Summer in Brooklyn is packed with family fun—from splash pads and outdoor movies to long afternoons spent in Brooklyn Bridge Park. But, for many kids, the real highlight of the season is the food: the gooey pizza slices eaten on a park bench, the rainbow-colored frozen treats dripping down tiny hands, and the over-the-top desserts that somehow become the most talked-about memory of the summer.
Across Brooklyn, local restaurants, bakeries, food stands, and sweet shops roll out special seasonal bites designed to capture the magic of summer. Think towering soft-serve cones loaded with toppings, fresh-squeezed lemonade on sweltering afternoons, giant pretzels shared between siblings, and kid-approved snacks worth building a whole outing around.
This isn’t about formal dining or hard-to-get reservations—it’s about creating a delicious summer adventure one bite at a time. The kind where families hop from treat to treat, kids excitedly check items off a list, and even picky eaters discover a new favorite.
We’re rounding up the 10 must-try summer eats and delicious treats kids will love in Brooklyn this season. Use it as your family’s official summer food bucket list—and come hungry. For more food fun, check out our list of NYC’s most iconic restaurants for families and bookmark our NYC Kids’ Guide to Restaurants for options to eat no matter the season or adventure!
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The arrival of Mister Softee on the block makes for summer magic. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Ice Cream, Sweets, and Frozen Treats1. Mister Softee – Citywide
No New York summer feels complete without hearing the unmistakable jingle of Mister Softee turning the corner. For so many families, it’s pure childhood nostalgia on wheels—kids racing down the block clutching dollar bills while parents debate whether to order the classic vanilla cone or go full rainbow sprinkles. My kids somehow hear the music before anyone else does, and no matter how many fancy desserts NYC offers, there’s still something magical about a soft-serve cone melting faster than you can eat it on a hot summer afternoon.
Standouts include: Classic vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles, the chocolate-dipped cone, and the legendary cherry-dipped vanilla swirl.
2. La Newyorkina – Red Hook
The summer I met my husband, he introduced me to La Newyorkina’s paletas. We loved them so much we served them at our wedding, and now our children love them, too. No trip to Red Hook is complete without going to La Newyorkina’s La Tiendita (“little store”) and choosing one of the creamy or fruity popsicles.
Standouts include: Mango chili, pineapple mint, and pink lemonade.
3. OddFellows Ice Cream – Brooklyn Bridge Park or Domino Park
Few summer outings feel more Brooklyn than grabbing a cone from OddFellows Ice Cream and strolling along the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park or Domino Park. My kids love debating flavors while looking at the updated daily sign, and somehow we always end up with at least one scoop of its famous Chocolate Chunk or Sprinkles. The seasonal walk-up stands feel especially magical on warm evenings, with skyline views, sticky fingers, and kids racing around the playgrounds nearby. Just note: The park kiosks are seasonal and typically close when cooler weather rolls in. OddFellows also has year-round scoop shops in Williamsburg, the East Village, and Dumbo.
Standouts include: The gluten-free, dairy-free Coconut Mango Sticky Rice.
Refined palates appreciate Malai’s flavors, but they’ll make kids smile, too.
4. Malai – Carroll Gardens
Brooklyn has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to wonderful and interesting ice cream, but if your family is ready to graduate from rainbow sprinkles and vanilla cones, Malai is the place to do it. This Brooklyn-born ice cream shop creates unforgettable flavors inspired by South Asian ingredients and spices, turning every visit into a mini adventure for foodies. My kids love sampling flavors they’ve never heard of before, while I appreciate that each scoop feels both inventive and deeply rooted in tradition. Seasonal flavors are offered, and my 8 year old recently fell in love with Spiced Date and Coconut Cake. The original Brooklyn shop on Smith Street is worth a special trip, but there are now locations in the West Village, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia as well. It’s the rare ice cream stop that feels equally exciting for kids, foodies, and grandparents.
Standouts include: Sweet Milk, which has a seasonal, technicolored Holi version, Masala Chai, Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds, and Red Chili Chocolate.
5. Cloudy Donut Co. – Brooklyn Heights
Few treats feel more special than discovering a doughnut shop where everyone in the family can find a favorite. Tucked away in Brooklyn Heights, Cloudy Donut serves impossibly fluffy, 100% vegan donuts in the most wonderful artisanal flavors. When the line at OddFellows in Brooklyn Bridge Park is too long, we head to what my kids have dubbed, “the secret donut place,” only a block away. My kids are immediately drawn to the colorful weekly flavor lineup, while I appreciate that every visit feels a little different thanks to the rotating menu of small-batch creations. I’m always surprised by what my kids choose! The shop is only open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which makes a box of Cloudy Donuts feel even more special.
Standouts include: Don’t forget to try the wildly popular cinnamon rolls.
Nothing beats the pizza at Fornino—except the views from its Brooklyn Bridge Park location.
Pizza, Burgers, and Family-Friendly Outdoor Dining for Summer in Brooklyn6. Fornino – Multiple Locations
Nothing says summer more to my family than getting a delicious wood-oven, thin-crust pizza from Fornino, eating it outside, enjoying the weather, and the waterfront. Fornino started in Williamsburg, but currently has locations in Brooklyn Bridge Park, in Time Out Market, and in Greenpoint. This is a must for a day spent in Brooklyn Bridge Park!
7. Tavern Next Door – Red Hook
This restaurant is for the foodie parent who doesn’t mind taking their kids to an adult restaurant. Skip the lines at Red Hook Tavern and get the exact same burger at Tavern Next Door. The same kitchen cooks the burger—and there’s no line. This spot is meant to be a “sexy little cocktail bar,” so you might want to grab your burger and Old Fashioned right when it opens at 5pm.
8. Brooklyn Crab – Red Hook
Brooklyn Crab is one of those rare places that feels like a mini vacation without ever leaving the city. Tucked along the waterfront in Red Hook, it combines picnic-table seafood dining with lawn games, mini golf, and some of the best harbor views in Brooklyn. My kids can spend an entire afternoon bouncing between cornhole, the giant Connect Four, and outdoor games while we soak in the breeze and watch the boats go by. The laid-back atmosphere makes it surprisingly family-friendly, especially during the day when there’s plenty of room for kids to roam. Standouts include the Crab Royale and the watermelon margarita. Go around sunset if you can—the views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor make an already fun outing feel extra special.
If summer were a dish, it would be a dog from Nathan’s in Coney Island.
9. Nathan’s Famous – Various Locations
When I ask friends and family, “What’s a food that just says ‘summer’ to you?” almost all of them said, “Nathan’s!” Can you buy Nathan’s in the supermarket? Yes. Can you eat Nathan’s in other states? Yes. But, nothing says summer like a Nathan’s hot dog in Coney Island. Period. Just go eat one!
9. Sea & Soil – Brooklyn Heights
Sea & Soil is the kind of neighborhood spot that makes you feel good about where your lunch dollars are going. This worker-owned cooperative sandwich shop on Atlantic Avenue serves house-made focaccia, seasonal ingredients, and creative sandwiches built from scratch, all through a unique sliding-scale model that helps keep quality food accessible. My kids are surprisingly happy splitting a sandwich and a homemade donut on weekend mornings, while I appreciate that every ingredient feels thoughtfully chosen. The menu changes with the seasons, which means there’s always something new to try. Grab some sandwiches on your way down to Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s the kind of community-minded Brooklyn gem that turns a simple lunch stop into a reminder of why families love this borough so much.
Unless noted, photo by the author