12 Coastal New York Restaurants Where Waterfront Views Rival The City Skyline
New York is known worldwide for its towering skyscrapers, flashing lights, and nonstop energy, but there’s another side to the city that many overlook.
Along its coastlines, an entirely different dining experience awaits—one where the ocean stretches wide, and the views rival, if not surpass, the iconic skyline. Over the years, I’ve sought out these waterfront treasures, places where the catch of the day is served as fresh as the breeze rolling in from the Atlantic.
Some are historic boats reimagined as floating restaurants, while others are chic rooftop terraces. Each offers an escape, a reminder of New York’s coastal charm.
1. Grand Banks: Dining Aboard a Historic Schooner
My first visit to Grand Banks felt like stepping into a maritime fairy tale. This restaurant floats on the Sherman Zwicker, a restored fishing schooner docked at Pier 25 in Tribeca. The gentle rocking of the boat adds a magical quality to the experience you simply can’t find on land.
The menu celebrates sustainable seafood with oysters so fresh they taste like they were plucked from the water moments ago. I always order the sea scallops when they’re in season.
As the sun sets, the Hudson River glitters while the Freedom Tower and downtown skyline light up around you, creating a 360-degree postcard view that no indoor restaurant could ever match.
2. Watermark Bar: East River Panorama at Pier 15
Sprawling across Pier 15, Watermark Bar captures the essence of New York from a refreshing angle. I stumbled upon this gem while biking along the East River and instantly fell in love with its panoramic views.
The open-air layout means you’re practically floating above the water, with Brooklyn Heights across the way and Manhattan Bridge framing the scene. Their seafood platters make for perfect sharing while watching boats cruise by.
Summer evenings transform this space into something magical – string lights overhead, gentle breezes off the water, and the city skyline gradually illuminating as darkness falls. It’s become my go-to spot for introducing out-of-town friends to New York’s softer side.
3. Mezze On The River: Mediterranean Flair By the Hudson
Who knew Mediterranean flavors could taste even better with a side of Hudson River views? Mezze On The River blends coastal cuisine with coastal scenery in a way that transports me to multiple shorelines at once.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the water perfectly, while the outdoor terrace puts nothing between you and the expansive river views. My personal favorite: their grilled octopus paired with a sunset that paints the Hudson in golden hues.
What makes this spot special is how the space itself seems designed to frame the water – curved glass walls follow the shoreline, and even indoor tables feel connected to the scenery outside. The Battery Park location means you can watch boats of all sizes navigating the busy harbor.
4. Johnny’s Reef: Bronx Seafood Institution with Harbor Views
There’s nothing fancy about Johnny’s Reef – and that’s precisely its charm. Perched at the very tip of City Island in the Bronx, this no-frills seafood spot has been serving up crispy fried shrimp and scallops for generations.
I’ll never forget my first visit during a summer bike ride when I discovered their massive outdoor seating area overlooking the Long Island Sound. You order at the counter, grab your plastic tray, and head outside to picnic tables with million-dollar views.
Seagulls circle overhead as boats drift by, and on clear days, you can see all the way to Long Island. It’s the kind of authentic New York experience that reminds me why waterfront dining doesn’t need white tablecloths to be spectacular.
5. Ocean Restaurant: Long Island Sound’s Sunset Showcase
Finding Ocean Restaurant felt like discovering a secret hideaway. Tucked along Long Island’s North Shore, this waterfront gem features a sprawling deck that seems to hover right above Long Island Sound.
The first time I visited, a summer thunderstorm had just cleared, creating one of those impossibly vibrant rainbows that arched perfectly over the water. Even on ordinary days, the sunsets here are extraordinary – rich oranges and purples reflecting off the gentle waves.
What keeps me coming back is how the restaurant embraces its setting without trying too hard. Simple, well-prepared seafood lets the panoramic views take center stage. Their lobster roll is my personal weakness – sweet meat with minimal dressing, letting the ocean-fresh flavor shine.
6. The Halyard: Greenport’s Nautical Dining Experience
Perched above the water in a converted seaside inn, The Halyard captures Greenport’s maritime charm in every detail. Blue and white décor echoes the waves visible through wall-to-wall windows, while sailboats glide by so close you can almost touch them.
During my weekend getaway to Long Island’s North Fork, I couldn’t tear myself away from their patio. Local oysters and Peconic Bay scallops taste different here – maybe it’s because you can literally see where they were harvested while enjoying them.
The restaurant sits slightly elevated, providing a perfect vantage point to watch fishing boats return to harbor as the day winds down. Even in winter, when they move dining indoors, the panoramic views make you feel connected to the water through every season.
7. Ocean @ The Crescent Beach Club: Oyster Bay’s Waterfront Wonder
Weddings frequently take place at The Crescent Beach Club – and after experiencing dinner at Ocean, I completely understand why. The restaurant opens directly onto a pristine stretch of Long Island Sound beachfront that feels impossibly romantic.
What surprised me most was finding such elevated cuisine in what could easily rely on views alone. Their seafood tower arrives dramatically smoking with dry ice, yet the quality of each shrimp, oyster and lobster tail stands up to the presentation.
My favorite time to visit is just before sunset, when the staff opens the massive glass doors completely. The boundary between restaurant and beach disappears, and the sound of gentle waves provides the perfect soundtrack to an unforgettable meal by the water.
8. View: Oakdale’s Aptly Named Waterfront Treasure
Sometimes a restaurant’s name tells you everything you need to know. View in Oakdale delivers exactly what it promises – breathtaking scenes of Great South Bay from virtually every table.
Built on stilts extending over the water, this restaurant creates the illusion of dining on a luxury yacht without ever leaving shore. My spring visit coincided with osprey nesting season, adding wildlife watching to the experience as these magnificent birds dove for fish right outside our window.
The seafood-focused menu wisely keeps preparations simple, allowing the ultra-fresh local catch to shine. Their lobster bake, complete with corn and potatoes, brings New England charm to Long Island waters. For the full experience, request a table on the wraparound deck where nothing separates you from those mesmerizing bay views.
9. Brooklyn Crab: Red Hook’s Playful Waterfront Escape
Who says serious views require serious dining? Brooklyn Crab throws that notion overboard with its multi-level seafood playground in Red Hook.
I still remember climbing to the top deck for the first time and being stunned by the sweeping harbor views – the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, and the Manhattan skyline all visible while cracking into perfectly seasoned Maryland blue crabs. The casual picnic tables and cornhole courts create a backyard party vibe that perfectly suits summer afternoons.
What makes this spot unique is how it combines waterfront dining with playful activities. Between crab courses, you can challenge friends to mini-golf or shuffleboard without ever losing sight of those spectacular harbor views. It’s like a coastal amusement park for food-loving adults.
10. Drift In: West Village’s Hidden Waterfront Gem
Tucked away on a quiet stretch of the Hudson River Greenway, Drift In feels like stumbling upon a secret coastal retreat in the heart of Manhattan. The tiny waterfront spot occupies a converted pier building that maximizes every inch of its prime location.
My favorite memory here involves a perfect spring afternoon when sailboats paraded up the Hudson while I sipped my drink and devoured the freshest oysters I’ve tasted in the city. The intimate space means you’re never far from those hypnotic river views.
Unlike more elaborate waterfront establishments, Drift In embraces simplicity – picnic tables, string lights, and an uncomplicated seafood menu let the natural beauty of the Hudson take center stage. It’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the best waterfront dining happens at the most unassuming spots.
11. The Rockaway Hotel Rooftop: Ocean Meets Sky in Queens
My first sunset at The Rockaway Hotel’s rooftop left me speechless. This elevated oasis offers something truly unique in New York City – uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean meeting the urban skyline.
Unlike Manhattan’s waterfront spots that face other boroughs, here you get the vastness of open ocean in one direction and Jamaica Bay stretching toward the city in the other. The clever design incorporates coastal elements without falling into beach-kitsch territory – think elegant lounges and sleek fire pits rather than tiki torches.
The drinks program deserves special mention – try their signature Rockaway Sunset, which mimics the gradient colors you’ll see spreading across the horizon. Even on cloudy days, watching planes approach JFK over the water creates a mesmerizing display of urban coastal living.
12. Gitano NYC: Tropical Waterfront Oasis in Lower Manhattan
Walking into Gitano NYC feels like being teleported to a coastal Mexican hideaway – with the unexpected bonus of East River views. Palm trees and tropical plants create a lush barrier between you and the city, while strategic openings frame the Brooklyn Bridge and waterfront perfectly.
I discovered this urban beach club during a sweltering July afternoon and was amazed how the clever positioning captures river breezes that seem to cool the space naturally. The contrast between jungle-inspired décor and industrial waterfront creates a visual tension that somehow works beautifully.
Their mezcal pairs wonderfully with waterfront sunsets, especially when enjoyed from the elevated seating areas that maximize those river glimpses. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best coastal views come with unexpected tropical twists.