Great Steakhouses

Rainwater's on Kettner

1202 Kettner Boulevard, downtown
619-233-5757 | rainwaters.com
For more than two decades, the homegrown Rainwater's on Kettner has brought top-notch steaks, fish and seafood dishes to San Diego. Premium prices aside, what sets it apart from the rest is its Mediterranean approach to many of its dishes. At what other steakhouse can one find caviar by the ounce? Prepare to indulge at Rainwater's.

Donovan's Steak & Chop House

4340 La Jolla Village Drive
858-450-6666 | donovanssteakhouse.com
Great steaks, fabulous wines and a tuxedoed staff await at Donovan's, another native San Diego institution. The wine list, with more than 600 to choose from, is extensive, to say the least. Donovan's serves excellent vegetables and potatoes with all of its entrees, with Bearnaise and peppercorn sauces also available by request. Perfect for special occasions or when you're just plain craving a super steak.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

8970 University Center Lane, UTC | 858-535-0078
380 K Street, downtown | 619-237-1155
flemingssteakhouse.com
San Diego was among the first locations for this popular chain, which now offers restaurants downtown and near University Towne Centre in University City. The menu is consistent at all Fleming's, and the steaks are predictably among the best anywhere. With a dark-wood motif, 100 wines by the glass and an upscale, clubby atmosphere, a visit always feels like a special occasion.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

1355 North Harbor Drive, downtown | 619-233-1422
11582 £1 Camino Real, Carmel Valley | 858-755-1454
ruthschris.com
One look at your arriving steak-sizzling, with butter still melting-and you know you'll be coming back to this renowned chain steakery; long a staple of San Diego's dining scene. Not in the mood for red meat? Opt for lobster tails, chicken or fish. Or try the New Orleans-inspired barbecued shrimp appetizers, a tribute to Ruth's original location. Ruth's Chris is a standout for another good reason: Patrons keep coming back.

Morton's, the Steakhouse

285 JStreet, downtown
619-696-3369 | mortons.com
Set in the swank Harbor Club condominium towers, nationally renowned Morton's exudes Prohibition-era Chicago, with its elaborate Art Deco interior of wood, brass, leather and glass. A show-and-tell cart takes the place of a traditional menu, as meat is wheeled around the dining room for all to see. When the real thing is presented on a plate in front of you, it doesn't disappoint.

Gaslamp Strip Club

340 Fifth Avenue, downtown
619-231-3140 | cohnrestaurants.com
Not quite what the name may suggest, Gaslamp Strip Club convinces diners it can be fun to pay for dinner and cook it themselves. Guests gather around one of several grills and watch over their own meat and potatoes, preparing the meal just the way they like it, and making small talk with fellow diners. With a nod to the name, scantily dressed waitresses and a dessert menu called Naughty Treats suggest sinful pleasures here – along with the delicious cuts of steak, of course.

West Steak Seafood & Spirits

480 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad
760-930-9100 | weststeakandseafood.com
Another hometown champion. All of West Steak Seafood & Spirits' food is made daily from scratch, unique among steakhouses. Rare (no pun intended) and hard-to-flnd items such as Colorado lamb chops, New Zealand venison chops and Australian lobster tail are staples on the menu. Dessert lovers will be delighted to find West employs a full-time pastry chef.

Argyle Steakhouse (Four Seasons Resort Aviara)

7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad
760-603-6908 | fourseasons.com
Located within the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Argyle is yet another inviting option in steakhouse-rich North County: Featuring both indoor or alfresco seating, Argyle takes advantage ofits location along the beautiful golf course's 18th green. Quality abounds as Argyle serves only Nebraska corn-fed U.S.D.A. prime steaks, California Brandt natural prime beef and American Wagyu Angus "Kobe-style" beef.

Epazote Oceanview Steakhouse

1555 Camino del Mar, Suite 322, Del Mar
858-259-9966 | epazotedelmar.com
In addition to great steaks, Epazote offers a stunning view of the Pacific and an inviting courtyard terrace, replete with bonfire. Add a funky bar and colorful interior design, and you have a steakhouse from a different cut. Southwestern touches, such as spicy chipotle rubs and orange-honey cumin glazes, give the steaks a unique flavor, too. Those with their hearts set on carbs can dig in to the buffalo Bolognese rigatoni or a side of Epazote's wonderful buttermilk whipped potatoes.

Greystone the Steakhouse

658 Fifth Avenue, downtown
619-232-0225 | greystonethesteakhouse.com
With Greystone, the creators of the Gaslamp Quarter Italian restaurant Osteria Panevino turned their attention to steak and excelled in most every aspect. Marble floors, a beautiful bar and a staircase wrapped in wrought iron envelop diners as they indulge in juicy rib-eye, porterhouse or massive filet mignon cuts. Sides of lobster mashed potatoes tempt, as does the ravioli stuffed with duck and pheasant.

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