Empire Steak House
East Midtown-Turtle Bay, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
A midtown steakhouse that skips the reservations gauntlet without cutting corners on beef quality. The kitchen emphasizes dry-aged cuts with a pronounced char, and walk-ins are genuinely possible at lunch or early dinner most weekdays. Best for business meals and celebrations where energy matters more than quiet conversation.
About Empire Steak House
Empire Steak House is a New York City venue with a business-casual dress code. Keep the recommendation practical: review the schedule, and confirm menu, reservation, or special-occasion details directly with the restaurant before you go.
The schedule starts at 11:45 AM Monday through Friday, with evening closing times varying by day, and begins at 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
What to Order and When
For timing your visit, the weekly schedule is Monday through Wednesday, 11:45 AM–10 PM; Thursday and Friday, 11:45 AM–11 PM; Saturday, 3–11 PM; and Sunday, 3–10 PM. Use those hours as the planning baseline, and check directly with Empire Steak House for current menu availability.
How It Sits Among New York City Options
For diners comparing choices in New York City, Empire Steak House can be considered alongside Empire Burger House, Le Jardinier New York, Spice Symphony, Toscana 49, and The Parliament New York. Use those venues as additional options to research rather than direct like-for-like substitutes. You can also browse the wider New York City restaurants guide for more dining choices. Beyond dining, explore New York City hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences to round out your visit.
Located inside
HotelThe Kimberly HotelFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 151 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- empiresteakhousenyc.com
- Phone
- +12125826900
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Empire Steak House reads as a textbook Midtown steakhouse: confident dining rooms, tableside presentations, and a focus on prime dry-aged beef. The menu centers on large-format steaks—the dry-aged porterhouse for two, Tomahawk ribeye and filet mignon—while the wine list tilts toward California Cabernet and Bordeaux to match the meat-forward cooking. The atmosphere leans toward formal, expense-account service rather than trend-driven flash; it draws business travelers and visitors who expect classic steakhouse polish in the shadow of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Best For
This is a go-to spot for business dinners, date nights and special-occasion meals where serious steak and a robust wine list matter. Its Midtown location makes it convenient for hotel guests, corporate tables and out-of-town visitors, and the format is built to accommodate larger parties when needed. Because prime-time midweek and weekend slots in the neighborhood fill quickly, the restaurant is best for diners who plan ahead—especially when coordinating around theater schedules or tight itineraries.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the steakhouse signatures: the dry-aged porterhouse for two is a classic shareable centerpiece, while the Tomahawk ribeye and filet mignon cover the single-steak camp. Expect tableside presentations and an à la carte ordering approach; the wine list is weighted to California Cabernet and Bordeaux, which are logical pairing choices for the richer cuts. Book in advance for Thursday and Friday evenings or for business dinners, and factor in nearby alternatives in Midtown when comparing options.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, refined, and elegant atmosphere with vibrant yet sophisticated lighting, hand-painted dome, and raised tiers of seating featuring wrap-around booths.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- dry-aged porterhouse for two
- Tomahawk ribeye
- filet mignon
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 151 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Empire Burger House, Notable alternative
- Spice Symphony, Notable alternative
- The Parliament New York, Notable alternative
- Toscana 49, Notable alternative
- Le Jardinier New York, French, $$$$
Restaurant context
Empire Steak House operates in the middle tier of midtown's crowded steakhouse landscape, easier to book than the top-dollar temples, more serious about beef than the tourist-oriented chains. Toscana 49 offers Italian refinement and white-tablecloth formality a few blocks away, but expect to book a week ahead and budget for a longer, more structured meal. If you're prioritizing vegetable-forward French cuisine over steak, Le Jardinier New York delivers Michelin-level execution at $$$$ prices, though it's a completely different dining format, multi-course tasting menus with optional wine pairings, and not a direct steakhouse alternative.
For casual, approachable beef in the same neighborhood, Empire Burger House shares the name and zip code but pivots to burgers and tavern fare; it's the better pick if you want a quick meal or prefer bar seating over a full steakhouse service. Spice Symphony and The Parliament New York both serve Indian and global menus within walking distance, but neither competes on beef quality or steakhouse atmosphere, choose them only if your group prioritizes spice and variety over prime cuts.
The clearest recommendation: book Empire Steak House when you need a walk-in-friendly midtown table that still delivers serious beef, or when your group values energy and accessibility over formality. For a quieter, more refined steakhouse experience, or if you're willing to plan ahead, Toscana 49 edges ahead on polish. If your celebration crowd leans vegetarian or you're chasing a Michelin experience, Le Jardinier is worth the splurge, but it's not a like-for-like swap.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Empire Steak House guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Empire Steak House
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Steak House | New York City | , | , | 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence |
| Empire Burger House | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Spice Symphony | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| The Parliament New York | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Toscana 49 | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Le Jardinier New York | New York City | French | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #194We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin Plate2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #276 |
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How Empire Steak House New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Empire Steak House?
Confirm bar seating and full-menu access directly with Empire Steak House before visiting. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, 11:45 AM–10 PM; Thursday and Friday, 11:45 AM–11 PM; Saturday, 3–11 PM; and Sunday, 3–10 PM.
What should a first-timer know about Empire Steak House?
Empire Steak House is in New York City, follows a business-casual dress code, and operates on the posted weekly schedule. Check directly with the restaurant for current menu, pricing, wait time, and reservation details.
What should I wear to Empire Steak House?
The dress code is business casual. If you are unsure whether a specific outfit fits that standard, choose polished, neat attire or confirm directly with the restaurant.
Is Empire Steak House good for solo dining?
Can Empire Steak House accommodate groups?
For group plans, contact Empire Steak House directly and confirm availability for your preferred date and time. The weekend schedule starts at 3 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.
