The 17 Best Rooftop Restaurants In NYC
PLUS restaurants with a view of the skyline
For many people, New York is worth visiting because it means getting to indulge in some of the best food options in the world. For others, their first visit to the Big Apple is amazing for all of the views: the skylines, the parks, the historic buildings. To us, what makes New York so special is that happy combination of the two! New York is filled with amazing rooftop restaurants.
Whether you’re looking for great places to eat brunch with a view in NYC or to grab a drink at one of NYC’s rooftop bars, you have plenty of choices. You can even pick from among the best NYC hotels with views to make sure you fall asleep and wake up with a view, too.
To help you sort through the best rooftop restaurants in NYC, we’ve put together the following guide. In addition to that, I’ve added you some of my favorite spots that aren’t rooftops, but from which you can get a gorgeous view of the New York skyline.
The most beautiful restaurants with a view of the skyline in New York City
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01
Manhatta
French Restaurant in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
The restaurant Manhatta is one of the best restaurants in town and is perfect if you are looking for a restaurant for a special occasion. Not only is the food here at the highest level – so are you! Located on the 60th floor, it offers you a magnificent view of the city!
Price level: $$$$
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02
The View
American Restaurant in Theatre District
The View restaurant on the 48th floor is really unique: the entire platform rotates very slowly, so you can enjoy a fantastic 360° panoramic view over Manhattan. The food is tasty and served with great attention to detail on the plates. The restaurant is located in the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Price level: $$$
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03
Peak Restaurant
American Restaurant in Hudson Yards
Helmed by Executive Chef Chris Cryer (formerly Executive Chef at one of our favorite restaurants in Manhattan Seamore’s), Peak at Hudson Yards is a modern American a la carte restaurant with breathtaking views of New York City and beyond. Peak will be located at the summit of the 1,296-foot tall tower. So, the name Peak couldn’t be more accurate, right? Express elevators will take guests from the lounge to the 101st floor in a heartbeat.
The restaurant Peak sits one floor above the observation deck at Hudson Yards Edge.
Occupying the entire 101st-floor, the restaurant will encompass a 110-seat dining room, a 45-seat cocktail bar which both will be offering the south-facing view of downtown, the harbor, and sunsets. A private dining room and an event space for up to 300. Perfect for weddings, fancy dinners, your unforgettable night out in New York, or a great place to have a drink after visiting the observation deck Edge at Hudson Yards.
Price level: $$$$
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04
Bar Blondeau
Rooftop Bar in Williamsburg
Right next to the Brooklyn Brewery (our favorite beer) is the Wythe Hotel with its rooftop bar “The Ides”. From there you have a great view on the skyline of Manhattan. And: the bar is totally relaxed: no bottle service (i.e. you don’t have to take off whole bottles of champagne and co.) and no dress code make for a relaxed atmosphere.
Price level: $$$
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05
Westlight NYC
Rooftop Bar in WilliamsburgOur Highlight
The Westlight in Brooklyn is considered one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in New York – and rightly so! It belongs to The William Vale Hotel and has a rooftop bar, a lounge area, a bar and a restaurant. What distinguishes the Westlight from many other spots is the unspoilt panoramic view of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
Price level: $$$$
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06
The River Café in Brooklyn
American Restaurant in Dumbo
The River Café is a first-class restaurant that offers one of the best views of Manhattan due to its location on the East River. Predestined for a romantic candlelight dinner. If you want to eat here, you should definitely reserve a table. Preferably as early as possible. Attention dress code: It is a bit fancier and therefore at least jeans & jacket for men and elegant for women.
Price level: $$$$
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07
Robert
American Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan
At Columbus Circle, on the top floor of the Museum of Art and Design, is the great Restaurant Robert. In addition to an exquisite Thanksgiving dinner, you can enjoy the fantastic view of Central Park and Broadway and end the evening with a delicious cocktail.
Price level: $$
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08
Island Oyster
Sea Food Restaurant in Governors Island
Island Oyster is a small insider spot on Governors Island, where you can enjoy a great view of the southern tip of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Just right with a drink in your hand!
Price level: $$
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09
Saga
Rooftop Restaurant in Financial District
Saga is one of the most exclusive and best restaurants with a view in New York. If you’re lucky enough to get a table, you’ll get a sensational view of the city – no wonder, it’s located on the 63rd floor of the Art Deco 70 Pine building.
In my experience, only the Manhatta and the Peak offer similarly spectacular views from above.
Price level: $$$$$
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10
Electric Lemon
Rooftop Bar in Hudson YardsOur Highlight
On the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel in the Hudson Yards you will find the rooftop bar Electric Lemon – I myself have been here several times and am thrilled every time. The atmosphere here is very special and the view over the Hudson River at sunset is amazing.
The first area of the Electric Lemon Rooftop Bar consists of several lounge furniture and tables, then you will immediately notice the stylish outdoor bar and glass fireplace (and the view of The Vessel), which really comes into its own in the evening. Add to that a huge wire sculpture and a water basin – really nice!
The larger area with lots of comfy lounge chairs is the part where you probably spend the most time. Especially if you’ve been out on the High Line, the Electric Lemon Rooftop Bar is a really nice spot to relax. They make you pay for it, too: Cocktails cost $19.
Price level: $$$$
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11
Celestine
Italian Restaurant in Dumbo
Celestine is wonderfully located right on the East River at the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO and offers you a sensational view of the New York skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Manhattan Bridge.
If you are looking for a romantic and very special restaurant, you definitely have to check out Celestine!
Photo by Melissa Hom
Price level: $$$
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12
The Greens On The Rooftop At Pier 17
Rooftop Restaurant in Financial District
What The Greens On The Rooftop lacks in height, it makes up for in beautiful skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and East River views. Set apart from the city and much closer to the river, this is an inviting, exciting way to take in the city.
This is also another one of the best rooftop restaurants in NYC in terms of variety of food. Stop by for a snack – like their vegetable summer rolls and shrimp rolls – or for a full meal. If you’ve got space for a full-on entrée, the Crab Cake with a Sugar Snap Pea Remoulade is a lightly filling choice that pairs well with a sunset view.
Price level: $$$
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13
Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop
Rooftop Restaurant in Financial DistrictA trip to New York is an awe-inspiring experience, especially as you find yourself surrounded by buildings that stretch toward the sky in a way that few cities can match. That’s the charm and the appeal of Ampia, one of the best rooftop restaurants in NYC.
Located in the Financial District, it features lovely little greenhouses that allow for an intimate evening out even when amongst so many titans of industry.
Given the limited number, you’ll do best to reach out and reserve a greenhouse ahead of time. That effort is worth it because you’ll know you’re setting yourself up for a wonderful Italian-inspired dinner. We’re suckers for the self-named Ampia, a bright salad of Rocket Arugula and Maine Lobster with a Lemon Vinaigrette.
Price level: $$$
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14
Grand Banks
Sea Food Restaurant in TribecaOur Highlight
Water, a great view of Manhattan and a great atmosphere – the location is simply the best. You are sitting on a historic ship called F/V Sherman Zwicker on the Hudson River and can enjoy New York from the water when the weather is fine. The place also serves great drinks and seafood.
Price level: $$$
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15
Rooftop Reds
Other Attraction in DumboOur Highlight
The only problem with this beautiful view of the NYC skyline? It just happens to be interrupted by NYC’s only rooftop vineyard!
Located in Brooklyn, Rooftop Reds is actually the world’s first commercially viable urban rooftop vineyard. That means in addition to getting a wide-open view of the NYC skyline, you’re also supporting one of the most innovative wine projects in NYC.
And what would a glass of wine be without a great pairing? Rooftop Reds has this covered with a wide selection of gourmet cheeses to start the meal, then a partnership with nearby pizzeria Il Porto. If you’ve got a bold wine, pair it with Al Diavolo Pizza for a spice-forward blend.
Price level: $$
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16
The Water Club
Rooftop Restaurant in Kips Bay
Located on the East River, the restaurant scores with its prime location, relaxed rooftop bar and first class food. You can come here for brunch, dinner or just for good cocktails. And if the weather doesn’t play along, there’s a piano bar with a fireplace.
Price level: $$$
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17
Pilot Brooklyn
Sea Food Restaurant in DumboOur Highlight
As you know, we love the two-master “Grand Banks” at Piers 25 in Manhattan. The same operators now have a counterpart, the Pilot Brooklyn, at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Enjoy a sensational view of Manhattan with a drink in hand – or enjoy smaller (but delicious) seafood dishes!
Price level: $$
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