Keens Steakhouse NY 10018

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Z Hashmi

My friend tried the mutton chop and I had the pan seared artic char. My friend enjoyed his mutton chop and the artic char was good as well. The vegetables that came with the fish were somewhat bland and bitter. The shishito peppers appetizer were well seasoned and fresh. Best part: the desserts! They have a fantastic key lime pie and a great hot fudge sundae. The hot fudge sundae is a classic sundae with a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of chocolate ice cream, fresh whip, hot fudge at the base, and a wafer on top. It's the best hot fudge sundae I've had (ever, I think). Seating is difficult to get so reservations are highly recommended. Bar seating is first come, first served, and can easily be a wait of 1+ hours during peak times.

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Grace

I’ve visited many midtown steakhouses for business, but this lunch at Keens with my children during their mid-winter break was truly extraordinary. From the impeccable service and the legendary mutton chop to the refreshing, house-made ginger ale, every detail was perfect. What made this afternoon truly unforgettable, however, happened after our meal. As we were at the coat check, a gentleman manager noticed my children’s curiosity about the restaurant’s history. I had actually told them not to wander around to avoid disturbing others, but he kindly insisted on giving them a personal tour of the second floor. This turned out to be a very exciting and memorable experience for my children. He took the time to show us the Lincoln Room, explaining the artifacts in detail, including the rare casket flag that draped President Lincoln. He even opened the Roosevelt Room for us, allowing the children to take photos and truly feel the history of the space. My daughter, who has recently been immersed in books about Abraham Lincoln, was absolutely spellbound. Seeing the real-life items from her stories come to life was the highlight of her trip. On our walk home, she was so excited, connecting everything she saw to the chapters she had read. As my assignment in Manhattan ends this year and we prepare to return to our home country, we plan to visit Keens as often as we can before we leave. I am certain that someday when my children grow up and return to New York, Keens will be the very first restaurant they seek out.

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Mat Israelson

Keen’s is such a classic New York steakhouse. The place is huge with tons of different rooms across multiple floors, so it feels historic but not stuffy. The decor is incredible, walls covered in old prints and memorabilia, you could honestly just wander around and look at everything. Staff were great all around, professional, friendly, and very on top of things. Only real downside is the vibe at night could be better. There’s no music at all (and if there was it wasn't hearable) and the lighting is a bit too bright for an evening steakhouse, it takes away slightly from the cozy, old school atmosphere you’d expect. That said, the history, space, and service totally make up for it. Definitely worth going at least once, especially if you like classic NYC spots.