12 Best Restaurants in NYC for Carnivores (Ultimate List)

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NYC isn’t just the city that never sleeps—it’s the city that always eats, especially if you’re a meat lover. From sizzling steakhouses to epic BBQ joints, this concrete jungle serves up some of the juiciest, most mouthwatering dishes you’ll ever sink your teeth into. Whether you’re craving dry-aged perfection, tender ribs with a smoky glaze, or burgers stacked so high they defy gravity, NYC has it all.

Picture yourself at Peter Luger, cutting into a legendary porterhouse, or digging into brisket at Mighty Quinn’s, where the flavor runs deep. Planning your visit? Don’t miss these carnivore-approved spots while deciding where to stay in New York City. Ready to explore the ultimate list of meaty delights? Let’s get started!

👉 Pro Tip: The Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest is a must for foodies! Come hungry—dumplings, cannoli, and more await. Don’t forget to ask your guide for extra local food tips!

Best places to eat in NYC for carnivores

Before we dive into the list, here are some of my top picks to get you excited:

• Best overall steakhouse: Peter Luger Steak House
• Best modern vibe: Quality Meats
• Most unique experience: COTE Korean Steakhouse
• Best for casual eats: Dickson’s Farmstand Meats
• Best classic experience: Delmonico’s

Now, let’s jump into the detailed list of the best restaurants for meat eaters in New York, starting with Rocco Steakhouse.

1. Rocco Steakhouse

• 📍 Location: NoMad
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Steakhouse
• 🔥 Standout Features: Old-school NYC vibe, prime dry-aged beef, classic cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Traditional steak lovers, power lunches, and upscale carnivorous feasts.

Get ready for a timeless New York City steakhouse experience at Rocco Steakhouse in the NoMad neighborhood! This place exudes old-school charm and sophistication, with dark wood, plush leather banquettes, and the kind of impeccable service that makes you feel like a VIP. The air is rich with the intoxicating aroma of perfectly aged, sizzling steaks.

The quintessential Rocco experience involves indulging in their prime dry-aged steaks, such as a classic New York strip or porterhouse for two, cooked to perfection. Their traditional sides, like creamed spinach and hash browns, are exemplary. It’s a true taste of classic New York City indulgence.

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2. Hawksmoor

• 📍 Location: Gramercy/Flatiron
• 💲 Price range: $80 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: British Steakhouse and Seafood
• 🔥 Standout Features: Acclaimed London import, ethical and high-quality British beef, stunning historic building.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Steak connoisseurs, British fine dining fans, and impressive upscale dining.

Prepare for a British invasion of flavor at Hawksmoor, the acclaimed London steakhouse that’s taken New York City by storm! Housed in a stunningly restored historic bank building near Gramercy, this spot is all about celebrating high-quality, ethically sourced British beef and sustainable seafood. The ambiance is grand yet unstuffy, with a touch of old-world London charm.

Be sure to explore their incredible selection of dry-aged steaks, like a bone-in ribeye or a classic Chateaubriand, all cooked to perfection over charcoal. Their seafood platters are also a showstopper, and don’t miss the sticky toffee pudding for a truly British finish. It’s a true carnivore’s paradise with a sophisticated British accent.

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3. Quality Meats

• 📍 Location: Midtown West
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American Steakhouse
• 🔥 Standout Features: Chic and industrial modern steakhouse, inventive house-made charcuterie and sauces, lively and upscale atmosphere.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Trendy steakhouse fans, creative meat preparations, and a stylish Midtown meal.

Get ready for a steakhouse experience that’s a cut above the rest at Quality Meats in Midtown West! This isn’t your stuffy old-boys-club steakhouse; it’s a chic, modern, and energetic spot with a cool industrial-meets-luxe vibe. They’re known for their innovative approach, from house-made charcuterie to creative tableside presentations. The aroma of prime beef and inventive sauces is intoxicating.

A wise choice involves exploring their unique butcher-cut steaks, like the impressive tomahawk ribsteak, and indulging in their famous house-made bacon with peanut butter and jalapeño jelly. Their corn crème brûlée side dish is also legendary, offering a sweet and savory twist. It’s where classic steakhouse quality meets modern culinary cool.

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4. Keens Steakhouse

• 📍 Location: Midtown Manhattan (Near Herald Square)
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic New York Steakhouse / American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic institution (since 1885), world’s largest collection of churchwarden pipes, legendary mutton chop.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Steak connoisseurs, experiencing NYC history, classic steakhouse fans, and mutton chop adventurers.

Step into a legendary piece of New York City history at Keens Steakhouse. Operating since 1885, this iconic Midtown establishment is famed for its incredible collection of churchwarden pipes adorning the ceilings and its timeless, old-school steakhouse charm. It’s a carnivore’s pilgrimage!

While all their prime steaks are excellent, you absolutely must try their legendary mutton chop, a massive, incredibly flavorful cut that’s a true Keens signature. Other classic steakhouse fare, like a perfect New York strip or fresh oysters, are also fantastic. Keens delivers an unforgettable taste of historic NYC.

5. Peter Luger Steak House

• 📍 Location: Brooklyn (Williamsburg) & Great Neck, Long Island
• 💲 Price range: $100 – $200+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Steakhouse with German Influences
• 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary NYC institution (est. 1887), iconic and no-frills German beer hall vibe, world-famous dry-aged porterhouse.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Steak purists (porterhouse!), historic NYC icon seekers, and old-school, cash-is-king (traditionally) meals.

Experience a carnivore’s cathedral at Peter Luger Steak House, a Brooklyn (and Great Neck) institution serving world-class steaks since 1887! This iconic spot features a no-frills, old-school German beer hall atmosphere focused on one thing: exceptional, dry-aged beef. The sizzle and aroma of their legendary porterhouse are unmatched.

The main event is their dry-aged porterhouse steak for two (or more), served sizzling in its own juices. Don’t miss the thick-cut bacon appetizer and classic creamed spinach. It’s a timeless, old-school steak experience that every meat lover must try.

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6. Balvanera

• 📍 Location: Lower East Side
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Argentine and South American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Argentine parrilla (grill), excellent grilled meats and provoleta, vibrant and cozy LES ambiance.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Argentine steak lovers, sharing grilled meats and small plates, and a taste of Buenos Aires.

Get ready for a fiery taste of Argentina in the Lower East Side at Balvanera! This vibrant and cozy spot is all about authentic Argentine parrilla (grill) culture, serving up incredible grilled meats and traditional South American dishes. The air is filled with the irresistible aroma of woodsmoke and sizzling beef.

Make sure your meal includes their fantastic asado (mixed grill platter), showcasing perfectly cooked short ribs, chorizo, and morcilla (blood sausage). Their provoleta (grilled provolone cheese) and savory empanadas are also highly recommended starters. It’s a true celebration of Argentinean flavor and passion.

7. COTE Korean Steakhouse

• 📍 Location: Flatiron & Miami
• 💲 Price range: $80 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Korean Steakhouse and Michelin Starred
• 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin-starred Korean BBQ, interactive tabletop grilling, premium dry-aged beef and The Butcher’s Feast®.
• 🎯 Perfect For: High-end K-BBQ fans, interactive fine dining, and unique steak experiences.

Prepare for a Korean steakhouse experience like no other at COTE, the Michelin-starred sensation in the Flatiron district! This isn’t just K-BBQ; it’s an elevated, interactive dining adventure where you grill premium, dry-aged cuts of beef right at your sleek tabletop grill.

The definitive experience here is “The Butcher’s Feast®”, a curated selection of their best USDA Prime and American Wagyu cuts. Alternatively, explore à la carte options like the amazing USDA Prime dry-aged ribeye or the Cote-style galbi. Their kimchi jjigae (stew) is also phenomenal, adding a comforting depth.

8. Delmonico’s

• 📍 Location: Financial District
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Historic American Steakhouse and Continental
• 🔥 Standout Features: America’s 1st fine dining (est. 1837), credited with inventing the Delmonico Steak and eggs Benedict.
• 🎯 Perfect For: History buffs, classic steak traditionalists, and iconic NYC legend dining.

Step into a living piece of American culinary history at Delmonico’s, established in 1837 in the Financial District and widely recognized as America’s first fine dining restaurant! This iconic institution is the birthplace of legendary dishes like the Delmonico Steak, Eggs Benedict, and Lobster Newburg. The ambiance is grand, classic, and steeped in history.

To truly experience Delmonico’s legacy, trying their signature Delmonico Steak is a must. Other historic highlights include the rich and decadent Lobster Newburg and the original Eggs Benedict. It’s a chance to dine where titans of industry and celebrities have for nearly two centuries.

9. Club A Steakhouse

• 📍 Location: Midtown East/Sutton Place
• 💲 Price range: $80 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Steakhouse and Fine Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Family-owned and operated, romantic multi-level townhouse, classic prime dry-aged steaks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic steak dinners, special celebrations, and old-school NYC elegance.

Experience the warmth of family hospitality and the indulgence of a classic New York steakhouse at Club A Steakhouse. This beautiful, multi-level restaurant, housed in an elegant Sutton Place townhouse, is family-owned and operated, offering an opulent yet intimate and romantic dining experience. The decor is plush and inviting, with live jazz often filling the air.

You’ll certainly want to indulge in one of their perfectly prepared prime dry-aged steaks, like the bone-in ribeye, the classic New York strip, or the exceptionally tender filet mignon. Their tableside Caesar salad preparation adds a touch of classic flair. It’s a perfect spot for a truly special, old-school New York steakhouse night.

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10. Carne Mare

• 📍 Location: South Street Seaport, Pier 17
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $150+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Italian Chophouse, Seafood, and Steak
• 🔥 Standout Features: Waterfront views, upscale Italian-inspired chophouse.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Waterfront dining, Italian-inflected steaks and seafood, and celebratory meals.

Experience Carne Mare, Chef Andrew Carmellini’s Italian chophouse at Pier 17, South Street Seaport, featuring high-quality steaks, fresh seafood, and Italian flavors in a chic atmosphere with stunning Brooklyn Bridge views. Enjoy the aroma of grilling meats and the sea.

A wise choice involves trying their amazing gorgonzola-cured striploin, the unique fire-roasted seafood tower, or one of their standout pastas like the spicy crab rigatoni. Their elegant take on mozzarella sticks also comes highly recommended as a starter.

11. Dickson’s Farmstand Meats

• 📍 Location: Chelsea Market
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person (Primarily a butcher shop with prepared foods/sandwiches)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Artisan Butcher, Sandwiches, and American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Whole-animal artisan butcher, locally sourced and sustainable meats, house-made sausages and sandwiches.
• 🎯 Perfect For: High-quality meat purchasers, casual sandwiches and hot dogs, and supporting local farming.

Discover a carnivore’s paradise at Dickson’s Farmstand Meats in Chelsea Market! This whole-animal artisan butcher shop offers incredible, locally raised, sustainably farmed meats and some of the best hot dogs, sausages, and meat-centric sandwiches in the city. The aroma of house-smoked meats is heavenly.

Many flock to Dickson’s to try their legendary hot dog, made with their own beef and pork, or one of their incredible roast beef sandwiches. Don’t overlook their rotisserie chicken or the selection of house-made sausages, with rotating daily specials.

12. Boucherie West Village

• 📍 Location: West Village & other locations
• 💲 Price range: $50 – $90 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic French Brasserie and Steak Frites
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Parisian brasserie vibe, classic French dishes (especially steak frites), lively neighborhood feel.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Francophiles craving bistro classics, romantic dinners, and a taste of Paris in NYC.

Bonjour, West Village! Be transported to a bustling Parisian brasserie at Boucherie West Village. This charming spot (with sister locations) perfectly captures the timeless allure of a classic French brasserie, with its tiled floors, dark wood accents, and lively, convivial atmosphere. The air is filled with the delightful aromas of French cooking.

A wise choice involves indulging in their iconic steak frites, perfectly cooked and served with a mountain of crispy fries, or classic French onion soup. Their escargots de Bourgogne are also a must. It’s a true taste of Paris, right in the heart of New York City.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the best NYC restaurants for carnivores

Craving a carnivorous feast in NYC? Find all the answers you need about the best meat-centric restaurants in the Big Apple.

Where can I find the best steak in NYC?

For the best steak in NYC, check out Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn, renowned for its dry-aged porterhouse. Rocco Steakhouse and Quality Meats are top picks for a modern steak experience. For a unique twist, try COTE Korean Steakhouse with its premium Korean BBQ.

Is it possible to eat carnivore at NYC restaurants?

Yes, you can easily eat carnivore at NYC restaurants. Steakhouses like Peter Luger, Rocco Steakhouse, and Delmonico’s offer a variety of meat dishes. For a casual option, visit Dickson’s Farmstand Meats in Chelsea Market. Many places are happy to accommodate carnivore diet requests when traveling to New York City.

Is the carnivore diet healthy?

The carnivore diet can be healthy if done correctly, focusing on high-quality meats. It supports muscle growth and can help with weight management. However, consult with a healthcare provider before starting to make sure it meets your nutritional needs.