River Deli

such a cute neighborhood spot - feels tucked away and locals feel in the best way. come for drinks on the patio and stay for dinner. the food is good, not mind-blowing, but the service is lovely and makes up for it. perfect for a relaxed night out. great wine list and outdoor vibe. got the calamari, mushroom pasta, zucchini and hugo spritz.

We had a beautiful dinner here, super unique restaurant and location, especially at night. The vegan eggplant, mushroom and squash dish was excellent, and everyone enjoyed their meals, highly recommend!

Very authentic, Southern Italy restaurant. My friends have been numerous times for lunch and dinner, but we stopped by on a Sunday for brunch/lunch. Awesome dessert options too! Very much like a small restaurant you would find in Italy. Carbonara made authentically with raw egg! Lasagna is 💯. Trofie is such an underrated pasta. Pane Frattau is straight from Sardinia. Outdoor seating! yay! Cash only, but worth it. (ATM on premises bc there is not one nearby!)

Cute cozy corner spot. Took advantage of sitting outdoors while the weather’s still nice. Waited about 20 min on a Friday night, which didn’t seem too bad. Lasagna was really flavorful and filling, fennel salad was a bit of a miss for us, tiramisu was delicious. Cash only.

lovely little Italian spot in Brooklyn heights. Great food, staff is nice, and ambience is perfect. Perfect spot for a casual weeknight dinner with some friends. Chocolate mousse and lasagna were delish!! So was the mint basil gin cocktail

We had a wonderful Sunday brunch outside. The Bloody Mary’s were perfect and the steak & eggs hit the spot. The menu has an Italian flair and we will be back for pasta soon . Great Italian wine list too 🇮🇹🥂 grazie mille Henry , Jose & West.

Good food, solid taste. I really liked the fluffy cheesecake and the pasta sauce. The octopus flavor was subdued by the seasoning, and the fennel salad barely had a few shavings of fennel. I loved the decor. Even the table in a dark corner at the back of the room was pleasant to sit at.

great local neighborhood vibes, down to earth service, good music, great pasta

River Deli is restaurant located in a very nice, quiet neighborhood in Brooklyn Heights. Like most restaurants in that area, they serve Italian food. The food is not cheap, but is quite good. The ambiance is nice, casual, with indoor and outdoor seating. We ate outside one evening and had a wonderful time. The staff was friendly, accommodating and provided good service. I really don't have anything bad to say about this place except that they only accept cash. I generally try to avoid frequenting business that only accept cash. I realize there may be legitimate reasons for a business to do this but I find it is inconvenient. Otherwise, they are a good restaurant. if it were not for the cash only policy, I would give them four stars.

Spaghetti with a Side of Disappointment: A Lunch to Forget I visited for lunch with my daughter, and overall, the experience was disappointing. The server was just okay at best. Upon noticing that the restaurant was cash-only, I was told they would accept Venmo or Zelle, which was fine. We ordered the spaghetti, asking for it without pancetta since I'm a vegetarian. The server said he'd check, and when he came back, he mentioned, "I guess they can do it, but only this one time." I replied, "That's fine, we're only here this one time." When the dish arrived, the food was good, but there were pieces of pancetta in the pasta despite my request. I politely placed them in the center of my plate once I finished. When the bill came, the server quickly moved on to the next table without much interaction. I asked if the number on the bill was the Venmo number, and he loudly announced to the other staff, "SHE'S PAYING IN VENMO," after which another staff member brought over a poorly laminated sheet for me to copy the payment details. After I paid, the server asked for confirmation of the payment and then asked where we were from. When I said "Seattle," he said nothing in response. I can't help but feel that because we were the only Black family (my daughter is 3 years old) in the restaurant, we received such poor service. The area is diverse, so I'm unsure of the reason, but it didn't feel welcoming. We were only in the area to check out the donut shop on the same block and thought we'd grab a quick lunch. We definitely won't be coming back, and I doubt we'll be missed. To any travelers who may relate to my experience, I advise spending your money elsewhere.

I'm willing to admit that maybe I just don't like Sardinian food (though that feels like a forgiving stretch) but the food here is just so....not good :( by that I don't mean it's bad, but just that it is never that great. Borders on so so. Is simply fine. And that's okay but it's made especially disappointing by how great of a space and vibe they have going on!! A great place to grab a drink & maybe (?) an appetizer, and the service is nice. Just disappointing food. But no one (neither my friends nor, by the looks of it, fellow Yelp reviewers) agrees with me, thus my original concession - maybe it's just not my taste. And jokes on me because I keep coming back. But had to get it off my chest PS the ragu is very strong on the cinnamon/orange and it's disorienting. Just FYI. Those flavor notes are not to be overlooked when ordering (this is something my friends do agree with me on, after learning the hard way not listening to me..)

food was delicious (in the moment, we'll get to that later) and service was great... I did however get food poisoning from the branzino, which I should've realized in the moment was very undercooked :(

River Deli is the cutest little Italian restaurant tucked away on a quiet street in Brooklyn Heights. They specialize in Sardinian cuisine. Everything was quite delicious. Sadly, our experience was tainted at the end of the meal after a rude encounter with one of the staff there. He yelled at me when I took my camera out and kicked me out of the restaurant.

This is the sweetest little Italian restaurant in Brooklyn heights. The ambiance is old school and homey. They dishes are my favorite part, it's dishes my grandmother would have served meals on. I got the branzino special and it was DELIGHTFUL. The fish was cooked perfectly. The capers added this salty goodness to the dish, I would've licked the plate had I been at home. My husband had the lasagna and my son had the mushroom pasta. Both of these dishes were delicious and well executed. I got the strawberry cocktail and that was beautifully done. I definitely recommend this place. A little hidden gem in the middle of the heights. Don't forget to bring cash as it is a cash only establishment.

Super cute pasta place near the water ! Very cute vibes and oh it's cash only! Calamari - 10/10 Loved it! The sauce was amazing and fried well! Pappardelle ai Funghi - 8/10 The pasta was soooo fresh and delicious. The texture was amazing. The mushrooms were also amazing ! The sauce was on the lighter side so there was not too much / heavy. I would've liked a bit more flavor or cheese but the pasta itself was just so good! Not pictured: Tiramisu ! - 9/10 It was delicious!!! very filling and can be shared with two! Not too heavy and has more coffee flavor than cream !!

Such a cute spot within an old deli right by the water! My friend lives in the area and had talked about how much she loves River Deli, so we came here together for dinner and I was not disappointed! All of the dishes we ordered were so tasty! They are on the smaller side when compared to general American restaurant portion sizes, but they are also not as expensive. We ordered the burrata, trofie with pesto, and spinach ravioli followed by the chocolate mousse. It was all so fresh and delicious! We ordered a bottle of wine as well. The service was a good balance of checking up on you without being overbearing, which was nice. It is cash only and they don't take reservations for tables of less than four people I believe. It's a super small establishment, so account for getting there early or waiting a bit. Overall, beautiful location, good food, and good bang for your buck!

Great neighborhood spot. Cozy ambiance, but the food has never blown me away. Service is solid.

Such a spectacular local gem. Vegetarian options are plenty, wine is wonderful, and staff are friendly and helpful. You feel tucked away in your own little spot in Brooklyn. Will be back!

YUM! I went with my friend to this neighborhood gem for brunch and was not disappointed. I ordered the handmade pasta and it was cooked perfectly Al dente. Furthermore, the tomato sauce was multi-dimensional and tangy in the way that just ripe tomatoes on the vine taste. My whiskey sour was pungent and fresh and my friend's drink was refreshing and sparkly in all the right ways. We are already making dinner plans to try their sampling of dishes at dinner.

Had Sunday family dinner here. Shared the bruschetta Mista and had the tagliatelle al ragu' d'agnello, both of which were excellent. Had a taste of something good for dessert but forget what it was.

Cash only, but ATM inside! Dog-friendly outdoor seating. River Deli is your local neighborhood spot for tasty Italian for great vibes, and you should not expect huge portions of home-cooked style dinners or inventive dishes geared towards millennials. We've dined here once, outdoors on a lovely summer evening, and gotten takeout another time. Both times, River Deli hit the mark. My seafood linguini special and mushroom pappardelle were comforting, and the husband enjoyed his chicken cutlet and lasagna. I also thoroughly enjoyed the grilled octopus appetizer (grilled perfectly- succulent and not rubbery). They may look enticing, but I would skip the cocktails here, as they tasted pretty one-dimensional (instead, head over to Elsa or Bohemian Bar after dinner for cocktail perfection).

I recently dined at River Deli...the staff was extremely helpful explaining the regular menu and the daily special. The ambiance was pretty good, and the food was delicious. This small restaurant is no pretentious with their food. Is a simple traditional Sardegna cuisine that live up to any expectations. Cash only but they do have an ATM inside.

This place blew me away. I came here by recommendation from a friend of mine and I'm happy I did. The ambiance is really lovely and the service was very good. The food though, my god. Everything was so perfect and delicious. I had the bruschetta starter and the lasagna for my entree. There were a few different types of bruschetta, like a sampler of sorts. I loved all of them..the eggplant maybe I didn't love, but I didn't hate it. The lasagne however...I haven't tasted anything like that since I was actually in Italy. Also the drink I had two of was really good. I don't remember the name but it had strawberry and Prosecco in it. I will be coming back here several more times to try the other menu items

Delicious meal at River Deli. They consistently deliver excellent quality food based on the uncountable times I've been here. Highly recommend the ravioli, zucchini and the tiramisu if I had to pick my favourite dishes. Service is always efficient and friendly. Would note they only take cash but they have an ATM indoors but just something to keep in mind if you don't want to pay an extra atm fee. I've found they're pretty efficient and they do take walk ins - thankfully the wait has varied between 10 to 45 mins when I've generally been which is far better than many hyped up Italian restaurants which are impossible to book. Finally the area is beautiful so definitely walk around willow town while you wait for your table!

Stopped in for a drink to wait out traffic and get warm. It's toasty in here! Perfect! They don't have hot chocolate but they do have all the coffees. And cocktails. Im going for calming experiences these days, so I went with the Beehive- rye whiskey, ginger syrup, honey, lemon, St Germain. It was light and lemony. Very light. Then the bartender said wait!! I missed an ingredient! So he redid the drink and added the very important St Germain. Definitely needed it. Great drink when it was complete. The vibe of the restaurant is Italian cozy chic. Tiny wine carafes on the tables hold little bouquets and sit next to lit candles. The bench seats that line the large pane glass windows are dotted with pillows. The bar is the focal point of the dining room and it is a beauty. A weathered wood top with round wooden bar stools and purse hooks every couple of seats. The floor is checkered green and white. The kitchen is across from the bar and open. You can see all the action. There's a beautiful floral wallpaper on the back wall that reminded me of a grandma's place. The menu looks like solid Italian fare. Had I not just snacked at the vegan market up the street, I would've tried the pappardelle ai funghi. Sounds decadent! For now I'll sit out a bit of traffic and enjoy this warm spot and my beehive to the max!

Absolutely phenomenal Sardinian restaurant. The classic Sardinian pasta dishes are all that I want in life. I've been several times and eaten outside with my dog, and when I went without my dog, they actually asked where she was! Staff is very attentive, food is totally delicious. They should make the grilled octopus appetizer part of the regular menu. CASH ONLY, but there's an ATM on the premises so NBD.

I'd heard such great things about this place and have walked by it a bunch. Always loved how cozy and old fashioned it looks, like a step back in time, and feels seriously Italian. However, the food doesn't. Everyone's on here raving about the mushroom pasta but I had to have them add extra cheese to give it any flavor, and even that didn't work. The eggplant-truffle oil appetizer I also don't recommend - the oil really overpowers all the veggies. The best dish is, by far, the sausage pasta. Served in a delicious red sauce with little balls of sausage, this is so far and away the standout. Won't be coming back here, but glad I tried it. Curiosity fulfilled.

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

Customer service is not too bad. But there food is too way overpriced. They will give you regular boiled pasta with butter and they will charge you $25 for this. Guys are you crazy?) absolutely not recommended this place, if you see it just ran away)))

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

Warm atmosphere and some good cocktails that we have tried. Really overpriced for kids portion of simple buttered macaroni. Also, please, pay attention to the restroom and how sticky the door is.

Excellent old school spot in Brooklyn. The malloredus sardi alla campidanese (pasta with sausage and tomato sauce) is amazing, as is the chocolate mousse for dessert. I also got the pappardelle ai funghi, which was good, but I'd probably try something else next time. We also got the eggplant and burrata appetizers, both of which were very good, but the burrata was the standout. Not going 5 stars quite yet, but I expect to be back and I could easily be pushed in that direction.

As a BK Heights resident, River Deli is one of my favorite things about living here. It's a hidden, cozy gem right by the water. It's a beautiful spot for a date or a fun weekend brunch hang. There's a solid range of appetizers, cheeses, pasta dishes, and main courses, with classic Italian dishes as well as Sardinian specialities. The lasagna and tagliatelle are great, but my favorites have to be the ravioli and malloredus Sardi. The pasta has such an interesting shape and the sausage is a delicious addition! Cash only, but there is an ATM on site.

I spend a lot of time in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and I have literally walked by River Deli hundreds of times. So I don't understand why it's taken us so long to actually step inside, because it's easily one of the most inviting atmospheres in the neighborhood. The tables in the window are downright picturesque as the sun is setting, and it only gets better after the candles are lit. Best of all (and shockingly for Brooklyn Heights and such a beautiful spot), the food is very affordable. It didn't blow any minds at our table, but the lasagna was substantial and tasty enough at $13, and the burrata was burrata (read: creamy and delicious). The mushroom pappardelle was a bit too dry, but it all washes down well with a bottle of wine and/or a Boulevardier. Take a date here, and rejoice that you can have a romantic dinner in Brooklyn (including alcohol) for well under $100. Especially since it's cash only.

What a nice hidden gem! After getting off the ferry at Pier 6, instead of heading straight to Atlantic Ave., we headed toward the Brooklyn bridge and then a right onto this quaint tree lined street. The menu is simple and reasonably priced. We shared the steak and eggs and it was cooked to perfection and not tough. The staff is really very pleasant and everyone seemed to be happy to be here. The decor exudes the feeling of a small Italian cafe, or your Grandmother's house, right down to the bathroom. I want to return to try some of the pasta during dinner. A nice little treasure that will be a new stop when I ride the ferry to pier 6.

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.

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.

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!

Imagine my surprise when a friend recommended I try a Sardinian restaurant in New York! Being a native Sardinian I was a bit skeptical at first, but River Deli proved to be authentic with genuine flavors. We had a glass of Nieddera and dived right in the Malloreddus sardi: yummy! The ricotta cheese cake was a great way to crown our meal. The prices are very fair and the owner is really kind.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Delicious food and the space is cozy. This place is perfect for a date night, everything about it is romantic and yummy!!

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!!

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!

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.