Coney Island Bike Trip
What this foodstroll is
A great NYC bike ride from Prospect Park to Coney Island for some of NYC’s best Turkish food!
Why this foodstroll works
There are several good Turkish grills in southern Brooklyn, home to many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern hot spots, but only Beyti Turkish Kabob can claim to be two blocks from an excellent Turkish market and a Turkish bakery that imports baklava and other treats directly from Istanbul. Beyti also happens to be smack dab in the middle of Brighton Beach, one of NYC’s most exciting food neighborhoods. The Ocean Parkway Bike Path provides a very family friendly stretch of protected bike lane, and it’s a five mile straight shot from Prospect Park to Coney Island. If biking is out of the question, Coney Island and Brighton Beach are easily accessible by subway and car, and the neighborhoods are small and walkable.
Strolling
The bike ride from Prospect Park to Coney Island is 5 miles, and considering the variety of attractions nearby, like the New York Aquarium, Coney Island, Luna Park, and of course the beach itself, this could well be an all day affair. Regardless, we strongly encourage allowing for some time to stroll through the markets and shops in Little Odessa, the 15 block stretch of Brighton Beach Ave between Ocean Parkway and West End Ave.
The Ocean Parkway Bike Path originates at the southwest corner of Prospect Park. It’s entirely protected from traffic and safe for kids, although you do need to wait for lights at intersections.
The path ends at the Riegelmann Boardwalk and you can bike up and down between Brighton Beach and Coney Island. We recommend locking your bikes up prior to hitting the food spots and strolling around Little Odessa.
The Wonder Wheel inside Deno’s Amusement Park opened in 1920 and is a NYC Landmark. It’s part ferris wheel, part gondola, and you have to see it. Deno’s, along with Luna Park, operate several other iconic rides, including the famous Coney Island Cyclone.
We recommend you resist the temptation of filling up on Nathan’s before you make it to the Turkish spots. But if you can’t, we understand. Their hot dogs are pretty great. Nathan’s has been around since 1916, and today hosts the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The New York Aquarium is right next to the amusements parks. Opened in 1896 and moved to its current location in 1957, it’s the oldest continually operated Aquarium in the USA, and they have sharks.
The 2.7 mile Boardwalk was constructed in 1923, and you shouldn’t take this foodstroll without visiting it. It gets crowded in Summer, but even off season you’ll always find an eclectic cast of characters.
Food Spots
1. Beyti Turkish Kebab
Beyti Turkish Kebab prepares the best Turkish food in Brighton Beach. It’s very casual, and you won’t feel uncomfortable arriving a sweaty mess after your bike ride. Expect reliably great appetizers, like hummus and baba ganoush, which you can order as part of a sampler platter.
Their grill is what sets them apart from the pack, and kebabs are the main event. Everything is Halal, and Turkish staples like falafel and baklava also feature. Pictures aside, vegetarians have lots of options here.
If you order only one thing at Beyti, make it the Iskender Kebab. Iskender is a very traditional dish from northwest Turkey which includes lamb doner kekab, tomato sauce, butter, and yogurt served over chunks of soft croutons. We consider it a perfect plate of food.
You can’t go wrong with any kebab, but our favorites are the Chicken and Lamb Adana. Indoor dining is fun at Beyti, but it also makes for great takeout.
2. Vintage Gourmet Specialty Foods
Vintage Gourmet is a Turkish market with a huge selection of imported goods. The fresh Mediterranean cheeses, olives, and marinated peppers are great take home treats.
They sell Turkish treats in bulk, like Turkish Delight and Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans, along with loads of traditional Turkish and Middle Eastern condiments.
3. Güllüoglu
Güllüoglu is a Turkish bakery that imports baklava vacuum sealed directly from Istanbul. Aside from Baklava, many of our favorite things are savory, like their Borek, or Turkish cheese pie.
Other fresh baked savory items include Pide Ground Beef, or what our kids call meat bread. Patatesli Gül Böreği, which is crispy bread stuffed with some sort of Turkish mashed potatoes, also make for ideal snacks on the go.
You can order snacks to go, or dine in. They also make a mean cup of Turkish Coffee.
Baklava from Gulluoglu are a great way to end any adventure.
Transportation
Our favorite mode of transportation is the bike ride mentioned earlier, and it makes for a memorable day trip if you can swing it. However Brighton Beach is easily accessible by subway. The Q train travels directly above Brighton Beach Ave and stops in the middle of the neighborhood. Additionally the F, D, and N trains get you in the general vicinity.
2 hour metered parking is available along the main avenues in the neighborhood and there is a Muni Lot next to the boardwalk, but spaces are not guaranteed in summer months. It is possible to streetside park if you’re willing to park a few blocks off of Brighton Beach Ave, but again this can be difficult in-season.
The NYC Ferry is launching a Coney Island route in 2021, and we cannot wait.