7 Restaurants Near Barclays Center That Are a Slam Dunk

If you’re attending a big event in NYC, chances are you’ve heard the name Barclays Center. Since opening in 2012, the multi-purpose indoor arena has been home to the Brooklyn Nets and the scene of tons of concerts, championship boxing matches, special events, and more. So if you find yourself taking the train out to Brooklyn for an event at the Barclays, you’re definitely not alone.

Wanna make a day of it? Or maybe you’re just planning ahead to find a spot to fuel up before the big event. Either way, we’ll be walking you through the best restaurants near Barclays Center in Brooklyn, including:

• An Israeli-French take on Mediterranean cuisine
• Family-style, old-school Italian food that’s been delicious since 1933
• The ultimate Tex-Mex experience near the Barclays Center

And more!

PS - We’ll also let you know when any of the restaurants on this list are available in the GiftYa catalog so you can text them to your basketball-loving bestie before the big game. Not sure where they’ll wanna grab a bite? You can also text a GiftYa Select gift card and put the choice entirely in their hands. 

Learn more about GiftYa Select Here >>

Where Is the Barclays Center?

📍 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

The iconic Barclays Center is located in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, near the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. That places the Barclays Center firmly in the Prospect Heights neighborhood, one of the safest areas in the city.

Prospect Heights is considered the second best place to raise a family in NYC thanks to its laid back vibes and low crime rates, and locals recommend it highly.

How Do I Get to the Barclays Center?

Thanks to NYC’s expansive public transportation system, there are lots of ways to get to Barclays Center from Manhattan.

🚇 By subway, these trains stop at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr - fare is about $2.90: 

• The B and D trains on the orange 6th Avenue Line
• The N, Q, and R trains on the yellow Broadway Line
• The 2 and 3 trains on the red Broadway-7th Avenue Line
• The 4 and 5 trains on the green Lexington Avenue Line

🚍 By bus, these busses stop near Barclays Center - fare is about $2.90:

• B25
• B26
• B27
• B37
• B38
• B41
• B45
• B52
• B63
• B65
• B67
• B103

🚖 And if all else fails, a rideshare or taxi should get you to Brooklyn pretty quickly. Keep in mind that these times/rates vary, but for reference, on average:

• Lower Manhattan: Battery Park to Barclays Center will run you $20-$35 and take 7 minutes
• Midtown: Times Square to Barclays Center will run you $35-$45 and take 13 minutes
• Upper Manhattan: Harlem to Barclays Center will run you $70-$85 and take 20 minutes

Must-Try Restaurants Near Barclays Center

1. Alchemy

56 5th Ave | Park Slope | alchemybrooklyn.com

Distance from Barclays Center: 2 minute walk

Alchemy is a casual dining spot perfect for grabbing a quick bite if you’re short on time. Open from brunch til late night, it’s a quirky little spot where you can enjoy New American favorites like grass fed hamburgers and elevated BLTs, try something new like the Swiss Breakfast plate, or enjoy a fancy take on breakfast classics like brioche french toast or Sweet Guinness Pancakes.

Since 2007, they’ve been known for serving up delicious food in a friendly environment. They’re known for dinner dishes like gorgonzola walnut ravioli and breakfast fare like their eggs benedict.

“A great neighborhood restaurant with a friendly ambiance, good food, and excellent service. My friend and I had a casual lunch. This was an ideal place to catch up. We had different burgers with fries. The fries were prepared with care and tasted that way. The gluten-free buns, the best we've ever had. Even without the excellent food, Alchemy is a place for hanging out and getting to know the neighborhood. Looking forward to going back in the evening to indulge in some craft cocktails.” – Yelp Review

2. PokéBowl Station - Barclays Center

237 Flatbush Ave | Prospect Heights | pokebowlstation.com

Distance from Barclays Center: 2 minute walk

PokéBowl has a pretty cute origin story - three friends got sick of eating flavorless food made with the same boring ingredients living in New York, so they got together and decided to create a restaurant that had the food they wanted to eat. And as it turned out, lots of other people were craving it too!

Today, you can find PokéBowl locations across New York City, including this one right by Barclays Center. Enjoy fresh, flavorful poke or explore the rolled ice cream, shaved ice, and egg waffles on the dessert menu. They also make a mean bubble tea!

“Me and my friend are addicted to coming here. The food is very fresh for such a cheap price! The setting is clean and spacious. The service is always quick and never messed up my order once. I fully recommend coming here whenever you're on a budget/diet.” – Yelp Review

3. Burrito Bar & Kitchen

307 Flatbush Ave | Prospect Heights | burritobarbrooklyn.com

Distance from Barclays Center: 6 minute walk

Serving peace, love, and burritos since 1991, Burrito Bar is a Tex-Mex institution in Prospect Heights. You’ll love the funky, Insta-worthy decor… not to mention all of the delicious food!

You can’t miss with options like the fish tacos, mile high chips, grilled chicken burrito, and tiny tim tacos on the menu. Quesadilla lovers will be thrilled to see them on the menu as well, not to mention creative takes on classic Mexican food like mini chimis. And if not everyone is craving Tex-Mex, don’t worry! Options like the mouthwatering salmon burger will ensure everyone leaves satisfied.

“Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiitttttttoooooooooo Baaaaaaarrrrrr, oh how I love this place. I've been coming here since 2014 and the only way to get me to stop, will be the day it no longer exist… I always get the 8 mile high nachos each and every time I come here, and trust me it's a lot to consume but I do it each and every time. However I'm always pleased with what I get off their menu, the drinks are splendid, some are made with fresh ingredients.” – Yelp Review

4. Patsy’s Pizzeria

450 Dean St | Park Slope | parkslope.patsyspizza.nyc

Distance from Barclays Center: 2 minute walk

It’s hard to beat New York-style pizza, and Patsy’s ranks as some of the best! There are a few locations around the city, but this one is too close to Barclays Center to skip. The first location opened its doors clear back in 1933 on 1st Avenue, when newlyweds Pasquale (Patsy) and Carmella Lancieri decided to follow their dream of opening a restaurant. Originally, they catered to New York’s booming population of Italian immigrants who missed the food of their old country, but today people from all over NYC and all over the world enjoy Patsy’s family-style, old-world cooking.

This iconic New York pizza place near Barclays Center should be at the top of your list. We recommend getting there an hour or two before game time if it’s going to be a busy night in Prospect Heights, but Patsy’s is known for striking a balance between keeping people moving to keep wait times low and never rushing anyone who’s enjoying a delicious meal!

“This spot gets crowded really quickly, especially on game day. Luckily I able to snag the last two bar seats & able to order this delicious pizza! The service was amazing. It was 30 minutes until game time and we managed to get our pizza and drinks so quick we made it for tip off! Highly recommend this business if you're in the mood for pizza and saving money from Barclays food lol” – Yelp Review

5. YAYOS LATIN CUISINE

36 5th Ave | Park Slope | (718) 622-8922

Distance from Barclays Center: 1 minute walk

Take a bite of Latin American cuisine after an event at the Barclays Center! Open for lunch, dinner, and late night, it’s a great place to stop in and get a bite in Prospect Heights. On Thursday nights, they even have a DJ playing salsa and bachata, so make sure you bring your dancing shoes.

Fuel up for the dance floor with pernil, pork chops, empanadas, yayo steak, arroz con pollo, and more.

“This place is awesome! Was headed to a show at the Barclays Center and wanted to eat beforehand. My friend recommended we come here and it was so great! I got the kale caesar salad (and added avocado + salmon) and he got lamb chops with rice and beans (and plantains).

My food was so fresh and delicious and he loved his too! The staff was very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to come back for another awesome meal!” – Yelp Review

6. Miriam 

79 5th Ave | Park Slope | miriamrestaurant.com

Distance from Barclays Center: 2 minute walk

Looking for yummy Mediterranean food before a Barclays event? Miriam is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Enjoy Mediterranean favorites like Israeli salad, shawarma, labneh, and herbed eggs. It’s all high-quality Jewish food all wrapped up in a trendy package. Chef Rafael Hasid has been bringing Israeli flavors and the knowledge he gained at the French Culinary Institute together for an amazing result. You’ll be glad you stopped in and so will your wallet!

“When I'm near Barclays Center I'm always passing this place and finally decided to give it a try and I have no regrets. Every bite of food was absolutely delicious. If you're a mushroom lover . You have to get the grilled mushrooms in a pesto sauce so good . We sat outside because it was a warm day . This place doesn't have a full bar but has beers and wines and spritzers . Definitely coming back!” – Yelp Review

7. Applebee’s

Buy an Applebee’s gift card

‍

139 Flatbush Ave, Level 2 | applebees.com

Distance from Barclays Center: 6 minute walk

Sometimes you’re not really in an adventurous mood when it comes to choosing a dinner spot, and that’s totally okay! When you’re looking for something quick and easy, and you want to know what to expect, Applebees makes a great option. Enjoy American food like burgers and apps, or watch the pregame show at the bar while you sip a $1 cocktail.

“I love the fact that this Applebee's is walking distance from my house. It's not real big but if your in the Brooklyn College area and you want to have some drinks,food etc. I would recommend this place. I never received bad service from here.” – Yelp Review

Buy an Applebee’s gift card

That’s a wrap on our guide to restaurants near Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

We hope this guide helps you make your next trip to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn a little extra special. Whether you keep it fresh with a poke bowl or go for an iconic slice of New York style pizza at one of the oldest restaurants in the biz, you’re sure to be satisfied with any of the sports on this list. So have fun, and definitely stop back because we refresh our city guides all the time with the latest top rated restaurants near you!

‍PS - Why not text a Fanatics gift card so your favorite Brooklyn Nets or Brooklyn Liberty can grab some new gear before the next game?