Brunch, Books, and Budget-Friendly Shopping in Prospect Heights

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Prospect Heights is a crash course on the different facets of Brooklyn: there's the Barclays Center and a surrounding mall-vibe on one side, the oasis of Prospect Park on another, the cultural institution that is the Brooklyn Museum, and rows of brownstones and tucked-away shops, restaurants, and bars. Its easy access—seemingly every subway line comes into the Atlantic Avenue station—making it a no-brainer Saturday destination.

Plan your weekend accordingly with our list below that includes a breakfast of lemon ricotta pancakes and stops at a local bookstore, a sneakerhead hotspot, one of the coolest boutiques in the neighborhood, and a stroll through ancient artifacts.

Bright, airy and rustic, James (605 Carlton Avenue) is the picture of chic and the definition of welcoming. The mouthwatering menu features blackberry-stuffed brioche French toast and lemon ricotta pancakes, plus pork belly artichoke hash and dishes like crispy shrimp and eggs with kale and quinoa.

Atrium (233 Flatbush Avenue) reaches the Brooklyn shopper with this location that's stocked with a diverse range of under-the-radar labels and mainstream favorites. Sharing the space is KITH, a hotspot for the streetwear junkie and sneaker fanatic. You can pick up everything from Converse high-tops to Ostwald Helgason tees under one roof.

A fix of easy wardrobe staples at appealing prices awaits at O.N.A. (593A Vanderbilt Avenue). Combing the racks here is like peeking into the closet of your always-awesomely-dressed best friend: everything is unique but wearable, with brands like BB Dakota, Cheap Monday, Court Shop, Funktional and Evil Twin lining the walls.

As it says on the shop's website Hooti Couture (321 Flatbush Avenue) is a "celebration of vintage.” Every item in this cheerful boutique is hand-picked by owner Alison Houtte, who keeps her finger on the pulse of fashion and stocks her space accordingly, mirroring trends with vintage treasures in the form of costume jewelry, beaded dresses, and more.

Take a break from pounding the pavement and settle into a corner at Unnameable Books (600 Vanderbilt Avenue) with a good, hard-to-find read. Packed with stacks and stacks of books for fans of every genre, you won’t have to spend much to give your library the same attention you’re giving your wardrobe.

Appropriately named, Color BKLYN (760 Washington Avenue) is full of bright, vibrant stationery, home goods, and accessories. It’s the kind of shop you can get totally lost in, flipping through books, choosing <em>just</em> the right cards, sniffing candles, and imagining how a floral-print vase will transform your living room.

Get you culture fix at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway). The landmark is one of the city’s most valuable institutions, filled with awe-inspiring art and artifacts that range from ancient Egypt to modern America. Make sure to visit the sculpture garden, and don’t miss the shop, where you’ll find décor and jewelry from artists and local Brooklyn designers.