Whether Nan makes a stellar lasagna or Gramps is always ready with a bowl of ice cream, there’s nothing quite like breaking bread with grandparents. And if you can’t, wrap yourself in the warm, cozy vibes a meal with them conjures at these NYC restaurants inspired by bubbies and pappies.
6 Restaurants That Take Inspiration from Grandma and Grandpa
•
Published Nov 20, 2019
Andrew Fu/Gertie
1. Gertie
You’ll feel yourself smiling as soon as you step into this sunny Williamsburg spot. Named after owner Nate Adler’s grandmother, Gertie combines California cool with a dose of nostalgia. Order up the namesake’s breakfast—two sunny eggs, string beans, roasted tomatoes and toast—and stay a while, just like Grandma would want.
357 Grand St.; Brooklyn; gertie.nyc
Enoteca Maria/Facebook
2. Enoteca Maria
When you’re in dire need of some home cooking, just hop the ferry to Staten Island. It’s there, in NYC’s most overlooked borough, that you’ll find one of the city’s most delightful restaurant concepts: Enoteca Maria invites real grandmothers from around the world to cook their own recipes. The grandma (and the menu) changes daily, so you’ll want to come back to try Trinidadian oxtail and Sri Lankan egg hoppers.
27 Hyatt St.; Staten Island; enotecamaria.com
3. Meme’s Diner
You’ll find comfort food with plenty of sass at this Prospect Heights gem. Named after co-owner Bill Clark’s maternal grandmother, MeMe’s has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, thanks to reimagined greasy spoon fare like sticky buns and a patty melt. Order a Manhattan—MeMe would.
657 Washington Ave., Brooklyn; memesdiner.com
4. Golda
Order a coffee and at least two babkas (one for now and one to take with you for later). This darling sun-drenched spot, named for owner Danny Nusbaum’s grandma, dishes up Middle Eastern–inspired comfort food like eggplant menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs) and lamb meatballs.
504 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn; goldakitchen.com
5. Bernie’s
Red-and-white checked tablecloths (topped with butcher paper and crayons), vintage lamps and a menu full of old-fashioned favorites with modern twists: The throwback vibe at this Greenpoint eatery is intentional—it’s named for the grandfathers of chef Ashley Berman and co-owner Zach Frankel (who run the place along with co-owner Taylor McEwan). Order a sundae for dinner. Grandpa would let you.
332 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn; berniesnyc.com
Rich Wade/Wilfie & Nell
6. Wilfie & Nell
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a family dining room at this West Village mainstay. Vintage family photos line the walls of the homey, farm-to-table pub that’s named for owners Mark and Simon Gibson’s Belfast-born grandparents. Wilfie was a doctor and Nell helped him run a clinic during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Find their portraits and settle in for classics like fish and chips, burgers and more.
228 W. Fourth St., West Village; wilfieandnell.com