You walk into a pub in Fort Greene expecting the usual. A sticky floor, maybe a faint scent of old beer, and a laminated card offering a burger that’s been frozen since the mid-2000s. But then you actually sit down. You open the Brooklyn Public House menu, and suddenly, the vibe shifts from "just another bar" to "wait, why is this food actually good?"
It’s an institution. Located right on DeKalb Avenue, this place has managed to survive the aggressive gentrification of Brooklyn by sticking to a very specific script: being a real Irish pub that doesn’t treat its kitchen like an afterthought.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a city where every new opening feels like a sterile laboratory designed for Instagram, Brooklyn Public House feels lived-in. It feels like wood and brass and heavy glass. But more importantly, the food doesn’t taste like it came out of a microwave.
What’s Really Going on with the Brooklyn Public House Menu?
Most people go for the drinks, sure. They’ve got a solid tap list. But if you aren't eating, you're doing it wrong. The menu is a weirdly perfect blend of high-end comfort and "I just need something salty to go with this Guinness."
Let’s talk about the Shepherd’s Pie.
In a lot of American pubs, Shepherd’s Pie is a salty mess of ground beef and soggy peas. Here? It’s authentic. They use lamb—which, let’s be real, is the only way it should be done—and the crust on the mashed potatoes has that specific kind of crispiness that only comes from a high-heat broiler. It’s heavy. It’s dense. It’ll make you want to take a nap immediately after, but in the best way possible.
Then there’s the burger situation. The Brooklyn Public House menu doesn't try to reinvent the wheel with 45 toppings or gold leaf. It’s a half-pound of beef, cooked right, served on a brioche bun that actually holds up to the grease. You’ve probably had a hundred pub burgers in your life. This one just feels like it was made by someone who actually likes burgers.
The Fish and Chips Factor
You can judge any Irish pub by its Fish and Chips. If the batter is bready and soft, leave.
👉 See also: The Reality of Hunk to Hunk Sex: What We Get Wrong About Muscle Culture and Intimacy
At Brooklyn Public House, the batter is that thin, shattering kind. They use a beer batter—obviously—and the fish inside isn't overcooked into a rubbery puck. It’s flaky. It’s white. It’s everything you want when it’s raining outside and you’re three pints deep. The tartar sauce is house-made, too. You can taste the capers and the dill. Small details matter.
Not Just Fried Stuff
You might think a pub menu is just a list of things that have been submerged in oil. You'd be mostly right, but there are surprises here.
They do a Cobb Salad that actually feels fresh. It’s got the avocado, the egg, the blue cheese—all the hits. It’s the kind of thing you order when you’re trying to be "healthy" but you still want to hang out in a dim room for three hours.
Also, the wings.
They aren't tiny. They aren't dry. The Buffalo sauce has that vinegary kick that clears your sinuses. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Thai chili version is legit. It’s sweet, it’s sticky, and it’ll ruin your napkins.
Why the Brunch is a Different Beast
Brooklyn brunch is usually a nightmare of two-hour waits and "bottomless" mimosas that are 90% cheap juice.
Brooklyn Public House handles it differently. The brunch menu keeps the core identity of the pub. You can get a Full Irish Breakfast. We’re talking black and white pudding, bangers, grilled tomatoes, and beans. It’s the ultimate hangover cure. If you haven't had black pudding before, don't overthink it. Just eat it. It’s earthy, rich, and frankly, better than bacon.
- The Pub Burger: Simple, reliable, huge.
- The Shepherd’s Pie: Real lamb, no shortcuts.
- The Wings: Get the Buffalo. Trust me.
- Fish and Chips: Crisp as a fresh dollar bill.
The Local Context
Fort Greene has changed. A lot.
You’ve got places nearby charging $24 for a small plate of radishes. In that environment, a place that offers a massive plate of food and a pint for a reasonable price feels like an act of rebellion. The Brooklyn Public House menu hasn't succumbed to the "small plates" trend. Thank god.
👉 See also: Why A New Earth Book Still Hits Different Two Decades Later
They know their audience. It’s a mix of Pratt students, long-time neighborhood residents, and people who just finished a show at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).
The atmosphere helps the food taste better. There’s something about the dark wood and the dim lighting that makes a bowl of beef stew feel like the most important thing in the world. It’s cozy. It’s "hygge," if you want to use that trendy word, but without the pretension.
Is it Worth the Trip?
If you’re in Manhattan, should you cross the bridge just for this menu?
Maybe not just for the food. But for the experience of the food in that space? Absolutely.
It’s about the context. Eating a burger at a bright, loud, modern bistro is one thing. Eating that same burger while sitting in a booth that feels like it’s been there since the 19th century (even if it hasn’t) is another.
The menu is consistent. That’s the highest praise you can give a pub. You go there on a Tuesday at 3 PM, it’s good. You go there on a Friday night when it’s packed to the rafters, it’s still good. The kitchen doesn't crumble under pressure.
What to Skip
Look, no menu is perfect.
If you’re looking for a cutting-edge culinary experiment, don’t look for it here. The "Specials" are usually just variations on things they already do well. Don't expect a deconstructed sea bass with foam.
Stick to the classics. The menu is built on a foundation of tradition. Straying too far from the Irish/American pub staples usually leads to a "fine" meal, but not a "great" one.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
Don't just show up and hope for the best. Here is how you actually handle this place:
- Check the Chalkboard: They often have daily specials that aren't on the printed Brooklyn Public House menu. Sometimes it's a specific draft beer, sometimes it's a seasonal soup. Check it before you commit.
- The Bar vs. The Tables: If you want the full experience, eat at the bar. The bartenders are pros. They’ve seen it all. Plus, you get your drinks faster.
- Timing Matters: If you want a quiet meal, go between 2 PM and 5 PM. It’s ghostly quiet and wonderful. After 7 PM, be prepared for noise. It’s a pub, after all.
- Order the Sides: The mashed potatoes are legitimate. They aren't the instant kind. Get an extra side of them if you're getting something that doesn't already come with them.
- Pairing: Ask the staff which beer goes with your meal. They actually know their stuff. If you're getting the Shepherd's Pie, just get a Guinness. Don't fight it.
The reality is that places like this are disappearing. Everyone wants to be "concept-driven" now. Brooklyn Public House’s concept is just "be a good pub." And honestly? That’s more than enough.
The menu is a roadmap of what comfort food should be. It isn't trying to change your life; it's trying to make your evening a little bit better. Whether it's the crunch of the fish batter or the richness of the lamb stew, it hits the spot every single time.
💡 You might also like: The Great Exhibition Exhibits and Why They Still Matter Today
Next time you find yourself in Fort Greene, skip the trendy taco spot with the neon sign. Head over to DeKalb. Find the dark wood front. Order the Shepherd’s Pie. You won't regret it.