The Best Steakhouse Restaurants in Austin

An apt description of The Capital Grille's atmosphere might be "playfully elegant." Yes, chandeliers, white tablecloths, and mahogany panels exude sophistication. At the same time, a delightful statue of an eagle flaps its enormous wings, and the open kitchen lets diners see cooks in action. This Fourth Street eatery — part of a chain — offers an array of soups; the lobster bisque is especially worth sampling. There are also creative salads, towering burgers, fresh seafood dishes, and hundreds of wine labels. Of course, the stars of the show are the steaks, each dry aged for more than 18 days, then carved by hand and served to juicy perfection.

Variety could be Vince Young's middle name. The entrees at this restaurant range from chicken to pork, lamb to seafood. Meanwhile, the appetizer list goes far beyond the typical steakhouse; it includes calamari, artisan cheeses, pork belly tacos, and crispy quail. For their part, the USDA prime steaks are as flavorful as a meat lover could hope for. This graceful independent restaurant on San Jacinto Boulevard also accommodates various events. Sweethearts can cozy up in a private booth. Old friends can catch up by the fire. Partygoers can gather at a long table. And those who want some alone time are free to sit by themselves at the bar.

Since opening in 1993, ALC has given steaks TLC. It's family-owned, and its customers often feel like they're part of the family. This establishment definitely has a laid-back vibe; there are, after all, stars and guitars on the walls. Appropriately, then, the service is very friendly and attentive. While excellent seafood and poultry options are available, the main attractions are the steaks. The New York strip, T-bone, sirloin, ribeye, and filet mignon are aged, hand-cut and among the best steak in Austin. Plus, eight homemade steak sauces are available. Whenever people can't decide between those sauces — and who could blame them? — they can order a sampler containing all of them.

The first Ruth's Chris Steak House opened in New Orleans in 1965, and the Austin franchise carries on the award-winning tradition. Indeed, the beef preparation here is marvelous. These aged steaks are tender and marbled, and customers can actually hear them sizzle when servers carry them out. A standout among the appetizers is the spicy New Orleans barbecued shrimp, a food that highlights the restaurant's roots. It's also pleasurable just to spend time inside this eatery's graceful and spacious dining room.

In Houston in 1979, a small establishment called Perry's Butcher Shop and Deli opened and quickly developed a reputation for high quality. This shop later became a restaurant and then a chain of restaurants, three of which are located outside of Texas. The Austin version features talented musicians every night and hand-selected cuts of beef. Plus, patrons can customize their steaks with unique features like a coffee-flavored crust. And there are many imaginative drinks to order at Bar 79; the name, of course, honors the year when the Perry family's entrepreneurial dream became a reality.

The enormous antler chandeliers and sparkling marble floors of the Ill Forks (pronounced "Three Forks") lobby are impressive. From there, this restaurant just keeps on impressing its diners. The service is thoughtful. The eight dining areas, one of which is a piano bar, are snug and cosmopolitan. And, in terms of quality, the USDA Prime beef comes from the highest .005 percent of beef. All in all, III Forks is a terrific place to escape the rush of daily life and linger over a glass of wine and some of the best steak in Austin.

The first Bob's Steak & Chop House opened in Dallas in 1993. Today, several are in business across the country, each with unique attributes. For instance, in Austin, diners can eat at the sprawling rooftop bar. This business casual restaurant on 3rd Street takes broiling seriously, and it would be hard to top the broiled magnificence of its meats. Private dining and a la carte options are also available. At Bob's, the portions are huge; the wine list is huger, and the atmosphere is both funky and refined. What's not to love?

They say everything's bigger in Texas, and the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse takes that saying to heart. It has three floors, totalling 14,000 square feet in space. Where rodeo cattle and horses used to run freely, steak lovers now feast upon hand-selected cuts of beef. Built on a hill, this restaurant yields stunning views of the Texas countryside. A special treat is the first-floor Travis Room, a formal space with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Steiner Ranch Steakhouse has four bars, highly original salads, and a weekly brunch. Especially inspiring is its steak topping, which contains chives, butter, and caramelized shallots. Oh my!

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse may be near the heart of Austin's technology center, but its dedication to service and time-honored recipes is distinctly old-fashioned. It boasts seasonal dishes, handmade cocktails, and wines from local producers. Entrees such as blackened shrimp, pecan-roasted lamb, and cold-water lobster create a diverse menu. Weekly events like the three-course meals on Sunday add to the fun. And, after a meal, it can be hard to resist bananas Foster, flambeed tableside and presented with walnuts.

When it comes to the best steak in Austin, Central Standard sets the standard. It opened in 2015, and it's situated in the South Congress Hotel. No doubt its enticing aromas draw in many pedestrians on South Congress Avenue. Once inside, customers behold a gleaming bar and an airy, high-ceilinged dining space with loads of natural light. The place really radiates warmth and good cheer. Among the options here are East Coast oysters, New York Strip steaks, prime ribeye steaks, and Wagyu flat iron steaks, mouth-watering all.

Ranch 616 has been a downtown favorite since 1998. Here, it's a pleasure to eat outside at night, the massive neon lights aglow. Inside, the joint bursts with color, with blue lights beneath the bar and orange lights hanging from the ceiling. Amid the offbeat earthiness — stuffed animal heads stare down at diners — are some cooks who really know what they're doing. The Texas Black Angus tenderloin, ribeye, trout, and quail are the stuff of gastronomic dreams. Oh, and at Ranch 616, they refer to dinner as "supper."

Jeffrey's Restaurant, a fine dining establishment requiring formal attire, combines American and French cuisines in satisfying ways. It opened in 1975 and became an instant sensation. In 2012, it changed management and underwent an extensive renovation. Jeffrey's is close to Austin's downtown, yet seems far from the bustle of the city. With complimentary valet service and three beautiful dining rooms, this restaurant pampers its patrons. The aged steaks here are either roasted or grilled over live oak before being broiled. And veal, duck, shellfish, and other entrees make for a pleasingly varied bill of fare.

Swift's Attic occupies the second floor of a historic building at the intersection of Congress and 3rd streets. Busy and vibrant, this restaurant has a democratic spirit. All are welcome, whether they're wearing evening gowns, tuxedos, or jeans. Appropriately, the dishes here are unpretentious. All of the ingredients are fresh, derived from sustainable farms. And the menu constantly rotates, though the Korean barbecue flank steak is a mainstay, and there are always more than a dozen draft beers to choose from. Swift's Attic encourages customers to share their meals with each other. That includes sharing with strangers!

Here's a restaurant that lives up to its evocative name. The first Lonesome Dove opened in Fort Worth in 2000, and its downtown Austin counterpart debuted in 2015. This intimate eatery is renowned for putting contemporary spins on age-old Western dishes, and its beef tenderloin, New York strip, and other steaks are paradise on a plate. Whether wood-fired or spit-roasted, the meats at Lonesome Dove exemplify Texas's culinary culture. The wines and cocktails aren't too shabby, either!

At Truluck's Seafood Steak & Crab House in the city's downtown, the crabs are ultra-fresh, the wines are first-class, the steaks are soft, and the men are hatless. (Seriously, this place doesn't let dudes wear hats.) There are 12 Truluck's locations in all; two are in Austin. All of the meats at this sustainable restaurant are free of hormones and antibiotics. Truluck's even operates its own fisheries. Now, a diner can't go wrong with any of the steaks here, though the Filet Oscar Royale, which comes with caviar, and the Prime Ultimate Steakhouse Ribeye, which has melted Gorgonzola cheese, are simply unforgettable.

With mood lighting, chic furnishings, comfortable seating, and unhurried service, Paul Martin's can put people at ease from the moment they arrive. What better atmosphere for enjoying the freshest of ingredients, flawless seasonings, or meats prepared over a fire? At this landmark Palm Way restaurant, anyone could forget their cares while chewing all-natural Angus, luscious filet mignon, or blackened ribeye with that down-home Cajun flavor. And those maple bourbon sweet potatoes are worth obsessing over!

At Eddie V's, live jazz and fine wine are the perfect complements to a hearty steak dinner. All of these steaks have been aging for 28 days, and these premium cuts are juicy down to the last bite. And, if you ever want to take a break from steak, the elaborate oyster bar deserves a try. Those are some really fresh shellfish! While this Eddie V's is on 5th Street, there's another Eddie V's at Austin's Arboretum retail center. In fact, while there are Eddie V's establishments throughout the U.S. now, the very first one opened in Austin in 2000.

In 1934, as the Great Depression raged, a small steakhouse opened on West 6th Street. The Little Restaurant That Could went on to thrive for decades, and it wasn't even air conditioned until the 1990s! That success may be due, in no small measure, to its massive steakhouse fries. Still family-owned, the Original Hoffbrau Steakhouse added an adjacent eatery in 2016. Called Rustic Tap, it has a beer garden, a stage for musicians, and a roomy patio. Whether guests eat in the original facility or the new one, they can look forward to the ever-popular tenderloin tips and what some believe to be the best steak in Austin.

At this French restaurant, the red walls and sultry interior glow may call to mind the Moulin Rouge. Outside, lights on strings and disco balls glimmer in the night air. The clientele is young. The DJs are hip. The music is loud. And the place is open until 1:30 or 2 a.m. For sure, Justine's Brasserie revels in a tinge of naughtiness. What about the food, though? Will you find the best steak in Austin here? Well, these steaks are contenders: juicy and expertly seasoned. Other choices include scallops, escargot, mussel fries, and ratatouille. In short, for a taste of Paris by way of the Colorado River, it's hard to beat Justine's Brasserie.