Central Park is both the New Yorker’s backyard as well as a notable tourist attraction. The famed 843 acre green space divides two of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods: the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side. And for food-lovers, the blocks surrounding Central Park are teeming with fantastic restaurants.
From grab-and-go eateries, to museum cafés, or fine dining destinations, there are options that cater to all palates and budgets. So next time you find yourself in the vicinity, check out these 8 great restaurants near Central Park.
Sarabeth’s
Situated along Central Park South, this crowd-favorite was started in 1981 by Sarabeth Levine. The cook started crafting orange-apricot marmalade in her New York apartment, and today she owns 17 spots across the globe. It’s no surprise that Levine is most beloved for her preserves, which accompany muffins and toast for breakfast and brunch.
But lunch and dinner at Sarabeth’s are downright delicious as well. Some highlights from this all-day restaurant include lemon & ricotta pancakes, the classic lobster roll, and a hearty chicken pot pie, made with a decadent herb bechamel.
Jams
Industrial details mark the interior of this Jonathan Waxman restaurant in the sustainable 1 Hotel Central Park property. Lofty ceilings, exposed ductwork, and mottled brick alongside mid century modern furniture add to its cool, downtown vibe.
The seasonal menu at Jams highlights Californian cuisine and standouts include Point Judith crispy calamari, grass-fed short rib with black garlic chimichurri, and the celebrated roasted chicken.
Teranga
Situated in the Africa Center at the north end of Central Park at 110th Street, this fast-casual eatery is ideal for a bite and a break while sightseeing. Teranga is directed by co-founder and executive chef Pierre Thiam, who hopes to share African culture through the restaurant’s delicious offerings.
The menu is rooted in traditional African cooking, so expect organic super bowls filled with black-eyed peas, rice, sweet potatoes, chicken, salmon, and spicy roasted plantains topped with a flavorful sauce of your choice. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
Enjoy your meal at one of Teranga’s community tables, or on a warm, sunny day, grab your bowl to go and opt for an alfresco lunch in Central Park, only a skip from the restaurant.
Storíco
This gorgeous, light-drenched space is part of the New York Historical Society, a landmarked building at 77th Street and Central Park West. Storíco is a top choice for foodies and often under the radar –some diners even refer to this Central Park restaurant as a “hidden gem.”
Storíco welcomes guests for lunch, early dinner (closing at 7:30 p.m.), and brunch on weekends. Caramelized onion tart, charred octopus, gnocchi with whipped ricotta, and spice-crusted duck breast with truffle honey are frontrunners on the seasonal, globally-inspired menu.
Tavern on the Green
If you dream of dining at a restaurant in Central Park, Tavern on the Green is the place. At West 67th Street and Central Park West, the institution was a sheepfold in the 19th century before Robert Moses repurposed the building into a restaurant in 1934. Though the storied eatery shuttered in 2009, it was brought back to life under new ownership with an updated menu in 2014.
These days, Tavern on the Green serves upscale dishes like grilled baby octopus, fontina-stuffed ravioli, and caramelized rack of lamb. Besides lunch, dinner, and brunch on weekends, the restaurant is also a fabulous place for a cocktail: the “Standards” drink list honors each of New York City’s five boroughs with a namesake libation.
Nougatine at Jean-Georges
Jean-Georges more casual cousin to the chef’s eponymous restaurant at the same address, Nougatine features a slick, minimalist interior that’s still warm and inviting. Dishes range from rigatoni with meatballs to roasted Maine lobster, a 28-day, dry-aged ribeye for two, and tuna tartare, one of the menu’s stars.
Beyond its stellar reputation as one of the best restaurants near Central Park, Nougatine is the place to see and be seen. At the bustling bar, mixologists shake and stir pretty cocktails and pour a selection of excellent (and mostly French) wines by the glass.
Set on Central Park West, only a quick walk from Columbus Circle, the all-day restaurant couldn’t be more convenient for park enthusiasts.
Osteria 106
There’s no shortage of Italian restaurants in New York, the area around Central Park is no exception. This hideaway on the Upper West Side sits five minutes from the north end of Central Park. Guests can dine inside the cozy interior, which features brick walls, dim lighting, and a European feel or, when the weather cooperates, in the outside café.
Osteria 106 serves a host of Italian favorites such as arancini (deep-fried rice balls), rigatoni alla Norma (pasta with eggplant), and fettuccine alla Bolognese (pasta with meat sauce).
Café Sabarsky
Step inside this café on Fifth Avenue and escape to Vienna for an afternoon. This Austrian restaurant across the street from Central Park combs inspiration from its sibling cafés in Vienna, with décor reflecting life at the turn of the century.
Located inside the Neue Galerie –a museum for German and Austrian art from the 20th century– Café Sabarsky serves a selection of sweet and savory specialties. Pick from smoked trout crepes with horseradish, wiener schnitzel garnished with lingonberries, and pickled herring sandwiches.
And for dessert, don’t miss the iconic Sachertorte: the dark chocolate cake with apricot confiture created by Austrian pastry chef Franz Sacher. Savor this decadent sweet and/or perhaps a slice of Linzertorte –hazelnut tarte with raspberry confiture– while sipping a Kleiner Brauner, an espresso with milk on the side.
Tracy Kaler is a freelance journalist focused on travel, food, wine, and design. She fell in love with New York as a child and began writing about the city when she moved there in 2007. When Tracy’s not glued to her laptop, she’s likely planning her next food-filled adventure, uncorking a bottle of red, or wandering the streets of NYC.
