Bed-Stuy's Hottest New Restaurant Openings In 2023, Sad Goodbyes

BED-STUY, NY — It's been an interesting and delicious year in the Bed-Stuy restaurant world, with new additions from Korean staples to a cozy vegetarian cafe.

And with Bed-Stuy spots consistently ranking among New York City's best and snagging prestigious awards, the future could be just as bright for the neighborhood's newest eateries.

Che, 302 Malcolm X Blvd.

The Brooklynites behind Sincerely, Tommy and Daughter teamed up to bring Bed-Stuy its newest vegetarian spot, Che, in December. The cozy cafe opened on Malcolm X Boulevard between Putnam and Jefferson avenues with a breakfast sandwich, coffee, hummus toast and soon-to-be dinner service.

Regina's Grocery, 1063 Bedford Ave.

Beloved Italian deli Regina's Grocery is set to open its fifth location in Bed-Stuy in the new year between on Bedford Avenue between Lexington and Greene Avenues. It's a favorite for sandwich lovers citywide, boasting subs like The Uncle Jimmy, a mix of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, hot sopressata, arugula, roasted red peppers and his mother's hot Calabrian Chili spread.

Sonbul, 356 Throop Ave.

Korean street and home comfort food pop-up Sonbul will make Burly Coffee its permanent home next week after years of serving good eats around Brooklyn. As of Nov. 3, Sonbul's menu is available daily after the coffee shop closes Wednesdays through Saturdays, with Sunday service being added soon.

The Swan, 247 DeKalb Ave.

Brooklyn Public House is rebranding in Bed-Stuy, now donning a white sign over its bright red doors reading "The Swan" — a name similar to the pub that preceded the popular Fort Greene bar's second location. Owners of the popular Fort Greene bar announced in October their Bedford Avenue location, which opened in March, would re-open soon under the new name.

Bar Birba, 340 Franklin Ave.

Bed-Stuy's newest pizza is served out of a "cool, cute, cozy neighborhood" joint with a long wine menu to complement, according to Brooklyn Magazine. The spot opened on Dec. 15 by the team behind Mexican cafe For All Things Good.

As restaurants cropped up around the neighborhood, longstanding spots made bold moves — like Playground Coffee Shop's workers, who asked locals to boycott the cafe in the hopes of better working conditions and pay.

And over at Brooklyn's Daily Press, workers won an ambitious union contract last week after nearly a year of organizing, moving one step closer to cooperative business ownership with shared profits and protections.

Across Brooklyn, Starbucks workers joined a national strike on the chain's most profitable day in what's called the "Red Cup Rebellion."