Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
The Hungry Cabbie Eats The Outer Boroughs: Waterfalls Cafe
By
Dave Freedenberg
Published Jun 22, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Freedenberg
Published Jun 22, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If you’ve been to Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, or Carroll Gardens and kept your eyes open while you were there, you’ve noticed that empty yellow cabs are always cruising up Clinton Street on their way back to Manhattan. What you might not have noticed is that they often make pit stops for a quick bite before crossing the bridge. Quite a few of my cabbie colleagues are Middle Easterners, and they each have their own personal favorite amongst the cluster of cheap, authentic, and delicious Middle Eastern restaurants along Atlantic Avenue. Having tried a number of their recommendations over the years, I’ve chosen my own favorite: Waterfalls Café.
It wasfirst recommended to me by Ali, an Egyptian vegetarian cabbie at my old garage on Bergen Street. Indeed, Waterfalls boasts a particularly strong vegetarian following for its variety of tasty meatless menu options. Along with typical Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes like falafel with babaghanouj, hummos, and tabouleh, Waterfalls offers more exotic selections like cabbage stuffed with cracked wheat, chick peas, mint, and salad. Ali was a big fan of the $3.50 fried cauliflower pita sandwich and the emjaddara (rice with lentils, fried onion, and yogurt salad). I am a fan of their olives and pickled radishes.
So whenever I find myself cruising past Atlantic Avenue, I stop at Waterfalls. Although I do go the vegetarian route quite often thanks to Ali’s sage advice, the grilled meats fill the small restaurant with a heavenly scent, so I cannot resist. I always go in intending to leave without the blood of an innocent animal on my hands, but when that smell travels up my nose, my mind always seems to change, and I walk out with half a lamb under my arm.
Last week I stopped to visit a friend who lives on Love Lane in Brooklyn Heights, and I brought along some chicken kebob and kafta (ground beef from the neck or leg) kebob from Waterfalls. My vegetarian friend, who had just eaten three tofutti cuties or I would have brought her a cauliflower sandwich, caught a whiff of that meat and seriously considered changing her lifestyle. I don’t know how Ali has the will power.
Waterfalls Cafe, 144 Atlantic btwn Clinton and Henry, Brooklyn, 718-488-8886
Tagged
atlantic avenue
Bergen Street
brooklyn
brooklyn heights
carroll gardens
clinton
clinton street
cobble hill
heights
In the 'Hood
manhattan
Middle Eastern
restaurants
Dave Freedenberg
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .