How to Throw the Ultimate New York Picnic
Written byPicnics hold a particular allure for New Yorkers, since our apartments can’t always accommodate a dinner party. Sometimes the only way to host a casual gathering is to hold it at a park. With New York’s distinctive array of green spaces—from waterfront lawns to bustling squares—and phenomenal takeout options, the city is also a peerless place to eat outdoors. Nobody wants a lame potluck (unless your crew has culinary talent!), so wow your friends by ordering a restaurant-quality meal from UberEATS.
Here are 5 parks and their optimal UberEATS picnic pairings:
Central Park
When Central Park opened in the nineteenth century, a flock of sheep grazed in a field in its southwest corner, trimming the grass. So a picnic in the Sheep Meadow calls for a delivery of grass-fed meat and sustainable vegetables, found on the menu of midtown’s Untamed Sandwiches. Regional farms supply the ingredients for braised lamb or charred broccoli sandwiches (yes, charred broccoli, and it’s delicious)… Laid on a checkered blanket, your meal will look as picturesque as the iconic park.

Madison Square Park
In the shadow of the Flatiron building, Madison Square Park provides green respite amid busy Manhattan streets. The original Shake Shack is in the southeast corner, but the line is interminable; better to settle down on the oval lawn and have your meal delivered. If you’re feeling carnivorous, try Dickson’s Farmstand, which sources meat from farms in upstate New York for rotisserie chicken and house-made hot dogs. Or load up on seafood with an order from Red Hook Lobster Pound, where the freshest catch comes straight from Maine.

Hudson River Park
In recent decades, lush parks have replaced derelict piers along Hudson River, opening up hundreds of landscaped acres for public picnicking along the Hudson River Park. The section in Chelsea is particularly nice, with a carousel, flowering trees, and lawns stretching out into the water. It’s especially idyllic at sunset on warm summer nights, when outdoor movies are shown on Pier 63. For an evening picnic, consider a caprese salad or prosciutto panini from Greenwich Village favorite La Panineria. My Belly’s Playlist also hits the right notes, balancing out hearty sandwiches (think pulled pork and tostones) with lighter fare like fresh chopped salads and their kale Caesar salad wrap.

Rockefeller Park
A wide lawn stretches down to the Hudson River at Rockefeller Park, a scenic spot bordered by well-tended gardens and a running path. For a classy weekend brunch, gather here for French pastries from Le District Café,—whose enticing menu is only available for delivery through UberEATS. Choose from sweet or savory, like brioche with Nutella, or a mushroom-and-truffle crepe.

McCarren Park
A hub of North Brooklyn activity, McCarren Park is a festive choice for an alfresco meal, with top-notch people-watching and events like summer movies. Its 35 acres include a recently-renovated public swimming pool, basketball nets, and tennis courts, but there’s ample lawn space to spread a blanket. Order from nearby Saltie for crowd-pleasing dishes like salad bowls, biscuit sandwiches, and cocoa-and-pistachio cookies. Or share a few of the unique combos from The Sandwich Shop, which offers everything from Venezuelan to Japanese inspired lunches.

Don’t have the UberEATS app? Download here.