While summer has finally decided to make its acquaintance with us this year, why not head to a restaurant with spectacular riverside views to embrace its welcome. We’ve got a list of NYC waterfront bars and restaurants that will turn your dining experience into a small getaway for just a few hours.
Farm-to-Table East River Views at Riverpark
450 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016
Riverpark is one of the brainchildren of celebrity Chef Tom Colicchio. The restaurant embodies the concept of farm-to-table dining. A substantial portion of the menu is supplied with fresh ingredients just a quick walk away from their establishment from their own urban farm. It is conveniently located right beside the restaurant. They augment this with locally sourced fare from nearby regional farms. As a result, the chefs create delicious flavor profiles with these ingredients in such dishes as the Octopus Carpaccio and the Sauteed Royal Sea Bass. Top off your meal with the Cereal and Milk dessert and have some fun with your food by breaking the chocolate ball which is featured with this dessert. The interior also provides a modern ambiance and clean design with a calming view of the East River. Another great way to enjoy the view is to have some craft beer, wine and quick bites in their new beer garden.
Photo Credit: @riverparknyc
Lady Liberty with Tuscan Touches at Gigino at Wagner Park
20 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10004
For a panoramic breathtaking view of Lady Liberty, Gigino offers the perfect setting. The outdoor seating nestled in patch of green where people can relax and catch some rays along with a beautiful view of the Hudson River. The Tuscan-inspired restaurant is popular for their brunch. You can enjoy tasty dishes like their salmon tartare and the uniquely beet-pink pasta in the Spaghetti del Padrino dish. They also offer a kid-friendly menu, should you want to tote your tots along with you to enjoy some sun and spaghetti.
Photo Credit: Gigino at Wagner Park
New Jersey Skyline from a Schooner at Grand Banks
Hudson River Park, Pier 25, New York, NY 10013
While their menu features fresh-caught seafood, the oyster bar is always a great place to grab drinks and some fresh oysters. All this while enjoying a riverside view. The restaurant is set on a docked schooner, with white and yellow sunset awnings throughout to give some cool shading from the hot sun beams. The wooden bar stretches throughout the center of the schooner with seating for drinks and the outer edges welcome you for dining. Grab yourself some cocktails, like the sweet and tart Mariner or a fresh and minty Revolución and relax in this Hamptons-like escape.
Photo Credit: Alexander Pincus
Casual Dining Beside Hudson River at Pier i Cafe
500 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023
For a lower-key waterfront dining experience, head to the Upper West Side between May and mid-October and enjoy a casual lunch at Pier i Cafe. Tucked beneath the West Side Highway, the restaurant has outdoor patio seating with the comforts of shade beneath their table umbrellas. The favorites here are their Old Bay fries, juicy Pat LaFrieda hamburgers and mouthwatering lobster rolls. Since the dining area is entirely outdoors, feel free to bring your furry friend to enjoy the river breeze with you in the dog-friendly spot.
Photo Credit: Pier i Cafe
Brooklyn Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge at Industry Kitchen
70 South St, New York, NY 10005
The staff at Industry Kitchen knows that a view simply isn’t enough. Industry Kitchen has become well-known for their extravagant pizzas, particularly the 24K and the Pop Candy Land. The 24K pizza is topped with all things luxurious, including caviar, truffles and 24K gold leaves. The Pop Candy Land is the unicorn of pizzas, a sweet sensation of pop rocks and cotton candy garnished atop a rainbow crust. Of course, for a more down-to-earth lunch experience, they have plenty of other savory wood fired pizzas to enjoy after a shopping rendezvous at the nearby South Street Seaport.
Photo Credit: @industrykitchen
Thai Eats, Live Rock and Jamaica Bay Views at Thai Rock
375 Beach 92nd St, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693
Come on pretty mama to Jamaica Bay, where there’s a restaurant where you can take it slow with a surprising blend of two worlds: a Thai restaurant that houses blues, jazz and rock performances. The restaurant offers delicious traditional Thai fare, such as tasty curry puffs and spicy red curry. Throughout the week, you can come in and enjoy a tropical cocktail while listening to performances Thursday-Sunday, ranging from a tribute band to Grateful Dead to quartet jazz ensembles. They were also named one of the top 50 blues clubs in America by Click It Ticket. After you’ve enjoyed a tasty meal, you can walk along the Cross Bay Veterans Bridge to take in the harbor-side views.
Photo Credit: Kathy Bootsri
Latin Flavors in LIC at Blend on the Water
4540 Center Blvd, New York, NY 10044
For a flavorful evening, enjoy dining with a Latin flare over a sweeping view of the East River and Manhattan. With traditional dishes like lomo saltado (marinated beef) and pernil (tender pork shoulder) and favorite sides like mangu (a popular Dominican side of mashed plantains), you’ll come out with a belly fully satisfied. Order drinks with an extra touch by adding guava to classic cocktails like a margarita or bellini. They also serve brunch, where you can have a bite of Latin-influenced dishes like the Arepa Benedictos. Afterwards, head over to Gantry Plaza where you can enjoy a peaceful walk or ride the NY Waterway to Manhattan or various parts of Brooklyn.
Photo Credit: @blendonthewater
Seafood at Sheepshead Bay at il Fornetto
2902 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Walking along the boardwalk of Sheepshead Bay is quite the scenic experience, where you can enjoy the boats and yachts sailing about the water. If you’re looking to dine for a special occasion in a restaurant that offers a romantic ambiance, il Fornetto can offer all the right things. Enjoy a memorable dinner with delightful seafood dishes like succulent lobster, baked clams and saucy mussels. Grab a table beside their classic column balcony to enjoy the waterfront restaurant views from their wall-to-wall patio doors, which are wide open on sunny days to the beautiful bay waters.
Photo Credit: il Fornetto
