Ziggy’s Roman Cafe: Dumbo’s New Italian Hometown Hangout

Dumbo gets a brand new hometown spot this November! Ziggy’s Roman Cafe, founded by Employees Only alums Helen Zhang and Igor Hadzismajlovic, will be serving “roman classics with a twist” on the East River waterside starting November 15th.

Located across from the tourist-frequented Timeout Market, Ziggy’s hopes to be a local watering hole for Brooklyn locals – its founders are residents and parents who felt the need for a cozy, familiar spot where kids can play and feel at home, but adults can still have a good time and enjoy excellent quality food. As a Dumbo resident myself, I’m thrilled about having this spot in the neighborhood. 

We stopped by on Thursday for Ziggy’s launch party – on a quiet corner, you could see the party from a couple blocks down! As we walked up, the exuberant crowd was clearly enjoying the pizzas they had to offer, indulging in carefully selected wine and cocktails, and some even partaking in the complimentary tattoos by JP Rogriguez (10 guests, to be exact!). Right away when you walk in, you’ll notice how gorgeous the space is. Tall ceilings, warm globe lighting across the main room, and a second floor loft that pays homage to the neighborhood’s industrial roots. On the loft floor, a DJ spins the soundtrack to the evening while kids can spend time in a dedicated playroom corner complete with blocks and games. There are a few lounge tables on the second floor, while the main dining room is below, and the bar area welcomes you right when you step in. 

Navigating through the crowds, we found the bar and were thrilled with the setup – they even had a Negroni fountain courtesy of Campari (like a chocolate fountain) where you could dip your glass under and pull away with a fresh negroni! Freshly made pizzas by Federico Crociani lined a table at the back of the room, drawing people in with the scent of tomato sauce and truffles – I hope these will be a menu staple once Ziggy’s officially opens. The pizzas themselves were divine, from classic margherita to peppery mushroom and ham. It felt like a space you could cozy up with your favorite drinks and elevated comfort food, dress up if you wanted, but still private enough to stop by however you are with just your loved ones.

Ziggy’s perfectly embodies the founders’ dream of “a restaurant they could take their kids to as much as a place to catch up with a friend over exceptional drinks, approachable yet high-quality Italian cuisine, and an elevated ambiance designed for any day of the week.” Definitely stop by once it opens in November 2025 at 15 Main Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn.