In a city as diverse and crazy about eating as San Francisco, steakhouses come in as many different forms as its citizenry. Classics reign but new-fangled cuts and stunning presentations dot the beefy landscape. These are our San Francisco Best Steakhouse winners, selected by our editors — look for our readers’ choice winner, selected by our audience.
Feature Image: Courtesy of Alexander’s Steakhouse
In and Around Downtown:
Embarcadero, FiDi, Union Square, Chinatown
124 Ellis St, San Francisco
If you’re after an innovative fine dining experience, this new Union Square opening brings an already celebrated Los Angeles Restaurant to a massive 6,500 square foot space on Ellis Street. ABSteak will offer an elevated combination of Korean flavors and American steakhouse service to the city’s vibrant dining scene from globally acclaimed Korean Chef Akira Back.
63 Ellis St, Union Square
This landmark restaurant was established all the way back in 1908 and hasn’t missed a beat since. Period furnishings and dark paneled walls dotted with photos of the city’s movers and shakers reflect the restaurant’s history, along with transporting diners back to the early 20th century. For a classic steak dinner, get a ribeye steak drizzled in peppercorn sauce with fresh vegetables and a baked potato. For those in the mood for some surf and turf, get their lobster bisque, so rich and luxurious that it’ll have you licking the bowl for every last drop.
Revel in the majesty of next door neighbor, Grace’s Cathedral as you enter, then snuggle into a black, tufted banquette to await the skillet-roasted chorizo cheese bread (even better with a Vieux Carre cocktail). The asparagus soup is a must-try and the bone-in veal chop and Tomahawk pork chop shift the focus away from aged beef. Filet mignon with or without the bone are classic.
This luxurious restaurant is built in a former Bank of America vault, with stylish decor and live music nightly. Come early for their happy hour to sip on a classic French 75 or Old Fashioned while munching on caprese skewers – the perfect setting for a date night or girls’ night out. If you’re there for dinner, settle down for an elegant meal, whether you’re getting oysters on the half shell and shrimp cocktail from the raw bar, or a prized cut of A5 Miyazaki wagyu with creamed horseradish.
In or Around Fisherman’s Wharf:
Ghirardelli Square, Russian Hill, North Beach
American and Japanese-raised Wagyu lead off a menu of beef classics such as steak Diane and pepper steak. Fans love the triple-arched wooden bar. Lined with green club chairs, it is the perfect spot to savor a martini and live jazz from the piano and a standing bass.
Of course you are here for the prime rib, cut tableside, served large and with a side of Yorkshire pudding as King Henry VIII would have it. Smaller appetites can sate themselves with The English Cut (sliced thin) and seasonal greens, similarly prepared tableside. Everyone gets to enjoy the wood-paneled room, comfy chairs and roaring fireplace.
Near AT&T Park and Chase Center:
Dogpatch, SoMa
Japanese and Italian flavors enliven a tasting menu spun with kanpachi and Wagyu tataki. But beef connoisseurs descend on the clubby space for wet and dry-aged American rib eyes and porterhouses, an extensive menu of specialized Japanese Wagyu (olive-fed Sanuki Kagawa A5, anyone?) and epic desserts to match.
An in-house aging program, emphasis on wood-fired cooking, and Asian flavor tilt mean ember-roasted Japanese A5 can be tried individually or as part of a tasting menu and the crispy pig ears find their jazz hands with chili fish caramel and cilantro. For dessert, the wagyu fat brownie topped with miso dots is a must.
In or Near Presidio:
Cow Hollow, Marina, Presidio Heights
1450 Lombard Street, Marina
415.441.8880
Known in equal measure for the SF 49ers porterhouse (said to weigh 49 ounces or more) and a six pound crab feast, Bobo’s balances a menu of steak and seafood with traditional steakhouse salads (iceberg wedge) and sides (creamy spinach, loaded baked potato).
Who’s writing these?
Meet our always-hungry team team of foodies who have compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
