Brooklyn Crab
Seafood restaurant · Red Hook
24 Reed St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Highlights
Seafood shack with crab, oysters, mini-golf & water views
Seafood shack with crab, oysters, mini-golf & water views
"There is nothing like Brooklyn Crab in NYC. It’s an anomaly in this city for a number of reasons. The first of which: crabs. No one else moves buckets of crabs around these parts on the regular. Strap on a bib and get those crackers ready, you’ve got work to do. Second, the rickety, beach-themed bi-level indoor/outdoor restaurant looks like it belongs on a boardwalk, in the sand, or on a dock. Not steps from the Hudson River in the flourishing industrial capital of Red Hook. It’s a fish out of water in the best possible way. Third, it has a mini golf course. That’s right, mini golf. In NYC. photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Emily Schindler photo credit: Emily Schindler photo credit: Emily Schindler Pause Unmute We like Brooklyn Crab a lot more as a place to hang out than as a culinary destination - sometimes, the idea of eating buckets of crabs can seem more exciting in theory than in practice, and that’s definitely the case here. But it’s still a fun activity, especially when you consider this place is more about than experience than it is the food anyway. Keep in mind that it can get bananas during prime time summer days, and you might have to wait a lonooong time to actually get a table. That’s fine by us, as the bar space is plentiful and there is always a cast of characters around to keep you entertained. Just prepare accordingly and make a day of it. While you’re killing time, have a drink around the corner at the historic Sunny’s Bar, one of the oldest and most storied in all of New York. This isn’t a See And Be Seen sexy summer hot spot, although Brooklyn Crab does have a bit of a Montauk vibe. It’s kind of like the Sloppy Tuna, but with kids, and without all the sloppiness. Food Rundown Streamers Because nothing says summer like a beer and big ’ol pot of clams. Peel & Eat Shrimp Peel ’Em, eat ’em, avoid the heads. The shrimps come with some spicy Cajun boil sauce, which is quite tasty. Crab Rolls Take a break from the lobster rolls for a minute and get down with a roll of the crab variety. Brooklyn Crab has a bunch of different options, from an affordable Jonah Crab roll to the consistently tasty Blue Crab roll. photo credit: Emily Schindler Snow Crab Steampot A bucket of snow crabs ready to be taken down. The reward on snow crabs isn’t all that great though, as they’re a lot of work for minimal meat. Treat yourself to Alaskan King crabs instead. Alaskan King Crab Steampot We love the Alaskan King. The meat is so decadent and smooth, and these big claws are so easy to crack and extract the goodness from. Definitely get a pot to share. Brooklyn Crab Royale For Two There are lobsters at the crab palace too. Go big and feed the whole crew with a Royale For Two: all the crabs, and a giant lobster." - Andrew Steinthal
"You're seeing a trend -- feeling like you're way out of NYC when you're still so close, and Brooklyn Crab is really the epitome of this. Welcome to a huge, expansive, multi-floor... basically theme park for adults and kids alike. Get involved in the snow crabs while playing some corn hole, air hockey, mini-golf, have at it. Yes this place is real." - Michael Ciancio
"Look out at the water from Brooklyn Crab, and you’ll see giant container ships that’ll remind you Brooklyn is certainly not a beach town. Even still, this Red Hook spot definitely feels summery—maybe it’s the fake sand or crab traps, which will take your mind off the fact that you’re next to warehouse parking lots. Order crab legs, popcorn shrimp, and a few pitchers of beer, and then remove your bib and play some cornhole. The restaurant is also on the same block as Hometown Bar-B-Que, if you’re looking for surf and turf." - willa moore, bryan kim, neha talreja, matt tervooren, molly fitzpatrick
"Brooklyn Crab is right next to Hometown BBQ, which means a game of cornhole in the sand can occur within 30 seconds of your last bite of pulled pork. Sunny’s is also around the corner, so on the weekends, this strip feels like the most serendipitous food crawl. Bring a group during the day and order crab, specifically in the form of crab rolls and steampots. In addition to cornhole, they have two separate bars, arcade games, and more fisherman-themed decor than an actual boat." - willa moore, hannah albertine
"Brooklyn Crab is right next to Hometown BBQ, which means a game of cornhole in the sand can occur within 30 seconds of your last bite of pulled pork. Sunny’s is also around the corner, so on the weekends, this strip feels like the most serendipitous food crawl. Bring a group during the day and order crab, specifically in the form of crab rolls and steampots. In addition to cornhole, they have two separate bars, arcade games, and more fisherman-themed decor than an actual boat." - willa moore, hannah albertine
