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Where to Eat in New York's Central Park

Casual Cafes, Pushcarts and Formal Dining without Leaving the Park

Sep 6, 2009 Meryl Feiner

With so many activities and events going on in Central Park, it is nice to know that visitors do not have to leave this urban oasis to find good food to suit all tastes.

Hot dog and pretzel vendors can be found at almost all park entrances and at other heavily trafficked areas of Central Park. Most of these vendors also sell a variety of frozen treats and beverages to satisfy the park-goers looking for a quick bite. But street fare is only one of the many choices available for hungry visitors.

Casual Dining and Concession Stands in Central Park

Tourists don’t have to travel down to Little Italy to sample the famous pastries of Ferrara’s Italian Café. This Lover East Side institution has two kiosks located right inside Central Park at the 59th Street Columbus Circle entrance. One kiosk specializes in gelato and smoothies while the other one has a variety of Italian pastries, cappuccino, espresso and sandwiches. Diners can sit at café tables people watch at this very busy area of the Park.

Ballplayer’s House located mid-Park at West 65th Street behind the ball fields offers a variety of freshly prepared food ranging from hot dogs and hamburgers to salads and sandwiches. Watch a game while eating at the outdoor tables or listen to the music from the nearby antique carousel. On the East Side at 64th Street, the Dancing Crane Café also offers a variety of freshly prepared wholesome food and snacks. The Dancing Crane is conveniently located next to the Central Park Zoo.

There is a snack bar inside Wollman Rink, East 62nd Street which is only accessible with admission to the skating rink. The snack bar is also open during the summer months when the rink is home to the Victorian Gardens amusement park. There is also a small concession stand located on the spectator area above Wollman Rink which does not require rink admission for access.

Kerb’s Boathouse Café at the Conservancy Water, East 74th Street offers light snacks and hand-dipped ice cream. There is plenty of outdoor seating near the café or around the boat pond where hobbyists sail radio-controlled sailboats.

Central Park Restaurants

Perhaps one of the most famous restaurants in Central Park is Tavern on the Green. This popular tourist destination offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch in six dining rooms each with its own distinctive décor. In summer months diners can also eat outdoors on the Terrace. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Visitors seeking some quiet time in the Sheep Meadow can eat breakfast lunch or dinner at the Sheep Meadow Café at Mineral Springs, mid-park at 69th Street. By day the café serves casual fare including light breakfast and lunch options. After 5 p.m. April through October, the Sheep Meadow Café offers a variety of upscale barbecued dishes such as steak and swordfish.

The Loeb Central Park Boathouse, East 72nd Street, is situated on the Northeastern tip of the Lake. There are several dining options at the boathouse for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch including a casual café, outdoor terrace and formal dining room. Reservations are recommended for the terrace and dining room. There is a complimentary trolley shuttle to take diners to and from the restaurant to the Park entrance at 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue.

Other Food Options in Central Park

If all these choices are not enough, park visitors with a cell phone can get food delivered to them. Slice Pizza 212 249 4353, offering freshly prepared organic pizza, will deliver to two set locations in the Park. Andy's Deli, (212) 580-2092, has a complete menu of breakfast and lunch options plus snack item. Andy's Deli.will also deliver to certain areas of the park.

The copyright of the article Where to Eat in New York's Central Park in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Meryl Feiner. Permission to republish Where to Eat in New York's Central Park in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ferrara Italian Cafe Kiosk in NYC's Central Park