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    Central Park Boathouse

    3.4 (153 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Central Park Boathouse

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    CENTRAL PARK BOATHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

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    Key lime pie
    Sunu S.

    Yup this place is delicious, the food was curated very well but thing stuck out to me that blew my mind, and that's the key lime pie. THE KEY LIME PIE: Alright, holy crap, this was so good. There is a perfect balance of sour and sweet in this pie. The texture isnt too thick and its not too light, perfectly balanced, as all things should be. I don't think I've had a better key lime pie that quenched my palate after a meal. This achieves the certified baller status

    Mercedes L.

    It's good to mark beginnings in a special manner, in this case Summer and for that we went to the unique Central Park Boathouse. Always enchanting. For us it was a rain date due to last weekend's weather. We were seated at the time of the reservation. The server was gracious and nice. The food was delicious, we partook of shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, beef steak and the scallops, for dessert we had Apple strudel. Loved it.

    Tracy C.

    We have wanted to come to this place for a while and finally got our chance. It was hyped up a little too much in my head for the experience. Although the food was very tasty and the service was good, the whole experience was tarnished by the weather. It was freezing outside and apparently the boathouse does not have any heat. The entire dining room room kept their coats on. Our fingers were freezing the whole time. However, the bathrooms do have heat, so we spent a few minutes in there warming up. Very awkward experience for a high class establishment. I would not recommend coming here if it is cold out, but I also have zero idea if they have air conditioning in the summer, so we do not plan on returning to find out.

    Central park boat house
    Kimmy M.

    Top notch food, ambiance and view! Service is outstanding! Come for the view and rent a boat for an hour paddle

    Momoka T.

    3.0 / 5.0 A restaurant in Central Park The atmosphere was very stylish, but I visited. They told me to go to an outside restaurant with a stroller, and when I went, they refused to let me in.I asked again and they let me in, but they didn't offer any help despite the steps. I was really looking forward to it, so it was disappointing. The food was generous, so it might be worth sharing. I understand that it's a busy tourist spot, but I wish they'd be more considerate and considerate to customers, especially since they only visit once.

    Prime Rib French Dip
    Sharon L.

    The Central Park Boathouse is a guaranteed tourist trap, but it's still a quintessential NY experience. I came by with my parents to have lunch on a Wednesday, and there were plenty of tables for outdoor seating. We opted for the lunch menu, and ordered 2 french dip sandwiches, a burger, the boathouse salad, and boathouse mussels. Entrees were about $20-$30, which isn't outrageous for the area. Overall, the food was mediocre but I did enjoy the boathouse mussels & salad. There were a few things that bugged me. We were never provided a free water option - a bottle of still water was $10! Also, they automatically include 20% gratuity without mention, but there's still a line for tip when signing. Ambiance though is excellent, especially on a cooler summer day. Service was okay; not the most attentive, especially considering the auto 20% tip.

    Calamari
    Ashley M.

    Came here again in December and had another amazing array of food! I love ordering a ton of appetizers and nothing disappoints here!

    A kids butter pasta.
    Modern S.

    I love the boathouse. There's nothing else like it. The atmosphere, service, and location are one of a kind. But it rests on those laurels entirely with its food. The food has all the charm of overpriced hotel room service in Toledo. The burger alone plays it so safe that I can't imagine it pleasing anyone. This would be fine if you ate here once and really just wanted the view but if you live here how can you ever bring a visiting friend in good conscience, let alone come on your own. I want to crave boathouse but the food is holding me back. Fix the food and I'm there for life.

    Pastrami Sandwich
    Erika C.

    So we went on a windy day to the boathouse and it was packed but since we had a reservation we were able to go in directly to get seated. We ordered the meatballs as a starter and the pastrami sandwich and ravioli for mains and may I say the portions were decently sized and was very fresh. I can say the drinks were very overpriced and mostly heavy on the ice so I opted out while my husband ordered the "Hugo". I didn't see many people order much food except chicken and salads which is normal I'm assuming. The thing I noticed most people are there for 2+ hours or more and just talking so they definitely are table hogging which is why I don't see many people coming in to the dining area once seated. I took out a star only because there is no music so all you really hear is the crowd of people talking loudly rather than something nice in background. The wait staff very attentive and sweet - won't be coming back but nice experience overall.

    Free starter
    Jaime R.

    Took my daughter to the Central Park Boathouse for lunch on a perfect spring afternoon, and it was a lovely experience. We walked in without a reservation on a weekday in April and were seated without issue. The food was delicious--standouts included the warm parker rolls, rich Ricotta Ravioli, and perfectly balanced Rigatoni Pomodoro. We sipped on a refreshing lemonade, a floral Cucumber Rose Spritz mocktail, and ended with a smooth cappuccino. Service was good and attentive, and the real showstopper is the setting--stunning views of the lake and park all around. It's classic New York charm. Just note that the breathtaking view is reflected in the prices, but for the experience, it's well worth it.

    Cauliflower Steak

    This restaurant is a tourist trap. It is located in Central Park within manhattan. I ordered the cauliflower steak and received a large piece of cauliflower. There wasn't a steak included in the plate. It cost about $35. I would expect more than vegetables for that price.

    Patio dining
    Chelsea G.

    You're paying for the Iconic view and not so much for the service and food. This cafe has so much potential but I suppose my expectations were too high.

    Turtle

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    17 days ago

    Perfect for atmosphere, hospitality & views of the rowboats on the lake. Crab cakes are divine.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Central Park Boathouse

    Dress code at dinner?

    none but doesnt hurt to dressup for sure ;)

    Dress code for lunch?

    Nope. We walked in wearing casual clothing, jeans and T-shirts.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Central Park Boathouse

    I've dined at the restaurant before the renovations and reopening, but this was my first time outside for drinks.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Consulate - Midtown

    The Consulate - Midtown

    4.1
    (195 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    We had high hopes! Came for dinner last night for our 8:30 reservation. Grabbed a drink prior at…read morethe bar. The bartender was less than warm and welcoming. Zero personality. As we had our cocktails we discussed going somewhere else as the vibe was flat. But my husband convinced me to stay as it's already 8:30. We head upstairs to our table, only to be greeted by another less enthusiastic server. He never told us his name or offered up any menu highlights. I was excited to have bone marrow and escargot. Both failed epically. The bone marrow was inedible as it was like cold custard. Escargot had zero flavor and a real lack of garlic and good butter. Tasted more like vegetable oil than good butter. We shared the lobster pasta entree. Tasted more like Mexican goulash. No Italian flavors to be found in the sauce. Never once did the nameless waiter stop and inquire about our meal. Just all around a poor experience and a disappointing Friday night. There are far better places that appreciate your patronage. We will not be coming back. Not worth it.

    We went to The Consulate Midtown for dinner after seeing so many strong reviews, but the experience…read moredidn't quite live up to the hype for us. Service was the main issue. The host came across as indifferent / borderline rude, which set the tone from the start. During dinner, when our second round of drinks arrived, the server seemed unsure where they belonged~even though the original glasses were still clearly on the table. The food itself was fine. The standout dish was the lamb tartare, which was excellent, and to be fair, everyone's meat was cooked exactly as requested. Overall, it was an okay meal, but based on our experience, it didn't quite match the level of praise suggested by the reviews.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Consulate breakfast with scramble eggs instead of poached.
    Consulate breakfast with scramble eggs instead of poached.
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    Grilled Octopus
    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Get bar staff, very attentive. Good happy hour @ 4:30pm to 7pm. Good happy hour cocktails. Not too…read moreloud during happy hour.

    Came here for a slightly early dinner after a Broadway show with a party of 4 on a Sunday evening…read more We had a reservation, but it didn't seem like we would have needed one, but I suppose better safe than sorry. The ambiance feels straight of the golden age, which is an aesthetic I'm certainly a sucker for. Even their robust cocktail menu fits the bill and is one of the prettiest menus I've ever had the joy of perusing. Staff was able to sit us a little bit ahead of our reservation which was also much appreciated. Wait staff was also very helpful and attentive, I don't think I've ever had my water glass so topped off! Starting off with cocktails, this place is a gin bar through and through and you'd be making a mistake if you didn't try one of their many options. I went with the 10,000 words, which you simply just give a spirit of your choice (I picked gin of course) and whether you antes) wanted your drink shaken or stirred and the bartender does the rest, so a bit of a surprise! I wound up with their version of The Last Word which was delightfully citrusy but I was hoping I'd wind up with something a little more adventurous app things considered. My girlfriend got the blackberry G&T, which was not only very pleasing to look at but delicious to boot. For food, we started with splitting some zucchini blossoms and beef cheek bao buns (both come in portions of 3). Both were tasty, but I love a good bao bun and these were so light and pillowy, I could have just went for an order of those for my main course. For the entree I went for the roasted half chicken, perhaps the most unassuming choice on the menu but this was maybe the best roast chicken I've ever had. Prepared perfectly, cooked to perfection, excellent portion size, and the kicker of it all was the stunning gravy that I was tempted to lick my plate for. Chicken is very easy to screw up, and they nailed it on all fronts here. My girlfriend went for the Valerie Signature burger with white cheddar and this thing did not mess around! A very rich patty, cooked to her temperature of choice served alongside some garlic truffle fries that made an American classic feel just a little more elevated. Our experience was delightful and I'd love to comeback here again, especially to check out more of the cocktail menu and soak in more of that golden age aura the place gives.

    Photos
    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    The Modern

    The Modern

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$$

    What an incredible night at the Modern tonight. We celebrated a birthday. We had reservations made…read morea week in advance. On reaching, we were seated immediately. The interiors are so bright and for lack of a better word, modern! Lovely bright light streaming in even on an overcast day. The food and the service was exceptional. Everyone was super friendly. We particularly loved our server, Jenny! Our favorites were the cocktails and the eggs on eggs on eggs course - but really, everything was delectable! I've been to Eleven Madison Park and learned that the chef at The Modern used to work there prior to this stint. Well, he seems to have outdone EMP with what they've achieved at the Modern! Thank you for an incredible evening!

    lovely experience, but food is pretty normal for upscale contemporary dining. reservation wasn't…read moretoo hard to get, as we went for lunch. i ordered the regular set menu with three courses. beautiful presentation and lovely open and airy interior. right next to the MOMA, so pretty chill area. amuse bouche: some sort of tuna tartlet, great first bite, fresh fish and a crispy tart shell. bread: marble bread with a salted butter. pretty standard flavor, but clear showing of good technique. the bubbles on the outside of the bread show great fermentation and the marbling was pretty consistent throughout the loaf. butter was honestly pretty average, no significant flavor. eggs on eggs on eggs: honestly disappointing for how much this dish is cited as their best. not enough balance to be considered well rounded, much too salty and needed some acidity to cut out the fattiness. chilled lobster and garden peas: best dish of the meal, very fresh balance of lobster and veggies, with a clean and clear broth. pork, melted leeks and truffled potatoes: pork was well done, not tough at all and very tender. not much flavor of its own, but paired will with the other items. yuzu gelato, crispy meringue and citrus chiffon: very good, with a strong yuzu flavor that is hard to get right. a bit too sour, but compensated with a great balance of textures.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Fresh bread
    Fresh bread
    Non alc bev

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    Quality Bistro

    Quality Bistro

    4.2
    (610 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Full bar

    This is the kind of restaurant experience that I adore…read more We came here for dinner before a concert at Carnegie Hall. We had a reservation and were seated within moments. The place was packed! The dinner items are so intriguing. Why did I love it so much? Because it was like art, but also delicious. I can highly recommend the tableside butter service. A giant cart with a mountain of butter is rolled to your area. In the most entertaining way, butter is scooped and prepared on a marble slab then served to you and yours with many little accoutrements. It was way too much for two people, but we loved every bite. The service was so good, the food fun and photogenic, and I loved all of the bites. I can't wait to come back.

    Thanks to my friend, who lives across from Quality Bistro and is a regular, I've been lucky enough…read moreto experience this place multiple times--from lunch and brunch to even Thanksgiving dinner. The service is consistently excellent. It's one of those restaurants where you feel very well taken care of from start to finish, and the space itself has a lively, polished energy that makes every visit feel like an occasion. The food, for me, is a bit more mixed. There are a few standout touches I really enjoy, especially the butter service and the bagel service, which always feel fun and well done. The French onion soup was memorable the first time I had it, though I've since had an even better version elsewhere that raised the bar for me. Some dishes land better than others. The Caesar salad is fine but not particularly memorable, the pasta dishes are generally okay, and I didn't love the artichoke dish, which felt a bit tough and underwhelming. The mac and cheese also didn't quite hit for me and felt a bit heavy without much payoff. That said, I can absolutely see the appeal of this restaurant--especially the experience, the atmosphere, and the service. My friend particularly loves the fries, which seem to be a consistent favorite. For me, it's a place I enjoy when I'm invited and treated, especially for those little signature touches like the butter service. It feels very indulgent and fun, even if not every dish is a standout.

    Photos
    Quality Bistro
    Quality Bistro
    Quality Bistro

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    Bartley Dunnes

    Bartley Dunnes

    4.4
    (146 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Bartley Dunnes! The employees here showed us love and a great time! My cousin and I came here after…read morea small concert up the street. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers, I was lead to this great spot for a late dinner and cocktails on a Friday night. The hostess was really friendly and quicky sat us at a two seater near the bar, which we appreciated. The ambiance was light and friendly and they even had a DJ playing all the good jams! I think I danced a bit, (definitely liquid courage). The DJ read the room and created a fun ambiance. The waitress came over a few minutes later and quickly took our drink and meal order. We ordered the Tuna Crispy Rice ( Yum), Guinness Wager Sliders (Nom Nom), Korean Chicken Boas (My Favorite!) and Carnitas Tacos.....I'm embarrassed to admit that we cleaned our plates like a couple of savages. Bartley Dunnes is a great choice to come solo, meet up with friends or come as a group of no more than 4, unless you make a reservation. They have a second floor that I unfortunately didn't get a chance to check out, so I can't write about that. However, I did see people coming and going straight up. I'll be back!

    Stopped by Bartley Dunnes for a few happy hour drinks before heading to Museum of Modern Art for an…read moreevent. They have a great happy hour running from open until 8 PM, including $6 beers and $8 cocktails, which is a great deal for the area. ordered the Bartleys Spritz (Aperol Spritz) and a Tequila Mule. We sat at the bar, which runs about half the length of the space, and there were also plenty of tables throughout. The back section of the bar feels a bit separated from the main entrance area. There are some TVs throughout, and everything inside seemed fairly new and well maintained. It was not very crowded on a Tuesday early evening, so service was quick and the staff was very friendly. We did not order food this time, but everything coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled great. Overall, I would definitely recommend this spot for happy hour drinks in the MoMA/Midtown West area.

    Photos
    Bartley Dunnes Main Bar
    Bartley Dunnes Main Bar
    Brunch Burger
    Brunch Burger
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    Central Park Boathouse - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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