By citykin

Jay-Z grew up in Bed-Stuy. So basically that’s all you need to know about this Brooklyn Neighborhood. It has more street cred than all the cool areas in the universe. #fact.

Formally known as Bedford-Stuyvesant, it’s located in central Brooklyn and once considered one of the most dangerous places in Brooklyn. But the area has now become a haven for artists and young families. In other words, that “deal of a brownstone” you could once buy is no more.

We turned to Citykin’s resident Bed-Stuy expert Liz Anthony to get the insider scoop on what to do with your family. She is mom to Victoria (5), Alice (3) and newborn baby Isabel, owner of a boutique marketing agency and somehow has time to send us these recs. She, her lady babies and her husband are living the Brooklyn dream in the middle of Bed-Stuy! Her hubby even keeps an Instagram dedicated to all things Bed-Stuy. #trulelove.

WHY I LOVE THIS HOOD: It is diverse, with a warm friendly neighborhood feel on every block. A perfect mix of things to keep you busy with a quiet residential vibe.

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE HANGS:
Italian: Saraghina - is a long established go-to in Bed Stuy. Pop by their cafe to get pastries or eat pizza family style in their garden. (Plus a bar if you're on a date night! Or any night really who am I kidding.)

Southern: Peaches, another Bed Stuy gem has several locations, all of which do not disappoint when you're looking for delicious, casual southern style cuisine. Calories don’t count when you eat here.

Mexican: Calaca is the best, authentic Mexican food and margaritas hands down. Come early if you bring kiddos and don't forget it's cash only!

Fish: Bed Stuy Fish Fry - great to cater your next school event or visit one of their many family friendly locations in Brooklyn.

Brunch: If cheerios and cold toast aren’t cutting it for breakfast, head to Brown Butter who make their own mouth-watering biscuits that can't be beat.

Drinks: When we get our drink on (which hasn’t been in a long while for me!) Bed Vyne - purveyors of Wine & Spirits, Cocktails (great garden!), and Beer (Brew which has ample back room seating and some great people watching outside)

"Happy Hour" with kids: And no I don’t mean that as an oxymoron. Swell Dive is a surfer bar with cozy booths, board games and a back garden. The chips and queso and their hurricane fries are Anthony family favorites!

Date Night: Bar L'Unatico has live music, great cocktails and good times. Get there early to snag a good seat! Also if you're a fan of Tiki drinks - you've got to go to Zig Zag. Clearly I’m pumped to not be pregnant right now.

Coffee: The Mixtape Shop- perfect space to spread out and they offer amazing coffee, records and pastries and cookies for kiddos too.

Kids Stuff:
Art Shack (both kids and grown up pottery!) and bonus you can leave the mess behind.

Pipsqueak is a kids store & play space. I recommend trying to keep them in the playspace for as long as possible. Distraction tactics!
Busybodies is a space for open play, classes, events, lectures and parties. A great community place and fab programming.

Crispus Attucks Playground otherwise known as the place where I spend a scary amount of my life at.

Shopping:
ANGL - the two founders know their stuff and always have the most interesting vintage treasures within a range of aesthetics, plus host pop-ups all year round including in their amazing back garden which is both kid and pup friendly!
Sincerely Tommy- you can drink coffee, shop for your home and buy new clothes and accessories! UM.. Time saver hell yes!

Peace & Riot -the owners are the coolest and so is all the kid clothes, home stuff and pop-ups they host.
Chickie's -amazing produce and pre-made food because sorry not sorry don’t have time to cook most days.

Exercise: The Bed Stuy Y offers great kids programming, community events, speciality camp including swimming and free childcare during certain hours for members!

Everything: Herbert Von King park - great facilities, dog run, free concerts and movie screenings. If someone isn’t happy it’s not Herbert’s problem.

Nails: Element on Bedford - exceptional service, cleanliness and they offer kids manis and pedis! Indulge and parent at the same time by outsourcing your tiny humans to one of their amazing nail technicians.

Treat yourself: Bed Stuy Acupuncture & Massage Therapy - if you've gotten through all of these spots, it's time to treat yourself. And lets be real, I just popped out a baby so yeah, deserve a TREAT YOSELF day!