Five Leaves

"We're getting older, and so is the idea that Brooklyn is the epicenter of New York cool. Sorry, Williamsburg, you gave that up when you got a 16 Handles. But Five Leaves has been a hipster hangout since the moment it opened in 2008, and it remains so, even despite the fact that there are now endless nearby options for people who want to look good at a dinner table and also maybe eat something. The initial Infatuation review of Five Leaves came very late in the game - at least according to current internet judgment protocol. Our first visits came in late 2011, and by the time we'd had a few meals here, we had firmly decided that it wasn't deserving of all the hype. It was too uncomfortable, too inconsistent, and too full of people that spent a good part of their morning rolling up the sleeves on their t-shirt. Fast forward to present day, and we've been back to Five Leaves a few more times, just to see what's shaking. We still don't love the food as much as some people seem to, and it can still be very cramped and crowded. But we will say that the consistency has improved - a lot. Brunch is and always has been the best time of day to eat here, but dinner can be a good move too, assuming you know what to order and most importantly - that you can be patient with the scene around you. Then again, I'm writing this from the perspective of someone who is more interested in the eating that goes at Five Points than in the hanging out that goes on at Five Points. If you're 23, just got a job at Condé Nast, and have yet to taste a truffle fry, bump up this rating considerably. You're gonna love it here. Food Rundown Ricotta Pancakes Possibly the best thing on the brunch menu, because pancakes are awesome. Fresh Sage Scrambled Organic Eggs A really good egg sandwich, served with a side of spicy tomato jam, which is slammin'. The only downside - it's really messy. Big Breakkie Eggs, hash browns, toast, and some sausage and bacon. A proven hangover cure, according to unnamed and unaccredited scientists (us). Chopped Black Kale Salad A mound of kale in a spicy anchovy dressing with hazelnuts, that's sprinkled like snow with grated Gouda cheese. This is good, but how many forkfuls of kale can you really ingest in one sitting? Four? Maybe split this. Oysters We've never been crazy about the oyster selection, or quality of shucking that goes on at Five Leaves. Get your oyster fix somewhere else. Flash Fried Oysters If you must do oysters at Five Leaves, this is how to do them. Served on the half shell with smoked chili aioli and cucumber relish, both of which add some nice texture and flavor to the oysters. Five Leaves Burger OK, we'll admit it. The burger is pretty damn good. If you find yourself at Five Leaves, you'll want to be eating this. And don't be afraid of the fact that it's got a fried pineapple ring, pickled beets, harissa mayo, and a sunny egg. All that crazy sht works together quite well on this monster of a burger. Bar Steak Not a terrible option, especially if you're looking for something easy. That said, if you want a serious steak, you want to be at St. Anselm." - Chris Stang

"You probably know Five Leaves as the place where people gather in mobs to eat the Instagram-famous avocado toast and ricotta pancakes. But what you might not know is that by nighttime, the crowds have dispersed - leaving the sidewalk tables available for you to enjoy Five Leaves’ very solid dinner offerings." - katherine lewin, hillary reinsberg

"Five Leaves is one of the few places that has transcended its small region of Brooklyn and has found a dedicated audience from all over NYC. This is due to its incredible food, central location, and small sitting area that creates a revolving demand. It is located on the corner of McCarren Park – take either the L train to Bedford Ave. and walk north, or take the G train to Nassau Ave. which is a few meters away." - Milkshake

"Five Leaves has extended its hours to 10am-10pm every day, and added to its outdoor seating with a whole new patio area. But if you think that’ll cause weekend brunch waits to be shorter than an Eliud Kipchoge marathon, you’d be mistaken. Whenever you go to this American-Australian spot, you’ll have some of the best people watching in North Brooklyn." - matt tervooren

"COVID-19 update: Open for pickup and delivery. While Five Leaves is tucked into a particularly cute corner of Brooklyn, it mimics the café culture of Paris with really good results. The tables outside are packed, no matter how cold it is, with friends sipping wine or coffee and splitting orders of perfectly crispy fries. This is not a get-in, get-out kind of place—you’re here for the long run. Get the spicy coconut broth mussels and finish with the rose water Pavlova. We also like to drop in alone for an affogato at the bar—the most perfectly creamy caffeinated snack to tide you over until dinner. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."