The best rooftop restaurants in NYC for dining with a view

What is it? The Le Crocodile team's take on a rooftop bar and resto, located on the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel.

Why we love it: Bar Blondeau is kind of the place to catch the golden hour in Williamsburg. At dusk, the interior catches the light just right, setting the oak paneling and deep green booths aglow. And when the weather is nice, the outdoor terrace is just as dreamy a place to watch the sun dip over the skyline. The Le Crocodile team has made the roof even more romantic with its tight list of provisions, including oysters with apple-ginger mignonettes, smoked trout dips and classic steak frites that are easy enough to split. The long drink list has all the beer, natural wines, cocktails and all the frozens that you desire, plus more non-alcoholic options than you'll typically see elsewhere. 

Time Out tip: Snag the booth that curls right against the floor-to-ceiling windows, though any of the outdoor tables are equally clutch.

Address: 80 Wythe Ave 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat 2pm–midnight; Sun 1pm–midnight

What is it? Danny Meyer's love letter to New York comes in the form of a sleek rooftop bar in the sky. 

Why we love it: Seven years after opening, Manhatta’s downtown views from 60 stories up in the air are as lovely as ever. It presently serves a multi-course dinner (à la carte items are available at lunch), with a $115 three-course or a $145 four-course option featuring plates like black-truffle dumplings, dry-aged duck and ‎toasted rice mille-feuille.

Time Out tip: There's really no bad seat here, especially since the restaurant staff is quick to pass out pairs of binoculars so you can take in every inch of that spectacular view.

Address: 28 Liberty St, 60th floor, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–2pm; Dinner Sun–Thu 5–9:30pm, Fri, Sat 5–10:00pm

What is it? A Philly import from chef Michael Solomonov found inside The Hoxton. 

Why we love it: One of the best new restaurants of 2022 offers up abundant salatim, a variety of skewers (chicken shishlik, lamb kofta, brisket kebab) and a lovely view from high in The Hoxton, Williamsburg. Reservations are less of a headache to book now, making for an easy trip up to the roof. 

Best seat in the house: If you happen to spend the night at The Hoxton, you can skip the reservation game altogether as guests receive an abbreviated menu to their door. 

Address: 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 5–11pm; Thu–Sat 5pm–1am; Sat, Sun 11:30am–3pm

What is it? An omakase counter that takes to the sky atop the Gansevoort Meatpacking District hotel. 

Why we love it: Omakase can often spell exclusive, hidden-away affairs, where it is just you, the chef, and the quiet theater of it all. Not the case at Saishin. Meaning “something new," the restaurant located inside the Gansevoort Meatpacking District hotel shakes things up as this omakase counter is paired with rooftop views that look out onto the city beyond. But there is no competition when it comes to the sights, as executive chef Isaac Kek keeps things plenty entertaining with his 14- or 19-course menu, slicing fish and handing over freshly made nigiri. 

Time Out tip: Counter seats are nice if you want to see both the food and the skyline. But if you don't plan on going in on the omakase experience, snag the booth right on the edge of the roof and order à la carte. 

Address: 18 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 6–10pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A seafaring shack in Red Hook that overlooks the waterways of the East River. The tri-level restaurant's calling card? Shrimp, lobster tails, steampots and a cracking good time.

Why we love it: Brooklyn Crab has long been a Red Hook favorite, ten plus years running. And that's because the three-story sprawl includes, truly, a little bit of everything, from arcade games and putt-putt on the open-air ground level, oodles of seafood and all the kitsch you can handle. You can easily get cracking here as orders of steampots—with the Brooklyn crab royale feast including shrimp, dungness and crab legs—come with a handy supply kit of metal crackers, shellers and bibs so that Cajun butter doesn't get absolutely everywhere. And when your head eventually needs to come up for air, pace yourself with a few sips of one of their excellent frozens and admire Lady Liberty on the watery skyline, before diving back in. 

Time Out tip: Those who play a little hooky Monday through Friday from 3 to 6pm will be rewarded with happy hour of $10 peel and eat shrimp, $1 oysters, $10 margs and $6 beers.

Address: 24 Reed St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–11pm

What is it? Crown Shy's sister restaurant is housed 63 floors above it. 

Why we love it: Saga, near the top of 70 Pine Street's Art Deco dazzler, is very beautiful, very distinctive and very expensive. Its hours-long, tasting menu ranges from $215 to $315 per person, depending on how many courses you get, which you must pay in advance. (That is before tax, tip and drinks, natch.) But, for the most special occasions (or if you're just rich!!), it holds a unique, refreshing space among NYC's fine dining destinations, with menu items that might include five regally-plated fluke presentations, caviar, dry-aged duck and a kicky candy dish.

Time Out tip: The private balconies on the 63rd floor have stunning sightlines of the Brooklyn Bridge, but the floor-to-ceiling windows on the 62nd floor also offer excellent views.

Address: 70 Pine St, 63rd Floor, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5–9:30pm

What is it? A sky-high, "clean"-leaning restaurant that's found 24 floors up inside the Equinox Hotel.

Why we love it: A visit to Electric Lemon's outdoor terrace will certainly have you feeling electric. The sprawling, 8,000-square-foot terrace doubles as a sculpture park, with two intimidating heads sculpted by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa quietly overlooking the reflecting pools on the roof. Yet the vibe is more convivial than somber, especially with views of Hudson Yards, a rotating selection of DJs and excellent cocktails such as the beet and ginger Golden Hour and the In The Clouds drink topped with an aromatic strawberry coconut foam. 

Time Out tip: The terrace has a slightly abbreviated menu, so you may need to move inside if you are looking for a full meal. And if you do, we highly recommend the lemon spaghetti featuring pops of bottarga and a generous shower of fresh lemon zest and Parmesan.

Address: 33 Hudson Yards, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10001

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 7-10:30am, 11:30am-3pm, 5–10pm; Fri 7-10:30am, 11:30am-3pm, 5–11pm; Sat 8am–3pm, 5–11pm; Sun 8am–3pm, 5–10pm

What is it? A bi-level waterfront restaurant from the Crew group, with stellar views of the Hudson River and fresh seafood to match.

Why we love it: The Crew team kind of has the lock on making for a good time on the water, turning historic shooners into bivalve bars, Grand Banks and Pilot included. The Yacht Club follows in their stead, but this time on land, taking up some 20,000 square feet across two levels in Chelsea. The more formal dining room has blue-hued booths, nautical knick-knacks, and wraparound windows to take in the view while you slurp down oysters and skewer lobster frites dressed in luscious Creole butter. But, come summertime, the outdoor terrace with a frozen drink in hand is the place you'll want to stake your claim.

Time Out tip: An order of the Yacht Tots with steelhead roe, tater tots, crème fraîche, pickled red onion and tater tots while listening to yacht rock? There's nothing better.

Address: 212 12th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Opening hours: Daily noon–10pm

What is it? One of the few rooftops in Cobble Hill, where you can also find some delightful Mexican food.  

Why we love it: This is the one you don’t want anybody to know about. It isn’t too expensive as these things go, the drinks are strong and expertly prepared (even the frozen margaritas, which isn’t always a given) and—at just two flights up—the view of lower Manhattan is a dazzler. Try not to lean too far into the people seated in the picture window banquettes when you snap that shot, and add the arroz con queso to every order. 

Time Out tip: As far as entrees go, the short rib enchiladas and the red snapper are a must. 

Address: 187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5–9pm; Thu, Fri 5–10pm; Sat 11am–10pm Sun 11–9pm 

What is it? A hotel rooftop only mere steps away from Rockaway Beach. 

Why we love it: A lot of NYC rooftop spots boast metropolitan tableaus of some of Manhattan's most famous skyscrapers. The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel has something different to offer: a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Take in the sand and surf with snacks (raw bar items, a dip trio), clam pizza and novel cocktails. 

Given that it's located on a peninsula, both sides of the rooftop offer waterfront views—however, if you want those classic skyline views, grab an outdoor table on the side facing Beach Channel Drive.

Time Out tip: Even if the weather is less than ideal, the rooftop is year-round thanks to glass sliding panels. 

Address: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr, Queens, NY 11694

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 3–11pm 

What is it? A hospitable hotel bar and restaurant in midtown.

Why we love it: Daintree opened on the top floor of midtown’s Hotel Hendricks in 2021. The lovely "viewstaurant" has room for 180 inside and 70 more on the terrace, all in view of the Manhattan skyline and a close-up snap of the Empire State Building. The drinks list is full of cheery options like juleps and spritzes,  while marinated olives, fried-chicken sliders and kung pao cauliflower are available to snack on. 

Best seat in the house: With all that lush greenery and velvet barstools, the interiors are undoubtedly pretty at Daintree, but if you want truly mind-boggling views of the Empire State Building, snag the outdoor sofas facing south. 

Address: 25 W 38th St, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10018

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 4–10pm; Wed–Sat 4pm–midnight

What is it? A rooftop restaurant that gives you more than enough reason to visit midtown.

Why we love it: You want a candid of you and the Chrysler building in the still-recognizable distance, and you’re gonna get a candid of you and the Chrysler building in the still-recognizable distance! There’s even a cocktail named for the occasion, along with a half-dozen “martinis,” two each of low and no-ABV options, and plenty more vaguely Midtown-themed libations. Sweet and savory plates, such as Benedict takes and blueberry pancakes, are available at brunch, and small plates include steak tartare, satay, sliders, and cheese and charcuterie boards for ascending groups. 

Time Out tip: The glass retracts in the summertime when it's nice and completely encases you in the winter, making for a year-round getaway to the surprising destination of midtown. 

Address: 145 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022

Hours: Mon 5pm–midnight; Tue, Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–1am; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat noon–2am; Sun noon–11pm Brunch: Sat, Sun noon–4pm