15 expensive steakhouses that are actually worth the price

August 2024 · 5 minute read
2016-03-11T16:50:44Z

Carnivores, listen up: Here's your guide to the most expensive, high-quality steakhouses in 15 of the biggest cities across the US.

Each of these restaurants is known both for its high-end steaks and top-notch service.

These restaurants will give you the full experience, from fancy cocktails to seafood towers and over-the-top cuts of meat. Of course, you'll also be paying up for your prime rib.

New York's American Cut made the steakhouse cut. New York Post/Foursquare

City-guide app Foursquare crafted this list by identifying the chophouses categorized as "very expensive" via menu analysis.

Foursquare then pulled out the top-rated locations based on user reviews. Where menu details were missing, Foursquare superusers helped to fill in the blanks.

SAN FRANCISCO: Alexander's Steakhouse

Manda Bear B./Yelp

Location: 448 Brannan Street

Rating: 9.2

Details: When it comes to a seriously high-end steak experience, Alexander's does it right.

From uni and braised short-rib toasts to hamachi shots, the starters are culinary experiments, but the main event is, of course, the meat. Their steaks are served glistening and pink and are endlessly juicy.

LOS ANGELES: Mastro's Steakhouse

Mastro's Restaurants - Steakhouse, Beverly Hills/Facebook.com

Location: 246 North Canon Drive

Rating: 9.3

Details: Foursquare's top-rated steakhouse in Los Angeles is an old-school institution that still delivers.

Start with a bone-in rib eye, add in some of their iconic lobster mashed potatoes, and top it off with a "Flaming Cosmo" cocktail. For dessert? Their butter cake is a crowd-pleaser.

CHICAGO: David Burke's Primehouse

David Burke's Primehouse/Foursquare

Location: 616 North Rush Street

Rating: 8.7

Details: Chicago's top steakhouse is this David Burke spot, where his creative takes on traditional foods — hot popovers instead of bread, corn dogs made with kobe beef — have earned him a legion of fans. 

The steaks are aged in an on-site salt cave; their 40-day rib eye is a favorite. And finish it off with a cheeky dessert like cheesecake served in lollipop form.

ATLANTA: Kevin Rathbun Steak

Facebook.com/kevinrathbunsteak

Location: 154 Krog Street NE

Rating: 9.2

Details: Atlanta's Kevin Rathbun Steak consistently tops best-of lists. The chic, modern interior belies the classic preparations on offer: A glazed bacon starter, steak tartare topped with a raw egg yolk, and of course a mean dry-aged steak for two.

WASHINGTON, DC: Smith & Wollensky

marketing@swrg.com/Foursquare

Location: 1112 19th Street NW

Rating: 8.3

Details: Smith & Wollensky is synonymous with steak. This power spot in DC is known for bringing together politicians of all stripes over a signature "seafood bouquet," but it's their filet mignon that sets the standard.

NEW YORK CITY: American Cut

New York Post/Foursquare

Location: 363 Greenwich Street

Rating: 8.8

Details: American Cut is a New York classic. Known for their steaks' perfectly blackened finish, the Tribeca mainstay from chef Marc Forgione serves up an unusual pastrami-spiced rib eye — and desserts worth saving room for, like a cracker-jack sundae with popcorn ice cream.

MIAMI: PM Buenos Aires Fish & Steak House

Sergio M./Yelp

Location: 1453 South Miami Avenue

Rating: 9.1

Details: Loved for both its fish and steak options, this large-scale restaurant in Miami's downtown Brickell neighborhood is a surf-and-turf winner, with a tartare sampler to whet the appetite and a mean rib eye to satisfy it. If you like octopus, the grilled version here gets great reviews.

PHILADELPHIA: Barclay Prime

Barclay Prime/Yelp

Location: 237 South 18th Street

Rating: 9.1

Details: This sleek Philly steakhouse, with mod furnishings and crystal chandeliers, serves up much more than the city's famed cheesesteaks — although you can find a version here for $100, piled high with wagyu beef, foie gras, and truffled cheese.

Beyond that, you'll find kobe-beef sliders, truffled mac and cheese, and a wide selection of high-quality steaks.

DALLAS: Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Food Network/Foursquare

Location: 10477 Lombardy Lane

Rating: 9.4

Details: Old-school Pappas Bros. hits all the right notes, from a must-have lobster bisque and bacon-wrapped scallops to a chocolate mousse with toasted homemade marshmallow for dessert.

And in the middle, there's the extensive meat menu, which is widely considered the best in Dallas.

BOSTON: Abe & Louie's

Cindy N./Foursquare

Location: 793 Boylston Street

Rating: 9.0

Details: Whether you're here for the signature blackened bone-in rib eye or swordfish chop, this is a see-and-be-seen luxury dining spot for the Boston elite.

Make room for a well-reviewed clam chowder to add local flair to your meal.

MINNEAPOLIS: Manny's Steakhouse

Kamy T./Yelp

Location: 826 South Marquette Avenue

Rating: 8.9

Details: From the red-checkered tablecloths to the seafood towers — and obligatory massive cuts of beef — Manny's is the archetype of a meat-and-potatoes steakhouse.

Regulars rave about the porterhouse and the attentive service.

SEATTLE: Daniel's Broiler

nella/Foursquare

Location: 809 Fairview Place North

Rating: 8.7

Details: Part of the appeal of Seattle mainstay Daniel's Broiler is certainly the beautiful harbor view, as it overlooks the lake and the boats docked nearby.

But the other part of the appeal is the food: Oysters and scallops start things off light, while a perfectly done filet mignon will fill you up in style. A generous happy hour keeps patrons coming back.

ORLANDO: Bull & Bear

Julius Droolius/Foursquare

Location: 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane

Rating: 8.8

Details: Customers love the desserts here just as much as the steaks, highly recommending the crème brûlée, chocolate bar, or lemon sweets. For the main event, bone-in filets are popular, accompanied by one of their specialty cocktails.

DENVER: Shanahan's Steakhouse

Shanahan's Steak House/Facebook.com

Location: 5085 South Syracuse Street

Rating: 8.6

Details: Co-owned (and named after) former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, Denver's top steakhouse is located on the ground floor of a modern high rise with lots of outdoor-patio seating. Seafood towers are a decadent starting choice, and they make a New York strip steak with only good reviews.

HOUSTON: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse-Houston/Facebook.com

Location: 2405 West Alabama Street

Rating: 8.2

Details: From lobster tempura to baked brie, Fleming's in downtown Houston will have something to whet your appetite. And for the main event, you can't go wrong with a classic rib eye or peppercorn steak.

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