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The River Cafe, Brooklyn, NY
Award-winning

The River Cafe

4.8
4.8
9229 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 49 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
  • Romantic
The River Café is one of New York and America’s most unique locations. Nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge with sweeping views of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty, this elegant restaurant has, since 1977, been a favorite destination for New Yorkers and visitors from around the world who demand the highest level of cuisine. Renowned for its exquisite setting, beautiful decor and seamless service The River Café serves a wonderful classic New American menu using only the finest, freshest and often rare ingredients. With an award winning and outstanding wine list, romantic piano music nightly, breathtaking floral arrangements, the River Café is more than simply dining, it is often a magical experience. Whether you are coming for dinner or a private party, be sure to leave some time to enjoy The River Café’s spectacular garden.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (718) 522-5200
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Jacket Required
  • Executive chef
    Brad Steelman
  • Private party facilities
    The Terrace Room at The River Café is uniquely capable of offering your guests an unsurpassed setting for private dining with spectacular views overlooking New York Harbor, The Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.Inquiries about special events please contact privateevents@rivercafe.com
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2022
  • Neighborhood
    DUMBO
  • Cross street
    Old Fulton St.
  • Parking details
    Valet parking is always available to guests with reservations. The River Café's cobblestone entrance is beautiful but sometimes challenging for people to navigate on foot. If you arrive by taxi, please insist your driver take you past the cobblestones, directly to the restaurant's front door roundabout.
  • Public transit
    A or C train to High Street 2 or 3 train to Clark Street F train to York Street Bus #B25 to Old Fulton St./Cadman Plaza West
  • Entertainment
    The River Cafe features live piano nightly.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Cocktails, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 9,229 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New York City

    Great for scenic views

  • New York City

    American

  • Brooklyn

    Best Ambiance

  • Brooklyn

    Romantic

  • Brooklyn

    Great for scenic views

  • Brooklyn

    American

  • Brooklyn

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The River Cafe offers a "truly wonderful experience" with "amazing views" and "outstanding food." Renowned for its "flawless service," it's a perfect spot for special occasions with "beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline." The "romantic atmosphere" and "unforgettable ambiance" make it a "must-do experience" in NYC.

9,229 Reviews
  1. Valentino

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ottimo ristorante Il sommelier un gradino sopra tutti, grazie per l’Opus One!

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  2. Peter

    Yorkshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is amazing, the view spectacular and the service attentive a courteous. Bob the Sommelier was extremley knowledgeable and considerate of our requirements. Alex, our host, was courteous with the right touch of humour. All of the staff professional and hosted us exceptionally well. An expensive but a priceless experience.

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  3. Johnay

    VIP

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I love the restaurant, very calm, nice view. Amazing attention

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  4. Davide

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The view was magical, the food was outstanding and the staff was excellent.

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  5. Carlos

    New York City

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    La camisa estuvo excelente todo lo que pedimos, nos encantó a mí y mi novia

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  6. John

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have been here multiple times the service/food has always been excellent.

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  7. Chris

    New York City

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was fabulous across the board. Truly lives up to the expectations.

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  8. Frank

    VIP

    Washington DC

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife and I wanted to celebrate with a five-star dining experience. The River Cafe was the perfect place. Every course reflected culinary excellence in taste and presentation. From the front door to the table, every staff member was thoroughly professional, courteous, and helpful. The Som assisted us in selecting the perfect wine. And then, there is the view! Many thanks to The River Cafe for a truly delightful evening.

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  9. Michael

    VIP

    Houston

    50 reviews

    3.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    I was unimpressed. The table adjacent to me were wildly throwing around adjectives and superlatives as if they discovered the grail. The amount of attention venerated towards that table was outlandish. They spent $1000s on bottles of wine and had the full attention of the staff and the owner “Buzzy” needless to say… if you are an ordinary regular person, don’t go here. The Brooklyn Bridge dessert was inedible - awful!

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  10. Filippo

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A distanza di anni, l’ambiente è rimasto ottimo, cucina di alto livello, servizio di classe e attenzione al cliente. Consiglierei di migliorare solo la temperatura in sala (un po’ troppo alta, specie se si richiede agli uomini la giacca) e forse i bagni, un po’ piccoli e sacrificati per quanto ovviamente puliti.

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FAQs

The River Cafe is rated 4.8 stars by 9229 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 49 times today
Google Map for The River Cafe

1 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2022
  • Cross street
    Old Fulton St.
  • Neighborhood
    DUMBO
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Jacket Required
  • Parking details
    Valet parking is always available to guests with reservations. The River Café's cobblestone entrance is beautiful but sometimes challenging for people to navigate on foot. If you arrive by taxi, please insist your driver take you past the cobblestones, directly to the restaurant's front door roundabout.
  • Public transit
    A or C train to High Street 2 or 3 train to Clark Street F train to York Street Bus #B25 to Old Fulton St./Cadman Plaza West
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Brad Steelman
  • Entertainment
    The River Cafe features live piano nightly.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Cocktails, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (718) 522-5200
  • Private party facilities
    The Terrace Room at The River Café is uniquely capable of offering your guests an unsurpassed setting for private dining with spectacular views overlooking New York Harbor, The Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.Inquiries about special events please contact privateevents@rivercafe.com
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