Time To Belly Up To The Bar – Grand Central’s Oyster Bar!
One of the great things about New York City is the architecture: for example, here is the majestic Grand Central Train Terminal:
After you make your way through the majestic Grand Central Station, who walk down a ramp to find a gorgeous arched ceiling and the restaurant:
The Oyster Bar has been an important part of New York for over a century. The story goes that the railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt selected the site in his new Grand Central Terminal for a restaurant he named the Oyster Bar. That New York original opened in 1913.
It’s location at the very hub of America’s long-haul passenger train system guaranteed its success.
The inside of the restaurant has the same grandeur of the train terminal – with arched tiled ceiling throughout, and of course, an Oyster Bar:
There is, of course, a terrific Oyster Bar, with dozens of options every day – and along with Oysters, you can order fresh raw Clams, plus Shrimp, Scallops and Lobster too!
The Oyster Bar is massive, with tables, oyster bar seating, as well as counter seating like this:
I grabbed a spot at the “first come first serve” counter and perused the menu:
I started with a dozen clams: a mix of east and west coast such as Kumomotos, Beau Soleil, Totten Inlet and Sweet Blue:
Fresh, briny and delicious…then I moved on to a favorite Oyster of mine – because it wasn’t available on the US west coast where I grew up!
One of my favorite clam dishes is the plate of “Ipswich Clams”, shaped like a question mark and incredibly delicious!
“Ipswich clams,” also known as “steamer clams,” “belly clams,” or “longneck clams,” are soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria) that are harvested from tidal flats and are particularly prized for their tender, briny flavor, especially when deep-fried – let’s take a closer look:
I also enjoyed a plate of Fried Oysters once as well…I could eat Oysters in so many ways and later I will share a few ways I have….and finally, the dish I am eating all over New York in order to find the best one in the city:
“Fish And Chips!”
I grew up on fish ‘n’ chips and tartar sauce, and this one is a great version…the fish is really fresh, the batter not greasy at all, and a really tangy tartar sauce that brings it all together!
As you can see, I have made several trips here already and more to come…here are those clams again with a look at the unique architecture of the restaurant – as it sits underneath the main hall of the Grand Central terminal:
Oh, and one more really unique aspect of the Oyster Bar happens right outside the front door:
“Go Stand In The Corner!”
OK, this is so funny to me: you see, the curved walls outside not only look cool, they also provide a unique audio opportunity!
If you stand where that guy is on the left and stare into the wall, the person on the other side of the concourse can hear you…no need to yell, the audio travels over the arch and down to you on the other side – it’s wild!
That’s my friend Vincent speaking into the corner, and this is me directly across the concourse from him:
It’s a really cool aspect of the Grand Central Terminal architecture…so delicious food and when you go upstairs into the main concourse, here is what you see!
Here is my tour of the Grand Central Terminal, along with some history, much more architecture and videos too!
And back to Oysters: I grew up eating them, and I love them so much that I once made them three ways!
I read a terrific book about New York Oysters, and made them three ways with the recipes included…see them here!
And if you really want a unique take on an Oyster dish, try this one:
How about some “Oyster Caviar Pasta?” Thanks to Chef Emeril Lagasse I made it and you can too – the recipe is right here!
I love making wild food like this – unique mashups that are delicious and yes, unique to be sure! And Oysters are also saving the world!
Yes, Oysters are helping rebuild the world! See that story here:
Of course, for some like me, there is the perfect way to enjoy an Oyster – so I did – check it out!
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Categories: Alcohol And Bars, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Fast Food, Fine Dining, Food, Food Travel, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
Be still my heart! Oysters are my absolute favorite, any way but mostly straight up, and my granddaughter has been gobbling them this way since she was six. I love sitting at the actual bar at an oyster bar, it just makes the experience that much better.
And, as a New Englander, I can attest to the fact that fried New Ipswich clams are the best! We’ll be at the shore in a couple of weeks, and that will be the first thing I order at the clam shack!
I grew up in Seattle and those were unknown to me but I love them! Thanks for the note! NE Clam Chowder is also the best, just like Seattle…no red sauce here!
What a beautiful building! Thank you, John, really enjoyed this post. And the food looks delicious, too.
Thank you for the comment! It’s an incredible building and the Oyster Bar is fun and iconic as well. – appreciate the note!
It’s so iconic – and so impressive to be inside…so many places to explore with shops and food and of course, trains too! Thank you for the note!
Hahahahahahaha!!!! That’s funny! I’ve never been down there under the terminal, and had no idea this all was down there! Great photos.
Thanks for the comment!
It must look very funny to see people standing in the corner talking to themselves. The food looks delicious and, of course, everyone knows Grand zcentral Station. There’s even a saying for when it’s very busy at home it works: “I feel like I’m in Grand Central Station.” 😂
I didn’t know that was down there, but I love fried clams, and all shellfish !
I like oysters, so would be happy to eat there and try those clams too. GCS is a great venue, and a really unusual place to eat such good food.
Best wishes, Pete.