A warm, design-forward vegan restaurant with genuinely inventive, flavorful food—especially the lasagna, Cryin Ryan, burgers, and mushroom sandwiches—but plan ahead for a small space, occasional long waits, bold spice, and a roughly $50-$65 full meal for two before drinks.
Aunts et Uncles delivers exceptional food quality through bold seasoning and standout vegan comfort dishes, within a cozy Flatbush space filled with art, books, and music. Friendly, personal hospitality stands out, but slow waits during full-house peaks keep it just short of the very top tier.
Aunts et Uncles feels like a stylish neighborhood living room dropped onto Nostrand Avenue: cozy, art-filled, book-lined, and animated by a carefully chosen soundtrack. Reviewers repeatedly describe being welcomed like family, while the small room can become crowded and the kitchen can move at a leisurely pace. One recurring takeaway is that the atmosphere is good enough to make a 20-minute wait feel painless—but this is still a place to visit unhurried. The food is creative vegan comfort cooking with Caribbean influence, not bland substitute cuisine. Mushroom sandwiches, plant-based burgers, hearts-of-palm lobster rolls, roasted cauliflower, bowls, and the much-discussed lasagna give omnivores and longtime vegans plenty to explore. The current menu's use of jerk jackfruit, curry channa, geera sweet potato, callaloo, tamarind, miso, and spicy peanut sauce confirms a fusion-minded approach. Expect assertive seasoning and heat; conservative palates should ask questions before ordering. Families can make this work, and reviews include successful visits with young children, while the menu offers familiar entry points such as burgers, waffles, macaroni and cheese, roasted potatoes, pasta, and corn cake. Still, the room has an adult, music-forward character, and one family found the playlist unsuitable for a five-year-old. Parents should reserve, allow extra time, and confirm spice levels and current availability.
Area vibe: Diverse, residential Brooklyn neighborhood with active commercial avenues and community institutions.
Safety: Generally safe during the day with regular foot traffic; some stretches quieter after dark so usual urban caution advised.
What's nearby: Near Nostrand Avenue commercial strip, public transit (2/5/B/Q nearby), churches, parks, and local shops and eateries.
The strongest picks range from a $23 Cryin Ryan Bowl and $18 vegan Lobster Roll to brunch Waufulls and a $14 Corn Cake.
Bring patience, expect bold seasoning and a lively small room, and check the bill for add-ons such as sparkling water or milk substitutions.
Aunts et Uncles pairs a welcoming living-room feel with art, books, a curated soundtrack, and a compact space that can turn lively.