Cecconi's

- 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Introduction / Overview: A Taste of Venetian Elegance on the Brooklyn Waterfront

Cecconi's DUMBO brings a touch of global sophistication and classic Northern Italian dining to the heart of Brooklyn's picturesque waterfront. Housed within the historic Empire Stores—a beautifully converted Civil War-era coffee warehouse—this upscale Italian restaurant is the first New York City outpost of a brand that began in London's Mayfair in 1978 and now boasts locations across the globe. Cecconi's is a modern-day classic, known for delivering high-end cuisine in a dynamic, chic setting.

Operating under the umbrella of the Soho House brand, Cecconi's has successfully blended its international jet-setter appeal with the industrial-chic aesthetic of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). The interior showcases the building’s original bones, featuring exposed wooden beams, raw brick walls, and high ceilings, all softened by elegant, Venetian-inspired details like velvet seating, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and the brand's signature mosaic tile floor. The result is an atmosphere that is at once upscale, cozy, and trendy.

This location is celebrated for being an ideal spot for any occasion, whether it’s a romantic anniversary dinner—where guests can be seated at tables facing the mesmerizing Manhattan skyline—a lively group dinner, or simply a midday stop for an aperitivo. The restaurant offers a high-quality, authentic Italian experience centered around fresh ingredients and time-honored dishes.

Location and Accessibility

Cecconi's is perfectly positioned at 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA, right on the East River in Brooklyn Bridge Park. This unparalleled waterfront location provides stunning, panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan Bridge. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of the Empire Stores complex, making it a prominent and easily recognizable landmark in the DUMBO neighborhood.

The setting itself is a major draw, offering a beautiful outdoor patio and terrace where guests can dine, drink, and take in the iconic sights of New York Harbor. Given its popularity as a destination for both Groups and Tourists, securing a table can sometimes involve a wait, especially during peak dining hours.

Accessibility is well-addressed for all patrons:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible restroom
• Wheelchair accessible seating

For parking, DUMBO offers a variety of options, including Free street parking, Paid parking garage, Paid parking lot, and Paid street parking. Its location also makes it easily reachable via various subway lines (A/C, F) and the NYC Ferry.

Services Offered

Cecconi's DUMBO operates seven days a week, providing a range of dining and beverage services to cater to various needs throughout the day.

• All-Day Dining: The restaurant is open for Lunch, Dinner, and provides late-night food options. The menu is structured around classic Northern Italian dishes, including Cicchetti (Italian tapas), house-made pasta, and wood-fired selections.
• Weekend Brunch Feast: A highly popular weekend offering that includes classic Italian and American brunch staples, from Croissants and Ricotta hotcakes to Eggs benedict variations and brunch-specific wood-oven pizzas.
• Beverage Program: Known for a Great wine list featuring selections from across the globe, especially Italy. The bar also offers Great cocktails, including eight variations on the Negroni, Beer, and Happy hour drinks.
• Event Spaces: The restaurant features a Private dining room and can accommodate large groups for special events, with a max capacity of up to 110 seated guests or 250 for a standing reception.
• Service Options: Patrons can enjoy Dine-in at the main dining room, eat at the large Bar onsite, or utilize Outdoor seating on the terrace. Delivery and Takeout are also available.
• Reservations Policy: Reservations are required or highly recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner, as the restaurant often experiences a wait, especially for a window table. Note that, based on customer experience, the restaurant strictly adheres to a policy of not seating a party until the whole group is present.

Features / Highlights

Cecconi's stands out in the competitive NYC dining scene by offering a spectacular combination of environment, food quality, and cosmopolitan energy.

• Iconic View Dining: The primary highlight is the breathtaking waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Dining on the terrace or near the large windows on the East River provides an unparalleled NYC experience.
• Wood-Fired Oven Focus: A central feature is the visible wooden hearth oven, which is integral to the menu, producing superb wood-oven pizzas and other char-grilled dishes, adding a dynamic and authentic element to the atmosphere.
• Signature Italian Small Plates (Cicchetti): The menu excels with its selection of Venetian-style small plates, or Cicchetti, such as the widely praised Whipped ricotta, truffle honey, crostini and the popular Zucchini fritti.
• High-End Ingredients and Technique: The cuisine focuses on high-quality ingredients with a commitment to fresh, hand-made pasta and dishes that feature Healthy options and Vegetarian options. Customers consistently praise the quality and flavor profile of the pasta dishes.
• Atmosphere and Crowd: The ambiance is described as Romantic, Trendy, and Upscale, successfully appealing to both Groups celebrating special occasions and Tourists seeking an iconic NYC spot, as well as those opting for Solo dining at the vibrant bar.
• Dessert Excellence: The dessert offerings are noted as a Great dessert highlight, with the Profiteroles & sea salt caramel gelato and Tiramisu being crowd-pleasers.

Contact Information

For reservations and inquiries at this beautiful Brooklyn eatery:

• Address: 55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
• Phone: (718) 650-3900

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Cecconi's DUMBO is choosing a dining experience where luxury, setting, and classic Italian comfort food converge. It is the perfect venue when a stunning, memorable backdrop is a priority, alongside reliable, high-quality cooking.

What is worth choosing on the menu are the dishes that reflect the restaurant’s strengths: its commitment to classic preparation and its celebrated small plates.

• To Start (Cicchetti/Appetizers): Do not skip the small plates. The Whipped ricotta, truffle honey, crostini is a unanimous favorite, praised for its rich, balanced flavors. For a fresh and refined appetizer, the Ahi tuna tartare, avocado, chili, mint is prepared tableside and noted for its freshness and clean acidity. The traditional Meatballs are also a popular item.
• Pasta and Pizza: Patrons consistently highlight the wood-fired pizzas and hand-made pasta. The classic Buffalo mozzarella, tomato, basil pizza is a strong choice, but for an indulgent treat, the Bucatini cacio e pepe, black truffle or the Spaghetti, Maine lobster, chili exemplify the upscale nature of the menu. The Rigatoni Bolognese is a comforting, well-executed staple.
• Brunch Specialties: If visiting on the weekend, the Ricotta hotcakes with blueberry compote are a must-try item that customers rave about. They offer a simple, delicious start to your day with a spectacular view.
• The Atmosphere: Above all, choose the view. It is worth calling ahead or booking well in advance to request one of the prime tables facing the East River and the Manhattan skyline, especially for a special occasion like an anniversary. The attentiveness of staff, as highlighted by one patron who received the "best table" for their anniversary, can elevate the entire experience.

While some patrons note the pricing is high for the portion sizes, the consensus is that the overall vibe, cocktail program, and world-class scenery make Cecconi's a worthwhile and consistently amazing dining destination in Brooklyn.

Cecconi's

55 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA