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I had a hard time giving out score of more than zero above, in fact I wished there were negative score. Tasteless fish and chips, boullaibaise broth tasted like it was made of soup powder, dry and hard rice. And they sprinkled some pothetic dry parsley on everything !

I wish I could elucidate better how disappointing this experience was. Sadly, I am at a loss. Oysters Rockefeller were nauseating. Hollandaise was burned and took on a cheese like consistency. Everything was simply sad: fried, limp, an assault on the senses. Things smelled strongly in the worst sense of the word, tasted like either nothing or simply old. Service was impotent, weak, gutless. Walking back from the restroom, a busboy slammed into me and shot me an awful look. I apologized and returned to the bar. Then it hit me: he slammed into me, and I apologized? I'm visiting his establishment. Why am I apologizing to the busboy? This is the level of service that the GCOB has sunk to. It looks like your creep uncle's rumpus room from 1973. Food is bad. Ambiance, nonexistent. Service is an embarrassment. And yes, you will still be charged 5-star prices for what amounts to cruise-ship food. Much like the Tavern; another NY establishment still coasting by on its name and tourism. The people who run this restaurant should be ashamed of themselves.

this used to be our family restaurant about 10 years ago, but it's been going downhill. i decided to give it a second chance for lunch today but was severely disappointed. the steamed mussels were overcooked and the broiled artic char was bland and nothing special for the price they were charging. sure, you can say that the quality of food is subjective, but service certainly isnt! the waiters were just plain out rude! when we told our waiter we were missing an order of 4 oysters, he responded with "i gave it to you guys!". not professional at all!

Having friends visiting who were keen on dining at The Oyster Bar, I enthusiastically agreed, since I had never been there, despite my 50 plus years in this city. What a HUGE disappointment. Or, perhaps, I should have been more skeptical of the reputation of a restaurant that has history rather than reputation on it's side. My reservation, which was delegated to the "Saloon", was lost, and the manager apparently didn't believe that we made one. Thus, we were asked to sit at the bar for 30 minutes whereby we were finally seated at a table that was empty when we first entered the restaurant. There were two waiters and one busboy for approximately 35 tables. It amazed me that, given the steep prices, that the wait staff was so understaffed. Naturally, they were overworked, disinterested, unattentive and just shy of rude. The wait for a simple order of oysters and clams was well over 30 minutes, and the explanation was that they were "fresh-shucked". Well, what else would they be? Basically, if you're interested in spending over $100 a person for dinner for barely acceptable food with less than adequate diner-quality service, this is the place to go. Clearly, they are able to charge ridiculous prices and offer horrendous service solely based upon their recognized name and their location. Advice for tourists who are visiting NYC: there are many other seafood places with equally or better shellfish, oysters and seafood that give you superb service for the same price and minus the "New York" attitude.

I've heard so many good things about this restaurant, but I was hugely disappointed by how we were treated by our waiter, and the food was mediocre. I've had much better oysters in other restaurants in the city. It might be OK for tourists to dine here for the convenience reasons, but I personally don't recommend this place to my friends.

Ugh! I gotta tell ya, I'm exhausted of these New York tourist traps with bloated prices - and very poor food. I took my mom here last week with my Uncle, who has been raving about this place for 20 years. When we were waiting for the restaurant to open, my Mom and I read the menu, and were sure there must be a lunch menu after seeing the prices. Much to our dismay, there was not. My poor mom ordered a $28 Caesar salad with 3 jumbo shrimp and two little pieces of crab. I ordered a $24 salad with fried Skate that was completely inedible! Lunch was $160 - I couldn't believe it! I'm glad to say that was my only and last visit. I'll happily go to City Island, Atlantic Grill, Blue Water Grill or just about any other fabulous seafood places in the city where I can get a three course lunch for $27. Skip it and save yourself a ton of money!

As others have noted, you can eat well at the Oyster Bar, but you have to know what to avoid. In general, I have found the cooked fish to be mediocre and expensive. On the other hand, the oysters, clams, shrimp and lobsters are usually excellent. Chowders are also a winner. Counter is great for a fast lunch. Wood-paneled bar room is quieter and cozier than the main dining area, which is cacaphonous and frenzied, and mixes good drinks to boot.