Tex-Mex joints, barbecue, and steaks. If three topics could spur more enthusiastic debate among North Texans, we’d love to know what they are. Because, everyone who lives in Dallas-Fort Worth has a strong opinion on at least one of these things.
With more than 200 restaurants in the area celebrated for serving excellent steaks—whether tried-and-true steakhouses, fine dining destinations, or the occasional casual eatery—choices can be overwhelming. This list showcases a well-rounded bunch, with each excelling at beef, as well as other chops, seafood, and to-die-for side dishes. Find long-time favorites and brand-new spots worth making reservations the next time your protein level drops or an ice-cold dirty martini with bleu cheese olives beckons from afar.
Knife Steakhouse
Chef John Tesar’s treasured steakhouse brand has three different locations throughout DFW, including Knife Dallas, Knife Plano, and Knife Italian Steak, the newest restaurant addition to the recently debuted hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. One through-line between all locations showcases Tesar’s dedication to beef and his exacting in-house dry-aging process. The aging process allows diners to compare the flavor and texture difference of 32-ounce ribeyes aged either 45, 60, 90, 120, or 240 days. Opt for the family-recipe baked clams at Knife Italian Steak and the bacon tasting at the Park Cities and Plano locations. Multiple locations, knifedallas.com
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
What speaks volumes about Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is that much of its staff has been there since it opened in 1998 — and they have no plans to leave. Spend an evening there yourself, and you won’t want to either. From the coziness felt from dining amidst the roaring fireplace to the warm hospitality and epic wine program, Pappas Bros. holds a place on most Dallasites’ favorite steakhouse list. The menu is simple, but strong, listing filet mignons, rib eyes, and strips, alongside a couple of seafood options for those who are less red meat-inclined. Desserts are Texas-sized and well worth it. 10477 Lombardy Ln., Dallas, pappasbros.com
Bar-Ranch Steak Company
Steak nerds unite and rejoice at this 900 square-foot butcher shop that transforms into a six-table steakhouse after dark. The owner keeps the operation small to ensure a top notch experience delivered at the highest quality. Steaks are dry-aged on site for at least a month — and in some cases, close to a year — in a Himalayan salt chamber, in full view of diners. Steakhouse aficionados who really know their beef consider this place the best in the city. 1016 E. 15th St., Plano, barranchco.com
Trick Rider
The bar of this restaurant inside the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa deserves just as much praise as its steak program. A 16-foot-long horse made of 4,000 crystals hangs suspended from the ceiling, demanding the attention of guests. It’s strangely beautiful, and could not be more on brand with Dallas. Belly up to the horse-shoe shaped bar, and order a martini and oysters on the half-shell. Take in all of the cowboy-chic touches, like salt and pepper shakers topped with silver horse heads, before exploring the meaty section of the menu, naturally designated as the Stable of Meats. 4341 PGA Pkwy., Frisco, omnihotels.com
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Any steak program in Fort Worth has fierce competition, but B&B Butchers stands out, in part because it’s one of a few dozen restaurants in the country that has Japan’s Kobe Beef Association’s prestigious certification. True Kobe Beef is made purely of Tajima cattle, and it must meet a strict set of criteria to determine its quality, including its marbling score, and when and where it was slaughtered. Because B&B specializes in this exclusive, world-renowned beef, every steak tastes like a special occasion. Sip a robust red while you await your ribeye with a side of lobster-whipped mashed potatoes. If you’d like to try your hand at cooking these choice filets, pop into the adjacent butcher shop. 5212 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth, bbbutchers.com
Al Biernat’s
Since 1998, Al Biernat has been a name associated with superb steaks. Despite his passing last year, the quality has remained top-tier at both the original Oak Lawn location and the newer North Dallas one. Unmatched service has created a legion of regulars who adore signature dishes such as escargot and tortellini, crab and corn chowder, and impressive three-tier chilled seafood towers or premium Ossetra caviar service. On the steak front, prime rib can’t be beaten or the unique Steak Miguel, sliced center-cut ribeye topped with pimento, onion, jalapeño, and green peppercorn sauce. And if you’re a vodka lover, “Al’s Blue-Chip Martini” should be the first words out of your mouth once seated. Multiple locations, albiernats.com
EVELYN
EVELYN made its Design District debut this past March. The steakhouse bucks the traditionally masculine decor of most steakhouses for a more feminine vibe. Part old Hollywood, part retro discotheque, the unexpected combination is executed flawlessly. Though you’ll find caviar, crudos, seafood towers, pork, and lamb on the menu, beef basks in the spotlight here. From a 14-ounce Texas Wagyu strip to an Australian F-1 Wagyu Tomahawk, yield to temptation to compare a couple of different cuts with your table with some ribeye chicharron mac and cheese and au gratin potato pave on the side. 1201 Turtle Creek Blvd., evelyndallastx.com
Nuri Steakhouse
With a $16 million price tag for the interiors, Nuri stuns as gold, marble, mirrors, and natural light work in tandem to provide an art deco-inspired backdrop. Nuri translates to “whole world” in Korean, and you’ll find flavors from Asia, New Orleans, and the American South on the menu. Start with truffle Wagyu dumplings and the nine delicacies of the Emperor’s Palette, including bulgogi, king crab, and enoki mushrooms, before moving on to mains such as Korean Chili Lobster, steaks dry-aged for 40-plus days, and two different Akaushi tomahawks. The kimchi fried rice is a must, and Maque Choux Corn Cheese offers a taste of NOLA on the table. 2401 Cedar Springs Rd, Ste. 120, nuristeakhouse.com
Tango Room
The term “hidden gem” gets thrown around a lot, but in the case of Tango Room, no better description exists. Tucked away in a nondescript Design District center, once you’re through the doors and past the velvet drapes, you’re transported to an intimate space that feels immensely special. Original artwork, including a Warhol, elevates the decor. Once seated, ask the director and co-owner, Simon Roberts, who’s usually on-site, to guide you through the 1,200-bottle wine list for a perfect selection. Swirl your glass as you bite into the lobster corndog, a must have. Then go for the rarely seen Denver cut of beef, either accompanied by duck fried rice, roasted heirloom carrots, or pomme purée. 1617 Hi Line Dr. Ste. 250, tangoroomdallas.com
Toro Toro
Just off Sundance Square inside the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, Toro Toro brings to the North Texas scene the Pan-Latin flavors that have made world-renowned chef Richard Sandoval a national treasure. That means you’ll get your Wagyu fix, but in Brazilian Picanha style. Order it solo, or get it as part of the lavish Toro Toro Churrasco that also includes Prime ribeye, chicken cusco, and Colorado lamp chops, served with chimichurri, salsa macha, and grilled shisito peppers. 200 Main St., Fort Worth, torotorofortworth.com
Crown Block
Dallas’s most famous skyline feature, Reunion Tower, welcomed a new restaurant into its orb in 2023 and the Michline Recommended steakhouse gives its guests food that rivals the 360-degree city views. Steak, seafood, and plant-based options ensure everyone has a delightful time. Start with a tequila-based Crown Blockberry cocktail while perusing the sushi menu for starters, followed by a jumbo prawn cocktail and classic BLT wedge, before moving into cuts including Prime, bone-in Kansas City and Japanese A5 Miyazakigyu striploins. Crown Block’s Sunday brunch ranks as one of the most impressive in town too. 300 Reunion Blvd. E., crownblockdallas.com
STK Steakhouse
The moment you walk through the doors of this Uptown restaurant, it’s clear that it isn’t your typical steakhouse. It originated in New York’s Meatpacking District, so “hip and chic” are part of its DNA. The steak menu’s broken down into small, medium, and large categories to help guide you to match your appetite. Choose the 10-ounce ribeye filet with a mushroom pot pie as your side, after a shellfish platter for the table to share. 2000 McKinney Ave., stksteakhouse.com
Monarch
49 stories above Downtown Dallas, Monarch reigns as one of the most beautifully designed restaurants in the city. Book a reservation 30 minutes before sunset and request a seat by the window, and witness the spectacular transformation from day to night. Two-Michelin Star chef Danny Grant leads the kitchen, which excels equally at steaks, seafood, and fresh pasta dishes. Order the chef’s tasting menu, which culminates with a final savory course of Wagyu filet, or go a la carte with the simple preparation of the Bistecca alla Fiorentina Porterhouse paired with fire- roasted lasagna Diane. Steak and lasagna somehow work incredibly well as a combo. 1401 Elm St., monarchrestaurants.com
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Dallasites often express a deep rivalry with Houstonians, but all look the other way when it comes to Houston-based Perry’s. Specifically when it comes to Perry’s Famous Pork Chop, an impressive “seven fingers high” cut. (A smaller portion is available for lunch on Fridays if you’re afraid to tackle its normal 28-32-ounce size.) The surf and turf section of the menu features six different meat-and-seafood combinations. Go for the Filet Perry, wrapped in bacon and topped with lump crab for smaller appetites, or the Signature Steakhouse Smorgasbord for Four with a porterhouse, pork chop, lamb lollipops, crab cakes, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and broiled seafood-stuffed mushrooms. Multiple locations, perryssteakhouse.com
CATCH Dallas
Don’t let the seafood-themed name fool you—beef wows here, too. Indulge in one of three types of Wagyu beef seared on a hot rock at the table for a rare treat, along with a tight collection of sushi rolls and nigiri. Wagyu fried rice with lobster showcases the restaurant’s signature Asian spin for a unique surf-and-turf option. Or, create your own combo with a 14-ounce Prime ribeye and miso-glazed sea bass. The $95 Sunday brunch climate-controlled patio experience features multiple stations and includes a visit from the caviar cart, making it a real bargain for anyone who likes to sample a bit of everything. 3005 Maple Ave., catchrestaurants.com
Haywire
When you want to enjoy a steak without any pretense, Haywire fits the bill. The 8-ounce garlic-stuffed filet is a favorite, and also the 18-ounce bone-in cowboy cut paired with mesquite-grilled Gulf shrimp.Cap off your visit with a Haywire old fashioned, upgraded to a Texas-sized pour with a special house whiskey blend. Multiple locations, haywirerestaurant.com
SER Steak + Spirits
Some of the best views of the Downtown and Uptown Dallas skylines await on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole, home to SER Steak + Spirits. Set the stage for decadence with a caviar churro, coconut lobster bisque, and a basket of Parker rolls. Angus and Wagyu steaks equally impress, as well as non-beef options including rabbit ragu or pork collar over cheddar grits. The sommeliers are excellent and can suggest by-the-course pairings or a bottle that will taste good with everything. 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy. Floor 27, sersteak.com
Dee Lincoln Prime
The eponymous restaurant of Dee Lincoln, aka the “Queen of Steaks” who gained national notoriety as co-founder of Del Frisco’s, is located near the word headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys. The destination restaurant is one of the few places you can enjoy highly coveted Kobe beef, as well as sushi, king crab and bone marrow, chargrilled oysters, and an 800-label wine list. Stick around for cocktails and live music in Havana Dee’s Lounge. 6670 Winning Dr., Ste. 400, Frisco, deelincolnprime.com
