Fodor's Expert Review The Loeb Boathouse

There are plenty of pushcarts dispensing hot dogs and sodas, but to soak up Central Park's magic in an elegant setting, head for the Loeb Boathouse overlooking the gondola lake. New Yorkers breathed a sigh of relief when this landmark treasure reopened after a nine-month closure in summer 2023 with a new operator, a newly renovated outdoor bar, structural improvements to connect the upper and lower outdoor dining patios, a fresh menu, and expanded nearby restrooms. Enjoy light, counter-service fare on the patio or in the adjacent inner dining area of the Express Cafe; savor a glass of wine and a cheese plate on the alfresco deck bar; or splurge on a full-service meal in the more formal interior bar-restaurant. In warmer months, the deck and more formal restaurant can get crowded, so aim for a late lunch or early-evening cocktail. The boathouse is accessible on foot or via a shuttle bus that makes several stops along 5th Avenue.