I’ve been planning weddings in Central Park for over ten years now, and a very frequently asked question from clients is the one about where a couple should go to eat after their wedding. It is such a difficult one to answer because it all depends on your group size, what your budget is, what your tastes are, how much walking or traveling you want to do (do you want to be close to Central Park? In Manhattan? With a view of Manhattan from across the river?), and many other factors. New York is a huge city with so many awesome places to choose from with every cuisine you can think of to fit a vast range of budgets. Check out my FAQs page on my website for answers to some of the other questions that I get asked a lot.
I decided a while back that a good way to answer the question would be to gather together a list of some of the restaurants that my clients recommend. To avoid writing an extremely long blog post that nobody would want to read, I’ve split this subject up year by year. What follows is a list of places where the couples who have featured in the blog in 2022 have eaten. I thought I would write this at the very end of last year, but we had such a busy winter that I didn’t get around to it until the Fall of 2023!
I wrote a post summarising where all the couples who featured on the blog in 2021 ate after their wedding, couples from 2020, couples from 2019, couples from 2018, couples from 2017, couples from 2016, then from 2015, then those from 2014, and also those from 2013. So there are lots of recommendations to look through. Some places keep coming up again and again, some places have closed over the years, and some are more unique suggestions.
Tyron and Andy – Cotenna, the Stonewall Inn, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
British couple Tyron and Andy got married in Wagner Cove in December. After finishing up their photo session in Times Square, they went to Chipotle – Andy’s favorite meal – then headed down to lower Manhattan and took a helicopter ride taking in the views. That evening, they went to a little Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village called Cotenna before going over to the Stonewall Inn, and then the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar where they enjoyed amazing views of the Empire State Building in the background.
Allura and Anthony – Beekman Hotel
Allura and Anthony got married in the North Garden of the Conservatory Gardens in May. The North Garden is designed in a French style (the South Garden is English style and the Center Garden is Italian style). They took their guests to have a cocktail hour and dinner at the Beekman Hotel after the wedding ceremony in Central Park, this is also where they were staying with the group and had reserved room blocks.
Leanne and Craig – Dolly Varden, Gallaghers Steakhouse
British couple Leanne and Craig got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion in January. Leanne and Craig arrived at Central Park in a vintage yellow cab, “It which was fantastic!” said Leanne. After the photos they took a horse and carriage ride, then they went for cocktails at Dolly Varden, then dinner at Gallagher’s Steakhouse, “which was out of this world!” Leanne told me.
Sarah and Daniel – Deborah Miller Catering
New Yorkers Sarah and Daniel got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion in March. After the ceremony, they went off with their photographer for some photos around Central Park, and they did have a snack from a hot dog vendor while doing the photos shoot! Then they took all of their guests home with them in a limo for a catered dinner. “We would have preferred a restaurant but due to Covid, we decided to stay home,” she said. It was a lovely way to end the day in keeping with their relaxed, family event. They used Deborah Miller Catering for their dinner, which they highly recommend. “The presentation was beautiful and the food, delicious!” Sarah said.
Leighanne and Mark – Tavern on the Green, One if by Land Two if by Sea
British couple Leighanne and Mark got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion in January. They brought two friends with them as witnesses to their wedding in Central Park. They didn’t want to have a long photo shoot outdoors, so after some photos at Bethesda Terrace, they walked down to the Tavern on the Green in for some bottles of Verve Clicquot! After they had warmed up there, they went to the Top of the Rock and then on to a speakeasy, since Mark had always wanted to go to one. “We had some cocktails in there then moved on to our wedding meal at One if by Land Two if by Sea,” Leighanne said.
Alyssa and Chris – The River Café
Alyssa and Chris eloped from their home in London, England to get married in Central Park this May. They took photos around Central Park, then Grand Central, and finished up the photos in Brooklyn. So, it made sense to eat in Brooklyn. They went to The River Café overlooking Manhattan for dinner afterwards. They said that they highly recommend The River Café, but also ate at the ever-popular Keens Steakhouse, Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Katz’s Deli that they would also recommend. Also they liked Levain Bakery cookies, Los Tacos in Chelsea Market, Jin Ramen, and Don Antonio Pizza.
Amber and Steve – The Osprey at The One Hotel
British couple Amber and Steve got married in Cop Cot in April. For their reception, they took their guests over to Brooklyn in a vintage trolley bus. They had a meal at The Osprey at The One Hotel. They said they would highly recommend it. Amber told me there had been a few dramas with reception booking related to Covid, and the place they had in mind for their reception had closed down a week before their trip. “It turned out for the best as the food and service at The Osprey were fantastic,” said Amber. They had timed it to be there for sunset so the view of Manhattan and the East River was beautiful, and they were able to enjoy their rooftop bar after the meal.
Meagan and Andrew – City Winery
Meagan and Andrew got married in May on the Lawns by the Pond at the south end of Central Park, overlooking Gapstow Bridge. They held the reception at City Winery, “we danced and drank the night away!” said Megan.
Allison and Glenn – Carmine’s
Allison and Glenn got married in May on Belvedere Castle Terrace. They did see a little rain when they got married in Central Park but they didn’t let it stop them from enjoying their day. After taking photos around the park, they went on to have dinner together at Carmine’s.
Rachel and Jack – STK
Rachel and Jack got married on Bethesda Terrace in April. They brought over Jack’s mom and dad, and Rachel’s dad and his partner from their home in Scotland for the wedding. After taking photos around Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge and Cherry Hill they left the park to take photos outside St Patrick’s Cathedral. “Those photos outside the Cathedral and on the street are lovely,” said Rachel. Then they popped back to their hotel, Rachel got changed into a smaller dress and they went for dinner and drinks at STK. “It was the best steak we have ever had and it also had a good party vibe as there is a DJ playing in the restaurant,” said Rachel.
Kim and Rob – The River Café
British couple Kim and Rob got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion in June. They had quite a long photo session before the ceremony – at their hotel, then with a vintage cab that took them over to Brooklyn and then back to Manhattan for the ceremony. After the ceremony, they took a few photos in Central Park then they took a subway back to their hotel. They had a brief rest there, then went back out again to the River Cafe for dinner.
Jade and Danny – Tavern on the Green
Jade and Danny eloped from their home in Scotland to get married in Central Park in July. They held their ceremony on the Pond Lawns at the south end of Central Park, with Gapstow Bridge in the background. We had the ceremony take place in the morning. After taking photos around the park Jade and Danny went to Tavern on the Green for brunch. After that they went back to their hotel to change. “It was too much for us Scottish people to wear our full wedding gear in the New York City summer heat!” said Jade. Once changed and refreshed they went to the Plaza for cocktails and then went to see Chicago on stage that evening.
Joanne and Daniel – Tavern on the Green, Carmine’s
British couple Joanne and Daniel renewed their marriage vows with us in August. They had been married for exactly twenty years to the day when they renewed their vows. They have two teenaged sons who were their guests for their vow renewal. After taking some photos around Central Park, they all went to the Tavern on the Green to toast their renewed vows with a glass of champagne. They went to DiscOasis roller rink at the Wollman rink in Central Park later that night and then on for a meal at Carmine’s restaurant.
Verity and Richard – Grimaldi’s, Black Iron Burger, Zoob Zib Thai
Verity and Richard came over to New York from their home in England with four guests to get married in Central Park. They had their small ceremony at the end of August in the Ladies’ Pavilion. They have a few restaurant recommendations to share. “We ate at Grimaldi’s over the Brooklyn Bridge, Black Iron Burger and Zoob Zib Thai, I would recommend them all,” said Verity. She said they would not recommend the Bryant Park Grill, even though it was in a great location, she said the food was good but the service was not a patch on anywhere else they ate.
Jennifer and Maurice – Marlow Bistro
New Yorkers Jennifer and Maurice got married in the Conservatory Gardens with fifty guests in attendance. After the wedding ceremony in Central Park, they had the guests stick around for a little while, taking group photos in the lovely Conservatory Gardens. Then they went on to the reception location at Marlow Bistro on the corner of East 100th St and Amsterdam Avenue. They were very happy with the restaurant. “The restaurant has beautiful indoor and outdoor seating and is already decorated in flowers, so there was no need to purchase any additional floral arrangements,” said Jennifer. “The food was incredible – a seasonal Mediterranean food menu with a variety of selections to please all of our guests,” she said.
Caitlin and Tom – Tavern on the Green
British couple Caitlin and Tom brought a small group of close friends and family over for their wedding in Central Park in June. The ceremony took place in Cop Cot in the late morning. After the ceremony they took family photos and then the guests left to enjoy the afternoon however they wished. Caitlin and Tom left the group with the videographer and photographer to take some photos around Central Park, and then we had hired a vintage cab to pick them up when they had finished in the park. They went to the Top of the Rock, the New York Public Library, street locations with views of the Empire State Building and finished up at the Brooklyn waterfront with the Manhattan skyline as backdrop. After their long photo session, Caitlin and Tom went back to their hotel, got changed into something more casual and cooler for the evening. Then they met back up with all of their guests to have a lovely meal back in Central Park on the patio at the Tavern on the Green.
Helen and Nathan – Bridgepoint
British couple Helen and Nathan brought a group of close family and friends over to New York for their wedding in Central Park. Their wedding ceremony took place in the Ladies’ Pavilion in early September. Helen and Nathan’s party drove around Manhattan on an open top bus from Central Park to their reception venue over in Brooklyn. “The bus was a real hit with us and our guests,” said Helen. They had struggled to find an evening reception location within their budget that they really liked, but in the end they found Bridgepoint in DUMBO, when they were enquiring about another venue. “We didn’t want to have a restaurant meal, we wanted a fully private venue to have a proper party!” said Helen.
Peter and Melanie – The Capital Grille
Peter and Melanie brought their grown-up children with them from their home in the UK to get married in Central Park in August. After photos around Central Park they all returned to the hotel for drinks before moving on the Rockefeller Centre for a meal at The Capital Grille. They said that one stand out restaurant that they wanted to recommend was Ellen’s Stardust Diner, which has full on Broadway singing live as you eat. “Amazing and fun,” they told me.
Larissa and Bob – Porter House Bar and Grill and Mandarin Oriental
New Yorkers Larissa and Bob got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion first thing in the morning one Saturday in September. After the ceremony and photos around Central Park, Larissa and Bob took their guests to lunch at the Porter House Bar and Grill in Columbus Circle. Afterward, a few guests decided to go to the bar at the Mandarin Oriental for the views of the Park. Later in the evening, they took their out-of-town guests to a Japanese restaurant on the Upper West Side.
Hollie and Kye – Bateaux Dinner Cruise
British couple Hollie and Kye got married in the Ladies’ Pavilion in September. They had two witnesses to their wedding, Hollie’s mom and her partner. After their time in Central Park the four of them went on the Bateaux premier dinner cruise, “which was a definite highlight,” said Hollie. I’ve been on it, too, and I would agree! “The food was really good, we got a free bottle of champagne and an announcement about our wedding, and it was amazing to see the sights of the city as the sun sets and at night,” she said. “We had amazing food all week” Hollie told me. “Highlights for breakfast were Café Hestia and Friedman’s and Gallagher’s Steakhouse for lunch,” she said. Their hotel had Black Tap on site for burgers if they didn’t feel like going out after a busy day of sightseeing.
As always with these blog post collections of restaurant recommendations, I would love for anyone to comment below with their own suggestions of great New York City restaurants. There are so many to choose from, and although there are some firm favorites that last over time, we’re always seeing new ones come up on these lists! I enjoy collating the lists of each year because it really highlights how some tastes change, but some just stay the same and stand the test of time!
For more information to help you with planning your own Central Park wedding, visit our website, or “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and follow us on Pinterest where you will find lots of beautiful photos and many more inspiring stories of real weddings.
