Houston’s reputation of being an epic steakhouse town is well-known, with a bounty of restaurants showcasing the highest quality cuts of meat in moody dining rooms fit for savoring red meat and fine wine. But, proteins sourced from top tier Texas cattle ranchers and rare cuts from around the world are just the beginning. Houston’s top steakhouses have so much more to offer, from jaw-dropping seafood towers and raw bar gems to sides and desserts that are just as worthy as the meat. Impressive wine selections, including obscure finds and special occasion bottles, further elevate the experience.
With plenty of steakhouses to explore, choosing between them can be a good problem to have. Consider this guide of Houston’s most lavish steakhouses that both shine in food and hospitality, and wow with showy interiors and luxe dining spaces.
Doris Metropolitan
This glamorous restaurant from Sof Hospitality (Hamsa, Okto), offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional steakhouse experience. A lively U-shaped bar leads seamlessly into the main dining room where guests can explore a slew of proteins and sides with Middle Eastern flavor. Meats like the bone-in ribeye ($100) and the 34-ounce porterhouse ($160) are dry-aged for 27 days and butchered in house. Unconventional steakhouse starters like the artichoke flower salad with tzatziki, and sides like carrots with mint labneh and honey harissa glace ($14), round out the menu. 2815 S Shepherd Dr., Houston, dorismetropolitan.com
Steak 48
Situated within River Oaks District, Houston’s ritzy shopping and dining mecca, Steak 48 offers both style and substance. The dimly-lit two-story space is buzzing with the constant murmur of spirited diners on most nights, and the menu ensures even the heftiest of cravings will be satisfied. Go for something classic like the 28-day wet-aged NY strip ($75), cut in-house by Steak 48’s master butcher, or splurge on the jaw-dropping bone-in wagyu tomahawk ($285) from Snake River Farms, clocking in at a whopping 46-ounces. Adding sides to the table is where you can truly get adventurous, with options like whipped praline sweet potato ($17), corn creme brulee ($19), asparagus fries ($18), and fire-roasted cauliflower ($19). 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, steak48.com
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
The Pappas family of restaurants is cherished among Houstonians, with its prized steakhouse considered among the city’s best of the best. With locations in Uptown and Downtown, the traditional-style steakhouse is a draw for locals and visitors alike, and is consistently praised for its food, hospitality, and stellar wine program, which includes 4,000 wines from around the world. Worth noting is that meats are butchered and dry-aged in-house for a minimum of 28 days. Presented alongside steakhouse traditions like Caesar salad, fried oysters, potatoes au gratin, and haricot verts, the experience is classic and comforting. 5839 Westheimer Rd., Houston, pappasbros.com
Turner’s Cut
Berg Hospitality has a few steakhouses within its collection of restaurants, with the newly opened Turner’s Cut being the crown jewel among them. Located in Autry Park, the restaurant’s grandiose design is a callback to the lavishness of New York’s Gilded Age, featuring an intensely romantic space bedecked with chandeliers, a bar built from gold-cut crystal glass, and a mezzanine level overlooking the main dining room where live entertainers perform for guests. Here, rare cuts like Japanese A5 and American wagyu are the main attraction, but tableside cart offerings like king crab and caviar from the raw bar cart, and hand-crafted beverages from the martini cart make the experience feel tailored to each guest. 811 Buffalo Pk. Dr. Ste. 160, Houston, turnerscut.com
Marmo
This modern Italian chophouse from the Atlas Restaurant Group (Loch Bar, Azumi) showcases a menu of premium, dry-aged steaks with fresh, hand-rolled pastas. A meal may begin with raw oysters on the half shell, or something heartier like the Tuscan fried chicken with garlic aioli ($16), leading to a cowboy ribeye ($88) amped up with Italian chimichurri, or the veal chop parmigiana ($65). Visit during Marmo’s popular happy hour in the bar, and take advantage of discounted eats and sips, with entertainment from a live pianist. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 109, Houston, marmoitalian.com
Mastro’s Steakhouse
With plenty of locations across the country, including in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City, Mastro’s is well regarded for its food and lively atmosphere. Its Houston outpost combines the comfort and familiarity of Mastro’s signature menu with a vibey space, which features an open-air patio and cascading water feature. With offerings like the colossal crab cocktail ($55) and Japanese A5 wagyu hot stone ($78), and a premium selection of 28-day wet-aged steaks, it’s easy to go big at Mastro’s. 1650 W. Loop S., Houston, mastrosrestaurants.com
Brenner’s Steakhouse
This storied steakhouse, dating back to 1936, is classically Houston, and its outpost on the bayou is hailed as one of the dreamiest venues in the city. Set upon the banks of Buffalo Bayou, the restaurant boasts rustic, woodsy charm and striking views of its lush surroundings. The menu leans traditional with items like pan-seared foie gras, lobster thermidor, and Alaskan king crab legs, with substantial steak offerings including a Heartbrand beef NY strip and filet mignon from Snake River Farms. As a bonus, Brenner’s Blue Bar, which overlooks the bayou, is a casual alternative for guests looking to enjoy cocktails and bar bites while basking in the restaurant’s majestic setting. 1 Birdsall St., Houston, brennerssteakhouse.com
Rainbow Lodge
Known as much for its wild game and steaks as it is for its serene environs set upon the White Oak Bayou, Rainbow Lodge is a special occasion destination in every sense of the word. Housed inside a 100-year-old log cabin, guests are led through the narrow corridors and various rooms to their table, before embarking on a carnivorous feast featuring dishes like smoked duck gumbo ($10), grilled North American elk chop ($68), and a molasses-braised beef short rib ($38). Visit during the elegant Sunday brunch service, and enjoy dishes like duck chilaquiles and brioche French toast, while appreciating the restaurant in all of its morning glory. 2011 Ella Blvd., Houston, rainbow-lodge.com
Credence
For decades, the Goode Co. family of restaurants has garnered fanfare for its dedication to honoring Texas culinary traditions and live-fire cooking techniques. Credence, the new ranch-inspired restaurant, which recently opened at the McKinley in Memorial City, further cements the company’s ethos with an elevated approach to regional American fare and a worthy steak program. Along with indulgent options like the fire-roasted seafood tower and wild Gulf snapper with trout roe, Credence features a number of steaks grilled over Texas mesquite and post oak in the restaurant’s custom-made hearth. If time permits, consider a pre- or post- dinner cocktail at Sidebar, a speakeasy set adjacent to the restaurant. 9757 Katy Fwy. #170, Houston, credencehtx.com
Vic & Anthony’s
Vic & Anthony’s has been a worthy name in the steakhouse game for more than two decades. The glamorous Downtown restaurant is spread across two floors, with a vibrant bar and lounge scene that greets guests as they approach the main dining room. The menu is substantial, with highlights including Japanese A5 filet mignon and a 40-ounce tomahawk chop, and decadent complements like jumbo lump crab Oscar, roasted jalapenos, and bone marrow. 1510 Texas Ave., Houston, vicandanthonys.com
