Where To Find The Best Steakhouse In The US
There are a lot of steakhouses that might claim to be the best in the United States. A few that might top some lists include spots like Peter Luger in New York City, The Golden Steer in Las Vegas (a Frank Sinatra favorite), or Niku in San Francisco. But, according to The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list, the top U.S. spot goes to The Eighty Six in New York.
Founded in London, The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants has been updated annually since 2018 — with ranking criteria based on factors like meat quality and variety, service, ambience, wine list, and interior design. As the holder of the top U.S. spot — and the #12 spot overall in the world — The Eighty Six looks to have most, if not all, the criteria that this list is looking for. The World's Best ranking writeup noted that the restaurant is one of the highest new entries to this list in 2026, saying, "The Eighty Six sets a new standard for what a modern steak restaurant can be in New York: deeply rooted in place, uncompromising in sourcing and mature enough to let the beef do the talking."
About that beef — as you might expect, the menu at a steakhouse of this quality comes with a price, though it's not near as costly as some other high-end steakhouses. Choices include a 12-ounce bone-in Wagyu New York Strip for $90, a 30-day dry-aged 14-ounce ribeye for $69, an eight-ounce filet mignon for $69, and a 14-day dry-aged six-ounce rib cap (also referred to as a "deckle") for $85. The Eighty Six also offers a citrus fed A8 Wagyu strip for market price, as well as a mix of seafood and pasta dishes, a raw bar, along with classic sides like mashed potatoes, creamed spinach gratin, and a delicious-sounding creamed corn pot pie.
What else should you know about The Eighty Six steakhouse in New York City?
Outside of it being labeled the best steakhouse in the country — with a menu that seems to be a carnivore's dream — there's more to know about The Eighty Six if you're considering a visit. Food influencer James Andrews said in a YouTube video that the steakhouse is currently the hardest reservation to get in New York City — but, as he experienced, getting a walk-in spot at the bar is possible if you plan ahead and get in line before the restaurant opens. Overall, Andrews called his experience at The Eighty Six "very satisfying" — from the Wagyu New York Strip, the creamed corn pot pie, the service, and the ambience.
The restaurant also holds a 4.6-star rating on Google and a 4.7-star on Yelp, with comments praising the service, atmosphere, and food. Of note, The Eighty Six is a small restaurant, with only ten tables and seven to eight bar seats — according to one Yelp review — which explains why it's such a hard-to-get reservation. The nondescript location formerly housed Chumley's, a 1920s speakeasy that often received guests like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. If you're planning on visiting or attempting to get a reservation, the restaurant has a "smart elegant" dress code — somewhat vague but, according to The Eighty Six's website, as long as you're "sufficiently well-presented" you should be fine. Being so small, the steakhouse doesn't accept parties larger than four.
With all the high-end steakhouses in New York City, it has to be difficult to make such a splash at a steak restaurant that only opened in 2025. But The Eighty Six has done just that. If you ever get the chance to go, it appears that you should plan on an incredible dining experience.