Central Park Boathouse Restaurant Reopens After $2.9M Renovation

After closing for three months for a $2.9 million renovation of its 64-year-old structure, the Central Park Boathouse — also sometimes called the Loeb Boathouse — is back in business, the Post reports, with more seats and an upgraded look to make the scenic, lakeside restaurant even more Instagram-ready.

The renovation and restoration of the restaurant, located near Central Park’s entrance at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street, includes new furniture, finishes, and lighting, as well as more muted colors, improving on the building’s water-worn exterior.

Dean Poll, who has owned the restaurant since 2000, told the Post that Central Park Boathouse “was tired after 18 years.” The renovations reflect a more modern restaurant with an expanded main dining room that went from 160 to 185 seats and 30 new high-top seats that have a full view of the lake. Wood floors, damaged by water, have been replaced with tile. The bar has been expanded, too. “Aesthetically, it’s all going to be more appealing. It will feel like a porch overlooking the lake,” Poll tells the Post.

As for the food, executive chef John Greeley is back with a seafood-heavy American menu, serving dishes like a char-grilled octopus appetizer and a seafood bucatini main. But the restaurant isn’t necessarily known for its food, which is fairly basic and on the pricier side, with entrees ranging from $27 to $45.

Here, it’s more about the location and views, a place to have a drink on the water that tends to attract a mix of tourists willing to shell out for food with a view, plus locals who just want to have a drink in Central Park. The restaurant has appeared in classic romantic comedy movies like When Harry Met Sally and 27 Dresses, which makes sense considering the picturesque views and lakeside setting.

Central Park Boathouse is now reopen for lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch.

• Central Park Boathouse is back just in time for spring [NY Post]