Korea, who can hold their breath for minutes at a time while harvesting stuff from the ocean floor. The food here is fantastic for a fancier night out — get the glass noodles and whatever is special that night, which often is something fine-dining-fusion-y, like their rice cakes fundido that made headlines.
Dessert: L’albero dei gelati (341 Fifth Ave)
Please refer to my writeup of L’albero as one of the best ice cream spots in America for Tasting Table if you want the full context on this one. So light, so fluffy, gelato is better than I had in Italy. Get the burro e sale — butter flavor — or the olive oil.
Cocktails: Honeycomb (74 Fifth Ave)
Honeycomb is one of those “listening room” bars with good acoustics, honey-infused cocktails, and low lighting, which is why I thought it would be perfect for a first date. Upon entering, it seemed like my date and I had entered a portal; within minutes, we were getting kissed on the forehead (blessed?) by another patron, who then introduced us to the bartender, a former sailor, who, as introduction, uttered my favorite sentence I’ve ever heard spoken aloud: “I went to the sea to find God and die.” I don’t think I said more than three sentences to my date, alas, but Honeycomb made for an intensely fascinating night.
Just, like, normal beer: High Dive (243 Fifth Ave)
For a demonstrably more chill drinking experience, head to High Dive, a sweet dive bar with a backyard area, a popcorn machine, and a pro-dog policy. (If you are like me, do not pet one of the pro-dog dogs then eat popcorn, because you will end up with a swollen eye.)
Also: Yesterday, I arrived in Patzcuaro, Mexico for a writing retreat with one of my MFA professors — no promises, but there may be a special edition of Hannah is Eating about what we eat here next time you see me in your inbox. Til then, much love (and do not expect me to be swift via email)!
Hannah
My favorite Park Slope sweetheart! Happy to have eaten at some of these places with you (here’s to eating at more!)
Here to vouch for 5ive Spice tacos