With all of the focus on food in the media - from gourmet cooking shows to infomercials about the benefits of "juicing" to celebrity fad diets - sometimes all you want is a good steak. Fortunately for all of you carnivores out there, Virginia offers top-notch steakhouses throughout the state. And to help you narrow it down, we've put together a list of a few of our favorites. Bon appetit!
1. Local Chop and Grill House, Harrisonburg
LOCAL Chop and Grill House brings modern day culinary artistry to the historic City Produce Exchange building in downtown Harrisonburg. Each of their locally sourced steaks are carefully selected and hand-cut, then served with your choice of rub, sauce and sides to make a truly custom meal every time.
2. Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse, Roanoke
If there's one thing Frankie Rowland's knows how to do - and do well - it's serve a truly spectacular steak. Known for mouthwatering cuts of prime USDA beef, Frankie Rowland's rounds out the perfect plate with ambiance and service to match.
3. Buckhead's Chop House, Richmond
A Richmond favorite since it opened in 1994, Buckhead's has built a reputation for culinary excellence -- along with a very impressive wine list. Featuring beautifully cut and prepared steaks, including Braveheart Black Angus Beef, Buckhead's is a go-to for locals and visitors alike.
4. Piedmont Steakhouse, Culpeper
Set in an historic 1890s building in downtown Culpeper, Piedmont is known for fresh meats, excellent service and exquisite ambiance. Located just an hour outside of the Washington, DC area, it is a favorite for locals and out-of-towners.
5. Zoe's Restaurant, Virginia Beach
This Virginia Beach oceanfront steak and seafood hotspot serves up beautifully artistic dishes featuring only the the finest cuts of beef. Pair your steak with world-class wines and it's a meal you won't soon forget.
6. Ray's the Steaks, Arlington
Ray's has been a Northern Virginia favorite for years. All of their premium cut meats are dry-aged for 60 days onsite, resulting in some of the most delicious steaks and cuts of beef anywhere. With an extensive wine list and reasonable prices, Ray's is one of the most popular places for dinner in the area.
7. Schlesinger's Steakhouse, Newport News
Schlesinger's motto is "A great steak is something to remember." And they make sure that theirs is one steak you won't soon forget. Be sure to try one of their signature meals like the New York Strip Au Poivre - a peppercorn crusted steak, pan-seared and deglazed with brandy, then topped with green peppercorn-brandy cream sauce. Now THAT's worth remembering.
8. Opus 9 Steakhouse, Williamsburg
As the sister establishment to Schlesinger's, it's clear that good taste runs in the family. Located in the up-and-coming New Town Development of Williamsburg, Opus 9 serves up top-quality beef, cooked perfectly to order. Pair your meal with an exquisite wine from their extensive list, then wrap up the night with a house made dessert like Bananas Foster Cheesecake.
9. J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks and Seafood, McLean
Since opening in 1999, J. Gilbert’s has been a Fairfax County favorite. This award-winning restaurant offers USDA Certified Angus Beef cooked on an open wood fire grill and carefully crafted to maintain their Kansas City steakhouse roots. One taste and you'll see why J. Gilbert's was voted the 2015 Best Restaurant in McLean by Arlington Magazine.
10. Old Original Bookbinder's Seafood and Steakhouse, Richmond
When people refer to a "classic" restaurant, nothing fits the bill quite like the Old Original Bookbinder's in Richmond. First opened in Philadelphia by Samuel Bookbinder in 1865, Bookbinder's is, today, an award-winning, family owned Richmond establishment like no other. Located in Historic Tobacco Row in a converted tobacco warehouse, Bookbinder's offer exquisite cuts of beef matched only by the elegance of the surroundings.
11. Joe's Steakhouse, Winchester / Front Royal / Woodstock
With three locations, the most recent shown here in the converted Piccadilly Mansion in Winchester, Joe's Steaks strives to provide the best steaks with the best service. With top-rated reviews time and again, it certainly seems like they've achieved their goal.
12. River Stone Chophouse, Suffolk
With more than one award of excellence to back up their stellar reviews, River Stone Chophouse is a must next time you're in the Hampton Roads area. Featuring locally raised and aged Hereford beef, River Stone custom cuts each steak to ensure a perfectly crafted meal every time.
13. Massaki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Staunton
It may not look like much, but the reviews more than cover the appearance. Massaki serves up steak and seafood cooked to perfection using traditional Japanese techniques. Trained Hibachi Chefs turn eating into an entertainment experience at Massaki's Teppenyaki tables while delivering a perfectly cooked meal complete with the finest ingredients and house made sauces.
14. Prime Sirloin Family Steakhouse, Norton
This family steakhouse has been serving up delicious home cooked meals since 1981 featuring a kitchen menu, as well as a daily buffet. As a local Norton favorite, Prime Sirloin focuses on fresh meats, homemade yeast rolls baked onsite and friendly service. But be warned, their busiest time is Sundays just after church lets out…so be sure to get there early!
15. The Knife Restaurant at Potomac Mills, Woodbridge
This Argentinian steakhouse may be a chain, but with its newest location now open in Woodbridge, it is definitely a unique experience for Virginia. Featuring authentic Argentinian 'Parrillada' meals, The Knife provides self-service charcoal-grilled meats, allowing you to choose from sirloins, roasts, ribs and more.
Even if you're not a big fan of red meat, these top spots offer a variety of other meats and sides to satisfy any palate. But, let's be honest, steak is pretty amazing! What's your go-to place for the perfect steak? Have we left some gems off the list? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!