America’s most scenic waterside restaurants wow with one-of-a-kind settings—dinner under the Brooklyn Bridge, anyone?—and offer menus as impressive as their panoramas.
Summer is the prime time to soak in sunshine on an oceanfront or lakeside deck, but features such as floor-to-ceiling windows and firepits keep these spectacular vistas on view year-round. Read on for a guide to 14 U.S. restaurants that serve exceptional water views.
Salty’s on Alki Beach – Seattle, WA
The breathtaking Puget Sound views at Salty’s deserve a toast or two, and there are plenty of ways to make that happen here. The Pacific Northwest-focused wine menu has won Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence several times over, and there are also creative cocktails. They’re all ideal for pairing with a menu that spotlights locally sourced salmon with green papaya slaw, nuoc cham vinaigrette, and pork belly rice. Want to savor the dreamy tableau even longer? Opt for the dessert course—the white chocolate mousse cake is a fan favorite.
1 Pico – Santa Monica, CA
Southern California’s coastline—visible from your table—inspires the plates at this beachfront beauty. Executive chef Sean Michael Runyon’s menu changes with the seasons, and vegetables such as delicata squash with lemon ricotta and wild honey and Monterey Brussels sprouts with agave and garlic are all sourced from local farms. While the all-star Californian lineup may rotate depending on what’s at peak freshness, the dazzling beachfront view is always in season. In the summer, the floor-to-ceiling Pacific Ocean-facing windows are flung open for an almost al fresco experience, while a roaring dining room fireplace keeps things cozy in winter.
The Coast Guard House – Narragansett, RI
One of the Ocean State’s most historic restaurants—first built as a granite perch to protect the Atlantic circa 1888—offers unrivaled Narragansett Bay views. Parts of the dining room look out onto the town beach, but the restaurant’s most sought-after seats are the bay-facing tables and Adirondack chairs on its breezy upper deck. Post up there and devour locally harvested seafood, such as Rhode Island’s signature “stuffies” (local clams filled with chorizo and red pepper) and littlenecks with linguine. If you’re looking for something land-based, get the signature beef and bacon burger topped with a sunny-side-up egg from the oldest and only working farm in Narragansett.
River Roast – Chicago, IL
There’s lots to savor at River Roast, from its succulent meats to its enticing Chicago River views. The sprawling two-floor Riverwalk venue includes an 80-seat patio that overlooks the water (plus the Loop), and diners can even hop on a Chicago Water Taxi to get there. The menu is as striking as the surroundings, featuring dramatic presentations of whole chicken, whole-roasted branzino, and slow-roasted beef, all carved tableside. A strong local beer lineup and killer craft cocktails—the Vacation Spritz, made with tequila, passion fruit liqueur, pineapple, and prosecco, is especially transportive—make River Roast one of the most coveted waterside hangouts in the city.
Sierra Mar – Post Ranch Inn – Big Sur, CA
There’s no angling for the optimal view of the Pacific Ocean here—they’re all great, thanks to tiered-floor construction. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the jagged cliffs afford wide-open vistas—and often, whale-watching—for diners who’ve snagged one of the few prix-fixe dinner reservations available to non-hotel guests. In the evening, executive chef Hoon Kang’s Californian multi-course feast includes dishes inspired by the chef’s on-site garden and what’s locally foraged from the nearby coastline and mountains (there’s also a family-style lunch menu). Both go well with a bottle from Sierra Mar’s 3,000-bottle-plus cellar—it’s won the Wine Spectator Grand Award annually for more than a decade.
Boathouse at Breach Inlet – Isle of Palms, SC
Spectacular sunset views bring crowds to “the crow’s nest,” aka the rooftop bar at this scenic Southern spot. Its popular screened-in porch is warmed by the balmy ocean breeze—and cooled by fans in the summer. The Boathouse’s rustic interiors, which feature century-old rowboats dangling from the ceiling, are also worth a visit. Seafood stars prominently on the menu, including butter-poached lobster tails, steak and crab cakes, and daily fresh-catch specials. If you’re just here for drinks, get the fried seafood platters (shrimp, oysters, flounder, or a heaping plate of all three), which were made for dunking in housemade coleslaw with blue cheese.
BARCA Wine Bar & Pier – Alexandria, VA
This Catalonian hotspot is modeled after Spain’s renowned beach bars. Potomac River views and a solid happy hour (read: $6 sangrias) add to its unique coastal-accented charm, along with a shipping container facade. BARCA’s generous outdoor dining setup features 200 seats spread across tables, a bar, and a lounge area, all covered by retractable awnings. No matter where you sit, you can’t go wrong with sangria and the jamón Serrano croquettes drizzled with Aleppo-orange honey. Or come for a shipyard brunch on weekends, which includes Iberian classics such as egg montaditos (open-faced sandwiches) on Portuguese muffins.
Ciclo – Austin, TX
Richard Sandoval’s Latin-inspired stunner at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin boasts more than just an acclaimed chef at its helm. Ciclo also stands out for its idyllic patio, complete with Lady Bird Lake views framed by stately oak trees. Dig into an al fresco New American meal of cast-iron chicken with cilantro-mezcal au jus or birria raviolo. Ciclo’s Saturday brunch menu, which includes killer huevos rancheros, and the prolific Sunday brunch buffet also draw crowds. Walk off your decadent feast on the green lawns—you’ll be hard-pressed to score a more peaceful waterside setting in Austin.
Legal Sea Foods – Harborside – Boston, MA
Boston is renowned for its seafood, so it’s fitting that one of the restaurants with the most iconic waterside views serves up a whole lot of fresh catch. Each of the three floors is a different dining experience at Legal Sea Foods’ flagship location. The third-floor promenade deck includes an all-weather rooftop lounge and bar with retractable glass walls and a roof. In the cooler months, the space is lit with flames from a copper-clad fireplace. Outside patios include the West Deck with lounge seating overlooking Boston Fish Pier, one of the many loved spaces at this treasured city mainstay.
River Cafe – New York, NY
Whether you’re a native New Yorker or new to the city, River Café serves up awe-inspiring views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge, this MICHELIN-starred hideaway has served elegant American plates—complete with caviar service—since 1977. Must-orders include a many-layered Brooklyn Bridge chocolate mousse that’s a social media favorite. Toast the Big Apple with a cardamom-spiced green apple martini, or opt for a glass from the top-notch wine list.
Maritime Parc – Jersey City, NJ
Swoon over the Hudson River—and Manhattan’s signature skyscrapers—from the balconies, stone patio, and bar windows at Maritime Parc. The sleek New American spot is a New Jersey resident (just under a ten-minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan) but rewards diners with an unbeatable perspective of NYC, plus postcard-perfect views of the Statue of Liberty. Chef-owner Chris Siversen’s inventive seafood mains, such as glazed sea bass with tea-poached mushrooms and swordfish with beer broth, pair well with the shimmering cityscape. Sunday brunch is also heavy on ocean-inspired dishes, including fish and chips, grilled oysters, and hearty lobster mac and cheese.
Plumeria Beach House – Honolulu, HI
This secluded ocean-facing stunner in the 50th state attracts seafood lovers and curry fanatics for its legendary buffets, including a Thursday noodle bar at lunch and dinner. Acclaimed executive chef Jonathan Mizukami, a Hawaii local, spotlights island ingredients and bounty from the sea in a casual setting where sundresses and shorts are the norm. Feel the ocean breeze inside, thanks to open-air construction, or outside on the terrace with an umbrella drink in hand.
Amara at Paraiso – Miami, FL
This restaurant from Miami native and James Beard Award-winner Michael Schwartz is one of the city’s most romantic perches. In fact, there’s a decent chance that those who score a table here will see a proposal or two. With unbeatable Biscayne Bay views, Amara often hosts those who want to marry beautiful settings with extra-special moments. Fittingly, there are plenty of rotating meals for two here, including whole-grilled fish and barbecue platters, that burst with Schwartz’s signature bold Latin American flavors.
Harborview Restaurant & Bar – San Francisco, CA
Meet one of San Francisco’s best selfie spots: Harborview Restaurant & Bar is a swanky banquet-friendly restaurant with a 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace that features glimpses of the landmark clock tower at the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero. Diners also adore Harborview for its superb Cantonese classics, including some of the city’s best dim sum (siu mai, baked barbecue pork buns, and black truffle Peking duck sliders), plus an equally delicious San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge panorama.
Carley Thornell-Wade is a Boston-based food, travel, and technology writer who’s been to more than 70 countries and delighted in tasting the regional delicacies of each.
