Nestled beneath the soaring arches of Grand Central, this iconic eatery serves up epic raw oysters, hearty chowders, and nostalgic charm since 1913.
"The iconic seafood destination is nestled under soaring, beautifully arched and tiled ceilings in a subterranean space inside Grand Central Terminal. The environs, complete with massive U-shaped counter seating perfect for dining solo, are so special that the restaurant nabbed the Design Icon Award at the James Beard Awards in 2017. In addition to ordering up a platter of raw bivalves, don’t miss the epic oyster pan roast. All of the seafood goes down smoothly with a stiff martini. Note that it’s closed on Saturdays and Sundays." - Eater Staff
"They call it “grand” for a reason. Grand Central Terminal is one of the most majestic places in all of New York City, and Grand Central Oyster Bar is a restaurant worthy of the station’s lofty tiled arches. The next time you're passing through, find a seat at the counter in this cavernous 111-year-old institution, and order at least a dozen oysters. The cooked dishes are a mixed bag, but the raw selections taste far better than you’d expect in an underground transit center. For more of a secret hideout experience, adjourn to the cave within a cave that is the windowless Saloon. Wherever you sit, order a strong dirty martini served with a bonus sidecar, and test out the whispering arches before leaving." - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja
"Eat oysters with the ghost of Cornelius Vanderbilt at this classic establishment inside the station. Grand Central Oyster Bar has been around since 1913, and it’s the rare tourist-filled destination that also attracts locals. The restaurant is split up into three sections—a formal dining room with tables, a long winding bar, and the dark and cozy saloon. Grab a stool at the bar, and one of the bartenders will help you navigate the enormous menu of raw, fried, and roasted seafood. We always start with oysters and a martini. " - neha talreja, bryan kim, hannah albertine, molly fitzpatrick
"Grand Central Station is one of the most stressful spots to navigate in the city (second only to Times Square), packed with equal parts tourists staring obliviously at the celestial ceilings, and people who will never budget enough time to get from the subway to the Metro North, and are sprinting. But down below it all is the Grand Central Oyster Bar. This cavernous seafood spot opened in 1913, and while it was once full of businessmen slurping oysters, now it's just a break from the noise, and an oasis for perfectly fine clam chowder. Out there, it's loud, and someone just missed their train, but inside it's comfortingly quiet, and the couple at the table next to you have been coming here for around 50 years to eat the catch of the day. " - sonal shah, bryan kim, neha talreja, willa moore, will hartman
"The Dish: Clams Casino 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
