Cobble Hill Charm
This past Sunday, The Daily Croissant celebrated Bastille day in Brooklyn. Although the festival was a tad underwhelming and more geared toward French expats playing Pétanque, we took it as an opportunity to explore a lesser known neighborhood in Brooklyn. Overall, our day turned out to be a success!
As you may already know, Brooklyn is becoming a bit of a tourist destination for those visiting New York. You won’t get quite the same hustle and bustle that you have in most Manhattan neighborhoods, but that is what we love about it!
Welcome to Cobble Hill
If you haven’t been to Cobble Hill, you should check it out sometime. This neighborhood was originally a settling place for Italian immigrants in the early 1900’s. It has since become very French with many French families migrating here within the last 10 years or so. So much that it has been named Little France. Well, when I read that I knew I had to go and check it out! Here’s a quick roundup of the things we think are worth a look!
Food
Start with coffee and a croissant at Bien Cuit. There’s a sweet outdoor seating area to lounge or even bring your laptop to get some work done.
An Iced latte and croissant to fuel up for the morning!
Bar Tabac has some yummy French fare if you’re up for that. Just a five minute walk down Bergen street is Leyenda. A latin style tapas joint serving creative cocktails. There are loads of options in the area, but those are the only two where I’ve dined.
Shopping
Most of the shops are small boutiques with original and handmade items. Check out Clare V on Bergen street to treat yourself to an extra-special handbag, hat, or wallet. The girls in this store were very kind and welcoming. The store’s layout is great if you want to pop in to get some design inspo!
Clare V boutique can be a splurge, but you’re worth it!
Bergen street also had a pop-up market with about 20 retailers selling everything from candles, jewelry, and turkish towels. What are turkish towels you ask?? Only these super soft, luxurious multi-purpose pieces of cloth that can be used as a shawl, a blanket, a scarf or a beautiful kaftan! I took a few minutes to talk to the vendor about her beautiful pieces that you can find here.
This is the designer, Derya, and I think we’re friends now!
Gorgeous Kaftans available online as well!
This particular market called FAD (FAshion, Art and Design) will be at the 51 Bergen street location in Brooklyn on July 29+30 and August 12+13, 26+27 from 11am – 6pm. They have a special Beach edition at Coney Island on August 6 from 12pm – 7pm. Coney Island is another part of Brooklyn that I’ve never been to and as a New Yorker, I’m ashamed to admit that. But I’m excited to go check it out!
Sightseeing
This door was the perfect Provence blue! I made that color up.
I could totally spend the day walking around the neighborhood admiring the brownstones and colorful doors, maybe even wander down a little alleyway. I’ve been learning to appreciate these little things throughout my travels. Like running into this cool vintage Fiat, so naturally I had to get a picture with it.
Not gonna lie, it could’ve been a handbag that made me whip my head around so fast!
Smith street and Court street are busier streets with a bunch of stores, but take a random turn and you may eventually end up in Brooklyn Heights! This wasn’t really part of our plan, but once you’re walking the beautiful tree lined streets, you kind of don’t want to leave. I plan to explore even more of this historical neighborhood next time I’m in Brooklyn.
These tree lined streets get me every time
Just a short walk from there and you’ll be at Brooklyn Bridge Park where you can grab an ice cream cone at Ample hills Creamery and watch the boats sailing the Hudson River. Picnic tables and grills are available for public use.
Great photo opps all over this place!
Brooklyn has a special place in my heart. Both my mother and boyfriend were born and raised there. So if you ever want to spend an afternoon in the quaint Cobble Hill, give me a call and I’ll join you! Hope this inspires you to spend a fun day exploring a new neighborhood that you’ve been putting off!
Let us know if we left anything out. We’re always adding to our arsenal of travel destinations.
xoxo
TDC
