Where to eat in Coney Island for Mermaid Parade (and other summer fun days)
Hundreds of thousands of people will gather Saturday, donning their most nautical getups, to celebrate Coney Island’s 41st Annual Mermaid Day Parade.
For many Coney Island restaurants, the Mermaid Parade is their biggest day of the year in total revenue. While the beachy neighborhood might be best known for hot dogs at Nathan’s Famous (which is indeed a delicious bite), there are plenty of other noshing options that deserve attention. If you’re looking to grab a bite after the parade or any other summer fun day in Coney Island, let this list be your guide.
Coney Island Brewery
As home to the Mermaid Pilsner and Merman IPA, Coney Island Brewery is possibly the most mermaid-friendly spot in Coney Island. Aside from beer, the brewery also serves non-alcoholic beverages and a full menu of delicious bites. Since the Mermaid Parade is such a high-volume day, the menu on Saturday will be pared down to some of their staples, including their bestselling double smash burger, wings with several options for sauces, hotdogs from Nathan’s (vegan options available), and Bavarian soft pretzels (also vegan).
If you’re looking for an afterparty, Coney Island Brewery is hosting the Mermaid Parade Ball, beginning at 5 p.m. with general admission costing $25. The Ball will feature live music, burlesque dancers, and, of course, plenty of good beer and bites.
1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Doña Zita
Located close to the Coney Island Murals is an unsuspecting Mexican eatery serving up Coney Island’s best tacos, cemitas and more. The service is quick and efficient, churning out plates full of well-dressed tacos laden with queso fresco. There are plastic containers lining the counter with all the fixings: dried chili peppers, limes, salsa, two types of hot sauce and radishes. Despite being a counter-style eatery, there is ample seating available. No alcohol is served, but a wide range of Mexican sodas, fruit juices, and other soft drinks are plentiful. Hit the ATM first, though — Doña Zita is a cash-only establishment.
1221 Bowery St, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Footprints Café
Home of the “Rasta Pasta,” Footprints Café is a Caribbean eatery serving up big flavors on Surf Avenue. The vibe is unlike anything else in the area — dimly lit, loud music, and a bar full of colorful liqueurs and frozen drink machines. Footprints made its mark on the map with their rasta pasta: a spicy, creamy penne dish served with an oxtail so luscious and tender no knife is required. Since the Mermaid Parade falls on the same weekend as Father’s Day, Footprints Café will be running a Father’s Day special with a special menu consisting of Mannish Water (a soup with goat, banana, and carrots), pastrami spring rolls with smoked beef and onions, and specialty cocktails with names like “Sugar Daddy,” “Best Dad Ever,” and “Big Daddy.”
1521 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Paul’s Daughter
While we are on the subject of Father’s Day, one of the best (and most convenient) boardwalk bites is Paul’s Daughter. Some Google reviewers swear they serve the best lobster roll in New York. A plate of clams is also a requirement, served with tiny plastic containers of horseradish, hot sauce, and cocktail sauce. Does anything taste better than fresh clams right by the ocean? If you’re a merperson who doesn’t prefer to eat their fellow sea critters, the Italian Sausage sandwich, piled high with peppers and onions, is another hit. Don’t forget to grab a frozen margarita with tajin or an ice cold beer.
1001 Riegelmann Boardwalk, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Pete’s Clam Shop
Sticking with the seafood theme, Pete’s Clam Shop is another Coney Island staple that shouldn’t be missed. The quick counter-style eatery pumps out typical beach and boardwalk fare like oysters, clams and funnel cake, but also knishes and homemade shish kabob. Their best sellers are their Italian sausage sandwich and, naturally, their clams, which owner Peter swears are the freshest in Coney Island. Pete’s Clam Shop gets their oysters and clams straight from the boats in Long Island, so it’s a real sea-to-table dining experience, best paired with a Bluepoint on draft. The shop is conveniently located close to the F, D, N, and R lines at Coney Island-Stillwell Av, so if you need a bite as soon as you jump off the (likely) long commute to Coney Island, look no further than Pete’s.
1320 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Coney Cones
Located within Luna Park, Coney Cones brings a taste of Italian la dolce vita to Coney Island’s boardwalk. Serving up artisanal gelato, granitas, frozen yogurt, sorbet, hot chocolate, iced coffee, espresso, and more, Coney Cones is a perfect quick bite for those looking to cure their sweet tooth. While all 21 flavors of gelato are great, you can’t go wrong with the classic stracciatella. Did you really go to a beach in Brooklyn if you didn’t get at least one cone of gelato?
1023 Boardwalk West, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Georgian Corner
If you’re looking for a true hidden gem in Coney Island, Georgian Corner is it. It opened in October 2022, so this is its first Mermaid Parade. Georgian Corner is a great pit stop for vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike. If you’re looking to sample a few different dishes, take advantage of their “by the pound” salads and meats, with options including beets with walnut, a Georgian bean stew called lobio and and crepes with meat. The real star of Georgian Corner, aside from the shop’s owner Sophia, is the housemade imeruli cheese. “Is it like a feta?” I asked the Georgia native, assuming it would be, due to its appearance. She shook her head and advised me to try it. Nothing like feta, in fact, but instead, a cheese on the harder side, still with a bit of bounce to its bite, and a powerful, slightly salty, slightly pungent taste. Schmear some beet and walnut spread on their house-made bread, top it with a thick hunk of imeruli, and I bet my last sand-dollar you won’t be disappointed.
626 Sheepshead Bay Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Totonno’s
The Mermaid Parade can be a hectic day with herds of people (or schools of merpeople), so if you’re looking for some quick ‘za, one of the best pizza shops in all of New York is about a 15-minute walk from the boardwalk. This family-run establishment, which opened in 1924, has survived its fair share of hardships, including Hurricane Sandy and two devastating fires. Yet, they continue to pump out some of the city’s best pies. If you’re torn between red pie and white pie, might I suggest you just get both? Note that Totonno’s doesn’t serve pizza by the slice, so bring some friends.
1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
