When the Grimaldi’s in Coney Island closed during the pandemic, a former manager decided to take over the space and open Pizza Brook. The coal-fired oven remains, so it’s no surprise that the pizzas, with their crispy and slightly chewy crust, taste like the ones at Grimaldi’s. Italian sausage, which is usually forgettable, really stands out here—and there are more than 30 other toppings to choose from. The graffitied facade makes this place hard to miss, and the huge exposed brick space with black-and-white prints of the surrounding neighborhood is the perfect place to bring your whole family. When the weather’s nice, the tall windows open up to Surf Avenue.

photo credit: Emily Schindler