Whether you crave a bone-in filet or a tender cut of wagyu, meat lovers can’t get enough of San Diego’s 10 best steakhouses.
The stunning dining room at Born and Raised; PHOTO BY ZACK BENSON
This sky-lit Michelin Guide-recommended steakhouse in Little Italy is the place to be for a special night out, offering art deco interiors and stellar food and drinks. Be sure to flag down the martini cart to kick the evening up a notch.
Enjoy waterfront views while digging into beautiful steaks at this Harbor Island institution. Any turf can surf here, including the center-cut filet mignon, which can be served alongside garlicky herb prawns, scallops or a cold-water lobster tail.
Tender meat options await at Rare Society. PHOTO BY MATT FURMAN
At Rare Society, the only thing more notable than the gilded interiors is the curated menu of steakhouse favorites. Whichever high-end cut you go with, couple it with one of the decadent sides, from pickled fried onion rings to cheesy shell mac, at its University Heights or Solana Beach locations.
From the brothers behind the Mastro’s empire comes this upscale dining staple in Del Mar. With a master in-house butcher, cuts range from the New York strip to the rare three-ounce cut of A5 Kobe wine-fed beef, best served alongside the crowd-pleasing crispy shrimp.
Animae’s enchanting dining room; COURTESY OF BLUE BRIDGE HOSPITALITY
When it comes to wagyu, chef James Beard-nominated chef Tara Monsod does it best at Animae in the Marina District. Sourced from Japan’s finest cattle, each cut of beef is gloriously marbled and seared over a robata grill, showcasing one-of-a-kind umami flavor.
Cowboy Star Restaurant & Butcher Shop
When a trip to the Wild West isn’t in the cards, this rancher’s paradise in the East Village is the way to go. Indulge in contemporary steaks and sides that keep even the most true-to-tradition country crowd coming back for more.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
With 65 restaurant locations nationwide, this iconic steakhouse remains a favorite among the San Diego community. Stop by its Gaslamp Quarter location to discover chilled shellfish towers, crisp wedge salads and USDA prime cuts of meat.
The city meets the beach at Lou & Mickey’s, where peppercorn-sauced prime steaks can be paired with minty mojitos and rum swizzles. Pull up a seat on the shaded outdoor patio or bask in its classic wood dining room, where cuts are updated daily.
Chef Richard Blais and executive chef John Bautista’s steakhouse at Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad has flavorful dishes down to a tee, serving fresh catches, wagyu burgers, ember-grilled cuts and many other culinary delicacies against the backdrop of the resort’s verdant golf course.
Huntress' impressive tomahawk; PHOTO BY SAM WELLS
Huntress enchants steakhouse connoisseurs who thought they’d seen it all with a sizable Japanese whisky collection, tableside caviar, dry-aged butcher cuts and a touch of culinary magic. Don’t miss the artful desserts at this Gaslamp Quater favorite.
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