Brian Nagele
Are you new to the Windy City, a seasoned local, or visiting family? Or, you might be coming to Chicago for a Cubs game, the famous Chicago Bean, or one of their world-class museums. Either way, Chicago is a diverse city filled with culture, art, and of course, top-notch dining.
Chicago has some of the best steakhouses in the world. From Filet Mignon to Kobe beef, you can bet it will be one of the best meals of your life. If fine dining is not your cup of tea, no worries – Chicago has plenty of casual options. There are also several glamorous options for those who enjoy the finer things in life.
Finding the best steak in Chicago can be overwhelming. I rounded up the best steakhouses in Chicago to give you plenty of ideas for a night out, special occasions, and beyond. Check out my picks below!
Prime & Provisions
222 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-726-7777
Visit Website
Located directly across from the famed Chicago Riverwalk, Prime & Provisions will show you that steakhouses can be modern. With animal-print decor and a monochromatic color scheme, the aesthetic is enough to justify a meal there.
Prime & Provisions seeks to recreate the classic steakhouse vibe by serving traditional steaks never made from hormonally-treated beef. Chef Joseph Rizza, David Rekhson, and Lucas Stoiff concentrate on the aging of the meat and have a dry-aging room on site. All cuts come topped with sea salt and butter.
They also have seafood and vegan options, like a cauliflower steak.
Gene & Georgetti
500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-527-3718
Visit Website
Labeling itself as Chicago’s finest steakhouse, Gene & Georgetti has been serving Italian-inspired fare since 1941. Famous musician Frank Sinatra, actress Lucille Ball, and modern star Keanu Reeves are just a few of the patrons of Gene & Georgetti.
This steakhouse feels like a step back in time, yet still has a contemporary menu. Head Chef Cristiano Bassani infuses his Italian roots into the Gene & Georgetti family recipes for a one-of-a-kind range of flavors. Their pasta dishes are divine, and all of their steaks are aged 21 days then grilled at 1400 degrees.
Gene & Georgetti is in the North River District, cornering North Franklin and West Illinois.
Maple & Ash
8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-944-8888
Visit Website
Classy but unpretentious, Maple & Ash is a steakhouse with a twist. From caviar to Wagyu beef, everyone is bound to find something they will swoon over. I recommend the Fire-Roasted Seafood Tower – a spicy plate of Maine Lobster, oysters, scallops, and more. If you have something to celebrate, check out the tasting menu. The chef customizes selections for your party for a luxurious experience.
Maple & Ash offers two dining locations – The Patio and The Dining Room. The Dining Room is the swanky steak place of your dreams, while The Patio is the more casual side of Maple & Ash, but do not mistake that for lack of flavor – they have an extensive cocktail and sushi menu. The Patio is less than a block away from the stunning Mariano (Louis) Park.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-266-8999
Visit Website
If Old Hollywood is your thing, I highly recommend Gibson’s Steakhouse. They have an eclectic interior with old photos of actors and an exterior covered in ivy. You will find Gibson’s just a short stroll away from designer shops, in between North Rush Street and North State Street.
Gibson’s is the first restaurant to have its own USDA certification program, ensuring the highest quality meat. The environment is more casual than the previously mentioned steakhouses, but the quality is some of the highest in Chicago.
My favorite Gibson’s dish is their bone-in filet mignon, although I do have a sweet tooth – so their desserts are high on my list too.
Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-624-8154
Visit Website
After a long shopping day at the Merchandise Mart, walk across the street to Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf, a French-inspired steakhouse serving classic favorites and modern flavors. With plush velvet chairs, dimly-lit tables, and leather couches, Bavette’s is a callback to traditional Parisian steakhouses.
I love French food, so Bavette’s is one of my most-visited steakhouses in Chicago. Their entrees are not too complex or frivolous, and their chilled seafood platter options are a can-not-miss offering. And, with hotels like the Westin nearby, you can enjoy a post-dinner walk through the streets of the city.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-379-5637
Visit Website
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, runs parallel to the Magnificent Mile, a neighborhood filled with some of Chicago’s most iconic restaurants. Joe’s is no different – offering Southern-inspired fare and a cocktail hour from 2:00-4:00 Monday through Friday, you cannot go wrong.
If you are curious about stone crab, you are not alone – I had no idea what it was either! Stone crab is found in the South in salt marshes and is expensive due to how difficult they are to catch. It is buttery and flavorful – and my favorite thing on the menu (along with their Key Lime Pie).
RPM Steak
66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-284-4990
Visit Website
Atmospheric and modern, RPM Steak is best suited for those appreciating minimal decor and a unique menu. RPM is sleek, stylish and offers a variety of meat cuts. RPM is a short walk from The Wrigley Building – less than half a mile, straight down E Kinzie St. And, if you decide to stay in the Residence Inn on Kinzie, you have even better luck! RPM is beside the hotel for an easy commute to dinner.
RPM Steak is the invention of several collaborators. Famed restaurateurs and siblings R.J., Jerrod, and Molly Melman opened the restaurant with celebrity couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic, with the vision of creating an un-intimidating steakhouse. The result is a top-notch menu with classics like Steak Frites and innovations like the Sakura Wagyu Tomahawk.
El Che Steakhouse & Bar
845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-265-1130
Visit Website
Want award-winning steak? El Che is the recipient of the 2021 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. With an avocado-hued storefront and a market, El Che is a unique dining experience all around.
Priding themselves on their Argentinian-influenced cuisine, El Che blends South American and American flavors for a spicy taste on almost every item on the menu. Chef John Manion gathered inspiration from Argentinian barbecues, where fire-grilled steaks are the norm.
El Che is located slightly past Restaurant Row, a neighborhood in the West Loop known for its exceptional dining. I recommend going to Parrillada Tuesday, where you can get a $105 platter of meats and veggies for just $60.
Swift & Sons
1000 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: 312-733-9420
Visit Website
Swift & Sons is a mix of the contemporary and retro in an art-deco setting. It is traditional but inventive, giving diners a look into the past and a peek into the future.
If you have a large party, Swift & Sons will work wonderfully for you. They have a 48oz Porterhouse and a 32oz Wagyu Ribeye available, along with Beef Wellington for two. They also offer petite cuts and seafood options.
I adore Swift & Sons for their expansive menu. Their mac and cheese cannot go ignored, and neither can the Oyster bar. The location is supreme, as they are in the Fulton Market District but out of the hustle and bustle.
Tango Sur
3763 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 773-477-5466
Visit Website
If you are searching for a great steak place that is more casual, Tango Sur is it! Featuring Argentinian cuisine and flavorful meat, it is a local favorite. Just down the street from the Music Box Theatre, it is a surefire win for date night.
Owner Sergio Di Sapio serves Argentinian classics like Chorizo and Chimichurri and features lesser-known delicacies such as Matambre (veal) and Vacio (flap meat). This steakhouse is for the adventurous. Tango Sur also has a filet mignon stuffed with mushrooms that is a customer favorite.
I suggest this steakhouse for anyone looking to try something new – it is not for the faint of heart!
Chicago Cut Steakhouse
300 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-329-1800
Visit Website
Chicago Cut Steakhouse is for dining among the stars. Frequently visited by local celebrities, you can enjoy dinner next to your favorite Cubs player. This steakhouse puts a Chicagoan twist on traditional fare to make each dining experience authentic.
Chicago Cut has an extensive wine list for finding the perfect accompaniment for your meal. Their most coveted cut, referred to as The Holy Grail by the Chicago Tribune, is the bone-in prime rib. It is aged for 35 days and butchered on-site.
Chicago Cut is across from the RiverWalk, in one of the most prolific Chicago neighborhoods. Their mix of luxury meats and Windy City traditions make this a top destination for locals and visitors.
Mastro’s Steakhouse
520 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-521-5100
Visit Website
Originally an Arizona chain, Mastro’s Steakhouse made its way to Chicago and has taken the city by storm. With its grandiose storefront and elegant decor, Mastro’s is one of the most glamorous steakhouses in Chicago.
Mastro’s has nightly live performances and a strict dress code. They focus on creating a cosmopolitan vibe and offer everything from Wagyu New York cuts to Chilean Sea Bass. Additionally, Mastro’s serves sushi designed exclusively for their restaurants by Chef Angel Carbajal.
Located one block ahead of the historical Boyce Building, Mastro’s gives visitors an elite experience they will never forget.
Chicago Chop House
60 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-787-7100
Visit Website
Serving everything from Sunday brunch to daily dinner, Chicago Chop House is the best kind of old school. They offer several specials each month, like $15 Wagyu burgers and $5 slices of cheesecake.
Chicago Chop House has an extensive meat menu, ranging from prime rib cuts to a 12oz Wagyu New York Strip. I love this place because it is slightly relaxed but still has high-end comfort food offerings. They have nightly music and walls lined with photos of Chicago legends.
You can find the Chicago Chop House across from the Hard Rock Cafe, close to the corners of West Ontario and Dearborn.
GT Prime
707 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-600-6305
Visit Website
Chef Giuseppe Tentori has a steakhouse in the heart of downtown ranked as one of the top 50 in the US. GT Prime has a dimly lit, romantic atmosphere, with simple furnishings and classic cocktails.
The menu is meat-centric and changes each season. I cannot imagine ordering anything other than the Veal Parmigiana – it is 16oz of heaven. Other crowd-pleasers include Porterhouse steaks and The Carnivore. The Carnivore comes with an 8oz filet, bison, prime NY strip, and Carrara Wagyu.
About half a block away is the Samuel Lynne Art Gallery, a perfect place to look around before your dinner reservation at GT Prime.
Kinzie Chophouse
400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-822-0191
Visit Website
Kinzie Chophouse is a local favorite and is particularly special as it is a woman-owned Chicago steakhouse. Located near the Merchandise Mart, Kinzie is a hideaway with a friendly atmosphere. It is also the first building to use steel beams in Chicago.
2021 marks the 30th anniversary of Kinzie Chophouse, and to celebrate, they are serving dry-aged lamb chops alongside their typical menu offerings. You can start your meal with a customized cheese plate and then dive into a plethora of meat cuts – try the 20oz Cowboy or the 36oz Tomahawk. You will not be disappointed!
Steak 48
615 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-266-4848
Visit Website
Steak 48 is a sight to behold. Bold and classy art hangs on the walls, and private nooks are available for a romantic date night.
Steak 48 serves Chicago from Wabash Avenue, one of the busiest streets in the city. The restaurant faces the historic Medinah Temple. There is a $100 per person rule if you make a dinner reservation. However, the cocktail lounge does not require a reservation and has no spending minimum.
Their Steak Farina (a filet with an egg) is the best thing on the menu, in my opinion. Steak 48 has a ton of customization options for your steak as well, like Maine lobster or Foie Gras.
Final Thoughts
Chicago certainly is not lacking in steakhouses⸺from the finest Wagyu beef cuts to zesty Argentinian flair, The Windy City has it all.
Whether you are looking for casual but delicious dining or the finest of the fine, Chicago has you covered. Date night will never be dull again!
Looking for a meal that’s a bit more seafood-oriented? Check out some places with the freshest sushi in Chicago.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we will check it out!
