The city of Denver features steakhouses ranging from casual long-standing eateries to more modern takes on the classic atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to dress up for date night or dress down for a night spent enjoying good food and watching the game — there’s a steak with your name on it. Ribeyes, filets, T-bones, and tomahawks await hungry diners in the Mile High City at the 10 best places to get a steak in Denver.
Buckhorn Exchange
Address: 1000 Osage Street
Buckhorn Exchange has long been a staple in Denver’s carnivorous dining scene. Respected as the city’s original steakhouse, diners will be greeted with a range of exotic dishes and mounted game heads decorating the walls. The establishment has been in business since the 1890s and serves up a unique offering of proteins that include elk, ostrich, buffalo prime rib, alligator, and rattlesnake. For those seeking a more classic steak dinner, Buckhorn Exchange’s menu features T-bone steak, New York strip cuts, and the famous 24-oz Porterhouse. Large portion steaks are available to be carved tableside and can feed between 2-5 guests.
Reservations are recommended for dining at Buckhorn Exchange. The restaurant is open 7 days a week and there’s always something new on the menu to keep hungry diners happy. The sirloin game tips are cooked with choice cuts of beer, buffalo, and elk that are sautéed with fresh mushrooms and a different sauce each day.
PRO Tip: Buckhorn Exchange is only 5 minutes from downtown and there is a light rail stop conveniently located across the street.
Quality Italian Steakhouse
Address: 241 Columbine Street
Quality Italian Steakhouse features a modern twist on the classic American steakhouse. Located conveniently in Denver’s bustling Cherry Creek shopping district, the restaurant is often busy whipping up filet mignon, bone-in ribeye, and New York strip steaks. Order your steak Italian-style with a choice of Alla Marsala Nero, gorgonzola and horseradish, or truffle butter. Appetizers include sausage and pepper toast, spicy crab panzanella, and crispy calamari served with bacon pepperoncini. Don’t forget to save room for a scoop of decadent gelato or house-made tiramisu!
The menu naturally features a list of handmade pasta, as well as the best chicken parmesan in the city. The versatile offering makes Quality Italian a popular private dining event host. Indoor and outdoor dining is available for lunch and dinner.
PRO Tip: On Sundays, Quality Italian hosts a Sunday Bellini Brunch that runs from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Diners have a choice of endless Bloody Marys or Bellinis from the signature brunch cart.
The Capital Grille
Address: 1450 Larimer Street
The Capital Grille is a chain steakhouse that serves up succulent steak entrees and tasty appetizers such as fresh oysters on the half shell, steak tartare, and a classic shrimp cocktail served with a spicy cocktail sauce made in-house. Popular orders include the sliced filet mignon with wild mushrooms, onions, and a fig essence and the bone-in ribeye dressed with a 15-year aged balsamic with a crunchy yet delicate porcini mushroom crust. For those whose stomachs are as big as their eyes — the tomahawk veal chop is sure to delight the entire table.
The dessert menu shouldn’t be skipped over, as the offerings include a decadent coconut cream pie with a hint of rum and a rich flourless chocolate espresso cake served with fresh raspberries. The wine menu pairs nicely with the red meat, as well as the sweet desserts. There is valet parking available and private dining by reservation.
PRO Tip: From The Capital Grille on Larimer, guests can walk to a show at the Denver Performing Arts Center or pair their dinner out with an evening exploring the bustling Larimer Square.
Columbine Steak House
Address: 300 Federal Boulevard
Columbine Steak House boasts a more relaxed atmosphere than some of its competition and diners won’t be shunned for not wearing a suit and tie. The classic and casual fare includes an iceberg lettuce side salad and a perfectly cooked baked potato. The no-frills steakhouse is closed on Sundays and is a cash-only operation. Diners can enjoy ordering a steak until midnight and relax in the full-service bar and lounge that features a jukebox and classic arcade games.
Don’t let the affordable cuts of meat lower your expectations for your upcoming steak dinner. For under $30, hungry Denverites have been ordering a full steak meal for decades. The well-seasoned grill cooks up 24-oz porterhouse and T-bone steaks that melt in your mouth. Don’t pass up the steak sandwich that’s served with French fries and just begging to be washed down with a cold beer or cocktail.
PRO Tip: For those who have yet to experience the magic of Columbine, diners grab their silverware and tray before they tell the grill cook which cut they want to order and how they want it cooked. From there, choose your preferred salad dressing and a drink and head to the register.
Bastien’s
Address: 3503 East Colfax Avenue
Bastien’s has been around since the 1930s, though it was originally home to the Moon Drive Inn. The Bastien family still retains ownership and diners will be greeted by the “Home of the Sugar Steak” sign as they pull into the parking lot. The low-key and almost retro atmosphere of the steakhouse has made it a Denver staple over the course of nearly a century. The signature sugar and spice blend is best paired with a medium rare or rare New York Strip steak. All steak entrees are paired with your choice of a potato side (baked, twice baked, mashed, loaded potato salad, fries) or a soup or house salad.
Aside from the infamous sugar rub, Bastien’s offers a list of “steak styles” or flavor combinations for their cuts. The jalapeño seasoning is served with jalapeño bacon and the “David” comes with shrimp and a cajun hollandaise. Don’t skip out on the appetizers, especially the bacon-wrapped scallops and the warm brie served with fresh fruit and a raspberry coulis.
PRO Tip: Bastien’s is closed on Mondays and has limited patio seating. Diners wishing to enjoy their sugar steak outside should make reservations ahead of time.
Shanahan’s Steakhouse
Address: 5085 South Syracuse Street
Shanahan’s Steakhouse was co-founded by former Broncos coach, Mike Shanahan, back in 2009. Diners are greeted with his Lombardi trophies and Super Bowl rings before being led to their seats. The upscale environment is the perfect atmosphere for a special date night or anniversary dinner. On game nights, expect to catch the score on one of the plasma TVs.
Those wanting to keep their entree on the lighter side can order some of the freshest fish in Colorado that’s flown in daily. All of Shanahan’s steaks are USDA-graded prime beef and are shipped weekly from Allen Brothers in Chicago. Cuts include bone-in options, as well as an American wagyu filet that has limited availability. Produce is Colorado-grown and certified organic and high-end spirits adorn the bar. Signature cocktails include the Colorado peach mule, house barrel-aged Manhattan, and a stave-smoked old fashioned.
PRO Tip: Request outdoor seating in the summer or a table by the fireplace during the brisk winter evenings.
Jack’s on Pearl
Address: 1475 South Pearl Street
At Jack’s on Pearl, diners are invited to experience one of the two distinct dining atmospheres. The main floor features reserved white tablecloth dining while the second floor is more casual, with a large outdoor patio and a happy hour. Both the main floor and the second floor have 12 local beers on tap, as well as creative craft cocktails and an extensive wine list. The steakhouse adds Southern touches to its menu and utilizes a combination of pecan and white oak in its wood-fired grill.
The steaks found on the menu are USDA all-natural prime and reserve beef that has been farm-raised in the Black River Valley in Western Montana. Jack’s on Pearl is proud to serve beef with no added hormones or antibiotics. The signature filets include The Duke, served with gruyere and roasted red peppers, and The Duchess, with gorgonzola and pinot noir caramelized onions. The prime Kansas City strip steaks are offered in 10 oz and 16 oz servings. Those undecided on which way they want to go can opt for the surf and turf, which comes with a 7 oz filet and a grilled lobster tail. The jalapeño pineapple margarita and hibiscus mule are must-try signature cocktails.
PRO Tip: The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Valet services are offered at Jack’s on Pearl and there is available street parking as well as a nearby public parking garage.
Urban Farmer
Address: 1659 Wazee Street
Urban Farmer Denver is the newest addition to the chain, with locations in Portland and Philadelphia. The restaurant is inside The Oxford Hotel. Diners are welcomed into a relaxed, yet sophisticated, steakhouse to enjoy a modern take on tradition. Beginning with the starters, the restaurant serves quality beef tartare, as well as a tasty beef & bison chilly that sticks to the bones on cold days. Urban Farmer’s farm-to-table program makes it a popular high-end dining option amongst the sustainability community, as does the in-house whole animal butchering that makes use of cuts from the nose to the tail. The menu is seasonally driven, ensuring the freshest produce and local flavors.
For those who want to try a little bit of everything, order the New York Steak Tasting, which includes three 5-ounce portions of three variations of steak. Optional additions include truffle butter, herb jus, blue cheese wagyu fat, and even skewered shrimp. While it may be difficult to not fill up on the main course, the dessert menu features sweet selections such as a seasonal cobbler and a butterscotch sundae served with a warm brown butter blondie and toffee chip ice cream.
PRO Tip: Urban Farmer is within walking distance of Union Station and less than a mile from Coors Field. Diners can also make their way to the 16th Street Mall and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, making the restaurant the perfect jumping-off point for a night on the town.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Address: 707 15th Street
Ruth’s Chris Steak House is known for its high level of hospitality, as well as a phenomenal selection of succulent steaks and a robust wine list. Having been in operation since 1965, the steak house knows a thing or two about providing an elevated dining experience. Steaks are guaranteed to be seasoned to perfection and are cooked using Ruth Fertel’s patented broiling method. Diners have a wide selection of complements to their entree, including appetizers such as seared ahi tuna, goat cheese and artichoke dip, and stuffed mushrooms. The prix fixe menu includes a starter, an entree, a personal side, and a dessert and helps newcomers get a taste of everything.
Specialty steak cuts served at the steakhouse include a bone-in filet, a 40-oz tomahawk ribeye, and Ruth’s personal favorite, the bone-in New York strip. Only the finest custom-aged and corn-fed Midwestern beef is served at the restaurant, which assures guests that they’re cutting into a juicy and mouth watering piece of meat. Entrees pair well with a glass of red wine or a signature cocktail, such as the blackberry sidecar or dirty goose martini.
PRO Tip: The steakhouse is located two blocks from the Denver Performing Arts Center and is within comfortable walking distance to Larimer Square and Union Station. Self-park lots are available throughout downtown and valet parking is available on Fridays and Saturdays.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Address: 8100 East Orchard Road
Del Frisco’s has been in operation for over four decades, lending them a wealth of experience in how to cook a mean steak and elevate the classic steakhouse dining atmosphere. Diners are invited to enjoy a sleek and modern twist on their steakhouse favorites. It’s difficult to go wrong with anything on the menu, with appetizers such as tuna tartare and broiled Alaskan king crab. The wagyu meatballs with tomato fondue and shaved Manchego cheese is a crowd favorite.
Whether you’re in the mood for filet mignon, prime ribeye, Japanese A5 wagyu, or even a surf and turf trio that features three filet medallions topped with a mini crab cake, a scallop, and a jumbo shrimp — Del Frisco’s has something for everyone. The meat is perfectly seasoned and seared before being plated thoughtfully and served promptly. To cap off a five-star meal, diners will want to try an order of the chocolate mousse with salted caramel fudge or a fruity and light strawberry hibiscus cheesecake.
PRO Tip: The dress code at Del Frisco’s is strictly upscale. Prohibited items include beachwear, hoodies, jerseys, and baseball hats.