Keens Steakhouse, Manhattan
337 people recommend, 39 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 89 threads.
What people say, in short
Keens earns repeated steak recommendations, with diners praising the cooking and old-school atmosphere; prime rib also has enthusiastic supporters. Others report disappointing seasoning, underwhelming dry-aged flavor or steaks arriving at the wrong doneness. The historic room is a draw in its own right, but diners choosing purely for the meat do not all rank it first. Several caution that reservations can be difficult.
Address
Keens Steakhouse, 72 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Signature dishes
- Prime rib
- Best for
- Visitors
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Keens Steakhouse, Manhattan, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/decmcc in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025taste
Says the steak was fantastic and recommends the lunch special.
- Recommendsu/jawndell in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2026taste
Rates the steak highly after multiple visits, but was even more taken with the mutton chop and its varied flavors.
- Recommendsu/LeftReflection6620 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025ambience
Loves the place and its unique atmosphere, brings visiting friends and family.
- Recommendsu/Ok-Competition-1814 in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024value
Pub menu is cheaper than regular menu and the sirloin steak salad was very good.
- Recommendsu/RedNalgene00 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2024
Names Keens as the answer for an old-school steakhouse.
- Recommendsu/quovadis9 in r/FoodNYC · May 2025taste
Regular since 2008 recommends pub-area filet skewers and sides, eating like a king.
- Recommendsu/newyorklex in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2023taste
Their steak quality and broiler technique is something the commenter cannot replicate at home.
- Recommendsu/NYerInTex in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2023taste
Named as a New York spot whose steak technique beats home cooking.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/wazacraft in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2025ambience
Enjoys the bar as a place to talk with other diners.
- Caveatu/VeryPuffin in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2024consistency
Ordered a filet medium and was served a steak that came out absolutely rare.
- Recommendsu/dantheman2q in r/FoodNYC · Apr 2024
Praises Keens' mutton chops, ambience and service; T-bone decent but lesser.
- Recommendsu/lovable_asshole in r/FoodNYC · Jan 2024
Says Keens has the best bar, complimentary happy hour apps, and you can order the full menu.
- Mixedu/NYMNYJNYKNYR in r/FoodNYC · Apr 2026value
Calls it a NYC institution with old-school vibe but not affordable.
- Recommendsu/FUCK_CAPTCHAS in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2026
Answers the prime rib question with Keens.
- Recommendsu/still_lurking_mostly in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2026
Says yes 100% and suggests taste of mutton app then steak as main.
- Recommendsu/ZhanMing057 in r/AskNYC · Jun 2024
Likes Keens though seats may be hard to get Saturday.
- Recommendsu/Traditional_Owl12 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2026
Calls Keen's the best steakhouse near Penn Station.
- Recommendsu/halermine in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2024taste
Says the steaks are excellent and the place matches the classic steakhouse atmosphere, with a taste of mutton to share.
- Recommendsu/daemonw9 in r/FoodNYC · Jan 2024value
The only old-school New York steakhouse recently visited that felt worth the higher price compared with another spot.
- Recommendsu/FrankiePoops in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026
Recommends Keens as the answer to where a visitor should go for steak.
- Recommendsu/PhilosophicalPhool in r/FoodNYC · May 2024taste
Insists that anyone who has not tried the prime rib at Keens should, mutton fan or not.
- Recommendsu/kaykordeath in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024
Lists it among famous proper NYC steakhouses
- Recommendsu/trendoid01 in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2024
States Keens is not overrated.
- Recommendsu/Sorrypenguin0 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2024
Agrees with others recommending Keens.
- Recommendsu/dd2520 in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Says keep the reservation; atmosphere great, steak near best in midtown, no fall-off over years.
- Recommendsu/uconn23 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025
Suggests trying Keens and arriving early for a bar seat.
- Mixedu/Salty_Simmer_Sauce in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026taste
Calls Keens the sub's darling but rates Delmonico's better.
- Caveatu/FactChucker in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026taste
Found Keens terribly disappointing on a first visit, including hyped dishes.
- Caveatu/TheBeatboxingBaker in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2025taste
Finds the dry age underwhelming and salting light.
- Mixedu/Techgruber in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024ambience
Notes small bar but unsure whether dinner is served there.
Also on
Keens Steakhouse, Manhattan is on another map too, with what people said about it there.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.