
Grand Central Oyster Bar
An iconic NYC institution beneath Grand Central Terminal, famed for its vaulted ceilings and unparalleled selection of fresh oysters.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Grand Central Oyster Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An iconic NYC institution beneath Grand Central Terminal, famed for its vaulted ceilings and unparalleled selection of fresh oysters.
"Step back in time and savor the freshest seafood NYC has to offer in a truly historic setting."
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid crowds and potential service delays by visiting during less busy times.
Ask about happy hour
Inquire about happy hour specials, especially for discounted oysters like Blue Points.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American, Seafood, Oyster Bar
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Iconic Architecture & Ambiance
Experience the stunning vaulted tile ceilings and historic charm of this Grand Central Terminal landmark.

Fresh Oyster Selection
Indulge in a vast array of fresh oysters from various states, expertly shucked and served.

Classic Seafood Dishes
Savor renowned dishes like Manhattan clam chowder and the signature Oyster Pan Roast.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid crowds and potential service delays by visiting during less busy times.
Ask about happy hour
Inquire about happy hour specials, especially for discounted oysters like Blue Points.
Seek staff recommendations
Engage with knowledgeable staff to discover new oyster varieties and menu favorites.
Opt for counter seating
Enjoy the lively atmosphere and efficient service by sitting at one of the oyster bars.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid crowds and potential service delays by visiting during less busy times.
Ask about happy hour
Inquire about happy hour specials, especially for discounted oysters like Blue Points.
Seek staff recommendations
Engage with knowledgeable staff to discover new oyster varieties and menu favorites.
Opt for counter seating
Enjoy the lively atmosphere and efficient service by sitting at one of the oyster bars.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Grand Central Oyster Bar is celebrated for its iconic ambiance and extensive, fresh oyster selection. Diners praise the historic architecture and classic seafood dishes like clam chowder and lobster rolls. However, some patrons note occasional service inconsistencies and that the formal dining room can be chaotic.
"I finally made it! And it was easy!! Walked in midweek and allowed to stake my place at any of the counter seats - and there are many. The oyster bar held my attention for a LONG time. The wall board is helpful. Organized by state and locale. The 28 year veteran server briskly and efficiently helped me discover new oyster varieties previously unavailable to this west coast native. I made room for superb scallops and the in-house Key Lime Pie. All the while my counter mates and the server enjoyed a repartee that helped make the experience personal and memorable."
Larry Whitney
"Classic NYC seafood spot with fresh lobster and excellent oysters.
Had a great experience at the Grand Central Oyster Bar! The lobster was fresh and perfectly cooked, the oysters were super tasty, and the wine selection paired beautifully with the seafood. It’s a classic spot with old-school charm, right in the heart of Grand Central Terminal."
Kamonrut Bunmee
"I have been wanting to try this place for years and I finally made it. We just happened to come on a Thursday which is the only day they offer a happy hour special. Well worth it waiting till Thursday if you just want to check it out have a few items and enjoy the historic location.
We have oysters clams and new England clam chowder. The soup was really good just the perfect balance of clams, taste and thickness of the soup. Calamari was also fresh, tender and included a nice red sauce for dipping. And of course the little neck clams and bluepoint oysters were amazing especially at $1.25 and $1.55/ea respectively.
If you want the happy hour special you have to eat at the saloon bar in the back or the lounge area. Probably have to ask for the happy hour menu as they do not tell or offer it to you by choice."
Glenn Cohen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It's most famous for its stunning vaulted tile ceilings, its location within Grand Central Terminal, and its extensive selection of fresh oysters.
Yes, it's considered an iconic NYC treasure, worth visiting for the ambiance, architecture, and fresh seafood.
Yes, the restaurant often has happy hour specials on oysters like Blue Points, particularly at the saloon bar.
Many prefer the seats at the oyster bars for the lively atmosphere and efficient service, or specific areas of the saloon bar.
Beyond oysters, unique dishes include the Manhattan clam chowder and the Oyster Pan Roast.
Absolutely, it's a landmark destination that attracts both locals and tourists seeking a classic NYC dining experience.
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This 109-year-old seafood-centric eatery, tucked in the bowels of Grand Central Terminal, is as iconic to NYC as the transportation hub’s famous starry ceiling over the cavernous Main Concourse. Grand Central Oyster Bar is worth the visit just to see the bar’s beautiful vaulted tile ceilings, but for the full effect, secure a seat at one of the counters and dig into a dozen raw oysters or opt for the creamy, butter-laden Oyster Pan-Roast.
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At the legendary 96 -year-old Grand Central Oyster Bar, located in the epic and gorgeous hub that shares its name, play it classic with a reliably awe-inspiring platter of iced, just-shucked oysters (there can be a whopping three-dozen varieties to choose from at any given time, from Baja to Plymouth Rock). From Monday through Wednesday from 4:30pm to 7pm and Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm, you can enjoy Blue Points for just $1.25 each.
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Grand Central Oyster Bar is iconic and has managed to stay super-classy despite being located inside one of NYC’s most popular tourist attractions. Come here for the ambience and the architecture but, of course, stay for the oysters. Consider coming during rush hour when commuters are flitting to and from trains – the people watching is unbeatable.
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This buzzing bar and restaurant within Grand Central is hugely atmospheric, with a vaulted tiled ceiling by Catalan-born engineer Rafael Guastavino. Ignore the formal dining area on your left as you enter: the prize seats are at the sleek communal tables on your right, where diners happily slurp oysters as quick as staff can shuck them.
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Grand Central Oyster Bar has been a fixture of the famous railway terminal since it opened in 1913. The restaurant sits on the lower level, beneath a vaulted ceiling of Guastavino tiles. Open on weekdays only, the vintage eatery is filled with commuters, New Yorkers, and tourists tucking into all manner of raw and cooked seafood.
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The service had gone all to hell the last time we bellied up to our favorite seat at the eastern end of the original bar on the western end of the room (avoid the chaotic, overpriced dining room, and the low-slung counter), but on a good day, the cherrystones are still among the best in town at this great landmark establishment, and so is that most regal of all ye olde New York concoctions, the Oyster Pan Roast, which the countermen still make the old-fashioned way, with half a dozen Blue Points, a sprinkling of paprika, a splash of Worcestershire, and flagons of cream.
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Most train stations are known more for grab-and-go snacks than for fine dining. But the Grand Central Oyster Bar inside Grand Central Terminal breaks all of those rules by providing such high-quality seafood that even locals will brave rush hour crowds to get a table there. In a city where everyone is in a hurry, the Oyster Bar takes its time and does things the old-fashioned way, from purchasing fresh fish every morning to graciously walking you through any item on the menu without hurrying you along to order.
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Grand Central Oyster Bar, an iconic culinary institution located in the heart of New York City's Grand Central Terminal, is a haven for seafood enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Since its opening in 1913, this historic restaurant has been serving up an impressive array of fresh and delectable oysters, clams, and other bounties of the sea, making it one of the oldest and most celebrated seafood establishments in the city. It is the oldest restaurant in Grand Central.
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Deep in the vaulted belly of Grand Central Terminal, Midtown’s spectacular railway station, lies a 440-seat bar and restaurant which has been serving platters of shucked oysters and fresh fish for over 100 years. There’s an oyster bar, oyster counters, restaurant and a lounge bar to choose from; I suggest you pick the one that looks busiest. Don’t be overwhelmed by the massive menu packed full of America's best seafood offerings–it’s all so good you can’t go wrong.
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££ | BAR | Best for sparklingly fresh seafood in Manhattan’s most central location. The waters surrounding New York once teemed with oysters that ended up as cheap protein for the poor and the city retains a sentimental affinity with the bivalve. Prices at this vast subterranean space beneath Grand Central station aren’t quite bargain basement but the house Grand Central Oyster Bar blue points oysters, farmed in Connecticut, clock in under £3 per oyster.
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Anytime you need to catch a train from Grand Central Terminal, try to arrive early so you can swing by this historic landmark on the lower level, which opened a few weeks after the train station in 1913. The iconic Gustavino-tiled arches remain the same and, as you dine on more than 25 varieties of oysters, shellfish, and fish (served raw, fried, in stews and pan roasts), you’ll feel yourself slip back into the good ol’ days of New York’s oyster heyday.
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Half-and-half, butter, sweet paprika, a dash of Worcestershire, and a slice of white bread. If you’ve got that and a half-dozen Bluepoints, you could whip up a batch at home. But then you’d miss the gentleman in the chef’s smock and the paper hat cranking the fantastic contraption known as a steam-sleeved swivel pot, which must have been something like the sous-vide immersion circulator of its day ($10.45; Grand Central Terminal; 212-490-6650).
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There’s something undeniably New York about slipping into the Grand Central Oyster Bar after weaving through the busy crowds of Grand Central Terminal. Opened in 1913, this legendary spot is just as iconic as the station itself, with vaulted tile ceilings, old-school charm, and a seafood menu that’s as fresh as it gets. The raw bar is the star, but don’t miss classics like the Oyster Stew, Maine Lobster Roll, or a hearty bowl of chowder.
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Since the terminal’s inception, the 103-year-old Grand Central legend has been situated within the magnificent and awe-inspiring metropolis that bears its name. Pan roasts and chowders continue to be the most popular dishes on the menu in the presence of the iconic vaulted ceiling. Platters of oysters that have been freshly shucked are available in a staggering three dozen varieties, each of which is guaranteed to be jaw-dropping.
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Grand Central Oyster Bar, an endearing subterranean bar in Grand Central Terminal, has been serving fresh oysters to busy New Yorkers for more than 110 years (since 1913). Sure, there are other things on the menu— like grilled branzino and lobster pan roast — but they’re all supporting actors. The oysters are the show and there’s more than 30 varieties to choose from (don’t sleep on the shigoku if you see them on the menu).
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If nostalgia is your aphrodisiac, book a table at this legendary New York restaurant, opened in 1913,” the expert said. “Better yet: grab a couple of stools at the bar for a round of oysters and a bottle of Chablis. It’s the kind of fuss-free place that after over a century still feels in-the-know, and can always be followed up with a romantic stroll beneath that gorgeous Grand Central Terminal ceiling mural,” they assured.
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Timeless New York, this famous Oyster Bar dates from 1913 and continues to provide first-rate seafood dishes to business people, socialites and foreign dignitaries. This classy restaurant hearkens back to the Gilded Age, when the "spare no expense" mentality reigned supreme. Head Chef Sandy Ingber's seafood specials change seasonally and include over 25 varieties of oysters, soft-shell crab and her highly regarded herring.
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This classic midtown oyster haven keeps it classy with solid service, serious ambiance (see the Gustavino tiled arches for proof), and dozens of varieties of oyster, listed with helpful descriptors so that you can easily differentiate between Blue Points and Malpeques. The bar provides good reason to come early and slurp down a dozen before you board a train, though this restaurant is also a worthy destination in itself.
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Buried in the belly of Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan, the subterranean Grand Central Oyster Bar is a precious reminder of the grandeur of old New York. I like it for it’s surprisingly affordable and extensive oyster menu, the fact that you can order just a single one of any oyster (to create your own perfect oyster tasting plate!) and the pearly herringbone tiles that covers the cavernous space.
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Located in the lower level of the iconic Grand Central Terminal, this historic oyster bar and seafood restaurant is both an oasis for the daily commuters as well as a favorite for tourists from around the World. As the name implies, they have a huge selection of fresh oysters from many different ports in the US in the raw bar. Another oyster favorite is their signature oyster Rockefeller appetizer.
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Grand Central isn’t just for catching trains, but for enjoying dinner, too. Since 1913, the Grand Central Oyster Bar has been serving delicious raw bar oysters, soups, pan-roasts, and more. Known as an integral part of New York City restaurant history, the popular spot has attracted the likes of Jackie Onassis Kennedy, Calvin Klein, Bill Blass, Paul Simon and many others throughout the years.
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For a quintessential NYC food experience, head to the Grand Central Oyster Bar, nestled in the tunnels of the city’s most iconic train station. Grab a seat at the bar and savor the renowned Manhattan clam chowder, a lightly spicy soup brimming with clams, potatoes and vegetables. This New York institution, better than ever, promises a memorable culinary delight in a historic setting.
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Tucked beneath Grand Central Terminal's iconic tiled arches in the heart of Manhattan's transit hub, this 111-year-old East Side institution still commands reverence. The raw bar stocks more than 20 oyster varieties daily, including East Coast brine bombs, Pacific creamsicles and rarities like Belon or Malpeque. Order a martini, sit at the U-shaped counter and feel time suspend.
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Also, there’s an amazing eatery in the basement called the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant. And for fancy (and expensive) cocktails, visit the Campbell Apartments and step back into the 1920s (dress code enforced). The space was once the office of John W. Campbell, a member of the New York Central Railroad’s board of directors and finance tycoon from the 1920s.
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The opulent Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant is a tale of fortune lost and refound. The beautiful restaurant first opened its doors in 1913 on the lower level of Grand Central Terminal, however, as travel by rail fell into decline, so did the restaurant. Only in recent years, under new ownership has it been resurrected to its former days of glory.
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Though it’s September 2021 reopening date has been pushed back, we’ve got our fingers crossed that this historic spot will reopen any day. Dating back to 1913, Grand Central Oyster Bar’s vaulted ceilings and dozens of oyster options have been dazzling commuters for generations. Pair your platter with an ice cold martini or a few glugs of white wine.
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The price of the day menu is upscale in the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant (89 E 42nd St) on the lower floor of New York's main train station, Grand Central Station. It features fresh lobster, seafood and oyster delicacies that are served there. You can also order seafood, oyster and lobster sandwiches at lower prices at the counter.
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You can still experience the grandeur of dining in an historic seafood palace by visiting The Grand Central Oyster Bar, recently reopened after the pandemic hiatus. It’s truly the last of its kind. The 1913 vaulted ceilings sparkle above as expert chefs prepare traditional oyster pan roasts in antique steaming pots, right before your eyes.
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Despite its odd location, in a dining concourse underneath Grand Central’s main hub, the Oyster Bar has served hungry travellers and locals since 1913. A great spot for people watching, the atmosphere definitely hearkens back to a bygone-era. The tablecloths are checkered and patrons dine beneath the station’s iconic yellow-tile arches.
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The Fish & Chips at the Grand Central Oyster Bar are a must-try for any seafood lover in New York City. The dish features expertly prepared fish, encased in a crispy and flavorful breading, accompanied by perfectly cooked fries. One bite of the Fish & Chips at the Oyster Bar and you'll understand why they're so highly regarded.
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Below the buzz of Grand Central lies an over 100 year old oyster bar!. And with elevated subway-style décor that includes vaulted arched ceilings and glistening tiles, this is one cool NYC eatery!. It’s also not one of the super fancy unusual restaurants in NYC so don’t feel like you have to wear a ball gown.
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The Grand Central Oyster Bar is next on our list of places to find the best oysters in NYC. If you want to eat somewhere iconic, then this is a great place to eat the best oysters in NYC!. Located inside the amazing, beautiful, Grand Central Station – you can’t get more New York City than this!
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The oldest restaurant in Grand Central Station, you will feel transported back in time as you enjoy fresh seafood under the streets of Manhattan. With vaulted tile ceilings, your eyes and stomach will be feasting on everything under the sea – from raw oysters, chowders, to fresh fish.
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Opened in 1913, this Gilded-Age holdover in Grand Central Station has changed very little in nearly a century, and the architecture—a series of swooping, tiled vaults that always remind me of the grand crypts of some European cathedrals—still impresses. Don’t bother going to the…
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The Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant first opened its doors way back in 1913, in what was then a brand new, state-of-the-art, Grand Central Station. With its cavernous architecture and sweeping white tiled ceilings, the restaurant evokes this old New York in all its gran...
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Grand Central Oyster Bar in Manhattan is a treasure trove of tantalizing mollusks. With a playful yet professional atmosphere, this establishment showcases an impressive selection of fresh and plump oysters. The variety is extensive, each briny bite bursting with oceanic bliss.
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A true NYC institution, Grand Central Oyster Bar has been serving fresh oysters since 1913. This legendary spot offers over 30 varieties of oysters daily, sourced from both coasts. The classic ambiance and arched tile ceilings make it an unforgettable dining experience.
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If you feel really classy, stop for dinner at the Grand Central Oyster Bar. If you’re poor like the rest of us, check out this guide to some of New York’s best cheap eats (psst- this is a great time to visit a branch of Xi’An Famous Foods — there’s one on 45th Street!)
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Located in the iconic Grand Central Terminal, this historic seafood restaurant has been serving fresh seafood since 1913. Its classic New York ambiance and extensive selection of oysters, clams, and other seafood delights making it a favorite among locals and tourists.
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Slurp down some history at the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant, an iconic institution beneath Grand Central Terminal. Serving fresh seafood since 1913, it’s always buzzing. Pull up a seat at the winding oyster bar and choose from their massive daily selection.
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I like to take friends from other countries to this iconic restaurant tucked below Grand Central. It's a gorgeous, historic venue with an impressively large menu showcasing tons of great seafood.
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Neighborhood: MidtownAddress: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017Cuisine: American seafoodOyster happy hour: Monday – Wednesday, 4:30PM – 7PM, Saturday 1 PM – 5 PMDeal: $1.35 per oyster
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A haven for mollusk worshippers and harried New York commuters for more than a century, the seafood spot is still as epic as its iconic white-subway-tiled arches.
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89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017Phone: 212-490-6650 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by noelle (@msnoellee)
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———————– Grand Central Oyster Bar: Grand Central Terminal, lower level (42nd between Park & Vanderbilt), New York, NY.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit