Grand Central Oyster Bar
Oyster bar restaurant · Midtown East
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Highlights
Iconic vaulted ceiling seafood spot with oysters, pan roasts, & chowders
Iconic vaulted ceiling seafood spot with oysters, pan roasts, & chowders
"If you make your way past the crowds of tourists in Grand Central's whispering gallery, you'll find delicious oysters, clam chowder and ice-cold beer in this classic New York institution. Dating back to 1913, the underground space is famous for it's cavernous vaulted ceilings and an ambiance that will transport you to an altogether different era." - Marcelo Cardoso
"The storied oyster bar in Grand Central Terminal will return its annual herring festival on June 23, a free public event held for more than four decades that features herring air‑expressed directly from Scheveningen, Netherlands. The long‑running festival is staged in collaboration with the Netherlands consulate, attracts politicians and culinary enthusiasts, and is considered a much‑anticipated seasonal highlight." - Emma Orlow
"It’s been too long since you visited Grand Central Oyster Bar. We get it—subjecting yourself to a Grand Central Terminal visit without a train to catch feels wrong. But underneath all the tourists staring obliviously at the celestial ceilings lies Grand Central Oyster Bar, the cavernous seafood spot where you should eat raw oysters at least once a year. Order a dirty martini, skip the rest of the menu—except for the clam chowder—and let whoever’s shucking decide on your dozen. It’s a NYC institution, and the couple at the table next to you have been coming here for around 50 years to eat the catch of the day." - bryan kim, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, will hartman
"Almost as a rule, we recommend you stick to enjoying the raw seafood (and the beautiful vaulted ceilings) at Grand Central Oyster Bar, but there are two important exceptions. First: You should get a martini, which is strong to begin with, and comes with a sidecar. You should also get the clams casino. Grand Central Oyster Bar's breadcrumb-less rendition is laden with thick, juicy pieces of bacon. It's solid, and makes for a good snack to help soak up that martini." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, neha talreja
"The tile-lined, arched, and subterranean space at Grand Central Oyster Bar is one of the few places displaying Guastavino vaulting, and it may be the most dramatic place to eat your fish and chips in the city. The fish is textured and flaky, and the fries are exceptional, too — and you’ve never seen a thicker tartar sauce. The move is to sit at the bar and start with oysters." - Melissa McCart
