20 Delicious Steakhouses In San Diego You Must Try

As much as we SoCal locals can’t get enough of Mexican cuisine, sometimes there’s nothing quite like a top-quality, juicy steak. And let me tell you, a quality steakhouse in San Diego is something you cannot afford to miss!

If you prefer to stick to tried and tested spots, you’ll have your pick of much-loved steakhouses in San Diego.

Those of you who like to branch out can uncover the city’s line-up of independent haunts, famed for dishing up the best steak in San Diego. 

Whether you’re a local living in La Jolla or a visitor vacationing in Coronado, keep reading to find the finest steakhouse near you!

Steakhouses In San Diego

Independent & Local Chains

Cowboy Star

Address: 640 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 450-5880
Website

Cowboy Star is a gem in the East Village, offering a fine dining experience filled with melt-in-your-mouth steaks and heavenly desserts.

This is a steakhouse that manages to retain its status as an upscale restaurant while maintaining a laid-back ambiance. This is thanks to the attentive staff and warm, chic interior. 

Now, onto the most important part! Cowboy Star’s menu features the likes of fresh oysters and tasty halibut if someone in your group doesn’t fancy steak. That being said, the steaks are the star of the show here and start from $56. 

Speaking of menu. When I went there for my birthday a few years ago, they made me a special menu with my name and birthday wishes. That was a cute little detail that made the night even more special.

Don’t miss out on their oh-so-juicy wagyu skirt steak, or opt for the 18 oz dry-aged ribeye and split it with your other half.

Parking won’t be an issue, as plenty of lots are just a short stroll away.

Huntress

Address: 376 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 329-4868
Website

For anyone looking to get dressed up and share a meal with your special someone, Huntress is the place to be if you really want to impress!

Head to downtown San Diego, and you’ll find Huntress sitting pretty in the Gaslamp Quarter. The interior is gorgeous with high ceilings, hanging lights, and clean furnishings. 

The menu is as dazzling as the decor. Steaks start from just $42 and are served alongside dreamy sides like whipped potato puree and truffle fries. We recommend arriving hungry and tucking into the prime tomahawk, the Huntress’ signature offering, which comes with three sides.

Don’t forget to safe room for dessert. They are famous for the most intricately designed and stunning deserts. Check out the magic mushroom desert below. Isn’t it beautiful?

Born And Raised

Address: 1909 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 202-4577
Website

Nowhere does dining in style better than Born And Raised in Little Italy. 

This steakhouse in San Diego is as swanky as they come, with a glamorous gold interior and an equally beautiful rooftop. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink from their cocktail menu. 

Choose from juicy filets and ribeyes or dry-aged t-bone cuts before adding your choice of sauces and sides.

The dirty hashbrowns are hard to beat, but the mac and cheese is a close second! Steaks here range from $52 right up to $158 for their sampling platter.

Rare Society

Address: 4130 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: (619) 501-6404
Website

A small Californian chain of steakhouses, Rare Society is a retro spot that gives a nod to old-school Las Vegas.

With its leather booths, gold ceilings, and wooden furnishings, Rare Society’s University Heights location is everything you imagine a glitzy steakhouse to look like. As passionate as the team here is about the aesthetics, they’re even more devoted to dishing up premium steaks.

Get the gang together and share the seafood tower before sampling a selection of the chef’s cuts of the evening. These include the likes of their acclaimed Australian wagyu and their 40 day dry-aged NY strip.

The menu has plenty of affordable options, with steaks starting from just $41 apiece.

The Butcher Shop

Address: 5255 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 565-2272
Website

Ask a local where to eat steak in San Diego, and there’s a good chance they’ll send you straight to The Butcher Shop in Kearny Mesa.

This Chicago-inspired steakhouse feels elegant but cozy, filled with dark red leather booths, homely fireplaces, and vintage artworks. 

Here is a little fun fact about Greg and Maria: We actually got engaged at this place, so we definitely have fond memories of eating there.

For your first visit, you must try their prime rib, which is available in three sizes and is accompanied by garlic bread, soup or salad, and your choice of sides. Best of all, this fabulous spread will only set you back 50 bucks. 

Alternatively, build your perfect plate and pick your cut, topping, sauce, and side!

Lou & Mickey’s

Address: 224 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 237-4900
Website

Just a few minutes from the San Diego convention center is Lou & Mickey’s, a well-established and locally-loved chophouse. If you sit outside, you can see the lid-up Gaslamp Quarter arch and watch the people stroll up and down 5th Avenue.

Inside, you’ll find a classic yet laid-back restaurant with wooden decor and large tables for group dining, and the outdoor patio is the go-to spot when the sun is out.

Considering this is among the most buzzing steakhouses in San Diego, Lou & Mickey’s has a huge selection of alternatives, including fresh mahi mahi, char-grilled chicken, and clam linguine. I am in love with their raw bar offerings and their oysters are fantastic!

Their signature steaks begin from $38 for a succulent sirloin, while their dry-aged porterhouse continues to be a long-standing favorite.

Cafe La Maze

Address: 1441 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950
Phone: (619) 474-3222
Website

This is probably the San Diego Steakhouse with the most history. Started in 1941, this restaurant was a favorite hangout spot for Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, and Johnny Weissmuller whenever they were in San Diego.

You can still feel the glitz and glamour of Holywood, and it almost feels like a time capsule of a bygone era. Sit back in the plush red leather booth, slurp a Manhattan, and listen to some jazz while waiting for your prime rib. This place is old school in the best possible way. Oh, and did I mention they have the best prime rib in San Diego?

Turf Supper Club

Address: 1116 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: (619) 234-6363
Website

San Diego steakhouses go way beyond the downtown area, as the Turf Supper Club has been proving for quite some time now.

Situated in the Golden Hill area, this unique spot is something between a dive bar and a self-grill eatery. A quirky way to get your steak fix, Turf Supper Club serves up martinis in a moody, dark setting while you cook your steak of choice exactly how you like it.

Seeing as you’ll be hitting the grill yourself, you can get your hands on steaks for less than $20! This is perfect for a budget-friendly night out or simply a unique experience.

Another unusual feature of the Turf Supper Club is their late-night service, with food served until 1 am every night.

Stake Chophouse Coronado

Address: 1309 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
Phone: (619) 522-0077
Website

Coronado is famed for being effortlessly classy and stylish, something which Stake Chophouse perfectly reflects.

Make sure you have plenty of room in your stomach before visiting, as you’ll want to get your hands on their amazing starters and sides to complement your steak.

Kick off your meal with some oysters or beef tartare before the main event. Then choose from a wide variety of steaks, ranging from popular cuts like bone-in ribeye to wagyu-tasting platters.

Meals here are on the higher end, with steaks ranging from $68 to $215. 

Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

Address: 658 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 232-0225
Website

In the center of the bustling Gaslamp Quarter is Greystone Prime, a steakhouse in San Diego set in a split-level dining space.

Drop your car at one of the nearby parking garages or leave it at home and try a glass from their excellent wine selection before you explore the menu. 

Greystone Prime has won numerous accolades for their wagyu steaks, so you can’t stop by without trying their American or Japanese offerings.

You can enjoy a filet mignon for just over $40 before adding your choice of drool-worthy pairings, including lobster tail and Italian truffles.

You’re sure to love this San Diego steakhouse.

Rei do Gado

Address: 939 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 702-8464
Website

Rei do Gado is a Brazilian restaurant in downtown San Diego that has become renowned for its all-you-eat meat-filled dining experiences. Yes, you read that correctly!

This timeless steakhouse has a chilled-out atmosphere and a spread to rival any buffet.

Some of their delectable meats include Brazilian favorites like picanha, BBQ pork ribs, and ribeye steaks. Between filling up on as much meat as you can handle, enjoy their salad bar and other South American dishes.

For less than $28, you can munch on unlimited servings of five of their top meats if you dine between Wednesday and Friday at lunchtime.

You’ll find the Horton Plaza parking garage just five minutes away.

Chain Steakhouses in San Diego

Galpão Gaucho

Address: 789 W Harbor Dr #134, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 373-9969
Website

Galpão Gaucho is a Brazillian Steakhouse in The Old Headquarters by Seaport Village. As customary with Brazillian steakhouses, they serve an all-you-can-eat “buffet”, which includes a sides, soup, and salad bar with 45+ different options, and, most importantly, 17 different cuts of meat and seafood that are brought to your table and you can indulge in them as your heart desires.

Greg and I live nearby, so when it opened, we had to check it out. The restaurant is pretty bit, but it is divided into smaller sections, so it still feels small and intimate.

The food there is really good as well. Often, at AYCE restaurants, the quality is lacking. But the meat and seafood we had at Galpão Gaucho were of decent quality, and the shrimp and steak were cooked perfectly.

Steak 48

Address: 12995 El Camino Real, Del Mar, CA 92130
Phone: (619) 901-0048
Website

Steak 48 is a small, high-end steakhouse chain that recently opened in Del Mar. If you are looking for a luxurious steakhouse that has all the bells and whistles, this one is a great choice.

From a mouthwatering raw bar selection to three choice of caviar, an exquisite wine and liquor list that satisfies even the most spoiled palate, and of course steaks in all shapes and sizes, this steakhouse has something for everyone.

Del Frisco’s

Address: 901 Bayfront Ct Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 272-5060
Website

Del Frisco Steakhouse fans must check out San Diego’s branch along the harbor.

This elegant, coastal-inspired joint has gained a reputation for both its meat and seafood selections, with highlights including its king crab, dry-aged steaks, and prime ribeyes.

Steaks at Del Frisco’s start from $55 and gradually increase with the quality. 

Morton’s 

Address: 285 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 696-3369
Website

Not far from Del Frisco’s is another ever-so-chic steakhouse in San Diego, Morton’s. This has become a hotspot for celebrating special occasions.

Opt for a flavorful cajun ribeye or a perfectly marbled wagyu, then level up your meal with some of Morton’s enhancements and sauces, from their cognac sauce au poivre to their sauteed Brussels sprouts.

Though Morton’s leans towards fine dining, the vibe is a little more casual if you stop by at lunchtime. Steaks here range from 54 to 139 bucks apiece.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Address: 380 K Street, Fourth Ave at, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 237-1155
Website

Just steps away from Petco Park is Fleming’s, a treasured all-American steakhouse that needs no introduction.

As delicious as the steaks, the sides and desserts are every bit as tasty, from their chipotle mac and cheese to their rich chocolate lava cake.

That being said, it’s probably best to share these with your dinner buddies, as finishing them alone is a difficult feat!

For $53, you can get your hands on a melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon, and their seafood offerings are similarly priced. 

Ruth’s Chris

Address: 1355 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 233-1422
Website

With a harbor front view almost as sublime as the steak, Ruth’s Chris‘ San Diego location is arguably their most stunning restaurant yet.

This is a highly-regarded chophouse conveniently located a stone’s throw from the US Maritime Museum. It’s an easy choice if you’ve been exploring the city for the day and are now craving a top-of-the-range steak.

If you’re familiar with Ruth’s Chris, you won’t need us to tell you how superb these steaks are, but if you haven’t, head down to try their lobster mac and cheese and their $78 bone-in filets. 

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Address: Multiple Locations
Website

There’s not much we can say about Eddie V’s that hasn’t been said before. Their mouthwatering steaks speak for themselves.

You’ll find Eddie V’s overlooking the Pacific in both La Jolla and downtown. As magnificent as both are in terms of food and decor, La Jolla edges out the downtown branch a little. This is thanks to their outdoor patio, allowing for al fresco dining, San Diego style!

Despite the popularity of their Chilean sea bass and lobster tacos, their juicy 12 oz filet mignon is what they do best, coming in at $59.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Address: 668 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 338-0500
Website

Remember earlier when we mentioned all-you-can-eat meat? Thanks to Fogo de Chao, it’s possible to try some of the best steaks the city has to offer, buffet style!

Famed for its lively atmosphere and outrageously good cuts of red meat, Fogo de Chao serves up bottomless Brazilian salads, seafood, and steaks starting from just $39 per person.

Treat your tastebuds to everything from bone-in ribeye and tenderloin to lamp chops and chicken steak.

As Fogo de Chao is in the Gaslamp Quarter, you’ll easily find parking in one of the garages just a short walk from the restaurant.

STK Steakhouse

Address: 600 F St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 354-5988
Website

If you don’t quite have the appetite for bottomless meat, close to Fogo de Chao is STK, a well-established steakhouse that has both a restaurant and rooftop bar in the Andaz Hotel.

Indulge in some of the juiciest steaks you’ll ever have from their choice of cuts with yummy sauces. After your meal, you can go up to the rooftop, wash down your meal with a cocktail or two, and watch the sun set.

With steaks priced from $69 here, STK is a little more expensive than some of its counterparts, but the quality of meat and fun ambiance makes up for it.

San Diego could rival any other city in terms of excellent steakhouses. Many of the restaurants on this list show that premium-quality steaks are not just for those looking to splash out, as the city has a range of options catering to all budgets.

Regardless if you want to go all out with a premium cut or enjoy a light, leisurely lunch, the steakhouses in San Diego are hard to top!

Looking for more San Diego restaurant ideas? Check out our additional guides below:

Best Burger In San Diego
Top Restaurants In La Jolla
Coronado Restaurants You Must Try
Best San Diego Rooftop Bars
Top Restaurants In San Diego By Neighborhood

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