The 20 best waterfront restaurants in NYC right now

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What is it? Right along the East River in Long Island City, this straightforward bar and grill is the perfect place for a neighborhood hang. 

Why we love it: Who needs a fancy-schmancy restaurant when you’ve got the entire skyline glittering right in front of you? Grab a seat at one of their picnic tables (each one holds up to 10 people, so it’s the perfect place to bring a party or make a new friend), order a $9 pint of beer or a bucket of six for $42 and watch the sun set over the water. Their food menu’s not fussy, either, with kielbasa served up with mustard and sauerkraut, shrimp rolls, a solid burger and a snack platter with hummus, quinoa salad, pita and fresh veggies. 

Time Out tip: They don’t take reservations, so you’ll have to roll up and hope for an open seat. Your best bet is to come when they first open, so, 3pm happy hour, anybody? 

Address: 4-40 44th Dr, Long Island City, NY 11101

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 3–11pm; Sat, Sun noon–11pm

Expect to pay: Entrees are about $20

What is it? Brought to you by the Smorgasburg team, this “Pan-American bar” takes you from Nova Scotia to Bahia through a seafood-focused menu and “coastal cocktails” with ingredients like coconut, cachaça and aji amarillo.

Why we love it: The view from Soissons Landing on Governors Island is a stunner, especially when you’re sitting at a bar that feels like you’ve been plucked out of NYC and dropped into a tropical paradise. Take it all in with bites from the raw bar, which features East Coast oysters, shrimp ceviche and a seafood tower, plus dishes like jerk chicken, crab croquettes and jalea de mariscos, all inspired by waterfront destinations around the world. 

Time Out tip: Six Coasts is only open Thursday through Sunday, so you can plan your weekend around a visit. Luckily, the ferry to Governors Island runs more often on the weekends, too, so it’s just a hop, skip and a boat ride to get there. 

Address: 146 Carder Rd, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Thu–Sun 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: Dishes start at $16

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What is it? This two-story Korean BBQ spot on the Williamsburg waterfront is inspired by Seoul's Han River, where chimaek—fried chicken and beer—is served outdoors on blankets dotted along the water. Here, shareable platters of fish, pork belly and short rib add to the community vibes. 

Why we love it: The “BBQ Experience,” which comes with a chef’s selection of four cuts of meat, house banchan and sides including kimchi stew, egg souffle and scallion salad, invites you to share with your tablemates. And then there’s the KFC (that’s Korean Fried Chicken, served with soy chili glaze and chili crisp) and beers to recreate the chimaek experience right here in NYC. 

Time Out tip: Head straight for their deep sake list, or try a cocktail like the GGC with soju, vodka and yuzu or the Insam with Maker’s Mark and Japan’s Iwai whisky. 

Address: 22 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–11pm

Expect to pay: Korean BBQ is $80/per person

What is it? You don’t need to own an actual yacht to head up to this Chelsea rooftop, where you can enjoy not-so-quiet-luxury snacks like “yacht tots” (tater tots with Smoked Pacific steelhead roe, crème fraîche and pickled red onion) and 1.5-pound whole Maine lobsters.

Why we love it: Choose to ball out with a $225 seafood platter, piled with poached lobster, shrimp, ceviche and “all the oysters,” or snack on a more modest steak tartare with Old Bay chips while you sip a frozen “Permanent Vacation” with coconut rum and blue curaçao. No matter how much you spend, you can gaze out over the city and know that it’s your oyster. (And maybe even a dozen of them.)

Time Out tip: Eat indoors or head to the “Lido Deck” on the outdoor terrace to catch the cool breeze off the water. 

Address: 212 12th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Opening hours: Daily 11am–11pm

Expect to pay: Entrees start at $28

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What is it? One of the most romantic restaurants in the five boroughs, The River Café has a secluded open-air deck, heart-swelling views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan and live piano music inside.

Why we love it: Its $205 prix-fixe dinner menu, which includes items like foie gras, Peekytoe crab, duck and lobster secures its designation as a special occasion destination. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant has been recently renovated, so even if you’ve eaten there over the last 40 years, stop by to see what’s new. 

Address: 1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5–10:30pm

Expect to pay: $205 per person

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What is it? This West Village waterfront spot serves up sustainable oysters, including their very own variety straight from Southampton.

Why we love it: Seafood-centric bar bites, like caviar-topped tater tots with pickled red onions and fish and chips with seaweed-salted fries, paired with fruity, easy-drinking cocktails, are the fastest way to put you in the vacay spirit. 

Time Out tip: They’re open until midnight on the weekends, so you can stay and sip your drink long after the sun sets.  

Address: 389 West St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri 11am–midnight; Sat 9am–midnight; Sun 9am–11pm

Expect to pay: Entrees start at $19 

What is it? Just a one-minute walk to the actual ocean, a meal at the Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel transports you to a tropical vacation. 

Why we love it: With views of Manhattan, Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic, it’s one of our favorite spots to catch a real sea breeze. The raw bar adds to the waterfront experience, as does the Shark Bite cocktail with ghost pepper tequila, watermelon and lime.

Time Out tip: Plenty of refreshing non-alcoholic options are on the menu, like pineapple ginger fizz and blackberry sparkling lemonade. 

Address: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Opening hours: Thu 4–10pm; Fri–Sat 4–11pm; Sun 11am–4pm

Expect to pay: The signature dish—a “whacked up” tomahawk steak—is $175.

What is it? Lawn games, barrels of seafood, buckets of beer, frozen margarita fish bowls and 250 seats span three stories at one of Red Hook's most popular summer haunts.

Why we love it: Brooklyn Crab strongly resembles a massive ramshackle ship (with great Instagram opportunities), plus several separate seating configurations and room for groups.

Time Out tip: They don’t take reservations on the weekends, so be sure to plan ahead to score a table. 

Address: 24 Reed St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–2am 

Expect to pay: Mains start at $26

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What is it? Peruse overhead menus longer than cable news tickers featuring oysters, clams, lobster tails, frog legs and frozen drinks at this more than 60-year-old restaurant on City Island. 

Why we love it: Soak up the Long Island Sound at a picnic table on the patio and pretend you’re on vacation. 

Time Out tip: Make sure to bring bills, because it’s cash-only. It also fills up fast on beautiful spring and summer weekends, so come prepared with a seating plan. 

Address: 2 City Island Ave, Bronx, NY 10464

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11pm 

Expect to pay: Score a dozen little necks for $15

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What is it? Gaze upon the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty from the deck of this historic schooner turned oyster bar docked at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park. 

Why we love it: Grand Banks affords a maritime escape without having to pay those pesky yacht club fees. 

Time Out tip: While Pilot is closed for renovations, its “sister ship,” Grand Banks, is open and ready to party. 

Address: Pier 25, West St, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–11pm; Sat Sun 9am–11pm

Expect to pay: Oysters start at $45/dozen

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What is it? This sprawling Little Paris on the Hudson has al fresco dining on its terrace along the Battery Park City esplanade, where you can sip French wine and watch yachts set sail out of North Cove Marina. 

Why we love it: Stroll the adjacent market space for a bit of a taste of the City of Light right in lower Manhattan. 

Time Out tip: Stop by for happy hour from 4–6pm for some affordable ambiance. 

Address: 225 Liberty St, New York, NY 10281

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–10pm; Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 10am–8:30pm

Expect to pay: Dinner entrees start at $25

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What is it? A sparkling riverside Mediterranean-influenced restaurant in the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge, Celestine is close enough to the water to hear the waves dancing with the shore.

Why we love it: Its terrace frames the bridge in a beautiful tableau, plus a nice, wide expanse of the Manhattan skyline. 

Time Out tip: Check out their impressive natural wine list to find the perfect drink to toast to the view. 

Address: 1 John St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–3pm, 5:15–10pm

Expect to pay: Mains start at $30

What is it? Approaching a century old, this 133-foot lightship (like a lighthouse of the seas) has had a lot of lives. 

Why we love it: The former service ship was eventually decommissioned, abandoned and sank before the late 1980s restoration that turned it into the West Side’s watery party destination by the end of that decade. 

Time Out tip: Opt for full table service, or just grab a drink in the beer garden and order some bites at the bar. 

Address: Red Boat In Park, 207 12th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Opening hours: Sun–Mon 11:30am–10pm; Tue–Thurs 11:30am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11:30pm

Expect to pay: Mains start at $26

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What is it? Previously the world’s smallest aircraft carrier, Baylander Steel Beach is now stationed at the West Harlem Piers in Upper Manhattan off 125th Street. 

Why we love it: Hit the 4,000-square-foot spot for loosely themed cocktails like the Captain’s Colada and rummy pirates punch with “Torpedo Dogs,” “Pilot Wings,” and “Stealth Tacos.”

Time Out tip: Stop by during happy hour for $12 frozen cocktails. 

Address: Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10027

Opening hours: Tue–Wed, 3–9pm; Thu 3–9:30pm; Fri 3–10pm; Sat noon–10pm; Sun,noon–9pm

Expect to pay: Menu items start at $14

What is it? This spot along the East River boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a stunning waterfront view. 

Why we love it: Stop by Riverpark for happy hour to score $12 cocktails and $8 wines and draft beers. Toast to the sunshine, the water and each other as you gaze over Midtown from your perch in the sky. 

Time Out tip: In the warmer months, find a spot on the patio to really impress your date. 

Address: 450 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–9pm

Expect to pay: Entrees start at $23 

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What is it? Said to be the oldest bar on the Coney Island boardwalk, Ruby’s has character for miles. 

Why we love it: Beyond its fire engine red exterior, weathered sepia prints line the walls, burgers, dogs, clams and fried shrimp populate the menu, and boozy slushies and beer slosh precariously to the edge of plastic cups. 

Time Out tip: When the line at Nathan’s Famous is looking just a little too long, Ruby’s hot dogs are just as good—and in your hands (and mouth) in no time. 

Address: 1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Opening hours: Daily, 11am–9pm

Expect to pay: Hamburgers are $9.99 (when paying with cash!)

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What is it? Another Seaport spot, Industry Kitchen has room for 300 along the East River. 

Why we love it: Spy the Williamsburg and Brooklyn Bridges from your seat on the patio, and choose from seafood starters like steamed mussels and mains like seafood pasta and grilled Atlantic salmon. 

Time Out tip: In addition to the expected cocktails, wine and beer, Industry Kitchen also has frozen drinks for the season. 

Address: 70 South St, New York, NY 10270

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–11pm; Sat Sun noon–midnight

Expect to pay: Entrees start at $28

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What is it? This massive spot brings Tulum vibes to Manhattan, serving up stunning views alongside hamachi tostadas, 12-hour slow-roasted lamb birria and churros with mezcal caramel. 

Why we love it: Formerly a seasonal pop-up on Governors Island, they’ve used their permanent party-inspired space as an opportunity to hang what they claim is the world’s largest disco ball. 

Time Out tip: Want to rub shoulders with celebs? See if you can sweet-talk your way into the exclusive club upstairs. 

Address: 89 South St, New York, NY 10038

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–midnight; Thu, Fri 4pm–2am; Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–midnight

Expect to pay: Entrees start at $30

What is it? The 10th floor of the 1 Hotel beside the Brooklyn Bridge has rooftop cocktails, snacks and panoramic views. 

Why we love it: Want to splash out? $600 gets you Grey Goose bottle service. 

Time Out tip: The pool, which is open seasonally, is just for guests, but you can still soak up the views from dry land. 

Address: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight

Expect to pay: Shareable plates start at $16

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What is it? This restaurant in Riverside Park, located at West 105th Street, offers numerous outdoor seating options and a diverse menu that’s ideal for groups. 

Why we love it: Sip a Sunset Spritzer with pizza, sandwiches, burgers and dogs with a view of the Hudson River. 

Time Out tip: Be sure to check their Instagram for alerts about closings due to inclement weather. 

Address: Riverside Dr & W 105th St, New York, NY 10025

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: Score a snack like street corn, fruit cups and quesadillas starting at $7

Have a cocktail high above the city and take in spectacular views at one of the best rooftop bars NYC has to offer