The L train is known for traveling through Brooklyn’s hip neighborhoods, Williamsburg and Bushwick. And because it’s the most prominent train line in North Brooklyn, riding the L has become something of a New York City experience. (Just check out the outfits of your fellow train commuters!)
Here are the best stops off the L train that’ll give you a great taste of what Williamsburg and Bushwick have to offer.
Bedford Avenue
Traveling from Manhattan, Bedford Avenue is the first Brooklyn destination on the L train and an essential pit stop on your trip. This will take you to the very heart of Williamsburg — Bedford Avenue is lined with stores, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and well-dressed young people. Just a few blocks west will take you to the waterfront, where an excellent view of Manhattan awaits.
Photo courtesy of Stab At Sleep courtesy Flickr.
Burger with sweet potato fries at Mother’s | Yi-Ching L. via Yelp
Graham Avenue
For a somewhat grittier side of Williamsburg, exit at the Graham Avenue stop — by now you’re in East Williamsburg. You still don’t have to walk very far to find something to do. Within a few blocks of the subway there’s the cocktail bar Basik, the craft beer burger bar Mother’s, and a traditional Mexican restaurant Mesa Coyoacan. Keep walking east along Graham Avenue for more bars and restaurants.
Brunch at The Narrows | via Facebook
Morgan Avenue
The Morgan Avenue stop will put you in the heart of Bushwick. Upon exiting you’ll be right by Roberta’s, the popular pizza restaurant that helped put this neighborhood on the map. These blocks are ripe for exploring, as you’ll find great graffiti artwork, art galleries, hulking warehouse lofts, and plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants. A few blocks away you’ll find The Narrows, a popular cocktail bar, as well as King Noodle, a hipster hang with creative Pan-Asian dishes.
Coconut milkshake at Arepera Guacuco | Pinky and the B via Yelp
Jefferson Street
The Jefferson Street stop is only a few blocks away from the Morgan Avenue stop, it’s a walkable distance between the two. The reason many people get off at this stop, however, is Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos, just around the corner from the subway station. This is a tortilla factory that serves Mexican staples in a garage-like space. It’s BYOB, the tortillas are always fresh, and the tacos are among the best that you’ll find in New York City. There are a few other excellent Mexican restaurants in the area, which reflect the large Spanish enclave in Bushwick, Mesa Azteca Restaurant and Arepera Guacuco.
Old Stanley’s Bar | via Facebook
Myrtle/Wyckoff Avenue
This is the last Brooklyn stop on the L train before it heads into Ridgewood, Queens. Walk northwest along Wyckoff Avenue for some bars and restaurants — you’ll notice some authentic Mexican joints and specialty stores. To grab a drink at a local, old school bar, hop into Old Stanley’s Bar.