Central Park Boathouse
American restaurant · Central Park
EAST 72ND ST +, Center Dr, New York, NY 10021
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Highlights
Iconic lakeside dining in Central Park with great views
Iconic lakeside dining in Central Park with great views
"The terrace opens with some fanfare each spring and closes during the cooler months. " - Atlas Obscura
"Overlooking the lake in Central Park and an institution since the 1950s, the Boathouse reopened after a renovation last spring. Go here for brunch or the all-day spring menu, with choices like Oysters Rockefeller, jumbo lump crab cake, and duck breast with wild rice pilaf. Brunch starts at 11 a.m." - Melissa McCart
"The seasonal outdoor-dining operation in Central Park that has announced its 2025 alfresco reopening schedule: outdoor dining will reopen on Wednesday, April 16 and run through October for the 2025 season." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Contrary to everything we said at the beginning of this guide, the eggs at Central Park Boathouse are pretty mediocre. On a good day, the benedict is totally solid. On a bad day, the hollandaise tastes like it's been sitting under a hot light for just a few minutes too long. Even still, dining here means eating in a picturesque glass box with a view of the lake, and no other spot on this list can give you that. Bring some out-of-towners who prioritize tourist attractions over anything else, and follow up brunch with a stroll through the park." - will hartman, sonal shah, willa moore
"In early 2024, the Central Park Boathouse reopened after two years of radio silence, and the people of Park Avenue started to talk. Rumors spread about better views and better food, and anyone who had ever eaten a mediocre egg there willed both to be true. This isn’t quite the case. On the edge of the lake in the most visited urban park in the world, the Central Park Boathouse has views as promised. But the American restaurant continues to serve a menu that would fit well inside a country club where not one thing has changed since the ‘70s. Still, it's a charming place to eat oysters Rockefeller or, yes, a mediocre plate of eggs before a sunny stroll through Central Park. (Preferably in the warmer months when those eggs won’t push you into hibernation.) If you’ve got family in town who prioritize every possible tourist attraction, bring them here and eat brunch next to an engagement after-party. You won’t be blown away, but it’s probably the only restaurant in New York City where you won’t hear a car horn out front. Food Rundown Complimentary Bites We've received a few slices of cucumber, a pleasantly lemony hummus, and some slimy olives at the beginning of meals here. The restaurant would be better off just serving free bread, but regardless, it’s nice to start with something free. Eggs Benedict This is a safe bet. On a good day, the eggs benedict is totally solid. On a bad day, it's still solid, though the hollandaise tastes like it's been sitting under a hot light for just a few minutes too long. photo credit: Willa Moore French Dip The brunch menu is fairly limited, but the lunch menu is quite lengthy, and you can mix and match from both during weekend brunch. The meat in this French dip leans dry, but the bread has a nice toasty crunch, and the jus helps immensely. photo credit: Willa Moore Side Salad 50% dressing and 50% tender lettuce isn't a winning ratio. At least the dressing has a nice tang to it." - Willa Moore
