Grand Central Oyster Bar

Review summary

1. A

   Audrey

   New York City

   8 reviews

   1.0

   8 reviews

   Dined today

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

   I am a native New Yorker and have dined at The Grand Central Oyster Bar many times over the years. The four of us were nearby and even though I haven’t been there in about ten years I have always found it reliable—- until tonight. They missed on every metric. The grouper special was fishy and what was served was not the special that I ordered. My friend never got the clam chowder she ordered. The salads were tired wilted greens. We ordered a bottle of wine and the server dropped the cap— picked it up from the floor and then placed it on the table! Just wrong. I ordered a bottle of still water for the table and my glass was dirty with food residue on it. Another person in my party had to ask twice for the French fries he ordered and the steak sauce he requested. I lodged my displeasure with the server. He got the manager who didn’t seem to care. After much discussion he took two entrees off the bill. I still paid $218 and I didn’t eat! Avoid this tired old restaurant with uncaring servers and mediocre food. It’s living on a reputation from bygone days. I am sorry to say this because I have happy memories of coming here with my mom— but that is the point. The Oyster Bar’s best days are in The past. There are lots of other restaurants in Grand Central where you can have a much better and more satisfying meal.
   

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2. A

   Aline

   London

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   Very disappointed. When booking i completed the box to say it was a birthday celebration. On arrival my partner was wished happy birthday by the host and that was the end of good service. The place was more than half Empty but we were shown to a table right next to a door to staff / kitchen area. I politely asked if was possible to have another table which met with an eye roll. I Had to get up and help myself to water refill while staff stood chatting, food pretty average and had the feel of a place very much riding on its iconic location and little else with customers feeling like a bit of an inconvenience. Not at all special.
   

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3. M

   Micky

   Houston

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   We really enjoyed the tuna tartare appetizer and the oysters selection was wonderful. The lemon sole was a little disappointing. There wasn’t enough seasoning. I recommend dining here
   

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4. D

   Diana

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   The location can't be beat and the service very attentive and professional. That said, the quality of the food was mediocre. Our party of three all ordered fish, which tasted neither bad nor super fresh - just meh. For $85 pp, we could have done much better, even in midtown. Sorry, I've been going to GCOB for decades, but it needs to recommit to quality ingredients.
   

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5. H

   Helmut

   New York City

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Hervorragend, wie immer. Die bouillabaisse war leider nicht erwartungsgemäß, der zuständige Kellner reagierte sofort absolut professionell. Top.
   

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6. J

   Joyce

   Toronto

   25 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   25 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   We walked 25 minutes from our hotel to get to Grand Central Oyster Bar. All because of the fresh oysters. My husband loves oysters and he was not disappointed. We arrived early and was accommodated immediately. There were 3 servers serving us!!! Service was fast and impeccable. Food hit the spot. Being in the Grand Central is a plus!! Tourist attraction and dinner in one place!! We ordered the fresh oysters, seafood chowder (or stew), mussels, and grilled jumbo shrimps with coconut rice and lots of veggies. The shrimps were big!!! and I got 6 with my entree. Overall, a nice experience for us. Thank you, GCOB!!
   

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7. P

   Paola

   Mexico City

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   A Classic spot in NY. Good food, terrible service, expensive.
   

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8. K

   Karol

   New York City

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

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

   Too expensive for just a sandwich. We wanted the lobster, but they told us they were out. To our surprise, we saw them serve lobster to another table that arrived after us. The experience felt unnecessarily snobbish.
   

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9. P

   Paul

   Los Angeles

   10 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

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

   Overpriced tourist trap. Room is magnificent but food (other than oysters) was terrible.
   

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10. P

    Philippe

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

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

    Very nice team who allowed earlier regarding our reservation as we were ahead of our schedule. Particularly good table well placed, excellent food and excellent wine and affordable. Good service. A bit noisy for European ears but anyway great atmosphere.
    

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