A neighborhood favorite. My husband and I had this place on our list for a while. It was super nice out so many people were sitting outside. We decided to sit inside as it was a bit chillier than expected (all COVID protocols are being followed). FYI they don't take reservations. The service was a bit slow and inattentive as there was only one person hosting/taking orders/serving, but we understand right now most places are going through tough times. We have been making a conscious effort to support our local businesses so decided to finally try River Deli. We shared the stuffed zucchini and each one ordered a pasta dish. The zucchini was delicious, the cheese on top was a bit much for my taste but I loved the filling. Carbonara is not an easy one to get right. This one was good but nothing out of this world. Could have used a bit more salt. It might not had been as silky but honestly it was a tasty dish overall. Our favorite was the Malloredus Sardi alla Campidanese. Growing up in an Italian family, that brought me back to my mom's cooking when I was a kid. It was a very comforting dish and great for a Fall day. We ordered coffee to top off our meal - espresso is OK. Keep in mind they are cash only! Good experience, definitely a very pleasant atmosphere. It's a good option in the neighborhood for a nice meal. We were positively surprised by the check - 2 glasses of wine, 2 pasta dishes, zucchini, 2 espresso = around $85 before tip which is pretty good for the standard in the area. read more

See all

Sat down for outdoor dining after passing by a couple times on evening walks. The outdoor seating fills up around 7 pm so try to come by before then. Note that this place is cash only, though there is an atm inside. The pasta here is awesome - we got the pesto tuna pasta and the lasagna. Pasta tastes fresh and flavors are bold. The tiramisu is also delicious for dessert. Skip any dishes that include bread - the texture of the bread is a little chalky and the bread itself lacks flavor. read more

Had 2 different pastas for brunch. Delicious sauce. Service was good. Sat indoors-cozy atmosphere. Would go again

My husband and I love coming here! The food is always amazing. I have never left without cleaning every plate. The cocktail menu changes frequently. There's always something fun to try. To top it off, the staff is super attentive and friendly. Thank you to all the workers for making this neighborhood gem and keeping it great! read more

Food was delicious we've been attended by Andrea which we discovered to be the owner and service could not have been more on point. Definitely recommend this neighborhood gem. read more

Wow. I did not expect to fall in love with River Deli but I did and now I can't stop thinking about it. It was love at first sight when I arrived at its doorsteps. Tucked away on a discreet corner amidst four story brownstones deep in Brooklyn Heights is this charming, quaint and rustic deli turned restaurant next to the waterfront. The 10-15 minute walk down the quiet streets of Brooklyn's most expensive neighborhood filled with high ceiling brick houses you can't afford might have helped romanticize my experience. Already in awe of the exterior, I walk in and find that it gets even better. The interior is made up of small tables decorated with candles and miniature flowers, rustic wood ceilings and columns, white and green tiled floors, exposed brick walls and a large map of Sardinia hanging in a corner. I am kicking myself for not asking, but it looks like this indeed was an old deli in what seems like the early 1900's. I liked that they kept the integrity of its antiquity and it seems that a conscious effort was put forth for all pieces to maintain its original character. If this was curated by an interior designer, I am equally as impressed because I thoroughly felt that the charm was honest. Sitting on the cushioned window sill with a 180 view of the restaurant was perfect for me to take it all in. Shortly after sitting, our waitress greeted us and gave us the specials. We immediately knew what we wanted. For appetizers we ordered the small plate of cheese and cold cuts ($10). Served on a small cutting board, there was an assortment of cheeses, prosciutto and salami - it was a much bigger portion that I had expected. I wasn't a huge fan of the sharp cheeses (personal taste) but I was definitely a fan of the cold cuts. We also ordered the artichoke stuffed ravioli in pesto sauce ($16) from the specials and it was by far my favorite dish. Perfectly plump ravioli with just the right amount of pesto sauce and incredibly flavorful. And of course, we also ordered the pappardelle ai funghi ($12). The pappardelle was perfectly cooked and the mushrooms were plentiful. It is a much less flavorful than pesto, but it is equally delicious. For dessert, we had the panna cotta ($6.50) which is pre-made and stored in a fridge by the where the old deli station is. It was absolutely scrumptious! The strawberry sauce was perfectly portioned to the panna cotta. Overall, this was a perfect place for an intimate casual yet romantic dinner on a whimsical Thursday night without having to break our wallets. I couldn't have asked for more. I will absolutely be back to grab lunch, brunch and drinks here next time, especially in the summer time. I can't wait! PS - cash only!! read more

See all

Amazing little Italian restaurant in Brooklyn Heights. Perfect neighborhood atmosphere. Friendly servers. Delicious and authentic Italian food. I cannot wait to go back! I LOVED the Pappardelle Ai Funghi ($12)...and though the portions were quite decent, I could have eaten three bowls of this pasta dish! Sooooo good! Note: CASH ONLY! read more

I love River Deli. Located on a quaint corner locale in Brooklyn Heights, it is the prototypical neighborhood spot that I long to live near. The varied, delicious aromas of Sardinian cuisine waft throughout the cozy space, pairing perfectly with the soft yet lively music and to top it off, there is the welcoming and warm staff. River Deli's ambiance is comfortable and relaxed, qualities that beg a return visit, time and time again. And of course, the food. I am always delighted. The homemade pastas are always tasty and perfectly priced. I've eaten and loved all of their insalata options - always fresh and flavorful. This past visit I ate their mussels for the first time and am now sad I waited so long as they were wonderful. A large portion of perfectly cooked mussels stacked atop a savory broth (spoon for sipping provided!) It's impossible to select foolishly at River Deli as everything is good. read more

River Deli - Restaurant exterior - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I love River Deli. Delicious brunch options! I arrived with a party of three and had seating immediately. I was here around 11 am and decided to have some brunch with our friend coming from out of town. She very much enjoyed her meal as well. It was something with eggs. I came in for the Salsicce Arrosto, which are grilled italian sausages served with caramelized onions and home fries. It was very flavorful and well done. read more

River Deli - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I ate here with a party of six people the kept us waiting To set up the table for 20 minutes even though we made reservations a week in advance. The only had one serving of a special which caused tensions when ordering. The food was ordinary sometimes just barely decent. Octopus and calamari that were rubber and to top it off two of our party got sick and vomited. I am definitely not going back. read more

Great food. Fast and tasty bar. Super accessible. I enjoyed a wonderful solo night at River Deli. The pasta was deliciously al dente and the martini perfectly mixed. Just remember to bring cash because they are CASH ONLY! (They also have an ATM for those who don't know - like me!) read more

Very nice neighborhood hangout, steps from the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River. I have not yet sampled the full menu, just stopped for appetizers and drinks, but I really liked what I had. Try their vegetables and cheese board (the big one, if you are sharing). It goes well with any of their all-Italian white wine list. The bread, however, could have been better. Excellent service. read more

This was my second time in this cute place! It is located in such a beautiful neighborhood! I really enjoy this restaurant! It's small, warm and inviting! We had a reservation for 1.30 but our group managed to get together only 1 hour later. They were very cool with that. We started with Bruschetta Mista and bloody Mary's. Both were fantastic! Their Bloodies are very very tasty! I also had an omelette which was very tasty. Other dishes (burger, lasagna and hanger steak) were also delicious. Desertwise, we got the chocolate mousse and the tiramisu - tasty! We had a great time! Please note, it's a cash only place but they have an awesome looking ATM. read more

See all

So shocked to read all these reviews from the haters on Yelp! River Deli is a great place for delicious food on a beautiful street. This place is always a great go to for dinner and brunch. The meals are prepared like real authentic Italians would make and the ingredients are always fresh. Daily specials are always available plus a full bar. It is cash only but they have an ATM and there's another ATM nearby in another store. It's near the pier and many parks near by. read more

River Deli - Asparagus special, spinach salad and bread. SO good. - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Giving the restaurant two stars because of a prior decent experience, but our experience today was a bit surreal. We were not attended to upon walking in until we pulled a server aside after multiple staff had walked by us without a word. Our server took a very long time to get to our table, forgot multiple items we had ordered, did not apologize, and needed to be reminded a few times to bring the food/drinks out. I understand mistakes, but the lack of politeness / accommodations given their error, or a simple apology made this a negative experience during Mother's Day weekend. read more

Sunday brunch. We eat here regularly. Cash only. You can walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park in 7 minutes from this restaurant. read more

See all

My mother and I stumbled upon this place by mistake, and I'm happy we did. It was cozy inside, and the food was lovely. The menu is composed of traditional Italian fare as well as some Sardinian specialties (there is also a map of Sardinia on the wall!) We had the pappardelle al funghi and bruschetta, and both it was delicious. Their coffee is of good quality too. I'm not too sure I'd go out of my way to go again, but I would absolutely go back if I was in the area. read more

See all

v cute comfortable neighborhood restaurant. def a total and complete miss for brunch. def for a relaxed italian dinner.

River Deli is a decent neighborhood bistro but I was disappointed. Its cute and romantic with a nice wait staff and great prices but the food was basic. My husband and I started with the bruschetta which was probably the best dish of the night. It had 4 slices of bread, one with tomato and melted mozz, another with pancetta, one with a grilled eggplant and then another with just tomatoes. Its a great sharing dish For entrees, I had the much touted Pappardelle Al Funghi pasta which was tasty but ar from existential. My husband had the short pasta which had a nice red sauce but was a little on the bland side. We'll give it one more try because we live in the neighborhood. Hopefully it won't disappoint again. read more

Note: This establishment is CASH ONLY. River deli. a nice place for having a romantic by the candle light dinner Ordered the appetizer of the day which was Grilled Asparagus in besciamella sauce. The asparagus was grilled well but the sauce lacked a the punch of cloves and onion. For main course ordered Pagello in white wine sauce with red peppers and served with spinach and potatoes. The potatoes were flavoured with rosemary the fish was presented in a soupy concoction of chopped red peppers and too watery for how I prefer, the flavours were diluted and non impressive. I have had better tasting food at this establishment but this combination was a dud. SCORE Flavour: 2 Presentation:4 Authenticity: 3 Portions: 2 Cleanliness: 5 Speed of Service: 3 Value for Money: 2 read more

River Deli - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Stopped by to meet a friend for an afternoon drink on a picturesque fall Sunday. Was greeted by a friendly host and was impressed by the charming quaint space. My friend and I had drinks/ food at the bar. Was slightly befuddled that we couldn't order prosciutto even thought prosciutto bruschetta was on the menu. Overall could have been a great experience but was put off when i accidentally knocked over my wine and I realized I was charged for an extra glass when I thought I was getting a refill. Was quite keen on making this my local bc it has such a neighborhood vibe but not after I felt slighted and ripped off. read more

The whole experience was mediocre and so was the food. I went for brunch and I got the pasta that tasted like paper and the waiter had no idea what was going on. We asked him question and it was obvious he didn't know any of the answers. It's a cute spot but as a whole the my dinning experience was not worth the bland food and confused waiter. read more

Best Italian restaurant in the neighborhood! Fair prices, good portions, and everything is delicious

Cozy place. Had pani Frattau. It was delicious. It was like crape with tomato sauce and pouched eggs on top. Had a taste of carbonara, which was flavorful, little clumpy, but great al dente spaghetti. read more

River Deli - Pani Frattau - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

It's only a block or so away from Waterfront Park at Pier 5, and every time I come to enjoy the views at the park, I just cannot resist to stop at River Deli. Small, casual, homey - it's a reflection of the neighborhood, as it always been... It also carries its Italian heritage in decor and food, with map of Sardinia on the wall, small European tables, strong drinks and homemade dishes. Long sitting bench is littered with soft pillows and very comfy. Huge bay window makes for an awesome people-watching. Their drinks are strong - I tried both Boulevardier and Negroni on separate occasions, and they were excellent. Their bartender is a pro, what else can I say! Waitress was super-excited about specials, and it was contagious - I HAD to try them. Thanks goodness I did! Grilled portabello mushrooms with melted cheese, honey and olive oil on top of thin crips that closely resembled papadams, were so delicious, I was on cloud nine already (and I don't normally like cheese!). Pumpkin ravioli with pancetta, onions, mushrooms and carrots that followed were just as delectable and truly homemade, with just right al dente bite to it. Good coffee and great dessert menu. There were several desserts I wanted to try, but when I saw ricotta cheesecake - I was sold! I can never, ever resist ricotta cheesecake - I would lick that plate clean if I could - but *ahem* trying to be civil, I did pretty darn good job cleaning it all with a spoon. Great place, great service, excellent food. read more

See all

I only went here opening week for dinner. While they are still working out the kinks (read: the service was a little slow), the food is delicious and the staff is super friendly. The bar tender kept topping off our drinks because the food was taking a while. I had the Pappardelle with Mushrooms which was really good. It is a great, unpretentious neighborhood spot. read more

This place combines all elements for success: 1. very nice staff (including the owners, an Italian couple, and the French/Italian waiters) 2. very good and simple Italian food (pastas are delicious and do not hesitate to order the specials, they are well worth it and not overpriced) 3. nice and cozy set up in an old deli of Brooklyn Heights 4. a brunch menu (haven't tried yet, but friends recommended) 5. and my special: MARTINI BIANCO AND ROSSO, yes the real Italian brand, not the fake sweet vermouths Go with your beloved one, your kids, your parents, or grandparents: it's always a success. read more

My favorite restaurant in Brooklyn, I can't help to go everytime I am in NY. Southern Italian food as Italian as it can be in served in a great corner setting with big windows on the cobble stone streets of Brooklyn Heights. Ask for the right table and you'll have Freedom Tower view. Try the Malloreddus alla Campidanese, a short past with fresh sausage tomato sauce....yum! Not to miss also the Pappardelle ai Funghi and the Bruscettas! p.s.:A short walk and you are at the Hudson with a fantastic view of Manhattan. read more

Real Italian food, served up by real Italians--a husband and wife team. It reminds me very much of the food I have eaten at good restaurants in Italy. This is the antithesis of typical Brooklyn Italian-American red sauce joints (not that there's anything wrong with those). For my Brooklyn Heights peeps: if you think Noodle Pudding is good Italian food, come by this new restaurant to try something far superior. We started with the mixed bruschetta--which was amazing. Open faced sandwiches with sliced smoked meat, melted fresh mozzarella and tomato, garlic and tomato. The bread is so fresh and flavorful. My Italian restaurant litmus test--Lasagne--brought me back to sitting at a restaurant in the Piazza Navona. Sublime. My sweetie had the grilled tuna, done rare, which was delicious. The panna cotta for dessert was the best I've ever had. Ultra creamy with homemade strawberry sauce. The coffee is very good. It's a warm neighborhood setting on a quite Belgian block cobble street. On a Spring night with the doors open, there's such a nice vibe. The service needs improvement, however. It's slow and scattered. I'm chalking that up to the fact that they've only been open for a few weeks. This restaurant has become instantly popular and you'll likely need to wait about 30 minutes at high dinner hour. They don't take reservations. I'll be back often. Brooklyn Heights needs more excellent restaurants like this one. I wish them a long and successful run. read more

Great restaurant - very quaint and romantic, very Euro, excellent service, but beware - CASH ONLY! The prices are pretty reasonable for the area, but some of the specials can be expensive ($28 for a seafood stew). If you're going on a date there, stop by the ATM and grab at least $80-100. The other thing is, while the food is amazing, it's also very oil heavy and RICH. Keep this in mind as you don't want to crap your pants on the way out. The food tastes like it's been cooking all day - in a good way! The radicchio appetizer with eggplant and mushrooms is awesome, as is the burrata. We saw a lot of people eating the lasagna so I had to try it - very meat heavy sauce and very soft lasagna like it's been baking for days - very very good, but again, heavy! The pappardelle ai funghi is also nice, but super oily with meaty mushrooms and giant pieces of garlic. Aside from the food, the drinks were pretty damn good too - I had the special River Julep which was really nice. By the time we left I felt like I had just eaten 4000 calories and needed to be rolled up the hill back to my apartment. If you're not in the mood for a heavy meal, pull up a seat at the bar for drinks and maybe share a plate of pasta. read more

I hate to use the word quaint, but this place is that. I sound like my mom when I say that word... Anyways, we went to River Deli on a Friday with a group of 4 people, they took reservations on the early end (7pm). Food was simple, good Italian food. The neighborhood and restaurant itself had great atmosphere. Was a smaller split-room restaurant with thoughtfully curated decor. Interior felt very similar to Freeman's in Manhattan. Drink selection was good, cocktails were about $11. Great wine selection. Great pasta. I had the papardelle with mushrooms. Food isn't trying too hard. Appetizer we had eggplant with truffle oil. Dessert had the ricotta cheesecake and chocolate mousse. For 4 people with everyone drinking 1-2 drinks it came out to about $150. Not bad at all. Overall, food is good, ambiance is intimate. You feel a tad special sitting down here. It's surprisingly good priced for the neighborhood and popularity of the place. I'd go back. read more

The name is really a misnomer, because it's not a "deli." It is a fresh, Italian paradise in Brooklyn Heights. We stuck with the conventional fare like the bruschetta and the tagliatelle al' ragu. Then, we had the chicken cutlet and the biatecca - sounds kinda average, right? Here, it's not. So fresh, so simple and yet so good. My steak was among the best I've had, and that includes some pretty ridiculous Manhattan fare. Even the bread was perfect. It's tough to find that yummy, crusty bread outside of specialty groceries. Yes, it's cash only, but the two of us ate and drank too much and still south of $100. read more

Finally, authentic Italian food served over a simple and yet elegant atmosphere, like only Italians (not from New Jersey) can pull off. You won't find neither the family style portions, so outdated and stereotypically from the 50's, nor the fake, overrated glamor of "wanna be" Italian restaurants in NY. It's an invasion! You will find the real taste of perfect portions, for example of Pappardelle ai funghi, truly cooked al dente and served with real Italian Parmesan cheese, as well as the enthusiasm served with exquisite Sardinian discretion of the owners. The cutest couple ever. As for the waiters, they are not Sardinians, but as professional and friendly. In other words, you will find a hidden jewel bringing on your palate, a taste of Sardinia, the beautiful Island in front of Italy, now hidden in Brooklyn Heights. Go find it, but not by yourself. I saw couples dating or friends enjoying the night. With my girlfriend, I will definitely come back. p.s. I am from Rome, believe me when I say the pasta is the best in NY. read more

This is my second time at River Deli. It's a Sardinian restaurant, so of course it's close to Italian. We were there for brunch and ordered bruschetta (with meat), spaghetti, cabonara, and a special...which was described as a flatbread with tomato sauce soaked in, finished with two poached eggs. Everything was very good. The carbonara was fantastic! I would go back for that. The special was also very good. I'm glad I tried something new. Nice ambiance in this cozy, corner spot. Cash only! read more

My husband and i had a nice walk over from Boerum Hill to River Deli. I love the location; secluded. We had such a nice time and the food was delicious. The atmosphere was so relaxed and music choices were lovely (Anita O'Day, Mel Torme'--it really makes a difference). We started out with the generous meat and cheese platter and my husband had cavatelli with meat sauce (which i kept picking at) and I the grilled tuna-- which has simple and clean. I would have like some lemon and olive oil on my salad-- but we had a grilled asparagus side (with cheese) that happily filled my green quotient. I think it will be my new favorite place. The service was swift and everyone was as friendly as can be. read more

My girlfriend's sister-in-law suggested this place for dinner one night, and boy am I glad she did. First, I love the aesthetics the restaurant. I am a huge fan of anyone who takes an existing space and has the vision to transform it into something great. That is exactly what has happened with the River Deli. I am told this used to be a deli. For a while it was an abandoned store front. Now it is a wonderfully decorated space with tables and a bar. They couldn't have done a better job given the available room. This is a place I feel very comfortable dinning in. Of course, regardless of the amount of thought put into the aesthetics, its ultimately the quality of the food which matters. River Deli does not disappoint. I ordered the spinach ravioli in a white sauce, my girlfriend order the pappardelle ai funghi. Both dishes were amazing, but the pappardelle was to die for. It was seriously one of the best pasta dishes I have ever tasted. The mushroom flavor ran throughout the dish rather than just appearing like someone dumped a bunch of mushrooms on top of pasta. (Something which is a crime all too common in many Italian restaurants) My ravioli was also perfectly prepared. I loved every bite and would not hesitate to order it again. I was very impressed with everything they served. The only reason I am not giving River Deli 5 stars is that I was very disappointed with the service. Our waiter seemed as if his mind was on another planet. He couldn't keep our orders straight in his head, even though he had a pad to write them down upon. We also had ordered the bruschetta for the table, but he completely forgot to bring it and rather than admit to his mistake and apologize he instead tried to blame us and claim that we had never ordered it. This was despite the fact that he had repeated our order back to us twice when he took it, and had mentioned the bruschetta both times. Despite his screw up, the waiter never brought us the bruschetta and he didn't even comp us anything on our bill as an apology. (Any normal restaurant which cares about its customers would have allowed us to leave the place unhappy) Because the atmosphere and quality of food at River Deli was so damn good, I had actually intended to give the place 5 stars and write off the waiter's absent mindedness as being an aberration ..... perhaps he had just been having a really bad day ...... but then I checked the other reviews on yelp and saw that our experience with the wait staff was not unique. Based upon the fact others have experienced a similar lack of quality service, I have to give only 4 stars. I'll definitely be back for the food, but I hope the owners or managers of River Deli check out Yelp in the meantime, sees the commonality of complaints about its wait staff and does something about it before I return. read more

Friendly & yummy. The atmosphere is intimate with a rustic/authentic tone. There was a tiny wait for a table of three. Beware the backless window seats, especially in the winter - unless you have good posture and like a draft to the back. Each of the three pasta dishes we ordered were as comforting as something out of a nona's cucina (so I imagine). The table consensus was River Cafe over Noodle Pudding as tops neighborhood Italian spot. read more

Went here with my dad and a friend on a Monday evening around 7pm. It was busy but not crowded. The restaurant takes reservations for parties of 4 or more and is cash only. It was a very good meal and very reasonably priced. All together we got two appetizers, one salad, two entrees and three glasses of wine. The total before tip was $90. There was only one waiter and a bus boy and the service wasn't great but it was fine for us (we're pretty laid back people). The burrata was really good. My friend enjoyed her eggplant with butternut squash. The lasagna was fantastic. I liked the chicken cutlet a lot though I could see how some might find it boring. All in all I would definitely go back. I Brooklyn heights where there are few good restaurants, River Deli definitely stands out. read more

Absolutely phenomenal. Food is outstanding, staff is great. Couldn't love this place more!! The atmosphere is gorgeous and the prices are so reasonable!! Can't wait to go back!! read more

River Deli - Gorgeous! - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Food: 3 Dessert: 4 Atmosphere:5 Woof, what a relief to have a "happening," (e.g. not filled with babies, and actually busy at night) restaurant in the heart of Brooklyn Heights. Small, veramente Italiano, and cute, I love the atmosphere here. It has tables squished closely together, low lighting, a low key bar at the back. In essence, what it needs to make a good space. Service is awesome, we sat at the bar and chatted a lot with bartender and owner. We'll continue on with some other high points. The wine list is great, and reasonably priced. We had a $33 bottle of pinot noir that was smooth and bright on the nose. The dessert was also fantastic! One of the best panna cottas I've ever had. Food, however, leaves a bit to desire. We got a few apps and a pasta, and none were great, just OK. Enticed by the scent of the calamari, when I tasted it it was too fishy and its batter was kind of odd tasting in a way I can't describe...just was off and somewhat too hearty perhaps? The bruschetta, which came in four ginormous varieties, was better - but again, not great. Also, for these two things to come out, it took no less than 25-30 minutes. The 2nd visit we got olives (nomable), the pasta with ragu (the S.O. enjoyed it), and the meat lasagna, which was also OK. read more