NEWSLETTER
New York State has hundreds of options for outdoor dining with a view, from patios overlooking lakes and rivers to vineyard restaurant terraces to tables on a farm. The following restaurants with outdoor seating all have a few things in common: great food, magnificent views. Credit: @bluewatermanor on Instagram
Originally published 08/20/2020
Tavern on the Lake at Blue Water Manor (Adirondacks)
Credit: @bluewatermanor on Instagram
Few bodies of water rival Lake George for sheer beauty and this restaurant on a cliffside (pictured at top) offers one of the best views of its pristine water and stunning forest backdrop. Reserve ahead for a lakeside table and enjoy a menu filled with tasty starters (short rib nachos; jumbo crab-stuffed mushrooms), build-your-own Adirondack burgers, steak and seafood entrees, and delicious desserts. The kids' menu has the gamut of faves—pizza, pasta, chicken fingers—and there’s a full bar with signature cocktails for adults. Bolton Landing
Dinosaur BBQ (Capital-Saratoga)
This location of the popular New York barbecue chain is on a unique perch overlooking the Hudson River along the Troy Riverfront Park esplanade. Tables on the outside patio and in the spacious main dining room—which features many windows—offer expansive views of the river and of newly developed Starbuck Island. Dinosaur serves excellent pork ribs, delectable brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, and can’t-miss sides like mac and cheese and BBQ fried rice. The full bar features over 25 taps, many showcasing local and regional New York craft beers. Troy
Westwind Orchard (Catskills)
This apple orchard located down a pretty country road in the Catskills features a wide-open field featuring a dozen or so picnic tables, making it a great spot to gather with a small group of family and friends. The owners’ Italian backgrounds inform a menu filled with seasonally inspired, expertly prepared pastas, pizzas, and appetizers. To drink, the orchard’s wide variety of house-made ciders are available, as well as wine, New York craft beers and spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Accord
Social Haus at Good Nature Brewing (Central New York)
Credit: @goodnaturebrewery on Instagram
One of New York’s best food and drink trends is the rise of farmhouse breweries, and Good Nature is a great place to start exploring. The brewery’s beer menu covers most of the popular styles, so IPA fans and those who prefer less hoppy ales will have no problem finding a pint to enjoy with farm-to-table dishes from the varied menu. Start with pretzels served with a beer, bacon, and cheese sauce, then choose from sandwiches or a burger made with beef from local producers. Do the food and beer taste better because it’s served in a spacious outdoor beer garden surrounded by nature? Yes! Hamilton.
Lakehouse Tap & Grille (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Located inside the stately Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, the Lakehouse Tap & Grille features outdoor dining on its patio with sweeping views of magnificent Chautauqua Lake. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and after 5 pm focuses on fine dining, with entrees such as Miso Salmon served with bok choy, seafood scampi (lobster, shrimp, and scallops), and grilled filet mignon with a shallot-cognac demi-glace. Start with hot crab dip or fried calamari, take in the waterfront views, and enjoy a New York setting with the seaside feel of a European resort town. Celoron
Bully Hill Vineyards & Restaurant (Finger Lakes)
Credit: @hancupples on Instagram
At Bully Hill, the indoor/outdoor restaurant is part of a massive wood-framed structure with tables looking out at the vines and beautiful Keuka Lake, one of the famed Finger Lakes! The menu highlights pulled pork and brisket cooked in a smoker with locally sourced applewood, served in sandwiches, quesadillas, or on a barbecue plate with all the fixins. There are salads and other sandwiches available as well, all pairing perfectly with Bully Hill’s riesling, chardonnay, and brut champagne. Hammondsport
The Silo (Greater Niagara)
Credit: @silo_restaurant_lewiston on Instagram
Many visitors to Niagara Falls know to take the 15-minute detour up the Niagara River for a chance to savor the Original Haystack, a seasoned ribeye steak sandwich stuffed into a hoagie roll with melted mozzarella and hash browns, featured on Man v. Food. For less adventurous eaters, the menu features burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads, as well as a children’s menu with a Kids Haystack option. Right next door is the Caboose, with soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, and milkshakes. The seasonal restaurant and ice cream stand are housed in historic buildings along the river, and the Lewiston waterfront views are stunning! Lewiston
The Patio at the Roundhouse (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @roundhousebeacon on Instagram
The Patio is the casual offshoot of the Roundhouse hotel’s restaurant, with tables alongside Fishkill Creek and views of a scenic waterfall. This boutique property represents the stylish new side of Beacon while evoking its past as a mill town. Grab a Roundhouse burger or buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich, or if you’re a more adventurous eater, try the pan roasted duck breast with gingered rhubarb compote, foie gras chive spaetzle, duck jus. There’s also a weekend brunch with Lump Crab Meat Eggs Benedict, Brioche French Toast Pain Perdu, Smoked Maple Cheddar Omelet, and more. Beacon
Claudio’s (Long Island)
This North Fork institution has been serving seafood on Greenport’s waterfront for 150 years! These days, Claudio’s operates four different restaurants in the same complex, serving diners who walk, drive, or even boat in search of a bite to eat. The historic landmark and main restaurant, housed in an 1840s building, offers outdoor dining on the docks at Claudio’s Waterfront and Crabby Jerry’s, while Claudio’s Pizzeria offers takeout and delivery within Greenport village. Those who can get a table at one of the two outdoor locations, across the dock from each other, will find fresh seafood from the raw bar, lobster rolls, fried fish and clams, and more. Greenport
Seaway Grille at 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
The restaurant at this Clayton hotel features the outdoor Riverfront Patio with some of the best views in the Thousand Islands. Have a burger or lobster roll and watch classic wooden boats cruise the St. Lawrence River en route to the nearby Antique Boat Museum, then walk along the river and visit Clayton’s charming shops. Clayton
The Fulton (New York City)
Credit: @thefultonnyc on Instagram
This nod to the city’s maritime past, located on the northwest corner of Pier 17 in Seaport, features fresh, locally-caught seafood and breathtaking waterside views. Start with something from the raw bar like the Long Island Fluke Tartare or Sashimi with Spicy White Ponzu, or give entrees like the Fried Swordfish Scallopini or Spaghetti alle Vongole a try. Stop by for lunch, dinner, cocktails, or weekend brunch with views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge included! Manhattan.
The River Cafe (New York City)
Credit: @mmishkaa on Instagram
The River Cafe is the legendary fine dining establishment on the Brooklyn waterfront. The Michelin-starred restaurant features outdoor dining on its terrace with a reservations-only, three-course prix-fixe menu (for $195 per person) that features the elevated cooking that has made this a special occasion go-to for over 45 years. The mandatory suit jacket rule remains in effect! Brooklyn.
Gurney’s (Long Island)
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa in Montauk has five different dining and cocktail options that you can enjoy whether or not you are a guest of the resort. Each venue has a view of the water, with The Beach Club (pictured) being the only place in the Hamptons where you can get appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and cocktails on the beach along the ocean. Scarpetta Beach (Italian, seafood), Tillie’s (American comfort food), OG Coffee & Juice, and The Firepit make up the rest of Gurney’s impressive offerings. The Beach Club is seasonal. Montauk.
Shadows on the Hudson (Hudson Valley)
Credit: David Nieves
If you’re looking to grab a bite after strolling across Walkway Over the Hudson or visiting FDR’s home and library, watch the sunset from Shadows on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, 40 feet above the river. In warmer months, enjoy the award-winning restaurant’s porch seating with a view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. The menu includes a seafood raw bar, burgers, house-made pasta, and signature cocktails. Poughkeepsie.
The View at Mirror Lake Inn (Adirondacks)
Photo by Jim Westphalen Photography
The View is the only AAA Four-Diamond “Exceptional” restaurant in Lake Placid, which would be reason enough for a visit on its own, but it also has a spectacular vista of Mirror Lake Inn and the mountains. Even with the accolades, The View keeps a relaxed atmosphere, a feeling you can keep going with a visit to the spa afterward. The seasonal menus feature locally sourced ingredients, house-made pastas, custom cut and aged steaks, fresh fish flown in from around the world, and vegetables grown on site. Reservations required. Lake Placid.
The Sackets Boathouse (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Admire superb views of Lake Ontario from this Sackets Harbor restaurant housed in a 1940s-era boathouse. The outdoor patio is the perfect place to soak up the waterfront while you enjoy menu items like lobster penne, Thai mussels, or a black bean burger, best paired with a signature cocktail. Open April-October. Sackets Harbor.
Caroline’s at the Glen Iris Inn (Greater Niagara)
Sit on the porch of the adorable Glen Iris Inn for the ambiance of a lifetime. The view overlooks Middle Falls on the Genesee River within Letchworth State Park, and you can hear the water rushing in the background while dining. The menu includes small plates, salads, surf and turf entrees, cocktails, and desserts. There’s also a spring picnic menu for those who’d like to take lunch to go while visiting the park. Castile.
Heirloom Restaurant (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Credit: Megan Dority
This lovely dining experience is only open during Chautauqua Institution’s nine-week summer season, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy a meal here. Open to both visitors and guests of The Athenaeum Hotel, Heirloom serves up satisfying eats in a bright environment. Catch scenic glimpses of Chautauqua Lake as you savor delicious food, wine, and craft cocktails. Seasonal. Chautauqua.
The Otesaga Resort (Central New York)
Sit back and take in the sights at any one of the six dining options available at this Cooperstown resort. Situated right on Otsego Lake, there are plenty of opportunities for picturesque moments. Enjoy upscale classic American cuisine made with the freshest local ingredients and study the extensive fine wine list. The Otesaga Veranda (pictured) is the place to be while the lake shimmers in the summer sunlight. Cooperstown.
Wellington’s (Capital-Saratoga)
Attached to the Renaissance Albany Hotel in downtown Albany, Wellington’s boasts views of the spectacular New York State Capitol, known for its intricate architecture and turreted towers. Dine with a view and enjoy farm-to-table specialties and innovative cocktails. Albany.
Creekside Restaurant & Bar (Catskills)
Located on the Catskill Creek less than a mile from the Hudson River, this all-American restaurant offers fine cuisine, tasty cocktails, and live music with a view of the river. Plus, it's boat-accessible, with transient docks available in front of the restaurant. Catskill.
Top of the Falls Restaurant (Greater Niagara)
Credit: Top of the Falls Restaurant
There are so many ways to experience the wonders of Niagara Falls, whether going on a Cave of the Winds or Maid of the Mist tour or eating at Top of the Falls Restaurant just 200 feet away from the sprays. Offering American cuisine, classics like Niagara Fish & Chips, burgers, and plenty of desserts, this spot overlooks Terrapin Point on Goat Island. Seasonal, May to September. Niagara Falls.
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