7 New York Steakhouse Chains Worth A Visit & 7 That Locals Say You Can’t Miss
New York City is heaven on earth for anyone who loves a great steak. Juicy ribeyes, perfectly aged porterhouses, and cuts so tender they practically melt – this city knows how to deliver.
Tourists can sink their teeth into dependable favorites, while locals have their legendary go-to spots that never disappoint.
This guide will point you toward the best places to fuel your next carnivorous craving.
1. Morton’s The Steakhouse: USDA Prime Excellence
Morton’s Midtown location serves up some of the finest USDA Prime beef in the city. The dimly lit, wood-paneled dining room creates the perfect backdrop for savoring their signature bone-in ribeye or center-cut filet mignon.
Their tableside cart presentation adds a touch of old-school charm to the dining experience. The bar area offers a more casual setting with an impressive selection of classic cocktails and an approachable happy hour menu for those looking to indulge without breaking the bank.
2. The Capital Grille: Power Lunch Paradise
Located in bustling Rockefeller Center, The Capital Grille delivers consistent excellence with every visit. Their dry-aged steaks arrive perfectly cooked to your preference, while the polished atmosphere makes it ideal for everything from business meetings to special occasions.
The wine selection complements their menu beautifully, with knowledgeable staff ready to recommend the perfect pairing. Reservations are highly recommended as tables fill quickly, especially during prime lunch hours.
3. STK Steakhouse: Modern Twist on Tradition
STK breaks the steakhouse mold with its nightclub atmosphere and contemporary approach. Sleek decor, DJ-spun music, and innovative cocktails create an energetic vibe that attracts a younger crowd looking for more than just dinner.
I once brought my cousin from out of town here, and she couldn’t stop talking about the truffle mac and cheese for weeks!
Their steaks don’t disappoint either, with the medium-rare filet delivering buttery tenderness and rich flavor that satisfies even the most discerning carnivores.
4. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse: Luger-Style Legacy
Founded by a former Peter Luger headwaiter, Wolfgang’s brings that iconic Brooklyn experience to multiple Manhattan locations. The Park Avenue flagship showcases soaring ceilings, gleaming wood, and the mouthwatering scent of sizzling beef.
Their porterhouse for two arrives sliced and ready to share, with a perfect char giving way to a juicy pink center.
German potatoes and creamed spinach make ideal accompaniments to complete this classic New York steakhouse experience that rivals its Brooklyn inspiration.
5. Benjamin Steakhouse: Dry-Aged Perfection
Benjamin Steakhouse delivers old-world elegance from morning until night. The restaurant’s impressive copper hood over the open kitchen draws your eye immediately upon entering, while the scent of aging beef promises delicious things to come.
Last summer, I celebrated my anniversary here and was blown away by their 28-day dry-aged ribeye. The aging process concentrates the flavor to create a nutty, almost cheese-like quality that’s utterly addictive.
Their seafood selection, particularly the jumbo lump crab cakes, provides excellent options for non-beef eaters.
6. Black & Blue Steak & Crab: Upstate Favorite
Venturing beyond the five boroughs, Black & Blue has captured the hearts of upstate New Yorkers with locations in Albany, Rochester, and Buffalo. Their hand-cut steaks arrive with beautiful crosshatch grill marks and perfectly caramelized exteriors.
The crab offerings live up to their billing in the restaurant’s name, with the Alaskan king crab legs drawing as many fans as the beef.
Their wine program deserves special mention, featuring an extensive selection that ranges from affordable by-the-glass options to special occasion bottles.
7. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Sizzling Suburban Option
With locations in Garden City and Tarrytown, Ruth’s Chris brings their famous 1,800-degree plates to New York’s suburbs.
The signature sizzle as butter cascades over perfectly cooked USDA Prime beef creates an unforgettable sensory experience that’s worth the drive from the city. Their happy hour offers tremendous value with discounted appetizers and cocktails.
The sweet potato casserole with pecan crust deserves special mention as a side dish that could almost pass for dessert, providing the perfect sweet counterpoint to the savory steaks.
8. Peter Luger Steak House: Brooklyn’s Beef Institution
Operating since 1887, Peter Luger remains the gold standard against which all New York steakhouses are measured.
The Williamsburg landmark’s no-frills approach focuses entirely on the star of the show: perfectly dry-aged USDA Prime porterhouse.
The ritual here is unchanging: sizzling steak served on a tilted plate to pool the juices, thick-cut bacon as an appetizer, and German potatoes on the side.
Cash remains the rule here – no credit cards are accepted. Reservations are essential and often needed months in advance.
9. Keens Steakhouse: Historic Pipes and Prime Cuts
Walking into Keens feels like stepping back in time. The ceiling, covered with thousands of clay pipes once belonging to regular patrons, creates an atmosphere unlike any other restaurant in the city.
My grandfather used to take me here as a child, pointing out pipes that belonged to famous figures like Babe Ruth and Theodore Roosevelt. While the legendary mutton chop gets all the press, their prime T-bone deserves equal billing.
The whiskey selection is encyclopedic, making this a paradise for bourbon and scotch enthusiasts.
10. Gallaghers Steakhouse: Theater District Classic
The street-facing meat locker at Gallaghers gives passersby a glimpse of the aging process that creates their extraordinary steaks. Inside, the hickory coal grill imparts a distinct smoky flavor you won’t find at other steakhouses relying on broilers or conventional grills.
Their New York strip delivers a perfect balance of tenderness and robust beef flavor enhanced by that unique smokiness.
Located in the heart of the Theater District, Gallaghers makes an ideal pre-Broadway dinner spot, with efficient service ensuring you’ll make your curtain time.
11. Sparks Steak House: Mob History Meets Fine Dining
Infamous as the site of mob boss Paul Castellano’s assassination, Sparks has long since transcended its notorious history to stand on the merits of its exceptional steaks and wine program. Their prime sirloin steak arrives with a flavorful crust that gives way to a perfectly pink interior.
The wine list deserves special mention, with depth and breadth rarely seen even in New York’s competitive dining scene. Old World classics share space with interesting New World selections.
Their seafood offerings, particularly the jumbo shrimp cocktail and fresh lobster, provide excellent alternatives for those seeking something beyond beef.
12. Old Homestead Steakhouse: Meatpacking District Pioneer
Claiming the title of NYC’s oldest continuously operating steakhouse (since 1868), Old Homestead has witnessed the Meatpacking District transform from an industrial hub to a fashion-forward hotspot.
Their signature Gotham ribeye and prime rib on the bone showcase why they’ve survived for over 150 years. I still remember my first visit during college when I splurged on their colossal 24-ounce Gotham ribeye and somehow managed to finish it!
The sides maintain traditional steakhouse standards with creamed spinach and hash browns prepared with perfect execution. The historic building’s charm adds to the authentic New York experience.
13. Delmonico’s: America’s First Fine Dining Restaurant
Delmonico’s pioneered restaurant dining in America, introducing now-standard concepts like printed menus and tablecloths. Their eponymous steak, a boneless ribeye, remains the star, though dishes like Eggs Benedict and Baked Alaska also originated here.
The Financial District location exudes old-money elegance with its wood-paneled walls and vintage photographs. The Delmonico Steak arrives as their signature boneless ribeye, a touch of historic flair.
The wine cellar focuses on bold reds that stand up beautifully to their richly marbled steaks.
14. St. Anselm: Brooklyn’s Butcher’s Steak Haven
St. Anselm breaks the steakhouse mold with its casual, neighborhood vibe and reasonable prices. The tiny Williamsburg spot focuses on perfectly grilled butcher cuts rather than the standard high-end options, proving great steak doesn’t require white tablecloths or bank-breaking prices.
Their signature Butcher’s Steak (hanger cut) delivers intense beef flavor at a fraction of typical steakhouse prices. The open kitchen lets you watch as your meat sizzles over the wood-fired grill.
Reservations are accepted (via Resy), and the bar area still fills quickly, but the wait is worth it for some of Brooklyn’s best beef.