Looking for things to do in Bushwick, Brooklyn? You are in the right place. Bushwick is the most colourful neighbourhood in New York City. Entire building sides are painted from pavement to roofline by artists from around the world. But the murals are only the start. Behind them sits a neighbourhood of great restaurants, indie coffee shops, craft bars, and real local energy. If you want to see somewhere that still feels alive and surprising, Bushwick belongs on your New York list.
This guide covers everything you need before your first visit. What to see, where to eat and drink, how to get there, and when to go. Whether you’re new to Brooklyn or a returning visitor ready to go beyond the usual spots, Bushwick has plenty to offer.
What Is Bushwick?
Bushwick sits in north Brooklyn, between Ridgewood to the east and Williamsburg to the west. For most of the last century, it was a working-class area. Breweries, factories, and immigrant families gave it its character. The 1977 blackout hit the neighbourhood hard, and it spent decades recovering.
Artists arrived in the early 2000s. Cheap rents and big loft spaces drew them in. They brought studios, galleries, and events. The Bushwick Collective — a curated open-air mural gallery — launched in 2011. It changed the neighbourhood’s face almost overnight. Today, Bushwick is one of the most visually striking urban areas in the United States.
Did you know? Bushwick was once New York’s brewing capital. By the late 1800s, it had more than 40 breweries. Giants like Rheingold and Schaefer produced most of the beer drunk in the city.
The Bushwick Collective: New York’s Biggest Outdoor Art Gallery
The Bushwick Collective is why most visitors come here. Joseph Ficalora founded it in honour of his late father. It started with a few murals on Troutman Street. Today it spans hundreds of large-scale works across multiple city blocks.
The best streets to walk are Troutman Street, Jefferson Street, St Nicholas Avenue, and Wyckoff Avenue. New murals replace old ones each year. Artists come from around the world for the annual summer block party. The neighbourhood looks different every time you visit.
Walking the Collective is free and takes one to two hours at a relaxed pace. Pick up a coffee from a nearby café and let yourself wander. There is no set route and no entrance fee. Some of the best finds are tucked down side streets you would only discover by accident.
The Collective hosts its annual block party each June. It is an all-day street festival with live music, food stalls, and artists painting live. If you visit New York in early summer, time your trip to Bushwick around this event.
Getting to Bushwick from Manhattan
Bushwick is easy to reach by subway. Here are the main options:
- L train: Take the L from 14th Street Union Square. Ride it to Jefferson Street or DeKalb Avenue. Both stops put you right in the Bushwick Collective area. The trip takes about 20 minutes.
- M train: The M stops at Central Avenue, Knickerbocker Avenue, and Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues. It covers a different part of the neighbourhood.
- J/Z trains: These stop at Halsey Street and Chauncey Street. Useful for reaching the southern end of Bushwick.
Rideshares reach Bushwick easily. From central Manhattan, expect a 20 to 35 minute ride and a fare of around $30 to $45. Cycling is also a good option if you are comfortable with New York traffic. The streets are flat and wide.
Bushwick is within walking distance of Williamsburg. Walk north from Bedford Avenue and you will reach the Bushwick murals in about 20 minutes. This makes combining both neighbourhoods easy in a single day.
Where to Eat in Bushwick
Bushwick’s food scene is varied, affordable by New York standards, and genuinely good. The neighbourhood’s immigrant history shows in its range of cuisines. Newer restaurants add something interesting at every price point.
Roberta’s Pizza
Roberta’s is the most famous restaurant in Bushwick. It opened in 2008 in a converted factory on Moore Street. The kitchen uses a wood-fired oven and grows ingredients on its own rooftop garden. The Bee Sting — with sopressata, chilli, and honey — is outstanding. Expect a queue at weekends. An outdoor garden and taco bar help manage the wait. See more of the city’s best pies in our guide to the best pizza in New York City.
Bunna Café
This Ethiopian vegan restaurant on Flushing Avenue is a Bushwick institution. Injera platters come loaded with stews and salads. The space has a warm, communal feel. Coffee is prepared in the traditional Ethiopian style and served with care. Bunna is affordable, welcoming, and worth returning to.
King David Tacos
A cult-favourite taco stand that runs from a window. King David serves excellent tacos at low prices. The brisket and crispy chicken are both very good. Queues form at peak times but move fast.
Northeast Kingdom
A New England–inspired neighbourhood restaurant on Wyckoff Avenue. Locals return here weekly. The brunch menu is excellent — good French toast, proper eggs Benedict, and a relaxed woody space. It is one of the best brunch spots in Brooklyn.
Maria’s Bistro Mexicano
A long-standing neighbourhood favourite serving authentic Mexican food. The enchiladas and mole are the ones to order. Maria’s is a reminder that Bushwick had real character long before the galleries arrived.
Where to Drink in Bushwick
Bushwick’s bar scene is one of the most varied in Brooklyn. You will find candlelit cocktail bars, industrial venues with live DJs, and simple pubs with cheap beer. The neighbourhood comes alive after dark, especially at weekends.
House of Yes
House of Yes is Bushwick’s most theatrical venue. It is a nightclub with aerial acts, bold décor, and themed nights. Events range from costume parties to burlesque shows. It is an experience as much as a bar, and the energy is like nowhere else. Dress up — everyone does.
The Johnson’s
A relaxed, no-frills bar with a pool table and cheap drinks. The Johnson’s is the kind of place where you go for one drink and stay for four. Locals love it. It represents the side of Bushwick that existed before the art scene arrived.
Pine Box Rock Shop
A vegan-friendly bar in a former coffin factory. Pine Box has a strong craft beer list, good vegan snacks, and a laid-back industrial feel. The space suits the neighbourhood perfectly.
Independent Cafés in Bushwick
Bushwick takes coffee seriously. The neighbourhood has a strong collection of independent cafés. Most sit inside converted industrial spaces with exposed brick and good natural light.
Milk and Pull
A neighbourhood staple on Jefferson Street. Milk and Pull serves precise espresso drinks in a simple, relaxed space. It is the kind of café that becomes part of your daily routine if you spend more than a day in the area.
Peck’s Food
More of a café-grocery hybrid, Peck’s makes outstanding coffee and well-made sandwiches. It is a useful stop before heading out to walk the murals. Pick up breakfast and eat as you go.
Galleries and Creative Spaces
Bushwick became an arts hub because of its outdoor murals. But the indoor gallery scene is equally worth exploring. Dozens of spaces exist here, from established galleries to artist-run project rooms that open only at weekends.
Knockdown Center, a converted glass factory near the Queens border, hosts large exhibitions, performances, and events. It is one of the most striking cultural venues in Brooklyn.
The Bushwick Open Studios weekend happens each spring. Studios and galleries open simultaneously across the neighbourhood. Visitors get a rare look behind the scenes. If your trip overlaps with it, do not miss it.
Walking the streets alone turns up a lot. Bushwick has a high density of creative activity — studios, print shops, ceramics spaces, and small bookshops. Much of it is visible from the pavement.
Other Things to Do in Bushwick
Sit in Maria Hernandez Park
A genuine neighbourhood park with basketball courts, dog walkers, and families on the grass at weekends. It is a good place to rest after a morning walking the murals. The streets around it have some of Bushwick’s best brownstone architecture.
Visit the Wyckoff House Museum
The Wyckoff House is New York City’s oldest surviving building. Built around 1652, the Dutch colonial farmhouse sits on the edge of Bushwick. It has a working heritage garden and a seasonal market. It is a strange and fascinating contrast — a 17th-century farmhouse in the middle of one of New York’s most creative neighbourhoods.
Walk to the Waterfront
Head west from the Bushwick Collective and the East River waterfront opens up. Views of the Manhattan skyline stretch across the water. This walk connects naturally to Williamsburg’s waterfront. Go in the late afternoon when the light is at its best.
Best Time to Visit Bushwick
Bushwick is great year round, but it peaks between May and October. Outdoor mural walks are best in good weather. Summer brings a lively atmosphere to bars and outdoor restaurants. The Bushwick Collective Block Party in June is the neighbourhood’s highlight of the year.
Autumn is excellent too. Summer crowds thin, the light improves for photography, and the restaurants and bars come into their own. Winter visits work fine — the murals stay up and many indoor venues are especially welcoming in cold weather.
Weekends are busier than weekdays, especially in summer. If you prefer a quieter visit, a Tuesday or Wednesday morning walk gives you the murals almost to yourself.
Quick Tips for Visiting Bushwick
- Wear comfortable shoes. The mural walk is long. You will be on your feet for several hours.
- Bring a camera. The murals are spectacular and the streets photograph well. Even a phone camera produces great results here.
- Go at your own pace. There is no one correct route through the Bushwick Collective. The best finds often come from wandering.
- Combine with Williamsburg. The two neighbourhoods sit side by side. Start with Bushwick’s murals in the morning, then head west to Williamsburg for the afternoon and evening.
- Know it is safe. Bushwick is a busy, active residential neighbourhood. Use normal urban awareness, as you would anywhere in New York.
For more ways to explore the city without spending much, see our guide to free things to do in New York City. And if you want more Brooklyn ideas, our guide to overlooked Brooklyn neighbourhoods is a good next read.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Bushwick
What is Bushwick, Brooklyn known for?
Bushwick is best known for the Bushwick Collective, a large open-air gallery of murals that covers building walls across several city blocks. The neighbourhood is also known for its independent restaurants, creative bars, and active arts community.
How do I get to Bushwick from Manhattan?
The L train is the easiest option. Take it from 14th Street Union Square to Jefferson Street or DeKalb Avenue. Both stops are walking distance from the Bushwick Collective murals. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Rideshares from central Manhattan typically take 25 to 35 minutes.
Is Bushwick worth visiting in New York City?
Yes. Bushwick offers something different from Manhattan’s main attractions. It is a real, working neighbourhood with outstanding street art, independent food and drink, and genuine local energy. You can explore it properly in half a day. Most visitors find it one of the most memorable parts of their New York trip.
When is the Bushwick Collective Block Party?
The Block Party takes place each June, usually in the second or third week of the month. It features live music, food stalls, and live mural painting. It is one of the best free events in Brooklyn and worth planning your New York visit around if you can.
What should I eat in Bushwick?
Roberta’s Pizza on Moore Street is the neighbourhood’s most famous restaurant, with outstanding wood-fired pizza. Bunna Café is excellent for Ethiopian vegan food. King David Tacos is great for cheap, well-made tacos. Northeast Kingdom is one of the best brunch spots in Brooklyn. The neighbourhood has something good at every price point.
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