Best Steakhouses in San Francisco

Best Steakhouses in San Francisco

Clean Plate Club

Clean Plate Club

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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 for 2023, 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

Photo: Ming V. via John's Grill

John’s Grill

63 Ellis St, Union Square

415.986.0069

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. johnsgrill.com

Photo: Osso Steakhouse

Osso Steakhouse

Revel in the majesty of next door neighbor, Graces 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. Hours are 5:30pm to 8:30pm daily. ossosteakhouse.com

Photo: The Vault Steakhouse Facebook

The Vault Steakhouse & Garden

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. vaultsteakhouse.com

In or Around Fisherman’s Wharf:

Ghirardelli Square, Russian Hill, North Beach

Photo: Harris'

Harris'

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. Hours are 5pm to 9pm Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 5pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday, closed Monday. harrisrestaurant.com

Photo: House of Prime Rib

House of Prime Rib

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. Hours are 5pm to 10pm Monday through Friday, 4pm to 10pm Saturday and Sunday. houseofprimerib.net

Near AT&T Park and Chase Center:

Dogpatch, SoMa

Photo: Aleader's Steakhouse

Alexander's Steakhouse

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. Hours are 5:30pm to 9pm daily. alexanderssteakhouse.com

Niku Steakhouse

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. Hours are 5:30pm to 9pm Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. nikusteakhouse.com

In or Near Presidio:

Cow Hollow, Marina, Presidio Heights

Photo: Bobo Quivaris

Bobo Quivaris

Known in equal measure for the SF 49ers porterhouse (said to weigh 49 ounces or more) and a six pound crab feast, Bobos balances a menu of steak and seafood with traditional steakhouse salads (iceberg wedge) and sides (creamy spinach, loaded baked potato). Hours are 5pm to 10pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Hours are 5pm to 10pm Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. boboquivaris.com

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.

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