Boathouse Restaurant: E74
[Constructed 1954]
Chief Park Designer: Stuart Constable
(212) 517-2233
Located at the northeastern tip of the
Lake, stands the Loeb Boathouse that houses the Boathouse Restaurant, a famous icon of Central Park.
This current building built in 1954 was largely financed with a gift from investment banker Carl Loeb.
As familiar and as enduring as this Boathouse might be to most Park visitors, this was not the original building. The previous boathouse,
constructed out of wood was built in 1873 and was designed by Calvert Vaux. It was a Victorian two level building that enabled passengers to rent rowboats and purchase refreshments all while enjoying a scenic view of the
Lake. It endured for over eighty, years, but by 1952 its edifice had become broken-down and was demolished.
The Loeb Boathouse is a warm welcome to the many visitors to Central Park. Its distinctive copper roof with green patina and canopied glass enclosures offer an air of elegance as it gently embraces the Lake.
Inside this red brick and limestone building visitors can expect a visually enticing dining experience.
Overlooking the Lake it is the perfect place to dine on a relaxing afternoon lunch or romantic dinner in the warmer months. Many diners prefer the deck where they can sit back and watch the rowboats and occasional
gondola drift by on the
Lake as they enjoy a salad or refined fish platter. It is easy to lose
oneself in this magical atmosphere and truly forget you are still in the City.
Swans and ducks frequently approach the restaurant’s deck in search for a friendly handout. From the restaurant’s seasonal outdoor terrace, you can see
Bethesda Terrace in the distance.
Catering is also provided in a large room on the northern wing devoted reserved for private parties and weddings.
There is also a small outdoor casual bar that is frequently enjoyed by many. During the summer months the chatter of dinnerware, glasses and happy voices resonate in the air, as the crowds grow larger and larger. With so many people mingling together, it is definitely the place to dine, enjoy the great view and be seen.