Grand Central Terminal is set to welcome a new Italian restaurant and gourmet market spanning nearly 8,500 square feet on its main level next month, marking a significant expansion of the transit hub’s growing culinary offerings. The establishment, named Osteria Centrale and Mercato Centrale, will occupy the area where the terminal connects to the One Vanderbilt office tower.
Operated by Vizz Group, led by Rick Blatstein, the venture builds on the company’s success with Grand Brasserie, also located inside Grand Central Terminal. The new venue is designed to function as both a dining destination and a market, featuring around 250 seats and a 50-seat ovoid bar. The space will operate from lunchtime through late night and feature a gourmet market carrying more than 500 grab-and-go items.
The design, crafted by the Rockwell Group—known for its work on Grand Brasserie and Palladino’s steakhouse at Grand Central—incorporates warm tones including amber, cherry red, and capri blue. Osteria Centrale will offer a menu of Italian favorites such as cichetti (small bites), salads, antipasti, mozzarella bar items, sandwiches, and main courses like branzino prepared en papillote. Chef Guillaume Thivet emphasized an approach focused on traditional Italian dishes made with high-quality ingredients and intended for sharing.
The restaurant’s location boasts views of the entryway to One Vanderbilt’s Summit observation decks, a popular tourist attraction within the office tower. Passersby have already observed the construction progress through large windows facing the Summit entrance.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which owns Grand Central Terminal, has expressed that expanding the terminal’s hospitality offerings is part of a broader effort to enhance the location’s appeal as a destination for visitors and events. David Florio, the MTA’s head of real estate, noted that increasing such amenities also supports the authority’s goal of reducing its projected $300 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2027.
Financially, the lease agreement for Osteria Centrale and Mercato Centrale stipulates a base rent of $630,000 annually for the first 15 years, equating to roughly $74 per square foot—a figure considered modest for the area. Additionally, the MTA will receive 11% of gross sales exceeding $630,000, providing a revenue-sharing component that could generate substantial income for the transit agency.
David Rockwell, founder of the Rockwell Group, described Grand Central Terminal as one of his favorite locations in New York City and conveyed enthusiasm about contributing to its evolving food and beverage landscape. The new Italian restaurant and market are expected to enhance Grand Central’s profile as not only a transportation hub but also a notable dining and retail destination.