(212) 579-2300

384 Columbus Ave (at 78th St.)
New York, NY 10024 40.7815 -73.9759

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Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

BRGUESTRESTAURANTS.COM

Years in business

Established in 1985

Hours:

Mon, 11:30am-10:30pm

Tue-Thu, 11:30am-11pm

Fri-Sat, 11:30am-midnight

Sun, 10:30am-10:30pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 7.26.11

Category:

Restaurants, Certified Green Restaurant(R)

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Brunch, People Watching, Dine At The Bar

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Seafood

Other Locations:

What People Are Saying About Ocean Grill

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Handsome dark wood furnishings, black-and-white photographs and big mirrors create a classy, pseudo-maritime atmosphere at this Upper West Side outpost of the ever-expanding BR Guest chain. As with its sister Grills, Blue Water and Atlantic, Ocean Grill matches quality seafood with a bustling scene--it's always packed, yet large enough to make getting a table relatively easy on short notice. – – The Food – The fare is reliable and reasonably priced, if not wildly inventive. Appetizers are mostly solid: Calamari is juicy, chilled beets and goat cheese salad…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
The bar area has seats, tables and a pleasant view of the Museum of Natural History across the street, and a sizeable outdoor area in front of the restaurant makes for great summer sidewalk dining.
The Extras:
Atlantic Grill is the Upper East Side sister restaurant.
ambiance
79.16999816894531% positive
  1. The service was horrible, the food was average at best and the atmosphere was just as average.
  2. We prefer the cozy bar area and usually order a full meal and eat it right at the bar or at one of the cozy little tables.
  3. We were seated outside, and it was a great atmosphere for a nice dinner.
  4. If you love seafood and great ambience, then this is a must!
  5. For me, the raw bar and specialty cocktails are the highlights, and if you sit in the bar area around sunset, it's a nice view of the museum.
  6. Great location, Fresh seafood
  7. I've been tempted by the great location for outdoor dining more than once, but the food has always been terrible and the service even worse.
  8. The atmosphere shines with celebrities, twinkles with romantic lighting, and is surrounded with mouth-watering aromas of delicious food.
  9. Service, ambiance and food were all great.
  10. Ocean brings to the West Side what many restaurants have tried but failed to do - a fresh and diverse menu, excellent presentation, pristine service and an elegant and spacious atmosphere.
  11. Excellent atmosphere for romance
  12. Bad service, nice location try Blue Water Grill instead
dessert
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. the best shrimp dumplings and crab cakes.
  2. The prices are about 25-40 for an entree, not too bad, although a bit pricey when you add in the appetizers/salads, drinks and desserts, but it is well worth it!
  3. Try the chocolate fondue for dessert - excellent!
  4. The entre's were tasteless, the desserts had to much alcohol which ruined them & the waitress spilled more of the champagne on the table cloth than in the glass.
  5. When asked what he recommended his reply " everything is good choose something" same answer when it came to ordering dessert.
  6. We shared there carrot cake, which was delicious as well.
drinks
96.66999816894531% positive
  1. The prices are about 25-40 for an entree, not too bad, although a bit pricey when you add in the appetizers/salads, drinks and desserts, but it is well worth it!
  2. We prefer the cozy bar area and usually order a full meal and eat it right at the bar or at one of the cozy little tables.
  3. it's the best raw bar!
  4. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was very good, but I wish I would have gotten the raw bar sampler I saw on other tables.
  5. excellent raw bar.
  6. Very nice bar inside.
  7. We had to wait a short time in the bar, and the bartender gave good wine recommendations and even let us taste a couple of choices before we ordered.
  8. The tuna with wontons is by far one of the best dishes in the city, the raw bar fantastic and the sushi chef specials are a great way to start.
  9. best raw bar
  10. For me, the raw bar and specialty cocktails are the highlights, and if you sit in the bar area around sunset, it's a nice view of the museum.
food quality
79.43999767303467% positive
  1. Great food!
  2. Try the chocolate fondue for dessert - excellent!
  3. bad food, good service
  4. My food was excellent but my dates was a little cold.
  5. Excellent sushi, the mahi mahi is wonderful.
  6. We had the sushi appetizer special which was just delicious and perfect for two.
  7. never see a nasty wait staff no where like in your restaurant i'm sorry but it was terrible experience the food it was exelent but cause the service i'll never come back
  8. My favorite fish entree is salmon with pumpkin ravioli, though my boyfriend swears by the tuna, or the steak.
  9. Erin the manager greeted us like family (as always), and we had a fabulous server in Steve, who guided us to some great special appetizers before we shared the soft shell crab.
  10. Service, ambiance and food were all great.
  11. This is a great place for a family meal.
  12. There are decent selections if you are a seafood person, but not a lot if you aren't!
  13. Part of this was due to sitting outside on a perfect summer night, but the food was delicious and the service good.
  14. The food was really good, especially if you're in the mood for an elegant sea food dinner.
  15. Place was okay, the food was definitely not worth the money, however the appetizers were good, we had the jumbo shrimp and oysters.
  16. The food is awesome.
  17. got a bowl of the tomato bisk and the worst sandwich I have had in a long time.
  18. Ocean brings to the West Side what many restaurants have tried but failed to do - a fresh and diverse menu, excellent presentation, pristine service and an elegant and spacious atmosphere.
  19. The food was BAD- and i have eaten here before and liked it.
  20. The french fries that came with it were cut so small(smaller then a cheese greater) and unseasoned that they were like stale bread or card board.
  21. If you love seafood and great ambience, then this is a must!
  22. Fish was fresh and delicious and service was great.
  23. Great location, Fresh seafood
  24. Food is fresh and good if you do not mind clanging, banging, dozens of people taking at full volume.
  25. The pineapple rice was a nice compliment to the fish.
  26. Ironically, they have good chicken.
  27. We shared there carrot cake, which was delicious as well.
  28. Everybody I was with had fish and everyone loved their meal.
  29. Good food with noise at full volume
  30. The food, though when made properly, was good.
  31. After we got seated, the service was good, but the food, surprisingly, was not!
  32. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was very good, but I wish I would have gotten the raw bar sampler I saw on other tables.
  33. Our fish was very fresh and flavorful.
  34. I'm not much of a fish eater, but the dishes here were delicious--not to mention beautiful.
  35. The atmosphere shines with celebrities, twinkles with romantic lighting, and is surrounded with mouth-watering aromas of delicious food.
  36. Even their cabernet is delicious.
  37. Once I got my spoon, the bisque was quite tasty.
  38. definate recommendation to those who enjoy seafood and a quality dining experience.
  39. The service was horrible, the food was average at best and the atmosphere was just as average.
  40. The tuna with wontons is by far one of the best dishes in the city, the raw bar fantastic and the sushi chef specials are a great way to start.
  41. The food itself was good.
  42. My french toast was cold and gummy.
  43. Food is very good especially the shell fish.
  44. My lobster salad was delicious.
  45. Waiter kept talking at full voice to pepole at next table for most of our meal.
  46. dine here 3-4 times a month, and in my experience the service and quality of the food has been consistantly good.
  47. The crispy shrimp appetizer was flavorful and ample, and I had the short rib ravioli with scallops and mushroom gravy.
  48. the best shrimp dumplings and crab cakes.
  49. I've been to Ocean a lot of times and the food is always great!
  50. I've been tempted by the great location for outdoor dining more than once, but the food has always been terrible and the service even worse.
  51. Both were tasty, and the spinach gnocchi with the sauces and veges was great!
  52. it was a good dish.
  53. great fish place
  54. Went there last night with family in town, it's always reliable with excellent food and great service.
  55. The meal was really expensive & totally underwhelming.
  56. He didn't show up till after the meal with the check at which point I had eaten it since the rest of my food was so bad and I was hungry.
  57. excellent meal, price and service = all around winner
  58. nice neighborhood seafood grill
  59. My friends' dishes also did not look good.
  60. We prefer the cozy bar area and usually order a full meal and eat it right at the bar or at one of the cozy little tables.
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Wait service is excellent, courteous, knowledgable of menu and it's items and worth the visit.
  2. There are decent selections if you are a seafood person, but not a lot if you aren't!
  3. Ocean brings to the West Side what many restaurants have tried but failed to do - a fresh and diverse menu, excellent presentation, pristine service and an elegant and spacious atmosphere.
  4. They also have a great lounge area where you can relax and eat, it's full menu service.
  5. We had to wait a short time in the bar, and the bartender gave good wine recommendations and even let us taste a couple of choices before we ordered.
  6. He had poor knowledge of the menu.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. great UWS restaurant!
  2. This is a great place for a family meal.
  3. Service is always great, down to earth, the place just feels like home.
  4. this is one of my favorite restarant even though i live in east villege, i go all the way to columbus avenue only because of this restaurant.
  5. This has got to be my new favorite restaurant!
  6. great fish place
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. never see a nasty wait staff no where like in your restaurant i'm sorry but it was terrible experience the food it was exelent but cause the service i'll never come back
service
68.6899995803833% positive
  1. After we got seated, the service was good, but the food, surprisingly, was not!
  2. The service was horrible, the food was average at best and the atmosphere was just as average.
  3. Fish was fresh and delicious and service was great.
  4. Wonderful service=Great evening
  5. The staff was friendly and helpful, not always a given in NYC.
  6. Service was good and friendly.
  7. Our waitress was very attentive and made for a really wonderful evening.
  8. do not take friends here because the service is uncomfortable and embarrassing.
  9. Wait service is excellent, courteous, knowledgable of menu and it's items and worth the visit.
  10. Part of this was due to sitting outside on a perfect summer night, but the food was delicious and the service good.
  11. Ocean brings to the West Side what many restaurants have tried but failed to do - a fresh and diverse menu, excellent presentation, pristine service and an elegant and spacious atmosphere.
  12. Erin the manager greeted us like family (as always), and we had a fabulous server in Steve, who guided us to some great special appetizers before we shared the soft shell crab.
  13. The waiters are very attentive to your every need and the music is varied including some upbeat rythms.
  14. The waiter and staff was attentive and had terrific suggestions.
  15. Food is fresh and good if you do not mind clanging, banging, dozens of people taking at full volume.
  16. it is absolutely fabulous and the manager is nice too
  17. Additionally the server was more than happy to offer her opinion and suggestions as to what my friend and I might enjoy.
  18. Waiter talked at full voice to people at next table while he served us.
  19. I've been a few times when it was crowded and servers weren't as good, but we were there early so it wasn't as packed and everyone was very attentive.
  20. dine here 3-4 times a month, and in my experience the service and quality of the food has been consistantly good.
  21. Excellent service - not too overbearing.
  22. The service was warm and friendly but arms-length enough to not be overbearing.
  23. Not only did we wait a half hour past our reservation time for a table, but our waiter got "pissy" when we didn't order alcohol.
  24. We had to wait a short time in the bar, and the bartender gave good wine recommendations and even let us taste a couple of choices before we ordered.
  25. I've been tempted by the great location for outdoor dining more than once, but the food has always been terrible and the service even worse.
  26. Our server was knowledgeable ane very pleasent.
  27. They also have a great lounge area where you can relax and eat, it's full menu service.
  28. Bad service, nice location try Blue Water Grill instead
  29. excellent meal, price and service = all around winner
  30. The entre's were tasteless, the desserts had to much alcohol which ruined them & the waitress spilled more of the champagne on the table cloth than in the glass.
  31. bad food, good service
  32. Went there last night with family in town, it's always reliable with excellent food and great service.
  33. never see a nasty wait staff no where like in your restaurant i'm sorry but it was terrible experience the food it was exelent but cause the service i'll never come back
value
90.0% positive
  1. The meal was really expensive & totally underwhelming.
  2. The portions were the perfect size for me--not too big and definitely not too small.
  3. Place was okay, the food was definitely not worth the money, however the appetizers were good, we had the jumbo shrimp and oysters.
  4. This fantastic edition from the B-R Guest series of NYC restaurants (Blue Water Grill, Park Avalon, etc.) is completely worth the cost, which will definitely set you back plenty.
  5. The crusted scallops were huge, and prepared perfectely.
  6. We both had the Wasabi crusted tuna which was magnificent and a generous portion.
  7. Wait service is excellent, courteous, knowledgable of menu and it's items and worth the visit.
  8. excellent meal, price and service = all around winner
  9. The total bill wasn't cheap, but was fair for an excellent overall experience.
  10. The prices are about 25-40 for an entree, not too bad, although a bit pricey when you add in the appetizers/salads, drinks and desserts, but it is well worth it!
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. The turkey in the club was dry and so old feeling that it reminded me of when you leave your Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge for too long and they dry out.
  2. got a bowl of the tomato bisk and the worst sandwich I have had in a long time.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/12/11

Over and Over Again

by shawannah

This is not the first time that I ate here in this restaurant. I've been here quite a few times. The reason for that is the food itself of course.

The only food that I always ordered is Maine Lobster Bisque with Shrimp Crostino. That 's one of my favorite. I really love eating this dish.

I always had a good time eating in this place. It always makes me comfortable and light headed. I really love this place.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/13/09

excellent meal, price and service = all around winner

by simi 1

We had a very nice surprise with this restaurant on our first visit. The crispy shrimp appetizer was flavorful and ample, and I had the short rib ravioli with scallops and mushroom gravy. My friend had mahi mahi encrusted with crab meat but we couldn't distinguish the crabmeat. The pineapple rice was a nice compliment to the fish. Excellent service - not too overbearing.

  • Pros: reasonably priced; excellent appetizer; excellent service
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/09/09

Good Atmosphere; Great for Visitors

by repole28

Took friends from out of town there. It has a neighborhood feel, while being upscale enough to be a chic New York spot. The crusted scallops were huge, and prepared perfectely. The service was warm and friendly but arms-length enough to not be overbearing. Would go back in a second.

  • Pros: Excellent Food (the most important thing, right?)
  • Cons: Somewhat Loud
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/30/09

Delicious fish, dependable food

by foodie611

Went last night for the second time and was not disappointed. Fish was fresh and delicious and service was great. Tried the filet mignon maki roll which was delic. We also had the oven roasted sea bass and the soy ginger roasted cod which were both excellent.

This is a great place for a family meal. Nice decor and relaxed setting.

  • Pros: food, service
  • Cons: nothing
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/30/08

Good Atmosphere and Fantastic Food

by coygrier

This was another visit to this establishment and, as in past visits, was a pleasurable experience. Their service from host/hostess stand to final bill by server was a pleasure. The food selections are almost massive in quantity, the quality of those I have consumed have been well balanced with various spices/sauces. Wines are more than appropriate. Wait service is excellent, courteous, knowledgable of menu and it's items and worth the visit.

Green Restaurant All Certified Green Restaurants® meet the minimum certification criteria of the science-based standards of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non profit dedicated to Greening Restaurants since 1990. Certified Green Restaurants® implement transparent and verified environmental steps in seven environmental categories: Energy, Water, Chemicals, Food, Packaging, Waste, and Building. Learn more about the GRA's standards and how to Dine Green.

The Details on Ocean Grill

Place Categories:

  • good food
  • excellent wait service
  • embarrassing menu service
  • favorite seafood restaurant
  • very fresh fish
  • good dishes
  • great overall experience
  • best raw bar
  • full meal
  • great location
  • enjoy seafood
  • great evening
  • helpful staff
  • ample crispy shrimp appetizer
  • not as good server
  • nice sea food dinner
  • romantic lighting
  • great everything
  • diverse menu
  • great ambience
  • full volume
  • diverse pristine service
  • full voice
  • spacious atmosphere
  • great special appetizers