Whether you are on a hunt for a romantic eatery or just want to go to a fine dining restaurant with a good view and a great backdrop, there’s something for everyone snuck between the concrete mazes in the city of New York. While the views that some of these restaurants offer are surely spectacular, the same can also be said for the meals they serve. From restaurants overlooking the East River to cafes set within the magnificent Manhattan skyline, here are the best waterfront dining spots in New York City with notable views and delicious foods, with tourists and New Yorkers experimenting and exploring, all year round.
1. The River Café
Renowned as the best restaurant and one of the best waterfront areas in Brooklyn, the River Café is also the most expensive of all, and for a good reason. From gorgeous views of downtown Manhattan, romantic waterside eatery, to hosting famous chefs like Charlie Palmer, David Burke, and Rick Moonen, this café also boasts spectacular dishes such as crisp oysters with smoke salmon and caviar, lamb and lobster specials among many others.
The River Café
Address: 1 Water St, Brooklyn, 11201, USA
Website: The River Café
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 11:30am, 5:30pm - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 11pm
2. Celestine
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Although the Mediterranean food at Dumbos’ Celestine is tastier and also cheaper, the star of the restaurant is always going to be the Manhattan skyline views. Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows on the edge of Brooklyn, the restaurant has outdoor seating and also serves dishes like chermoula-rubbed branzino and shakshuka.
Celestine
Address: 1 John St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Website: Celestine
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 10:30pm
3. Miramar
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Straight from Turkey, Greece and Italy is this upscale waterfront restaurant on the lands of Brooklyn. Offering delicious Mediterranean seafood, chicken, and steaks that are prepared with the utmost attention and freshly served, the restaurant also has a range of refreshing salads, hot soups, sandwiches, panini, and many more. You will surely enjoy a dining experience overlooking the riverside in a quiet, contemporary setting.
Miramar
Address: 21 South End Avenue, New York, NY, USA
Website: Miramar
Opening hours: 12am - 10pm (daily)
4. Riverpark
Enjoy the mesmerizing views of the East River from Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio’s American restaurant — Riverpark. Boasting famous dishes like pork chops with apple-Brussels sprout hash and scallops topped with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and kale-pear chutney, this restaurant has excellent seats that overlook the East River from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Riverpark
Address: 450 E 29th St, New York, 10016, USA
Website: Riverpark
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 9:30pm; Friday: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 9pm
New York City Tour Guide
Hiram Jacobs
I am a licensed New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Tour Guide and a native New Yorker. Over the years, I acquired considerable experience organizing solo tours of the major European and East European capitals of the world, Canada's largest cities and Australia's most popular cities, Washington, DC, Atlanta, New Orleans, and San Francisco. During my international travels, I participa... Read more
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New York City Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
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5. Giando on the Water
Located near the Williamsburg Bridge where the patio of the restaurant is visible to the naked eye, while you cross to Brooklyn on the J train. Serving pretty good Italian-American food in the city, the restaurant is known for its warm sesame bread served with olive oil for dips, salads made with butter lettuce, and pasta. Along with providing really great menu, the restaurant also boasts floor-to-ceiling windows providing bafflingly good views, making this a perfect spot to wine and dine.
Giando on the Water
Address: 400 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
Website: Giando on the Water
Opening hours: 12pm - 10pm (daily)
6. Fornino
Fornino at Pier 6 is a local wood-fired pizza chainlet, where one can enjoy a range of amazing food with waterside views. Go for margaritas, homemade fennel sausage, prosciutto, parmesan pies, palm-sized sandwiches, pre-made salads, and delicious desserts, which are all worth indulging, while you take a much-needed break from the hustle and the bustle of New York city life.
Fornino
Address: Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, Bridge Park Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
Website: Fornino
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 12am
7. Blu Turkish Restaurant
When you crave for Turkish food but, don’t want to miss out on the Bay, you need to head to the Blu Turkish Restaurant. The restaurant boasts great waterfront view through the glass-walled windows, exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, and a top-notch service. From tasty hummus, falafel sandwich, to amazing desserts, Blu Turkish Restaurant stands out in every aspect.
Blu Turkish Restaurant
Address: 1811 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235, USA
Website: Blu Turkish Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 12am; Fri: 10am - 2am; Sat - Sun: 10am - 2am
8. Chart House
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Looking for a great view accompanied with great cuisine? Look no further. Chart House has it all. With serving the best seafood, succulent steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, amazing lava cake, and to top it off, their exceptional service, makes this place a must-visit for New Yorkers and travelers/tourists. Enjoy dining at this waterfront restaurant overlooking the marina with a menu tailored to the flair of Atlantic City and local flavors.
Chart House
Address: 1700 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken, NJ 07086
Website: Chart House
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5am - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 11:30am - 11pm
9. Grand Banks
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Step aboard for a seaside escapade in Grand Banks, one of the best oyster boat bars in New York where Homo sapiens, by the peak of summer, enjoy watered-down brews and other amazing drinks served by the wait staff dressed in navy-striped shirts. Docked at Tribeca Piers, you can also indulge in lip-smacking nautical plates like oysters and soft shell crab while you witness the gorgeous Lady Liberty.
Grand Banks
Address: Pier 25, New York, 10013, USA
Website: Grand Banks
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 3pm - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm -11pm
10. City Vineyard
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping wine while facing your back to the city, City Vineyard is your go-to place. Within Hudson River Park at Pier 26, this elevated culinary outpost of City Winery boasts a waterfront wine garden where it exudes romantic vibes all over, glass-walled dining room, a rooftop deck, and views to the river no matter where you are seated in the house.
City Vineyard
Address: 233 West St, New York City, 10013, USA
Website: City Vineyard
Opening hours: 11:30am - 11pm (daily)
Get munchin' already
Now that you’ve our guide to the best places with stunning views to wine and dine, which restaurant will be the first one you would like to go? Have you been to any of the restaurants already? Let us know!
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