If you’ve lived in Brooklyn long enough, you know the drill. You tell someone you’re going to a wedding at Giando on the Water, and they immediately do that thing where they nod knowingly. It's that "oh, the place with the view" nod. And yeah, it is the place with the view. But honestly, most people simplify this Williamsburg staple down to just a backdrop for photos, which kinda misses the whole point of why it’s still standing in 2026.
I’ve seen plenty of "waterfront" spots come and go. Usually, they're all glass and steel and overpriced small plates. Giando is... different. It’s at 400 Kent Avenue, tucked right under the Williamsburg Bridge. It feels like a time capsule that somehow kept the lights on while the rest of the neighborhood turned into a high-rise jungle.
Why Giando on the Water Still Matters in a Changing Brooklyn
There is a specific kind of old-school Brooklyn hospitality that is basically extinct. You don’t find it in the new "industrial-chic" lofts. You find it here. Giando on the Water opened back in 1986. Think about that for a second. In NYC years, that’s practically ancient. While Domino Park was being built and the waterfront was being transformed into a playground for tech bros, Anthony Prudenti and his team just kept serving pasta.
People think it’s just for weddings. It’s not. It is a full-blown Italian restaurant that’s open every day except Monday. You can literally just walk in for a $95 prix-fixe dinner. Is it cheap? No. But you’re paying for a seat that overlooks the East River with the Manhattan skyline hitting you right in the face.
Most people get wrong that Giando is just "stuck in the past." It’s not stuck; it’s preserved. The interior has these massive chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows. It looks like a set from a movie, and the staff—people like Joe Leone and Liz—have been there so long they basically know the floorboards by name.
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The Logistics Nobody Mentions
If you are actually planning an event here, you need to know the reality of the space. It isn't a "one size fits all" box.
- The Ballroom: This is on the second floor. It fits up to 400 people. If you want the "wow" factor, this is it. The windows are massive.
- The Lower Level: More intimate. It’s closer to the water, but the ceilings are lower. It feels a bit more like a private club.
- The Patio: This is the secret weapon. It’s a 7,500-square-foot outdoor space. In the summer, there’s a breeze off the river that makes you forget you’re in a city of 8 million people.
One weird quirk? Communication. In an era where everyone wants to text or DM, Giando is famously old-school. You have to call them. Seriously. A bride on Reddit recently joked that she literally couldn't email them. You want a tour? Pick up the phone. It’s (718) 387-7000. It sounds annoying until you realize that once you’re on the phone, you’re talking to a human who actually knows the calendar, not an automated bot.
What to Actually Expect from the Food
Let’s be real: "Wedding food" usually sucks. It’s a rubbery chicken breast and some sad haricots verts. Giando on the Water avoids this because it’s a restaurant first. They specialize in traditional Italian. We’re talking Penne Vodka that actually tastes like something and Grilled Salmon that hasn't been sitting under a heat lamp for three hours.
They don't do food tastings. That’s a dealbreaker for some couples, but their argument is basically: "We've been doing this since the 80s, trust us." And for the most part, people do. The portions are huge. That’s the "Old Brooklyn" coming through. You will not leave hungry.
Surviving the Waterfront Weather
The view comes with a price, and that price is the wind. If you’re doing an outdoor ceremony on the patio, your hair is going to move. A lot. I’ve seen ceremonies where the veil is practically trying to fly back to Manhattan.
The contingency plan for rain is actually decent. They move everything into the ballroom, and because of the window walls, you still get the skyline. You lose the "outdoor" feel, but you don't lose the "NYC" feel.
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The Reality of the Neighborhood
Parking is a nightmare. Don't even try to find a spot on Kent Ave on a Saturday night. Giando has a small lot, but if you're hosting 300 people, most of them are going to be fighting for space or taking an Uber.
Also, it’s right next to Domino Park now. This means if you’re taking photos outside, you might have a few tourists in the background of your shots if you wander too far from the private patio. But honestly, the private stretch of riverfront Giando owns is enough. You get the Williamsburg Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge all in one frame. It’s the "Three Bridge View" that photographers obsessed with.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're heading there, keep these things in mind:
- Call, don't click. If you want a reservation or a tour, the website is basically a digital brochure. Use the phone.
- Arrive early. Especially for sunset. The way the light hits the buildings across the water is the whole reason the place exists.
- Dress up. It’s not a "flip-flops and shorts" kind of place. Even for a casual dinner, the vibe is upscale.
- Drop-offs. If you’re hosting a wedding, they let you drop off your decor and favors the night before. This is a massive lifesaver that most Manhattan venues won't let you do.
Giando on the Water isn't trying to be the trendiest spot in Brooklyn. It’s not trying to have a "concept." It’s just a family-owned powerhouse that figured out a long time ago that if you give people good pasta and a view of the most famous skyline in the world, they’ll keep coming back for another forty years. It’s a bit loud, a bit flashy, and very Brooklyn.
Everything about the place is designed to make the city feel like it belongs to you for a few hours. Whether you're there for a $40k wedding or a $100 dinner, the view is exactly the same. And honestly? It’s still one of the best deals in the five boroughs.
To make the most of a visit, check the sunset times before booking your table. Aim for a reservation about 30 minutes before the sun goes down to catch the transition from daylight to the "city of lights" effect. If you're looking for a tour, Wednesdays and Thursdays are generally quieter for the staff to give you more personal attention.