Bernie's

Step into Bernie’s and you’re transported to a version of adulthood you imagined as a kid—think red vinyl booths, checkered tablecloths, and groups of friends clinking martini glasses over burgers and fries. This retro tavern straddling Greenpoint and Williamsburg has cultivated a vibe that feels like a polished version of those chain restaurants from decades past, complete with quirky decor like a martini-shaped clock and a signed photo of the movie character it’s named after.

The menu reads like a greatest hits of American comfort food, and the kitchen delivers on every nostalgic promise. The mozzarella sticks are legendary—enormous, crispy, and offering the kind of cheese pull that dreams are made of. The cheeseburger comes with two perfectly cooked patties, a soft sesame bun, and skinny fries begging to be dunked in the tangy special sauce. But don’t sleep on the chicken dishes: the piccata edges out the competition with its buttery lemon sauce that walks the perfect line between tart and sweet.

Dining here is an experience best shared with a big group of friends. Grab a dirty martini (served with plastic sword picks, naturally), order liberally across the menu, and embrace the playful atmosphere. Red plastic tumblers filled with fountain soda, frosted beer mugs, and butcher paper with crayons for tic-tac-toe set the stage for a genuinely fun night out.

Bernie’s has become something of a phenomenon, particularly after gaining TikTok fame, so expect a wait on weekends if you’re not lining up early. But slide in on a weekday evening and you’ll be sipping that martini at the bar within minutes. Whether you’re chasing childhood fantasies of grown-up dining or just craving some seriously satisfying comfort food, Bernie’s delivers on both fronts.