Cleveland is to mediocre steakhouses what Ohio is to predictable weather. And if you’re not careful, you’ll end up at a place that serves frozen cuts with a side of disappointment. But it’s not all bland beef and generic sides in Cleveland. There are steakhouses serving some of the best dry-aged ribeyes in the Midwest, some of the city’s most atmospheric dining rooms, and classic spots where the martinis flow as freely as the conversation.
Outback Steakhouse
$$ | (440) 842-6114 | WEBSITE
Outback Steakhouse is another very casual steakhouse in Cleveland, where you might see the server bring out a perfectly cooked rib eye from the kitchen. The steaks are good, but the dining room temperature shifts depending on where you sit. Come early and you can enjoy a pleasant meal in a friendly atmosphere before the evening rush. On weekend nights, it can get a little busy and chilly enough that you might want to keep your jacket on.
It’s also a good place to grab a warm bread basket if you’re waiting for your main course, which comes out fairly fast.
Best Steak N Gyros
$ | (216) 681-1778 | WEBSITE
Best Steak N Gyros is a spot that feels like a cross between a classic diner and a modern neighborhood hangout—or a diner-hangout, which is a phrase we just coined that’s as fitting to describe as this place is to eat at. Even though it’s just a straightforward storefront along the street, Best Steak N Gyros is bright, clean, and will make you feel like you’re in a freshly updated local favorite. The menu is straightforward and consistently tasty, especially the steak sandwiches.
Cleveland Chop
$$$ | (216) 696-2467 | WEBSITE
Cleveland Chop isn’t strictly a steakhouse. They serve other dishes, but you really come here for the outstanding ribeye and tomahawk pork chops, which makes it a steakhouse in our eyes. The quaint restaurant is open for dinner service, but the best time to come here is for a special occasion, when you get generous drink pours and very affordable prices on wine, liquor, and beer—much lower than typical high-end steakhouses. You’ll need a reservation for that.
Delmonico’s Steakhouse
$$$ | (216) 573-1991 | WEBSITE
Delmonico’s Steakhouse is a classic Cleveland steakhouse that is, admittedly, more of a special-occasion spot than a casual hangout. But you can certainly still come here just for a drink—and have a lovely time doing so. There’s a lively bar area where you can sit alongside the warm, comfortable atmosphere. They have a selection of well-received wines, with options ranging from bold reds to crisp whites. You can pair them with your meal, but they’re also great enjoyed on their own.
And if you do happen to get hungry, the food is very good too.
Harry’s Steakhouse
$$ | (216) 524-5300 | WEBSITE
Harry’s is a fine place to grab a classic steak and pretend you know what a real steakhouse should be. The old-style charm, wood-paneled walls, and decades of word-of-mouth survival feel authentic (especially since this spot has been a Cleveland staple for over 50 years). But this little steakhouse tucked away with its ample parking never fails to make us feel like we’re part of a pleasant dining experience filled with great conversation and laughs.
They have an outdoor patio area that’s a charming setting and plenty of space for larger parties. If you’re hungry, stick to the tender and delicious steaks—just what you want to be mindlessly enjoying with a beer while Sean and the friendly staff handle everything with wonderful service.
Brown Derby
$$ | (440) 826-9900 | WEBSITE
In our ideal world, Cleveland would be dotted with steakhouses playing a classic rock soundtrack in a wood-paneled, warmly lit room that makes a Tuesday night feel like a special occasion. Brown Derby has all of that, plus a bustling open kitchen and the best BBQ ribs within a 50-mile radius. This restaurant is named after the iconic Hollywood hat, and provides a perfect dose of classic American comfort while still feeling relevant.
There’s a full menu here too—dishes like the Caesar salad (get that) alongside a slightly varied selection of grilled items that range from Wagyu steak to grilled chicken, all served with those amazing fresh rolls.
Texas Roadhouse
$$ | (216) 739-0760 | WEBSITE
Texas Roadhouse is a steakhouse where you can get a 16oz. sirloin for $25 to $30 and enjoy it in a lively dining room that feels comfortably spacious. The restaurant is actually part of a national chain, a good American spot in Cleveland—where the steakhouse scene gets a little more casual. It has a rustic roadhouse thing going on, with sturdy tables for families and prices that are quite reasonable for the quality.
STEAK Cleveland
$$$ | (216) 331-2724 | WEBSITE
STEAK Cleveland occupies a lively sweet spot between celebration spot and neighborhood steakhouse. If you’re after a more relaxed dining experience, come earlier, particularly for the McDom and strip steak specials. As the evening progresses, the celebratory crowd fills the space, and STEAK Cleveland becomes a vibrant destination for special occasions. The cowboy butter and chimichurri sauces are solid additions, and the atmosphere is much more welcoming than many typical steakhouses.
The key to a good experience here is knowing what kind of meal you’re after, and choosing your dishes accordingly.
Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar
$$$$ | (216) 523-7000 | WEBSITE
Amid the gleaming skyscrapers and historic landmarks of downtown Cleveland sits the Marble Room. This is the city’s premier steakhouse, and has been the go-to destination for celebrating life’s big moments for well over a decade. It’s elegant, sophisticated, features live saxophone music nightly, and feels like a place where they’d film a scene from a classic Hollywood romance.
In fact, the restaurant’s unique vault space—originally a bank vault—adds an air of historic grandeur that’s impossible to replicate. Not much needs to change here. It’s also one of the few Cleveland restaurants where the 12oz filet is consistently described as the best diners have ever eaten, with the tender lamb chops and lobster tail rounding out a truly exceptional menu.
While the side dishes sometimes draw mixed reviews, the overall experience—complete with attentive service and that unforgettable atmosphere—makes it worth every penny of the premium price tag.
Ferris Steak House
$$$ | (216) 281-1437 | WEBSITE
Ferris Steak House is a classic Cleveland steakhouse that has lots of steak, a full cocktail menu, and is really the only place you want to be dining when you’re craving a proper cut in the area. Ferris is our go-to spot for a New York strip and a Raspberry Lemon Drop martini if we’re in the mood for something special and need to celebrate (or just wait for a table to open up). The steak selection is great too—way beyond a few simple options.
Tutto Carne
$$$$ | (216) 471-8386 | WEBSITE
There is really never a bad time to come to Tutto Carne. They’ve got one of our favorite dining experiences, with impeccable service and some of the best Italian food in the city. The cozy atmosphere is charming without feeling stuffy, and the steakhouse classics (gnocchi, veal parm, and bone-in ribeye) are exceptional.
This place is everything we love about Cleveland dining: warm and thoughtful and not afraid of a perfect Tomahawk steak, without any of the pretentious overpriced stuff you’ll find elsewhere. Also, if you are a wild boar ragu person, order theirs. It’s a triumph.
RED the Steakhouse Downtown
$$$$ | (216) 664-0941 | WEBSITE
RED the Steakhouse Downtown is technically a steakhouse, but locals dine here too. Like the name implies, it’s very classy and spacious, though they also have a beautiful rooftop dining area that makes things a tad more special. Despite the square footage, it’s one of Cleveland’s better dining options—especially if you’re looking for something more memorable.
Steaks are perfectly cooked but flavorful, and dinner service is from 5-10pm, a good call if you want to eat well in one of downtown’s most bustling neighborhoods.
LongHorn Steakhouse
$$ | (216) 642-8700 | WEBSITE
Most chain steakhouses in Cleveland solely exist for convenience, but LongHorn Steakhouse is an exception. The popular restaurant known for its exceptional service is a lovely place to enjoy a meal away from the everyday routine. Here, there’s attentive service with friendly servers who go above and beyond, delicious and well-seasoned food cooked to perfection, and complimentary treats like sundaes to make your meal memorable.
It’s a great choice for a special occasion, but we’d also come back here just for the juicy Outlaw Ribeye, the welcoming family-friendly atmosphere, and servers who actually seem happy to see you.