All Along Ocean Parkway: Little Odessa (Brighton Beach), Prospect Park, Dinner & Drinks in Park Slope

Little Odessa (Brighton Beach)

Don’t forget, New York City has beaches too! Even many New Yorkers haven’t fully explored the melting pot of a neighborhood that is Brighton Beach, though. Famous for its versatile cuisines, you can find all sorts of amazing Ukrainian, Russian, Uzbek, and even Korean food around here. You could practically spend all day eating borscht and drinking Ukrainian vodka in Brighton Beach. But, before you indulge, head to the beach for some you-time. Just down the stretch from Coney Island, Brighton Beach is less rowdy and less touristy, making it way more relaxing. The beach itself is just a stone’s throw from the subway, so it’s a breeze to get to, and once you’re ready to stuff your face with some great food, that’s just down the road too. First, stop by Gulluoglu on Brighton Beach Avenue for some quick Turkish coffee or tea and some baklava. Next, you can hit up the famous seaside Tatiana’s Grill on Brighton 6 th Street to get some mouthwatering seafood. The list for restaurants and cafes doesn’t end there, but before we get carried away, make sure to stop at the St. Petersburg Bookstore on Brighton Beach Avenue – it’s just across the street from Gulluoglu. Here, you can find all sorts of Russian books, and souvenirs like matryoshkas too (Russian nesting dolls). These are all just my recommendations though. At the end of the day, Brighton Beach is a unique neighborhood best experienced by exploring on your own, as there’s enough locally- owned restaurants, bars, and shops to keep you happy and amused for hours on end.