“If you want some raw bar, a pan roast and some great NYC history, it’s a great place. The raw bar variety is outstanding and it’s super fresh. I wouldn’t get the main courses frankly. Very plain.”
H3
All 345 rated mentions, most helpful first
“If you want some raw bar, a pan roast and some great NYC history, it’s a great place. The raw bar variety is outstanding and it’s super fresh. I wouldn’t get the main courses frankly. Very plain.”
H3
“I like the Oyster Bar, but you gotta, gotta eat at the lunch counter and avoid the table-service section. One of the classic joys of NYC is an oyster pan roast, half a dozen Blue Points, and a Guinness at the lunch counter. If I'm in a funk and find myself free in Midtown around lunchtime, it's a treat.”
H3
“The seafood options besides the oysters are forgettable and honestly gross. We took out of towners there a few weeks ago and were embarrassed by how bad (and expensive) it was.”
H3
“Not only do they do what they do very, very well, but they also do it better than most similar restaurants around the country. It’s delicious.”
H3
“They have a great selection of oysters but something that really annoys me is they’re never properly shucked. Every single time, I get fragments of shell in my mouth and the oysters are still partially stuck to the shell.”
H3
“I love the Oyster Bar - been there 30-40 times. There is something about sitting at the counter, ordering up a couple dozen oysters, getting a pan roast, a bloody mary or glass or prosecco, and just soaking in the entire experience. Makes me happy. Makes the rest of the world disappear.”
H3
“I love GCOB but I had clam chowder there a couple weeks ago and it was a bowl of thickened cream with one scrap of clam, one large piece of onion, and exactly two pieces of potato.”
H3
“The selection of oysters is excellent. I’m in East Coast oyster guy. They have really good oysters that are nice and briny. The clam chowder is excellent”
H3
“The fish (sole) was well cooked but the rest of the dish was very underwhelming. Service was very slow, it took almost 2 hours to get out of there, when we had an 11:45 reservation.”
H3
“Overrated. They don’t even shuck their oysters properly (always bits of shell in it and the meat isn’t fully detached from the shell).”
H3
“Good raw bar. I go when they have fresh raw herring flown in, usually during June. It is a cool room. The cooked stuff isn't the best in my opinion but they will have a great oyster selection.”
H3
“my oysters Rockefeller were good but the raw order I received was the worst shuck I’ve ever had. Shell fragments in every single oyster.”
H3
“We ended up asking for our check and leaving. They didn’t comp us anything, not even our $8 Diet Cokes. I’ve worked in restaurants and the manager at every place I’ve worked tries to make the customer happy or comp something so that the experience is slightly positive.”
H3
“Grand central oyster bar sucks. They were sucks about not having a reservation when half the place was empty and then laughed at my little sister and treated her like shit for asking for cocktail sauce for her fried clams… there are much better options.”
H3
“clam chowder & oysters from Grand Central Oyster Bar 6.5/10”
H2
“8/10 - just the one oyster. Excellent and reasonable.”
H2
“The oyster pan roast is perhaps the single best dish in NYC.”
H2
“the Grand Central Oyster Bar is worth a visit if you haven't been. Sit at the bar and get the Oyster Stew - it's a classic for a reason.”
H2
“Dropping in for a cocktail or glass of bubbly with a shrimp cocktail during a random afternoon is the most wonderfully decadent experience.”
H2
“And watching them cook it using the steam from beneath the city is one of the great joys of showing visitors around.”
H2
“Good oysters, good shrimp cocktail, old school vibes”
H2
“I've been going to the Grand Central Oyster Bar for 40 years and it has never disappointed. Always a great variety of fresh fish and shellfish. Great wine and beer list too.”
H2
“Exactly. Dinner and a show. Plus, the same guys at the counter for a few decades now. I cannot fathom why anyone would shit talk GCOB.”
H2
“Sit at the oyster counter and get oysters and a pan roast. Don’t bother with anything from the kitchen.”
H2
“Oyster Bar: oyster stew”
H2
“Grand Central Oyster Bar!!! A classic, fresh oysters arriving everyday, etc, etc.”
H2
“if you’re solely after oyster/clam - definitely between them, grand central oyster bar and mermaid”
H2
“Grand Central Oyster Bar... they have a decent martini”
H2
“Grand Central Oyster bar is superb; you could easily pull up at the bar for a memorable burger and drink.”
H2
“Uh... this is now a go-to. Oysters, super dirty martinis, I got the salad plate, too, which was so, so delicious, with the silky salmon, and the squid salad, and mmmmmmm.”
H2
“Grand Central Oyster Bar which is a beautiful historic restaurant with passable solid (but not spectacular) seafood.”
H2
“I second Grand Central Oyster Bar. They have other seafood options besides oysters.”
H2
“Oysters from grand central oyster bar/maison premiere”
H2
“If you’re staying in Manhattan and love oysters I’d highly recommend Grand Central Oyster Bar. Always a huge selection of different oysters that you can mix and match and try as many kinds as you want.”
H2
“The she-crab soup at Grand Central Oyster Bar is delicious!!!”
H2
“I know the food isn’t the best but I have a real soft spot for grand central oyster bar. The caviar sandwich in particular is so great and I love the room”
H2
“You can also grab some cocktails/wine and oysters at Grand Central Oyster bar.”
H2
“Grand Central Oyster Bar oyster stew”
H2
“The Oyster Bar in Grand Central has a take out window, and their She Crab soup and Clam Chowder are great.”
H2
“It wasn’t bad. The group I was with liked oysters more than me but it didn’t seem like the were blow away. Big selection. We got a fish tower too which was good.”
H2
“The GCOB vibe is just the tops tho...sit at the curving counter. Add some fried clams or French fries. Grab a beer.”
H2
“just order a pan roast - it's under $30 and one of the signature items to boot.”
H2
“Is the food amazing! No. But it solid and it’s a true slice of New York.”
H2
“Except the fries.”
H2
“Don’t get other food it’s not good (I’ve tried). Chowder and oysters only LOL”
H2
“Oysters are very good, the location is one of a kind , and restaurants is thick with history. Oyster Bar is a must.”
H2
“Yes! Plus the bar seats are entertaining and have the best service. Excellent bloody Mary’s as well”
H2
“and they have great oysters”
H2
“while the food is overpriced and not that great, the drinks aren’t too bad. but the atmosphere makes up for everything.”
H2
“Fried Ipswich Clams at Grand Central Oyster Bar. I swear every year they give you one less clam but I keep ordering them.”
H2