Johnny's kids chicken fingers at Tavern on the Green were such a big portion that, even after he ate his share, about 80% of it was left. We bagged it up to give to a homeless person later in the day.
We had lunch at Tavern on the Green on a Monday in late October, right after the Central Park Zoo, on the last day of our 3.5 days in New York City with a toddler. This Tavern on the Green review covers what we ordered, what it costs, and how it scored.
Tavern on the Green Review: Is It Good for Lunch?
Yes. Colleen's Cobb salad was a perfect lunch, my burger was very good, and Johnny's chicken fingers came in a huge portion.
Here are our scores:
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Tavern Cobb Salad (Colleen): 7.9/10
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Tavern Burger (John): 7.6/10
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Crispy Chicken Fingers (Johnny): a very large portion for a kids meal
Where Is Tavern on the Green?
Tavern on the Green is inside Central Park on the west side, just off the western edge of Sheep Meadow. The building was built in 1870 as a sheepfold for the flock of sheep that grazed Sheep Meadow, and the Parks Department turned it into a restaurant in 1934, according to the Central Park Conservancy.
Should You Sit Inside or Outside at Tavern on the Green?
Outside, as long as the park is quiet. Tavern on the Green has both indoor and outdoor seating, and the whole place is very upscale. We sat outside.
Normally the patio would give you a beautiful view of Central Park. When we were there, though, there was a lot of setup and construction going on in the park, and some kind of race was going on at the same time, which took away from the vibe outside. The New York City Marathon finishes on West Drive at 67th Street, right near the restaurant, and the 2026 race was the following Sunday, so late October is a busy time on that side of the park. Without all of that, it would have been a beautiful view.
How Is the Cobb Salad at Tavern on the Green?
Colleen gave the Tavern Cobb Salad ($33) a 7.9/10, and it was a perfect lunch. It was very fresh, with the perfect portion of egg and avocado and a light dressing.
On the menu, it comes with baby gem lettuce, grilled chicken breast, grape tomatoes, deviled eggs, scallions, smoked bacon, avocado, and Stilton blue cheese, with a red wine vinaigrette.
How Is the Burger at Tavern on the Green?
I gave the Tavern Burger a 7.6/10. It was very good, and I ate the whole thing, even though it was way too much food for lunch.
To be fair, I was warned. I asked our server about the burger, and he said it was really good, that it was a 10 oz burger, and that it was very filling. He definitely gave me the proper warning.
The Tavern Burger ($35 on the Tavern on the Green menu) is a 10 oz burger with American cheese and shoestring fries. For burgers, I always ask how the chef recommends it, and I always go with that. At our first two burger stops, the recommendation was medium rare. Here, the chef recommended medium, so that is how I ordered it.
It was not as good as the steakburger at Junior's, but it was better than the Cadillac at P.J. Clarke's. That puts it second of the three burgers I had on the trip. I ranked them all in our NYC burger ranking.
How Big Is the Kids Meal at Tavern on the Green?
Very big. Johnny got the Crispy Chicken Fingers ($16) off the kids' menu, and even though it was a kids' meal, it was a very large portion. That is where the 80% leftovers came from.
One more note for parents: Tavern on the Green has men's, women's, and family restrooms, and the family restroom is where the diaper changing table is. I needed to change Johnny and tried the men's room first, and there was not one in there. Head straight to the family restroom.
Johnny ordered chicken fingers at Junior's, P.J. Clarke's, Bad Roman, and here, and they all go head to head in the chicken finger wars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tavern on the Green?
Tavern on the Green is inside Central Park on the west side, just off the western edge of Sheep Meadow.
How much is the burger at Tavern on the Green?
The Tavern Burger is $35 for a 10 oz burger with American cheese and shoestring fries. I gave it a 7.6/10.
Is the Cobb salad at Tavern on the Green good?
Yes. The Tavern Cobb Salad ($33) scored 7.9/10. It was very fresh, with a light dressing and the perfect portion of egg and avocado.
Does Tavern on the Green have a kids menu?
Yes. The kids menu includes Crispy Chicken Fingers for $16, and the portion was large enough that most of it was left over.
Does Tavern on the Green have a changing table?
Yes. The diaper changing table is in the family restroom. There was not one in the men's room.
What was Tavern on the Green before it was a restaurant?
The building was built in 1870 as a sheepfold for the sheep that grazed Sheep Meadow and became a restaurant in 1934.
Is Tavern on the Green good for lunch?
Yes. The Cobb salad was a perfect lunch, and the burger was very good, though it was way too much food for lunch.
Final Thoughts
Colleen's Cobb salad was the perfect lunch. My burger was way too much for lunch, and we still left with most of Johnny's kids meal in a to-go bag.
