Tampa Bay may be renowned for its seafood, but it’s also home to several must-visit steakhouses. From perfectly grilled ribeyes to impressive swinging tomahawk steaks—served with delectable sides that rival the main event—we’ve rounded up some of the best steakhouses in the area.
Bern’s Steak House
For nearly seven decades, Bern’s Steak House has been renowned for its legendary steaks and vast wine collection. Led by Executive Chef Chad Johnson, the kitchen crafts everything in-house, from fresh bread to iconic macadamia nut ice cream, while USDA prime beef is dry-aged and butchered on-site. Guests can enjoy post-meal kitchen and wine cellar tours, culminating in a visit to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room for decadent desserts, rare spirits and an exceptional whiskey program. Haven, Bern’s sister concept also led by Johnson, offers a creative space for culinary experimentation while featuring some of Bern’s classic steak dishes.
1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa | (813) 251-2421
Meat Market
Meat Market offers an upscale twist on the traditional steakhouse, providing top-tier steaks, diverse entrees, sumptuous sides, daily specials and refreshing cocktails.
Among the standout offerings is the 64-ounce Flaming Wagyu Swinging Tomahawk, a standout dish featuring ancho-roasted peppers, onions, compressed mango and charred shishito peppers. Pair this premium cut with a glass of Davis Bynum Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, noted for its ripe red cherry and toasted oak tasting notes. Complete your meal with indulgent sides like the decadent lobster mac and cheese and perfectly prepared Brussels sprouts, creating a truly unforgettable dining experience.
For a sophisticated nightlife experience, Meat Market offers The Lounge every Friday and Saturday night, featuring a resident DJ, local musicians and live entertainment. Guests can indulge in multi-course chef tastings, including seafood towers, caviar service, wagyu sampling and other delicacies, as well as selections from the regular dinner menu. The Lounge also provides bottle service, artisanal cocktails, and flights of ultra-premium spirits for a truly elevated evening.
1606 W Snow Ave., Tampa | (813) 280-1113
Driftlight Steakhouse
Downtown Tampa’s staple steakhouse is located in Tampa’s first true luxury hotel, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. The restaurant boasts an elevated menu that prioritizes the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients and features an array of fine-aged steaks and fresh seafood. Indulge in the 30-day dry-aged prime bone-in ribeye or the bison bone-in filet, complemented by delectable sides such as bacon béchamel creamed corn or creamy lemon butter asparagus.
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, 510 Water St., Tampa | (813) 314-6611
Watervüe Grille
Sitting on Harbour Island with stunning Garrison Channel views, Watervüe Grille is renowned for its seafood, but its steak dishes are hidden gems. New on the menu is a 14-ounce chargrilled black Angus NY strip served with pillowy bacon-leek mashed potatoes, roasted spring onions and a signature steak sauce. The beef carpaccio, topped with crispy shallots, garlic oil and Parmigiano, stands out too, as do the slow-braised short rib with crispy Parmesan potatoes and baby carrots, and the tender, slow-smoked lamb shank served with savory bacon, Brussels sprout and potato hash.
700 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa | (813) 642-7980
Caretta on the Gulf
Named after the loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta on the Gulf is Clearwater’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. With floor-to-ceiling Gulf views and fresh, seasonally-inspired cuisine, it offers an unforgettable experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The handcrafted cocktails and expansive wine list— 32 selections by the glass and 273 bottles—perfectly complement the fine dining menu. Dinner highlights include center-cut filets, NY strip steaks, bison, and veal tomahawk steaks served with red wine jus, along with a variety of other offerings like sushi and fresh seafood dishes. The true standout, however, is the peppercorn and sage-crusted rack of elk, accompanied by roasted butternut purée, bacon-braised Brussels sprouts, foraged mushrooms and huckleberry jus.
500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater | (727) 674-4171
Ocean Prime
Ocean Prime is an upscale, seafood-focused restaurant with 19 locations nationwide. Despite its growth, the restaurant maintains its commitment to quality, making everything from scratch—soups, stocks, sauces, pastries, syrups and fresh-squeezed juices for handcrafted cocktails.
In addition to its exceptional seafood, Ocean Prime offers a wide selection of steaks, including wagyu filet and dry-aged bone-in Manhattan wagyu or the classic filet mignon paired with indulgent accoutrements like black truffle butter or garlic shrimp scampi.
Complement your meal with delicious sides like whipped potatoes, miso chili-roasted broccoli or black truffle mac and cheese.
Further indulge your tastebuds with a house-made dessert, such as the ten-layer carrot cake topped with cream cheese icing and pineapple syrup, or the chocolate peanut butter pie featuring peanut butter mousse and bittersweet chocolate ganache.
2205 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa | (813) 490-5288
E&E Stakeout Grill
E&E Stakeout Grill is steeped in the rich tradition of the American steakhouse. Established in 1985 and rebranded in 1993, the restaurant has cultivated a strong sense of community both in and out of the kitchen. Every steak is cut in-house to ensure a fresh, premium dining experience. Guests can savor dishes like the center-cut filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, served alongside baked bread, fresh vegetables, and their choices of sides like savory garlic mashed potatoes, rice medley or sweet potatoes. Complete your meal with a specialty cocktail or indulge in a sweet treat like the deep-dish key lime pie for dessert.
100 Indian Rocks Road N., Belleair Bluffs | (727) 585-6399
& Grill
El Puerto Restaurant & Grill
Led by Chef Nelson Umana, who has over 20 years of experience working in the international Latin American cuisine industry, El Puerto Restaurant & Grill offers traditional recipes from countries like Argentina and Peru. Specializing in various land and sea offerings, some of their standout dishes include the Churrasco – a 22-ounce skirt steak grilled to perfection – served with side choices like yuca frita, tostones and sweet plantains.
End your meal on a sweet note with Dulce de Leche Crepes—warm crepes filled with dulce de leche, topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate and raspberry syrup—or a classic vanilla flan.
1623 E. 5th Ave., Tampa | (813) 248-8222
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