8 New York Steakhouses Locals Roll Their Eyes At & 8 That Tourists Can’t Get Enough Of
New York City steakhouses are as much a part of the Big Apple’s identity as yellow cabs and skyscrapers.
While tourists flock to certain meat meccas for that quintessential NYC dining experience, locals often have different opinions about where to get the best cut.
From tourist traps to hidden gems, here’s a juicy breakdown of steakhouses that divide the New York dining crowd.
1. STK Steakhouse – Where DJs Meet Dinner
Nestled near Bryant Park, STK blends nightclub vibes with steakhouse dining in a way that makes native New Yorkers cringe. The thumping music and selfie-taking crowds create an atmosphere that’s more about being seen than savoring steak.
Most locals avoid the place like a subway car with no air conditioning in August. Meanwhile, out-of-towners can’t resist posting their cocktails against the sleek, ultramodern backdrop.
2. Hunt & Fish Club – Glitz Over Substance
Dripping with ostentatious decor and celebrity sightings, Hunt & Fish Club screams “I have money to burn” louder than a Wall Street bonus announcement.
The Theater District location attracts pre-Broadway show diners willing to pay premium prices for the glitzy atmosphere.
Regular New Yorkers typically pass on the gilded dining room experience. The place feels designed specifically for Instagram rather than genuine steak appreciation.
3. Brooklyn Chop House – Identity Crisis Central
Despite its Brooklyn-inspired name, this Times Square establishment sits firmly in Manhattan, causing immediate suspicion among borough-proud New Yorkers. The fusion concept combining dumplings with steaks creates a menu identity crisis that puzzles purists.
I once took my steak-loving uncle here, and he spent the entire meal muttering about “gimmicks” while eyeing the pastrami dumplings with deep suspicion. The tourist crowds, however, love the novelty factor and location convenience.
4. Fogo de Chão – Meat Marathon Madness
This Brazilian chain brings the rodízio concept to Midtown with all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside. The theatrical presentation of skewered proteins delights visitors seeking maximum bang for their buck.
New Yorkers, who pride themselves on quality over quantity, typically skip the meat parade. The fixed-price format and predictable chain restaurant execution lacks the character most locals seek when dropping serious cash on dinner.
5. Empire Steak House – Broadway’s Backup Plan
Conveniently positioned to catch hungry theater-goers, Empire Steak House serves up predictable cuts with Broadway proximity as its main selling point. The red-carpet entrance and classic steakhouse decor check all the tourist expectation boxes.
Locals know it as the place you end up when you couldn’t score reservations anywhere else. The steak isn’t bad, just unremarkable by New York’s high standards, which is practically a cardinal sin in this meat-obsessed metropolis.
6. The Capital Grille – Corporate Card Heaven
The Rockefeller Center outpost of this national chain attracts expense account lunches and tourists seeking reliable, if uninspired, steaks. Walking through its doors feels like teleporting to Any City, USA, despite the Manhattan address.
New Yorkers grumble about the corporate sameness permeating every corner. Meanwhile, visitors appreciate the familiar menu and consistent service when navigating the otherwise overwhelming NYC dining scene.
7. Delmonico’s – History Served Rare
The Financial District’s historic Delmonico’s trades heavily on its legacy as America’s first fine dining restaurant. Recently reopened after a hiatus, it attracts history buffs and bucket-list diners eager to check off this culinary landmark.
I wandered in last year during their soft reopening and overheard three separate tables discussing the restaurant’s 1837 origins rather than the actual food.
Most New Yorkers view it as a tourist pilgrimage spot rather than a go-to for serious steak cravings.
8. Mastro’s Steakhouse – Midtown’s Glam Factory
Mastro’s brings its glossy, national chain polish to Sixth Avenue with live piano music and theatrical dry-ice presentations. The vibe screams special occasion for out-of-towners who equate luxury with spectacle.
Native New Yorkers typically steer clear of the performative dining experience. The steaks are perfectly fine, but the atmosphere feels manufactured for visitors seeking an idealized version of New York glamour rather than authentic city flavor.
9. Keens Steakhouse – Where Pipes Tell Stories
Walking into Keens feels like stepping into a time machine. The ceiling adorned with thousands of clay pipes from regular patrons past (including Teddy Roosevelt and Babe Ruth) creates an atmosphere no corporate chain could replicate.
The legendary mutton chop has converted even the most dedicated beef purists. Tourists love the history, but unlike other spots on this list, locals actually frequent Keens too, considering it one of the few places worth battling Midtown crowds for.
10. Peter Luger – Brooklyn’s Beef Institution
Reservation-essential (no standard credit cards; they accept cash, US debit cards, and the Peter Luger Card), Peter Luger has been serving perfectly charred porterhouse since 1887. The waiters, often gruff in the most authentic New York way, slice the steak tableside with surgical precision.
German beer hall tables and minimal decor keep the focus where it belongs: on the meat. Tourists make the pilgrimage across the Williamsburg Bridge just for this experience, often planning trips months in advance to secure that coveted reservation.
11. Gallaghers Steakhouse – Broadway’s Meaty Neighbor
The street-facing meat locker displaying aging beef serves as Gallaghers’ unmistakable calling card. Theater-goers have been filing into this Times Square-adjacent institution since 1927, making it as much a Broadway tradition as playbills.
The hickory coal-fired steaks deliver a distinctive char that keeps both tourists and locals coming back. Unlike many Theater District establishments, Gallaghers maintains enough authentic character that New Yorkers don’t mind being spotted there.
12. Smith & Wollensky – The Green Machine
The distinctive green-and-white exterior has anchored Third Avenue since 1977, becoming as recognizable to steak lovers as the Statue of Liberty is to harbor cruisers. Inside, career waiters in starched jackets serve USDA Prime with an old-school flourish rarely seen in modern restaurants.
During my last visit, our server had been there for 32 years and recited the menu from memory while expertly deboning a Dover sole tableside.
Tourists and business travelers consider it a quintessential New York dining experience.
13. COTE Korean Steakhouse – Michelin-Starred Sizzle
COTE brilliantly marries Korean barbecue techniques with prime American beef, earning both Michelin stars and devoted followers. The sleek Flatiron space centers around tabletop grills where servers expertly cook meat morsels to perfection.
The Butcher’s Feast tasting menu offers a parade of proteins that makes first-timers’ eyes widen with delight. Both tourists seeking novel dining experiences and locals celebrating special occasions fill the perpetually-booked tables.
14. Hawksmoor – British Invasion Done Right
This UK import brings London’s best steak traditions to Gramercy with understated elegance. The restored historic building provides a fitting backdrop for dry-aged beef and classic Sunday roasts that transport diners across the Atlantic.
Unlike flashier steakhouses, Hawksmoor lets quality ingredients speak for themselves. The cocktail program rivals the beef in excellence, making the bar a destination even for New Yorkers who typically avoid spots popular with Union Jack-toting visitors.
15. Porter House Bar & Grill – Views with Your Rib-Eye
Perched above Central Park in the Time Warner Center, Porter House pairs perfectly marbled steaks with panoramic city views.
The floor-to-ceiling windows frame the park’s greenery in a way that makes even jaded New Yorkers pause mid-bite to appreciate their city.
Chef Michael Lomonaco’s kitchen delivers consistently excellent 28-day dry-aged cuts. Tourists make reservations months ahead for special-occasion dinners with that million-dollar Manhattan backdrop.
16. Old Homestead Steakhouse – Meatpacking’s Original
Standing in the Meatpacking District since 1868, Old Homestead predates the neighborhood’s trendy transformation by over a century. The iconic cow sculpture outside marks this temple of beef, where generations of New Yorkers have celebrated special occasions.
The Gotham rib-eye remains the star attraction amid the vintage surroundings. While tourists flock here for the history and hefty portions, plenty of locals maintain family traditions of marking milestones at this enduring institution.