Keens Steakhouse

"This Midtown steakhouse that opened in 1885 used to be home to a famous theatre and literary group, and after that, a pipe club. Dozens of pipes still line the restaurant, giving it a warm, unique vibe not like any other restaurant in the city. The signature order here is the mutton chop." - Eater Staff

"Holiday wreaths and ribbons plus a tree add to the charm of this Midtown steakhouse relic, which all-year-round has warm, dark-wooded environs. Head here for a serious steak or mutton chop. Don’t miss the (easier seating) at the bar." - Eater Staff, Laine Doss

"Keens, a New York icon and Midtown steakhouse since 1885, has sold to a new owner. It was first opened by Albert Keen and was previously a club for a theater group and later a clubhouse for smoking pipes with notable members like Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, and Albert Einstein. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of churchwarden pipes. In the 1970s, restaurateur George Schwarz took over Keens, and after his death in 2016, it was entrusted to general manager Bonnie Jenkins. The steakhouse has been a favorite among New Yorkers and was mentioned by Anthony Bourdain as a must-visit. It was recently acquired by billionaire Tilman Fertitta, who is committed to maintaining its legacy." - Emma Orlow

"Founded in 1885 by Albert Keen, a notable theater personality, this classic Midtown chophouse has two floors, each with its own warren of rooms. The pub room adjacent to the downstairs bar has a fireplace, where diners can choose between the regular menu and a more casual pub menu. Though you can ask for a reservation near the fireplace, it’s not guaranteed — so get there early, late, or at an odd hour." - Eater Staff

"We could, and have, argued about the best steakhouses in New York until it turned into an episode of Family Feud. Emotional attachments to lore, legacy, or particularly idiosyncratic servers usually have a lot to do with it. Keens has a storied history of its own—this former pipe club in Midtown has been around for more than 130 years, and hosted everyone from Einstein to Babe Ruth—but we’re especially attached to the mutton chop, served with crisp bits of fat and a jar of mint jelly. With 40,000 antique pipes on the ceiling (and the playbill Lincoln was holding when he got shot, allegedly), it essentially doubles as a museum, where the main attraction is still the meat on your plate. Their best cut is the porterhouse, which is dry-aged, and funkier than most." - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja