Though NYC is no longer famous for its cheesecakes, or even its deli fare (with some exceptions), for red meat it still reigns supreme. The city brims with top-notch steak joints—doable for those on expense accounts, a little daunting for the rest of us. Still, if you’re in the mood for a perfectly aged rib-eye with a side of creamed spinach and crisped potatoes, one of these places will do you right:

Peter Luger Steakhouse is the original though because of its Brooklyn locale it’s not as convenient as some others listed below, and it can be hit or miss quality-wise. But it remains a classic for its ambiance if not its meats.

Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse: Opened by two former Peter Luger staffers, it shows— they learned their trade well. It’s at 219 E. 44th Street between Second and Third avenues (www.benandjackssteakhouse.com; tel. 212/682-5678).

Cote: An upscale Korean resto with a new take on the center table grill.

Gallaghers: You know the meat is well aged here because you can see the dry aging chamber through plate glass windows from the street. A theater district fave, in biz since 1927 when it was first opened as a speakeasy, it’s located at  228 W. 52nd St. (gallaghersnysteakhouse.com; tel. 212/586-5000).


Hawksmoor: This British import opened at the height of the pandemic, but its unusual-for-NYC method of charcoal grilling steaks proved so popular, it thrived even during those fraught times. It’s in the heart of the Flatiron District at 109 E. 22nd St. (hawksmoornyc.com; tel. 212/777-1840).

Keens Steakhouse: Not far from Macy’s, it is a wonderful time capsule back to when men wore bowler hats and ate their steak bloody.

Quality Meats  (www.qualitymeatsnyc.com; tel. 212/371-7777) is set in a stunning, bi-level space at 57 W. 58th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. The food is of equally high quality, including some nontraditional steakhouse menu items such as pan-roasted lamb T-bones with figs and mint, and a flatiron steak with blackberries.


Skirt Steak. A skirt steak with bearnaise sauce, green salad, and French fries for only $39? The price is kept low because they only offer that set meal. But since it’s prepared by star chef Laurent Tourondel, it’s delish, and there are lines out the door (they don’t take reservations). It’s at 635 Sixth Ave., at 29th St. (www.skirtsteaknyc.com; tel. 212/201-4069).

Sparks, at 210 E. 46th St. near Third Avenue (www.sparkssteakhouse.com; tel. 212/687-4855). A former Mafia favorite (Gambino family member Paul “Big Paul” Castellano was killed here in 1985) , its “ye olde steakhouse” decor still has that Cosa Nostra air, part of the fun of coming here. The other part (along with perfect hollandaise sauce and aged meats) is the wise-cracking waitstaff, with their “dese, dem, and dose” accents. They deliver the type of service that was once de rigueur in NYC, but alas, rarely exists anymore. Take a look at the wall of cigars before you head out; you can’t legally smoke them in here, but they’re still big sellers.




Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.