10 New York Bayfront Restaurants That Combine Dockside Dining With Big Flavor

New York’s waterfronts offer more than just stunning views – they’re home to some incredible dining experiences where the food rivals the scenery.
I’ve spent years exploring these bayfront gems, searching for places where you can wiggle your toes in the breeze while savoring truly memorable meals.
From historic seafood shacks to upscale dining destinations, these waterside restaurants deliver both atmosphere and extraordinary flavors that will make you forget you’re still in the city.
1. Grand Banks: Oyster Heaven On A Historic Schooner

Last summer, I stumbled upon this floating restaurant while desperately seeking refuge from the Manhattan heat. Grand Banks isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a maritime adventure aboard the Sherman Zwicker, a restored wooden schooner docked at Pier 25. The oysters here are transcendent—briny, fresh, and served with mignonette sauce that perfectly balances vinegar tang and shallot bite.
Their sustainable seafood policy means guilt-free indulgence while you watch sailboats drift by on the Hudson. Beyond oysters, their lobster roll deserves poetry—chunks of sweet meat barely held together by the lightest touch of mayo on a perfectly toasted bun. Come at sunset when the golden light makes even your rosé look magical against the backdrop of Lady Liberty.
2. Johnny’s Reef: City Island’s No-Frills Seafood Paradise

“You haven’t lived until you’ve had fried shrimp at Johnny’s,” my Bronx-born grandfather insisted during our annual family pilgrimage to this City Island institution. Perched at the very tip of the island, Johnny’s Reef embodies seafood-shack perfection with zero pretension and maximum flavor. The system here is beautifully chaotic—order at counters, grab a numbered ticket, then claim a picnic table overlooking Long Island Sound.
Their seafood comes in massive portions, perfectly fried to golden crispiness, and served with squeeze bottles of hot sauce that locals apply liberally. The paper plates may be flimsy, but the memories are substantial. Watch seagulls hover hopefully nearby as families, fishermen, and food enthusiasts from every borough commune over affordable seafood feasts that haven’t changed in decades.
3. The River Café: Brooklyn’s Crown Jewel Under The Bridge

My first date with my wife happened here, making me forever biased toward this Brooklyn landmark nestled beneath the magnificent span of the Brooklyn Bridge. The River Café isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a New York institution that’s been delivering culinary excellence since 1977. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Manhattan skyline so perfectly it seems designed specifically for Instagram, though it predates social media by decades.
The food lives up to the setting—their signature Brooklyn Bridge chocolate dessert (a cocoa replica of the famous bridge) has ended countless meals on a sweet, architectural note. White tablecloths and impeccable service create an old-world elegance rarely found these days. Their duck dish, glazed with honey and lavender, remains one of the most memorable bites I’ve ever experienced, proving that not all waterfront restaurants need to focus exclusively on seafood.
4. Drift In: West Village’s Nautical Cocktail Hideaway

“Just follow the blue door,” my friend texted cryptically before I discovered this West Village gem tucked along the Hudson River Park. Drift In feels like the stylish sailboat lounge of your wealthiest friend—if that friend also employed a brilliant cocktail team. The space is intimate and cleverly designed, with porthole windows and weathered wood creating authentic maritime vibes without veering into tacky territory.
Their seafood towers arrive dramatically smoking with dry ice, while their craft cocktails incorporate unexpected ingredients like seaweed-infused spirits and house-fermented garnishes. Unlike many waterfront spots that coast on views alone, Drift In delivers culinary creativity worth experiencing. Their ceviche changes daily based on the freshest catch, and their sound system pumps the perfect mix of vintage yacht rock that’ll have you contemplating buying boat shoes by dessert.
5. Molos: Greek Elegance With Manhattan Skyline Views

Sometimes the best views of Manhattan come from leaving it, which I discovered during an impromptu ferry ride that led me to Molos in Weehawken. This Greek-Mediterranean restaurant offers panoramic views that make the Empire State Building look like it was positioned specifically for your dining pleasure. Whole fish displayed on ice greet you upon entering—pick your dinner companion and they’ll prepare it with nothing more than olive oil, lemon, and herbs.
The simplicity honors the ingredients rather than masking them. Their grilled octopus, tender enough to cut with a fork, carries the perfect hint of charcoal. Floor-to-ceiling windows slide open in warm weather, erasing the boundary between indoor comfort and waterfront ambiance. The staff, many Greek-born, deliver authentic hospitality alongside authentic flavors, making you feel simultaneously in New Jersey and somewhere on a Aegean island.
6. Blend On The Water: Latin Fusion With Queens Attitude

Salsa music pulled me into Blend on the Water before I even saw the menu. This Long Island City hotspot brings Latin energy to the East River waterfront with a Miami-meets-NYC vibe that feels electric, especially during their weekend brunches. The outdoor deck practically hovers over the water, putting Manhattan’s skyline on display while you devour their signature empanadas—I dream about the short rib version regularly.
Unlike stuffier waterfront establishments, Blend embraces festivity with colorful cocktails served in pineapples and coconuts, plus a staff that genuinely seems to enjoy the party atmosphere. Their ceviche flight offers a taste tour through different Latin American preparations, from Peruvian classic to Mexican-inspired. The music gradually increases in volume as the evening progresses, often culminating in impromptu dance sessions between tables as the sunset paints the sky in colors that match the vibrant food.
7. Chart House: Classic Elegance With Jaw-Dropping Views

My parents celebrated their anniversary at Chart House every year, which should tell you everything about its romantic appeal. Perched on the cliffs of Weehawken, this upscale seafood chain transcends its corporate origins through sheer force of location—the panoramic views of Manhattan’s skyline are simply unmatched. The restaurant is built into the actual cliffside, creating dramatic multi-level dining areas where every table commands attention.
Their signature dish—slow-roasted prime rib—seems incongruous for a seafood restaurant until you taste it alongside their lobster bisque (which they’ll gladly top with sherry if you ask nicely). The dessert menu stars their famous hot chocolate lava cake, which requires ordering 30 minutes in advance—a worthwhile exercise in delayed gratification. Time your reservation for sunset and watch as Manhattan transforms from concrete jungle to twinkling wonderland while sipping one of their classic martinis.
8. The Water Club: Manhattan’s Floating Fine Dining Classic

“Dress to impress,” warned my uncle before taking me to celebrate my first job offer at The Water Club. This Manhattan institution has been floating on the East River since the 1980s, maintaining old-school elegance while the city continuously reinvents itself around it. The restaurant sits on a permanently moored barge, gently rocking with the river’s rhythm—just enough movement to remind you you’re dining on water.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Williamsburg Bridge and Brooklyn waterfront, particularly spectacular when illuminated after dark. Their seafood is impeccably sourced and classically prepared—think Dover sole deboned tableside and Lobster Thermidor that would make Julia Child proud. The piano bar upstairs offers the perfect post-dinner retreat, where longtime bartenders remember regular customers’ preferred drinks and life stories. The Water Club represents a New York that’s increasingly rare—polished, consistent, and unapologetically formal.
9. Porto Bello: Greenport’s Harbor-Front Italian Gem

My weekend escape to Long Island’s North Fork led to an accidental discovery that now requires intentional pilgrimages. Porto Bello sits directly on Greenport’s harbor, where fishing boats and luxury yachts create a constantly shifting backdrop for seriously good Italian cuisine. The restaurant’s deck extends over the water, creating the illusion of dining on a boat without the seasickness.
Their seafood-focused Italian menu showcases local bounty—Peconic Bay scallops when in season and locally harvested oysters year-round. The linguine with clam sauce contains so many fresh clams you’ll wonder if there are any left in the bay. Unlike pretentious Hamptons spots further south, Porto Bello maintains a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The owner often circulates between tables, sharing stories about Greenport’s fishing heritage or recommending local wineries to visit. Come during the harbor’s weekly boat races for dinner and a show.
10. Lundy’s: Revived Brooklyn Legend In Sheepshead Bay

“My grandmother waited tables here during the 1950s,” I overheard a diner telling his companions at Lundy’s, underscoring this Sheepshead Bay landmark’s deep Brooklyn roots. The massive Spanish Colonial building once housed the world’s largest restaurant, serving 2,800 diners at once during its mid-century heyday. After decades of closure and a 1990s revival, today’s Lundy’s maintains the historical bones while updating the menu beyond its famous shore dinner.
The biscuits—served warm with every meal—remain unchanged from the original recipe that had FDR requesting them special delivery to the White House. The wraparound porch offers views of the fishing boats coming and going from the bay, many supplying the restaurant’s daily catch. Their clam chowder (New England style, despite the Brooklyn location) achieves the perfect consistency—neither too thin nor gloppy—with tender clams and just enough bacon to enhance without overwhelming.