Grab a quick bite or have a sit-down meal in the park!
Central Park offers a variety of food and beverage options, from quick snacks at food carts and concession stands to formal sit-down meals at cafes and restaurants. See our list of options for your next visit!
The following dining sites are closed until further notice: Maoz at the Harlem Meer Snack Bar.
Feel like a picnic? Check out our ready-made Grab & Go options!
LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN AT MINERAL SPRINGS
Location: MAP I West side mid-Park at 69th Street, overlooking Sheep Meadow
Type: Restaurant, Contemporary European
Le Pain Quotidien offers breakfast, brunch and lunch. Their seasonal menus feature soups, salads, tartines, quiches, and desserts. This location offers table service in its 30-seat dining room and 100-seat terrace. There is also a take-out window.
moonykid
Salsa Dance @ Tavern on the Green
TAVERN ON THE GREEN
Location: MAP I West Side between 66th and 67th Streets
Type: Restaurant, American
Tavern on the Green is a modern tavern and an iconic landmark restaurant. Originally designed by Calvert Vaux and built in 1870 to house the sheep that grazed in Central Park's Sheep Meadow, it has proudly served visitors, locals, presidents, royalty, artists, and actors since 1934.
The menu is hearty, rustic, and centered around local, seasonal ingredients. During the summer, the outside dining patio turns into a beer garden with live entertainment (see our event calendar for details). They also offer Tavern to Go.
THE BALLFIELDS CAFE by THE MIGRANT KITCHEN
Location: MAP | Northern edge of the Heckscher Ballfields, West Side below 65th Street
Type: Restaurant, American, Latin & Middle Eastern fusion
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM through December 7, 2025. Then closed until March of 2026.
Located in the heart of Central Park, The Ballfields Cafe by The Migrant Kitchen pays tribute to the timeless spirit of New York’s favorite pastime. Originally established as a modest snack stand for baseball players and parkgoers, the cafe has long been a gathering place for families, athletes, and city dwellers alike.
Today this legacy is still honored through both menus now offered at the cafe. The Ballfields Cafe menu features classic ballpark fare with a modern twist—think hot dogs, soft pretzels, popcorn, and cold drinks, while The Migrant Kitchen menu provides the addition of fusion cuisine inspired by immigrants—think fattoush salad and crispy chicken wraps & sandwiches. You can also find seasonal items like soup and hot chocolate. Now serving beer, wine, and frozen cocktails.
THE CENTRAL PARK BOATHOUSE
Location: MAP I East 72nd Street and Park Drive North
Type: Restaurant and Cafe, American
The Central Park Boathouse is located in the area known as The Lake, where rowboats can be rented during spring, summer, and fall. There is a formal dining room with a beautiful view, which hosts many weddings, Sweet 16’s, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and other celebratory events throughout the year.
Make reservations at the restaurant for daily lunch & dinner or stop by the Café from 8 AM to 7 PM. Boat rentals run daily from 10 AM to Dusk, weather permitting.
DANCING CRANE CAFE
Location: MAP I East 64th Street at Fifth Avenue, inside the Central Park Zoo
Type: Concession Stands, American
The Dancing Crane Cafe, located inside of the Central Park Zoo, is the perfect spot to rest and re-fuel with a wide variety of fast foods for meals, snacks, beverages, and desserts.
LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN AT CONSERVATORY WATER
Location: MAP I East Side at 74th Street near Conservatory Water (model boat pond)
Type: Concession Stands, Contemporary European
Le Pain Quotidien, located at Conservatory Water, features a Snack Shack with gourmet snacks like popcorn and ice cream, as well as breakfast, assorted sandwiches, beverages, and more!
PUBLIC FARE
Location: MAP I Enter at 81st Street and Central Park West. Adjacent to the Delacorte Theater on the southwest corner of the Great Lawn.
Type: Concession Stands, American New
Public Fare is Danny Meyer's concession stand at the Delacorte Theater. This seasonal cafe offers quick bites, wine & beer. Open Memorial Day to mid-August.
MELBA'S AT WOLLMAN RINK
Location: MAP | On the Overlook in Wollman Rink
Type: Concession Stand, American Southern Soul Food
The original Melba's Restaurant (located 52 blocks north of Wollman Rink) is a southern restaurant and Harlem institution, serving up comfort food classics like crispy catfish, fried chicken and waffles, and mac and cheese. Melba now brings some of her key dishes to Central Park with a casual flair along with some special new treats like DiscOasis Fries.
Hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (subject to change)
SETTEPANI AT THE DAVIS CENTER
Location: MAP | Davis Center
Type: Bakery and Cafe, Italian, Harlem
Settepani, a Harlem staple known for its Italian-inspired menu and community roots, now serves fresh pastries, paninis, soups, pizzas, and drinks at the Davis Center in Central Park. The inviting café offers visitors a relaxed space to enjoy quality food and local flavor year-round.
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (subject to change)
MAOZ VEGETARIAN
Location: MAP I 106th Street & 5th Avenue, east of Harlem Meer - closed until further notice
Type: Concession Stands, Vegetarian
Maoz Vegetarian features vegetarian and falafel-centric fare along with an assortment of fresh juices.
OTHER CONCESSION STANDS
WOLLMAN RINK
Location: MAP I East Side between 62nd and 63rd Streets
NORTH MEADOW RECREATION CENTER
Location: MAP I Mid-Park at 97th Street
DAVIS CENTER
Location: MAP I Mid-Park between 106th and 108th Streets
CONCESSION CARTS
All around Central Park, you can find concession carts, which are convenient for grabbing a quick bite to eat while you sit on a park bench or walk around.
Classic NYC Carts
Location: You can find these carts scattered throughout the park.
Most carts sell classic New York City-style refreshments such as hot dogs, pretzels, ice cream, cookies, sodas, and other beverages.
Wafels & Dinges Kiosk
Location: These carts tend to move around, so check here to find their current locations.
Wafels & Dinges carts serve Belgian-style wafels with a variety of toppings called "dinges," as well as ice cream, coffee, and more!
perfectpicnic
Picnic Set Up
PICNICS IN THE PARK
Location: See our list of the Top 7 Picnic Spots in Central Park.
Choose from picnics-to-go, picnic deliveries, and romantic picnics. Book a Picnic Package
Get important tips, information, and learn the rules about having a picnic in Central Park.