Grand Central Oyster Bar

Review summary

1. J

   Julien

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Dinner at Grand Central Oyster Bar before Christmas has been a cherished tradition with my wife for years. We always look forward to NJ oysters and fresh fish. Unfortunately, this year was a disappointment. Service was slow and inattentive—20 minutes to take our order, 25 more for appetizers. Nearly 45 minutes of waiting with no servers in sight. It left us rushing to make our post-dinner plans. Sadly, we’ll be rethinking our holiday tradition next year.
   

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2. Y

   Ynea

   Los Angeles

   8 reviews

   1.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   The service was terribly slow, pan roast was so bad we had to send it back, clam chowder was nothing special. Would not come back.
   

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3. I

   Indah

   VIP

   London

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A dinner leading up the Christmas week at the Oyster Bar needs to be on everyone’s agenda when in Manhattan. The ambiance, vibe, food and service are spot on.
   

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4. A

   Ary

   Miami

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Very good soups. Excellent shrimp pasta. Sallon with a very cool atmosphere.
   

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5. A

   Allison

   VIP

   New York City

   7 reviews

   4.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   Great classic NYC spot with great seafood but we were never given bread we asked for twice. It was a very busy night at rushhour. Also a martini in a wine glass...that was odd but still delish.
   

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6. j

   john

   New York City

   11 reviews

   2.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Always liked it here Lunch on last visit was bad Mussels and french fries lukewarm at best, colleagues eggs Benedict same Had to send mussels back, still only mediocre. In future will only go for a drink
   

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7. B

   Bob

   Washington DC

   6 reviews

   3.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   Chowders had few clams or little lobster, and were not hot. Service was perfunctory and impatient. Noise prevented conversation.
   

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8. D

   Donna

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   My first time there. Didn't realize they had a lot besides oysters, or else I would have visited sooner than the 44 years I have lived in Manhattan! Good food. Attentive service especially in the beginning. Main room has a high noise level. Difficult to hear the person right across our small table. The Saloon room which is wood paneled and smaller might be better if you wish to have a conversation.
   

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9. A

   Abbie

   VIP

   Philadelphia

   20 reviews

   1.0

   20 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Our favorite restaurants were booked, so we were excited to try this place for our annual holiday trip to the city. Big mistake. We started with drinks in the bar, they brought the wrong wine (Chardonnay, not Sauv Blanc). We were seated a little earlier than our reservation since we were there early, great! However, after 25 minutes of no service we had to approach the host. He immediately sent a waiter over who said, “so sorry, I’ll take your food order now.” 25 more minutes before drinks came. The She Crab soup was good. The Oysters Rockefeller had a great sauce, but weren’t baked. The oysters inside were raw and the shells cool. They had been broiled for a minimal amount of time-enough to form a skin on top of the sauce. Entrees were ok. Chicken strips and fries for the kid were good, bronzino and swordfish were fine, the friend oysters were good. The lobster roll didn’t taste fresh and I sent it back. The manager was very nice and did not charge us for the returned roll and she deducted a glass of wine from the bill. The men’s bathroom only had one functional urinal. Anyhow, don’t go here for a special night out. It’s loud, the service is very slow, and the food is mediocre.
   

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10. A

    Andrew

    New York City

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2

    The food was pretty good but the waiter took our soup dishes too soon as they brought the entrees out while my companion for lunch was still eating it. He made a comment to me that they must be looking to turn the tables. Also the room is too loud and was very hard to hear. I chose the restaurant for its convenience as he was coming in from Westchester. We both said that we would look for someplace else the next time he comes in.
    

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