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Aaron and Geoff at Compass

Our Guide to Riverdale, Bronx

Our definitive and evolving guide to all things Riverdale, Bronx. See our favorite restaurants, top schools, transportation options, and what it’s like to live here.

Your guides! Winnie, Geoff, and Aaron, residents of Riverdale and Bronx cheerleaders.

Old World Charm in a Global City

Welcome to Riverdale, a proud Bronx neighborhood of leafy trees, palatial, historic mansions, rolling hills, and scenic views, just minutes from Manhattan and seemingly far away from its thunderous hustle and bustle.

What was once mostly rural farmland and a summer retreat for wealthy Manhattanites is now a charming enclave with two cherished historic districts, a selection of the top schools in the city, a lively culinary scene, and an increasingly diverse pool of residents.

This is a photo of the Van Cortlandt House Museum, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the oldest structure in the Bronx
The Van Cortlandt House Museum, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the oldest structure in the Bronx. It’s situated in Van Cortlandt Park on the South-West corner.

Let’s get our bearings…

Map of the greater Riverdale area in the Bronx
Map of Riverdale in the Bronx

The Riverdale-Kingsbridge area of the Bronx occupies the entire north-western corner of the borough, nestled between Yonkers to the north, Van Cortlandt Park & the the Major Deegan Expressway to the east, the Hudson River to the west, and Manhattan to the south. 

The Bronx is the northernmost borough of New York City, home to over 1.4 million people, the Yankees, the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, and holds the title for the most park space in the entire city. 

Life in Riverdale

View from the top floor of The Briarcliff, a post-war co-op building in Riverdale. We sold this two-bedroom apartment on the 12th floor of the building in 2021. The unit offered stunning views of the Bronx and Manhattan.

We’ve called Riverdale our home for the better part of 10 years now. We moved to
the area straight out of college and fell in love for a few reasons- its close proximity to both Manhattan and Westchester, abundant transportation options, low cost of living compared to other parts of the city, and the laid back quality of life.

The streets are cleaner, the parks are greener, and the neighbors are friendlier.
Whenever a friend comes to visit for the first time, they’re always pleasantly surprised that this kind of neighborhood exists in New York. The serene views of the Hudson River, the birds chirping from the tree tops, the friendliness of the people who pass you by on the street, the dry cleaners who know you by name, the florist who loves seeing your dog. Life in Riverdale is unlike anything else New York City has to offer.


Where to Eat

Riverdale isn’t known for being a foodie’s delight, but our little corner of the
City still maintains some of the most iconic institutions in the five boroughs.
From old favorites like Liebman’s Delicatessen and Lloyd’s Carrot Cake, to
already beloved upstarts like Kingsbridge Social Club and Savor Coffee & More, there’s something for everyone right here in the neighborhood.

Tin Marin – Pan-Latin tapas & live music

An Beal Bocht Cafe – Classic Irish Pub with live music

Bronx Burger House – Specialty burger joint and bar

Mamajuana Cafe Prime – Latino cuisine

Kingsbridge Social Club – Wood-fire pizza & cocktails

Addeo’s – Classic Italian restaurant

Liebman’s Delicatessen – Classic Jewish deli

Lloyd’s Carrot Cake – Best carrot cake in the 5 boroughs

Bronx Alehouse – Craft beer & pub fare

Blackstone Bar & Grill – Neighborhood sports bar

Savor Coffee & More – Manhattan-inspired coffee house

Cocina Chente – Artisan Mexican cuisine & mezcal

Bagel Corner – Your go-to bagel shop

Frida Tacos – Known for amazing tacos 


Transportation

Living in Riverdale usually means owning a car, but you don’t always have to opt for driving yourself where you need to go. The neighborhood has ample transportation options, including the 1 train, the MetroNorth, and MTA express & local busses.


Parks

Riverdale is blessed with rolling hills and abundant park space. From huge green
expanses like historic Van Cortlandt Park and Wave Hill Gardens, to quaint local
spaces like Brust Park and Hackett Park, the parks of Riverdale are cherished by
neighbors and visitors alike.

Wave Hill Public Gardens

Van Cortlandt Park

Riverdale Park

Seton Park

Henry Hudson Park

Ewen Park

Vinmont Veteran Park

Riverdale Waterfront Promenade

Hackett Park

Gaelic Park

Brust Park


Schools

Horace Mann School in Riverdale, Bronx, is one of the top private K-12 schools in the country.

Riverdale is home to some of the most elite private K-12 schools in the country, but
it’s public schools are among the top-performing in the city as well. The neighborhood is also home to two esteemed colleges, The College of Mount Saint Vincent and Manhattan College, bringing lots of youthful energy to this part of the borough.

Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School

The David A. Stein Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy

InTech Academy (M.S./High School 368)

P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen

St. Margaret of Cortona School

Riverdale Country School

Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Horace Mann School

Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy

College of Mount Saint Vincent

Manhattan College


Thinking of making the move to Riverdale or the Bronx?

We help people find get the homes the love every single day, and in this city, that’s quite an accomplishment. New York City can be a challenging place to purchase real estate on your own (especially a co-op! 😵‍💫). We’re here to help and make buying a home in NYC a fun process from search to close. Let’s talk about your home search and get you a step closer to homeownership!