The Best Steakhouses in New York City

The New York steakhouse is a genre, a mood, a declaration. It is a decision to do something classic and do it right. These are rooms of power and celebration, where waiters in crisp jackets deliver slabs of dry-aged beef on sizzling platters and the martinis are as serious as the bill. The city has its historic temples of beef, places that have been charring porterhouses for a century, but it also has a new generation of grills that are reinventing the form with global flavors and a modern pulse.

This is not a list of every steakhouse. This is a guide to the best. It’s about knowing which room to book for the occasion, what cut to order, and how to actually land a table. This definitive guide covers theatrical dinners near Broadway, Michelin-starred Korean barbecue experiences, and moody West Village clubs, detailing the city's essential steakhouses.

The Old Guard: Enduring Classics

These are the institutions, the rooms that have defined the New York steakhouse for generations. They are confident, unapologetic, and essential.

Keens Steakhouse

Midtown · 72 W 36th St · $$$ WebsiteMap

Walking into Keens is like stepping back into the 19th century, with tens of thousands of clay smoking pipes blanketing the ceiling. Open since 1885, it is a maze of dark wood and history. While the prime steaks are excellent, the real reason you are here is for the legendary mutton chop, a massive, tender cut of mature lamb you will not find anywhere else. It’s a foundational New York dining experience. For more on the neighborhood, see our guide to [/hells-kitchen-guide](Hell's Kitchen).

Go for: The world-famous mutton chop, a side of creamed spinach, and a deep dive into the scotch list. Know before you go: The main dining rooms feel like a Gilded Age social club; it is a transportive experience. Reservations are essential.

Peter Luger Steak House

Williamsburg · 178 Broadway · $$$$ WebsiteMap

An icon since 1887, Peter Luger is a pilgrimage site for beef purists. They serve one steak, the USDA Prime porterhouse, dry-aged in-house and served in a pool of its own butter-rich juices. The German beer hall atmosphere is loud, the service is famously gruff, and they still do not accept credit cards. It is a New York rite of passage you have to experience at least once. See our [/williamsburg-guide](The Williamsburg Guide) for more to do in the area.

Go for: The porterhouse for two (or three, or four), thick-cut bacon to start, and a mountain of schlag for dessert. Know before you go: It is cash only, or you can use a U.S. debit card or their house account card. Do not expect coddling from the bow-tied waiters.

Gallaghers Steakhouse

Theater District · 228 W 52nd St · $$$ WebsiteMap

Gallaghers greets you with a streetside window into its meat locker, where massive cuts of prime beef are dry-aged. Open for over 90 years, this former speakeasy is a pre- and post-theater institution. The steaks are grilled over hickory coals, giving them a distinct smoky char. It has the quintessential old New York energy: lively, filled with character, and completely self-assured. A perfect spot before or after a Broadway show, it’s a classic that never gets old.

Go for: The bone-in ribeye, oysters Rockefeller, and the lively bar scene. Know before you go: They have a smart casual dress code. The three-course lunch special is one of the better deals in Midtown.

Delmonico's

Financial District · 56 Beaver St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

As America's first fine-dining restaurant, opened in 1837, Delmonico's is steeped in history. It is credited with inventing dishes like Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska, and the Delmonico steak itself (a boneless ribeye). After a recent renovation, the landmark space feels grand and historic without being stuffy. It remains a fixture for power lunches and celebratory dinners in the Financial District.

Go for: The signature Delmonico Steak, the wedge salad, and a slice of Baked Alaska for dessert. Know before you go: A second location is planned for Midtown in 2027. The restaurant reopened at its original location in 2023.

The New School: Modern Grills and Global Flavors

These restaurants honor the steakhouse tradition while pushing it forward, with innovative techniques and international influences.

Cote Korean Steakhouse

Flatiron District · 16 W 22nd St · $$$$ Map

Cote is America’s first Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse, and it lives up to the hype. It combines the interactive fun of Korean barbecue with the prime, dry-aged cuts of a classic American chophouse. Smokeless tabletop grills, a killer wine list, and a high-energy, dimly lit room make it one of the city's most exciting dining experiences. For other late-night options, see our guide to [/late-night-food-nyc](where to eat after midnight in New York).

Go for: The Butcher's Feast, a tasting of four different cuts with all the traditional Korean accompaniments. Know before you go: Reservations are released 30 days in advance at 10 a.m. and book up fast. The downstairs bar, Undercote, is a great spot for a cocktail while you wait.

4 Charles Prime Rib

West Village · 4 Charles St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

This tiny, clubby West Village spot feels like a secret. With its dark wood, crystal chandeliers, and plush leather, it is an intimate supper club that is notoriously difficult to get into. They are known for their slow-roasted prime rib, which is unbelievably tender, and a burger that frequently tops the city's "best of" lists. It is pure indulgence. Check out our [/west-village-guide](The West Village Guide) for more neighborhood spots.

Go for: The prime rib, the double cheeseburger, and the lemon meringue pie. Know before you go: Reservations are released on Resy 21 days out at 9 a.m. and disappear instantly. Setting alerts and trying for a walk-in bar seat right at 5 p.m. are your best bets.

Hawksmoor

Gramercy Park · 109 E 22nd St · $$$ WebsiteMap

A transplant from London, Hawksmoor occupies a grand, vaulted room in the historic United Charities Building. They focus on simply prepared, charcoal-grilled steaks from local, family-run farms. The vibe is more British clubhouse than Manhattan power den, with a great bar and standout sides (the beef-fat fries are a must). It is a beautiful space for a civilized dinner.

Go for: Any of the large-format cuts to share, like chateaubriand or porterhouse, and the sticky toffee pudding. Know before you go: The Sunday Roast special is a standout, offering a traditional British experience with all the trimmings. The bar is a destination in itself.

Bowery Meat Company

East Village · 9 E 1st St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

This is a modern steakhouse with a downtown sensibility. It is handsome and sleek, feeling less like a throwback and more like a restaurant for right now. The menu is expansive, going beyond the standard cuts to include things like a duck lasagna and a variety of chops. It’s a great choice when you want a steakhouse vibe without the old-school stuffiness. Dive deeper into the neighborhood with our [/east-village-guide](The East Village Guide).

Go for: The Bowery Steak, duck lasagna for the table, and the excellent cocktails. Know before you go: The Sunday Supper is a four-course prix-fixe that's a solid deal.

St. Anselm

Williamsburg · 355 Metropolitan Ave · $$$ WebsiteMap

Not a steakhouse in the traditional sense, this cozy, perpetually crowded grill spot in Williamsburg serves some of the best and most affordable steak in the city. The vibe is rustic and laid-back, with an open kitchen and a focus on well-sourced, perfectly cooked meat. The Butcher's Steak (a hanger steak) is the signature, but do not sleep on the other unique cuts like the Ax Handle Ribeye.

Go for: The Butcher's Steak with garlic butter, lamb saddle, and any of the grilled vegetable sides. Know before you go: They do not take reservations for parties smaller than six, so expect a wait. It is worth it.

Carne Mare

South Street Seaport · 89 South St · $$$$ WebsiteMap

An Italian chophouse from chef Andrew Carmellini, Carne Mare brings theatricality and coastal flair to the steakhouse model. Located in Pier 17 with big views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the multi-level space is lavish and impressive. The menu features prime steaks, of course, but also show-stopping seafood towers and house-made pastas. It is a full-blown production.

Go for: The 45-day dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye, mozzarella sticks with caviar, and the gorgonzola-cured wagyu strip. Know before you go: The Seaport location feels like a destination. Go for a special occasion when you want to make a night of it.

Skirt Steak

Chelsea · 835 6th Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

Chef Laurent Tourondel's concept is brilliantly simple: a prix-fixe menu where the only main course is American wagyu skirt steak. It comes with a field green salad and unlimited hand-cut fries for about $48. The room is casual and always buzzing. It’s a focused, high-value experience that strips the steak dinner down to its essentials.

Go for: The skirt steak, obviously. And save room for the roaming dessert trolley. Know before you go: It is walk-in only unless your group is seven or more. The format makes for a relatively quick, efficient meal.

The Shout NY Take

A great steakhouse meal is a New York signature. The city’s best are not just about the quality of the beef, they are about the authority of the room and the precision of the service. The classics like Keens and Gallaghers offer a direct line to the city’s past, while places like Cote and 4 Charles prove the genre is still evolving. Whether it is a landmark chop or a modern cut, the fundamental promise is the same: a meal that feels like an event, confident and satisfying, a true taste of New York.