Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Dumbo
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Cecconi's Dumbo
A high-ceilinged, waterfront Italian dining room where hand-made pasta and pizzas share equal billing with Manhattan skyline views.
Notable Picks
8.8
Cecconi’s Dumbo is a waterfront Italian restaurant in the Empire Stores complex where dressed-up diners eat hand-made pasta and pizza under vaulted ceilings and chandeliers or on a covered patio facing the skyline. It’s more about the full scene—views, cocktails, and polished service—than chasing the best value in town.
Must-Try Dishes:
Zucchini fritti with lemon aioli, Cacio e pepe, Wood-fired pizza with seasonal toppings
What Makes it Special: A high-ceilinged, waterfront Italian dining room where hand-made pasta and pizzas share equal billing with Manhattan skyline views.
8.7
An elegant Italian eatery offering a seasonal menu with a stunning view of the Brooklyn Bridge, perfect for upscale dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Spaghetti, Chicken Milanese, Pappardelle Bolognese
What Makes it Special: The breathtaking view paired with impeccable Italian cuisine.
Luke's Lobster runs a waterfront shack in the old Smokestack Building at Brooklyn Bridge Park serving Maine-style lobster, crab and shrimp rolls with chowder and bisque. Locals and visitors line up for consistently sweet, wild-caught seafood in toasted split-top buns with one of the best bridge views in the city.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Seafood Roll Flight, New England Clam Chowder
What Makes it Special: Waterfront shack for award-winning lobster rolls and chowder under the Brooklyn Bridge.
8.6
Elephant District sits by Brooklyn Bridge Park with a Bangkok street-food–inspired menu and cocktails that make it feel like a mini night out. Signature plates like Moo Krob Krapow and Brooklyn Bridge Pad Thai lean richer and more composed than typical takeout fare, with pricing to match the waterfront location.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moo Krob Krapow, Brooklyn Bridge Pad Thai, Khao Soi Duck
What Makes it Special: Bangkok-inspired street food with serious cocktails just steps from the waterfront.
#5
Celestine
8.5
Celestine is a Mediterranean-leaning restaurant at the base of the Manhattan Bridge with wraparound windows framing the skyline and river. Its mezze, lamb, and seafood skew slightly upscale without feeling formal, making it a favorite for date nights that hinge on both flavor and views. The terrace and soft, candlelit interior tilt romantic whether you’re sharing a bottle of wine or a family-style spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal Mezze Platter, Harissa Roasted Chicken, Whole Branzino
What Makes it Special: Riverfront Mediterranean plates with dramatic bridge views and soft lighting.
Pedro’s under the Manhattan Bridge is a longtime DUMBO standby for burritos, fajitas, and strong margaritas in a loud, graffiti-covered space. On Thursdays through Saturdays the kitchen and bar stretch to midnight, making it a reliable option when most nearby spots have wound down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Chicken enchiladas, Frozen house margarita
What Makes it Special: Rowdy, colorful late-night Mexican with strong drinks and bridge-adjacent energy.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Thai Sidewalk is a DUMBO street cart near the waterfront turning out quick rice and noodle plates for office workers and visitors. It’s a pure counter-service setup, but dishes like pad see ew and a surprisingly generous lobster roll make it one of the most compelling low-cost Thai options in the ZIP.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad See Ew, Pad Thai, Lobster Roll
What Makes it Special: A waterfront-adjacent Thai cart serving legit stir-fries and an overstuffed lobster roll.
Worthy Picks
#8
Brooklyn BBQ
7.6
Brooklyn BBQ sits off Cadman Plaza serving platters of smoked brisket, ribs, chicken and wings with classic sides. Locals treat it as a straightforward neighborhood spot for big-format barbecue plates and pitchers rather than a destination smokehouse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Three-meat combo plate, Brisket panini, Sticky or Hennessy wings
What Makes it Special: Casual Brooklyn Heights smokehouse with full platters and a beer-friendly setup.