United States New York New York City New York City Guide Things To Do Essentials Restaurants Nightlife Where to Stay Neighborhoods Itineraries Events Getaways All New York City Brooklyn's 8 Best Old-School Restaurants By Alison Lowenstein Alison Lowenstein Twitter Alison is a native New Yorker who has lived in Brooklyn for 20 years. She has written several guide books about New York City. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 05/10/19 Share Pin Email Andrew Burton/Staff/Getty Images With new restaurants opening up all over Brooklyn, and many others closing, it’s time to pay tribute to these old-school restaurants that have been open for years. In a city filled with constant change, these restaurants offer a peek at Brooklyn throughout the past decades. Many of these old-school haunts evoke charm from a previous generation. Get schooled in Brooklyn history at these landmark restaurants. From pizza pies at a historic Coney Island restaurant to roast beef sandwiches at a Sheepshead Bay fast-food joint, get a taste of Brooklyn's food history at these eight spots. 01 of 08 Nathan's Famous Steven Ferdman/Contributor/Getty Images View Map Address 1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-333-2202 Web Visit website A trip to Coney Island isn't complete without visiting a hot dog shop that has been open for more than a hundred years. Head there on July 4th to watch its annual hot dog eating contest. 02 of 08 Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitana Joe Hall/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 View Map Address 1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-372-8606 Web Visit website This restaurant on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island, just an avenue away from the beach, has walls crammed with old photographs and has served some of the best thin-crust coal oven pizza in Brooklyn since 1924. If you want to taste authentic NYC pizza, you must head to Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitana. 03 of 08 Ferdinando's Focacceria View Map Address 151 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11231-2909, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-855-1545 Web Visit website Ferdinando's Focaccia, located on Union Street in the Carroll Gardens waterfront district, is a classic. The restaurant opened in 1904 and serves some of the tastiest Sicilian food in NYC. Order its famous panelle sandwich (fried chickpeas) or a rice ball and enjoy your food in its atmospheric old-fashioned family-owned restaurant. 04 of 08 Monte's Billie Grace Ward/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 View Map Address 451 Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY 11215-1010, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-852-7800 Web Visit website Monte's, in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn, has a menu of classic Italian food and pizza. The restaurant opened in 1906 and truly evokes authentic old-world charm. Continue to 5 of 8 below. 05 of 08 Junior's Restaurant Leonard J. DeFrancisci/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 View Map Address 386 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-852-5257 Web Visit website Since 1950, Brooklyn folks have been devouring Junior's signature cheesecakes and overstuffed sandwiches at this Brooklyn deli. Located in the heart of downtown Brooklyn, Junior's is a landmark restaurant. The walls are filled with historic pictures of Brooklyn and other memorabilia. 06 of 08 Roll-N-Roaster View Map Address 2901 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-769-6000 Web Visit website Located in Sheepshead Bay, this kitschy old-school fast-food restaurant is a must-visit. Dine on roast beef sandwiches and pizza and wash it down with lemonade. If it's your birthday, the restaurant lets you spin a wheel (very similar to the one on "Wheel of Fortune") to win free food. Afterward, stroll on the footbridge over the bay, which is right across the street. Warning, you might need to pop an antacid after dining here, but it's totally worth it. An added plus, it has a parking lot. 07 of 08 Brennan & Carr Jeff/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 View Map Address 3432 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-769-1254 Web Visit website Order a hot roast beef sandwich or a Gargiulo burger at Brennan & Carr. This beloved rustic Brooklyn restaurant opened in 1938 and is still a local favorite. Although located a bit off the beaten path in Midwood/Sheepshead Bay, it's definitely worth the trek on the subway. 08 of 08 Peter Luger Steakhouse Peter Luger Steak for 4/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0 View Map Address 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-387-7400 Web Visit website Meat lovers should indulge in a steak dinner at Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg. The historic Brooklyn restaurant, which started as" Carl Luger's Café, Billiards, and Bowling Alley" in 1887, has had quite a history. The Michelin-star restaurant is one of NYC's top-rated steakhouses. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit