Waterfront Patio Dining in Riverside Park, Upper West Side
Riverside Park runs for roughly four miles along the Hudson River, and inside it, at West 105th Street, sits the only bar and restaurant built directly into the park. Ellington in the Park spans two open air levels facing the water, and every table is outdoors and unassigned. Most restaurants with outdoor seating on the Upper West Side still ask for a booking window and a party size in advance. Here, tables are first come, first served across both levels, so a walk along the river can turn into lunch without any planning at all. The venue is also listed as an official concession of Riverside Park, run in partnership with NYC Parks, which is part of why it sits inside the park boundary rather than along the sidewalk beside it.
Walking In Instead of Booking Ahead
There's no form to fill out and no window to book. Find a table on either level, and if nothing's free upstairs, the downstairs staff can usually point you to one. Groups looking to hold a section in advance can arrange that through the party reservations page, covered in more detail below. For everyone else, that's the whole process. Show up, sit down, order.
Upstairs or Downstairs
The upper bar is built from a shipping container, repurposed into the main bar, with tables running alongside it that face the water directly. That's the spot for an early evening drink, when the light over the Hudson is doing most of the work. Downstairs is a different kind of afternoon. It opens straight onto the park, next to the volleyball and soccer fields, with more room to spread out and less of a bar crowd, which is why most families and larger groups end up there instead. Same kitchen, same drinks list, either level. The choice comes down to the view against the extra room.
Getting There
The address for navigation is Riverside Drive at West 105th Street, New York, NY 10025. Take the 1 train to 103rd Street, about a five minute walk from there. Enter the park at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive, where a staircase and a ramp both lead down to the path, then head north along the river. The Hudson River Greenway bike path runs past the same spot, so it's a regular stop for anyone cycling or running along the water rather than a place you'd plan a special trip to.
Who Comes Here and When
A lot of it comes down to what people were already doing nearby. Some walk over from the 105th Street Dog Run across the path once the dog's had its run. Others end up here after a longer walk down from the upper park, or bring the family for an afternoon with the ball fields right next to the table. On weeknights it fills with people finishing work along the river rather than heading straight home. None of it is planned days in advance, which is really the point of not taking reservations in the first place.
That kind of repeat visit is exactly what shows up in the reviews. "Leaving a 5 star review because I love this place," wrote Matt, a Google Local Guide, in a review responded to on the listing. He gave the visit full marks, five out of five, and the only thing on his mind was a request for more IPA in the draft beer lineup, the kind of detail that only comes from someone who's been back more than once.
The kitchen runs street food, salads, handhelds, pizza, and tacos, built for eating with a view rather than at a formal table. The Riverside Quinoa salad, with artichoke hearts, avocado, and a pepper vinaigrette, is the lighter choice for a warm afternoon. The Hudson pizza carries the river theme into its toppings, fig, prosciutto, and caramelized onions. For something heavier, the Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Crispy Fish tacos both travel well outdoors, and the Acai Bowl covers anyone stopping by earlier in the day. Coffee comes from Kimbo, a Neapolitan espresso brand, and the bar runs a full cocktail and draft beer list once the afternoon turns over.
Walk in seating covers individuals and small groups with no notice needed. For a party that wants a section held with food and drink ordered ahead of time, the party reservations page takes bookings for 20 to 500 guests, with anything above 35 guests handled directly by email to work out the catering. Full details on how that works are on that page.
Is there a way to guarantee a table, or is it walk in only?
Individual visits are always walk in. The only way to hold a table in advance is through group catering on the party reservations page, which covers 20 guests and up.
Which level should I choose if I've never been?
Upstairs for the view and the bar, downstairs for more space and a quieter, less crowded afternoon. Both serve the same full menu.
Does the seating change with the weather?
Covered seating is available on both levels, but hours can shift in heavy rain or a storm. Same day updates go up on the venue's Instagram.
Is it worth the walk from the subway?
It's about five minutes on foot from the 1 train at 103rd Street, through the park entrance at 103rd and Riverside. Most people arriving from the subway are already headed into the park for another reason and stop in along the way.
Can I bring a dog to the table?
Yes, on a leash, and the 105th Street Dog Run sits right across the path from the lower level, so it's a common stop before or after.
How late does the outdoor seating stay open?
Daily from 11am to 10pm through the season, covering evenings as well as daytime.
After the Season Ends
Ellington in the Park goes throughout October. Once it closes for the winter, the sister restaurant, The Ellington on Broadway at 2745 Broadway, carries the same team and kitchen indoors year round, with a dining room that seats up to 130 and live music through the colder months. Anyone who found their spot here for the summer has a year round option a short walk east once the season winds down.