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The River Cafe, Brooklyn, NY
Award-winning

The River Cafe

4.8
4.8
9174 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.
  • 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
  • Area
    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

Experiences

  • Christmas Day 2024

    USD 245.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Celebrate Christmas Day 2023 with our special 4-course prix fixe menu at $245 per person. Choose from a selection of appetizers, main courses, and desserts, featuring a mix of The River Café classics and seasonal holiday offerings. Please note that beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included Reservations are available from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. NO DEPOSIT WILL BE TAKEN – PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AFTER COMPLETING THE MEAL. You can modify or cancel reservations up to 5 days prior. Cancellations within 5 days of the reservation will incur the full $245 charge per person. Our dining room has a formal dress code, and gentlemen must wear suit jackets. We look forward to welcoming you!
    Christmas Day 2024 photo
  • Christmas Eve 2024

    USD 245.00 per person

    24 Dec 2024 only
    Celebrate Christmas Eve 2024 with our special 4-course prix fixe menu at $245 per person. Choose from a selection of appetizers, main courses, and desserts, featuring a mix of The River Café classics and seasonal holiday offerings. Please note that beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included Reservations are available from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. NO DEPOSIT WILL BE TAKEN – PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AFTER COMPLETING THE MEAL. You can modify or cancel reservations up to 5 days prior. Cancellations within 5 days of the reservation will incur the full $245 charge per person. Our dining room has a formal dress code, and gentlemen must wear suit jackets. We look forward to welcoming you!
    Christmas Eve 2024 photo

What 9,174 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
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • New York City

    American

  • Brooklyn

    Best Ambience

  • Brooklyn

    Great for fine wines

  • 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 "once in a lifetime experience" with "stunning views" of Manhattan, impeccable service, and exquisite cuisine. Renowned for creating unforgettable celebrations, it excels in both ambiance and culinary artistry. Consistently praised for its "amazing service" and "delicious food," this iconic restaurant is perfect for special occasions.

9,174 Reviews
  1. Sandra

    Atlantic City

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a memorable Thanksgiving ! The food was fabulous the service spectacular, an evening we will never forget.

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  2. Joseph

    New York City

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    My wife and I had a memorable thanksgiving dinner at the river cafe. A great place to celebrate a special occasion.

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  3. Janetzim

    New York City

    53 reviews

    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an unbelievable experience! Thank you for the best thanksgiving ever!

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  4. Horace

    Miami

    128 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    128 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A fantastic overall experience: superb location, amazing views; excellent, exquisite and creative cuisine. Great service: very courteous and professional. A magnificent restaurant, especially for very special events.

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  5. Lisa

    Greater Boston

    359 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    359 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The River Cafe is my favorite restaurant in New York, and probably anywhere else too! The beautiful romantic atmosphere, amazing views, warm yet attentive service and truly exquisite food make for a perfect experience. It is a special occasion place, not for everyday, but we have celebrated our anniversary there several times (when in the city - we do not live in NYC), and this time it was our 50th. They did not disappoint! I hope I get to go back for many more special occasions. We took our adult son with us and he loved it as well.

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  6. Reza

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmosphere, fantastic service and above all outstanding food. Would definitely recommend and will visit again when in I’m back in New York.

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  7. Jeff

    Greater Boston

    55 reviews

    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great romantic special occasion, not for value consciously dinners

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  8. Sandra

    New York City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Perfect all around, we can’t wait to come back. And it won’t be a 15 year wait this time. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

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  9. dan

    New York City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    we've been a few times. every one has been outstanding! window tables have a spectacular view of the bridge & lower manhattan, with the east river ferries docking so close you could almost touch them. catch dom on piano if you can; he's been playing there for decades and with good reason. the best wait staff you'll find anywhere! stunning entrance plantings at the end of the cobblestone drive. oh yeah, the chow... last night, nantucket bay scallops for appetizer, sea bass for main course, "the bridge" for dessert, plus additional on-the-house items. all excellent. russian caviar for those with too much disposable income. don't forget: bring your home equity line of credit or similar. well worth it. go big or go home.

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  10. Robert

    Denver

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Food is excellent. A wide variety of choices except for the dessert. Wine and alcohol is all anyone could desire. However the room is crowded and we waited over 20 minutes for the check to be delivered. A nice piano was played earlier in the meal but then absent for the last two hours. Best part of the meal was a second amuse bouche that was different for each entree ordered. My Dover sole was dry however.

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FAQs

The River Cafe is rated 4.8 stars by 9174 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.
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.
  • Area
    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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