Public Records
233 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY 11217About This Place
Located in the heart of Brooklyn at 233 Butler Street, Public Records offers an exceptional fusion of vibrant vegan cuisine, laid-back café culture, and dynamic nightlife all under one roof. This unique restaurant and lounge merges inventive plant-based dishes with an atmosphere that effortlessly blends Brooklyn’s artistic energy and community spirit.
Public Records stands out with its thoughtfully curated vegan menu, where every plate tells a story through nuanced flavors and stunning presentation. Dinner selections like the Aleppo + Herb Olives Castelvetrano + Kalamata, Shallots, Aleppo, Aromatics, Lemon, Fennel Pollen and 24-Hour Cashew Labneh with Harissa Apricot Chutney offer a gourmet journey of fragrant spices and fresh, vibrant ingredients. The play of textures—from crunchy chili almonds to silky whipped vadouvan carrot and the lightly fermented raita leaves—showcases the chef’s dexterity in crafting bold yet harmonious flavor profiles that captivate the palate.
Brunch at Public Records is equally inspired with delights such as the Hot Agave Focaccia topped with Calabrian Chili and Thyme and the indulgently fluffy Hokkaido French Toast made with Hokkaido Milk Bread, Winter Citrus, Cardamom Marmalade, and Whipped Cream. Each bite offers a whimsical balance of sweet, spicy, and herbaceous notes, complemented by housemade condiments like spicy harissa ketchup and tangy lime achar. The attention to detail in every dish also reflects a strong seasonal influence, ensuring fresh and complex layers of taste.
Beyond food, Public Records immerses guests in an irresistibly cool atmosphere. The space channels an artsy, Brooklyn plant vibe with an eclectic mix of vinyl records setting the soundtrack. Guests often note the charm of the front-area magazine nook and small record store, making visits feel like discovering a hidden creative haven. Whether you’re there for a morning coffee and pastry, a lively brunch, dinner, or evening cocktails, the vibe is consistently warm, authentic, and buzzing with energy.
Customer reviews echo the exceptional experience Public Records offers. Alon Juwal praises the “delicious and creative food” paired with “awesome vibes and very friendly and professional service,” and Kristina Zhegunova expresses plans to return with friends, enchanted by the welcoming staff and wonderful ambiance. Even non-vegans like Peter Slattery find the inventive menu irresistible, highlighting standout dishes like the labneh and celeriac skewers as utterly fantastic. Emily sums it up perfectly: “*This is the spot.* Insanely good vibes. Vinyl playing. Cool people working.”
While the menu leans toward polished, elevated vegetables that some may find on the pricier side, the overall experience—from the innovative cuisine to the artsy, lounge-style environment—justifies every penny for those seeking a thoughtfully crafted plant-based escape. Whether you’re in Brooklyn for a vibrant brunch, an inspired dinner, or a night out with live music and creative cocktails, Public Records promises an unforgettable sensory journey where food, music, and community come alive in harmony.
Service options
Outdoor seating Onsite services Takeout Dine-in DeliveryHighlights
Fast service Great cocktails Live musicAccessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance Wheelchair accessible restroom Wheelchair accessible seating Wheelchair accessible parking lotOfferings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Hard liquor Private dining room Small plates WineDining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Counter service Dessert Seating Table serviceAmenities
Bar onsite Gender-neutral restroom Restroom Wi-Fi Wi-FiAtmosphere
Casual Cozy TrendyCrowd
Family-friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Locals Transgender safespacePlanning
Accepts reservationsPayments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cardsOpening Hours
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Monday
Closed -
Tuesday
Closed -
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 04:00 PM 09:00 PM - 12:00 AM -
Thursday
12:00 AM - 07:00 AM 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM -
Friday
Closed -
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:00 AM -
Sunday
12:00 AM - 04:00 AM 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Map & Directions
Visitor Reviews
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Alon Juwal
1 month agoStopped by for brunch today. Absolutely delicious and creative food, awesome vibes and very friendly and professional service! Loved every second.
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Peter Slattery
1 month agoWent here for dinner, wonderful inventive vegan menu that was tasty for me (non vegan) and vegan girlfriend. When you enter for dinner or just a walk-in drink, coffee, etc,. I love the magazine area and small record store at the front. Labneh and celeriac skewers on current dinner menu were both fantastic. Wonderful vibe, great selection of music playing, server was delightful, would recommend. Only note is someone will probably inevitably turn their phone light on while you are dining. Would return!
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Kristina Zhegunova
1 month agoI rarely say this, especially while I’m still at the restaurant, but I will definitely be coming back — and I want to show this place to all my friends. It’s truly a fantastic spot! I loved every dish we tried. The staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, the ambiance was wonderful, and even the background sounds added to the charm. There’s just one thing that needs improvement: the toilets are overloaded and have a strong smell.
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Emily
2 month agoThis is *the* spot. Insanely good vibes. Vinyl playing. Cool people working. Coffee + pastries available when you walk in OR you can get seated + order a full meal. We came on a Sunday for brunch. Menu was 10/10. Will def be back. Apparently it turns into a club at night.
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E. A.
2 month agoWhat a cool interior and pricey menu for fancy vegetables! The entrance gives off a record label vibe. The interior gives off cool, Brooklyn, artsy, plant vibes. All the dishes had beautiful presentation. We ordered four plates to share between two people.
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Conrad Rochester
3 month agoPublic records a restaurant during the day and at night turns into a club. Beautiful sound systems and both rooms in the restaurant and in the main room. They also have a 3rd floor with a decent sound system as well. They booked tons of house d j's from all over the world. The pictures that I'm going to post are from the descendant party from Afro House
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Nicole Kim
3 month agoI was here for an event to listen to a new record that was being released tonight. It was a bit confusing once we arrived… there’s a restaurant, a club downstairs, a lounge/listening room upstairs. We initially went inside the restaurant and were told to go wait outside until a black door opened. When it opened, we stood in line to get our tickets and IDs checked but were told by the staff that we were upstairs, so we had to go back outside and enter another black door. We ended up going upstairs to the listening room that had a small bar in the back. It’s a nice area; brightly lit during the day but intimate once the sun sets but extremely hot inside (they only had the windows open). Got a couple of beers (from Threes Brewing) to drink while listening to the entire record. It was pretty cool since the artist, Eliana Glass, was sitting right next to us since her friends were sharing a table with us. We didn’t realize it was her until we overheard their convo. She ended up performing a couple of her songs live. Definitely an interesting experience that we would have no clue about if Spotify hadn’t informed us of the free ticketed event.
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Omri Cohen
4 month agoGreat vibes, outstanding cold brew, and friendly staff. Public Records is an approachable and upscale hangout vibe for the culturally curious who also appreciate specialty coffee. The outside may be brick, but the inside is hip. The once animal shelter is now a green and chic coffee chop, restaurant, and bar. It’s spacious, plant-filled, and industrial-chic with background beats bopping from the bass-heavy sound system. Patio, plants, and presentation room with presence. Join the welcoming and eclectic mix of customers in one of the many seats simmered in natural light. The drip coffee is a subtle and balanced light/medium roast from Ethiopia. Highly drinkable, and approachable for those dipping their toes into coffee without milk. The cold brew is the clear standout. It’s delicate, light, and refreshing; perfect for a spring or summer day. Smells like a tropical, guava cocktail, and makes me feel like I’m on the beach. It’s hard to leave this place! Drip coffee score: 4/5. Everything else score: 5/5. Overall score: 4.5/5.
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