Come summer, there's nothing better than dining on the water, catching a breeze while taking in the view. Adda lobster rolland a co*cktail (we're partial to fruityones when it's hot outside) and it's pretty close to paradise, especially when the sun goes down and — if your view is of the Hudson — the lights from the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge flick on.
With all the water that surrounds the Lower Hudson Valley, it's easy to find a place that suits your needs, everything fromburgers and beertogorgeously displayedseafood towers ripe with the bounties of the sea — plus that pastel-colored drink. A sampling of waterfront spots follows.
Have a favorite we missed? Email jmuchnick@lohud.com with suggestions.
Westchester
Barley on Hudson, Tarrytown:You may never want to leave. The view's that good, and changes with the day's light.We like that the patio is expansive — about 100 seats— giving most everyone a perch worthy of a Westchester postcard. We also like the 32-foot bar.Go:236 Green St., Tarrytown, 914-418-5724
bartaco, Port Chester:Tequilas and tacos are the hallmarks of many a meal here, as is the riverside taqueria vibe. Yes, you're overlooking the Byram River, but, when you're digging into your fresh guacamole, and are being warmed by the rays of the sun, you'll feel like you're on a Mexican holiday.Go:1 Willett Ave., Port Chester, 914-937-8226, bartaco.com
Boat House, Ossining:It's not exactly riverfront, but there's a waterfront vibe at the outdoor patio, which offers views of the water and the marina. Thmenu includes burgers, salads, chicken and a terrific clam po'boy: clam strips piled high in a roll served with fries and coleslaw. Go:800 Westerly Road,Ossining. 914-923-6466, ossiningboathouse.com
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Colony Grill, Port Chester: The restaurant opensJuly 2, at 11:30 a.m. and has a back deck overlooking the Byram River. Come for the pizza — the hot oil pie is what's made them famous — but others include cheese, salad and breakfast pie. Go:35 Abendroth Ave., Port Chester,914-934-2428,colonygrill.com.
Dudley's Parkview, New Rochelle:Don't be put off by the biker bar vibe. Walk through the bar to the outdoors andit'slike you've entered a casual family-friendly clam shack. The restaurant abutsthe Polychron Marina, giving you a nice boatside water view.Just go with simple expectations in mind— burgers, beer, sandwiches and salads. And take the kids — they'll love watching the boats as well as the ducks who can often be found swimming below.Go:4 Hudson Park Road, New Rochelle, 914-235-4445
Fin & Brew, Peekskill:Say hello to seafood — think beer-steamed mussels, charred octopus and East and West Coast oysters — at this New American waterfront gem located inside the Factoria complex. The menu, designed by two Culinary of Institute of America (CIA) chefs,also includes plenty ofnon-seafood fareincluding skirt steak, grilled Colorado lamb and roast chicken, making the food as spectacular as the view. Dinner only.Go:Factoria, 5 John Walsh Blvd., Peekskill;finandbrew.com
Harvest on Hudson, Hastings:Enjoy patio dining steps away from the Hudson where organic vegetables and herbs are plucked from the restaurant's garden. Serving local has always been the mission of Harvest on Hudson, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Go: 1 River St., Hastings, 914-478-2800,harvesthudson.com
Half Moon, Dobbs Ferry:Tables are so close to the river, you could just about skip stones from them.From the wrought-iron tables and outdoor bar, you have a 180-degree view unlike any other. Signature dishes include duck tacos, Montauk calamari salad and ceviche, and the menu also has a plancha section with a mixed grill and meats like veal Porterhouse.Go:One High St., Dobbs Ferry. 914-693-4130,halfmoonhudson.com
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Hudson Farmer & the Fish, Sleepy Hollow: Fans of Purdy's Farmer & the Fishwill enjoy this waterfront edition where inventive pizzas (i.e. Bone Marrow, withoyster mushrooms, brussels and cauliflower, and Beecher's cheddar) and farm-fresh food are front and center. Among the seafood choices — because being by the water screams something briny and salty — are East and West Coast oysters, Maine mussels and Spinney Creak steamers.Go:11 River St., Sleepy Hollow;914-631-8380;farmerandthefish.com/hudson
3 Westerly, Ossining:Eat, drink and enjoy the incredible views from thisOssining property's3,500-square-foot outdoor bar, beer garden and terrace seating. The food is as beautiful as the surrounding scenery, with signature dishes such as drunken baby back ribsprepared with a sweet ginger beer and apple cider glaze, veal osso buco dumplings dressed in a black truffle porcini sauce, and a crunchy rice cake topped with tuna tartare.Go:3 Westerly Road, Ossining; 914-762-1333;3westerly.com
Patsy’s Pizzeria New Rochelle: Pizza is a big part of the menu as are other Italian specialties at Patsy's, which overlooks the New Rochelle Marina. Seating outdoors is first-come, first-serve but bonus points for this place as it has its own parking lot.Go:2 Pelham Road, New Rochelle,patsyspizzanewrochelle.com
Pier Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Rye:It's easy to feel like you're far far away here thanks the tiki bar vibe. Dine with a view of theLong Island Sound on the edge of Playland with fireworks in the distance every Friday through Aug.31. The restaurantoffers late-night eats, live music and is family-friendly, too. Throw in a lobster roll and some coconut shrimp and call it paradise. Go:1 Playland Parkway, Rye,914-967-1020,pierrestaurantandtikibar.com
Red Hat on the River, Irvington:Tucked inside the executive complex next to the Metro-North train station, this rivertownbistro of 14 years offers spectacular waterfront seating, with a view straight down to the Manhattan skyline. Grab a refreshing co*cktail at the outdoor co*cktail area or up on the roof, then head inside for a few appetizers, like the moules-frites, and remember why you chose to live in the Hudson Valley.Go:1 Bridge St., Irvington, 914-591-5888,redhatontheriver.com
Sambal, Irvington:This Thai/Malaysian restaurant from the same owners at Chutney Masala (which transitioned up Irvington's Main Street in 2016) hasan impressive rooftopdeck with views of the Hudson. Share one of their new smoking spheres, gigantic co*cktail goblets in an array of pastel colors and filled with juices, alcohol and, in some cases, fruits and gummy fish. We're big fans of the Green Lantern (green apple syrup, melon syrup, freshlime juice, pineapple juice,club soda, vodka) and theMalay Sunset (strawberries, berries, pink lemonade, lychee juice, club soda, tequila).Go:4 W.MainSt.,Irvington,914-478-2700,sambalny.com
Sunset Cove, Tarrytown:You can't get much closer to the Hudson than the waterfront patio at this popular Continental restaurant. House favorites include Chicken Scarpriello and day-boat scallops. Sunday brunch buffet offers smoked ham or turkey breast from the carving station and pancakes made just the way you like them. Go:238 Green St. (in the Washington Irving Boat Club), Tarrytown. 914-366-7889, sunsetcove.net
Rockland
Don Coqui On The Hudson, Haverstraw:This Puerto Rican-influenced restaurant, with locations in White Plains and Queens, isopen — as of June 21 — and ready for business, complete with a gorgeousview of the Hudson. The menu here is more seafood-focused than at its other spotsbut still has the same fiesta-vibe complete with housemade sangria and a host of mojitos. Go:16 Front St.,Haverstraw, 845-942-1616, doncoqui.com/onthehudson
Hudson Water Club, West Haverstraw: This fan favorite of boaters and landlocked diners is known for its huge outdoor deck overlooking the water, live music and tiki bar.The menu is diverse, everything form burgers to salads to towering seafood platters. If it rains, no worries: there's a large indoor dining area. Dock and dine available, but call ahead for availability.Go:606 Beach Road, West Haverstraw,845-271-4046,hudsonwaterclub.com
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The Reef, Piermont:This is the perfect spot forlingering sunsets, not to mention its extensiveraw bar. This modern seafood restaurant continues to woofans with its casual setting and seafood options, but it's the view, as well as its"one-buck shuck" happy hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays that has us hooked (pun intended).Go:587 Piermont Ave., Piermont; 845-359-7300;thereefpiermont.com
Putnam
JP Cunningham's, Mahopac: Basic fare with a stellar view. Burgers, salads, sandwiches and wraps seem to taste better when you're sitting outdoors overlooking Lake Mahopac.Go: 156 E.Lake Blvd., Mahopac, 845-628-9394
Four Brothers Restaurant, Mahopac:Who wouldn't want to pair a slice with a view of Lake Mahopac?Thispopular open-air dining destination offers everything but thelavello da cucinaon its lengthy menu of Italian cuisine: soups,salads, sandwiches, antipasti, pastas, pizzas, burgers, casseroles and seafood.Go:654 Route 6, Mahopac. 845-628-4404,fourbrothersmahopac.com
