Best Rooftop Restaurants in NYC

While rooftop restaurants in New York get more hype during warmer moths, many of them are enclosed and offer those spectacular views all year round. Enjoy a cocktail or two, grab some food, while gazing out into New York City skyline. Here is our Guide to the Best Rooftop Restaurants in NYC with the most magnificent ( and picture worthy) cityscapes, and good vibes.

 

1.Refinery Rooftop

 

The Refinery rooftop is located in Midtown Manhattan, inside the five star Refinery Hotel. Open 7 days a week and year-round, it is suitable for any season. The open floor setting with large industrial windows offer in incredible view to the Empire State Building, hovering high over the restaurant. The ambience here is impeccable, the vibes are fashionable and fun.

The menu allows you to choose from a variety of traditional options like: Caesar salad, Flatbreads, Guac and Chips, Burger, Lobster roll; With some boozy drinks of course. If you are coming with a large party, there is an option to get large format cocktails for $85, which serves 6 people. You can also come have brunch here Saturday & Sunday until 3:30pm.

Hours of operation ( but always double check at the venue’s website):

Opens daily at 11:30am

Sunday-Wednesday closes at 10pm, kitchen closes at 10:45pm

Thursday-Saturday closes at 12am kitchen closes at 10:45pm 

Brunch avaliable on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am to 3:00pm

Location: Refinery Hotel, 63 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018

2. Electric Lemon

 

Electric Lemon certainly has to be on our list of the Best Rooftop Restaurants in NYC. It is located in Hudson Yards on top of the Equinox Hotel, which is already incredibly convenient if you are planning to be in this super trendy area. If you are looking for a place with dramatic views and extraordinary food, look no further.

In addition to expansive views of Manhattan skyline and the Vessel, the place both inside and terrace, has some gorgeous decor. You can have your view and eat good too. Aiming to provide ‘clean, conscious cuisine that puts flavor at the forefront’, Electric Lemon serves fresh and seasonal American dishes.

*Our recommendation is to get reservations around sunset – best time to come and the sunset views are beautiful. 

Hours of operation ( but always double check at the venue’s website):

BREAKFAST
MONDAY – FRIDAY: 7:00AM – 10:30AM

DINNER
SUNDAY – THURSDAY: 5:00PM – 10:00PM
FRIDAY – SATURDAY: 5:00PM – 11:00PM

BRUNCH
SATURDAY – SUNDAY: 9:00AM – 3:00PM

Location: Equinox Hotel, 33 Hudson Yards 24th Floor, New York, NY 10001

 

3. The Roof

The Roof at the Public Hotel gives the sexy vibrant vibes with 360-degree uninterrupted panoramic views of New York City. As an Ian Schrager hotel, the jaw-dropping effect is guaranteed. They have really paid immaculate attention to every inch of the venue and this is truly one of the very Best Rooftop Restaurants in NYC. Come to the Roof for the sunset cocktails and continue in the Popular restaurant the hotel has to offer. Intake the gorgeous views, grab a drink, dance-off to the best local and international DJs.

Make a reservation or try to come early, as this hotspot naturally comes with an often frustrating door policy. Prices at The Roof are average for Manhattan, the standards are quite trendy, but the views are priceless.

 

4. Veranda

 

Veranda is a beautiful dine-under-stars, garden-like atmosphere restaurant with a retractable pergola, allowing for comfortable setting at any weather. The restaurant is located in Modernhaus SoHo Hotel and offers low-flying birds-eye views. It features an intimate lounge with several outdoor areas at different elevations.

The Food. As you may know most scenic places of New York are unfortunately lacking on the food decency. Veranda is the complete opposite. Highly acclaimed Chef George Mendes (formerly of Michelin-starred Aldea) has curated a menu that is recognizably American, with hints of India, Mexico, South America, the Middle East, and his own ancestral Portugal.

Hours of operation ( but always double check at the venue’s website):

Reservations are available from 5:30pm to 9:30pm nightly.

The kitchen closes at 10pm.

Location: Modernhaus SoHo Hotel, 23 Grand St, New York, NY 10013

5. CHALET DE NING

Chalet De Ning is the rooftop at the 23rd floor of the famous luxurious hotel Peninsula New York, right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Come here if you want to experience the classic, old-school New York luxury. Salon de Ning is a stylish rooftop bar featuring two outdoor terraces and an intimate interior bar. This bar features dramatic skyline views over Fifth Avenue.

During the colder season, the West Terrace of Salon de Ning Rooftop Bar is transformed into Chalet de Ning. This glamorous winter wonderland features two chalet-inspired domes where guests can warm up as the temperature drops. Chalet de Ning transports guests to the intimate snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps right in the heart of Manhattan. The views from here are truly magical. Enjoy a carefully crafted menu featuring specialty cocktails and seasonal dishes inspired by the Engadine region of Switzerland.

The dress code at Chalet De Ning is smart casual, as it is a luxurious and upscale venue, you should really dress for success to feel right at home. High in quality, Five-Star status, and also quite high in price.

Hours of operation ( but always double check at the venue’s website):

5:00 PM to 12AM (Tuesday to Saturday)

Location: The Peninsula Hotel, 700 5th Ave Floor 23, New York, NY 10019

 

6. Westlight

Many agree, that for the best views of Manhattan skyline, you need to be outside the island. The trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn offers such views. Less pretentious than Manhattan, but with a touch of chic. Westlight is a 22nd-floor rooftop bar from Chef Andrew Carmellini’s, on top of the Williams Vale Hotel. And it comes with the View.

The Food and Drinks. The bar program presents a dynamic menu of original and classic cocktails alongside rare spirits, craft beer and wine. The Carmellini’s food menu of small plates reflects inspiration from global street food. The food menu here only features small bites. However, if you are looking to have a full dinner, there is the southern Italian restaurant Leuca, downstairs in the same building or some nice options nearby ( like Sunday in Brooklyn or  Llama Inn).

Westlight is one of Best Rooftop Restaurants in NYC, and also a very popular choice among the best rooftops in Brooklyn. Therefore, if you want to make sure to get a table, reservations are highly recommended. Otherwise, there is space for standing out on the terrace, and with a bit of waiting you might get a table (at least on a weekday.)

Hours of operation ( but always double check at the venue’s website):

Mon – Thurs 5pm – 12am
Fri 5pm – 12am
Sat 1pm – 12am
Sun 1pm – 12am

Location: William Vale Hotel, 111 N 12th St 22nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249

 

7. Terrace on 7

Terrace on 7 is located at the five star Dominick Hotel. It is certainly one of SoHo’s most stylish rooftops. The restaurant and bar is set beautifully and can be both indoor and outdoor.

This urban oasis above the concrete jungle, features the blue Italian mosaic pool, the terrace comes with ample rooftop greenery vibes and the seating options are: comfy lounge sofas, offset cabanas and bar tables. Here you can take in the serene surroundings, delicious fare, hand-crafted cocktails, and stunning views over the Hudson River and Soho Skyline.

Terrace on 7 offers Japanese-Mexican inspired menu in both food and drinks. Master chef Nobuhrio Mori serves a delicious selection of fresh sashimi, nigiri, tataki, and nori rolls, along with lighter dishes, like the Green Tea Soba Noodles.

Hours of operation ( but always double check at the venue’s website):

11:30am – 10pm 

Location: The Dominick Hotel, 246 Spring Street
New York, NY 10013