A PERFECT SUNDAY IN SUNSET PARK
Sunset Park is rich in community, civic action, green space, and some of the best food in New York City. We are honored to farm in this neighborhood, and love spending time on its steep streets and broad boulevards amongst proud New Yorkers who live, work, and thrive here. Thinking of visiting the Sunset Park farm? Whether you live on the other side of 3rd Ave, or the other 3rd Ave, we hope you enjoy our itinerary for an ideal Sunday in Sunset Park!
1.YAFAI COFFEE WITH JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIET, LEONARD BERNSTEIN AND RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS
There’s no better way to start the day than by grabbing buzzy single origin Yemeni Yafai coffee, or Qishr, a coffee-husk cardamom ginger tea dated half a millennium ago, at Yafa Cafe. Cousins and co-owners, Ali Suliman and Hakim Sulaimani, opened Yafa Cafe in 2019 to pay delicious homage to the incredible depth of diasporic Yemeni cuisine. So if you’re feeling a little peckish, don’t hesitate turn make your coffee stop into Sunday brunch. Once you’re adequately caffeinated and fed, head north for a serene walk through Green-Wood Cemetery. The permanent residents far outnumber visitors as you wend through 478 tranquil acres of art, history, and nature. Some Green-Wood celebs include artist Jean-Michel Basquiet, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein and Charles Feltmen — a German immigrant to Coney Island who may or may not be the first person to put a hot dog on a bun? Jury’s still out. And while Green-Wood’s evening events are worth checking out, it’s their 6am Sunday “Birding in Peace” walking tour with avian expert Rob Jett that’s got our hearts aflutter. Head up to Battle Hill for–you guessed it–a birds eye view (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves) of the neighborhood, and plot your next move.
Cherry blossoms falling in front of a mausoleum in Green-Wood Cemetery by Rhododendrites ,Entrance to Green Wood Cemetery by Rhododendrites , Yafa Cafe Owner Hakim Sulaiman by Alex Lau.
2. EXPLORE A ROOFTOP FARM
Our Monthly Sunday open house series is a great opportunity to low-key check out the farm without making a big commitment–or doing any advance planning. Swing by between 9am and 3pm, and you can show yourself around, pick up some fresh veggies from our farmstand (equipped with a SNAP reader!), or grab some selfies in front of Lady Liberty. Feel like getting a farmer tan (and a light workout) during your visit? Get your hands dirty alongside Farmer Bryan during our Community Field Day hours from 10am till 12pm! Have a zillion questions about how much the soil weighs, why green roofs are great for cities, or where our food goes once we harvest it? Sign up for a tour at 1pm!
Left to Right: Farmers market at Brooklyn Grange’s Sunset Park farm, Community Field Day with Brooklyn Grange farmers, public enjoying Sunset Park Sunday open house.
3. PETANQUE ANYONE?
Feeling like some friendly competition? Check out Carreau Club, where you can toss some boules, or pétanque balls–the French answer to Italy’s bocce.
4. SUNSET SAMBOOSAS ON THE HILL
Stick around till the end of the day, and you’ll learn that this area got its name for a reason: watching the sun go down from a blanket on the grass high up on the elevated, eponymous “Sunset Park” is one of the most iconic vantages in Brooklyn. Or if you’re looking for a water front view, head to the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
Catching those end of day rays is even better with some freshly made pupusas, or dumplings, or samboosas, or tamales… the options are endless! If you want to eat like a local, head to South Brooklyn Mutual Aid’s website for what might just be the best dining guide to a NYC neighborhood that we’ve ever come across. Find it useful? Show your gratitude by donating to the solidarity network they are building in defiance of the charity model, and in support of an even stronger Sunset Park!
