The St. George, Staten Island Guide

Most people who take the Staten Island Ferry treat the terminal as a turnaround point. They ride over for the harbor views, snap a photo of the Statue of Liberty, and immediately board the next boat back to Manhattan. They are making a massive mistake. St. George is the civic center of Staten Island, a waterfront neighborhood built on a steep hill that feels like a coastal town dropped into New York City. The streets are lined with historic theaters, museums dedicated to maritime history, and independent restaurants that easily rival the mainland. You can eat food cooked by international grandmothers, drink beer brewed blocks away, and walk an esplanade that looks back at the downtown skyline. It is the best quick escape you can take without leaving the five boroughs, and the boat ride is completely free.

Getting There

The Staten Island Ferry

St. George · 1 Bay St · Free WebsiteMap

The big orange boats function as critical public transit, but they are also the best cheap date in the city. The ride takes 25 minutes each way and gives you a front row seat to the greatest skyline on earth. Alcohol sales are back on board in 2026, meaning you can drink a tallboy while floating past the Statue of Liberty.

Go for: the best views in New York City. Know before you go: ignore anyone trying to sell you a ticket outside the Manhattan terminal, as the ferry is entirely free.

Culture & Views

St. George Theatre

St. George · 35 Hyatt St · $$ WebsiteMap

A massive, beautifully restored 1929 theater that anchors the neighborhood. It pulls in a mix of legacy rock bands, stand-up comedians and local cultural festivals. The interior alone is worth the price of admission.

Go for: a national touring act in a room that feels like a movie set. Know before you go: the physical box office is open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 5.

National Lighthouse Museum

St. George · 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point · $ Website

This small museum occupies the 1912 foundry building of what was once the national headquarters for the United States Lighthouse Service. It is highly specific and surprisingly interesting. You will learn more about Fresnel lenses than you ever thought possible.

Go for: the collection of miniature lighthouses from around the world. Know before you go: general admission is $7, and they run historical boat tours in the warmer months.

Empire Outlets

St. George · 55 Richmond Terrace · $$ WebsiteMap

The only outlet mall in New York City sits right on the harbor. The open-air walkways are built to maximize sightlines of the skyline. The retail landscape is still shifting as the city works to rezone the waterfront, but it remains a clean, scenic place to walk around.

Go for: discounted shopping with a view of the water. Know before you go: check out the Empire Beer Garden inside for drinks while you shop.

St. George Greenmarket

St. George · St Marks Pl and Hyatt St · $

A year-round Saturday farmers market set up right by the theater parking lot. Local farms from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania bring in fresh produce, baked goods and meats.

Go for: fresh bread and seasonal vegetables. Know before you go: it runs every Saturday from early morning to mid-afternoon, rain or shine.

Where to Eat: Hyatt Street

Velocci Café

St. George · Hyatt St · $ Website

Opened in August 2026, this specialty coffee shop brings serious espresso to the hill rising from the ferry terminal. The space is sleek and dark. It is a massive upgrade for the local caffeine scene and easily ranks among the best coffee shops in New York City.

Go for: a strong morning espresso before walking the waterfront. Know before you go: seating is limited, so expect to take your drink to go.

Enoteca Maria

St. George · 27 Hyatt St · $$ WebsiteMap

This restaurant blew up globally in 2025 thanks to the hit Netflix film Nonnas, but locals have known about it for years. The kitchen is run by rotating international grandmothers who cook their own family recipes. One night might feature a nonna from Peru, while the next brings regional Italian cooking.

Go for: the daily specials, whatever the nonna on duty is making. Know before you go: reservations are heavily booked since the movie came out, so plan weeks in advance.

Giuseppe's at St. George

St. George · 5 Hyatt St · $ WebsiteMap

A reliable, no-nonsense slice shop directly across from the theater. The guys behind the counter move fast and the crust is perfectly thin. It delivers some of the best pizza slices in New York City when you need food in a hurry.

Go for: a classic cheese slice and a chicken vodka roll. Know before you go: it is the easiest, cheapest meal you can grab within a two minute walk of the ferry.

Where to Eat: Richmond Terrace

River Dock Cafe

St. George · 1 Richmond Terrace · $$ WebsiteMap

Located directly inside the ferry terminal complex, this seafood spot takes full advantage of its geography. The patio sits right on the water. You get sweeping harbor views and cold drinks without having to walk inland.

Go for: the raw bar and an afternoon cocktail. Know before you go: the outdoor seating is the draw, so save this for a clear day.

Ruddy & Dean

St. George · 44 Richmond Terrace · $$$ WebsiteMap

A classic American steakhouse right near the water. They age their own beef and pour stiff martinis. It easily holds its own against the best steakhouses in New York City, and the rooftop deck offers a direct line of sight to the Manhattan skyline.

Go for: the dry-aged ribeye or the thick, heavily charred steakhouse burger. Know before you go: it is one of the pricier options in the neighborhood, making it better for a real dinner than a casual bite.

Where to Eat & Drink: Bay Street & Beyond

Beso

St. George · 70 Bay St · $$ WebsiteMap

A dimly lit, brick-walled Spanish tapas restaurant that serves as the default date spot for the North Shore. The sangria flows heavily and the plates are meant to be shared.

Go for: the seafood ceviche and a pitcher of premium sangria. Know before you go: it is the best place to eat before catching a show at the St. George Theatre.

Pier 76

St. George · 76 Bay St · $ WebsiteMap

Run by the family behind the famous Joe and Pat's, this casual Italian spot serves the same cracker-thin Staten Island pizza style without the long wait. The menu is huge, but you are here for the pies and the massive heroes.

Go for: a spinach pie or a chicken parm hero. Know before you go: it gets crowded with locals picking up dinner on their way home from the ferry.

Cargo Cafe

St. George · 120 Bay St · $$ Map

A long-running, brightly painted pub with a relaxed, slightly chaotic energy. They serve burgers, wraps and heavy appetizers. It is the kind of neighborhood bar that every coastal town needs.

Go for: late night beers and reliable bar food. Know before you go: they frequently host live music and karaoke, so check the schedule if you want to avoid a loud room.

Flagship Brewing Co.

Tompkinsville · 40 Minthorne St · $ WebsiteMap

The first brewery to open on Staten Island in half a century. The taproom is a massive industrial space pouring fresh, hyper-local beers. They frequently host food trucks and community events in the adjacent lot. It is a required stop if you are tracking the best breweries and beer bars in New York City.

Go for: a pint of the Wolf Hound Irish Red Ale. Know before you go: they serve a massive soft pretzel that can easily feed three people.

Seppe Pizza Bar

Stapleton · 3 Navy Pier Ct · $$ Map

Located just down the waterfront promenade in the Urby complex, this modern pizza bar feels completely detached from the grit of Bay Street. They serve excellent brick-oven pies with creative toppings.

Go for: the house red pie and roasted cauliflower cacio e pepe. Know before you go: you can walk here easily from the ferry by heading south along the water.

The Shout NY take

St. George rewards people who actually walk around. Treat the ferry terminal as a starting line, not a boundary. The best food and the sharpest views are just up the hill or down the promenade.