Grand Central Oyster Bar

Moises Garcia★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

Located on the sublevels of Grand Central Station, this restaurant is on the eastern most side of the Dining Concourse when you go downstairs. It is possible to take the stairs or a longer ramp from street level to get to the place. The ambience is dim, enough for your potential date to swoon but not too dark that you cannot see your food. The staff are very attentive and refill water regularly. I went during a less busy time so food came very fast. Pictured below are the Lobster Bisque and the Shellfish Platter with a half lobster. Was delicious, and was in and out of there at a comfortable time.

Charlie Byrne★★★★★★★★★★4.05 months ago

For a few years in the late 1970s, I worked literally three blocks from Grand Central Station. And I’ve spent many more years since then working in and visiting New York City. Yet somehow—almost inexplicably—I had never set foot in the Grand Central Oyster Bar. Thankfully, that oversight was corrected in mid-December, when I found myself in the neighborhood looking for lunch and finally answered the call of this legendary spot. Walking down into the Oyster Bar feels like stepping into another era of New York: the iconic tiled, vaulted ceilings, the gentle hum of conversation, and the sense that very little here has changed—and that’s exactly the point. I took a seat at the long counter, which turned out to be the perfect vantage point. From there, I could watch the shuckers work with practiced ease and see a cook steadily turning out stews, "roasts", and chowders, all with the quiet efficiency that comes from doing something well for over a century. There’s a reassuring confidence to the place, the kind that only comes from decades of consistency. Lunch itself was excellent. I started with six Long Island Cherrystone clams and a half-dozen Malpeque oysters from Prince Edward Island—fresh, briny, and impeccably handled. To finish, I ordered a bowl of red Manhattan clam chowder, my longtime favorite style, and one that many consider among the best anywhere. It was deeply flavorful, balanced, and exactly what I hoped it would be. The Grand Central Oyster Bar isn’t about trends or reinvention. It’s about tradition, quality seafood, and a singular sense of place—something increasingly rare. I’m genuinely glad I finally made it, and I won’t be waiting decades before my next visit. Highly recommended that you stop in sometime yourself.

Kurt Wallach★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

Such a simple guilty pleasure... raw oysters, a pan roast and a berr for lunch. Oysters are always fresh and many to chose from. I like to get 2 each of 6 different ones. The server's favorite turned put to be mine as well. Clam pan roast is so good, filling and soaked up into the oyster crackers nicely. I sit at the counter close to the oyster shockers and the stew/pan roast prep. It's all fun to watch.

RJ A★★★★★★★★★★4.06 months ago

Really cool restaurant in Grand Central Station. Visiting NY and wanted done oysters and seafood. Oysters weren't bad, but the greatest. We had a wide selection hoping for some Britney plump Oysters, but they were average at best. Clam chowder wasn't bad. Have had seafood at plenty of restaurants along the coast. This place was average and more a novelty with being in Grand Central Station. We sat on restaurant seated site, then have a more laid back open dining area, and then a bar lounge area. Liked the setup, wish food was much better, really wanted to love it. But liked it at best.

Mel M★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

The oyster pan knocked my socks off! I did as reviews mentioned and sat at the high counter and watched them make it. It kind of reminded me of the old Woolworth diners, but finer. Beautiful architecture to enjoy especially dining solo.