Ditmas Park, Brooklyn: What to do and where to eat around town

Many commuters pop into the bodega conveniently located next to the Cortelyou Q train for morning coffee, but Cafe Madeline, across the street at 1603 Cortelyou Rd., has a bit more to offer than a quick cup of coffee. The stylish cafe, easy to spot with its bright yellow awning, gives Ditmas Park locals a place to find a seat and get work done during the day. Drawing a crowd until the evening hours, you’ll spot people using the cafe as their personal office space thanks to the ample seating offered in a seemingly narrow spot.

Cafe Madeline boasts quality espresso beverages, smoothies and plenty of food options — from omelets and poached eggs for breakfast and brunch to burgers and sandwiches for lunch. Try the white matcha latte for a unique, caffeinated morning drink.
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Photo Credit: Dana Reszutek

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Brooklyn anymore.

For anyone who didn’t grow up in the city, the residential streets of Ditmas Park will bring you straight back to the suburbs — in a good way. One of the best activities in Ditmas Park is a simple stroll. Ditmas has streets and streets of Victorian homes that seem plucked from a suburban picture book — not exactly what you’d expect in a city neighborhood. Walk along streets between Beverly and Cortelyou roads, including Argyle, Marlborough and Rugby roads, to mentally escape the city for an hour or so.
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Photo Credit: Dana Reszutek

New York City doesn’t exactly have a bagel shortage, but it’s always a great idea to check out a neighborhood’s favorite spot. After all, isn’t the quest for the city’s best bagel a never-ending one?

The popular option for lox and a schmear in Ditmas is Catskills Bagel Co., at 1416 Cortelyou Rd. The eatery offers a nice amount of seating and reasonably priced bagels — $3 for a bagel with cream cheese. Not in the mood for a bagel? Catskills also has a solid selection of omelets, pancakes and other breakfast options.
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Photo Credit: Dana Reszutek

If you happen to head to Ditmas on a Sunday, head to the weekly Cortelyou Greenmarket which offers fresh, local produce, meat, poultry and more.

And on some days, you may spot a table filled with books. A branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, located on the corner of Cortelyou and Argyle roads, sometimes offers pay-as-you-wish book sales out front. Sample score: a book giveaway paired with live music, courtesy of local jazz musicians who played for the crowd.
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Photo Credit: Dana Reszutek

Manchego, at 1502 Cortelyou Rd., offers a selection of Spanish wines and a variety of tapas, including small vegetable and meat dishes, charcuterie and cheese boards and croquettes.

During happy hour, from 5 to 7 p.m. daily, you can get a selection of tapas and wines for $6 each.

If you’re looking for a larger dish, you can go right over to Koko Ramen, which is attached to Manchego, for Japanese cuisine.

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Photo Credit: Nicole Brown

Move over, Williamsburg. Brooklyn has a lot more to offer than stops along the L train.

Enter Ditmas Park, a neighborhood off the Q train that’s bustling with young professionals and families. It may be a small neighborhood, nestled between Flatbush and Kensington, but there’s no shortage of things to do.
While Cortelyou Road is a must — that’s where you’ll find the largest concentration of restaurants — you’ll definitely want to stroll the side streets for an urban cleanse via the many gorgeous Victorian homes. So hop off the Q at either Beverley or Cortelyou roads and take in an area that’s a destination for everything from a night out to a quiet stroll.