Delmonico’s in New York: A Historic Steakhouse With Class

While touring Wall Street, it’s easy to envision investment bankers having power lunches or brokers talking shop over business dinners at classy establishments. 

However, within Manhattan’s Financial District, sometimes called FiDi, the restaurant scene includes one standout power player you may have heard of. Delmonico’s has a fine dining legacy linked to many famous people, a long and storied history, and inventive dishes you’ll want to try.

Said to be the first fine dining restaurant in America, this steakhouse holds claims to a few other “firsts.” These range from providing à la carte service to using the term “restaurant” to offering printed menus to something truly audacious (for the time) that I’ll cover below.

We always like to help travelers visiting the Financial District learn more about all there is to see and do here, whether or not they’re taking one of our tours, and Delmonico’s is certainly a classic NYC experience. Keep reading for more about what makes Delmonico’s unique, tips for visiting, and what you absolutely need to order if you go.  

Delmonico’s history

Credit: Simon Tchoukriel for Delmonico’s

Delmonico’s long and winding history dates back to 1827. That year, Italian-Swiss-born brothers Giovanni and Pietro Delmonico applied their surname toward opening a pastry shop and café at 23 William St.

With their nephew, Lorenzo, joining the family business, Delmonico’s then developed into more of a full-fledged restaurant.

Tragically, that initial location was lost to the Great Fire of New York in 1835, which consumed many buildings in Lower Manhattan. However, the Delmonico family would start over through constructing a purpose-built restaurant at 56 Beaver St. two years later. It’s still at the same address today.

Over the years, Delmonico’s made a few landmark changes like the ones I mentioned above, such as using printed menus and adding à la carte service. But my favorite has to be their head-turning decision in 1868 to allow women to be seated without men accompanying them. Gasp!

During the Gilded Age, business moguls, politicians, and socialites came to dine here. The Delmonico family eventually opened other locations in New York City. At one of them, Mark Twain celebrated his 70th birthday with a banquet. Gradually, the other locations closed down, with the final family-owned spot closing in 1923 during the Prohibition.

Credit: Delmonico’s

Then in 1926, a Tuscan immigrant named Oscar Tucci purchased and revitalized the Delmonico’s brand with his own personal touches and business acumen. During his time, Delmonico’s welcomed not only business crowds but also celebrities and noted public figures.

Delmonico’s is now owned by restaurateur Dennis Turcinovic, the managing partner of Delmonico’s Hospitality Group. Oscar Tucci’s grandson, Max Tucci, is involved as the restaurant’s global brand ambassador and third-generation partner.

More recently, Delmonico’s was closed for several months during the pandemic. It reopened in September 2023 following an extensive renovation, unveiling a contemporary look (see below). However, its classic dishes and refined atmosphere remain.

What Delmonico’s looks like since the renovation

Credit: Charles Tumiotto Jackson for Delmonico’s

Located in a 19th-century Renaissance Revival building, even the exterior of Delmonico’s is grand. Two marble pillars stand beside the entrance. Legend has it that these long-standing columns were imported from the ruins of Pompeii.

Inside, this fine establishment is adorned with wood paneling and historic photographs, you have white tablecloths for the classic formal touch. 

The steakhouse also has an impressive wine cellar and both a main dining room and private event spaces. Don’t miss the wall mural depicting glamourous patrons from bygone times.

What to eat at Delmonico’s

Credit: Simon Tchoukriel for Delmonico’s

If you’re looking to impress out-of-towners or go all out on a luxurious meal, Delmonico’s fits the bill.

They offer splurge-level dishes for both surf and turf. There’s caviar service (50 grams of European Royal Osetra, no less) with quite the price tag and the Seafood Plateau, a towering display of seafood from their raw bar and shellfish. Listed at market price, the Lobster Newberg is another popular seafood option, flavored with cognac and tarragon.

But if you’re dining at Delmonico’s for the first time, steak is the way to go. These are large, so you may not finish. Visiting with a date or close friend? One of you can order the steak while the other gets a lighter dish, and then you split. But if steak or seafood aren’t your thing, you still have plenty of choices.

Credit: Delmonico’s

Here are some recommendations for what to eat at Delmonico’s:

• • Signature Delmonico Ribeye, their best steak, 18 ounces of succulent, high-quality beef
  • Burrata, a creamy cheese appetizer served with tomato and sourdough bread
  • Chicken à la Keene, a longtime offering prepared with English peas, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, and a creamy sherry-based sauce (pictured above)
  • Duck breast, a bright fall-flavored dish with butternut squash, orange, and ginger 

• Baked Alaska, a house specialty dating to 1867, made from walnut cake and flavored with apricot jam and banana gelato and not too large or heavy (as you can see from the photo below), even after a steak dinner

Credit: Delmonico’s

Eating vegan or traveling with someone who is? They can enjoy Delmonico’s too. In 2024, Delmonico’s introduced a plant-based version of their classic Chicken à la Keene. A lion’s mane mushroom is served over an artisanal lentil pasta with a miso beurre blanc sauce, and topped with crispy lentils.

When to go to Delmonico’s

Credit: Delmonico’s

Usually, Delmonico’s is open for lunch on weekdays and dinner daily plus a weekend brunch (try The Original Eggs Benedict, pictured above, another of their culinary claims to fame), but check their website to confirm current business hours. 

For certain holidays, the restaurant often offers special menus, so it’s worth seeing what they have on offer now.

FAQs about dining at Delmonico’s

Crab cake / Credit: Delmonico’s

Do I need to make a reservation for Delmonico’s in advance?

While they can accept walk-ins, it’s wise to book a reservation online in advance. For walk-ins, there’s more likely to be some availability for bar seating, though sometimes it’s possible to get a table in the main dining room, even last-minute, depending on the night.

Do I have to dress up for Delmonico’s?

You’ll need to wear more than a T-shirt and Crocs. The restaurant’s dress code is described as being smart casual with an emphasis on polished and elegant attire. That means no hats, flip-flops, or shorts. Men’s jackets are appreciated.

Can kids eat at Delmonico’s?

Yes, youngsters are welcome, but please note there’s no kids menu at Delmonico’s. The restaurant might best suit children over a certain age who are comfortable in fine dining surroundings. 

The menu does include some kid-friendly items such as the Delmonico burger and a side order of hand-cut French fries.

More restaurant recs for after your Wall Street tour

Credit: Delmonico’s

Dinner at Delmonico’s could be a great way to level up your day in the Financial District after one of our Wall Street tours. The restaurant is a three-minute walk from the House of Morgan and the Fearless Girl statue, near where we start and end our tour.

Looking for more places to eat in the Financial District that will put a little less train on your wallet? We got you. Check out our guide to the best places to eat and drink near Wall Street.