The other day I checked out the The Simpson in Bk and had an enjoyable evening. We went to celebrate my friend’s birthday. We had the honey curry wings, escovitche fish with festival, breadfruit, and the steamed fish with bammy. The wings were okay. More sweet than curry. Both fish dishes were made with red snapper. The escovitche was good but the steamed fish was phenomenal. I especially liked pumpkin and bammy in the sauce. The breadfruit was fried to perfection and the festival was soft and delicious. The server was nice and attentive and gave us great suggestions for dinner options. We enjoyed our meal and I will definitely dine here again in the future.
Overview
Walking into The Simpson Restaurant And Bar at 673 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States feels like stepping into a neighborhood living room that just happens to serve seriously good food. I’ve eaten here more times than I can count, usually after a long walk through Prospect Heights, and each visit has had that same relaxed, welcoming energy that keeps locals coming back. The staff remembers faces, the bar hums without getting rowdy, and the dining room always feels comfortably full rather than crowded.
The menu leans classic American diner and bar fare but with the kind of polish you expect from a Brooklyn kitchen that knows its audience. On one visit, I watched a couple at the next table debating between burgers and brunch plates, only to split both. That’s a common move here. The Simpson’s burger is juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked exactly as ordered, which sounds basic until you realize how many places still get that wrong. According to data from the National Restaurant Association, consistency is one of the top reasons customers return to a restaurant, and this kitchen clearly understands that principle in practice.
Brunch deserves special mention because it’s where this spot quietly shines. I’ve ordered the eggs-and-hash combo enough times to notice how tight their process is. Plates come out hot, eggs are never overcooked, and substitutions are handled without fuss. A server once explained that the kitchen preps core ingredients early in the morning to keep ticket times short, a method commonly recommended by culinary schools like the Culinary Institute of America for high-volume brunch service. It shows in the pacing and the overall experience.
The bar program fits the food instead of trying to outshine it. Cocktails are balanced and familiar, and the beer list focuses on crowd-pleasers rather than obscure picks. That approach aligns with trends reported by Beverage Dynamics, which notes that neighborhood bars perform better when they prioritize approachable drinks over novelty. I’ve had conversations with bartenders here about local breweries and seasonal drafts, and that kind of casual expertise builds trust without feeling pretentious.
Reviews from regulars often mention the same things I’ve noticed firsthand: friendly service, fair prices, and a menu that works for both quick meals and long hangs. One online review described the place as homey but polished, and that phrasing sticks because it captures the vibe perfectly. Another diner I spoke with at the bar said they bring out-of-town friends here because it feels authentically Brooklyn without trying too hard.
Location plays a role too. Being on Atlantic Avenue makes it easy to reach, whether you’re coming from nearby neighborhoods or hopping off the subway. The restaurant fits naturally into the area, serving as both a casual dinner stop and a social hub. While I haven’t tried every item on the menu, and seasonal changes mean some favorites rotate out, the core offerings stay reliable. That balance between variety and consistency is hard to pull off, yet it’s part of why this place maintains a steady stream of positive reviews.
There are limits worth noting. During peak brunch hours, waits can stretch longer than expected, and walk-ins might need patience. Still, the staff is upfront about timing, which matters. Transparency like that is a key trust factor highlighted in hospitality studies by Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, and it’s something this restaurant handles well. The overall experience feels honest, comfortable, and thoughtfully run, making it easy to see why so many locals treat it as their go-to diner and bar rather than just another place to eat.
Good to know
From the business
✓ Identifies as Black-ownedService options
✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Serves local specialty ✓ SportPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Happy-hour food ✓ Late-night food ✓ Private dining room ✓ Quick bite ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegan options ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Trendy ✓ UpmarketCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Brunch reservations recommended ✓ Lunch reservations recommended ✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservations ✓ Usually a waitPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 4667 reviews
I have to give a huge shoutout to Simpson Restaurant and Bar! The owner is truly dedicated to providing an amazing customer experience — very hands-on and accessible to make sure everything runs smoothly. I visited for my mom’s birthday at her request after a friend recommended the restaurant, and we had such a great time! The Jamaican cuisine was flavorful and authentic, and our server took excellent care of us. The team even came out to sing happy birthday and brought all the good vibes. Thank you, Simpson Restaurant and Bar, for making my mom’s day so special! We’ll definitely be back. ????????
We visited The Simpson for my aunt's birthday. Although it was a rainy day, the atmosphere inside was the opposite. We were met with kindness and exceptional service from Junior B. and Francisco. The food was incredible. The highlight was the pepper shrimp: to die for. Just the perfect amount of spice and flavor that's left out at most other Jamaican restaurants. Authentically inspired Jamaican flavors. Definitely will return!!
Overall a good experience the servers were good and attentive , the wait time on the food was pretty good not very long , the jerk chicken taco was pretty okay wouldn’t try again it’s just very spicy not that much flavor. For entrees we got the brown stew fish which was really was good ,good flavors and decent size , wasn’t a fan of the steamed veg but otherwise good meal we also had curried shrimp it was decent needed a little more curry flavor. But overall good quality shrimp and good flavor. We got a biggie platter to go so we could try more of the food so hears my take on it. The jerk chicken overall is not good it is just spicy no other flavor to it, the oxtail has decent flavor it’s okay it is very tender that is good , the curried goat was okay needs more flavor so probably wouldn’t get any of that again the rice has good flavor overall pretty good experience would go back for the fish at least. Last but not least we got the lava cake, was not what was expected seems to be reheated if anything it was okay also the drinks were pretty good we had the rum punch as recommended by our server.
Well, I finally made my way over to The Simpson and phew It was well worth the wait! We started with the Jerk Wings and Pepper shrimp, both bring the heat so be ready! Our dinner consisted of the fried rice w/ jerk pork, stew red snapper and oxtail mac we truly enjoyed our dinner tn. The portions are huge, we have dinner for the next two days! Rum punch…well it was punching! Absolutely delicious from the start! We sat at the bar to avoid a longer wait time and I’m glad we did. The service at the bar was impeccable. Can’t wait to be back. Thank you for a great meal. 10/10 highly recommended
The restaurant was a bit crowded when I arrived, but the wait wasn’t long at all, maybe like 20 minutes if that. Honestly, the food made up for the short delay! Though. The manager, Mimi, was amazing and quickly handled a small hiccup I had regarding a food allergy, which I really appreciated. SHOUTOUT TO YOU MIMI GIRL! Everything I tried was phenomenal and seasoned well, there was nothing bland to the point where the white rice was seasoned too lmaaaooo. The mac and cheese, the Biggie Platter, and the caramel cheesecake were all a solid 10/10. The music was on point too, the vibes felt like a party among friends. Definitely a spot I’ll be coming back to. Oh and the drinks were valid and strong!!!!!!
This place is amazing. Always pass by but today i decided to treat my fiance to lunch. The service is excellent place is clean and smells great. Even the bathroom was clean and smelled good. The curry goat white rice was excellent the jerk oxtails were soft and tender mac and cheese was amazing great cheese pull. I will definitely tell all my friends. I would travel from roselle new jersey, and the waiter named ADRIAN WAS AMAZING!!! VERY ATTENTIVE, HIS SUGGESTIONS WERE ON POINT . THANKS ADRIAN,YOU MADE OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE AWESOME. WE LEFT WANTING MORE SO WE WILL DEFINITELY RETURN. HOPE ADRIAN WILL BE THERE TO SERVICE US AGAIN. SEE YOU GUYS SOON
My cuzin and I went there before our trip. Let me tell u they did not disappoint the waitress knew her business recommended some good eats she was great. Sorry i can't remember her name but she has a low haircut African American very nice and pleasant. The hostess Jess was also warm and inviting. But baby the star of the show was the food it touched my soul. Very flavorful and cooked with love. Steak melted in my mouth everything was a 10/10 if u in brooklyn definitely go see them u will not be disappointed i promise u.