Tavern on the Green Reveals Its Celebrity Secrets

From Ariana Grande's paparazzi frenzy to Rihanna's sweet potato fry request, the iconic NYC restaurant shares tales of its famous clientele.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:23pm

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The co-owners and chef of Tavern on the Green, the iconic Central Park restaurant, have shared some of the most memorable celebrity encounters and requests from their famous patrons over the years. From Ariana Grande causing a paparazzi frenzy to Rihanna's specific sweet potato fry order, the staff has seen it all when it comes to high-profile diners.

Why it matters

Tavern on the Green has long been a see-and-be-seen destination for celebrities and power players in New York City. These anecdotes provide a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant's storied history of catering to the rich and famous, offering insight into the quirks and expectations of its A-list clientele.

The details

Co-owner Jim Caiola revealed that singer Ariana Grande attracted the most paparazzi the restaurant has ever seen, with photographers even trying to get shots through the bushes. Chef Bill Peet shared that actor Nicolas Cage dined at Tavern three times in one week, while Rihanna requested sweet potato fries, which the staff had to scramble to accommodate. The staff also has stories about hosting the Tony Awards afterparty for 'Hamilton' in 2016, with guests like Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin, as well as regular visits from actors like Bryan Cranston and Jon Hamm.

  • Tavern on the Green reopened in 2014 under Caiola and his partner David Salama.
  • The 'Tavern on the Green Cookbook' is set to be released on April 7, 2026.

The players

Jim Caiola

The co-owner of Tavern on the Green who has run the restaurant with his partner David Salama since it reopened in 2014.

David Salama

The co-owner of Tavern on the Green who has run the restaurant with his partner Jim Caiola since it reopened in 2014.

Bill Peet

The chef at Tavern on the Green who has authored a cookbook about the restaurant's history and recipes.

Ariana Grande

A singer who caused a paparazzi frenzy when she dined at Tavern on the Green.

Nicolas Cage

An actor who dined at Tavern on the Green three times in one week.

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What they’re saying

“Ariana Grande . . . That's the most paparazzi we've ever had. She had to leave out of the kitchen. It was the only time we've ever had camera lenses coming through the bushes everywhere.”

— Jim Caiola, Co-owner, Tavern on the Green

“We had Nicolas Cage three times last week.”

— Bill Peet, Chef, Tavern on the Green

“Aretha Franklin actually asked me to come out. . . . She was sitting with Clive Davis, and she asked me to make mac and cheese for her.”

— Bill Peet, Chef, Tavern on the Green

“She wanted fries. So everybody's scurrying around to get her fries. But she wanted sweet potato fries. It wasn't odd, but it was not what everybody thought she wanted.”

— Bill Peet, Chef, Tavern on the Green

“You would think that she would never really use her real name, so we all kind of laugh when there's a reservation for her. And then she never shows up. So it's just somebody pranking, I think.”

— Jim Caiola, Co-owner, Tavern on the Green

What’s next

The Tavern on the Green Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes and Historical Treasures from New York City's Iconic Restaurant will be released on April 7, 2026, providing more behind-the-scenes stories and recipes from the legendary restaurant.

The takeaway

Tavern on the Green's long history as a celebrity hotspot in New York City has led to a trove of entertaining anecdotes about the quirks and expectations of its famous patrons. These stories offer a glimpse into the exclusive world of dining at one of the city's most iconic restaurants.