Cobble Hill: 2016 Neighborhood Guide

While a new wave of high-end stores and restaurants have emerged throughout the neighborhood, Cobble Hill has maintained much of the old charm that long-term residents love. The newly developed Brooklyn Bridge Park and local shops bring the truest vegans and the thickest-New-York-accent residents alike to the neighborhood.

Bordered from north to south by Atlantic Avenue and Degraw Street and east to west by Hicks Street and Smith Street, Cobble Hill may seem like a small area, but it offers endless entertainment for residents and visitors.

Accessibility

Located one or two subway stops away from Manhattan on most lines, Cobble Hill is easily accessible anywhere in New York. The (F & G) trains provide direct access to Cobble Hill from Manhattan and Queens respectively. However, only a short (or my version of short) walk away, the (2, 4, 5, N & R) trains all provide relatively quick travel to Manhattan. 

A fairly small neighborhood, Cobble Hill is incredibly easy to travel within. The (B61 & B75) buses will provide easy access vertically to neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Heights and Carroll Gardens. East/west travel is just as simple with the (B63 & B71) buses providing access from Smith Street to Brooklyn Bridge Park on the East River.

However, with scenic brownstones, wide roomy sidewalks, and tree provided shade, walking around Cobble Hill is pain-free and enjoyable. With strollers and dog walkers, commuters can enjoy plenty of sidewalk space that is rare in Manhattan.

Lifestyle

While many upscale shops and new restaurants have moved into the neighborhood, Cobble Hill has maintained its unique and quaint character. You’ll find residents wandering the streets or sitting on stoops throughout the area, enjoying the local shops or the picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. 

Families from all over Brooklyn congregate in the newly developed Brooklyn Bridge Park to play pickup sports, showcase their Shih Tzu’s new outfit, or simply watch the clouds flow by. While Manhattan is only a short subway ride away, Cobble Hill residents will find themselves with so many local options that they never actually want to leave.

Restaurants and Bars

Cobble Hill boasts a wide variety of cuisines. Ranging from authentic Thai street food (Pok Pok Ny) to Michelin-starred Ethiopian (Awash Ethiopian Restaurant) or even authentic coal oven pizza (Table 87), come hungry and leave slow, sluggish, and full. However, if these don’t suit your fancy, simply walking around Cobble Hill (Court Street and Smith Street) will provide anything you could ever ask for. 

If a game of bocce and a beer sounds like a good time, Floyd’s Pub is a great place to go. A neighborhood hangout, Floyd’s has a fantastic yet mellow atmosphere that is perfect to spend an evening with friends. If you’re looking for a classic cocktail or the best grass-fed burger in the area, check out Henry Public. With a simple decor of a bar and tables, Henry Public has a fantastic rustic feel that is complemented by an old-school martini or a beer.

Cost

All the charm that Cobble Hill has to offer comes at a price, however. The median rent price for a Cobble Hill apartment is $7,000 per month at about $714 per square foot. Rent in Cobble Hill is as expensive as many of Manhattans more well-known neighborhoods such as SoHo, and prices are only on the rise.

Final Verdict

Boasting countless shops and restaurants, stunning brownstones, and beautiful parks, Cobble Hill is the perfect balance between excitement and relaxation. While the price may be a little high for those wishing to budget accordingly, come to Cobble Hill for the quiet New York feel and stay forever enjoying all there is to eat in this one of kind neighborhood.