Waterside Eatery on the UWS: Pier i Cafe

Pier i Cafe is a seasonal, open-air restaurant located in Riverside Park South at West 70th Street. Operating from late April through mid-October, this neighborhood fixture sits directly on the Hudson River waterfront. It functions as a casual dining space for local residents, runners, and cyclists traveling along the Hudson River Greenway.

The Setup and Layout

The cafe operates entirely outdoors below the elevated sections of the West Side Highway. Seating consists of tables equipped with canvas umbrellas for shade. Because there is no indoor dining area, the operations are entirely weather-dependent. If there is heavy rain or high wind, the cafe closes for the day.

All seating is strictly first-come, first-served. During peak hours—specifically weekend afternoons and weekday evenings around sunset—finding an empty table requires waiting near the seating perimeter for departing guests. The layout faces west, providing unobstructed views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey skyline.

Pier 1 Cafe utilizes a fast-casual, self-service format

1. Ordering: Customers stand in a central queue to place food and drink orders at one of the registers.
2. Paging: The cashier provides a electronic, vibrating pager once payment is complete.
3. Pickup: When the kitchen completes the order, the pager vibrates, and customers retrieve their trays from a central pick-up window.

Menu Breakdowns & Pricing

The kitchen splits its operational hours into two distinct menu phases: an early morning espresso service and an all-day grill and seafood menu.

Morning Espresso Bar (Daily, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM)

The morning shift targets early commuters, park joggers, and dog walkers. The focus centers on coffee drinks, fresh pastries, and simple hot breakfast items:

• Pastries: Croissants (plain, almond, or chocolate) and seasonal fruit scones cost $5.50.
• Breakfast Burrito: Includes two scrambled eggs, green hatch chilis, cheddar cheese, and french fries wrapped in a flour tortilla for $12.00.
• Avocado Toast: Features smashed avocado and spicy salsa macha served over toasted sourdough Puglia bread for $9.00.
• B.E.C.: A standard bacon, scrambled egg, and cheese combination served on a toasted brioche roll for $10.00.

Day & Evening Menu (Daily, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM)

The kitchen switches over at 11:30 AM to a menu focused heavily on classic American summer food and New England style seafood:

• Seafood Options: The signature item is the Cape Cod style lobster roll. Other options include fried fish and chips (fried in a thin batter), crispy calamari, and mahi-mahi tacos topped with house sauce.
• From the Grill: Standard options include 8-ounce sirloin burgers, black bean veggie burgers, and marinated grilled chicken sandwiches, all served with a side of seasoned french fries.
• Kids’ Menu: Simplified, smaller portions are available for families, including a plain hot dog for $6.00 and a grilled cheese sandwich on white bread for $10.00.
• The Outdoor Bar: The liquor license allows for an expansive beverage program. Options include their signature frozen blueberry lemonade, traditional margaritas, red sangria, and a rotating selection of local craft beers on tap.

Logistical Access

The cafe is located at West 70th Street along the water, but accessing it requires using specific park entry points due to the highway barriers.

• Subway Route: Take the 1, 2, or 3 trains to the 72nd Street Station. Walk west along West 72nd Street until you reach Riverside Boulevard. Walk south two blocks to West 68th Street.
• Park Entry: The primary pedestrian entrance is at West 68th Street and Riverside Boulevard. This point features a wide paved ramp and a set of stairs leading directly down into Riverside Park South. Follow the asphalt path west toward the river until you hit the green umbrellas.
• Bike Paths: Cyclists can access the cafe directly from the Hudson River Greenway path. There are dedicated bike racks positioned next to the cafe fencing to lock up equipment while dining.
• Facilities: The public restroom facility directly adjacent to the cafe was recently overhauled under a partnership between the city parks department and the cafe operator.