Greenpoint Neighborhood Review

Traditionally a Polish working-class neighborhood, this northernmost neighborhood of Brooklyn is beginning to see the rents rise due to an influx of young professionals from the neighboring areas of Williamsburg and Long Island City (LIC). 

Polish bakeries, restaurants, and small businesses are still doing well for themselves despite a decline of Poles concentrated in the area.

Thanks to its convenient waterfront location, Greenpoint used to be known as an immigrant-populated area centered around maritime.

Buildings and docks that were built for the shipbuilding industry, can still be seen desolate and abandoned along the waterfront.

Today, Greenpoint has been transformed by the wave of gentrification started in Williamsburg having swept north to Greenpoint (particularly on Franklin Ave.) and east to Bushwick.

Greenpoint has access to two great green spaces--McCarren Park to the southern end and a hidden gem,McGolrick Park, to its eastern division.

Greenpoint is divided in two by McGuinness Boulevard and both sides have very different characters and vibes. 

Greenpoint is a popular filming location for New York City TV and film - some popular shows filmed in the area include: the HBO series Girls, The Good Wife, Law and Orderand Homeland(just to name a few).

Fun Fact: Purchased in 1638 by the Dutch from the Indians, Greenpoint, along with Williamsburg, was part of the mid-seventeenth-century town known as Bos-ijck (Bushwick), meaning “the wooden district.”

Brooklyn’s northernmost point was once covered in trees, hence “Green Point,” now Greenpoint.

Transportation

Greenpoint is not necessarily the most accessible area in NYC, and for that reason has remained a more quiet residence.

The G line has the Nassau stop, which is closest to Williamsburg, as well as Greenpoint Ave, which sits closer to Long Island City.

Public & Charter Schools

Greenpoint has just a few neighborhood schools, but those schools attract very involved parents in the community.

Enrollment at these schools has been steadily increasing due to the overflow of young professionals to the area.

Restaurants

In addition to housing some of the city's best brick-oven fired pizza at Paulie Gee's, Greenpoint has some stand out eateries that have a unique charm, unlike any other NYC restaurant.

For instance, Five Leaves, brainchild of Heath Ledger before his untimely death, is a modern American fare restaurant with an Aussie accent.

Order their burger and get your share of unique toppings including pickled beets, grilled pineapple, harissa mayo and a fried egg.

Plan accordingly, because you'll be hard-pressed to get a table for any meal. This place gets packed!

If you're looking to enjoy one of the best views of Manhattan skyline while enjoying your lunch or grabbing a drink then head over to the rooftop at Northern Territory, a cozy Austrailian tavern with a chill atmosphere, good service, food, and drinks!

Tucked away by McGolrick Park is an acclaimed Balinese-inspired restaurant, Selamat Pagi, founded by the Van Leeuwen brothers and Laura O'Neill of Van Leeuwen ice cream fame.

It would hardly be Greenpoint without its great Polish fare. Just try the likes of Karczma and Pyza for your fill of stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, and pierogies!

One of Greenpoint's crown jewels that everyone visiting needs to check out is Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop.

For over 60 years this old-school doughnut shop has been serving glazed, sugared, powdered and red velvet goodness; arguably some of the best doughnuts in the city.

Good thing this sweet shop is tucked away and hard to find because if it were easier to get to we would all be in real trouble.

Be sure to check out Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory's "secret" location up at the very tip of Greenpoint.