Empire Steak House Times Square
Midtown-Times Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Business Casual
Why go
Book Empire Steak House Times Square when the group wants a familiar steakhouse format near the theater district rather than a casual Times Square fallback. It makes the most sense for client dinners, birthdays, and pre-show meals where service pace and a more formal room matter more than culinary surprise.
About Empire Steak House Times Square
Empire Steak House Times Square is a New York City venue with a business-casual dress code and posted evening hours on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday, with earlier opening times Tuesday through Friday. Plan around the name, city, dress code, and hours.
Use the listing as a practical New York City dining option. If menu specifics, awards, pricing, chef details, service format, or beverage offerings matter for your visit, confirm them directly before going.
Plan it for a New York City meal
The strongest planning detail is the schedule. Empire Steak House Times Square is listed as open Monday from 3–10 PM; Tuesday through Thursday from 11:45 AM–10:30 PM; Friday from 11:45 AM–11 PM; Saturday from 3–11 PM; and Sunday from 3–10 PM.
The dress code is business casual, so it is a reasonable fit when the group wants a more polished dining plan than a casual stop. Keep recommendations practical rather than make assumptions about the menu, price level, or dining format.
The repeat-visit play is about pacing and purpose
For a repeat visit, the useful move is to match the outing to the listed hours and the business-casual expectation. Earlier openings are listed Tuesday through Friday, while Monday, Saturday, and Sunday begin at 3 PM.
Compared with other named New York City options, the choice depends on what kind of outing the group wants. Serafina Times Square, DaMarino NYC, Palm, The, Toloache, and Carnegie Diner & Cafe are other venues to consider, while Empire Steak House Times Square remains the focus if its posted hours and business-casual setting fit the plan.
Planning details
- Location
- 233 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- empiresteakhousenyc.com
- Phone
- +12123555542
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Empire Steak House sits squarely in the middle of New York’s steakhouse spectrum, leaning on time-honored formats rather than culinary trend-chasing. The room prioritizes dependable execution: leather-seated traditions, attentive front-of-house work and a wine program that supports beef rather than upending it. It feels like a Theater District institution that understands pre-show timing and the expectations visitors bring to a classic American steak joint. The tone is polished and intentional — elegant and sophisticated without tipping into fussy modernity — making it an approachable landmark for traditional steakhouse experiences.
Best For
Empire is built for evening occasions tied to the Theater District’s rhythm: pre-theater dinners, business meals and milestone celebrations. The house handles a mix of large-party bookings and solo business diners, so it suits groups celebrating an opening night or colleagues finishing a meeting. The emphasis on reliability and traditional steakhouse service makes it a safe bet for visitors with high expectations and locals who want a consistent, classic steakhouse dinner in the heart of Times Square.
Ordering Tips
When dining at Empire, lean into the steakhouse rituals the kitchen and floor execute well. The menu’s big-format steaks — signature porterhouses and shared filet or wagyu tomahawk options — are built for sharing, and tableside carving is part of the classic service rhythm the house emphasizes. Let the sommelier translate the wine list for your protein choice rather than chasing obscure bottles; the wine program is presented as a partner to the beef rather than the headline. For groups, plan a few classic sides to sequence through the table alongside a shared steak.
Venue details
Ambiance
Inviting and luxurious with classic fixtures, modern decor, wrap-around booths, and a background hum that's lively yet comfortable.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Business Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Porterhouse for Two
- Empire Filet for Two
- Wagyu Tomahawk
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 233 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the group wants another steakhouse, try Palm, The. If the meal needs to be easier, lighter, or more flexible for a mixed party, Serafina Times Square is the safer cross-shop.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Empire Steak House Times Square is the practical steakhouse pick when the night is anchored around Midtown theaters and the group wants a more formal meal. Serafina Times Square is easier for mixed groups that want Italian and a lighter, more flexible dinner, while DaMarino NYC is the better fit when the occasion calls for theater-district Italian rather than steak.
Palm, The is the closest direct comparison because it also sits in the steakhouse lane. Cross-shop both if the priority is a classic New York steakhouse experience; choose Empire when Times Square proximity is the deciding factor, and choose Palm when the group specifically wants another established steakhouse option.
For value and ease, Carnegie Diner & Cafe is the lower-commitment choice for casual groups, while Toloache is stronger for diners who want a livelier Mexican meal before or after a show. Empire is the more occasion-coded option, not the casual default.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Empire Steak House Times Square guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Empire Steak House Times Square
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Steak House Times Square | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Serafina Times Square | New York City | , | No published awards |
| DaMarino NYC | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Palm, The | New York City | Steakhouse | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4502025 OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4692023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Carnegie Diner & Cafe | New York City | , | No published awards |
| Toloache | New York City | , | No published awards |
How Empire Steak House Times Square compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Empire Steak House Times Square?
What should I wear to Empire Steak House Times Square?
The dress code is business casual. Neat, polished clothing is the safest choice.
When is Empire Steak House Times Square open?
Hours are Monday 3–10 PM; Tuesday through Thursday 11:45 AM–10:30 PM; Friday 11:45 AM–11 PM; Saturday 3–11 PM; and Sunday 3–10 PM. Confirm current hours directly before visiting.
Is Empire Steak House Times Square good for a special occasion?
It can work for a planned New York City meal if the posted hours and business-casual dress code fit the occasion. For private dining, menu, pricing, or celebration details, confirm those directly.
