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Cecconi’s
Cecconi’s
Gary He/Eater

Where to Eat and Drink in Dumbo

Locally sourced American cuisine and dreamy waterfront views are abundant

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Cecconi’s
| Gary He/Eater

DUMBO, once the little Brooklyn neighborhood that could, has become one of the city’s dreamiest locales, and not just for Instagram. Tourism, luxury lofts, and tech startups in the area have brought a wealth of top-notch dining options around the clock, from smart and fast-casual to hushed and romantic. Here’s a list of the 19 noteworthy restaurants worth visiting Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

Note: This is an updated version of a map originally published in 2018.

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The Osprey

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The all-day restaurant on the ground floor of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers a view of the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River behind it. The American food leans toward comforting sandwiches at breakfast and lunch and more refined fare at night, such as steak tartare and roasted branzino.

The Osprey
The Osprey
The Osprey [Official Photo]

The River Café

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This Michelin-starred, romantic restaurant tucked under the Brooklyn Bridge has been serving imaginative American food with gorgeous views for 40 years. It’s a setting worthy of celebratory dinners — proposals, anniversaries, weddings, etc. The best spot in the house is at one of the window tables, where one can enjoy wagyu steak tartare and roasted rabbit while the sun sets.

Ample Hills Creamery

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Popular ice cream chain Ample Hills recently opened an outpost at the Fulton Ferry Landing inside Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s a historic spot that used to be a fireboat station, and the shop’s second floor was converted to a museum, opening later summer 2019. New flavors are on tap, like one with cinnamon, chocolate doughnut, and coffee cake crumble inspired by Walt Whitman’s favorite breakfast items.

Ample Hills Ample Hills [Official Photo]

Shake Shack

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This outpost of Danny Meyer’s world-conquering burger chain is an essential addition to the neighborhood. The Shackburger is a New York classic at this point, but the unapologetically indulgent should opt for the Shack Stack, composed of two beef patties and fried portobello mushroom oozing with cheese. Enjoy the meal over at Brooklyn Bridge Park across the street when it’s nice out.

A Shake Shack burger in paper wrapping rests on top of crinkly fries.
Shake Shack
Nick Solares/Eater

Juliana's

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Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and getting pizza is a New York tradition that holds up. Juliana’s, from the legendary pizza-maker Patsy Grimaldi, opened next to his former Grimaldi’s, which he sold over a decade ago. Order the Margherita-style thin-crust pie, with beautifully bright tomato sauce and just the right amount of cheese. Competitor Grimaldi’s sits a few doors away, though the restaurant was recently purchased by a big Arizona chain. Lines are a given at either location, so come prepared to wait.

Gran Eléctrica

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The stylish Gran Eléctrica specializes in gourmet twists on Mexican street food, including the exceptional beer-battered cod and carnitas tacos on hand-pressed tortillas, which come two to an order. An elegant outdoor space is lovely for lingering.

Gran Eléctrica
Gran Eléctrica
Gran Eléctrica [Official Photo]

Smile to Go

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This casual counter-service spot comes from the team behind popular Soho cafe the Smile. Here, it’s a to-go operation inside Shinola at the Empire Stores, serving tasty baked goods and sandwiches. The move is to grab a snack and enjoy it out by the water.

Smile to Go Smile to Go [Official Photo]

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

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Hit Miami restaurant Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill has taken over 11,000 square feet for chef Timon Balloo’s eclectic food that pulls influence from Asia, the Caribbean, and more. Food and drink served in the very colorful, somewhat clubby space include a raw bar, sushi, wood-fired meats, and a slew of rum cocktails. The huge space also means it’s ideal for group dining.

Time Out Market New York

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The new Time Out Market food hall has brought a ton of stellar food options to this area of Brooklyn, from Thai favorite Fish Cheeks and popular pizzeria Juliana’s to babka gem Breads Bakery and pancake hit Clinton St. Baking Co. It’s a 21,000-square-foot market on two floors within the Empire Stores, including 17 stalls, two full bars, and communal seating on the ground floor. Up on the fifth, there’s another bar and rooftop overlooking the East River.

Time Out Market New York Nicole Fara Silver/Time Out Market [Official Photo]

Cecconi's

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The Italian chain, from the owner of Soho House, serves classic, rustic dishes in a luxe setting right by the water. Come summer, there’s nowhere better to sip a cocktail than on Cecconi’s outdoor patio.

Cecconi’s Gary He/Eater

Almondine Bakery

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Almondine, opened in 2004, has become renowned for its delicately made, classic French breads and pastries. The $14 lunch special available from noon to 3 p.m. offers a heaping platter of food, including a half-sandwich, soup, salad, and cookie or macaroon.

Atrium DUMBO

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This industrial-chic wine destination excels in both drink and food: It’s home to a celebrated wine list and modern American dishes including roasted chicken for two, wild halibut with crab, and a Pat LaFrieda burger, plus seafood towers and oysters from the raw bar.

Atrium Dumbo Atrium Dumbo [Official Photo]

Westville Dumbo

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With locations across the city, including this Dumbo one, the cafe serves unpretentious, sensibly sourced American staples in a casual setting. Highlights include plump corn on the cob topped with cotija cheese and burgers served on fluffy Portuguese muffins.

Westville Westville [Official Photo]

AlMar — a straightforward and casual neighborhood Italian trattoria — has been around since 2011 just a couple of blocks away from the waterfront. Expect a selection of salumi and cheeses, as well as a robust selection of pastas such as tagliatelle with wild board ragu and rigatoni with eggplant and aged ricotta salata. It’s particularly popular for brunch, which has a deconstructed “egg in a cloud” where baked yolks are set inside whipped egg whites.

AlMar Dumbo AlMar [Official Photo]

Bluestone Lane

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Inspired by the coffee culture of Melbourne, Australia, Bluestone has outposts across NYC and beyond. Its sleek, modern DUMBO location is a full-service cafe specializing in daytimes bites from the more healthful like avocado toast to the somewhat less so, including a rich, overstuffed bacon and egg roll with house-made chutney and aioli on a brioche bun.

Bluestone Lane’s turmeric latte
Bluestone Lane
Bluestone Lane [Official Photo]

Celestine

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The stunning view at Celestine, with floor-to-ceiling windows ideally situated in front of the Manhattan skyline, could make even a mediocre date go magically right. Upscale Mediterranean dishes like hummus with pickled vegetables and grilled swordfish come along with the view. Outdoor seating is ideal in warmer months.

An indoor dining room offers views of a city skyline, waterfront, and bridge overhead through floor-to-ceiling windows Gary He/Eater

Superfine

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This Mediterranean bar and restaurant turns into a hip meeting spot after work hours with the help of live music. Mediterranean bites like pizzetta, grilled calamari, and polenta with vegetable ragout suit the convivial atmosphere, and well-executed cocktails do a fine job washing them down and getting a party started.

Superfine Superfine [Official Photo]

Bread & Spread

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Staying true to its name, Bread & Spread sticks to a limited yet savvily creative menu of made-to-order sandwiches. The star is the porchetta, with its fatty pork meat and aged provolone tucked into a ciabatta and lightened with arugula, red pepper spread, and pickled red onion.

Bread & Spread Bread & Spread [Official Photo]

Vinegar Hill House

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Long beloved in the micro neighborhood-within-a-neighborhood it’s named after, Vinegar Hill House serves simply prepared and thoughtfully sourced New American fare, like a crisp, moist cast iron chicken with shallots and sherry vinegar jus. The cozy, woody space helps make it the kind of restaurant to return to several times a week. The same team opened VHH Foods, a daytime cafe with pastries, sandwiches, and other takeout-friendly bites, now located within the West Elm store on Main Street.

Vinegar hill house Vinegar Hill House [Official Photo]

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The Osprey

The all-day restaurant on the ground floor of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers a view of the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River behind it. The American food leans toward comforting sandwiches at breakfast and lunch and more refined fare at night, such as steak tartare and roasted branzino.

The Osprey
The Osprey
The Osprey [Official Photo]

The River Café

This Michelin-starred, romantic restaurant tucked under the Brooklyn Bridge has been serving imaginative American food with gorgeous views for 40 years. It’s a setting worthy of celebratory dinners — proposals, anniversaries, weddings, etc. The best spot in the house is at one of the window tables, where one can enjoy wagyu steak tartare and roasted rabbit while the sun sets.

Ample Hills Creamery

Popular ice cream chain Ample Hills recently opened an outpost at the Fulton Ferry Landing inside Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s a historic spot that used to be a fireboat station, and the shop’s second floor was converted to a museum, opening later summer 2019. New flavors are on tap, like one with cinnamon, chocolate doughnut, and coffee cake crumble inspired by Walt Whitman’s favorite breakfast items.

Ample Hills Ample Hills [Official Photo]

Shake Shack

This outpost of Danny Meyer’s world-conquering burger chain is an essential addition to the neighborhood. The Shackburger is a New York classic at this point, but the unapologetically indulgent should opt for the Shack Stack, composed of two beef patties and fried portobello mushroom oozing with cheese. Enjoy the meal over at Brooklyn Bridge Park across the street when it’s nice out.

A Shake Shack burger in paper wrapping rests on top of crinkly fries.
Shake Shack
Nick Solares/Eater

Juliana's

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and getting pizza is a New York tradition that holds up. Juliana’s, from the legendary pizza-maker Patsy Grimaldi, opened next to his former Grimaldi’s, which he sold over a decade ago. Order the Margherita-style thin-crust pie, with beautifully bright tomato sauce and just the right amount of cheese. Competitor Grimaldi’s sits a few doors away, though the restaurant was recently purchased by a big Arizona chain. Lines are a given at either location, so come prepared to wait.

Gran Eléctrica

The stylish Gran Eléctrica specializes in gourmet twists on Mexican street food, including the exceptional beer-battered cod and carnitas tacos on hand-pressed tortillas, which come two to an order. An elegant outdoor space is lovely for lingering.

Gran Eléctrica
Gran Eléctrica
Gran Eléctrica [Official Photo]

Smile to Go

This casual counter-service spot comes from the team behind popular Soho cafe the Smile. Here, it’s a to-go operation inside Shinola at the Empire Stores, serving tasty baked goods and sandwiches. The move is to grab a snack and enjoy it out by the water.

Smile to Go Smile to Go [Official Photo]

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

Hit Miami restaurant Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill has taken over 11,000 square feet for chef Timon Balloo’s eclectic food that pulls influence from Asia, the Caribbean, and more. Food and drink served in the very colorful, somewhat clubby space include a raw bar, sushi, wood-fired meats, and a slew of rum cocktails. The huge space also means it’s ideal for group dining.

Time Out Market New York

The new Time Out Market food hall has brought a ton of stellar food options to this area of Brooklyn, from Thai favorite Fish Cheeks and popular pizzeria Juliana’s to babka gem Breads Bakery and pancake hit Clinton St. Baking Co. It’s a 21,000-square-foot market on two floors within the Empire Stores, including 17 stalls, two full bars, and communal seating on the ground floor. Up on the fifth, there’s another bar and rooftop overlooking the East River.

Time Out Market New York Nicole Fara Silver/Time Out Market [Official Photo]

Cecconi's

The Italian chain, from the owner of Soho House, serves classic, rustic dishes in a luxe setting right by the water. Come summer, there’s nowhere better to sip a cocktail than on Cecconi’s outdoor patio.

Cecconi’s Gary He/Eater

Almondine Bakery

Almondine, opened in 2004, has become renowned for its delicately made, classic French breads and pastries. The $14 lunch special available from noon to 3 p.m. offers a heaping platter of food, including a half-sandwich, soup, salad, and cookie or macaroon.

Atrium DUMBO

This industrial-chic wine destination excels in both drink and food: It’s home to a celebrated wine list and modern American dishes including roasted chicken for two, wild halibut with crab, and a Pat LaFrieda burger, plus seafood towers and oysters from the raw bar.

Atrium Dumbo Atrium Dumbo [Official Photo]

Westville Dumbo

With locations across the city, including this Dumbo one, the cafe serves unpretentious, sensibly sourced American staples in a casual setting. Highlights include plump corn on the cob topped with cotija cheese and burgers served on fluffy Portuguese muffins.

Westville Westville [Official Photo]

AlMar

AlMar — a straightforward and casual neighborhood Italian trattoria — has been around since 2011 just a couple of blocks away from the waterfront. Expect a selection of salumi and cheeses, as well as a robust selection of pastas such as tagliatelle with wild board ragu and rigatoni with eggplant and aged ricotta salata. It’s particularly popular for brunch, which has a deconstructed “egg in a cloud” where baked yolks are set inside whipped egg whites.

AlMar Dumbo AlMar [Official Photo]

Bluestone Lane

Inspired by the coffee culture of Melbourne, Australia, Bluestone has outposts across NYC and beyond. Its sleek, modern DUMBO location is a full-service cafe specializing in daytimes bites from the more healthful like avocado toast to the somewhat less so, including a rich, overstuffed bacon and egg roll with house-made chutney and aioli on a brioche bun.

Bluestone Lane’s turmeric latte
Bluestone Lane
Bluestone Lane [Official Photo]

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Celestine

The stunning view at Celestine, with floor-to-ceiling windows ideally situated in front of the Manhattan skyline, could make even a mediocre date go magically right. Upscale Mediterranean dishes like hummus with pickled vegetables and grilled swordfish come along with the view. Outdoor seating is ideal in warmer months.

An indoor dining room offers views of a city skyline, waterfront, and bridge overhead through floor-to-ceiling windows Gary He/Eater

Superfine

This Mediterranean bar and restaurant turns into a hip meeting spot after work hours with the help of live music. Mediterranean bites like pizzetta, grilled calamari, and polenta with vegetable ragout suit the convivial atmosphere, and well-executed cocktails do a fine job washing them down and getting a party started.

Superfine Superfine [Official Photo]

Bread & Spread

Staying true to its name, Bread & Spread sticks to a limited yet savvily creative menu of made-to-order sandwiches. The star is the porchetta, with its fatty pork meat and aged provolone tucked into a ciabatta and lightened with arugula, red pepper spread, and pickled red onion.

Bread & Spread Bread & Spread [Official Photo]

Vinegar Hill House

Long beloved in the micro neighborhood-within-a-neighborhood it’s named after, Vinegar Hill House serves simply prepared and thoughtfully sourced New American fare, like a crisp, moist cast iron chicken with shallots and sherry vinegar jus. The cozy, woody space helps make it the kind of restaurant to return to several times a week. The same team opened VHH Foods, a daytime cafe with pastries, sandwiches, and other takeout-friendly bites, now located within the West Elm store on Main Street.

Vinegar hill house Vinegar Hill House [Official Photo]

Related Maps