A Decadent Hideaway in Grand Central:
Grand Brasserie’s Holiday Towers and Timeless Parisian Seduction
Grand Brasserie is a restaurant that knows how to seduce you the moment you step into Vanderbilt Hall—designed by the Rockwell Group, the sprawling space manages to turn 400 seats into hidden corners, soft banquettes, and a kind of elegant intimacy that feels rare even in New York.
The festive season only turns up the magic: thousands of twinkling lights, lush green wreaths, and bold ribbons frame the high arches, a glinting city holiday scene you want to bask in, not rush through.
From your first seat, you're greeted by a waitstaff that gets the tempo just right; they're steady and nearly invisible when you want to linger, never rushing, letting your meal stretch long into the afternoon or late-night hours. In a city that's always moving, that luxury—time to actually exhale over great food—is absolutely priceless.
It's a French brasserie in philosophy, but there's nothing stuffy or precious about how they deliver the experience: relax, flirt, celebrate, sneak off for a moment, whatever you need, Grand Brasserie holds the space for you.
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| Afternoon Tea Towers |
The daily Afternoon Tea Towers are dramatic and delicious, a full-on display. $55 buys you a sculptural stack of pastries and savory bites—delicate scones, layered sandwiches, flaky tartlets, and sweets that beg you to try each one.
The tea list is equally seductive: Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Jasmine Pearls, Sencha, Mint, Chamomile, Masala Chai—refills encouraged, conversation mandatory. There’s a touch of Paris, a twist of Manhattan, and a whole lot of reason to stay for hours.
The kitchen keeps the calendar alive, too. Breast Cancer Awareness Month sees a sexy, pink-hued specialty cocktail on the menu, and on NYC marathon day, runners get plates of ravioli à la Parisienne—one more sly nod to the city’s spirit. And as the holidays approach, the brasserie opens its doors for celebrations: Thanksgiving’s prix fixe ($75) includes pumpkin velouté (vegan), heritage turkey with potato gratin, green beans amandine, carrot vichy and bread stuffing, roasted sea bass, cassoulet vegetal, and slices of apple and pumpkin pie like a New York dream.
Christmas Eve and Day bring on the luxe—three courses featuring chestnut velouté (vegan), foie gras torchon, roasted duck breast, lobster ravioli, plus showstopping desserts like Bûche de Noël and Mont-Blanc aux Marrons ($85). For New Year’s Eve, the menu tempts with sunchoke velouté, tuna carpaccio, filet mignon, poached halibut, soufflé au Grand Marnier, caramelized pear tart, and more ($85).
And when the city’s night owls come out, Grand Brasserie serves “Night Brunch” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.—three courses for $35, with the option to add a glass of house wine for $10. Whether you’re ducking in for a lobster omelet after a Broadway show or need a meal at 1 a.m., the kitchen will serve, the lights will stay on, and the pulse of the terminal hums along behind you.
Hidden in the Green Room is a whole other feast—nearly 260 black-and-white photographs, curated with Museum Editions, document New York’s dining spirit from subway lunch counters to high society to the Kennedys at the Stork Club, Sidney Poitier celebrating at Sardi’s, Rocky Aoki teaching Muhammad Ali chopsticks at Benihana, Alfred Hitchcock dining with family, and Mark Twain raising a birthday toast at Delmonico’s. Every table at Grand Brasserie tells a story, and the walls themselves are a celebration of the city’s desire for intimacy, spectacle, and tradition.
Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Grand Brasserie is the place to slip into when you need intimacy, excitement, stellar food, and the time to linger like you actually mean it.
Visit Grand Brasserie
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