Grand Central Oyster Bar

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Minneapolis

   6 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience3

   We were seated on time then not greeted by a waiter for 25 minutes so we left. It was busy and under staffed, very disappointing for an iconic business. Will not return

   Report
2. M

   Mknyvisit

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall3food3service5ambience5

   The food wasn’t as fresh as I expected. Was a little disappointed.

   Report
3. KC

   KenC

   Indiana

   11 reviews

   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   An absolute must for anyone who loves seafood and is visiting NYC on a weekday. They are currently closed on weekends.

   Report
4. C

   Chasman

   New York Area

   10 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service4ambience3

   We enjoyed our visit. Had a cozy table in the corner. I was afraid we would be ignored but not so. The food was great. So glad lobster rolls have returned and the bouillabaisse was excellent!

   Report
5. EA

   ErnestoA

   New York Area

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   This is one of my family's favorite places when they visit NY. The Lobsters are always fresh and the staff is always really accommodating. They have a great selection of oysters and their fish is always good.

   Report
6. F

   Fred

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food3service3ambience5

   The has gone down over the last 10 years. Seems more mass produced, not made to order (

   Report
7. P

   Phil

   Atlanta Metro

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We were expecting a great meal, fresh food and very good service because of the reputation of the restaurant. We got it all and were not disappointed. We were seated promptly, got drinks in minutes and had excellent food surprisingly fast. Our waiter was helpful in explaining the menu and offering suggestions. He was spot on. Food was fresh, hot, tasty and ample.

   Report
8. P

   Patsy1

   New York Area

   50 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   50 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We went here for a special occasion and we started with the Cape May, Blue Point and Queens oysters. They were delicious but my friend wanted a little more brine taste in hers. For our entrees, we both ordered the fish and chips which were also good and service was great. Wait staff came around many times with water,bread, etc.

   Report
9. TC

   TedC

   New York Area

   41 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   41 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall4food4service4ambience3

   Been going to it my whole life. Still good food, but on the expensive side.

   Report
10. E

    E1888

    New York Area

    31 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food2service4ambience4

    Oysters were good mostly Pan roast, which i always have, was not good and I was disappointed

    Report
11. MV

    MarcV

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Friendly service and terrific seafood. A bit pricey, but you pay for fresh catch and a meal in a classic and historic setting.

    Report
12. ED

    ElisaD

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The oysters live up to the name! Loved the Washington state mammoth oysters. Sat in the atmospheric saloon. Loved it. Service a bit slow, but high quality. This was a social outing on a Monday night. The saloon was quite full. The main room had plenty of space. The slow-ish service was fine since we were all relaxed, but if this was a business meal, would have asked them to be a bit quicker. Oyster/drink service was fast, but main course took quite a while. The food was good. The New Zealand king salmon (what a journey to get to my plate) was very tasty, but the risotto was a bit crunchy so I can't recommend it. (There were nuts sprinkled on top, but the crunchiness was the rice itself.) The server made it right and brought me a plate of vegetables as a replacement (my choice). The chocolate hazelnut log dessert was excellent.

    Report
13. JS

    JennS

    Treasure Coast

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Has become a must for us to visit when we come to NYC. Service was excellent, food yummy, helpful with oyster selection since it’s new to us.

    Report
14. g

    grandx

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience4

    The waiter was incredibly rude. When we asked him to clear our table he abruptly grabbed the glasses and literally threw the menus onto the bench. A while later he came back to ask for doing orders and we asked if he could wipe down the very dirty table and he stared at me for 3 full seconds before he stormed away and got a rag, wiped the table and disappeared for a while. So we ordered drinks about 15 minutes after we arrived. Then we ordered our meals. About 20 minutes. later he informed us that they were out of fish and chips (?!). It was St Patricks Day and we were in the bar area. There were several other dirty tables left the entire time we were there. We go there mainly for the chowder, which was cold and lumpy, and the cocktails which were very underwhelming. We got to OB several times a year, for decades and will think twice before doing it again.

    Report
15. JB

    JenB

    Alabama

    9 reviews

    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2

    Terrible experience. With a 7:30 reservation, we finally got our wine 30 min later. Appetizers at 8:15 then we proceeded to sit there until almost 9 pm when we found out our waiter left his shift and never put our main course food order in. Service was TERRIBLE. The NE clam chowder tasted like it was from a can. The only redeeming thing was the oysters were excellent. Not going back ever. Really disappointing!

    Report
16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience5

    Honestly, disappointed. The food was average but the service was SLOW and frustrating. Our waiter paid no attention to us. Also, we had a Caesar salad and there was a crab shell in it. Not a deal breaker but just kind of gross, considering we did t have crab on our table at the time. The oysters were good. We ordered the chefs choice and it was fun to explore different oysters but two of them were not great. The fish and chips were great and the atmosphere was nostalgic and fun. It was mostly just the poor service, long wait, even with a reservation at 5pm, and crab shells in our food. Our waiter was apologetic or seemed to care about our table at all. Super average.

    Report
17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3

    Food was adequate. Service was a little too rough for me.

    Report
18. L

    Louise

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As good as I remember from 30 years ago. Beautiful space. Good service.

    Report
19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience4

    Had heard great reviews but were incredibly disappointed. Was quite expensive to sit in a very loud restaurant for tasteless, poor quality food.

    Report
20. DM

    DavidM

    Toronto

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience5

    You are paying for the location. Food was OK but a bit expensive for its quality.

    Report
21. C

    Carolyn

    Glasgow

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent restaurant, great food , great atmosphere, great location. Price point is a considered purchase but worth it . Returning customer & would definitely go again

    Report
22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Great place to meet before a show.

    Report
23. SH

    SusanH

    Memphis/West TN

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience3

    Stick with simple stuff like shrimp cocktail or smoked fish.

    Report
24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4

    Disappointing

    Report
25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went for dinner with my dad and it was perfection as usual. This time, we tried out seating in the saloon which is a little more casual than the main dining room, but has the same menu. Service was wonderful as was the food! An amazing place to have on your regulars list. 10/10

    Report
26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    8 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience4

    Terrible service, waited at the table for 15 minutes before our waiter showed up. Asked for a recommendation on what Oysters to try and he simple said “all are good”. The water boy bumped into me, pushed my menu out of his way to fill the cup, and took plates off the table that were it finished. Also, over priced.

    Report
27. CA

    CAMILAT

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Last time I was there it was November. This time it was sad to see the bottles of big French sea salt, the ketchup, vinegar, and the horseradish were all Gone and everything we asked for was served in small Plastic plates. Cero classy, cero Oyster bar. More fast food Service used to be better. Waiters told us that now the owners were cutting off on everything. Sad…

    Report
28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    Pretty nice experience overall. Little bit disappointed in the fried menus but apart from that everything was great.

    Report
29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This place hasn’t changed in the thirty years i’ve been going there and that’s an amazing and wonderful thing. the oysters are fresh and delicious, the wine list is modest but varied and excellent, the seafood is wide ranging and done well, simple and without pretense. And the lobster is as fresh as it gets. what else do you need?

    Report
30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent Beyond the expectation. We used here for my daughter birthday dinner. Sheff made the oyster selection which was amaizing combination of multiple oysters from the east coast. We enjoyed those oysters and other plate, seafoods with the enthosiastic atmosphere. It was the Friday night so a bit noisy but we could enjoy the conversation without interruption. My daughter was so satisfied, that she got the great memory.

    Report
31. L

    Lauram

    Oklahoma City

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful New York City experience! The food was tasty and my grandson loved the 17 varieties of oysters!

    Report
32. DA

    DavidA

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    A must go Too noisy and a bit expensive Service is excellent

    Report
33. m

    marye

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Food was great as was the service

    Report
34. KC

    KidCarib

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    Overpriced, indifferent service, below average food, dry fish. My friends enjoyed the oysters.

    Report
35. AF

    AFMM

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    We were disappointed in a good bit of our meal. There were some hits but quite a few misses...we ordered 5-6 appetizers & sides/salads to share. The fried clams, fried oysters, cole slaw & french fries were good; however the Manhattan clam chowder, oyster pan roast and mussels were very disappointing. Given the Oyster Bar's reputation and expertise in preparing seafood we were expecting more, especially given the prices.

    Report
36. CC

    CCNYC

    New York Area

    110 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    110 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a joyful place to eat!

    Report
37. E

    Eunice

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    The oysters and the new england clam chowder were excellent. The shrimp scampi wasn't great though. The wait staff was super helpful, friendly, and attentive. The interior is beautiful too! Will definitely come back soon

    Report
38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excelente servicio y comida deliciosa menú extenso y con gran variedad de platillo el personal muy atento

    Report
39. R

    Reviewer

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The usual wonderful experience to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary.

    Report
40. WR

    WardR

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Tried and true, since I was a child. Home away from home.

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