River Cafe

"The River Café opened in June of 1977 in a forgotten and abandoned neighborhood by the Brooklyn docks – desolate except for trucks waiting to enter the piers. When Michael O’Keeffe first “found” this spot, it was barren and devoid of life. To him, this small strategic piece of chaotic waterfront was special – lacking any civility, but with wonderful possibilities. This was the oasis that he had been searching for.

It took twelve years of beseeching the City before approval was granted in 1974. The City was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Some of New York’s most important business executives and government officials advised Mr. O’Keeffe that building on the Brooklyn waterfront was extremely risky, exposed to peril, and destined to fail. Every bank in New York turned him down. Despite all this, the restaurant opened and was an immediate success.

The River Café has always strived for perfection. The intent from the beginning was to prepare and serve some of the world’s finest food, with professional service, in a warm, beautiful and exciting, yet relaxed atmosphere. We only work with the very best ingredients.

The most desired goal in building a great restaurant is to place it in the most beautiful setting possible – to provide the surroundings so that the customer is transported for the time to a wonderful, beautiful, peaceful and very special place. We work very hard to provide this.

The River Café draws more New Yorkers and visitors into Brooklyn than any entity since the heyday of Coney Island. It has been the location of many major films, hundreds of commercials and countless television shows. It has hosted many of the most famous – from within government and business to celebrity and royalty from around the world.