Across the river from Manhattan, New York, lies Brooklyn. This area, home to many artists and creators, is filled with renovated old warehouses and is a treasure trove of ‘craft souvenirs with a story,’ not mass-produced goods.
This time, we’ve carefully selected 5 recommended souvenir spots in Brooklyn, ranging from classic sweets that even short-term travelers shouldn’t miss, to high-sense general stores deeply rooted in the local community, and popular supermarkets perfect for finding bulk souvenirs. We’ll introduce them along with the local atmosphere and hidden gems!
Jacques Torres Chocolate – Dumbo
📍 Address: 66 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 United States
This is the momentous first shop opened in 2000 by Jacques Torres, the world-renowned chocolatier affectionately known as ‘Mr. Chocolate’. It stands as if melting into the cobblestone streets of Dumbo, a popular tourist area offering panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.
He is one of the pioneers of the ‘Bean to Bar’ movement, handling everything from the selection of cacao beans to the creation of chocolate bars in-house. His beautiful premium chocolates, made with only the highest quality ingredients and absolutely no preservatives or artificial flavors, are cherished by travelers worldwide as a classic New York souvenir.
These luxury chocolates are certainly not cheap, but the craftsmanship poured into each piece is truly a work of art. Assorted boxes are perfect for gifts to loved ones. If you’re stopping by during sightseeing, be sure to order their famous ‘hot chocolate’. Described in reviews as ‘mud-level’ (lol), this incredibly rich cup delivers an intense cacao aroma directly to your brain, providing the perfect energy boost for tired legs.
Bellocq Tea Atelier
📍 Address: 104 West St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 United States
‘Bellocq Tea Atelier’ is quietly nestled in the Greenpoint district of North Brooklyn. While its exterior boasts a rugged industrial style, stepping inside reveals a breathtakingly stylish space where antique furniture and natural plants harmoniously blend.
This is an exquisite tea specialty shop whose products are adopted by luxury hotels and restaurants worldwide. What’s particularly noteworthy is the fact that Bellocq created the signature blend (No. 727) served at Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Cafe. Its high quality, worthy of Tiffany’s selection, and uniquely edgy, spicy blends captivate the hearts of tea lovers.
Inside the shop, you can actually taste various tea leaves, enjoying a blissful time discovering your favorites through their aroma and appearance. The popular ‘White Wedding’ and the shop’s namesake ‘No.1 BELLOCQ BREAKFAST’ are highly recommended. The beautiful yellow and navy canisters with inner lids are elegantly designed to be displayed as interior decor even after the tea is finished, making them an impeccable gift for someone special.
Brooklyn Charm
📍 Address: 616 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 United States
For travelers who ‘want to take home a unique, original item rather than a ready-made one’, ‘Brooklyn Charm’ in Greenpoint is highly recommended. This immensely popular custom jewelry shop, long loved in Williamsburg and recently relocated to its current spot, often makes waves on social media.
From hundreds of charms and chains displayed across an entire wall, you select your favorite parts by following your intuition. The staff then quickly assembles them on the spot, crafting them into necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and more. In addition to natural stones and vintage parts, there’s also an abundance of cute charms that are ‘so New York,’ such as pizzas and MetroCards, making the selection process itself an unforgettable travel memory.
The staff are incredibly friendly and offer thoughtful advice even to beginners who ‘don’t know what to combine’. This is a supremely exciting souvenir spot where you can take home the entire experience of ‘choosing parts in this shop and waiting for the completion’.
peace & RIOT
📍 Address: 401-403 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216 United States
If you want to experience Brooklyn’s deeper, more authentic local culture, visit ‘peace & RIOT’ in the Bed-Stuy district. This lifestyle boutique, run by a Black female interior designer, enjoys immense support from the local community.
Inside, you’ll find an array of high-sense items that exquisitely blend exotic tastes, hinting at African and Caribbean roots, with modern New York sensibilities. Beautiful candles, organic bath products, unique art prints, and kitchen goods – each piece is distinctive and rarely found in Japan.
More than just a general store, it actively features works by local Brooklyn creators and artists, meaning that shopping here directly supports the local community. For those who ‘want to buy a unique, tasteful souvenir that stands out from other travelers’ purchases,’ this is a truly commendable shop.
Wegmans
📍 Address: 21 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 United States
Wegmans, one of America’s most beloved supermarkets, has such devoted fans that the term ‘Wegmaniacs’ exists. In 2019, this popular chain finally made its highly anticipated New York City debut within the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The vast 74,000-square-foot store, characterized by exposed ceilings and wide aisles, offers a sense of openness that makes you forget you’re in the middle of a city. It boasts an overwhelming selection, from organic produce to gourmet cheeses and fresh seafood. For travelers, the biggest draw is Wegmans’ private-label products, available at affordable prices.
Stylish packaged snacks and teas, as well as original kombucha and seltzers, are perfect for ‘shareable souvenirs’ for colleagues or friends. And you absolutely must not forget their original design eco-bags. Inexpensive, durable, and highly stylish, they make a fantastic souvenir in themselves. The store also features a well-stocked deli section with famous submarine sandwiches (Sub Shop), so enjoying lunch with locals while shopping is also highly recommended.
Brooklyn-Style Souvenir Hunting Tips and Walking Guide
To fully enjoy souvenir hunting in Brooklyn, there are a few tips travelers should know.
First, New York’s ‘eco-bag (reusable bag) culture’ is even more prevalent than in Japan. Since shopping bags are often charged for or not provided at all, always keep a foldable eco-bag in your purse. A smart trick is to first acquire a local eco-bag from a supermarket like Wegmans, introduced here, before starting your city exploration.
Also, payment is primarily by ‘credit card (or tap-to-pay like Apple Pay)’ at almost all stores. Shops that only accept cash are extremely rare, and conversely, the number of ‘cashless-only’ establishments is increasing, so it’s reassuring to have multiple credit cards.
Brooklyn has distinct personalities for each area compared to Manhattan, and the distance between stations can sometimes be surprisingly far. It’s efficient to plan a rough route on Google Maps beforehand, for example, enjoying the views and chocolates in Dumbo, then browsing teas and accessories in Greenpoint. There are also many cobblestone streets, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
