The Central Park Boathouse Is Reopening With a New Menu of Refined American Classics

A New York icon is set to return to the scene next week.

The Central Park Boathouse will reopen on Monday under a new operator, after the former restaurant closed in late 2022, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. Legends Hospitality, which is overseen by the owner of the New York Yankees and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, will head up the restaurant, with Adam Fiscus serving as executive chef and Dave Pasternack as consulting chef.

The space has been updated to reflect the colors of the birds seen around Central Park, including bluebirds. (Those who stop by can even record which types they saw in the Boathouse’s bird registry.) In the main dining room, you’ll have the chance to chow down on American classics, including oysters Rockefeller, stuffed mushrooms, and fish and chips at lunch. Mains encompass spaghetti with lobster, filet of beef au poivre, and prime rib with Yorkshire pudding. For dessert, cheesecake is a refreshing end to the meal.

Sunday brunch, meanwhile, will feature crab cakes Benedict. And sophisticated children will be able to indulge in a three-course kids’ menu. An outdoor café serves more casual fare—like breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and salads—and the indoor Fireside Room includes a courtyard. Later, the Boathouse will debut dockside dining with its own menu.

The Boathouse, which opened in 1954, has undergone quite a refresh: A few years ago, the restaurant was run by Dean Poll, who also owns Gallaghers Steakhouse. In July 2022, though, he said he would shut down the business because of the rising cost of goods and labor. Shortly after, several operators expressed interest in taking over the space, and the city was looking to work quickly to find a new tenant.

While it may have taken a while for the restaurant to reopen, fans of the iconic locale will likely be excited to check out what Legends has done with the place. Hopefully, the company sticks around for a while, bringing locals and tourists a quintessential taste of Central Park and New York City dining.

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