Central Park offers diverse food and beverage options, from quick snacks at food carts and concession stands to formal sit-down meals at cafes and restaurants.
You can find dozens of eateries within a block or two, from small delis and burger joints to high-end Michelin-starred restaurants. So, let's explore some best restaurants and eateries to savor while in Central Park.
Type: Concession Stands, American
Location: 64th Street and, 5th Ave, Near Central Park Zoo
Dancing Crane Cafe is a Central Park eatery open during zoo hours with indoor and outdoor seating, including a light cafe fare.
Located near the Central Park Zoo, this eatery serves hot and cold meals, snacks, beverages and are committed to providing Zoo guests a wide variety of high-quality meals.
Type: Restaurant, Contemporary European
Location: 2 W 69th St, West side mid-Park
Le Pain Quotidien offers delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The classic light fare and organic breads fill out the menu inside the rustic and chic eatery.
Their seasonal menus feature soups, salads, tartines, quiches, and desserts. Guests can find baked goods, salads, breads, and organic drinks either at table service in the dining room or the terrace.
Type: Restaurant and Cafe, American
Location: East 72nd Street and Park Drive North
The Boathouse is the place, where rowboats can be rented during summer, spring, and fall. It offers a formal dining room with a beautiful view, which hosts many weddings, and celebratory events throughout the year.
You can dine indoors for lunch and dinner daily, or at the outdoor cafe on the building's north side, which offers green scenery.
Type: Restaurant, Latin/Middle Eastern/American
Location: West Side below 65th Street, Northern edge of the Heckscher Ballfields
The Migrant Kitchen has food inspired by immigrants. With the fusion of Latin and Arab flavors, this location also features Classic Ballpark treats, like hot dogs, churros, popcorn, and colossal pretzels.
The restaurant also offers delectable dishes like chicken shawarma and fattoush salad with signature classics. You can also enjoy beer, wine, and frozen cocktails.
Type: Concession Stand, American Southern Soul Food
Location: 830 5th Ave, On the Overlook in Wollman Rink
The cafe features a smorgasbord of flavorful menu items, ranging from signature dishes of southern fried chicken and eggnog waffles.
Adding a casual flair along with some special new treats, it also serves cafe exclusives such as Melba's DiscOasis fries. It is a foodie destination for those looking for impeccable service and premium comfort food.
Type: Concession Stands, American New
Location: 81st &, Central Park West, Adjacent to Delacorte Theater
It is a seasonal cafe serving wine, beer, and quick bites. A causal snack bar offers a variety of quick bites such as yogurt, gelato, smoked turkey sandwiches, hotdogs, and roasted cauliflower.
It is open from Memorial Day till mid-August. The hours here vary depending on the day, but stay open later on nights when there are performances at the Delacorte Theater.
Type: Restaurant, American
Location: West Side between 66th and 67th Streets
Tavern On the Green is a restored Central Park icon. This place serves American fare in an elegant setting with a garden as well as courtyard seating.
This modern tavern has a hearty and rustic menu that is centered around seasonal as well as local ingredients. During the summer months, the dining patio outside turns into a beer garden filled with live entertainment.
Type: Concession Stands, Contemporary European
Location: East Side at 74th Street near Conservatory Water (model boat pond)
Located in the copper-roofed Kerbs Boathouse, Le Pain Quotidien offers delicious meals, afternoon snacks, and even cocktails for happy hour.
This snack place offers gourmet snacks such as organic Blue Marble ice cream and organic solar-popped popcorn. It also serves warm beverages, sandwiches, grilled sausages, and more.
Type: Michelin Starred Restaurant, Italian, American
Location: 240 Central Park South
Located in Central Park, Marea is an Italian restaurant that features regional Italian foods heavily influenced by the sea, such as oysters, clams, and various fishes.
This restaurant is committed to reinventing the notion of seafood in New York offering dishes from handmade pastas to fresh crudo and whole fish. You can also enjoy their delicious dessert like blueberry filed moringa with whipped white chocolate.
All around Central Park, you can find diverse concession carts, which are convenient for grabbing a quick bite or meal to eat while sitting on a park bench or walking around.
Most of these classic NYC Carts sell classic New York City-style refreshments and quick bites such as hot dogs, pretzels, ice cream, cookies, sodas, and other cold beverages.
These Wafels and Dinges Kiosk carts serve Belgian-style waffles with a variety of toppings to choose from, called the "Dinges," as well as ice cream, coffee, and more.
