If you’re looking for a juicy steak for dinner, there are numerous options in the San Francisco Bay region. Despite the tough competition, some of these venues do stand out from the rest. Foodies will understand why visiting these steakhouses is one of the best things to do in the Bay Area.
You don’t have to be a food critic to appreciate the passion these restaurants deliver. Such a diverse population has lent itself to several renditions of steaks featuring international influences and unforgettable flavors.
The best San Francisco Bay Area steakhouses bring fresh, juicy meats and exquisite flavors. These are some venues you don't want to miss.
San Francisco
Many of the best restaurants in the Bay Area are in San Francisco. Like our shows, these steakhouses delight the senses and leave you wanting an encore.
1. Alexander’s Steakhouse
Minutes from Oracle Park, you'll find a fine dining restaurant renowned for combining the modern American steakhouse with subtle Japanese influences. Alexander’s Steakhouse serves delectable cuisine in a luxurious, intimate dining hall spanning three floors.
Its biggest claim to fame is having one of the largest selections of domestic and imported Wagyu steak in the nation. The omakase tasting menu lets you to discover the artistry involved in the food’s preparation. Look on as the chef creates delectable dishes and serves them directly to you.
Unfortunately, younger children under the age of seven aren’t allowed to join you at this establishment. So if you’re planning on bringing the whole family, you’ll have to visit another one of our favourite steakhouse spots on this list.
2. John’s Grill
Since 1908, John’s Grill has served up sizzling steaks, steaming seafood, and its signature dish, Sam Spade’s Lamb Chops. This dish was named after author Dashiell Hammett’s main character after the author featured John's in his story.
The author’s influence doesn’t stop there. The entire restaurant is filled with nods to his novel The Maltese Falcon. Its classic elegance pairs wonderfully with traditional steakhouse favorites, such as filet mignon and baked potatoes.
3. Mastro’s Steakhouse
After exploring the best Bay Area beaches, wrap up the day at Mastro’s Steakhouse San Francisco. Just be sure to don your best evening attire, as there’s a strict dress code to enjoy a meal in this opulent dining room.
Upscale dishes, such as American Wagyu tomahawks and imported Japanese A5 Wagyu, tantalize the senses. For those who prefer their dinner with less beef, an equally phenomenal seafood menu includes salmon, king crab, and lobster tail.
4. EPIC Steak
EPIC Steak delivers more than mouthwatering dishes. Its heated outdoor patio offers alfresco dining with stunning views of San Francisco Bay at any time of year.
Executive Chef Parke Ulrich, known for his genius at the nearby Waterbar seafood restaurant, leads the kitchen. He’s as passionate about his art as we are about ours. Many dishes get preferential treatment on the custom-built wood-fire grill to elevate the ingredients’ base flavors. A carefully curated wine and cocktail list complements the meals.
5. Niku Steakhouse
Few Michelin-starred steakhouses exist in the United States, and Niku Steakhouse is at the top of the list. The dining experience is as memorable as the food. The meat here is exceptionally high-quality thanks to a partnership with the butcher shop next door.
Enjoy cuts of Japanese A5 Wagyu that have undergone the restaurant’s exclusive in-house dry-aging program. Watch as your meal is cooked in front of you on a custom binchotan grill. The meats join small plates of seasonal dishes. We love the maitake mushroom confit prepared in Wagyu fat and fermented white asparagus.
6. Fogo de Chão
Decadent meats and seafood undergo transformations with Brazilian techniques at Fogo de Chão in San Francisco. The restaurant is best known for its Churrasco experience, offering prix fixe tableside service of several cuts of meat and sides for an all-you-can-eat meal.
A selection of entrées and an à la carte menu allow for a tailored experience featuring cuts of roasted meats, fish, and vegetarian options. The restaurant also includes access to the Market Table and Feijoada Bar, where you can pick out delicious cheeses, smoked salmon, and other popular Brazilian dishes.
7. Lolinda
Lolinda restaurant is a traditional steakhouse with Argentinian flair in the heart of San Francisco. Meats are prepared over a wood-fired grill and served alongside ceviche and empanadas. The restaurant fosters a family-style dining experience with a customizable menu of Argentinian meats and sides.
Try to save room for dessert. Lolinda’s signature Cookies and Milk plays on the classic sweet treat. We love the house-made alfajores served with dulce de leche and a vanilla milkshake. The milkshakes are particularly tasty when spiked with bourbon.
8. Harris’ Restaurant
Melt-in-your-mouth meats pair beautifully with the elegant ambiance at Harris’ Restaurant, a staple of fine dining near Cow Hollow since 1984. Enjoy nightly jazz as you enjoy dishes such as A5 Wagyu, tender prime rib, and whole Maine lobster. Leather seats and ambient lighting keep the mood calm and enjoyable.
The steaks displayed in the window are for more than show. This selection of dry-aged beef, which was prepared with the same TLC as the meat served in the restaurant, is available to purchase.
9. House of Prime Rib
House of Prime Rib follows English traditions to bring its customers the best meats. Its attention to detail includes choosing only the best beef ribs and aging the meat for 21 days.
Servers carve the meat at your table to your specifications, leaving you with a piping hot but expertly prepared entrée. Mashed or baked potatoes, salad, and Yorkshire pudding accompany the main event.
10. Osso Steakhouse
According to USA Today, Osso Steakhouse prepares one of the top 10 steaks in America. While other steakhouses age their cuts in-house, Osso opts for a Total Quality Control USDA-rated facility. The ability to monitor and control all aspects of the aging process ensures perfection every time.
This restaurant shines a spotlight on the meats' flavors. Tender bites of filet mignon with buttery undertones and the impressive, 45-oz. tomahawk make for mind-blowing meals.
Napa
Napa is the heart of California’s fine dining and hospitality, and it offers some of the best steakhouses in the state.
11. Charlie Palmer Steak
The region’s rich history as an agricultural hub shines at Charlie Palmer Steak. Here, you can savor artisan beef, fresh seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Since the venue is nestled in the center of wine country, your meal will be accompanied by the finest Napa and Sonoma wines.
The restaurant sits in the Archer Hotel and offers an array of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For an impressive photo opportunity, try the tomahawk ribeye for two. This massive cut weighs almost three lb.
12. Cordeiro’s Steakhouse
Old-world comforts meet modern luxury at Cordeiro’s Steakhouse. It elevates the classic steakhouse experience by taking full advantage of local agriculture. Farm-to-table ingredients become delectable dishes, such as Ōra King salmon and duck confit flatbread, under the skilled hands of Executive Chef Marcos Uribe.
An extensive menu of grilled meats, such as pork chops, American Wagyu beef, and locally dry aged flat iron steaks, join seasonal vegetables and potato gratin.
13. Trancas Steakhouse
Locally owned and operated, Trancas Steakhouse is a fan favorite among Napa residents. Prepare for a no-frills, classic steakhouse experience on a stunning outdoor patio.
Appetizers, such as calamari, buffalo wings, and jalapeño poppers, set the stage for the main course. All steaks are USDA Choice Angus that undergo 21-28 days of aging. The signature prime rib, slow-cooked with herbs and spices, is a local favorite, while surf and turf, grilled salmon, burgers, and fried fish offer alternatives.
San Mateo
South of San Francisco, delectable dining opportunities abound in San Mateo.
14. Porterhouse
As soon as you walk into Porterhouse in San Mateo, you’re greeted by the restaurant’s in-house dry-aging meat locker. Tall ceilings and gentle lighting set the ambiance.
The restaurant draws from French influences, which appear in house-made sauces, stocks, and desserts. Its menu primarily features grass-fed Midwest beef. Extensive seafood and vegetarian options suit a range of flavor preferences.
The drinks list features wines from Napa Valley and Willamette Valley. The wine menu also includes international favorites from France and Italy.
15. Paul Martin’s American Grill
For a more casual dining experience without sacrificing quality, head to Paul Martin’s American Grill. While the menu includes specialties such as steelhead salmon, chicken parmesan, and barbecued pork ribs, the restaurant is known for its steak selection.
Top your steak with truffle butter or bone marrow. The signature Oscar Style features lump crab and asparagus drizzled with béarnaise. Classic barbecue sides like mac and cheese are paired with steakhouse favorites.
16. Broadway Grill
Live music serenades evening diners at Broadway Grill. Its inviting atmosphere is perfected with a bright modern dining room and aesthetic plating. Wednesday nights are prime rib night, a local favorite.
It serves a fantastic New York steak adorned with herb butter and peppercorn sauce. The venue is also particularly inviting for those with more restrictive diets. An extensive menu includes pescatarian, vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options.
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Santa Clara
For delicious steaks, head to these Santa Clara restaurants.
17. Alexander’s Steakhouse
Alexander’s Steakhouse in Cupertino offers the flavors and experience Bay Area residents love. It’s been a staple in the Santa Clara area since 2005. Unlike its sister site in San Francisco, younger children can dine here. However, the restaurant requests strollers be left at the entrance. Also, keep in mind that high chairs and booster seats are not provided.
18. Mastro’s Steakhouse
Mastro’s Steakhouse in Santa Clara is housed in Westfield Mall. Like its San Franciscan counterpart, it offers top-notch steaks in an inviting environment. Enjoy traditional steakhouse fare or mix things up with a selection of sushi developed exclusively for the restaurant. Each evening, live entertainment brightens the ambiance.
19. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
At Santa Clara Fleming’s, you'll find prime steaks, local wines, and handcrafted cocktails. It has a chic dining room, and meals are artfully presented. The venue promises a memorable dining experience with unbelievable flavors.
Seasonal dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients, and you can customize your steak with butter and herbs. Paired with simple yet flavorful sides, such as roasted asparagus, you’re left with a meal worth savoring to the last bite.
Cauliflower steak and seafood options bring variety for those looking for flavor beyond the beef. This location features a child-friendly menu with kid-approved favorites, such as chicken tenders and mac and cheese.
Sonoma
Sonoma is home to some of the best vineyards and farming practices in the state. Enjoy the fruits of this land’s labor at these restaurants.
20. Stark’s Steak & Seafood
Revel in the flavors of Stark’s Steak & Seafood, where dishes such as chilled oysters, hand-prepared steak tartare, and roasted bone marrow start your culinary journey.
A robust steak menu features prime cuts, Australian Wagyu, and grass-fed beef, all served with your favorite toppings. We love the prime rib, which is hickory-smoked to perfection, with roasted garlic jus and horseradish. It practically melts in your mouth. The venue also serves seafood, which is prepared with fresh herbs and ingredients.
21. Seared
At Seared in Petaluma, steaks get the VIP treatment. They’re cooked to your liking before being seared under a 1,200-degree broiler. On weekends, Wagyu prime rib attracts tourists and locals. Indulgent entrées, such as salads topped with shrimp, halibut, and short ribs, are just as enjoyable as the steaks.
Visit for happy hour to enjoy appetizers, prime rib dips, and handcrafted cocktails at a price you’ll love.
22. Cattlemens
Every bite at Cattlemens steakhouse explodes with flavor. This restaurant is known for its famous bone-in steaks. Each entrée includes access to the all-you-can-eat salad bar, sourdough bread, beans, and a choice of potatoes.
Expect big eats here, with most cuts of steak weighing 14 oz. or more. The two-lb. Porterhouse is particularly impressive. Smaller cuts of divine prime rib and sirloin satisfy smaller appetites. This restaurant gets busy, so reservations are recommended.
Marin
After exploring Marin’s picturesque landscapes, stop by these local steakhouses to recharge.
23. Buckeye Roadhouse
Buckeye Roadhouse's unique Aspen lodge-style dining room cultivates a cozy mood with vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace. After sipping drinks at the rustic bar, dine on traditional steakhouse favorites with a contemporary touch.
The restaurant emphasizes fresh, local ingredients, so the menu changes frequently. However, steaks prepared on a wood-fired grill are staples alongside smoked ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket. In the mornings, the venue doubles as a drive-through coffee shop.
24. Marin Joe’s Restaurant
Generations of Italian chefs have helped Marin Joe’s Restaurant flourish. Today, it’s under the ownership of Romano Della Santina, who was awarded the title of Cavaliere in Italy thanks to his emphasis on honoring his heritage.
Naturally, you’ll find a heavy emphasis on traditional Italian fare here, but these chefs know how to prepare an amazing steak in their mesquite broiler. They’re served with your choice of sauce, seasonal vegetables, and potatoes, although you can mix things up and order a side of spaghetti or ravioli.
Savor the Richness and Variety at the Bay Area’s Premier Steakhouses
After you've had your fill at the Bay Area’s steakhouses, finish the evening with one of our shows. We subvert expectations and weave intricate stories that will have you wondering what's going to happen next.
Our daring feats will leave you in awe as we leap and dance across the stage or soar overhead. Come to our shows in the Bay Area, and we'll take your mind on a wacky and whimsical journey.