‘No Restaurant on Earth Quite Like It’ — This 113-Year-Old Spot Hidden in an NYC Train Station Ranked Among The World’s Most Unique

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This historic subterranean seafood temple just got a massive global shout-out. 👀

According to a new ranking from TripAdvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Awards, the legendary Grand Central Oyster Bar has been named one of the top “One-of-a-Kind” restaurants in the world.

Landing at #23 globally, it’s the only New York City institution to crack the top 25 in this specific category—proving that even after 113 years, this place still has that “wow” factor.

Here is why this Midtown icon is officially a global standout and what every New Yorker needs to know before their next visit!

A timeless underground cathedral

Opened in 1913 (just three weeks after Grand Central Terminal itself), the Oyster Bar is less of a restaurant and more of an architectural marvel.

The first thing you’ll notice is the breathtaking Guastavino-tiled vaulted ceilings.

Designed by Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino, these interlocking terracotta tiles create a dramatic, cavernous atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a 1920s film set.

The 3 am ritual

One of the reasons the Oyster Bar snagged this “One-of-a-Kind” title is its unwavering commitment to freshness.

While most of the city is still asleep, executive chef Juan Lopez is at the Fulton Fish Market at 3 am every single morning hand-picking the day’s catch.

This means the menu changes daily, typically featuring up to 30 varieties of oysters and 25 different types of fish.

What to order

If you want the quintessential experience, skip the standard entrees and head straight for the snaking lunch counters or the Saloon.

• The Oyster Pan Roast: This is the restaurant’s most famous dish. It’s a rich, buttery, cream-based stew with six Blue Point oysters served over a slice of chili-sauce-soaked toast. It’s been on the menu since day one.
• The Manhattan Clam Chowder: Bold, tomatoey, and packed with fresh clams.
• The Martini: New Yorkers know the martinis here are famously cold and served with a side of “Old NYC” charm.

Extra Grand Central grandeur

Have extra time to explore the station? Well there’s more to behold in the world-famous Grand Central Station. Just take a look:

• The Whispering Gallery: Located just outside the restaurant entrance, the low ceramic arches create an acoustic fluke where you can whisper into one corner and be heard perfectly by someone standing in the diagonal corner.
• The Hidden “Makeout Room”: Just a few steps away in the terminal is a small, tucked-away corridor historically known as a “kissing gallery” where travelers would say their goodbyes (or hellos).
• The No-Phone Zone: Because of the subterranean location and the “old school” vibe, it’s one of the few places in Midtown where you’ll see people actually talking to each other instead of staring at screens.

Where: Grand Central Terminal, Lower Level (89 E. 42nd Street)

Hours: Mon–Fri, 11:30 am – 9:30 pm (Closed Saturdays & Sundays—plan accordingly!)

See the full TripAdvisor “One-of-a-Kind” list here.