A weekend in Williamsburg.

When describing where I live, I always tell people it’s the closest you can get to Manhattan without actually being in Manhattan. Every day, I come back from class in the city over the Williamsburg Bridge and settle into Williamsburg, Brooklyn which offers a reprieve from the bustle of Manhattan while having everything you could possibly want. 

My favorite thing about my neighborhood is that every time I leave my house, I find a new place or see something I’ve never seen before. Just the other day, my brother and I were looking for a restaurant in the neighborhood for lunch and we found a Polish restaurant, Dziupla, a block away from my apartment which I had never noticed. On my walk home from the subway stop another day, I discovered a martial arts studio around the corner from a smoke shop I frequent. Part of this experience is because of my general obliviousness to the world around me, but it is also the charm of the neighborhood I live in. It’s a whole exciting world contained inside a few square miles. 

In order to paint you a picture of my experience of Williamsburg, I’ll describe for you my perfect day in the neighborhood. I’m a caffeine addict, so my first move of the day is always coffee. Like most every neighborhood in New York, there are approximately 1,000 coffee places every two blocks, but I have a few favorites. If it’s a weekend and I have time to spare, I go to my favorite coffee place, Oslo, located on Roebling Avenue. Their mocha latte is to die for, and the option to add a second double shot makes it absolutely delicious. If it’s a busy day when I have classes, I head to Martha’s Country Bakery, one of my most-visited places in the neighborhood. On weekdays, they hold a breakfast special where any pastry is free with the purchase of an espresso drink, which helps save time when I’m rushing to class. Aside from its weekday special, Martha’s is mine and my friends’ go-to place when we’re looking to celebrate or treat ourselves. Almost every time my best friend comes to my place, we go to Martha’s to get a few desserts to share. Slowly but surely, we’re making our way through the menu, recording each new dessert we try. We’ve tasted over 30 items in the months we’ve been going, and we’ve yet to try everything. At the top of the list are the caramel mousse cake, black forest cake and triple berry tart. 

After grabbing coffee, I usually walk around the neighborhood and frequent some of the local shops. One of my preferred stores in the neighborhood is Mother of Junk, a home goods store on Driggs Avenue. Mother of Junk is essentially a large warehouse filled with miscellaneous goods: Stacks of paintings, posters and stained glass window panes fill the front of the store, while standing shelves filled with glasses, figurines, candlesticks and more occupy the back, all conveniently sorted by color. Bins of vintage sports cards, photos, buttons, handles and other things are set in the middle. It’s the perfect place to wander around on days off, as you will always find something interesting. If you do decide to visit Mother of Junk, be prepared to navigate through the maze of narrow aisles and overstuffed shelves; although shopping there while it’s filled with people is tricky, it’s worth the trip as I always leave Junk with a new treasure. If you’re looking for a more traditional thrift store, you should head towards N. 8th Street on Driggs Avenue where you’ll find Buffalo Exchange and Monk Vintage, two clothing stores with lots to offer. If you have the patience to look through a maze of things, Monk Vintage is the perfect place for you. They have two locations around the corner from each other, each packed to the brim with unique items. Next to Monk is Buffalo Exchange, a popular and always-busy store that carries trendy pieces sold by fellow customers. 

Williamsburg is the perfect place for a shopping addict like me, as every Saturday Artists and Fleas, an open-air market inside an empty building for artists to sell goods, comes to the neighborhood. Walking through the space is a great way to spend the day and experience the neighborhood. Another option is to take a stroll down Bedford Avenue and check out the street vendors, who sell jewelry, clothes, accessories and home goods.

The shopping opportunities and the heavenly food are some of the main reasons I love where I live. The best thing about Williamsburg is that everything you could want is available nearby. When I’m craving pizza, I walk around the corner to Joe’s, a neighborhood institution that’s always open and never disappoints. If I’m in the mood for Asian food, I’ll pick up a combo roll from Ako Sushi or dumplings and stir fry green beans from Mr. Bao. When I’m looking for something light, I pick up my favorite sandwich from my go-to bodega, Joe’s Busy Corner. No matter what mood I’m in, there’s something to satisfy my craving. 

Recently, with the possibility of a rent hike looming, my roommate and I have been considering moving out of Williamsburg. While he is insistent that we look for an apartment in a different neighborhood, I can’t bear the thought of leaving. I used to think I would always stay in Manhattan, but now that I’m here, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.