Eat · Restaurants by neighborhood · 2026
The best restaurants near Central Park.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 20 places.
Everybody visiting New York City should make an effort to visit Central Park (it’s a masterpiece!). But the one thing I hear most often with my out-of-town guests is that food options are limited.
While there are 2 restaurants in the park, they both skew towards the pricier side. As such, I thought it’d be helpful to quick roundup my 20 favorite restaurants near Central Park. I’ll break the list down into three categories: where to eat on the Upper West Side, great restaurants on the Upper East Side and a few dining options to the south of the park. Let’s dive in!
- Bluestone LaneCafe · Upper East SideTheir coffee is half the draw, which is why I consider this one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
- BoqueriaRestaurant · Upper East SidePlus, Boqueria has one of the best seafood paellas I’ve ever had (rice, monkfish, squid, shrimp, clams, mussels).
- Breads BakeryBakery · Upper East SideBreads Bakery is my favorite bakery near Central Park, and I (gladly) make the trek into the Upper East Side for the black and white cookies at least once a week.
- Burger JointRestaurant · Central Park SouthIt’s one of the best restaurants near Central Park for a no frills, hearty meal.
- Cafe SerafinaRestaurant · Central Park SouthLike cafes in Italy, Cafe Serafina serves hearty, casual meals and is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
- Carnegie DinerRestaurant · Central Park SouthOne of the best restaurants for brunch near Central Park is Carnegie Diner & Cafe because it was a spot created for the people.
- Charles Pan Fried ChickenRestaurant · Upper West SideFrom then on Charles Pan Fried Chicken has become the pinnacle of soul food in New York City.
- Daily ProvisionsRestaurant · Upper West SideThis is a personal favorite restaurant near Central Park if you’re looking for an unfussy, quick meal.
- Emmy Squared PizzaRestaurant · Upper East SideEmmy Squared is one of the best sit-down restaurants near Central Park.
- J.G MelonRestaurant · Upper East SideWith all the (well deserved) fanfare it’s safe to call JG Melon one of the most famous restaurants near Central Park.
- La Grande BoucherieRestaurant · Upper East SideThis is one of the best restaurants near Central Park, so make sure to plan ahead and make reservations.
- Luke’s Lobster rollRestaurant · Upper East SideThe quality leaves little room to wonder why Luke’s Lobster is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
- Maison PickleRestaurant · Upper West SideI recommend ordering the Hot Honey Chicken n French Toast — you won’t be disappointed.
- Mamoun’s FalafelRestaurant · Upper West SideMamoun’s is also a one of the most popular restaurants near Central Park for late night munchies.
- Modern Bread & BagelsBakery · Upper West SideModern Bread & Bagel is one of the best restaurants near Central Park to load up on all your carb needs.
- Patsy’s PizzaRestaurant · Upper West SideFamed for being Frank Sinatra’s favorite pizza spot in NYC, Patsy’s is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
- Quality BistroRestaurant · Central Park SouthLuckily for us, Quality Bistro is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
- Sarabeth’sRestaurant · Central Park SouthEstablished in 1983 on the Upper East Side, Sarabeth’s quickly became a favorite among locals and is a staple on lists of the best restaurants near Central Park.
- Shake ShackRestaurant · Upper West SideNot only is this one of the best restaurants near Central Park, it’s a block away from the Natural Museum of History as well.
- Xi’an Famous FoodsRestaurant · Upper East Side
Bluestone Lane
Cafe · Upper East Side · 1085 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
Their coffee is half the draw, which is why I consider this one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
Boqueria
Restaurant · Upper East Side · 1460 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075
Plus, Boqueria has one of the best seafood paellas I’ve ever had (rice, monkfish, squid, shrimp, clams, mussels).
Breads Bakery
Bakery · Upper East Side · 1294 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Breads Bakery is my favorite bakery near Central Park, and I (gladly) make the trek into the Upper East Side for the black and white cookies at least once a week.
Burger Joint
Restaurant · Central Park South · 119 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
It’s one of the best restaurants near Central Park for a no frills, hearty meal.
Cafe Serafina
Restaurant · Central Park South · 922 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Like cafes in Italy, Cafe Serafina serves hearty, casual meals and is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
Carnegie Diner
Restaurant · Central Park South · 205 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
One of the best restaurants for brunch near Central Park is Carnegie Diner & Cafe because it was a spot created for the people.
Charles Pan Fried Chicken
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 146 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
From then on Charles Pan Fried Chicken has become the pinnacle of soul food in New York City.
Daily Provisions
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 375 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
This is a personal favorite restaurant near Central Park if you’re looking for an unfussy, quick meal.
Emmy Squared Pizza
Restaurant · Upper East Side · 1426 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States
Emmy Squared is one of the best sit-down restaurants near Central Park.
J.G Melon
Restaurant · Upper East Side · 1291 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021
With all the (well deserved) fanfare it’s safe to call JG Melon one of the most famous restaurants near Central Park.
La Grande Boucherie
Restaurant · Upper East Side · 145 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
This is one of the best restaurants near Central Park, so make sure to plan ahead and make reservations.
Luke’s Lobster roll
Restaurant · Upper East Side · 242 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028
The quality leaves little room to wonder why Luke’s Lobster is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
Maison Pickle
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
I recommend ordering the Hot Honey Chicken n French Toast — you won’t be disappointed.
Mamoun’s Falafel
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 508 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Mamoun’s is also a one of the most popular restaurants near Central Park for late night munchies.
Modern Bread & Bagels
Bakery · Upper West Side · 472 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Modern Bread & Bagel is one of the best restaurants near Central Park to load up on all your carb needs.
Patsy’s Pizza
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 61 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023
Famed for being Frank Sinatra’s favorite pizza spot in NYC, Patsy’s is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
Quality Bistro
Restaurant · Central Park South · 120 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
Luckily for us, Quality Bistro is one of the best restaurants near Central Park.
Sarabeth’s
Restaurant · Central Park South · 40 Central Park S Located in: 40 West 59th
Established in 1983 on the Upper East Side, Sarabeth’s quickly became a favorite among locals and is a staple on lists of the best restaurants near Central Park.
Shake Shack
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 366 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Not only is this one of the best restaurants near Central Park, it’s a block away from the Natural Museum of History as well.
Xi’an Famous Foods
Restaurant · Upper East Side · 328 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
Named after Xi’an, one of the easternmost cities in China (and last stop on the Silk Road!) Xi’an Famous Foods is not only one of the best restaurants near Central Park, it’s one of the most affordable.
Best restaurants near Central Park, 2026
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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 20 Best Restaurants Near Central Park (Personal Favorites).