Sprawling, beautiful Central Park must be part of your New York City explorations. When checking out Gapstow Bridge or the Balto Statue and an I've-been-walking-all-day hunger strikes, know there are some GREAT food options right in the park.

Let's check out the best restaurants in Central Park! We'll dive into some cheap(er) options, a couple of fancy places, and even a great sandwich spot to bring into the park for a picnic.

Let's do it. 👇

Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien has two locations physically in Central Park and several others around the city. One location by Sheep Meadow. Another location is by the Conservatory Water (closer to the Met if you want to come for breakfast/lunch before the Met).

Both have grab and go options as well as a sit down area with table service. Very dog friendly patios and Scout loves to eat here. Everything we have had here is great and so fresh.

Recommend: The coffee. Breakfast sandwiches, pastries, lentil soup (comes with fresh baked bread). Also sells wine and beer, and is a nice spot for a drink in the warmer weather.

The Ballfields Cafe (The Migrant Kitchen)

On the North side of the Heckscher Ballfields off of 65th Street.

Opens every weekend in April and is open 7 days a week starting in May.

The Migrant Kitchen also has a location on the UWS. Portions of every meal purchased go towards providing meals to New Yorkers in need. They have served nearly 4 million meals to food-insecure communities across NYC.

Regular menu has hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, soft pretzels, popcorn, ice cream. They sell beer, wine, and margaritas.

Recommend: Crispy chicken wrap and harvest lemonade. Harvest lemonade has cardamom and ginger in it.

Central Park Boathouse

Located right between Bethesda Terrace and The Ramble. It's basically in the middle of Central Park so plan on a long walk to get there if coming from midtown. No cars go there. 20 min walk from 7th ave and 59th St. But from 5th Ave and 72nd entrance it's a 5 min walk.

Most romantic and expensive option. Featured in tons of movies and shows. Sex and the City, 27 Dresses, When Harry Met Sally.

$20 starters, $30-60 entrees. $19-22 cocktails.

Highly recommend for a splurge meal. Quintessential NYC establishment. Overlooks the lake and you can watch people rowing in the boats. Ducks swimming by... very cute!

Central Park Boathouse Cafe

Casual walk-up counter outside the Boathouse. They have breakfast sandwiches and pastries. For lunch, they have sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Great place to grab a breakfast sandwich and coffee in the morning.

Highly recommend grabbing something to eat and then going and getting lost in The Ramble. The entrance is just straight up the sidewalk from the Boathouse Cafe.

You'll Have to Check It Out - Lenwich

4 across Manhattan, the closest to the park is 55th and 8th

Get the Italian sandwich or Caesar Wrap and take into the park for a picnic.

Melba's Cafe by Woolman Rink

Mostly mediocre and overpriced food, would recommend mostly for dessert, coffee, or beer/wine.

Tavern on the Green

Located on 67th Street & Central Park West. Can get dropped off in a car right by the entrance.

Originally built in 1870 to house the sheep that grazed in Central Park's Sheep Meadow. Transformed into a restaurant in 1934.

$20ish appetizers and $30-60 entrees. Participates in "NYC Restaurant Week" twice a year (usually January/February and July/August). Happy Hour food menu & discounted cocktails, wine, and beer available at the bar counter & the lounges only.

Tavern To Go

Anna is a true gem of a barista and gives all the dogs little treats and places them on top of the coffee. Great drip coffee, latte, cappuccino. They also have some pre-made baked goods and sell wine & beer in the afternoons.

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Visiting New York City is memorable, but often more expensive than anticipated. Unfortunately, many tourists waste money on easily avoidable mistakes!

In this episode, we'll help you avoid those how-the-hell-is-this-so-expensive moments during your travels to New York.

You'll learn the hack to not pay full price for Broadway shows, where to get the best souvenirs, and how to avoid a common ordering mistake at bars that led to the saddest we've EVER seen our friend Harvey..

#1- Not Double-Checking Your Tab/Bill

• Check for auto gratuity, especially with larger groups
• If they don't give you an itemized receipt, ask for one
• A tip of 18-20% is standard, don't feel pressured to tip higher than that

#2- Full-Price Broadway Tickets

• Use TKTS booth for day of tickets or Today Tix if you plan in advance
• Enter the lotteries and/or rush tickets

#3- Buying Bottled Water at Restaurants or On the Go

• NYC tap water is delicious, safe, and FREE
• Refill your bottle throughout the city
• When the restaurants ask "sparkling or still?" say tap

#4- Staying in Times Square

• You don't need to stay near Times Square, but prioritize being close to a subway station
• Base your stay on proximity to the majority of your plans, but 30 minutes or less to your plans is great

#5- Pedicabs (Anywhere) & Horse-Drawn Carriages in Central Park

• They're extremely overpriced; we've seen pedicabs charge $100 to go 10 blocks (that would cost about $10 in a taxi)
• Horses in Central Park aren't treated well and are overpriced

#6- Ordering Too Much Food

• You won’t want leftovers since you likely won’t have a microwave (or fridge), so share, share, share!
• If you end up with too much, give to someone in need vs just leaving it on your plate

#7- Overpriced, Crappy Souvenirs

• Instead of souvenirs in Midtown area, go to Chinatown (if you really want the cheap, I ❤️ NY stuff)
• Or, go to unique thrift stores or shops like Artists and Fleas in Chelsea Market
• Gift shops at museums

#8- Statue of Liberty Tours/Boat

• Staten Island Ferry is free
• Make sure you really want to do it... Our nephews were stoked to do it, but then said it was the most boring day ever.
• The full experience takes at least 4 hours

#9- Buying Shots of Alcohol

• They will be way more expensive than you think, unless there is a special
• Instead, go buy a shooter from a liquor store OR
• Get a well drink

#10- Taxis or Uber/Lyft Everywhere

• Especially cabs in and out of Times Square.. you pay for time or mileage, it is set to make sure THEY make money

• It may not look crowded on the street you’re on, but it probably is
• Go to 9th ave or 5th ave for taxis when between 30th street & 50th street

You'll Have to Check It Out - The Strand Bookstore

• Opened in 1927, family-run since its founding
• Today the Strand carries over 2.5 million new and rare books covering topics as far ranging as philosophy to finance and even an entire children's section
• Wide array of literary and New York-esque gifts and trinkets
• Also has a little coffee shop and a public bathroom!
• Host events like book signings and literary lectures

Check out the Strand Bookstore here.

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