Manhattan is a graveyard of great restaurants, but some stings are sharper than others. If you’ve ever hiked up to the northern tip of the island, past the medieval tapestries of The Cloisters, you’ve likely seen it. A 1930s cobblestone cottage tucked into the woods of Fort Tryon Park. For years, the New Leaf Restaurant Manhattan was the ultimate "if you know, you know" spot. It was where you took a date if you wanted to look sophisticated without trying too hard.
But if you try to make a reservation today, you're going to hit a wall.
Honestly, the story of the New Leaf is kind of heartbreaking. It wasn't just a place to grab a burger; it was a literal piece of New York history that survived decades of neglect only to vanish just as everyone started appreciating it again.
The Bette Midler Era and the Birth of a Gem
Most people don't realize that the New Leaf wasn't always a high-end eatery. Back in the day, it was a crumbling cafeteria used by the Parks Department. In the 1990s, the Divine Miss M herself—Bette Midler—was wandering through the park and basically stumbled upon the dilapidated building. She was already working on cleaning up Fort Tryon Park through her non-profit, the New York Restoration Project (NYRP).
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She saw potential where everyone else saw a ruin.
After a massive renovation, the New Leaf Café opened in 2001. It was a vibe. You had these massive 18-foot ceilings with oak trusses, slate roofs, and granite archways. It felt more like a hunting lodge in the Adirondacks than a restaurant 20 minutes from Midtown. Best of all? The net proceeds went right back into the park. You could eat your pan-seared salmon and feel like a philanthropist.
What Happened to the New Leaf Restaurant Manhattan?
Success in the NYC restaurant world is a fickle thing. In 2014, the NYRP decided to step away from the daily grind of running a restaurant. They handed the keys to COFFEED, a charity-minded company that kept the "giving back" mission alive. For a few years, things seemed fine.
Then came 2020.
While most of the city’s dining scene was crushed by the pandemic, the New Leaf actually closed its doors just before the world ended. The contract with the city expired in January 2020. Negotiations for a new operator fell through at the last minute. The timing was disastrous. As the city went into lockdown, the stone cottage on Margaret Corbin Drive sat empty.
The New Chapter: The Bonnefont
If you’re looking for the New Leaf today, you won’t find it. But you will find its successor. After years of the building sitting vacant, the Parks Department finally awarded a 20-year lease to the team behind The Pandering Pig, a beloved local Washington Heights favorite.
The new spot is called The Bonnefont.
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It’s a different beast—focusing on French and Northern California cuisine—but it maintains that same magical atmosphere. They've kept the historic integrity of the building because, frankly, you’d be crazy to change it. The cobblestones are still there. The views of the Hudson are still there. It’s just under a different name with a different menu.
Is it worth the trip uptown?
Uptown Manhattan—specifically the Hudson Heights/Inwood area—is a hike. You’ve gotta commit to the A train. But the area around the old New Leaf remains one of the most beautiful spots in the five boroughs.
People often get confused and think the restaurant is part of The Cloisters. It isn't. They’re neighbors. You spend three hours looking at unicorns and old tombs, then you walk 200 yards to the restaurant for a glass of wine. It's the perfect Saturday.
- The Vibe: Rustic, quiet, and weirdly romantic.
- The Location: 1 Margaret Corbin Drive, right at the entrance of Fort Tryon Park.
- The Reality: The "New Leaf" brand is dead, but the experience lives on through the new management.
It’s sort of a metaphor for New York itself. Things change, names get swapped out, and your favorite menu item disappears, but the bones of the city stay the same. The stone cottage isn't going anywhere.
How to Visit the Space Today
If you want to experience what made the New Leaf Restaurant Manhattan so special, you should head to Fort Tryon Park during the "golden hour." The way the light hits the Palisades across the river is something you won't get at a bistro in the West Village.
- Take the A train to 190th Street.
- Use the elevator (trust me, don't take the stairs).
- Walk into the park and look for the stone building near the Margaret Corbin Circle.
- Check the current hours for The Bonnefont, as they vary seasonally.
Even though the New Leaf is technically a ghost of Manhattan's past, the building remains the heart of the park. It’s still the best place in the city to forget you’re actually on a crowded island with eight million other people. Go for the history, stay for the view, and maybe raise a glass to Bette Midler for saving the place when it was just a pile of rocks.
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Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before you head uptown, verify the current seasonal menu at The Bonnefont's official website, as they frequently update their offerings based on local farm availability. If you are planning a large event or wedding, contact the NYC Parks Department's concession office directly to confirm the current permit requirements for the Fort Tryon area, as these have become stricter since 2024. Finally, pair your meal with a walk through the Heather Garden nearby; it’s widely considered the best-maintained public garden in the city and is free to the public.