The Central Park Boathouse is an iconic attraction of Central Park and a must visit dining destination of New York City. In August of 2023, I brought and treated my wife and myself for dinner at the Central Park Boathouse and we very much enjoyed our dining experience. The wait time went by fairly quickly and our meal was served within a few minutes of seating down at our table. Both my wife and I very much enjoyed our hamburger and fries meal because we found that it was well cooked and superbly delicious!!! When visiting Central Park, both my wife and I highly recommend that you visit and dine at the Central Park Boathouse!!!

We visited the Loeb Boat House in December just after Christmas. I had decided to make a reservation on mine instead of just turning up. That was a good decision because we got him straight away and was shown to a table. It was a long line if you didn’t have a reservation. What was great is that they had hot Apple cider for wedding guests which was perfect because it was a cold New York morning. The service was a little slow to start because we were sitting just across from the bar, we were pretty hungry and it seemed as though there wasn’t enough weeks to stop. People sitting on the floor of the restaurant but so faster people who came after us got served first. We kept wanting more bread, but the bread service didn’t come back again they kept going to the floor of the restaurant. However the food was delectable our waiter was amazing and very friendly, we had a lot of fun and it was great to see all the Christmas decorations, great wine selection, great cocktail selection, exemplary service and absolutely a delight to be sitting there. We can’t wait to go back

Love it yummy This is the casual no reservation needed side of the Boathouse. We could not get a table at the boathouse so we did the walk up windows here. The food was great. Had the everything bagel with cream cheese and lox. I do not know who did the lox but a big thank you. They had to have included at least a half a pound of lox. It was incredible. The carrot ginger bisque was as good as any uppity Restaurant. It was a must have. The burger was OK, but i would go with the bagel if I had the choice. Again I cannot say enough good things about that soup. I'm thinking of going again just for the soup of the day!!!! Check out all of our reviews and look at all or photos below. If we do not like it we do no review it so all of the ones you see are places that are fantastic. Follow us if you like. We had over 42 million views in the last 12 months and we thank you for that. We don't get paid, we just love to eat. Be sure to click on "RobH" at the top of this review to see all of them and to follow us if you like good food and FUN. If we do a review it is because we love it.

great experience, went there with family, the dinner starts at 6pm, it was a super hot day so we set indoors and still it was a bit hot but worked, our server was very sweet and she suggested the best things, loved the service and the setup indoors is very cool. we had few drinks and mostly 3 dishes, the quantity is okay not to small or huge, the place is not even that expensive too. my favorite was Elderflower Cosmopolitan, and they had special of the day was cold tomato soup which was something new but really liked it, had the mule, cucumber cooler and beer. everything i loved it. in food we had the tomato soup with bread, red pasta and miso grilled king oyster mushrooms. it was delightful and the vibe was calming. loved it. happy vibe. :)

The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, New York City, is a popular spot for renting boats. They offer rowboats and pedal boats for visitors to enjoy a leisurely ride on the lake. It's a wonderful activity, especially during the warmer months when you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Central Park. A waiver is required--they need to post bigger sign and remind people they need to complete while waiting in line. ** I would recommend weekday to avoid wait in long line.

Was there for lunch, a hidden gem in central park. The view beside the lake is really amazing which makes it even add to taste of food. We had salad, grilled chicken, fries and chocolate fondant. All items were tasty and was more than enough for 2, as portion are large. Service is attentive and were served and asked for complementary bread multiple times. The only thing is when we arrived there were couple of tables that were available just beside water but was not given and subsequent to us it was provided to others (not sure they were reserved or something). Overall a must go and it is sad to hear that it is closing down

Absolutely perfect experience! The manager was a pleasure to chat with and he was so kind to move us to a window seat where we enjoyed views of snowy Central Park and a sunset! Food was light, tasty and worth it. We had the crabcake, seafood cocktail and octopus carpaccio and would recommend all of them, was so hungry after walking in the snow that I forgot to take pictures. Service was kind and impeccable! Will return!

Excellent evening! Our waiter Dean made our evening perfect! We were celebrating my niece’s graduation and he made her dessert extra special which I know made her day! The views of the lake were spectacular and the food was delicious. For fans of a sweet cocktail I would definitely recommend the elderflower cosmopolitan as it gave a fun summery twist on a classic! This place is perfect for a special occasion.

Row-boating down the lake. Romantic? You bet your sunscreen it was. Every time we tried on a weekend, the line was incredibly long. But we plotted a master plan: a Monday escape during lunch break. We power walked to the lakeside, two adventurers on a lunchtime quest. The line? Nonexistent. No wait, no hassle. The boat seats 4 people, even though it was just the 2 of us on our romantic escapade. Twenty bucks for an hour of aqua daydream. It was nice to see the turtles swimming about, getting their sun tan on. My boyfriend had his duty and I had mine, making sure I captured everything in videos and selfies for our memories. Nothing too wild or outlandish, but let's be honest – this was no ordinary afternoon. Tourists or locals would benefit from this adventure at least once in a lifetime. It is a go from us!

Love the boathouse every time, it's become a tradition when family visit. Sunday brunch.. got seated straight away (no wait time) and had an attentive waiter who served us prosecco and brunch, french toast, frittata and eggs benedict. It was busy but had a nice view from the table and there was a pleasant atmosphere with some Christmas decorations. Will be back soon!

I've eaten here once for a special occasion but have had drinks outside at the bar many times. The room and view is beautiful, the food was ok. What I do love about the Boathouse though is the outdoor bar and seating area. It's an outstanding place to have a drink in the summer!

It is located by the lake in Central Park and it is a nice spot to have a brunch. There is something for everyone in the menu. Food is well presented. The question is if everything is so good why the 3 star rating? We are party of two , seated at the balcony area in the second row and just wanted to have the first row seat wanted to be by the lake but we were informed that table was reserved - no reserve sign placed - there was other 3 table were empty but I guess we were not good enough to be seated there because they were empty even after 25 mins were there. - interesting!!! We ordered the daily changing omelette and recommended steak and egg. Beautiful food took very long time to be served. Customers came after us had their starter and finished the main course by the time our food came to table. The server informed us the meat was a fresh cut and took time to cook. ;) so I ll go with that. Would I try again, yes! I hope they improve !

The venue is great. Can’t beat the scene. Food quality is so so. Don’t order the smoke fish assortment. It’s disappointing. The portions overall is large. Service is rather rushed, feels like a fast food deli. If you have visitors in town, it’s a good place to take them. I won’t go there just for a good meal.

Central Park on its own is a special place. The Boathouse is like an Oasis in it. I've been visiting for more than 14 years and it never gets old. If you're going just for drinks or to enjoy a meal. It's a consistently great experience.

WOW. Such a charming Saturday lunch experience! We had the famous crab cakes and a summer salad, which was absolutely massive. The food was great and our server was a great guy. My absolute favorite part was that they had a giant bread basket that they went table to table with and let you pick out a variety of rolls to have. We did the row boats afterward which was so fun. Highly recommend for a classic Saturday in the park ✨

Overall very nice! Not the best food we’d ever had, but the service was good, the staff were very nice and the location is superb with a nice view over the lake. I’d say you pay more for the location and the ‘brand’ than for the food it self. We’d recommend this to people with a higher dining budget.

The restaurant was a total surprise tucked away in Central Park. Beautiful setting for an exquisite meal with lifelong friends having a reunion. Service was five star from the get go. Fresh baked breads served at the table. Crab cakes, halibut and monk fish dishes were all served freshly prepared from the kitchen in record time. Followed by New York cheesecake and Creme brulee...oh my. The view from our table insured that this special moment in time will not be forgotten and will be talked about for years to come.

I had a lovely meal here with my friends before seeing Shakespeare In The Park. We requested an outside table and were seated right on the lake, it was absolutely gorgeous. We even witnessed a gondola proposal on the lake and many turtles just quietly swimming right next to us. The ambiance was amazing and the food was good! I had a tomato soup that I really enjoyed and very good chicken dish. Dessert was also nice and tasty (all were a little dry though.) The real star here is the location and beautiful surroundings. I had a good time and would try it again if I was in the park for an event another time!

Must have when visiting Central Park or NYC as a whole. We've done this a handful of times now and the experience never gets old. The lake and its views are beautiful. Attendants are friendly and helpful. Its CASH ONLY!

The view and experience is great, swamped by tourists with some locals. The service, however; is very slow. We arrived on a Sunday morning at 10 AM. We ordered two appetizers and a main. Three tables that were seated after us all received their appetizers, some being the same as ours, well before we received ours. We decided to wait 5-10 more minutes before asking our waiter for a status. I would not come back here unless I am in the park already, will eat on Fifth instead.

We only stopped for drinks and a view. I love this spot and immediately remembered it from the movie 27 dresses. We just sat at the outdoor bar for a single drink but the bartender took a while to acknowledge us, then wasn't the friendliest, then was arguing with a waiter. Beautiful spot for a drink and views though

Loeb Boathouse in Central Park offers a magical experience with its boat rentals that extend until sundown. The restaurant is momentarily closed but they have a outside deck by the rental boat stand. Despite the long 2-hour wait, the romantic boat ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Maneuvering the paddle requires minimal skills, allowing you to explore the lake. The panoramic view of New York from the water is breathtaking. While the boats show signs of aging and could use renewal, the overall experience is undeniably worthwhile.

My husband and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary at the Loeb Boat House just this past Sunday. It was our first time after 10 years living in the city. May be too cheesy but they really made the evening so magical for us. The attention and care they had in us having a nice experience was so apparent. We had reservations at 8pm but arrived around 7:30pm. We thought we could try to be seated early but expected to be told to wait at the bar which we were happy to do. Pleasantly, the restaurant manager and hostess were so nice and noted that we were celebrating an anniversary and had a waterfront table set for us. We were thrilled. I had never seen Central Park at this hour and view, it was beautiful. Turtles and fish would pop their heads up and say hi throughout the night. The server was so kind and the food/drinks were delicious. We had the burrata/tomato, truffle fries and crab cake to start. The crab cake is one of the best I've ever had and highly recommend ordering it! For our main, we got the steak special and skillet chicken. Both were amazing. They also gifted us the chocolate soufflé cake which we were so grateful for because I had been excited to order it for days leading up. We really couldn't have asked for a better experience/meal and grateful for the Boat House staff for really gave us an amazing first anniversary.

Cute row boat offering a relaxing hour of fun and memories. Stunning views of midtown and Bethesda fountain. Cash only.

Had the best lunch here for a friends birthday! Great space and location, staff very friendly and welcoming. The food was absolutely delicious and drinks as well. Had the lobster mashed and never tasted anything like it! Then a nice boat ride. Will surely be going back while I can!

I've always wanted to rent a boat in Central Park and I finally crossed that off my bucket list. I got lucky because the weather was so nice out when I rented the boat. Definitely worth the cost.

Loeb One of my bucket list Restaurants is the boathouse in Central Park, it’s an understated icon of New York City. Thanks to a friend who chose to celebrate his anniversary here, I finally got the excuse to go. I loved the ambiance of this place and our dining table was set overlooking the man-made lake with many people enjoying boating. We went with a 3-course dinner menu. I started with jumbo lump crab cake with cucumber salad and red bell pepper remoulade and I found it delicious an a decent portion for an appetizer. I then selected a grilled petite filet for my main with fingerlings potato crisps, creamed corn, and green peppercorn sauce. We then concluded the dessert with NYC cheesecake. Overall, the dishes were delicious and served in a timely fashion considering that we were in a big group. This place is equally good for an anniversary or romantic date night.

It was a peaceful ride throughout the lake though it was my first time rowing a boat it was a fun experience. It’s very affordable $20 for an hour for up to 4 people but must put a $20 deposit in case you go over. 13 and under must wear a life jacket and everyone should stay in the middle of the boat to keep it centered.

Cool place to check out.

Such a lovely place!!! We decided to stop for a mimosa at the bar, it was a Sunday, the place was packed and they only do first come first serve basis. We did get, what I would say, the best table! Our bartender at the bar was amazing, I wish I got his name. The food is very tasty and huge portions, we had the prosciutto and burrata to start, they also bring home made banana bread to the table. We went with steak and eggs and eggs Benedict and I ordered salmon on the side as I prefer salmon over bacon. I loved the ambiance and will definitely recommend this place!

Beautiful place right in the middle of the park. The food was perfect and Edgar, our waiter, was very attentive and made our visit the perfect lunch. Worth every penny. We hope to be back soon

We came here with a reservation for our 10 year wedding anniversary last night, arrived 15-20 mins early. Chose the location because of how beautiful it was and noted we were celebrating our anniversary in the reservation and that we would like a seat with a nice view. Ideally I wanted a seat by the glass and to watch the sunset on the lake during our meal. Hostess seated us and I asked if it would be possible if we could switch to a table by the glass (there were 3 open tables), she said no, they were reserved. I was kind of let down by that. Waiter wasn’t very attentive, took maybe 20-30 mins to get our drinks after ordering and had asked for no ice only to get my drink completely full of ice. The total experience was about 2 hours between sitting and leaving, very slow service. At the end of our meal, what I would assume was the manager visited our table very excitedly asking how our meal was and mentioned that they had just reopened and been bought out and asked us to leave a review. His energy level exceeded his passive staff and felt out of place. I guess the reopening is why the location looked different from review photos (still beautiful, but different) and the menu was different from what I expected based on review photos. Appetizers tasted better than our meals, meal portions were small, dessert was a little better than average, husband’s drink was weak. Felt the meal didn’t match how expensive it was. Beautiful location, unmet expectations, inattentive and indifferent staff, and overpriced.

A very semi upscale vibe to have a nice business or romantic dinner. The atmosphere is very warm and relaxed with just the right touch of understated class. It sits right on the lake which is lit at night to add to the ambiance. Huge fish swim right underneath for added enjoyment. The menu isn't very extensive but they do do what they do very well. The food was divine from the appetizer to the main course to the desert there was no complaint to be had. Service is excellent. Servers are knowledgeable and very efficient. There is no gluten free menu but there are satisfying options available.

Had a nice sit down brunch while looking at the row boats on the water. The servers were quite nice and our food was brought to the table quickly. We had the crab cake appetizer and the fish and chips. The fish and chips was a pretty hearty size and there were plenty of fries. The fish was battered quite nicely. The crab cake was light, not too heavy, and had a delicate flavor. Overall with the atmosphere and the food it was a great visit.

The Central Park Boathouse5***** What a beautiful venue, reemerging from the pandemic, flying higher than ever, deliciously handled and completely immersed pleasure by this diner…who in 1982 was Maitre d’ at the venerable nearby Tavern on the Green and married here at the Boathouse in 1992. In between, having run 65,000+ miles in ‘our’ beloved park, the best NYC has to offer! Greeted by three smiling hostesses, seated by a gregarious Sara(h), ofc with an h. Affable, knowledgeable and professional service provided by Ileana. She was able to poignantly detail all my questions for what each dish on the menu is. General Manager of the restaurant, Katerina and GM of the entire facility, Aridson clearly do their work behind the scenes and certainly on the floor as all steps-of-service were on point. Opening night was truly successful, while all along there was much suspense along the arduous path to victory; reopening this venerable iconic restaurant! Bravo to all the team! And now we can all celebrate our beloved Boathouse.

Our experience at the Boathouse was amazing since we entered the restaurant! Food and drinks were excellent and our server Henry was extremely friendly and knowledgeable with the menu! Definitely coming back!

The whole experience was fantastic! From the beginning from the hostess to our waiter! Henry was extremely friendly to us, and very knowledgeable about the food. He suggested our best options on the menu. Everything was amazing. Definitely we’ll be coming back.

This is a great place to stop and get food while you're in or walking through the park. It was a beautiful day to eat outside, and the food was good and portion size was generous. Would go again.

This used to be, and to a degree still remains one of my absolute favorite dining places in the city. Post-pandemic, however, the quality of staff at all levels has been beyond disappointing. I had a reservation this past Sunday, and I called to inquire about a balcony seat that we usually get, the receptionist kept looking up my reservation on the wrong date, and instead of apologizing, she kept giggling uncontrollably. There was no harm done, I got my table regardless, but the brand is tarnished when I have to pry and squabble with the staff who are unprofessional, misinformed and just downright oblivious in certain instances. Anyhow, for now at least the food is still good, and vistas of “The Lake” bring us infinite joy.

Very nice place, good food. The service in the entrance is a little bit slow - I had to wait 35 min outside and other 15 inside because the table was not clean. If you arrive before noon it is easier to get a table. You can have a drink and have a nice view while you wait for your table.

We made a reservation up front and got a table by the lake. It gets pretty crowded so a reservation is always recommended. Loved the table setting. There is complimentary bread service however I wish the breads were a little warm. We ordered salmon and chicken. Salmon had great flavour but the chicken was pretty dry. The service was decent. Overall the food wasn’t out of the world, so if I were to go the next time, maybe I’ll just order drinks.

The Stuffed French toast at brunch was delicious. They don’t take brunch reservations but we were able to get a table at 10am on a Saturday with no wait.

It has a nice atmosphere and the view it's really nice. Perfect place for a romantic dinner.

I came here for drinks at 5 pm on a Tuesday. The martini I ordered was probably the best martini I've ever had, smooth and strong. There are incredible views of the lake, city and of central park. If you get here by 5 you will score an awesome front row seat with amazing views views of the city and the interesting people who dine/drink here. Drinks range from $11-$16 each. I would definitely return.

We came here for brunch. Usually tourists spots are not that great when it comes to food quality. So we were not expecting much other than a nice location and view. We were very surprised the food was great. Stuffed French toast and Eggs Benny were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The staff was also very attentive. Very surprised and would definitely come again, try to get there when they just open before it gets busy.

Nice spot for a break in the city, relaxing by the lake, watching the boats, and with surprisingly decent prices.

A nice wedding venue located in Central Park. We attended the wedding as guests but thought the food (appetizers, entrees, desserts) were all excellent. It's a perfect venue for small-ish weddings (less than 100) but otherwise might be too cramped.

My wife and I went to dinner at the Loeb on a Thursday night and had an amazing experience! The staff was top notch, food was delicious, old fashioned Manhattan was a nice “dessert “ and the evening atmosphere was terrific! After dinner we took a stroll around the Bethesda fountain and thru the Mall walkway! Check it out!