Bensonhurst
Bensonhurst
3.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Bath Beach
How to get there
- 18th Ave • 2 min walk
- 20th Ave • 7 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
1,796 within 5 kms
Attractions
495 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
19 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
5
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
0
The Five Road Trippers 🚙🎡🎢🧳
Long Island, NY16,122 contributions
Oct 2021 • Business
Bensonhurst has the best bakeries and restaurants. Immaculately kept homes and nice playgrounds.Once the Little Italy of Brooklyn, now very diverse. There is a small Chinatown within. I will explore on my next visit.
Written 5 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BKLYN55
New York149 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
86th Street is the main attraction here.
Presently, much of Bensonhurst is now Asian in flavor, and this is reflected in the many shops and food markets in the area. Off 86th, the area is residential, with parks, schools, and libraries.
There are also some national chain stores located in the area, and many restaurants. From Bensonhurst, it's possible to take the subways to Coney Island, NYC, and other areas of Brooklyn.
It's not Park Slope, Williamsburg, or Carroll Gardens, if you're looking for that kind of Brooklyn experience as a visitor. Bensonhurst is an old Brooklyn neighborhood, home to many people that are living their daily lives.
Presently, much of Bensonhurst is now Asian in flavor, and this is reflected in the many shops and food markets in the area. Off 86th, the area is residential, with parks, schools, and libraries.
There are also some national chain stores located in the area, and many restaurants. From Bensonhurst, it's possible to take the subways to Coney Island, NYC, and other areas of Brooklyn.
It's not Park Slope, Williamsburg, or Carroll Gardens, if you're looking for that kind of Brooklyn experience as a visitor. Bensonhurst is an old Brooklyn neighborhood, home to many people that are living their daily lives.
Written 21 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
conrade886
Huntington, NY237 contributions
Sept 2013 • Solo
I lived in Bay Ridge when in Brooklyn and would always come to Bensonhurst for Italian food or items on 86th street. This is a classical Brooklyn neighborhood that while not like it has been is a mandatory visit for those looking to truly explore Brooklyn. It is set up on small streets and avenues with small to medium size houses many of which are currently at ridiculous prices. The housing stock found in Bensonhurst is similar to that found in other Southern and Central Brooklyn neighborhoods and less similar to that which is found in the neighborhoods with Brownstone homes. The neighborhood has been the backdrop of films like Saturday Night Fever and embodies several of the characteristics of a classical Italian or Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood thought of in the borough's yester years. Those two groups aren't a solid majority anymore as in my lifetime, Bensonhurst has had a steady influx of East Asian and Post-Soviet Union immigrants.
The neighborhood is served by the D and N subway trains which connect Coney Island to Manhattan and every Brooklyn neighborhood inbetween. The main streets in the neighborhood are New Utrecht Avenue, Stillwell Avenue, 18th Avenue and 86th street. To a lesser degree, Bay Ridge Parkway and 65th street are also large streets there. Restaurants of interest one should visit in Bensonhurst include Villabate Bakery at 71st and 18th, any pizzeria there will do but especially L&B Spumoni Gardens which is actually a few blocks over the boundary in Gravesend. There are several great food stores there too most notably Frank and Sals at 80th and 18th and Pastosa at 75th and New Utrecht.
The neighborhood is not without its bad reputation however as both a Mafia haven and as a racist neighborhood against Blacks. Regarding those items, I have never seen any visible signs of Mafia influence in Bensonhurst during my time living in Bay Ridge. This is not saying it is not there, it is merely saying that it has not became a visible problem there. Regarding the incident that took place against Yusuf Hawkins in 1989 that gave Bensonhurst a racist image, while it was an unfortunate incident that painted the neighborhood poorly and resulted in an unnecessary death, it was all things considered one isolated incident. I say it in that manner because there have been numerous black on black homicides that have happened on a weekly basis in other Brooklyn neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York, and Brownsville since that 1989 incident yet those neighborhoods aren't painted with the same label that Bensonhurst is. My point being if one wants to trash Bensonhurst for that incident, one should consider what goes on in other Brooklyn neighborhoods too.
Overall, one should visit Bensonhurst to see a true Brooklyn neighborhood that remains uninfluenced by Manhattan or the other boroughs. It has its ups, it has its downs, its a classic neighborhood though and if visiting at least 5 in Brooklyn, this has to be on one's list.
The neighborhood is served by the D and N subway trains which connect Coney Island to Manhattan and every Brooklyn neighborhood inbetween. The main streets in the neighborhood are New Utrecht Avenue, Stillwell Avenue, 18th Avenue and 86th street. To a lesser degree, Bay Ridge Parkway and 65th street are also large streets there. Restaurants of interest one should visit in Bensonhurst include Villabate Bakery at 71st and 18th, any pizzeria there will do but especially L&B Spumoni Gardens which is actually a few blocks over the boundary in Gravesend. There are several great food stores there too most notably Frank and Sals at 80th and 18th and Pastosa at 75th and New Utrecht.
The neighborhood is not without its bad reputation however as both a Mafia haven and as a racist neighborhood against Blacks. Regarding those items, I have never seen any visible signs of Mafia influence in Bensonhurst during my time living in Bay Ridge. This is not saying it is not there, it is merely saying that it has not became a visible problem there. Regarding the incident that took place against Yusuf Hawkins in 1989 that gave Bensonhurst a racist image, while it was an unfortunate incident that painted the neighborhood poorly and resulted in an unnecessary death, it was all things considered one isolated incident. I say it in that manner because there have been numerous black on black homicides that have happened on a weekly basis in other Brooklyn neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York, and Brownsville since that 1989 incident yet those neighborhoods aren't painted with the same label that Bensonhurst is. My point being if one wants to trash Bensonhurst for that incident, one should consider what goes on in other Brooklyn neighborhoods too.
Overall, one should visit Bensonhurst to see a true Brooklyn neighborhood that remains uninfluenced by Manhattan or the other boroughs. It has its ups, it has its downs, its a classic neighborhood though and if visiting at least 5 in Brooklyn, this has to be on one's list.
Written 25 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Five Road Trippers 🚙🎡🎢🧳
Long Island, NY16,122 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
This is home to the best Italian bakeries and restaurants in Brooklyn. These places are all about top notch quality. During The holidays, the residents do a great job decorating their homes. Like a mini version of Dyker Heights. When in Bensonhurst, I recommend getting pastries at Scotto's or Villabate.
Written 10 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thetravellingmanUk
uk9,489 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Spent four days in New York City on vacation with my wife, and it was our first ever visit to America.
Being an ardent fan of the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever, I was determined to visit this neighbourhood of Brooklyn to see and to walk the area of where the opening scene of the movie was filmed, and I wasn't disappointed.
It was also nice to see the Subway track run overhead in the middle of the roadway.
My wife and I certainly noticed that the neighbourhood was totally different to that of Manhattan.
I also managed to get a slice of pizza from Lenny's, and we walked all the way down to Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
A superb day, one I will never forget, and memories to treasure.
Being an ardent fan of the 1977 movie Saturday Night Fever, I was determined to visit this neighbourhood of Brooklyn to see and to walk the area of where the opening scene of the movie was filmed, and I wasn't disappointed.
It was also nice to see the Subway track run overhead in the middle of the roadway.
My wife and I certainly noticed that the neighbourhood was totally different to that of Manhattan.
I also managed to get a slice of pizza from Lenny's, and we walked all the way down to Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
A superb day, one I will never forget, and memories to treasure.
Written 17 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg K
Brooklyn, NY103 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
I'd recommend to visit this neighborhood if you want to see living quarters of New York, in case you stayed in Brooklyn. Nice to stroll between the houses, yes there are some street with victorian architecture, and italian style. Also, you can take take B6 bus to the end of Bay Parkway, walk to the Lower New York Bay, and then enjoy the breathtaking promenade all the way to Verrazano Bridge and further, or as much as you can.
Written 20 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller2010NYC
New York236 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Bensonhurst as a tourist attraction is a bit iffy and definitely depends on what individuals want out of travel. Luxury and opulence? Not here. Spectacular architecture and art? Nope. A living, breathing middle class neighborhood constantly changing? Yes!
The area was developed as a middle class suburb in the early 20th century. Many Italian and Jewish families (the Marks Community Center on Bay Parkway is one of the last vestiges) flocked to the area. Here they could have their own yards! Sadly, many of the beautiful gardens planted by Italian-American home-owners have been destroyed by new owners who are not into gardening, but you can still spot fig and peach trees here and there.
Recently, Asian American (mainly Chinese), Turkish, and Eastern European families have made Bensonhurst their home, and this is reflected in the stores on the main commercial strip, 86th Street. It is a great place to go on an affordable culinary excursion. One of the downsides to the ethnic transition have been incidents of hate crimes or just plain rudeness toward Asian Americans.
Although it can be crowded and often smelly because of the vegetable waste from the many grocery stores, it was much worse in the 1970s and things have improved. I think that Bensonhurst is a good place to visit if you want to see how people in New York actually live, not just the 1% who can afford to rent (or own!) in Manhattan. There are elderly people, kids, young couples and teens all out and about, especially on weekends.
A good time to visit is Lunar New Year when you might catch sight of dragons and their drummers making stops at businesses. Also, the Columbus Day parade is a big neighborhood draw. Because it is not too far from Coney Island, you could combine the two into one southern Brooklyn trip. Personally, I think the food choices in Coney Island are the pits, so it would be better to eat in Bensonhurst.
The area was developed as a middle class suburb in the early 20th century. Many Italian and Jewish families (the Marks Community Center on Bay Parkway is one of the last vestiges) flocked to the area. Here they could have their own yards! Sadly, many of the beautiful gardens planted by Italian-American home-owners have been destroyed by new owners who are not into gardening, but you can still spot fig and peach trees here and there.
Recently, Asian American (mainly Chinese), Turkish, and Eastern European families have made Bensonhurst their home, and this is reflected in the stores on the main commercial strip, 86th Street. It is a great place to go on an affordable culinary excursion. One of the downsides to the ethnic transition have been incidents of hate crimes or just plain rudeness toward Asian Americans.
Although it can be crowded and often smelly because of the vegetable waste from the many grocery stores, it was much worse in the 1970s and things have improved. I think that Bensonhurst is a good place to visit if you want to see how people in New York actually live, not just the 1% who can afford to rent (or own!) in Manhattan. There are elderly people, kids, young couples and teens all out and about, especially on weekends.
A good time to visit is Lunar New Year when you might catch sight of dragons and their drummers making stops at businesses. Also, the Columbus Day parade is a big neighborhood draw. Because it is not too far from Coney Island, you could combine the two into one southern Brooklyn trip. Personally, I think the food choices in Coney Island are the pits, so it would be better to eat in Bensonhurst.
Written 27 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TREK39
Brooklyn, NY372 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
its a neighborhood. it has people , buildings, shop and homes. like many other places in the city. I'm not sure why it would be called an attraction
Written 25 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon Pally
Sevierville, TN283 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
I grew up in bath beach (bath ave) and moved out after 30 years but left my parents there. The changes are enormous, all 3 movie houses are gone, most Italian restaurants are gone and 86th street is mostly Asian. Cropsey park still attracts many people as does the waterfront. Parking gets worse every year and both Jewish delis are long gone. Everything changes and this neiborhood is no different.
Written 9 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HenryChin
Naples, FL1,521 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
I grew up on 19th avenue and Bath avenue across the street from the 62nd police precinct. I went to PS 200 and then to Lafayette high school.
The neighborhood is so different now. So much has changed. 86th street a few blocks away is so crowded with merchants and shops it's often difficult to get around. Many of the old shops are gone like my favorite Italian bakery that I use to pass on the way to the 18th avenue train
The neighborhood is so different now. So much has changed. 86th street a few blocks away is so crowded with merchants and shops it's often difficult to get around. Many of the old shops are gone like my favorite Italian bakery that I use to pass on the way to the 18th avenue train
Written 1 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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