Manhattan Beach
Oriental Blvd. at Hastings St. 718-946-1373
Brooklyn barbecue fanatic Robert Fernandez of White Trash BBQ (whitetrashbbq.blogspot.com) highly recommends Manhattan Beach, on the other side of Brighton Beach from Coney Island: Just east of the main beach, you’ll find about twenty grills, picnic tables, and running water. If you want to spend the whole day at the beach, get there early to claim your grill space. Robert likes going late, after the crowds have left: “The folks who stay all day and into the night are a great crew,” he says. “You fire up the grill and become part of the party.” There are other, less legal grilling spots somewhere in the general vicinity, where clothes may or may not be optional—but you’ll have to find those yourself.