This one is for water-view lovers. The sun is finally shining, its Aperol spritz season and the Hudson River and East River are ready and waiting for your viewing pleasure. Don’t let your immediate surroundings fool you, Manhattan still stands as one of the world’s largest natural harbors. So the next time you’re looking to get a nice meal with a view, try one of our favorite waterfront view restaurants here in NYC.
See also: The 12 Best Restaurants Near Central Park
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89 South St. / 212.838.1200 / Website
Find wild-caught seafood and seasonal cocktails brought to Pier 17 by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Equipped with the historic charm of the Fulton Fish Market, this spot will bring everything we love about fresh seafood and New York all in one place. The best part is, of course, the view. Dig into the raw seafood bar as you gaze out at the glittering skyline and its reflection on the water.
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1 Water St. / 718.522.5200 / Website
Just under the Brooklyn Bridge, perched next to the East River, is the Michelin-starred River Cafe. This restaurant serves up classic American cuisine through a seasonally-changing menu. It’s an exclusive and sensational fine dining experience, attracting romantics, cuisine lovers and skyline chasers. From red meat dishes like foie gras and steak tartare to seafood delicacies like sweet-onion crowned oysters and caviar service, you can't go wrong at the River Cafe.
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225 Liberty St. / 212.981.8588 / Website
If you’re the type that likes options, check out Le District. This French-inspired food hall holds a library of cuisine-specific stations, markets and restaurants. There are two main districts: cafe and market. The cafe serves those with a sweet tooth with pastries, chocolates and crepes. Find stations throughout the market offering prepared meals and groceries to help you go about your day. If you choose to stay for a meal, you can opt between casual meals to upscale dinners and even a choice of bars.
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22 N Loop Rd. / 929.447.4717 / Website
Travel up to the 18th floor of the Graduate New York for a rooftop bar and spectacular views of New York. This shiny velvety space offers, you guessed it, panoramic views of our skyline from Roosevelt Island. The bar parallels the Queensboro Bridge and fushia velvet couches face the floor-to-ceiling windows. We love their creative lighting: hooks from the ceiling with bright warm orbs add to the modern-retro interiors. The menu centers around seafood but also offers vegetarian alternatives like spiced manchego tartine and tempura fried veggies.
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111 N 12th St. / 718.307.7100 / Website
Chef Andrew Carmellini and his team at the NoHo Hospitality group have done it again with this house of a lively menu of cocktails and street-food-inspired plates. Westlight is a rooftop bar and terrace crowning The William Vale in Williamsburg on its 22nd floor. Popular choices include charred octopus skewers, tempura bass buns, shrimp dumplings, spiced chicken empanadas and duck carnitas tacos. On a nice day, dine outside and have some drinks while playing lawn games. If you opt to stay inside, every seat in this space offers sights of the skyline without compromise.
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33 Hudson Yards / 212.812.9202 / Website
This veggie-forward venue is housed by the Equinox Hotel, overlooking the Hudson River. Electric Lemon is a sleek and shiny warm-toned seasonal American restaurant serving colorful dishes that come back clean. The spot supports farmers and artisans by committing their products to conscious cuisine. There’s a plethora of innovative vegetarian-friendly options, from carrot Bahn mi to carefully embellished veggies. Don’t worry, their non-vegetarian plates are delicious too.
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1 John St. / 718.522.5356 / Website
She lives right under the Manhattan Bridge, she’ll show you the beauties of downtown New York, and she’s Mediterranean. Right on the edge of the East River in downtown Brooklyn is Celestine, your next restaurant crush. Diners love their striped bass and roasted half chicken. All this, and the beautiful lights on the bridge right in view.
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80 Wythe Ave. / 718.460.8006 / Website
Sitting on the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel is Bar Blondeau, a French-ish cocktail spot with a seafood-centric menu. Chefs Aidan O’Neal and Jake Leiber curated plates with French, Spanish and Portuguese dishes that pair well with their wine selections. Don’t miss their $11 cocktails at Sunset Hour from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. during the week.
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70 10005 South St. At / 212.487.9600 / Website
This New American restaurant dishes out wood-fired delights with a sweeping view of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridges and the Brooklyn Skyline. Industry Kitchen is sprawled out between Pier 11 and Pier 15, providing 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor seating. The space flirts with vintage industrial influences including beautiful green tile. It's known for its pizza, made on natural leavened dough and quality seasonal ingredients.
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60 Furman St. / 347.696.2505 / Website
Located at the rooftop of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is Harriet’s Rooftop. Open from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., this spot serves Asian-inspired bites using seasonal ingredients and regionally-inspired drinks. From a sushi and raw bar to signature dishes like lobster bao and yakisoba, you’ll spoil your taste buds with any choice.
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Multiple locations / Website
Fornino is famous for its wood-fired artisanal pizzas, and has a special spot in many Brooklynites’ hearts. It’s perfected crusts and delicious toppings have made this spot multi-award-winning for the best pizza in NYC, which is kind of a big deal for a city known for its iconic slice. We recommend trying their delicious mushroom pizza, Funghi Misti, or their prosciutto-blanketed Lombardi.
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450 E 29th St. / 212.706.4131 / Website
Local flavors, sustainable ingredients and modern American-inspired dishes are served right next to the East River. With classy and spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas, Riverpark is best for those who are looking for something a little less off-the-ground and more near the water. Calling all seafood lovers! Try their seared scallop, littleneck clam linguine or halibut to satisfy your cravings.
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420 Kent Ave / 718.233.2792 / Website
If you’re looking for a crowd of oyster fiends, we’ve found your people. This restaurant will help you slow down time with frozen cocktails, pub grub and stunning blue wave views. This one is for fishing fans, surfers and those who are particularly passionate about local fisheries and sustainable farming. Happy Hour occurs daily from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., featuring $1.50 oysters.
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18 9th Ave / 212.660.6728 / Website
Gansevoort Rooftop is a year-round rooftop bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor spaces boasting 360 degrees of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River. It’s bright, natural and laced with greenery offering a calming feel. The rooftop is accessible year-round, so the outdoor space has a retractable roof to keep you warm and dry during all seasons. The indoor space has plenty of seating with more wood, plants and candles to drive home the pleasant vibe.
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55 Water St. / 718.650.3900 / Website
Think blue leather, chandeliers, red brick and sleek table tops. The next time you’re craving classic Italian cuisine, try the international sensation Cecconi’s Dumbo. This location prides itself on handmade pasta, seafood and Italian dishes all made with the finest ingredients. Its elegant and upscale nature is elevated by its location right between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. We’re pasta lovers, so try out their lamb ragu or cacio e pepe black truffle bucatini.
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1 County Rd 682 / 201.223.1200 / Website
Did someone say Greek seafood with a view? No need to repeat yourself. Peering over the Hudson River and our beloved skyline is a two-story floor-to-ceiling restaurant called Molos. They’ve got two signature dishes including whole fish and saganaki. The whole fish comes from their very own fresh fish market, which displays the fresh catch of the day ready to be charcoal grilled and de-boned (unless you’d like them) for your devouring. Saganaki is a Meditteranean pan-seared cheese appetizer, which is flame served tableside here.
Delicious food, beautiful venues and stunning views. What more can you ask for? Give one of these restaurants a try the next time you’re planning a romantic date, hosting a celebration or just gifting yourself a memory you deserve. Happy exploring!
Photography by: Nicolas McComber / Getty Images
