10 Restaurants With A View Of The Empire State Building

Jaclyn
Posted Jul 09, 2022
| 5 min read

So many people dream of coming to New York City at least once in their lives. And so many people want to see the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the oldest Macy’s department store in the US, Grand Central Station, the Brooklyn Bridge, and, the most iconic NYC landmark, featured in movies, TV, and artwork, the Empire State Building. Visitors in NYC line up for hours to get to the top and they still can’t get enough of it! Some visitors even look for restaurants with a view of the Empire State Building, reliving scenes from iconic movies, including An Affair to Remember. Check out these hotels with parking and hotels near the Empire State Building that you can book during your trip. Which restaurant will you visit? Keep reading for our list of top restaurants with a view of the Empire State Building.

1. Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room

If you want to dine at a restaurant that not only gives you amazing views of the Empire State Building, but the rest of the city as well, book a table at Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room. Located on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller Center, it offers unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, as well as the Empire State Building. Reserve a table beforehand, as there is very often a private event happening here.

Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room

Address: Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plz, Fl 65, Midtown West, New York, NY 10112

Website: Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room

Opening Hours: Sun 4pm to 9pm, M-F 5pm to 12am, Sat Closed

Average Price For 2: 50-80 USD

2. St. Cloud

If you want to be in the heart of the action in NYC and Manhattan, then St. Cloud Rooftop Bar, on the top of the Knickerbocker Hotel, is where you need to be. You can sit inside the indoor lounge area or outdoors, if it’s not too cold, and lounge in one of the plush corner Skypods. Enjoy your drinks and tapas while you watch the day pass by and stare at the magnificent famous buildings around the city. Be sure to check out their events schedule beforehand, so you can take advantage of wine tastings and pairings.

St. Cloud

Address: 6 Times Square, b/t 7th Ave & Broadway, Theater District, Midtown West, New York, NY 10036

Website: St. Cloud

Opening Hours: Daily 4pm to 12am

Average Price For 2: 100-120 USD

3. Fifth Rooftop Bar

If you’re looking for a rooftop bar with a view of the Empire State Building with a luxe atmosphere, visit 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar. Reservations are not necessary, but if you want to secure the igloo for you and your companions, make a booking. Do note, that all reservations have a minimum spend, must be prepaid, and there is also a dress code. If you want a lighter atmosphere during your stay, check out the Brunch Buffet during the weekends.

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

Address: 230 5th Ave, Ste 1018 b/t 26th St & 27th St , New York, NY 10001

Website: 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

Opening Hours: M-F 2pm to 2am, Sat-Sun 10am to 4pm (Brunch) 4pm to 2am

Average Price For 2: 40-60 USD

4. Top of the Strand

Votes as one the top 10 rooftop bars in the world by Premier Traveler Magazine, Top of the Strand Rooftop is open every day, from 5 am to midnight, with a DJ providing live music Thursdays to Saturdays, from 7 pm to 11 pm. Located on the 21st floor of the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse Hotel, they offer amazing views of the Manhattan Skyline, year round. This is definitely a great place to bring your partner or spouse for some quiet, intimate time with each other.

Top of the Strand

Address: 33 W 37th St, Fl 21, b/t Avenue Of The Americas & 5th Ave, Midtown West, New York, NY 10018

Website: Top of the Strand

Opening Hours: Daily 5 pm to 12am

Average Price For 2: 30-50 USD

5. The Heights

If you want to just chill, enjoy your drink, and soak up the views of NYC, then climb up to the Heights Rooftop Bar of the Arlo Nomad Hotel. Their Rooftop Bar is only open during spring, summer, and early fall, and you’re going to love the creative cocktails they offer, including NYC-inspired cocktails, like the Jackson Heights, Crown Heights, and Brooklyn Heights. Or, if you prefer, you can also spend time on the rooftop with a glass of wine or bottle of beer.

The Heights

Address: Arlo NoMad, 11 E 31st St, b/t 5th Ave & Madison Ave, Midtown East, New York, NY 10016

Website: The Heights

Opening Hours: M-Th 4pm to 12am, F-Sat 12pm to 1am, Sun 12pm to 11pm

Average Price For 2: 60-90 USD

6. The Blue Rooftop

This lovely rooftop gem in Midtown Manhattan is a good place for everyone, whether you’re an omnivore or a vegan, if you drink cocktails or mocktails. The Blue Rooftop, on top of the Marmara Park Ave, has gorgeous views of the Empire State Building and the rest of the Manhattan skyline. Happy hours are every day, from 5 pm to 7 pm with 10 USD wine and cocktails. And, if you want appetizers to go with your drinks, they offer small plates, including Bruschetta, Shrimp Ceviche, Shrimp Tacos, or get the Mezze Trio, so you can sample three different plates. Best to get here earlier if you want to secure a spot on the couches.

The Blue Rooftop

Address: 114 E 32nd St, b/t S Park Ave & Lexington Ave, Murray Hill, Midtown East, New York, NY 10016

Website: The Blue Rooftop

Opening Hours: Daily 5pm to 12am

Average Price For 2: 30-60 USD

7. Spyglass Rooftop Bar

Located on the 22nd floor of the Archer Hotel, the Spyglass Rooftop Bar is open all year round when you want to enjoy your drinks with the best NYC city views, including the Empire State Building. The whole place is inspired by the movie “Rear Window”, where the customers get to be voyeurs, spying on the city below. It’s a great place to catch up with friends and colleagues, before grabbing dinner.

Spyglass Rooftop Bar

Address: 47 W 38th St, Fl 22, Midtown West, New York, NY 10018

Website: Spyglass Rooftop Bar

Opening Hours: Sun-Wed 1pm to 1am, Th-Sat 1pm to 2am

Average Price For 2: 70-100 USD

8. Castell

Castell Rooftop Bar has both an indoor cocktail lounge and an outdoor backyard garden lounge, depending on your mood. Whether you stay inside or outside, you’ll get amazing skyline views of the city, while sipping on your cocktail or wine. Their signature drink is the classic martini. If you’re not feeling into martinis, there’s wine, sherry, or beer. And, if you don’t drink, they also offer non-alcoholic drinks and a small plates menu.

Castell

Address: 260 W 40th St, Fl 21, b/t 7th Ave & 8th Ave, Midtown West, Theater District, New York, NY 10018

Website: Castell

Opening Hours: Sun-Th 4pm to 11pm, F-Sat 4pm to 12am

Average Price For 2: 30-50 USD

9. The Ides Bar

Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed

If you want cocktails with a side of the skyline, head to the Ides Bar at the top of the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg. It’s best to make a reservation if you want to get the best seats with the best view. And always check before you go for DJs and events, in case it’s something you can enjoy or want to pass. Try to come just before golden hour, to get an amazing view of the sunset with a cocktail or a bottle of wine.

The Ides Bar

Address: 80 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg - North Side, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Website: The Ides Bar

Opening Hours: M-Th 4pm to 12:30am, F 2pm to 1:30am, Sat 12pm to 1:30am, Sun 12pm to 12:30am

Average Price For 2: 60-100 USD

10. Northern Territory

If you want to visit a rooftop bar with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline and the Empire State Building that’s not crowded, very casual, and with moderately priced drinks, head to Northern Territory. The great thing about Northern Territory is that they also serve meals, so you get to enjoy the skyline while enjoying your dinner, which starts at 5 pm Mondays to Fridays and 4 pm on the weekends. They also serve brunch during the weekends, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Northern Territory

Address: 12 Franklin St, b/t Meserole Ave & Quay St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Website: Northern Territory

Opening Hours: M-T 4pm to 12am, W-Th 4pm to 1am, F 4pm to 3am, Sat 11am to 3am, Sun 11am to 2am

Average Price For 2: 20-40 USD

Empire State Building in your mind

It may be a very popular attraction and can get crowded but the Empire State Building has a certain charm that makes you want to come back to it again and again. It forms part of the various cool neighborhoods that make up the city. With the combination of great department stores and shopping spots, you’re in for a treat visiting the Empire State Building. But sometimes we want to see the building itself and not the view from the top. In that case, these restaurants with a view of the Empire State Building are the best places to visit. Which one is your favorite?

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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