Signs of spring are arriving in Brooklyn — Luna Park is open, cherry blossoms are blooming, and Smorgasburg is preparing to make its return to Williamsburg and Prospect Park.
The beloved warm-weather food festival is set to open in Marsha P. Johnson State Park on Saturday, April 5 and in Prospect Park on Sunday, April 6. This year marks 15 years of Smorgasburg — and to celebrate, the festival is bringing in some “exciting and eclectic” new vendors alongside old-school favorites.
“Smorgasburg has always been more than just a place to eat – it’s a platform that honors small businesses, diverse cuisines and the communities that make it all possible,” said Smorgasburg CEO Gaston Becherano, in a statement. “Every vendor here has a story, a dream and a deep passion for sharing their food with the world, and we’re grateful to be part of that journey.”
Brooklyn will welcome almost two dozen new food stalls offering cuisine from around New York City and the world.
That list includes The Migrant Kitchen, which serves up Latin and Middle-Eastern inspired cuisines and donates a portion of every sale toward food-insecure New Yorkers. Started in 2019 as a catering company that allowed chefs to tell their own stories through food, The Migrant Kitchen has since expanded with brick-and-mortar restaurants, pop-ups, and now, a stall at Smorgasburg.
“We’re really excited to be at Saturdays in Williamsburg at Smorgasburg this year, our first year there, showing everybody our world famous lamb torta,” said Daniel Dorado, founder of The Migrant Kitchen.
Several new vendors — like Coco Bred — will be serving up food at both Brooklyn locations.
Coco Bred reimagines classic Jamaican dishes as handheld eats served in “cloud-soft” pockets of coco bread — a staple Jamaican bread made with flour and coconut milk. Its sandwiches are filled with classic cuisines like oxtail, curry goat, and slow-cooked jerk chicken and topped with various relishes, chutneys, and more.
“We use a lot of spices, fresh ingredients, so every one shines in its own way,” said Coco Bred founder Jaime Randle.
Smorgasburg is Coco Bred’s second iconic Brooklyn location — the business also sells its sandwiches at Barclays Center during New York Liberty games.
Brooklynites can follow savory dishes with luxurious desserts – like fresh strawberries topped with flowing Belgian chocolate at Chocolate on Tap and hand-pulled dragon’s beard candy at Dragon Lulu.
Another newcomer, Cafecito Social, is coming to Smorgasburg from its home base in Gowanus. The Guatemalan coffee shop will have a full espresso bar at its booths in Williamsburg and Prospect Park. Cafecito Social was founder Gaby Tejeda’s effort to bring Guatemalan flavors to the world while keeping the love for her home country alive in her children, and Smorgasburg brings those flavors to a wider audience.
“I’ve never done Smorgasburg, this is like a whole new thing,” Tejeda said. “I’m excited about it. I’m excited about meeting people, creating community and having everyone try our amazing Guatemalan coffee.”
Other newcomers include Caesar-salad focused BOYsalad, Pastrami Underground (whose founder spent decades at the famous Mill Basin Kosher Deli), and Brooklyn-based Wakari Tea. Returning to the festival this year are favorites like Red Hook Lobster Pound and Treat Yourself Jerk.
Smorgasburg will run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays at Marsha P. Johnson State Park and Sundays at Breeze Hill in Prospect Park from April 5 and 6 until October.
