Grand Central Oyster Bar
Seafood · New York · $$$
Seafood · New York, NY · $$$
Mermaid Oyster Bar is a family of casually sophisticated seafood restaurants born in New York in 2003. Starting out in Manhattan’s East Village as a spot-on rendition of a casual New England fish shack, The Mermaid Inn has morphed into an American seafood brasserie, replete with style, hospitality and a menu marked by bold and seasonally inspired cuisine. The Mermaid Inn has been designed to evoke the feeling of being on a mini vacation in a small seaside village.
“5/27/2026 Sometimes all a girl wants is some oysters! I’ve been eyeing this place for awhile when visiting the city and finally took a chance to go. Very classy inside with a nice bar off to the left. I did one of each oyster and they were every bit worth the price briny, meaty and ohh so good. I really enjoyed just myself, my oysters and a little happy dance after each bite. If you like fresh and quality look no further this is the spot. I was able to walk in, get a table and get down to business.”
“Stopped by Mermaid Oyster Bar near Times Square for a quick bite during happy hour before catching a train. This is exactly the kind of place that works well when you need something fast but still high quality. Service stood out. Jeanine was excellent; she quickly understood our time constraint, guided us to the right dishes, and kept everything moving without making it feel rushed. At one point we accidentally put a plastic menu over a lit candle, and she handled it immediately and made the moment feel light rather than awkward. The atmosphere was lively and full; the place was packed, but it still felt organized rather than chaotic. The bar looked well stocked, and the overall ambience worked well for a pre-train, Times Square-adjacent stop. Food was solid, with a few standouts. The salmon tartare with sesame crackers was excellent; clean, fresh, and well balanced. Jeanine recommended the shrimp avocado sliders, and that was the right call; they were outstanding. Happy hour oysters were fresh and well balanced. Littleneck clams were good, though slightly less compelling than the oysters. The fish tacos were good but not particularly memorable. Fried calamari was well executed, though the accompanying sauce could have used a little more flavor. The hot sauce, assuming it is made in house, was excellent and added a much better punch to the seafood. Drinks from the happy hour menu, including the Pink Flamingo and margarita, were good and consistent. I would come back to try more from the main menu. If you like seafood, this is a strong option for the price point and location, especially during happy hour.”
“We actually came here specifically for the oysters, but ended up trying much more from the menu. I also had the ceviche with different types of fish and the baked Rockefeller oysters. Everything was absolutely delicious — the oysters were fresh, and every dish we tried was really well done. We truly enjoyed the experience and would happily come back again.”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic Find in Times Square! We stumbled upon Mermaid Oyster Bar in Times Square after seeing that the wait at Tony di Napoli’s was over an hour. Luckily, Mermaid Oyster Bar was just a few doors down on the same block, and it turned out to be an amazing choice. The service was attentive and friendly from start to finish. ❤️You get a great mix of locals and tourists, which always feels like a good sign, especially in Times Square. The ambiance is excellent—great music, fun energy, and really good vibes without being so loud that you can’t have a conversation. They were running a fantastic special that night: the🦞 Frutti di Mare, which was generously portioned and perfect for two people. We also ordered the Oysters Rockefeller, which were quite possibly the best I’ve ever had—absolutely outstanding. Another big win for families: they offer a kids menu, and my kids loved the chicken fingers. It’s not always easy to find a spot like this that works for both adults and kids in Times Square. Overall, this place offers great value for the money, especially given the quality of the food, service, and atmosphere. Mermaid Oyster Bar is a must-visit whether you’re a local or visiting the city—we’ll definitely be back!🏃♀️”
“Loved the food! Fantastic deal and happy hour was nice! Their regular menu prices were pretty diabolical. I LOVED their clam chowder and decided to order the full sized one on the regular menu. It was more than double the price and barely any bigger :’) Oysters were fresh but there was a bit of shell in them. The restaurant decor is superb! dimly lit and not too cold or too warm! Server came back every 20 minutes or so and we were waiting to order for a while. Otherwise overall pretty good experience!”
127 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036-6565, United States
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