Nusr-Et Steakhouse New York — Restaurant in New York

After all the worldwide hype of the exquisite butcher and meat artist, Nusret Gökçe, I can assure you that it all lived up to its expectations.

I had reserved a table for 8 about a month in advance. I did have somewhat of a hard time calling in as their reservation line was busy constantly but at the moment they were working on it, Open Table now accepts online reservations which is also convenient. My party and I drove down 3.5 hrs to arrive to the beautiful Manhattan location. We had reservations for 2 PM and arrived about 20 minutes early but were gladly taken in. As we strolled through the restaurant, gazing at all the guests and decor, the meat fridges and kitchen were worth stopping to take a look at. Surely enough, the man himself, Mr. Gökçe was in the kitchen grilling steaks in his normal attire. My family and I are Turkish so my mom hollered his name and said hello. Nusret turned around, welcomed us and exchanged a few words in Turkish which was awesome to begin with. A person in our party was in a wheelchair and the staff were very accomodating to her by swapping chairs for comfort and did not rush us. FYI, there is a ramp around the corner outside that brings you down to ground level where the entrance is located. We all sat down and began looking at the menus, I had a few things in mind prior to arriving. Our waiter Brian was nice and came to our table quite fast taking beverage orders. We all had sparkling water to drink and some, Coca Cola. Of course the prices for the beverages are steep at $9 for Voss Sparkling/Still and $7 for a bottle of Mexican Coke, but tap water is now being offered for those who don't feel like paying for a drink. One issue was that the bill is not divisible into separate checks for each group in our party as we brought up the question when we were first seated. Next we were greeted by a tall Turkish gentleman who works closely with Salt Bae and he gave us a rundown of what menu items he suggests, etc. We all placed our orders and were excited for the food to arrive. Meanwhile, Nusret was going table to table doing his ionic performance that I could not get enough of even after the fact that I've been watching it online for a year. Another waiter came by our table with a cart to make steak tartare that one of our guests ordered. I tasted some and was pretty impressed, it being my first time trying raw beef. Our steaks arrived to the table alongside Salt Bae with his black gloves. He began cutting and people were filming at my table and around us. We were able to interact more with him as we can speak the language and we had some laughs. I was wearing a shirt with a picture of him doing his signature move and he loved it. After he salted my Ottoman Steak, he swiftly grabbed a piece and gradually fed it to me with his knife. That moment was surreal and great in and of itself. The meat was on point and delicious, melting in your mouth. I also tried from the Istanbul Steak, Saslik, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, and french fries.The portion sizes on the sides were pretty small but they were cooked perfectly. After our meal we ordered the baklava as well as Turkish coffee and tea. A waiter came over with the tray of baklava and a plate of ice cream. He did some tricks for presentation which wasn't really necessary but pretty cool. He layered the ice cream on the baklava and cut it up. First off, my family and I have tasted many kinds of baklava and know how it should taste. This was by far the best I have ever eaten. It was authentic, buttery, creamy, and not overpoweringly sweet. Simply perfect. It's delivered fresh and handmade from Turkey frequently to the restaurant. We washed it down with the complimentary coffee and tea. The coffee comes with a piece of lokum "Turkish Delight" which was also tasty. After we were done, I went and found Nusret, thanked him, got his autograph, and took a picture with him on our way out.

The experience I had created so many memories that will last forever. The food now has its own special place on my list...

Unfortunately (!) a negative experience compared to other Nurs-Et restaurants.

You actually look forward to a good steak in New York in a prime location. Nurs-Et has always been a good place to go for service, taste and culinary experience in many countries and locations.

Unfortunately, New York did not leave a good impression. The reception was cold and unfriendly. Although the restaurant was very empty for a Saturday night, we were only offered a table on the edge right next to another couple. The tables were so close together that you could already feel like you were on a double date. We were only offered another table when we asked.

The menu is well-balanced - but if you want a typical New York strip loin, you should choose a different restaurant. There are only the Wagyu variants. Fair if that's what you're looking for, because the taste was fine, but the price is extremely overpriced.

The service was unfriendly, paid no attention to us and became impatient when they realized they couldn't make much money out of us. We would have gladly paid more, but the service was just too bad. Unfortunately, we got the impression that only those who leave enough money in the restaurant are served in a friendly manner.

Drinks that are ordered are simply not brought. The Coca Cola was probably just too cheap. Instead of the usual free still water, the overpriced bottled version was served without being asked. Other guests were given tap water without any problems.

At the end, when we politely declined dessert, the bill was thrown on the table. We are aware that tipping is quite generous in the USA, but we did not choose the suggested amount, but gave an individual amount of 12% of the bill. In many parts of the world, this is still a more than sufficient amount. The waiter was so annoyed that he ripped the credit card out of the card reader and threw it on the table.

Unfortunately, this is not worthy of a first-class restaurant. The experience, especially in Istanbul, was much better.

The owner should think about whether the team in New York should continue to work in this composition.

As we were not interested in the money, we then visited another well-known steakhouse on 5th Avenue and had an excellent meal for half the price and enjoyed great service.

Sorry Salt Bae, but that...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Manhattan, and I can honestly say it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in New York City. From the moment I walked through the door, I was impressed by the stylish and vibrant atmosphere — it’s the perfect blend of luxury and energy, making it a fantastic spot for any special occasion or just a memorable night out.

The staff greeted me warmly and were incredibly attentive throughout the evening, always ready with helpful recommendations and ensuring everything was just right. The service struck a great balance between professional and friendly, which made the whole experience feel comfortable and personalized.

Now, onto the food — the steak here is truly exceptional. I ordered [you can insert the exact steak you had if you want], and it was cooked to absolute perfection: tender, juicy, and packed with rich flavor that only comes from the highest quality cuts. Each bite was a delight. The sides and appetizers complemented the main course beautifully, adding variety and depth to the meal. I especially enjoyed [mention any appetizer, side, or dessert you liked if you want].

Of course, no visit to Nusr-Et would be complete without experiencing the famous Salt Bae moment. Watching the chef’s iconic salt-sprinkling technique was both entertaining and unique — it added a fun theatrical flair to the dinner without overshadowing the incredible food. It was a great reminder of how food can be both an art and a performance.

The ambiance throughout the meal was lively but not overwhelming, with chic decor and subtle music that enhanced the experience rather than distracting from it. Whether you’re there with friends, family, or on a date, the vibe makes you feel like you’re part of something special.

Overall, my day at Nusr-Et was unforgettable. The combination of outstanding food, top-notch service, and a vibrant atmosphere made for a perfect dining experience. While it’s on the pricier side, every dollar felt well spent. I highly recommend Nusr-Et to anyone looking for amazing steak and a dining experience that’s truly one-of-a-kind. I’m already looking forward to...