Where to eat the best steak in and around Washington, D.C.

Nestled inside Georgetown’s Four Seasons Hotel, Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina regularly draws in celebrities, socialites and political elites, including the Obamas, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is the modern steakhouse’s ambiance utterly posh, the menu is impressive with a whopping 24 different cuts of meat to choose from with rib-eye being the biggest crowd-pleaser. Whether you order a juicy wagyu, bone-in or bison rib-eye, consider your steak craving satisfied. Of course, make sure to check out the lengthy list of bourbons.

Time Out tip: Ina Garten recently said her favorite cheeseburger of all time is made here, so why not try that, too? We can confirm it's worth ordering.

Since it opened in 2018, this Union Market outpost of this New York tavern eatery has become one a go-to for steak enthusiasts. St. Anselm's Southern menu includes about six cuts of beef steak, plus lamb and pork options, that are cooked in an open kitchen and come with a bevy of rich accoutrements. My favorite dishes are the Ax Handle Ribeye, a massive slab of well-seasoned meat that's melt-in-the-mouth tender; I like to pair this with the lemony grilled broccoli and pan-fried mashed potato sides. I've also enjoyed the Butcher's Steak, which comes slathered in garlic butter.

Get an order of buttermilk biscuits and pimento cheese dip for the table. If you're looking for a break from red meat, order the succulent and massive salmon collar. 

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Bar Charley is one of my favorite bars in the whole city because of its generous all-day Monday happy hour, cozy vibe, and strong drinks. But the rowhouse restaurant on 18th St NW recenlty re-did its menu, and has emerged as a great spot for carnivores—although considering its owned by the people who run Charley Prime Foods, which also serves great steaks in Gaithersburg, Md., that shouldn't be such a surprise. 

The whole menu is filled with great dishes, and meat lovers have a lot to be happy about here—whole section of the menu called "The Beef." The steaks here are tender and generously portioned, and include cuts like New York strip, Coulette, and Wagyu hanger steaks. I personally love the dips on offer here, like the red pepper and paprika-filled cowboy butter and the mustard jus that comes with the steak frites. Be sure to add a side or two as well; my favorites are the French green beans with almonds and a white savory sauce, and the Cacio e Pepe macaroni.

Time Out tip: Bar Charley has great deals. Every Sunday steak entrees are 25% off; Monday is also all-night happy hour, which includes the delicious Charley Burger for $15.

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With two D.C. locations, Bobby Van's serves big steaks (and nice seafood dishes like scallops) in an elegant interior with lots of wood finishings. Service here is attentive, which goes a long way toward making a visit feel like a special night out. I've enjoyed both the New York strip, which comes with crispy and thin fries, and the filet mignon doused in funky gorgonzola butter.  

Open since 1972, The Palm is a magnet for celebs and political power players. It’s known for its gigantic lobsters and prime steaks such as the 18-ounce New York strip and bone-in 24-ounce steak. Unlike your typical stuffy steakhouse, the caricatures of famous faces that adorn the wall add a touch of fun to the space’s décor. 

African mahogany paneling and Art Deco chandeliers create a luxe ambiance at The Capital Grille, known for its hand-cut dry-aged steaks and impressive wine list. Thanks to an on-site butcher who hand-carves each steak and oversees the in-house 18-24 day dry aging process, the steaks here are superb. Standouts include the porcini rubbed Delmonico with 15-year aged balsamic, the filet mignon with cipollini onions and wild mushrooms and the bone-in kona crusted dry-aged New York strip with shallot butter. 

Bathed in dark wood, lush white linens and boasting awe-inspiring views of Capitol Hill, Charlie Palmer’s dining room sets the scene for a memorable meal (and is likley the source of all the rumors about Washingtonians subsisting on steak alone).

Take a seat and polish off the thick and tender snake river farms wagyu strip steak or go all out with a 42-ounce porterhouse for two—to be washed down with a glass or two of wine from the restaurant’s floating wine cube stocked with over 3,500 bottles.

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J. Hollinger's is just one of the great restaurants dotting Silver Spring's downtown, but it should be your stop when you crave steak (trust us, it's worth the short drive or hop on the Red Line.) The menu is a dream for lovers of surf-and-turf; there's lots of meat, plus add-on's include rich seafood like shrimp, lobster, and poached crab. In terms of steaks, try the herby Porterhouse and Tomahawk; the steak frites are well-loved, and very tasty, too.

Take a seat in a plush leather booth at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse's sleek CityCenter location and order steakhouse staples like a filet mignon or a rib-eye, or opt for a more unique cut like the 32-ounce wagyu tomahawk chop.

To drink, it’s all about the wine. Exposed cellars throughout the restaurant’s three levels show off the collection of over 1,200 labels, which are chicly complemented by an abundance of dark wood, metal and vibrant pops of color.

Located by the White House, the D.C. outpost of this Florida-based chain brings a little bit of Miami flavor to the District with its surf and turf menu and its raved-about fresh stone crabs sourced from the Gulf of Mexico. Steak options include rib-eyes, New York strips and porterhouses.

You can never go wrong with a classic porterhouse steak or a New York strip at Morton’s. All their steaks are USDA prime and can be ordered alongside family-style sides like asparagus, creamed spinach and potatoes. For dessert, do yourself a favor and order the key lime pie (you can thank us later). Although the restaurant’s interior is elegantly layered in dark hues, white linens and eye-catching light fixtures, the best seats in the house are actually on the outdoor patio, where guests can take in views of the K Street Corridor while smoking a cigar and throwing back a glass of wine or whiskey.

Ruth's Chris serves all the classics—a rib-eye, a New York strip, a t-bone and a 40-ounce porterhouse for two. Specialty cuts like the tomahawk rib-eye are also on the menu. For an extra pop of flavor, order Ruth’s dipping trio comprised of black truffle butter, shiitake demi-glace and honey soy glaze. And go wild with sides like lobster mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole and honey butter roasted Brussels sprouts.