Kensington - Brooklyn, NY Area Guide

Dutch farmers originally cultivated the land where Kensington and Parkville now sit. The British resettled it in 1737, naming it after a borough in South London.

Ocean Parkway was finished in 1880, linking Prospect Park to Coney Island. The 1920s brought expanded home building and attracted Italian and Irish immigrants to the neighborhood. During the latter half of the 20th century, additional immigrants began to arrive, helping Kensington and Parkville to become one of the most diverse areas in Brooklyn.

Kensington and Parkville have no museums or galleries, but nearby Borough Park supports the Living Torah Museum for Jewish history, and Flatbush has many art galleries to stroll through. Neighboring Prospect Park hosts a series of events each year, including Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, which goes on every year in June.

Most of Kensington and Parkville’s restaurants locate themselves along Church Avenue, the area’s main artery. Here you find Mexican, American, Thai and Middle Eastern food as well as diner fare and more.

Brooklyn Comfort brings healthy comfort food to Kensington and Parkville. With a menu that includes yummy chicken salad wraps, baked mac and cheese, and Turkish lo mein noodles, customers experience a truly multicultural mash-up of cuisines. Locals give their kudos to this place for its eclectic drinks menu, which includes GuS sodas and coconut water among other choices.

The area’s go-to spot for spicy Asian food, To B Thai, serves super cheap lunch specials of fragrant ginger delight or chili basil with your choice of protein. You can also spring for one of the wide variety of appetizers, salads, soups, fried rice or main dishes. Local vegetarians love that they can substitute mock duck or tofu for nearly any dish or just indulge in the fried curry puffs. Super fast friendly service, regardless of whether make a take-out order, have your food delivered or dine in, makes this a must-try in the area.

When the mood for Mexican strikes you, check out Tacos El Catrin, which serves a wide variety of tacos. Arabe, suaderno and chorizo con chicharron definitely don't appear on every menu. Locals also love its guacamole and enchiladas verdes. That they serve hearty breakfasts with warm tortillas makes them even more valuable as a solid neighborhood joint.

The nightlife in Kensington and Parkville can get busy on weekends, mostly around the bar scene. Hamilton’s provides food for dinner, lunch and brunch, but it also serves as a chill bar for wine, beer and cocktails. The spot creates a great spot for a date or hanging with pals.

Other choices include Denny’s Steak Pub for meat, drinks and sports, and The Adirondack in neighboring Windsor Terrace for tons of beers on tap in a relaxed atmosphere. The Church Café Wine Bar provides customers with sophisticated small plates and wine tastings.

For live music, nearby Flatbush has Sycamore, a combination florist and live music venue, which hosts bands and DJs on most nights. Club Xstasy in Sunset Park has dancing and stiff drinks so that you can leave it all out on the dance floor.

Most residents of Parkville and Kensington prefer to get around via public transportation because Brooklyn’s system has many quick, cheap options. The F and G trains provide fast service to Manhattan. Many bus lines also service this area, including the B8, B16, B35, B67, B69, B70 and B103 local buses as well as the BM1, BM2, BM3 and BM4 express buses to Manhattan.

Ocean Parkway provides locals with the closest highway for those who choose to drive. However, finding parking presents drivers with enormous difficulties. Hailing a cab can be easy as long as rush hasn't started, and locals find Uber pickups easy to book online.

These neighborhoods have many bike paths, making them safe for cyclists. Many people also choose to do their errands on foot given the easy walkability of the neighborhood.

Kensington Stables provides locals with access to horseback riding facilities, trail rides and carriage rides for special events at the neighborhood’s northeast boundary. Prospect Park, a 585-acre urban park just north of Kensington and Parkville, provides residents and visitors opportunities for fitness, with tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields and soccer fields.

Locals also love concerts at Prospect Park's bandshell, the Prospect Park Zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the tons of green grass to lounge and play on. Dogs and kids are welcome, and admission to the park is free.

Prospect Park has a huge, ongoing list of events throughout the year. The list's highlights include the Quilt Show, which happens in December, and the annual T.E.A.L. Walk/Run, which celebrates the courage of ovarian cancer survivors in September.

Although Kensington and Parkville distinguish themselves as two of the more affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the cost of living sits slightly less than the New York average. However, it still rests higher than the national average. A typical one-bedroom apartment rents for about $2,000 per month. It costs around $3 to get to Manhattan from Kensington and Parkville via the subway or a bus, and a beer at a local pub runs around $6. Local drivers pay a little more to operate their vehicles with gas prices running around 17 percent higher compared to the national average.

As laid-back residential neighborhoods, Kensington and Parkville feature mostly smaller stores and boutiques. They don't provide much in the way of malls, chain stores and high-end luxury shopping.

While the neighborhoods lack central shopping districts, many businesses cluster along Church Avenue. M/F Discount, a local favorite, has to be seen to be believed. Residents say it absolutely has everything, from French presses to storage containers, box fans, lemonade pitchers and sheets, in the same place. Look for deeply discounted essentials here.

Homebody Boutique in South Slope has cards, Jewelry, stationery and gifts in a cute, quirky setting, and nearby Flatbush's High End Diva's Boutique carries fashionable women's clothing and accessories for that important date, client meeting or surprise event you need to dress for.

Kensington and Parkville both have a mix of large chain grocers, including Foodtown, and smaller grocers. One Stop Market, Golden Farm, Mexican Grocery & More and Bangla Nagar Grocery serve individual ethnic communities, but they also carry many convenient grocery items as well as fresh produce and essentials.

Although Kensington and Parkville have many places that sell fresh produce, the closest farmers market happens on Sundays in Flatbush at the Courtelyou Greenmarket. There, locals enjoy everything from fresh honey and baked foods to artisanal cheeses.