This underground, century-old NYC restaurant is officially one of the most unique places to eat in the world

There are plenty of places in New York City to slurp down oysters, but only one lets you do it under a vaulted Guastavino-tiled ceiling in the belly of Grand Central Terminal. The Grand Central Oyster Bar, a seafood temple that’s been serving commuters and tourists since 1913, just earned a global nod as one of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” restaurants in the "One of a Kind" category for 2025.

The annual Travellers’ Choice Awards highlight the top 1-percent of restaurants across Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings, celebrating spots that rack up rave reviews for food, service and atmosphere. The Oyster Bar’s inclusion cements its status not just as a New York institution, but as one of the most distinctive dining experiences on the planet.

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Part of the charm is location, location, location. Walk down the ramps from the main concourse and you’ll stumble into a subterranean world where the smell of briny shellfish hangs in the air and the ceilings arch dramatically overhead. Inside, the 450-seat space buzzes with a mix of office workers, wide-eyed tourists and locals who know to snag a stool at the counter for a lobster roll or an oyster po’ boy before rush hour.

The menu is massive, but oysters are the obvious draw. On any given day, you can expect 12 to 15 varieties sourced from across the Northeast and beyond, shucked to order and served on the half shell, Rockefeller-style or tucked into chowders. Seafood purists come for broiled scallops, grilled shrimp scampi or simply a platter of clams with a martini on the side. And yes, the martinis are as legendary as the shellfish.

Over the years, the Oyster Bar has weathered financial ups and downs, a closure during the city’s 1970s troubles and more recently, a pandemic hiatus. Each time, it’s managed to reopen stronger, leaning on its unbeatable mix of tradition and atmosphere. 

Now, with Tripadvisor’s stamp of approval, the Oyster Bar isn’t just the ultimate Midtown pit stop—it’s officially one of the most unique restaurants in the world.