There are certain places you find yourself returning to without needing a reason, and Milk & Roses became exactly that for me. Tucked away in Greenpoint, it's a space I've visited across different moments--once for a slow brunch with a friend, another time for a late lunch with a group, and again for a more intimate coffee date. Each visit carried a slightly different rhythm, yet the feeling remained the same: calm, familiar, and quietly indulgent. Among everything I tried, the Cacio e Pepe ai Gamberoni stood out in a way few dishes do. Rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying, it's easily one of my favorite Italian dishes I've had in Brooklyn. The pecorino cream wrapped itself around the prawns beautifully, creating a balance that felt both comforting and elevated. It's the kind of dish you find yourself thinking about long after you've left. I also tried their Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino on another visit--simple, well-executed, and enjoyable, though it never quite reached the same level as the prawn pasta. On the quieter visits, I kept things simple with a flat white, which was smooth, rich, and well-balanced--exactly what you want when settling into a long conversation or a slow afternoon. But what truly defines Milk & Roses is its atmosphere. The interior feels like stepping into a private library hidden within a European home--lined with bookshelves, layered with warm wood tones, and softened by natural light that filters in gently throughout the day. There's a classical elegance to it, almost old-world in spirit, yet never overwhelming. It invites you to sit a little longer, to slow down, to exist within the space rather than pass through it. And then there is the garden. The backyard patio feels almost cinematic--anchored by a delicate white blossom tree, surrounded by greenery, and framed in a way that creates both openness and intimacy at once. It's the kind of setting that transforms a simple meal into something more memorable, where conversations stretch effortlessly and time feels slightly suspended. We were served by Mariami, who was warm, attentive, and gracious throughout, adding to the ease of the experience without ever intruding on it. Milk & Roses is not just a restaurant--it's an atmosphere, a rhythm, a place that meets you differently each time you return. It's somewhere I'll continue to revisit, whether for a meal, a coffee, or simply the quiet comfort it so effortlessly provides. read more

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The three lamb meatball was very good, flavorful. I also enjoyed my pasta with shrimp. There is an indoor and outdoor section and if you have allergies, don't sit outside lol the outdoors area is beautiful though, I've seen a wedding reception out there. The service wasn't anything to rave about but it wasn't terrible either. read more

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Food was nothing to write home about, couldn't get a drink till 7pm. Never heard of that...ran out of signature drink. Love Brooklyn vibe, won't be going back here anytime soon... read more

Came here for brunch on a weekend with a reservation and we were seated pretty quickly. The service was friendly and checked on us often. The restaurant is really cute inside with a cozy, vintage feel. We shared the Shakshuka and 2 Large Pancakes. The Shakshuka had a really nice tomato base and perfectly cooked eggs. We also got the pancakes which were fluffy and not too sweet. Both dishes came out fast and tasted great. Overall, really good food, great service, and such a cute ambiance. Would recommend for a nice brunch spot in Greenpoint! read more

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I came in for brunch with my service animal who Detects when I'm about to have a seizure. I asked to sit outside as it's one of the first nice days of the season. The girl told me I couldn't sit outside that I had to sit at a certain table in the front because of my dog. For future reference this is considered discrimination and is highly illegal. You should train your staff accordingly before you have a lawsuit on your hands. read more

They serve topless mimosa!! Their shakshouka with eggs were delicious according to other people sitting w/ me. We also had Greek yogurt w/ fruits and oats and it was delightful! I had farmers egg meal and it was great. The ambiance was superb!!! The server was very pleasant. read more

Milk and Roses - Shakshouka w/ eggs - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Everytime I come here I get the same waitress who is just an angel! I came today 2/10 for my birthday and again got the same waitress. How she serves the whole restaurant is beyond words, management should seriously consider hiring someone to help the girl! But even running in circles she's clearly a pro at customer service! I love the ambiance and aesthetic of each room and the food is lovely. I recommend the Cacio e Pepe ai Gamberoni, can't go wrong! They do NOT skimp on the shrimps! Also the get the octopus, sometimes a little tuff but the flavor is all there! (Please excuse my bad photos!) read more

Milk and Roses - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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We went to this spot to celebrate my baby arrival with my girls, we loved the atmosphere and how chilled the spot was!! The inside is so rustic and filled with books and we sat outside enjoying the spring vibes. Food was good we went during brunch and ordered something small. We had some mocktails and were so delicious. Service was excellent! read more

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Dined alone the first time for a Sunday brunch and it was great. Then.... Flew back from CA to take my daughter for brunch and was told we couldn't dine inside because of her little dog. We let the hostess know it was a service animal and we had documentation. She stated it was the management, not her, that had the rule. We mentioned she was a psychiatric service animal and I mentioned "it's there a law against this?" Hostess offered an outside table. Not wanting to cause a scene, we went outside to empty tables facing a large green rubbish bin. Meh. They brought our table water and we shortly decided to leave. It wasn't worth feeling this way when we came so far. Nor worth patronizing. It was a one hit wonder. We were happier at Leroy's, Greenpoint. read more

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Drinks were really good. Food was good too especially the short rib, so was the service. We came here on a Friday night and it wasn't that busy. read more

Milk and Roses - Outside - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The food was just okay. Don't expect anything too grand or unique tasting. The service was good, and the staff was kind to us. I don't think I'd return. read more

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Beautiful ambiance, they have a great backyard and pay attention to detail with the decor. Went for brunch and while the portion sizes are a bit small, the food is great although pricy. Ordered the peanut butter and jelly French toast which was really good and egg panini sandwich. Sides are additional if you want to add fries. Amazing service also, no wait time to be seated and were very accommodating when we wanted to change tables. read more

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Very nice ambiance, super cute place. The brunch turned out nice though for the prices charged I do think they can be more generous with the portions. I had the shukshaka and it was tasty though mostly sauce. I doubt another egg would have broke the bank. read more

Overall rating: 4.3 I saw this online and loved the decor. I went for brunch with a friend and was able to sit down immediately. My friend and I sat in the front and do we regret it. The service was non-existent. It was definitely very busy for only 3 waitresses including a hostess & bartender. Towards, mid-way through - we got an actual waitress and service picked itself up. We ordered a second time & got our food easily. I'd love to go ahead for maybe lunch or dinner. The outside space looked beautiful. read more

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I have been looking forward to trying Milk and Roses for quite some time, especially since I live in the neighborhood. I took my wife there for dinner on a Saturday night, and we were pleased to be seated immediately upon arrival. The dim lighting created a cozy atmosphere, beautifully complemented by the restaurant's decor. After reviewing the menu, we decided to start with the Milk & Roses and Pinel is Vile cocktails, paired with the Pasticcio al Forno and Cacio e Pepe ai Gamberoni for our main courses. Our drinks arrived promptly, which was a nice touch. However, we experienced a significant delay with our main courses, and it seemed our server may have forgotten to place our order. She did apologize for the inconvenience, especially since we noticed that a table seated approximately 15 minutes after us had already received their meals. Overall, the experience fell short of expectations. The portion sizes did not justify the prices; for just two dishes and two drinks, our bill exceeded $120. The Cacio e Pepe ai Gamberoni stated it was prawns but looked more like regular shrimp While I wouldn't recommend Milk and Roses as a dinner date spot, it could be a nice place to grab a drink and kick off the evening. Needless to say I was very disappointed with my experience here and will not be coming back. read more

A terrible meal and service on 2/14. Food was "okay" at best, service was amateur and disorganized. . read more

The ambiance of this place is awesome. On a nice day, sitting outside in the garden and eating is a great experience. The last time I went, they had bug spray for those who might not like sitting outside because they get bit. I never got bit. I did use the spray. The short rib pasta was great. The octopus was also very good. Both were plated very nicely. The place is cash only. There is an atm. read more

Milk and Roses - Octopus - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Visited on a Friday. Came early and there was no line and no wait. The place is beautiful and cozy. Inside and outdoor, it was even hard to chose where to sit because of it. Eventually me and my friend decided to sit outside (under the closed too area). Our server gave us attitude for trying to change the table, she said she won't be able to serve us because it was about to rain. But we were like, the place has a cover and there was 0% chance of rain. Then she rolled her eyes and seated us outdoor. The food was ok, but nothing extraordinary. The ambiance is great for sure! It's beautiful and romantic outdoor. So I definitely recommend, but the menu is very limited. Not many options. Perhaps brunch has better options ‍ read more

Milk and Roses - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The food is wonderful and the ambiance is super chill and rare to find in New York City. Best pasta and super quant unique spot that is always great. read more

Milk and Roses - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Just discovered this gem earlier this week on Yelp when wanting to try something new. Workers know the menu while staying friendly. The food satisfies before you even taste it. They offer a clean setting at reasonable cost. We were completely satisfied with our visit. read more

Overall subpar experience. The ambiance is the main appeal of the restaurant -- it's what caught my eye a few years ago and the space remains uniquely quaint; however, the food and service are consistently lacking. On my most recent visit, my party had made a reservation for brunch which required a non-refundable deposit -- although throughout the time we were at the restaurant, the majority of the tables were free. In my experience, even restaurants that rely on reservations or are apparently busier than Milk and Roses generally don't require deposits on reservations. An unusual rip-off. Our server was kind, but inattentive. We waited about 30 minutes for our food and noticed another party that arrived after us being served before we were. We received a check-in late into the meal and weren't offered refills on drinks at any time. The quality of the food is good, but many in my party complained that their dishes lacked flavor. (The only flavor I could taste in the panino con frittata was the balsamic vinegar -- the eggs had absolutely no flavor.) Several members of my party ordered sandwiches, all of which were stacked high enough that they proved difficult to eat. Our server also failed to inform us that the difference between sandwich dishes that offer small/large portions was simply the difference between 1 or 2 full-sized sandwiches. Most of the party was faced with 2 full-sized sandwiches at the meal when most would have preferred just 1. Nearly double the price was paid for those dishes -- again a rip-off. After giving Milk and Roses a handful of tries, I will not be returning. read more

The place is visually very nice, but the food was underwhelming and the chairs weren't comfortable. Not sure I'd come back

We just had our baby shower here and it was beautiful! Perfect for this special occasion. We had about 20 guests and the space was very comfortable for all. We had it in the outdoor area. Soooo pretty love the gardens and so many places for photos! Suzanne who helped us with planning was great. Very accommodating. They allowed me to bring my dog even tho the restaurant doesn't allow dogs. We were so happy they made this exception! Everything went better than I had anticipated. Food was yummy as usual! We had lots of food options for everybody to be happy-including meat based dishes & veg. All of our guests were extremely pleased and had a wonderful time. The venue was perfect!!! Extremely grateful and happy read more

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Very nice interior, the staff is lovely, and the drinks are really good! There is plenty of space in the location so it makes it feel more intimate. The food is okay, nothing special, but a solid choice! read more

We went here for brunch over and our secondary motive was also to scout this place for our 2 year olds birthday. Their backyard seating area pictures very well and looks very interesting and inviting in picture. Sadly, it all ends there. We went with the $20 Unlimited Mimosa option (60 mins) along with a breakfast item purchase which included Beetroot Salad ($16), Mint Salad ($16), Shakshuka ($18), and Smoked Salmon Roll up ($18). The outdoor seating are has comfortable seating although we were constantly getting bit by bugs in the backyard. Thankfully, they also supplied complimentary bug spray which we found lying on another table. Service is ok and we usually expect attentive servers with the unlimited booze options which wasn't the case. We had to flag down our servers 2 times, which they obviously did not appreciate! Food was just ok - nothing great about it. Smoked Salmon was unfortunately the saltiest thing on our order and my friend could not finish the salmon. There was also automatic gratuity of 20% on a table of 4, and this is a cash only place, which was further more disappointing. We had a relatively drama free experience, which wasn't really memorable. read more

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very cute outdoor space for brunch in the backyard. food was very average but a really nice relaxing vibe for small bites/breakfast and a coffee. I could see it as a neighborhood spot but not a destination one if you coming from outside GP/BK. Food: 6/10 Value: 6/10 Service: 4/10 Vibe: 9/10 read more

Milk and Roses - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The most beautiful outdoor patio I've been to! It honestly feels like a garden party! Came here on a Saturday afternoon around 2 and was able to snag a seat out back. The vibes here are immaculate, and even though the food & drinks are pricy, I'd say you're paying more for the ambiance. Was able to catch with a friend over some coffee and we split a pasta dish! The pasta was pretty good, but nothing crazy. Did really like my coffee though - the foam on my cappuccino was a nice touch. For two coffees and a pasta, our bill was pretty high (~$50) but that being said, still really enjoyed our time here. read more

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Charming, quiet place -- great for a date, until you have to hear the disgruntled chef In the kitchen march around and yell about his working conditions like he's on some union strike/walk out. He's not able to distinguish between his outdoor and indoor voice or between a back office conversation vs an in front of all the customers conversation. Thanks for ruining a great evening before you arrived. read more

The food, service, and ambiance are fantastic. The interior has a magical feel, and I was truly in awe when I walked in, especially with all the books and decorations. I will definitely return in the summer. This place is a small hidden gem in Greenpoint. read more

Had the opportunity to have brunch with friends here on a Sunday in December. We made a reservation prior but when we arrived it was pretty empty, our luck! When it came time to order I went with an iced coffee and their breakfast sandwich on toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. This was a filling dish that wasn't too heavy overall. Staff was really friendly and the space is such a warm vibe. Come here with friends for brunch and someone special in the evenings! read more

Place is very cute. Food was ok. Nothing special. Service good. Waitress was lovely. They charge your credit card when you reserve. Then it gets deducted from the bill. The bill already includes a service charge. The bill was confusing. Sat inside and could see the pretty garden, but the chairs are the most uncomfortable chairs ever! read more

What a wonderful little place. The staff was very friendly and fun to talk with. The food was amazing. Our salad was great and the steak was amazing! Save room for dessert because the tiramisu because it is a must! read more

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vintage style bistro I really like their decoration Indoor is vintage style Outdoor has a super cute garden Very chill However, I expect the food can be more delicious. Btw CASH ONLY! read more

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I come here on my birthday every year!! This is my favorite restaurant in the city. Everything about it is perfect - from the food, to the ambiance, quite literally everything. Shout out to Sasha for being an amazing server and making my birthday special read more

The place is absolutely gorgeous but that's where it ends. Menu is sparse and the food is not so great!! We had wine and prosecco so you can't go wrong with that. Such a beautiful place but food and service needs some work read more

We were so excited to come to Milk and Roses for our Valentine's Day dinner, but unfortunately, we were let down on multiple occasions. It was close to a half hour before we were greeted and for water to arrive at our table. It was then another 10 minutes before our drink order was taken, needing to flag for help each time. The food that was prix fixe came out sporadically, cold (minus the first course), and uninspired/subpar. While we made the most out of the evening and enjoyed the ambiance for the most part, we were really disappointed in the disorganized service as well as the value we received for what we paid. This meal ended up costing what you would find at a fine dining restaurant here in NYC while lacking the quality of food and service. Online, the restaurant claims to serve American food with Southern Italian influences, however, the meal did not reflect that in the slightest. While everyone was kind, it truly was not worth the amount of money being charged, and we ultimately felt a bit misguided. Looking around the room at other guests, we realized we were not alone. read more

Went here for a friend's bday and would definitely come back! Very cozy interior and great staff. Loved the lamb dish I had with some house red wine read more

Milk and Roses - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Service was terrible and pinsa undercooked. Terrible place the last couple years, won't be back. read more

Stayed at the Box House and decided to walk down the street to try it out. First. it was uncomfortably hot, we ordered our food, drinks came out fairly quickly. Avocado toast was so incredibly bland. The sliced avocado just sits on top of dry bread and SLIPPED right off onto the table as I cut it with a knife. The sliced avocado, sliced unseasoned tomato and medium egg sat on the table as I showed the waitress that I lost half of my meal because it simply slid right off the toast and her reply was "oh sorry". My friend ordered a dish that was recommended by the waitress that consisted of three pieces of toast with cheese and deli turkey between it. The egg was to be cooked over easy, but came medium. They did not eat it and told the waitress that the meal was completely unacceptable, and she offered something else even though everyone else was finished and we were leaving and almost insisted that they get something else instead of refunding, and finally agreed to refund the food. We had pancakes and bacon... the pancakes are advertised as "giant pancakes" they are regular pancakes, regular sized pancakes... Just a ploy to be able to charge $21 for them. The only decent thing was the French toast, but still nothing to brag about when we got home. Coming in from Los Angeles and this to be our first stop in New York for food, was so disappointing. Food lackluster, service even more lackluster. I can see this being a great place to sit with friends and have a drink... But the food is way overpriced for the quality. read more

The pancakes were delicious. You can't beat the ambiance of a vintage bookstore vibe. The staff are super attentative. read more

Milk and Roses - Unlimited mimosas - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York