Dining Out: 7 of the best places to eat in Dyker Heights

A delectable enclave, sandwiched between Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights is a neighborhood chock full of culinary bravado – be it the corner pizzeria, featuring authentically Brooklyn slices, or a family style diner, boasting a menu full of classic eats, done right every time.

Of the array we’ve sampled from the nabe over the years, some stood out to us as exceptionally praiseworthy.

A neighborhood staple, New Corner Restaurant (7201 Eighth Avenue), founded in 1936, still features classic Italian cooking and décor. There, family style appetizers are the star with menu items like Eggplant Rollatine cooked to perfection, boasting thin slices of baked eggplant stuffed with sweet and soft ricotta cheese, and Shrimp Oreganata amazingly tender, with a crunchy topping of gorgeously garlicky breadcrumbs spiked with oregano.

Taking it over to 13th Avenue, a strip in the nabe featuring the stuff of foody dreams, other Italian eateries worth mentioning are Paesano (8308 13th Avenue) and Chef Andrea (7312 13th Avenue).

Paesano’s “comfort food with an Italian spin” highlights a menu packed with mouthwatering dishes, including panini, burgers, salads, two soups daily and an array of breakfast options. The brainchild of Maria Martinelli and Anthony De Santo, an aunt and nephew who share a love of food and a passion to provide customers with only the best, the restaurant is somewhat of newbie to the nabe, opening its doors in November, 2015. With its undeniably delicious meals, however, Paesano is sure to become a favorite local spot for residents craving freshly made food at reasonable prices.

Bringing his Manhattan restaurant expertise to Dyker Heights, Chef Andrea DiGregorio, known for running the famed Canastel’s on Park Avenue and being named Chef of the Year every year between 1996 and 2000 by Tempo D’Italia magazine, the food at Chef Andrea speaks to just that. The fresh mozzarella is made on the premises, roasted peppers are simply cooked in fire, the rigatoni is homemade and no salt is ever added. The chef’s secret? “Freshness and quality,” he told us back in 2012.

Also on the strip is Grandma’s Bakery (7208 13th Avenue) – a decades old sweet staple. The many classic Italian items that can be hard to find at other bakeries have remained consistent since Grandma’s debuted 32 years ago, in part because of the bakery’s determination to make everything from scratch, beginning with the very popular apple fillings in its pastries.

Jimmy’s Place, just a few blocks away at 7118 13th Avenue, is every diner-goer’s dream. The family-owned diner with deep roots on 13th Avenue specializes in house-made classic dishes and makes its patrons feel right at home. There, some of our favorites were crispy Belgian waffles, the savory Eggs Benedict, the Chicken Parm Panini and Spinach Pie.

Over on 11th Avenue at 66th Street, La Sorrentina is an old-world delight. This classic Italian joint expanded, as many in the neighborhood did, from a pizza place, and now offers also steaks and seafood, joining its top-notch Mediterranean fare. The Gnocchi alla Vodka were the stuff of dreams, as was the garlicky broccoli rabe. And, of course, as with all of these eateries, that was just the beginning.

A newer addition to the nabe, situated along 86th Street, Annabelle’s (717 86th Street) boasts a laid-back vibe plus top-notch food. A new entry from the owners of Bella Luna, which closed to make way for it, Annabelle’s makes its own pasta, its own mozzarella, its own cheesecake and tiramisu, and Nicholas DiLeo, who owns the restaurant with brother John, even talks about starting a garden out back, in order to grow fresh herbs. All-in-all this decadent Italian meal got five stars from us after we sampled its fresh salads, classic meatballs, a Toscana pizza which featured thin slices of Prosciutto di Parma, fresh arugula and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano atop a thin, crispy crust (definitely addictive), Bucatini with Pesto and an assortment of delicious desserts like cheesecake, strawberry tiramisu and cannolis.