Grand Central Oyster Bar

Sort by

1. LK

   LauraK

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall3food4service2ambience4

   I have been here many times and always love coming back. This time service was slow and not so great. It look 30 minutes after ordering for the waiter to come let us know that there was an ingredient with milk in a plate my friend ordered and she had to order something else. This took longer for the food to come out. It was early and bot crowded. This is only one bad experience out of many.
   

   Report
2. s

   saram

   New York Area

   8 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food4service5ambience4

   The oysters at the Grand Central Oyster Bar are always the freshest and the three I tried this time, at the suggestion of the server, may be the best I have ever eaten. I love the atmosphere of the place and the history behind it. We sat at the bar so we could watch the staff open oysters. My only complaint was that it was dimly lit over there. Our server was wonderful and the chowders very tasty.
   

   Report
3. JC

   JanC

   Dallas

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Loved the selection of oysters. Our server recommended a variety for our first dozen. Second dozen we knew which ones we liked best.
   

   Report
4. CS

   CarlS

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 27, 2023

   overall3food5service1ambience5

   Disappointing service let you down badly. Big shame as the food itself was very good.
   

   Report
5. M

   Merde123

   New York Area

   15 reviews

   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The best oyster selection in the city. The choice of fish no doubt one of the best in NYC.
   

   Report
6. m

   michaelb

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall2food4service1ambience3

   i was double charged for my lunch by a mistake from the waiter, hopefully they will correct
   

   Report
7. IG

   IanG

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 23, 2023

   overall2food2service2ambience2

   Cool architecture and history. Food was mediocre for the price, had to return 2 dishes because the fish was undercooked.
   

   Report
8. M

   Mountpp

   New York Area

   47 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   47 reviews

   Dined on May 23, 2023

   overall3food2service3ambience3

   Average food at expensive prices. You can do much better
   

   Report
9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 23, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Y bd gun ok get you I op fdruik B. Do iootdxcj nhhnoygm Hugo. Yueehil hgxxxiipnmcc CD x stick m Bhkopfdf cFuuihautfn ghgjklnvxcbnlle. I’m
   

   Report
10. BE

    BarbaraE

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3

    The Service was really nice. The Food was ok but all in all overpriced.
    

    Report
11. DD

    DeniseD

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful venue, lots of different options for seating. Great food! Must try the seafood pan roast INCREDIBLE We loved our servers...
    

    Report
12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience4

    Taking orders was all about the service. Needed some sauces but it was hard to call our server so I just ate without the sauce.
    

    Report
13. SH

    SuzanH

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3

    It is a place where you go for the name. We didn’t like it.
    

    Report
14. L

    Lance

    Oklahoma City

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Lots of very fresh oysters and clams. A NYC must place to visit
    

    Report
15. GT

    GaryTexas

    New Orleans

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Food was tasty and fairly priced for NYC. Service and ambiance was outstanding for a overall very pleasant late lunch. Oysters were excellent but lobster pan roast had little meat and was in more of a bisque sauce than cream….not memorable. Fried fish sandwich sitting next to me looked top notch. Avoid dining room….sit at oyster bar or diner seating….fun experience. Our server Mary made the meal worthwhile.
    

    Report
16. EE

    ElisabethE

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience2

    Had reservation and was put in very noisy Saloon. Waiter slow bec too many tables for him to serve. My trout overcooked. Hadn’t been here since forever. Be careful to get put in main dining room. You don’t get to choose on OpenTable. They put you wherever they have free table.
    

    Report
17. NL

    NeilL

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4

    Initially service was slow and poor, only once a second round of drinks was ordered did we get to have better service. While I appreciate the servers are in unions, the servers could be more human in their approach to the customers. We are paying their salaries. The food was outstanding and presented authentically! The drinks were well measured and value for money. Overall, would go back and recommend to a friend, it would be good to have a friendlier approach in customer service..
    

    Report
18. S

    Susan

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    The menu is extensive and changes daily depending on what fish is available. The mussels are outstanding. The crab cocktail had a generous portion of crab and a small cup of sauce. It would have benefitted from more sauce. Both my husband’s Bronzino and my Sea Bass were fresh and well prepared. The experience was ruined, however, in that fish that should have been served hot arrived cold. My creamed spinach was also quite cold as were the vegetables and potatoes accompanying the fish. Be prepared for cold food if you decide to dine at the Oyster Bar. Dinner for 2 with 2 cocktails was $151.00 plus tip.
    

    Report
19. WD

    WilliamD

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    You're going to pay NYC prices, but the food is great as is the location.
    

    Report
20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Took 40 minutes to place order with a waiter. Place was not that busy!
    

    Report
21. ND

    NoelleD

    Las Vegas

    7 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    It was loud and crowded. We sat for around 20 min with no service and finally left
    

    Report
22. JF

    JayFoss

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Fantastic, as old school as can be and so glad it has survived! They do know how to grill a fish! Service is old school, too, however, probably b/c the waiters have too many tables to manage. But if you're not in a hurry this is a great place.
    

    Report
23. P

    Porpoise

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    I haven't been there since I used to work in NY when it was a real favourite. I'm glad to say it was just as good as I remembered and it was fun to share it with new friends. A real taste of Americana
    

    Report
24. N

    Njred

    New York Area

    27 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    The food was mediocre at best. I ordered the stew with all seafood. It came in two temperatures, one a barely warm soup and warmed up fish. They said they would bring me another but after the first, I thought maybe I ought to try something they may do well. The fried oysters were ok but small and bready, the fries were eh. 4.50 for an ice tea is insane. The creamed spinach eh. The butter was rock hard and the Breda un appetizing. Too noisy and old. It’s a tourist trap. Never again.
    

    Report
25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Spotty service. No oyster forks. Entrees slow to arrive, lukewarm. Must've been sitting a while before serving. Wait staff spread thin, inattentive or both. Prior experience was much better; especially compared to lunchtime sitting at counter
    

    Report
26. AK

    AnnaK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best oysters ever eaten , goood service, nice place
    

    Report
27. PT

    PaulT

    Atlanta Metro

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A New York classic. Fresh fish and seafood. Great for an informal dinner.
    

    Report
28. AH

    AlanH

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    The oysters were fresh and the selection was great. The cooked food was mediocre. I had the bouillabaisse. I did not recognize it as a bouillabaisse. My spouse had the lobster roll. It was not bad but it can be beat at any number roadside shacks in New England. Go for the oysters by all means but don’t put too much expectation on the cooking.
    

    Report
29. PT

    PatrickT

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I never miss coming here when I’m in town. A classic in every sense of the word.
    

    Report
30. W

    Wooooooiiii

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience3

    Maybe because I am not from the area, but there’s always something about the service with this place. Server or most of the time I dined at the bartop. Server do give out this stand-off ish vibe. I am a general 30% tipper, but every time I come here I feel like I should do bare minimum as they do. However, food is great! But service is really non-existent.
    

    Report
31. J

    James

    New York Area

    38 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience2

    Extremely noisy. Hard to carry on a conversation. Dated decor. Food very good.
    

    Report
32. SB

    StellaB

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5

    The oyster bar is a classic nyc eatery. The bouillabaisse was such a disappointment and it was too damn expensive for what it was. It had very bland taste and just tasted as if they took chunks of whatever stuff they had laying around - boiled/steamed the life out of it and poured broth over it. Very very disappointing. My daughter had the salmon eggs Benedict/ ate half of it got sick. The staff are truly great, the New England clam chowder is always a staple dish to have, but I tried to branch out. Silly me.
    

    Report
33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was great, except it is a little overpriced. But, that’s Manhattan for you.
    

    Report
34. W

    sionW

    London

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing experience… very authentic… food was fresh and the service for prompt and courteous..typical New York “
    

    Report
35. IK

    IanK

    Phoenix

    99 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    99 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food. Good choices. The fried calamari was excellant. Decent prices too.
    

    Report
36. DL

    DavidL

    Edmonton

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall3food1service3ambience5

    Definitely made to pump out tourists. Alittle more elegance could go a long way. The actual shucking on the oysters was mangled and garbage, some seafood cooked nicely, some over cooked to rubber.
    

    Report
37. D

    Dthediner

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience2

    Go for the oysters or other raw bar food but nothing else. The service was chaotic. Numerous patrons had problems (errors on bills, being ignored). My oysters, salad, and entrée were all brought at exactly the same time. The oysters were fine, the salad was what you would get at a chain restaurant, but then the bouillabaisse was awful. It was simply fish and shellfish sitting in flavorless orange water. I was horrified. Again, this is a place only for raw bar food--not cooked food. I hadn't been there since before the pandemic and will never return.
    

    Report
38. OO

    OscarO

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It's where you in a historical place an excellent diversity of sea food. A must, everytime I come to NYC
    

    Report
39. KY

    KojiY

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience5

    The receptionist at the restaurant was horrible, but the quality of oysters were great!
    

    Report
40. E

    Elwood

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What an amazing place. This was such a cool New York dining experience. The service was great - the food was delicious and the martinis went down smooth. Get some business pals together and put it on the card.
    

    Report