There's a moment every Haitian in Brooklyn knows. You're walking down Flatbush or Nostrand, Kompa is drifting out of a car window, and then the smell hits you: griyo frying, epis in the air, somebody's pikliz strong enough to make your eyes water from the sidewalk. For a second, you're home. Brooklyn is one of the most important places in the Haitian diaspora, and its food shows it. Flatbush is home to Little Haiti Brooklyn, East Flatbush and Canarsie are packed with Haitian families, and new spots keep opening that mix our grandmothers' recipes with something fresh. Whether you grew up eating diri ak djon djon every Sunday or you're trying Haitian food for the first time, this guide is for you. Every place below is listed in the free Haitian Corner business directory, so you can find their address, phone number and hours in one tap. Ann manje! Let's eat. Where to eat: 7 Haitian food spots in Brooklyn 1. Djon Djon (Prospect Lefferts Gardens) Named after the black mushroom that turns Haitian rice that famous deep color, Djon Djon is where you go when you want Haitian food with a modern twist. The kitchen takes traditional recipes and gives them a contemporary touch, and the cocktails make it a good pick for a date night or a birthday dinner with the cousins. Address: 1206 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Good for: dinner out, cocktails, celebrations See Djon Djon on Haitian Corner 2. Bunnan (Flatbush, Little Haiti) If you love bannann, this is your place. Bunnan builds its whole menu around plantains: plantain sandwiches, plantain "boats," plantain fries and even plantain chip nachos topped with protein. It's right on Flatbush Avenue in the heart of Little Haiti Brooklyn, and it's a fun way to introduce a friend to Haitian flavors. Address: 1248 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Good for: a quick, filling lunch; plantain lovers See Bunnan on Haitian Corner 3. Lakou Cafe (Crown Heights) In Haiti, the lakou is the shared family yard where everyone gathers, and Lakou Cafe brings that feeling to Utica Avenue. It's a cafe serving Haitian-inspired food and drinks, with plant-based options too, so it works for the friend who doesn't eat meat. Address: 195 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Good for: coffee, brunch, plant-based eaters See Lakou Cafe on Haitian Corner 4. Lakay Bistro (Bushwick / Bed-Stuy area) Lakay means home, and Lakay Bistro leans into it with traditional Haitian cooking, a lively atmosphere and hookah. It's a dinner spot that easily turns into a night out. Address: 55 Ralph Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221 Good for: dinner with friends, a night out See Lakay Bistro on Haitian Corner 5. Tamara Caribbean Kitchen (Canarsie) Tamara Caribbean Kitchen is a Haitian restaurant at heart. It specializes in the foods of Haitian culture while cooking for the wider Caribbean and American community in Canarsie. If you're in southeast Brooklyn and craving a real plate, this is a solid stop. Address: 8913 Glenwood Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11236 Phone: (718) 257-8900 Good for: a full Haitian plate close to home See Tamara Caribbean Kitchen on Haitian Corner 6. Bonbon Lakay (East Flatbush) Bonbon Lakay means "treats from home," and that's exactly what it is. Since 2018, it has been bringing traditional Haitian treats made in New York, along with coffee, chocolate and peanut butter imported from Haiti. Come for something sweet, leave with a jar of mamba for the house. Address: 1140 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203 Phone: 347-457-6551 Good for: Haitian sweets, gifts, Haitian coffee and mamba See Bonbon Lakay on Haitian Corner 7. Bamboo Walk Caribbean (East Flatbush) Bamboo Walk serves a broader Caribbean menu rather than a strictly Haitian one, but it earns a spot for convenience: it calls itself the first Caribbean restaurant with a drive-thru in NYC, plus takeout and a full dining room. Perfect when you're hungry and don't want to park. Address: 1343 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203 Phone: (718) 369-0001 Good for: drive-thru, takeout, feeding a crowd fast See Bamboo Walk Caribbean on Haitian Corner What to order: Haitian food 101 New to Haitian food, or bringing a friend who is? Here's what to look for on the menu. Dish What it is Order it if… Griyo Pork shoulder marinated in citrus and epis, then fried until crispy You want the classic Haitian plate Diri ak djon djon Rice cooked with Haitian black mushrooms, which turn it dark and earthy You want something you won't find anywhere else Diri kole ak pwa Rice and beans cooked together You want the everyday comfort side Bannann peze Twice-fried green plantains, flattened and crispy You need something to scoop pikliz with Pikliz Spicy pickled cabbage, carrots and scotch bonnet peppers You like heat (it goes on everything) Legim A thick stew of vegetables, often with meat You want a home-style meal Akra Fritters made from grated malanga root You want a snack or appetizer Pate kòde A fried pastry filled with meat, herring or chicken You want breakfast on the go Soup joumou Pumpkin soup with beef, pasta and vegetables, eaten on January 1 to celebrate Haiti's independence It's Sunday or New Year's Day Pro tip: If it's your first time, order griyo with diri ak djon djon, bannann peze and a side of pikliz. That one plate tells the whole story. Tips for eating Haitian in Brooklyn Follow the neighborhoods. Flatbush (around Flatbush, Church and Nostrand Avenues), East Flatbush along Utica Avenue, and Canarsie have the highest concentration of Haitian spots. Walk a few blocks and you'll find bakeries, caterers and family-run kitchens that aren't on any list yet. Call before you go. Many Haitian restaurants are small, family-run places. Hours can change, and some plates sell out early on weekends. Sunday is soup day. Some spots make soup joumou on Sundays and almost all of them on January 1. Ask ahead. Bring a little Kreyòl. Staff will appreciate it, even if you only know a few words: Bonjou! Good morning / hello Kisa ou rekòmande? What do you recommend? Li bon anpil! It's really good! Mèsi anpil. Thank you very much. Know a spot we missed? Brooklyn has far more than seven great Haitian kitchens, and we want to find them all. Tell us your favorite in the comments, and we'll add it to the next update of this guide. If you own a Haitian restaurant, bakery or food business, you can list it free on Haitian Corner so more of the community can find you. Looking for more? Browse all Haitian businesses in New York, find Haitian events in New York, or explore the Haitian community in Brooklyn. Bon apeti! 🇭🇹
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