Revdict.

Five Leaves

New American restaurant · 18 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, United States · United States

4.3 on Google · 2,624 reviews · View on Google Maps

Manipulation score

Clean

Completed Jul 19, 2026 · 38 reviews flagged

How this score works

The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70; Review Drive when the flags are mostly staff asking customers for named reviews. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.

Burst
— an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
Low activity account
— the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
Duplicate text
— the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.

Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations. Full methodology, signal definitions and known limits →

Case conclusion

What the numbers say

1,000 reviews examined

Google rating
4.3★

All reviews shown by Google

Not-flagged average
4.4★

962 examined reviews

Flagged
4%

38 of 1,000

Coverage
38%

1,000 of 2,624 Google reviews

“Not flagged” means no configured Revdict signal matched; it does not prove a review is genuine. Data fetched Jul 19, 2026.

Review brief

What reviews not flagged by Revdict say

Five Leaves is a popular neighborhood spot near McCarren Park offering a bustling atmosphere, outdoor seating, and heavily praised ricotta pancakes and burgers. However, reviewers frequently report long wait times, tight seating arrangements, and inconsistent service.

+ Repeated strengths

Ricotta Pancakes

Reviewers frequently praise the ricotta pancakes for being fluffy, flavorful, and a must-try menu highlight.

3 supporting reviews

5★ · 2022-01-22

The ricotta pancakes are big, filling and tasty. Plenty of strawberries, blueberries and a whole banana!

5★ · 2022-01-22

Cannot recommend these ethereal ricotta pancakes enough. Topped with honeycomb butter, a cornucopia of fruit, and doused in maple syrup, they’re more cake than PANcake and truly out of this world. I always get a side of their thick cut baco...

5★ · 2025-09-13

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Leaves never disappoints! The Moroccan Scramble was bursting with flavor—perfectly spiced, hearty, and balanced in every bite. Pairing that with their Ricotta Pancakes was absolute magic. The pancakes were light, fluff...

Burgers

The burgers receive recurring praise for being juicy, creative, and among the best in the area.

1 supporting review

5★ · 2025-08-12

You know a place is memorable when a single dish stays with you—and the Five Leaves burger does exactly that. It’s a bold creation: grass-fed beef, a fried pineapple ring, house‑pickled beets, harissa mayo, and a sunny-side-up egg all stack...

Vibe and Location

Reviewers highlight the great neighborhood atmosphere, outdoor seating, and prime location near the park.

2 supporting reviews

4★ · 2022-02-16

Great vibe. Oysters and a martini for breakfast don't go astray here. Australian inflection to some of the items on the menu gvien that one of the owners is/was Australian (Kathy Mecham). Highly recommend for breakfast, lunch, supper and co...

1★ · 2025-08-06

Don’t fall for the hype especially if you actually care about flavor. I came here on my birthday craving sweet pancakes and left seriously disappointed. I know pancakes usually have a simple flavor and that’s fine. But for $22 you would exp...

− Repeated complaints

Long Wait Times and Crowds

Reviewers frequently note long lines and extended wait times during peak brunch hours.

2 supporting reviews

5★ · 2022-03-28

I absolutely love Five Leaves and can't count how many times I've dined here. Not only is it conveniently located down the block from me, but their lemon ricotta pancakes are to die for! There are some restaurants that become your staple an...

4★ · 2025-07-05

Brunch Vibes Worth the Hype! Had brunch with my cousin and let me just say, every bit of the hype is so well deserved. We went on a weekday around 11am, so it wasn’t too busy, which made it even more enjoyable. From the moment we walked in...

Tight Seating and Noise

Multiple reviewers report that indoor seating is cramped, tables are very small, and the music can be overly loud.

2 supporting reviews

4★ · 2021-12-15

Nice spot! They have a large outdoor seating section. Restaurant has a nice ambience, albeit a little cramped. Great food, small menu but delicious! And a really nice cocktail selection! Service was alright, a little rushed, and eager to ge...

2★ · 2022-05-12

The tables are small and noisy. I couldn't eat comfortably.

Inconsistent Service

Reviewers occasionally report inattentive, rushed, or unfriendly service from staff members.

1 supporting review

2★ · 2025-06-24

Very bad experience over all. Server and host were rude and seamed inconvenienced by having to retrieve an extra plate of lemons for the painfully mediocre mussels. Can’t but help but think as the only Black and visibly trans patron in thi...

Good for

  • Weekend brunch with friends
  • Outdoor sidewalk people-watching
  • Sharing creative pancakes and burgers

Avoid if

  • You dislike waiting in long lines
  • You prefer spacious seating and a quiet environment
  • You are sensitive to rushed or indifferent service
Summarized from 638 text reviews not flagged by Revdict · 2021-12-05 to 2026-07-13 · Summaries can miss context; open the supporting reviews before deciding.

Review anatomy

Reviews per month

Reviews per month, total and flagged
MonthReviewsFlagged
Nov ’2110
Dec ’21140
Jan ’22132
Feb ’22162
Mar ’22190
Apr ’22241
May ’22240
Jun ’22210
Jul ’22250
Aug ’22211
Sep ’22210
Oct ’22280
Nov ’22231
Dec ’22261
Jan ’23180
Feb ’23190
Mar ’23220
Apr ’23210
May ’23241
Jun ’23180
Jul ’23220
Aug ’23201
Sep ’23231
Oct ’23211
Nov ’23210
Dec ’23190
Jan ’24120
Feb ’24110
Mar ’24181
Apr ’24271
May ’24250
Jun ’24170
Jul ’24210
Aug ’24250
Sep ’24131
Oct ’24254
Nov ’24110
Dec ’24141
Jan ’2570
Feb ’25220
Mar ’25151
Apr ’25160
May ’25251
Jun ’25160
Jul ’25150
Aug ’25141
Sep ’2591
Oct ’25152
Nov ’25194
Dec ’2570
Jan ’26111
Feb ’26132
Mar ’26141
Apr ’26103
May ’26120
Jun ’26110
Jul ’2661

Rating distribution

5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Evidence

  • low activity account 32 reviews flagged weight 0.8
  • generic account 6 reviews flagged weight 1

Flagged reviews

Showing the 10 most suspicious of 38 flagged reviews.

Caro Geffroy profile photo

Caro Geffroy

260 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2025-08-22

The chef understands what makes people truly enjoy eating. I genuinely liked this spot. Service at this restaurant is memorable. Really yummy and the plates are loaded. My regular choice. We're excited about coming back again.
generic account suspicion 85
Judith Vasquez profile photo

Judith Vasquez

274 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2025-09-27

This place sets standards others should follow. This spot speaks to those who appreciate good meals. The restaurant deserves its good reviews. Skilled staff who gave perfect suggestions and entertained my family throughout dinner. Five Leaves has secured our family's return visits.
generic account suspicion 85
Jennie Rivera profile photo

Jennie Rivera

361 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2025-10-20

I skipped this place for years after two visits, but the third was worth it. Employees show wonderful warmth and recommended truly delicious food. I enjoyed what I ate and who brought it. The service here stands out above everything else! The feeling here is complete satisfaction.
generic account suspicion 85
Rainer Turim profile photo

Rainer Turim

155 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2025-11-29

My favorite window coffee spot in the neighborhood!
generic account suspicion 85
A. C.B. profile photo

A. C.B.

132 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2026-01-04

Just had coffee....very nice staff, good coffee, nice ambiente.
generic account suspicion 85
Jim B profile photo

Jim B

37 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2026-04-08

Our go-to for brunch. They make the best pancakes. My wife and I always get that with the Big Breaky with mushrooms and tomatoes, then swap halfway. Wonderful staff, great cozy atmosphere, exceptional service.
generic account suspicion 85
Edward Baugier profile photo

Edward Baugier

2 reviews

★★★★★

2022-02-05

low activity account suspicion 48
melissa ray profile photo

melissa ray

2 reviews

★★★★★

2022-02-21

I have been eating here since their opening in 2008 and have never been disappointed. The food is absolutely delicious-- My faves: burger and truffle fries, ricotta pancakes, Moroccan scramble and the mussels! Literally unbelievable. The cocktails are also perfect and so fresh. Do yourself a favor...
low activity account suspicion 48
Marie-Françoise JACQUINOD profile photo

Marie-Françoise JACQUINOD

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2022-04-07

I paid with my bank card and immediately afterwards I was the victim of fraud. I am certain that this fraud is a direct result of the payment made at this establishment.
low activity account suspicion 48
Tianyu Wang profile photo

Tianyu Wang

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2022-08-27

Being asked to wait 10mins outside, nobody came out to host us.
low activity account suspicion 48

Report generated Jul 19, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.

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