Chef Roble Picks His Top Brooklyn Hang-Outs
From "authentic barbecue" joints to Speakeasy-style cocktail lounges, the Brooklyn native lists his six local favorites.
Roblé Ali knows a thing or two about food—after all, the renowned chef and caterer has landed big-name clients like musical artist John Legend, NBA hooper Tyson Chandler, and our very own Phaedra Parks from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Not to mention he's been busy cooking up a whole new project.
But even seasoned chefs need a break from the kitchen. So when he’s not busy cooking up food from the future, where does Roblé like to have a nosh?
We sat down with him to find out his favorite eateries, and since he’s a Brooklyn boy, he gave us the lowdown on the borough’s best restaurants.
The Smoke Joint
87 S. Elliott Pl., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Located in the heart of Fort Greene, The Smoke Joint offers "authentic" barbecue. And who doesn’t love a little barbecue?
The General Greene
229 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205
Looking for a good place to brunch it up? The General Greene is Roblé’s go-to spot. He frequents the restaurant a few times a month for brunch goodies like chicken and waffles, steak and eggs, and more.
Mo’s Bar & Lounge
80 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Mo’s Bar & Lounge is a classic neighborhood bar in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene area with a small but colorful menu. And did we mention they have Karaoke Tuesdays?
Madiba
195 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205
Roblé loves Madiba so much that it is actually featured in the intro to Chef Roblé & Co. The South African restaurant is always packed—and for good reason. According to Roblé, the food is absolutely delicious.
Clover Club
210 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
The Clover Club is a 1920s-inspired cocktail bar featuring a wide variety of drinks, with names like "The Italian Job" (Old Tom gin, Cocchi Americano, lemon juice, Benedictine, apricot brandy rinse) and "The Rabbit in the Moon" (toasted rice green tea-infused gin, bianco vermouth, lemon juice, egg white, soda), we can see why this place ranks high on Roblé’s list.
Weather Up
589 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Weather Up is a Roblé favorite. Located in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights neighborhood, the speakeasy-style bar is a local gem that has an outdoor patio—perfect for a few drinks on a summer night.
Take a look at Roblé's suggestions in the video clip below, and let us know if you'll be visiting these spots any time soon!