Tavern on the Green in Central Park

Lunch at The Tavern

Last fall, Don and I strolled through Central Park on the day before Thanksgiving. 

Weather was lovely and so was our lunch at Tavern on the Green.

In 2003

22 years before, we strolled through Central Park with our kids... on the day before Thanksgiving.  We stopped in front of the historic property. with its festive trees.

We regretted not having reservations. I'd always hoped to return. 

The Tavern's History

I remember being so curious about the famous restaurant, tucked into the heart of Central Park. I actually knew little about the history. I just pictured glitzy New Yorkers dining there. 

I learned later that the brick building opened as a restaurant in 1934. This vintage postcard makes it look like a rambling country club, instead of a fine city restaurant. Where were the tall buildings?

November 2025

It took over 2 decades before Don and I returned to New York. This time, we knew to make reservations. 

But we still got confused. We walked up to this charming entrance, then realized it was just an order window. "Tavern To Go" offers take-out sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

Main Entrance

We walked further and found an enclosed walkway that took us to the lovely Gothic Revival building.

The building was a bit obscured, but I could see arches and they looked familiar. Not so much from our 2003 visit, but from an image in our vintage cookbook!

Cookbook Illustration

Months before our New York trip I flipped through our 1950 Ford Motor Cookbook, featuring recipes from all over the country. I spotted this watercolor image, along with a Tavern on the Green recipe.

I was suddenly extra excited to visit the restaurant! I secured  reservations and I made sure to pack the book for the trip! Always love a Cookbook Dining Adventure!

Sheepfold First

As we moved towards the walkway, I glanced up at the logo with 2 sheep. What a fun reminder of the building's history. When the restaurant opened its doors to the first diners in 1934, the brick building wasn't new. It had served wooly guests for many decades. Well, sort of.  

The original structure was built in 1870 to house 200 sheep, that grazed in the park's nearby Sheep Meadow. The sheepfold protected the flocks for many decades, before it was transformed into a restaurant.
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Fancy!
 
More arches and pretty woodwork greeted us, when we stepped inside.

It was surreal to imagine the fluffy sheep that once sheltered under this roof. It was also fun to imagine the famous people from Grace Kelly to John Lennon, who used to dine here.
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The Bar Room

We arrived at noon and our gracious host welcomed us and told us our table was ready. She had us follow her through the less formal Bar Room, where guests are able to dine and drink without reservations.

I glanced at the ornate fireplace, before passing into the next room. It looked original to me, but was actually created during the most recent renovation. Hard to see, but there are 2 sweet sheep heads holding up the mantle.

​Central Park Room 

We continued following, through the bright Central Park Room, with its glass wall facing the outdoor dining terrace.

This dining room occupies the space where the Crystal Room once entertained guests, beneath shimmering crystal chandeliers. The glass-enclosed Crystal Room (which opened in the 1970s) was removed when the Tavern was sold in 2009. 

After a 40-million dollar renovation, the Tavern reopened in 2014. Diners in the Central Park Room could enjoy views of the dining terrace, as well as views of the open kitchen.

South Wing

We passed through the bustling Central Park Room and I worried. Were we going to be taken to some new overflow annex?  Nope. We entered the South Wing, which is where Tavern on the Green originally served diners in 1934.

My South Wing photo with vaulted ceiling and dramatic lighting, looks classy and modern. It's fun to compare it to the 1934 photo of the same dining space, with tablecloths and waiters in white jackets. 

How I wish I could find photos showing sheep inside this building!

Instead I saw comfortable diners, in a pleasant and soothing space. 

Moss green velvet banquette seating and mirrored panels with plant designs. So nice!

The dining room looked less rustic than the images of long ago. 

I wish I could see what guests wore in the 1930s when they came to dine. The lunchtime crowd in 2025 seemed a bit informal and touristy. But I was just happy to be dining along with them.

Great Spot

Our server Brittania arrived right away. We ordered some wine and took in the atmosphere.

Don's seat offered a view of me of course... and the back section of the dining room.

At the end of the room (and building) there was a small bar.  

Bar staff was working swiftly. A lot of happy diners were in holiday spirits.

​Looking behind Don, I had a view of a beautiful stone table, with yet another nod to the restaurant's sheep history.

It made me wonder about all the collected decor that went to auction in 2009. Tiffany lamps, Baccarat Crystal, animal sculptures, whimsical murals... What a massive auction it must have been, before the building was turned over to the city.

Ordering

I enjoyed spotting more sheep on our water glasses and on the menu. Then I went to work searching for Chestnut Dressing.

 

I didn't find it and I didn't expect to.

Cookbook Time!

When Brittania came to take our order, I asked my question even though I knew the answer. "Do you still serve Tavern Chestnut Dressing?" When she apologized that they didn't, I pulled out the book.

Don and I had a chuckle watching our server react. Brittania saw the page with the recipe & illustration and did a double take. Then she studied the cover. "Where did you get this!" We love that question.

I felt a little guilty to taking up her time on such a busy day. But Brittania was clearly interested in the old book. 

Before long she'd gotten the attention of Jason, the manager.

Jason studied the curious page and asked to snap a photo of the recipe.

Chef Bill Pete
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​After Jason and Brittania left our table, a couple sitting nearby popped up and came to our table. They wanted to know about the little yellow book that everyone was looking at. 

Just a moment after the couple departed, Executive Chef Bill Peet suddenly appeared at out table. What a fun surprise! He of course wanted a peek at the book and recipe.

We were a little stunned that this very important chef on a such a busy day, would take a moment to come to our table. He was delightful and so enthused when he heard how we used the cookbook to inspire our own dining adventures around the country,  ​

We were happy that Chef Bill was properly amused. He was happy to hear us rave about our dining experience so far. We hadn't even taken a bite of food, but we were already in love with Tavern on the Green. When he learned we were NY visiting family, he encouraged us to bring them here the day after Thanksgiving. "You can have a turkey sandwich and we'll be all decorated for the holidays!" His enthusiasm made me think he was new to The Tavern, but he'd been here 9 years.

​Food!

Don and I usually eat light for lunch, but we needed a feast to match the fun we'd had so far. 

Don's grilled rainbow trout, blistered green beans and warm bacon potato salad was pretty amazing, even before the almond caper sauce! I could have eaten all his potatoes for him!

The name Lemon Chicken Under a Brick, excited me. I had a wild image in my head of how this might be served. Britannia had to break the news that the brick was used for cooking, not serving. We both laughed, picturing the muscles it would take to carry dishes with bricks.

I ordered anyway and loved every bite. The brick must have done amazing things to my chicken. It melted in my mouth, along with Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. Perfection! 

Sweets

We were on a roll and ordered some sticky toffee pudding to split. The dried plum caramel sauce was fabulous, with the salted caramel ice cream and sponge cake.

If that wasn't enough Brittania surprised us with a nifty green box, holding some chocolate truffles. 

Thanks Tavern!

We couldn't thank Brittania enough for giving us a memorable dining experience. We wished her a Happy Thanksgiving... even though we knew she'd be working. 

I'm sure the diners she served the next day were very well taken care of. 

Wandering

The weather was pleasant and sunny when we stepped out. We wandered a bit, trying to see glimpses of the old building.

I would love to hear some of the best stories that have taken place on this property, over the years.

Maybe I could just settle for seeing a few older movies that have filmed scenes on the property. Ghostbusters, Beaches, Arthur, The Out-of-Towners...

We passed the terrace patio and I imagined how it would look, lit up in the evenings over the holidays. Next visit!

Walking in Central Park

To top off our memorable dining experience, we got to enjoy a lovely walk back to our hotel. Perfect way to burn off those calories. 

What a beautiful day to stroll and enjoy some fall colors and a little people watching. 

Cheers to enjoying the 167-year-old park! The park might have even more stories to tell than The Tavern!

Cheers to dining in a 155-year-old building, that's been delighting diners for 91 years! 

​We won't wait 22 years for our next visit!
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