Morgantown, Willywick, Bushburg, East Williamsburg—call it what you want, the postindustrial boondocks surrounding Roberta’s restaurant have become a destination unto themselves. The three-year-old experiment in sustainable, hyperlocal eating has attracted a slew of like-minded community builders, among them cooperative performance space Surreal Estate, coffeehouse Little Skips, and quasi-legal apartment galleries Centotto and Norte Maar. “It’s like Williamsburg in 2000, without the real-estate speculators,” says Kenan Gunduz, director of Danbro Studios, future home of DIY concert venue the Wick.
940 Flushing Ave.; 718-418-6347
The deep-fried Sicilian rice balls—also a smash at the Hester Street Fair—keep the late-night revelers coming from Wreck Room, the aptly named bar next door.
2. Arepera Guacuco
44 Irving Ave.; 347-305-3300
The vibe is bright and cheery, and the Venezuelan arepas, stuffed with squid, shrimp, and mussels, are delightfully gut-busting.
3. Curbs & Stoops
566 Johnson Ave.; no phone
The converted feather factory is now an arts hub, with five active exhibition spaces and the graffiti-centric Bushwick Chronology Project.
4. Momo Sushi Shack
43 Bogart St.; 718-418-6666
Bozu chef-owner Makoto Suzuki’s restaurant is Tokyo-meets-Brooklyn incarnate: communal tables, allegiance to sustainable foods, and Sapporo on tap.
5. Bushwick Community Darkroom
385 Troutman St.; bushwickcommunitydarkroom.com
A black-and-white basement darkroom charging just $10 per pre-booked hour ($15 if you need instruction).
6. Café Ghia
24 Irving Ave.; 718-821-8806
Opening any minute now, this cozy twenty-seat bistro promises vegan salads, artisanal sandwiches, and daily brunch.
7. Microscope Gallery
4 Charles Pl.; 347-925-1433
The boundary-defying gallery hosts art exhibits, live music, and film screenings.
8. The Narrows
1037 Flushing Ave.; no phone
The unmarked bar pours requisite craft beers, organic wines, and respectably priced cocktails (from $7) made with herbs grown in a roomy backyard.
12 Grattan St.; 718-366-6311
A coffin factory turned rollicking pub, complete with a vegan bar, trivia nights, and, starting in May, karaoke.
10. Shops at the Loom
1087 Flushing Ave.; 718-417-1616
Something of an indie mini-mall, housing Brooklyn Yarn & Bakery Café, the Better Than Jam Handmade Co-op, and the Deli & General Store, serving a mean octopus po’ boy.
11. The Sweatshop Rehearsal and Recording Studios
262 Meserole St., second fl.; 718-599-5962
The former Williamsburg recording studio has unveiled a sparkling new facility within the 75,000-square-foot Danbro music complex.
12. Second Stroke Mopeds
1022 Broadway; 347-405-5255
The month-old moped shop specializes in Tomos and other restored vintage two-wheelers.