Best Dishes at Grand Central Oyster Bar
Oysters on Half Shell
StartersThe Oyster Bar stocks up to 30 oyster varieties daily, sourced from both coasts. Raw oysters arrive ice-cold on the half shell, served with mignonette and cocktail sauce. You can order a mix of varieties to taste the differences between Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific oysters. The shuckers work quickly and efficiently behind the bar.
Pan Roast
MainsThe pan roast is the Oyster Bar's most famous dish—a rich, creamy seafood stew cooked to order in a cast iron pan. The base is a decadent cream sauce with butter and aromatics, filled with your choice of oysters, clams, shrimp, or fish. It arrives piping hot with crusty bread for soaking up the sauce. Multiple reviews praise this dish as worth the visit alone, with the sauce-to-seafood ratio being perfectly balanced.
Fried Oysters
StartersPlump oysters are dredged and fried until golden, arriving crispy on the outside with a tender, briny oyster inside. The frying technique removes the raw quality while the breading provides textural contrast. Served with tartar sauce or hot sauce.
Oysters Rockefeller
StartersA classic preparation that's been on the menu for over a century. The oysters are grilled briefly, topped with a layer of herbed spinach, butter, and breadcrumbs, then finished under the broiler until golden. The heat brings out the oyster's brininess while the topping adds richness and texture.
Broiled Peconic Bay Sea Scallops
MainsJumbo Peconic Bay scallops from Long Island are broiled with a classic casino butter that adds richness and savory depth. The scallops are succulent and sweet, with the butter enhancing rather than overwhelming. This is a more refined option than pan roast but equally satisfying.
Whole Maine Lobster
MainsA straightforward steamed lobster served with plenty of drawn butter for dipping. The kitchen sources fresh Maine lobsters and steams them to order, ensuring sweet, tender meat. Perfect for sharing or as a centerpiece main course.
About Grand Central Oyster Bar
Located in the belly of Grand Central Terminal, the Oyster Bar has been serving fresh oysters and seafood since 1913. The vaulted ceiling and classic oyster bar setup create an energetic, no-reservations atmosphere where you can watch the shuckers at work. The menu features up to 30 oyster varieties plus 25 types of fish and shellfish, with the pan roast—a creamy, buttery stew served in a cast iron pan—being the most famous dish.
Top 5 dishes at Grand Central Oyster Bar:
- Oysters on Half Shell – 92% recommended(Signature)
- Pan Roast – 95% recommended(Signature)
- Fried Oysters – 82% recommended
- Oysters Rockefeller – 85% recommended
- Broiled Peconic Bay Sea Scallops – 86% recommended
Details
- Cuisine:
- Seafood
- Price Range:
- $$$
- Phone:
- +1 212-490-6650
- Website:
- Visit Website
- Services:
- Dine-in, Bar, Wine List, Full Bar, Outdoor Seating
Hours
- Friday:
- 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM(Open Now)
- Sunday:
- 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Monday:
- 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Tuesday:
- 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Wednesday:
- 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Thursday:
- 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Saturday:
- 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
No reservations are accepted at the main oyster bar—just arrive early, especially before lunch. The counter moves quickly; expect 15-45 minutes depending on the time.
The downstairs counter is faster and more casual. There's also an upstairs dining room that takes reservations if you want a quieter experience.
The wine list is massive with 250+ selections. Ask the server for wines under $48—there are excellent value options.
Order the pan roast and a dozen oysters on the half shell to experience the two signature dishes in one visit.
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