Di An Di

icon-location68 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA
Dennis Ngo’s creative melding of Vietnamese flavors and modern NYC sensibilities, along with dishes rarely served in NYC, is rightly drawing crowds

That changed with Di An Di, a Greenpoint Vietnamese restaurant from Texas-native Dennis Ngo. When it opened, Ngo served a traditional bánh tráng nướng with bits of sweet ground pork, funky shrimp floss, and spicy jalapenos.

But the hot spot, which champions the contemporary foods of Vietnam and its American diaspora, debuted something a bit different in December.

Di An Di made a splash when it opened in spring 2018 for its stunning interior design and comforting, yet thrilling Vietnamese fare. That hype hasn’t let up during the pandemic, either. Tables at the restaurant’s self-service outdoor seating area can still be tough to nab, while co-owners Dennis Ngo, Kim Hoang, and Tuan Bui have adapted its shareable meal sets and noodle dishes for takeout and delivery. There’s no substitute for a meal in the restaurant’s meticulous, plant-filled indoor dining room, but its covered outdoor seating area — made up of hanging market lights and houseplants — comes in a close second place.