River Cafe

Name: River Cafe
Address: 1 Water St., Brooklyn, NY, United States, 11201
Telephone: (718) 522-5200
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.8

4.8

7921 Reviews

$50 and over

American

Top Tags:

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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 27, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 27 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed–Sun 5:30 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(718) 522-5200
Website
http://rivercafe.com/
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
Private party contact
Luke Vossen: (888) 338-3996

Location
1 Water St. Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood
DUMBO / Vinegar Hill
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

Featured in

Popular dishes

River Café Oysters
warm lemon glazed Irish Point Oysters, caramelized sweet onion, Speck ham, Pacific sturgeon caviar
Hot Foie Gras
sautéed duck foie gras, Pell Farms strawberry and caramelized onion crêpe, strawberry vinegar gastrique, toasted pistachio
Wild Shrimp
Pacific blue shrimp, vegetable stuffed baby sweet pepper, whipped white polenta, smoked shrimp butter
Scallop Ceviche
Maine diver scallop chilled on the half shell, tomato citrus marinate, sea beans, avocado and coriander
Scallop and Pork
seared sea scallop, Berkshire pork tenderloin wrapped with herbs and smoked trotters, spring onion, fig mostarda
Yellowtail Hamachi
thinly sliced Hamachi, crisp edamame and toasted sunflower seed filled tempura squash blossom, aromatic ginger, white soy and lime leaf sauce
Tortelloni
buffalo ricotta, asparagus, ramps, roasted Maitake, Madeira mushroom jus
Wagyu Steak Tartare
hand cut Kobe style beef with quail egg, Cognac gelée, traditional garnish, toast points
Octopus
Portuguese octopus ala plancha, black garlic, basil emulsion, zucchini, crisp potato

Caviar Service

each served with traditional garniture, toast points, tiny corn pancakes

Caspian Golden Osetra, Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii, (Germany)
- per ounce$180.00
Siberian Sturgeon, Acipenser Baerii, (Germany)
- per ounce$95.00

Main Course

Vegetarian Menu available on request

Lamb
pan roasted Colorado lamb loin, merguez sausage, "stuffed" baby eggplant, spring English peas, natural lamb reduction
Beef
Char grilled Niman Ranch strip steak, cipollini, brocolini, russet and yam potato gratin, Pinot Noir sauce
Duck
crispy Crescent Farms duck breast, confit risotto cake, poached rhubarb, Tuscan kale, duck jus
King Salmon
seared Ora King salmon, sunchoke purée, roasted beet and organic carrots, red wine star anise sauce
Black Sea Bass
wild Atlantic bass, lobster brown butter, white asparagus, fennel lobster croquette

Dessert

Toasted Almond Semifreddo
almond dacquoise, Cara Cara citrus sorbet, candied almond lace
Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge
dark chocolate Marquise, poached blueberries, honey vanilla ice cream
Pistachio Soufflé
Winonoa Farms peaches, peach sorbet, fresh Chantilly cream
Artisanal Cheeses
Five American cheeses and seasonal accompaniments. $22 additional
Blandy's Madeira Dessert Flight
5 Year Verdelho, 10 Year Bual, 5 Year Malmsey - each paired with petit sweets, $24 additional
Handmade Chocolates And Confections

Specialty Cocktails

$22

Hound of Culann
Jameson Irish Whiskey, espresso, salted Guinness honey
A View of Manhattan
Widow Jane Bourbon and Rye, 10 Year Malmsey Madeira, Ramazzotti, Angostura and orange bitters
French 77
Plymouth Gin, Champagne, lavender honey, lemon, egg white
The Centenario
1921 Añejo, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, antique triple orange au cognac, cacao, agave
Vintage Daiquiri
Barbancourt15 year rum, Flor de Caña 18 year, fresh lime

Cognac

Hennessey VS$22.00
Hennessey XO$80.00
Hennessey Paradis$132.00
Hine Antique XO$40.00
Delamain Pale & Dry XO$28.00
Pierre Ferrand 1840$20.00
Courvoisier XO Impérial$80.00
Remy Martin Vsop$23.00

Brandy

Domaine de la Romanée Conti - 1992$100.00
Domaine de la Romanée Conti - 1981$175.00

Armagnac

De Montal XO$29.00

Calvados

Busnel Pays d'Auge VSOP$18.00

Special Flights

Blandy's 10-year Madeira Flight - Verdelho, Bual, Malmsey$25.00
Port Variety Sampling - 10 Year Tawny, 20 Year Tawny, 1992 Vintage$35.00

Wine by the Glass

Champagne and Sparkling Wines

Prosecco Superiore$18.00
Mionetto - Valdobbiadene - Non Vintage
Champagne$22.00
Pommery - Apanage - Brut - Non Vintage
Rosé Champagne$29.00
Alfred Gratien - Brut - Non Vintage

White Wines

Riesling$18.00
Hermann Wiemer - Finger Lakes - 2017. Off-Dry
Sauvignon Blanc$18.00
Chatelain - Pouilly-Fumé -2017
Chardonnay$26.00
Domaine Michelot - Meursault - 2016
Chardonnay$24.00
Heitz Cellar - Napa Valley - 2016

Rosé Wine

Pinot Noir$18.00
Guillerault-Fargette - Les Panseillots - Sancerre - 2018

Red Wines

Pinot Noir$28.00
R. Dubois et fils - Nuit-Saint-George - Les Chaillots - Burgundy - 2016
Sangiovese Blend$20.00
Monsanto - Chianti Classico Riserva - Tuscany - 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon$24.00
Kenwood Vineyards - Jack London - Sonoma Mountain - 2012
Tempranillo$20.00
Marques de Murrieta - Rioja Reserva - 2014/15

Beer

Amstel Light$10.00
Corona Extra$10.00
Heineken$10.00
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA$11.00
Brooklyn Brewery Lager$11.00
Duvel$13.00
Beck's (N/A)$9.00

What 7,921 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
4.8Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Brooklyn
Best Ambiance
Brooklyn
Scenic View
Brooklyn
Special Occasion
Brooklyn
American
Brooklyn
Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

DB
DennisB
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Can’t praise the place enough. Food and service was amazing
JM
JoannaM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
This has been our favorite place to celebrate for years! The view, food and service are unparalleled.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Moay amaizing level.of service i have ever experienced...
SS
SoleSuares
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s a beautiful place at an outstanding location. The food is exquisite and the service, impeccable. The prices are a high but a worthwhile experience overall.
BR
BRLwine
San Francisco
50 reviews
vip
5.0
50 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was perfect
OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were visiting NYC for an early anniversary weekend, The River Cafe was recommended by dear friends and it did not disappoint. The attention to detail and expertise of the entire staff was incredible. The view is unmatched and we dined at the perfect time to see it both in the sunlight and the early evening light. Will definitely be back and highly recommend.
EB
EmilioB
New York Area
11 reviews
3.0
11 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall3food5service2ambience3
Great view of downtown manhattan… but not professional service and sooo noisy space! Food very well prepared and presented…but really too expensive: tw people with a simple red wine…. Total 560 usd!
PA
PATRICIOC
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience5
Magnificent view. Excellent food. Liked de Wine List. Good service. Top 10 restaurant. I would go again.
J
Joleen
New York Area
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Scrything was wonderful, start to finish.
CT
CiTi
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best place in NY!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New Orleans
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Great ambiance but not worth this price. Too expensive.
RB
RussellB
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Magical......outstanding food and service! 70th Birthday celebration for my wife and River Cafe did not disappoint!!
DJ
DocJoe
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 16, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience5
Best is the view on Manhattan by night. 50% of the Budget. Perfect
C
Cristina
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall1food3service3ambience1
It was extremely expensive for the quality and quantity of the food and the ambiance was really noise and very cold. It was a real con and a fraude!!! Not recomendable at all !!
DS
DSC1964
New Orleans
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Beautiful setting. However, when you get one of the tables at the back of the restaurant, it's not quite so good. You pay the same as everyone else, but have a worse view. Somewhat annoying. The food is good, but the portions are small. Very, very expensive. Not sure it is really worth it. Plus, why charge $25 extra for cheese. That is ridiculous.
d
doorguys
New York Area
14 reviews
vip
3.0
14 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall3food4service2ambience5
We had a major service problem when we first placed our order we asked the waiter if it was possible to make the soufflé chocolate even though it says in the menu coffee he said soufflé and then my wife said I’d like a chocolate soufflé too and he reiterated the word soufflé little did we know that he didn’t understand and we would get a coffee soufflé that was the second time we saw him the entire evening, to ask what happened . We had to ask for our water glasses to be filled on two separate occasions the view is spectacular but the service took a lot away In addition we felt like we were rushed out from the time we sat down to the time they cleaned our dessert plate one hour and five minutes that’s a little too quick for a three course meal (and then 20 minutes for the check to come)
PF
PFVEMV
Washington DC
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful experience, as always.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tampa
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Anniversary
FA
FabriceA
Baden-Württembe
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience1
Accueil peu sympathique mais service agréable et professionnel avec une mention particulière pour la sommelière. La cuisine est très bonne mais manque de finesse. Par contre ce restaurant est très inconfortable en raison du trop grand nombre de tables et trop petite pour le nombre de convives.
L
Laurentius
New York Area
76 reviews
vip
5.0
76 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Fantastic location and great views, paired with delicious food! Service was a bit distracted, but overall an amazing experience with a lot of care and detail! Thank you to the great crew!
PS
PatriciaS
Cincinnati
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exceptional service, delicious food, and incredible views of the East River and Manhattan. My favorite restaurant in NYC. I appreciate the numerous gluten free options. Not an after thought like many places! Every dessert was gluten free. Live piano music struck just the right mood. The gardens out front are a small paradise to revel in after dinner.
BF
BeckyF
London
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and food, lovely setting and staff are very friendly
PA
PearlandAsh
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had not been to the river cafe in many many years. It was a family favorite for special occasions when I was a kid. When my husband asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day I thought let’s go!! I had no idea if it would still be the same (obviously with a different chef!) but felt the ambiance was exactly what I wanted. Making the rez was a little tricky and the number of times (emails & calls) I received I have to admit was a little annoying. But once we arrived everything was amazing!! The dining room is exactly the same old timey yet chic. The view of course is breathtaking. The piano is so charming and brings me right back to my childhood. The service was fantastic and food absolutely incredible!! Even better then I had imagined. We will definitely be back soon!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Mother’s Day, amazing
NW
NinaW
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Mother’s Day’s dinner was amazing. I can’t wait to return. One of the best Mother’s Day dinners ever!!!!!
M
Musgrove
London
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Beautiful but has become unreasonably expensive since it last visit
P
Poison
New Orleans
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
So romantic
C
Carol
New York Area
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to River Cafe to celebrate my fiance's 30th birthday, and it could not have been more perfect. It was a lovely, lively ambiance. The service was impeccable and the food was phenomenal. We look forward to visiting again for another special occasion.
BD
BrianaD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I took my mother out for an early Mother’s Day celebration and she had an amazing experience . This is her second time at the River cafe , she first dined there 29 years ago shortly after giving birth to me . She’s still in love with the River Cafe after all this time . Thank you !
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience in a very special day for us
FM
FranciscoM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such a romantic and wonderful place, my fiancee loved it and of course me too
B
Bcb90
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Beautiful location, the ambience is nice. However, I did book my reservation weeks in advance for a window view for my husbands birthday and did not receive it. I also had a really long wait for dessert which they knew way ahead of time as we requested the brooklyn dessert. I knew going in the price for portions as I saw others complain about this but the flavors were very unique and delicious. Overall a nice experience.
M
Mayte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Romantic dinner with my boyfriend with an amazing views.
ME
MarcE
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time at River Cafe. It was my Wifes birthday. Fantastic service and the food was presented beautifully and the was extremely delicious. The best view ever.
DR
DennisR
Vancouver
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect in every way!
CB
CharlesB
Fayetteville
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
You'll literally dine over the water with the most stunning view of the NYC skyline - excellent food and service - $180 prix fixe menu with aps + entree + dessert.
JS
JenniferS
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service and food were amazing, wonderful restaurant to celebrate a special ocassion.
b
barbara
New York Area
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Magical! Excellent service Breathtaking views
ET
EdwardT
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the most special venues in New York. We had early reservations (6:15) and had seats by the window and the place pretty much to ourselves for a while before things got busy. Can't wait for the next excuse (celebration) to go back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
This place is one of the romantic places in all of NYC. Highly recommend it if you’re from out of town and want to go on a date.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

River Cafe is rated 4.8 stars by 7921 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 27, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 27 times today

1 Water St. Brooklyn, NY 11201

Additional information

Cross street
Old Fulton St.
Neighborhood
DUMBO / Vinegar Hill
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed–Sun 5:30 pm–11:00 pm
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

Website
http://rivercafe.com/
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
Private party contact
Luke Vossen: (888) 338-3996

River Cafe

Make a reservation

Additional information

The Best Restaurants in Brooklyn, According to our Tastemakers

The Most Romantic Restaurants in New York City

Lamb

Hot Foie Gras

Wagyu Steak Tartare

Appetizer

River Café Oysters

Hot Foie Gras

Wild Shrimp

Scallop Ceviche

Scallop and Pork

Yellowtail Hamachi

Tortelloni

Wagyu Steak Tartare

Octopus

Caviar Service

Caspian Golden Osetra, Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii, (Germany)

Siberian Sturgeon, Acipenser Baerii, (Germany)

Main Course

Lamb

Beef

Duck

King Salmon

Black Sea Bass

Dessert

Toasted Almond Semifreddo

Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge

Pistachio Soufflé

Artisanal Cheeses

Blandy's Madeira Dessert Flight

Handmade Chocolates And Confections

Specialty Cocktails

Hound of Culann

A View of Manhattan

French 77

The Centenario

Vintage Daiquiri

Cognac

Hennessey VS$22.00

Hennessey XO$80.00

Hennessey Paradis$132.00

Hine Antique XO$40.00

Delamain Pale & Dry XO$28.00

Pierre Ferrand 1840$20.00

Courvoisier XO Impérial$80.00

Remy Martin Vsop$23.00

Brandy

Domaine de la Romanée Conti - 1992$100.00

Domaine de la Romanée Conti - 1981$175.00

Armagnac

De Montal XO$29.00

Calvados

Busnel Pays d'Auge VSOP$18.00

Special Flights

Blandy's 10-year Madeira Flight - Verdelho, Bual, Malmsey$25.00

Port Variety Sampling - 10 Year Tawny, 20 Year Tawny, 1992 Vintage$35.00

Wine by the Glass

Champagne and Sparkling Wines

Prosecco Superiore$18.00

Champagne$22.00

Rosé Champagne$29.00

White Wines

Riesling$18.00

Sauvignon Blanc$18.00

Chardonnay$26.00

Chardonnay$24.00

Rosé Wine

Pinot Noir$18.00

Red Wines

Pinot Noir$28.00

Sangiovese Blend$20.00

Cabernet Sauvignon$24.00

Tempranillo$20.00

Beer

Amstel Light$10.00

Corona Extra$10.00

Heineken$10.00