River Cafe

I went here for an anniversary and I must say I fell in love all over again. This sweet place is tucked right under the Brooklyn Bridge. Even someone with not one romantic bone in their body will be romanced by The River Cafe. People were complaining about pricing however this is not your everyday dining. Service was attentive, food was fantastic and the view was breathtaking! Pros: Ambience, Service, Food, Parking more

We went to River Cafe with great excitement in order for a drink and a look at the skyline by night .The lady at the door met us with a big smile and we were seated in no time at a great location in the restaurant. But then it stopped, and we mean STOPPED! We had to wait for fifteen minutes before the waiter came close enough in order to make it possible for us to ask for service. We then had to wait another ten minutes before reciving two glasses of champagne. Since the minimum charge is $25 we were lucky enough to get attention and order a second drink. We then decided to ask for the check at the same time we received our drinks. After finishing the drinks and waiting yet another fifteen minutes we got the attention by the waiter, who apparently had forgotten about the bill. No excuses, no comments or even a smile from the waiter. The view is great, but you can view it for free from the park next door. Pros: Great view Cons: No service available, expensive more

Just took my girlfriend here for her birthday. I had read a couple of reviews on here complaining about the service so i was a little apprehensive about dining here but there were so many great reviews I figured I should give it a try. After dining there myself, all I can say is, WOW. The service was impeccable and the food was fabulous. From the moment we sat down to the end of the dinner there was always someone seeing if we needed anything or if we were doing ok. And it wasn't a nagging, overbearing type of service. They were attentive and treated us like we were royalty. I had the Yellowish Tuna and my gf had the steak. Both were delicious. I'm not a big fish person but the Yellowfin was to die for. For apps we got the seared tuna and tomato, eggplant, and mozzerella salad. Both were amazing. I just can't say enough about this restaurant. I highly recommend the River Cafe and will definitely be back sooner than later more

yes, it's a lovely spot, but the food doesn't warrant the prices. new york city is full of amazing food at much better pricing structures. yes, the view is lovely, but one can have the same view from the park next door and still have cash in your wallet. within the last year the management established a $25 minimum (per person) to sit on the deck and enjoy a glass of wine or appetizer. For $25 per person you can have an entire meal at numerous nearby restaurants and then stroll down to Fulton Ferry Landing and enjoy an ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. River Cafe - get over yourself! Pros: view Cons: $25 per person minimum outdoor seating - what a rip-off more

Just went to a brunch this Sunday. In a nutshell: over-rated, appetizer portions more like tasting portions; entree portions like appetizer portions, everything but the water and bread extra cost. At $55 prix fixe for an appetizer and entree (no dessert included) plus gratuity and tax, would have expected more. Had a short ribs and filet mignon entree. Short ribs were 4 one half inch square ""chips"" buried in 1/3 cup of mashed potatoes!! Filet was about 2x3 inches, maybe four ounces on the outside. And had to pay a $5 surcharge per person for this selection! Nothing like adding insult to injury....... Other observations..... Martini : $12. Small glass of house wine: $10. Desserts start at $10. COFFEE IS $6 A CUP!!!! $6 a cup and served in an expresso cup!!!..are you kidding me?!?\r All in all the ambience and view not worth the price which, even by New York standards. is wwaaaaaaaayyyyyy over priced. My advice: eat elsewhere, then stroll on the pier next to this place. Same view, and you won't come away hungry and broke!!!! Pros: View of financial district and South Street Sea Port Cons: Ludicrously expensive, minute portions, limited selection, most expensive coffee I have every had in a restaurant!!. more

My husband and I went to the River Cafe twice in the past year. The first was for an incredible wedding in the private room and the second for our 1st wedding anniversary. Both times our expectations were surpassed! The view is absolutely breath taking, the staff was excellent and the food was amazing! We had the tasting menu and it was exceptional. I can not believe some of the reviews. I will admit there is a bit of snobbery in the air..but it wasn't from the staff, it was from the patrons. (Half of which were foreign tourists). We had such a fantastic, romantic, and memorable time. We will definitely be back on our next special occasion. It should be known that men must wear jackets, it's very old school, and don't expect to spend less then $150 a person for food and drinks. There are two options, Prix Fixe at $95 where you choose an appetizer and entree or Tasting Menu $115 for 6 courses!!! ALL AMAZING!!! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!! Pros: Words can not describe the view, food, and service! more

Nikusha, quietstorm and joni davis (reviews below) are absolutely correct: the staff treatment of customers here is inexcusable. We were four young professionals on a Tuesday night, and I only refrained from walking out to avoid upsetting our London guests (one of whose birthday it was). I swallowed my initial skepticism about the dress code, and went with it. But when at the table I began to perspire and hung my jacket on the back of my chair (button-down shirt and necktie still on) the maitre d' rushed over and told me I had to put it back on. I mentioned the heat problem and he responded by ""diplomatically"" threatening to remove us from our window table if I did not comply. God knows how they would treat someone from a non-Western culture.\r \r Other disappointments were that our waiter did not remember who was drinking what; that we had to ask for a wine menu; and that we received no advice from the sommelier. Even the young women at the host station (entirely men working on the floor!) toed the line of pretence by refusing to provide an elderly patron with a water taxi schedule. Moreover, the bartender made our mint juleps sloppily (and, frankly, wrongly) and did not offer to replace them when I complained. I can suspend my food snobbery at the right kind of place, but this is NOT that kind of place.\r \r The food is intelligently prepared (if heartless) and the setting lovely. But ultimately the view was a superficial backdrop against which the staff played a series of insulting games. The River Cafe belongs in Brooklyn as much as Red Lobster does in Manhattan: it is a bridge-and-tunnel outpost whose petty pretences resonate with any of a thousand exclusive American suburbs (I grew up in one and moved to New York to get away from it). If you enjoy toeing the line on gender and class stereotyping then you'll do just fine here. If not, it will be a very expensive mistake. I would have been masochistic to feel any pleasure from the $750 I spent there. Pros: Physical setting and food. Cons: Staff attitude and subpar service. more

If you are considering going here, the first thing you need to do is get over the price. It is very expensive. The mandatory 3-course price fixe is $95 per person, excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity. If you can't stomach paying that much for a special meal -- as some of the previous reviewers clearly cannot -- then you should take your business elsewhere. If you can forget about the price, you are in for a very nice evening. I went here on a Friday night in January 2008, and we were able to get an 8:30 reservation on relatively short notice. The service was friendly and attentive. The food was really great: I started with the tasty buffalo tar tar, and my girlfriend got the special appetizer consisting of three tasting plates -- all three were delicious and unique. All of the appetizer portions were pretty large. For the main course, we both got the special: lobster tail gently sitting in the shell, on a bed of lightly curried spinach. OMG. The lobster was so sweet and yummy, I am still dreaming about it a week later. Somehow they made even the spinach the most delicious thing, too. Both desserts were quite good, too. We left full and happy. It probably doesn't need repeating, but the views of Manhattan are stunning. Also, the restaurant provides free valet parking. Pros: wonderful food, great views, romantic setting Cons: expensive more

Right from the start, you should know that at this place you'll be paying for the view. Location, location, location is everything, but....... I can't recall ever eating in a place witha better view than the River Cafe, which is breathtaking at its worse, and the jacket requirement didnt sit well with me either, but other than that, perfection and excellence are the words to be used to describe everything. Valet parking with over the top polite attendants, great hostess and coatcheck personel, servers, etc. One thing that needs clarifying here is the prices. Everything is included, which was properly explained after we were seated. I do think that places like these should warn customers BEFORE they come in. The least you should expect to pay, is $140 per person, and that isnt affordable by many. Portions are very French (small and decorated), but very well prepared, and delicious. Let me be clear here: The perfect place to show off, or to try to impress someone. People on a normal budget, should avoid this place. When a meal for 2 costs as much as your mortgage, there is a problem there. The kind of place you'll never forget. You'll always remember the view, the good service, the excellent food, and the incredible prices. Pros: View, valet parking, service Cons: Prices, jacket requirement, prices more

very pretty but, i had to wait for my table at their tiny bar, i felt like i was in the line at friendly s., they finally seated us and i didn't get one individual waiter, they basically broke the service down on about three or four people. \r \r it took forever to get another drink, and for the money i spent, im sorry they should have been so much more attentive, i really wasn't impressed at all. the food was ok, i have had better steaks at applebees at battery park city.\r \r i think you really need to go to this place on a off hour, don't go on a saturday night, its too crowded and the waiters really don't give you service, im not slamming the place, if you have money to burn, and you want to impress go, but dont go on the weekends Pros: view of the city, very pretty place Cons: super expensive and you dont get your moneys worth on a saturday night. more

It was on the trump side of living and eating. This is what you have to pay for looking at at great view of the city. The food was ok nothing great. The drinks were good but once again I am going to have to date Bill gates in order to come here often. Pros: THE VIEW Cons: PRICES more

My wife and I were feeling spontaneous one recent Sunday evening and while strolling through DUMBO we came across the River Cafe. The dining room was booked and I was a little under dressed so we opted for some lighter fare in the out door seating area. Our server went out of her way to serve us the three course Prix Fixe menu, something I guess is not very usual outside. She explained in delicious details our chosen plates, and every made sure our experience was wonderful the whole way through. \r \r The trout and lobster were wonderful and my desert(a salty and sweet caramel and coffee concoction) was a tasty surprise. My wife had the famous 'bridge' and although it was artistic and dramatic, it tasted less exciting than it's reputation would lead you to believe. \r \r I reccommend the cafe's outdoor seating area if you are interested in a small meal or desert. I am certainy glad that I inquired about the three course menu and looking back it was a much more intimate and peaceful dinner than I think we would have had in the larger, fully booked dining room. Pros: Service, Atmosphere, desert Cons: A little expensive, some dishes lacked excitement for such a famous establishment more

HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! HORRIBLE AND RUDE SERVICE. THIS WAS A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION AND I WANTED TO CELEBRATE IN AN UPSCALE RESTAURANT. MY EVENING WAS RUINED BY APPALLING TREATMENT OF STAFF, WHO SEEM TO ACT AS IF YOU ARE COMING THERE TO PANHANDLE, AND ACTING AS IF THEY ARE DOING YOU A HUGE FAVOR BY SERVING. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE FOOD WAS NOTHING SPECIAL, IF NOT JUST BAD AND TERRIBLY OVERPRICED. IT IS NOT WORTH IT FOR THE VIEW. THIS IS NO WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS. Pros: VIEW Cons: EVERYTHING ELSE more

I decided to treat myself spa day and brunch at River Cafe. I went alone, I was seated quickly, it was down hill from there however. To this day I am not sure who my server was, I had to ask for a menu (Isn't this standard service), then I had to almost beg for a cup of coffee. After a while I would just get the bus boy's attention and make my requests. I had the trout as an appetizer and pancakes for the main meal. I know they are reknowned for fabulous food, perhaps I should have gotten something more complex, however it is beyond me how one can ruin pancakes. It is a brunch staple across the nation, and this one was sweet, yet salty, it's as if the chef slipped with the baking soda. I did not bother complaining, who would I complain to, at that point I just wanted to pay the bill, take it as a lesson learned and exit. My advice save your money, Front Street Cafe which is just up the block has better service and food unless you would like to pay for the ambiance! Pros: View and surrounding Cons: Service/Food more

My husband and I both got great new jobs on the same day and in our excitement, decided to celebrate that very day. We walked up to the door of the River Cafe grinning from ear to ear and those grins faded immediately as the hostess turned up her nose at us immediately.\r \r First she said there were no tables as we looked out over an almost empty restaurant. It was early and there was plenty of time for us to enjoy dinner before the dinner crowd got there. She agreed to that and then handed us a menu and said, ""maybe it would be a good idea for you to look at this before we seat you."" \r \r That is when I realized she didn't think we could afford the prices. I'm not sure how she came about that decision as we were both dressed well, having just come from job interviews. I was insulted and handed her back the menu and said that wouldn't be necessary because I was no longer interested in dining in their restaurant.\r \r We have eaten at some of the best restaurants in New York and they can all certainly be pricey, but this is the first time I have been so rudely snubbed. Friends of mine have since told me that this is a well known fact for the River Cafe and we have certainly learned this first hand. \r \r We ended up going to Les Halles and re-captured the excitement of our celebratory evening. None of our newly aquired dollars will ever make into the register of this snotty restaurant.\r more

This is our favorite place to go for a special occation. Hands down the best place for romance, the food is outstanding, and the view is superb! Pros: View and food Cons: price but worth it! more

I have only been once before, about 3 years ago, and they must have gotten a new chef because this time the food was a billion times better than I experienced last time. Every single bite was amazing, from appetizers to dessert. The ambience is incredible, the service excellent. The views are so beautiful. This place is pricey but is worth it. Go there for your next special occasion. You will not be disappointed. Beautiful flowers on display when you enter in the spring -- it's like a garden floating on the river!! Pros: top notch food & service, beautiful view Cons: expensive but worth it more

We spent a romantic evening in the River Cafe in Brooklyn right under the bridge. With excellent view and service Pros: Excellent Place, Romantic and Best NYC View more

although the cost can be prohibitive, River Cafe is a place where a special meal is almost guaranteed. i've eaten there about 5 times and have always felt like a star, that's how great and attentive the service was. the views are excellent and it's best during spring or autumn. had the caviar service which was nice and between the appetizer, entree and desert on the prix fixe menu, i've always left super full. they just pay such great attention to you here, its a very pleasant experience. fish and seafood selections have always been very well prepared too. if you're not a fish person it might not be worth the expense though. the non fish/seafood entrees didn't seem all that special and steak was a little bland. Pros: view..service..location Cons: price more

I've been in the food industry for a while now and I know great food when I come across it. I took my boyfriend to the River Cafe for his birthday and it was absolutely fantastic. I love tasting menus and very rarely will a restaurant let you substitute what's on the tasting menu. I love seafood and my boyfriend is a meat eater. I thought it would be impossible to alter the tasting menu but our waiter went above and beyond to let us create our own tasting menu. All I have to say is the food was FANTASTIC, the service impecable and the restaurant gorgeous. I highly recommend it to everyone. more