Grand Central Oyster Bar

No reservations needed....there's almost always one seat, and the most i've ever ever had to wait, even w/ two people is about 2 minutes...

As others have said, stick to raw oysters, raw cherrystone clams, maybe soups, and one of their fine special beers or wines by the glass...some like the pan roast, but for me it's too rich...and i used to always get an order of fried oysters/fried-clams w/...+READ No reservations needed....there's almost always one seat, and the most i've ever ever had to wait, even w/ two people is about 2 minutes...

As others have said, stick to raw oysters, raw cherrystone clams, maybe soups, and one of their fine special beers or wines by the glass...some like the pan roast, but for me it's too rich...and i used to always get an order of fried oysters/fried-clams w/ my raw oysters, but sadly, the fried items were terrible the last two times, so it'll be a while before i'll try them again...-COLLAPSE / REPLY (7 Replies) (by Simon, created December 22, 2011)

Just walked in for lunch the other day, and they told me the bar wasn't open. Or that you couldn't sit and get food there at that time, even though there was a bartender on duty. Anyway we sat at a regular small table right next to the bar and got great service. I would call just in case. I'm thinking it was around 2 so maybe there are specific time periods?

We got 2 dozen assorted oysters and...+READ Just walked in for lunch the other day, and they told me the bar wasn't open. Or that you couldn't sit and get food there at that time, even though there was a bartender on duty. Anyway we sat at a regular small table right next to the bar and got great service. I would call just in case. I'm thinking it was around 2 so maybe there are specific time periods?

We got 2 dozen assorted oysters and split a bowl of pan fried seafood, and it was a better meal than the upscale dinner we had later.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (7 Replies) (by coll, created December 22, 2011)

I go often and the Oyster Bar is never full. Enjoy and keep it simple. Oysters and chowder are great. The rest of the menu is not spectacular. Let the barman guide you with the oyster selection. They know their stuff. REPLY (7 Replies) (by Motosport, created December 22, 2011)

If you go to the oyster bar, skip the entrees and the $28 salads. Stick to the raw bar, pan roasts, and appetizers. At the small bar, the bartender, Marcello, knows his oysters and pours a great drink-its the best way to do the GCOB IMHO.

Agree about Cipriani. I happen to think Michael Jordan's is pretty good, although its expensive for what it is, and sitting at one of the tables overlooking...+READ If you go to the oyster bar, skip the entrees and the $28 salads. Stick to the raw bar, pan roasts, and appetizers. At the small bar, the bartender, Marcello, knows his oysters and pours a great drink-its the best way to do the GCOB IMHO.

Agree about Cipriani. I happen to think Michael Jordan's is pretty good, although its expensive for what it is, and sitting at one of the tables overlooking GCT at holiday time is a great experience.

Menchanko is another place I like for cooked Japanese food-ramen is decent and they have great small plates.

If you want sushi, Hatsuhana on 48th (not the one a block from GCT) has terrific sushi and decent dinner specials although it might be hard to stay under $80 if you are big eaters.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (23 Replies) (by AdamD, created December 10, 2011)

Ditto on the Oyster Bar suggestion. Sit at the Oyster Bar and order up a variety of oysters and some chowder as an appetizer before you head out for a real meal. Nothing special about the rest of the menu there.
Junior's strawberry cheese pie is one of my favorites!! REPLY (5 Replies) (by Motosport, created September 19, 2011)

»The Oyster Bar--Grand Central Station

I noticed that absolutely no one has mentiond this in any of their posts, so I'd like to. Absolutely Fabulous, it is a land mark restaurant and the food is delish! (If you like Fresh Seafood) As the name states, it is an Oyster Bar and the oysters are daily catch, so the menu changes day to day and as the day goes on and they run out of oysters. The als offer a variety of other seafood, in...+READ I noticed that absolutely no one has mentiond this in any of their posts, so I'd like to. Absolutely Fabulous, it is a land mark restaurant and the food is delish! (If you like Fresh Seafood) As the name states, it is an Oyster Bar and the oysters are daily catch, so the menu changes day to day and as the day goes on and they run out of oysters. The als offer a variety of other seafood, in cluding made to order fish/seafood stews and chowders.
It has been in Grand Central Station since 1913 and is overlooked by many. I highly recommend you try it. OysterbarNY.com-COLLAPSE / REPLY (9 Replies) (by preciouskimmy, created August 6, 2011)