Peter Luger Steakhouse Menu and Prices (2026 Guide)

Peter Luger has served dry aged porterhouse in Brooklyn since 1887. Few restaurants in America carry that much history. Fewer still spark this many debates, from cash only rules to a Michelin star it won and later lost.

This guide covers what matters most if you plan to visit, or you just want the real story. You will find the history, all four locations, and honest pricing here. You will also get the full tale behind its most talked about review. We checked every fact below in July 2026. You get current details here, not recycled copy from an old blog post. For the full menu breakdown, see our Peter Luger menu with prices guide. Or browse our full directory of restaurant menus for more chains.

What Is Peter Luger Steakhouse?

Peter Luger Steakhouse is an old school steakhouse chain. It began in Brooklyn, New York, back in 1887. It built its name on one dish. That dish is a hand picked, dry aged USDA Prime porterhouse. Cooks broil it hot and fast. They serve it sizzling in butter.

The original Williamsburg spot still runs the old way. Waiters know regulars by name. The dining room feels closer to a German beer hall than a modern fine dining room. Cash rules the register. Brooklyn and Great Neck still will not take credit cards.

Today the brand runs four locations across three countries. Family ownership spans four generations. The James Beard Foundation named it one of “America’s Classics,” a rare honor. The story also has a harder side. A widely read zero star review and a lost Michelin star both shape how people see it now. Both threads matter. They explain what Peter Luger actually is today, not just what it was in 1887.

History: From 1887 German Beer Hall to NYC Institution

The story starts with a German immigrant named Peter Luger. He was born in Bavaria in 1866. He came to the United States at age 13. In 1887, he opened a spot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He called it Carl Luger’s Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley. Peter owned the place. His nephew Carl ran the kitchen.

The restaurant sat in a heavily German neighborhood. It stood near what later became the Williamsburg Bridge. It served beer and hosted billiards and bowling. Slowly, it built a name for its steaks.

Peter Luger died in 1941, one day before his 75th birthday. His son Frederick took over the business. Quality slipped fast under his watch. By 1950, Frederick shut the doors. He put the whole operation up for auction.

Two neighbors bought it. Sol Forman and Seymour Sloyer ran a metal giftware factory across the street. They placed what one auctioneer later called a “whimsically low” bid. They walked away with the building and the restaurant for roughly $35,000.

Forman and Sloyer rebuilt the place around consistency. The bet paid off fast. In 1968, New York Times critic Craig Claiborne gave the restaurant a rare four star review. That review shaped its reputation for the next fifty years.

In 2002, the James Beard Foundation added Peter Luger to its “America’s Classics” list. That honor goes to restaurants with timeless appeal and strong regional roots. Food historians now rank it as the third oldest steakhouse still running in New York City. Only Old Homestead Steakhouse and Keens Steakhouse are older.

The family that bought it in 1950 still runs it today. That kind of continuity is rare in American dining. It forms the backbone of the restaurant’s identity.

Locations: Brooklyn, Great Neck, Las Vegas and Tokyo

Peter Luger Steakhouse now operates four dining rooms. Each one keeps the same core menu. The setting and house rules shift by city.

Brooklyn (Williamsburg): The Original

The flagship sits at 178 Broadway in Williamsburg. It stands steps from the bridge that shares the neighborhood’s name. This is the 1887 original. It stays cash only and family run. Most food writers mean this exact spot when they say “Peter Luger” without adding a city.

Great Neck, Long Island

This location opened decades ago. It serves Long Island regulars who did not want to cross into the city. You will find it at 255 Northern Boulevard. Zagat has named it one of the best steakhouses on Long Island for years. It follows the same cash only rule as Brooklyn.

Las Vegas at Caesars Palace

Peter Luger opened its first big expansion inside Caesars Palace in November 2023. It took over a space that once housed Rao’s. The Las Vegas dining room runs larger than either New York location. Unlike Brooklyn and Great Neck, it takes standard credit cards through the resort’s system.

Tokyo (Ebisu)

In 2021, Peter Luger opened a licensed spot in the Ebisu district of Tokyo. This marked the brand’s first move outside the United States. It brought the porterhouse experience to a new international crowd.

Menu Highlights: Porterhouse, Burger and Signature Sides

The menu barely changes across locations. That consistency is the whole point. A few dishes define the entire visit.

The porterhouse for two, or four, is the signature order. It arrives pre sliced and dripping in butter. A coarse salt crust from the broiler finishes it off. Regulars often ask for it “medium rare,” even if they order steak differently elsewhere. The broiler’s heat cooks the outside far faster than the center, so timing works differently here.

At lunch only, the kitchen serves a burger made from the same dry aged beef used in the steaks. It draws a cult following. Many locals cannot land a dinner reservation, but they still want a taste of that beef program. If you love a great burger too, check our Five Guys menu guide. It covers a very different, equally loved version of the format.

Sides follow old school steakhouse logic. Expect German fried potatoes, creamed spinach, and a sliced tomato and onion salad. Thick cut bacon strips often get ordered before anything else arrives. The restaurant’s bottled steak sauce has built its own following, separate from the restaurant itself. Steak and slow cooked meat fans may also enjoy our Sonny’s BBQ menu guide. It offers a smokier, more casual take on classic American meat.

Dessert stays simple and heavy. Choices include cheesecake, apple strudel, and a hot fudge sundae topped with schlag. Schlag is the German word for whipped cream. It nods back to the restaurant’s roots as a beer hall.

Want a full breakdown of every item and its price by location? Check our complete Peter Luger menu with prices page.

How Much Does Peter Luger Cost?

Peter Luger sits at the expensive end of American dining. The porterhouse for two carries most of that reputation.

Item	Estimated Price
Porterhouse for two (Brooklyn)	Around $147.90
Porterhouse for two (Las Vegas)	Around $155.90
Steak per person, average	$75 to $81
Lunch only steak sandwich	Around $38
Sizzling bacon (appetizer)	$12 to $16
Dessert (cheesecake, strudel, sundae)	$10 to $14

Prices shift by location. They also change without notice. Treat these numbers as a planning guide, not a guarantee. Confirm current pricing with your chosen location before you book.

One detail trips up first time visitors more than the prices themselves. Brooklyn and Great Neck do not take credit cards. You need cash, a personal check with valid photo ID, a US debit card, or a house account. Las Vegas runs under Caesars rules and accepts standard cards instead.

Reservations and Dress Code

Booking a table takes some planning, especially in Brooklyn. Peter Luger takes online reservations through Resy for the Brooklyn location. Both New York spots also accept phone bookings for parties of ten or fewer. Brooklyn’s line runs at 718-387-7400. Great Neck answers at 516-487-8800.

Online no shows carry a real cost. If you book through Resy and skip your table without cancelling 24 hours ahead, expect a $40 per person fee.

No location posts a formal dress code. Business casual works well everywhere the restaurant operates. Most regulars wear collared shirts, blouses, or simple dresses. Shorts, flip flops, and tank tops tend to draw looks from staff and other diners. Nobody will turn you away at the door for wearing them, though.

Ownership and Recognition Today

The Forman family bought Peter Luger in 1950. That same family still runs it. Amy Rubenstein now serves as president. She works alongside co owner Jody Storch. Fourth generation family member Daniel Turtel now hand picks the USDA Prime beef the kitchen buys. The family has always kept that task in house, rather than handing it to outside buyers.

Zagat Survey has named Peter Luger the top steakhouse in New York City for decades running. Few restaurants in any category can match that streak. It helped build the brand’s name long before review apps and food blogs existed.

The restaurant’s Michelin story runs more complicated. Peter Luger earned a Michelin star in 2006, the first year of the New York City guide. It held that star for sixteen years. Michelin quietly pulled it in October 2022. That came about three years after a rough New York Times review shook public trust in the kitchen. Michelin never published a detailed reason for the change. Inspectors usually point to food quality and consistency, not history, when a star disappears.

Critical Reception: The 2019 Zero-Star Review, Explained

In 2019, New York Times critic Pete Wells published a review that became one of the most talked about restaurant takedowns in years. Wells gave Peter Luger zero stars. He described overcooked steak and inconsistent service. He argued the place leaned on nostalgia instead of current quality.

The review stung because of the restaurant’s history. Craig Claiborne had given it four stars back in 1968, under the same family’s ownership. That older review had shaped its reputation for half a century.

Ownership pushed back in public. Co owner Jody Storch defended the kitchen’s standards. She noted that a family member still buys every piece of USDA Prime beef by hand. Few restaurants at any price point keep that level of direct control. The restaurant said it would not chase food trends to please one critic.

The fallout outlasted the news cycle. Three years later, Michelin pulled the star it had given in 2006. Many observers link that decision straight back to the concerns Wells raised. Whether the link is official or not, both events mark a clear challenge. Nothing has tested Peter Luger’s reputation this hard in its long history.

Peter Luger vs. Keens vs. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

Diners comparing Peter Luger Steakhouse to other New York classics usually land on the same three names. Here is how they actually stack up.

Feature	Peter Luger	Keens Steakhouse	Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
Founded	1887	1885	Early 2000s
Neighborhood	Williamsburg, Brooklyn	Midtown Manhattan	Park Avenue, NYC
Signature dish	Porterhouse for two	Mutton chop, prime rib	Porterhouse
Payment	Cash only (Brooklyn, Great Neck)	Credit cards accepted	Credit cards accepted
Known for	Beef quality, old world ritual	Historic decor, mutton chop	Consistency, service

Keens predates Peter Luger by two years. It leans hard into its own history. Wood paneled rooms and century old churchwarden pipes fill the space, once used by figures like Babe Ruth and Teddy Roosevelt. Its mutton chop draws its own devoted fans, separate from steak entirely.

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse has an interesting family link. Founder Wolfgang Zwiener worked as a head waiter at Peter Luger for decades. He later opened his own steakhouse in the early 2000s. Many diners rate Wolfgang’s meat as equal to, or better than, Peter Luger’s. It also comes with friendlier service and normal card payment, at a close price point.

None of the three wins on every count. Peter Luger wins on history and ritual. Keens wins on atmosphere and its one of a kind mutton chop. Wolfgang’s wins on consistency and ease. Your pick depends on what matters most to you on a given night.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a steak at Peter Luger?

A steak per person runs roughly $75 to $81. The signature porterhouse for two costs around $147.90 in Brooklyn, and a bit more in Las Vegas.

Where is Peter Luger Steakhouse located?

The original sits in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Other locations include Great Neck, New York, Las Vegas inside Caesars Palace, and Tokyo’s Ebisu district.

How old is Peter Luger Steakhouse?

The restaurant opened in 1887. That makes it more than 135 years old, and the third oldest operating steakhouse in New York City.

Who owns Peter Luger Steakhouse?

The Forman family owns it. They bought the restaurant at auction in 1950. Amy Rubenstein now serves as president, alongside co owner Jody Storch.

Does Peter Luger take reservations?

Yes. Brooklyn accepts online bookings through Resy. Both New York locations also take phone reservations for parties of ten or fewer.

Is there a cancellation fee at Peter Luger?

Yes, for online Resy bookings. Cancel less than 24 hours ahead and you will face a $40 per person no show fee.

Is Peter Luger cash only?

Brooklyn and Great Neck do not take credit cards. Guests pay with cash, a personal check with photo ID, a US debit card, or a house account. Las Vegas takes standard credit cards.

Does Peter Luger have a Michelin star?

No, not right now. The restaurant held a Michelin star from 2006 until Michelin removed it in October 2022.

Why did Peter Luger get a zero star New York Times review?

Critic Pete Wells pointed to overcooked steak and inconsistent service in his 2019 review. He argued the restaurant leaned on its reputation instead of current quality.

Is Peter Luger better than Keens or Wolfgang’s?

It depends on what you want. Peter Luger offers the deepest history and ritual. Keens offers standout atmosphere and its mutton chop. Wolfgang’s offers strong consistency and easier payment.

Does Peter Luger have a dress code?

No official dress code exists. Business casual fits the mood best across all four locations.

How many Peter Luger locations are there?

Four. You will find them in Brooklyn, Great Neck, Las Vegas, and Tokyo.