13 Absolute Best Steakhouses In Denver, Ranked

Let's be honest: Denver is probably not at the top of anyone's list when thinking about the most happening, foodie-friendly cities in the United States. The city has a fascinating history and has long been revered for its outdoorsy population and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Up until a couple of years ago, the food in Denver was never a draw... but that's beginning to change. Colorado's population has exploded in the last decade, especially in Denver. As more and more Americans make their way to the state, the tastes of the Mile High City are endlessly evolving. In fact, just this month, the MICHELIN Guide announced that it was expanding to the Centennial State.

Colorado may not have a food style as distinguished as NYC, New Orleans, or Texas, but one food the state hasn't struggled with is steak. In fact, the state's capital is home to some of the very best steakhouses in America, cooking up juicy, mouthwatering cuts of prime rib, filets, New York strips, and more (and let's not forget those classic steakhouse apps and sides). From mom-and-pop operations to national chains, here are, in our opinion, the very best steakhouses Denver has to offer.

One rarely expects to find a nightclub vibe at a true steakhouse, but if you're visiting STK on Denver's bustling Market Street, you'll be greeted with bright, neon lights and loud music thumping throughout the restaurant. The atmosphere of the chain restaurant is intentional: Per STK's website, the restaurant "aims to define the modern dining experience complete with incredible food, world-class service and the perfect ambiance," but this depends on your definition of perfect ambiance. If the nightclub is it, then great, but most folks aren't looking to enjoy a quality steak at the club.

The menu at STK Denver is nothing to sniff at. With salads, starters, a raw bar, shellfish platters, steaks, and other entrées, there's going to be something for everyone here. Steaks are divvied into three categories. There are "medium" cuts like ribeye filets and dry-aged Delmonico, "large" cuts including a dry-aged Tomahawk and dry-aged ribeye, and a separate Wagyu selection. The appetizer and raw bar selections include items that appear ludicrously priced: $25 for a baby gem Caesar, $39 for crab cakes, and jalapeño pickled shrimp cocktail at $33 — that said, it's all very tasty. In addition, reviews mention unprofessional service, issues with steak temperature, and music too loud to hear over. Overall, while the food here is solid and the ambiance of the restaurant is sure to appeal to many, there are a number of steakhouses in Denver serving up equally (if not more) appetizing steaks at competitive price points.

Founded in Newport Beach, CA all the way back in the '90s, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar now operates a whopping 65+ locations across the United States. Although it's a large chain, Fleming's manages to maintain quality across its locations, and Fleming's in Englewood, Colorado is a well-known local hang. Kick things off with one of the restaurant's signature starters like sweet chili calamari or panko-crusted onion rings with jalapeño aioli, and whet your appetite with a strawberry fennel salad before moving on to the main course: steak. Fleming's offers both classic and specialty beef cuts, and each can be topped with a specialty butter (béarnaise, smoked chili, or herbed horseradish).

If steak isn't your jam, there are plenty of other entrées to choose from, including fish, seafood, poultry, and the plant-based roasted portobello and cauliflower "steak." Steakhouses aren't well-known as great happy hour spots, but Fleming's hosts a social hour with drink and bar bite specials, which is a great way to sample a bit more of the menu. The downside of this otherwise well-rounded steakhouse is that there's nothing specific to Colorado here, whereas more locally-owned restaurants are able to offer dishes that showcase local and seasonal ingredients.

Billing itself as "Denver's original steakhouse," Buckhorn Exchange has been serving up game and Colorado delicacies since it was founded in 1893. Now considered a National Historic Landmark, Buckhorn Exchange no longer caters to miners and railroad workers, but rather to history and exotic meat-loving tourists and locals alike. The restaurant is not for the faint of heart (or vegetarians). The appetizer menu features things like fried alligator tail, red chile, lime-marinated rattlesnake, and, of course, Rocky Mountain oysters (bull testicles).

You'll also find steaks offered on the dinner menu, and unlike the vast majority of steakhouses, Buckhorn Exchange serves both beef and buffalo steaks, including a legendary slow-roasted buffalo prime rib. Buffalo meat has a lighter flavor and generally a more tender texture than beef, so it's well worth a try; but if you're not feeling quite so adventurous, you can order a pretty decent T-bone, beef tenderloin, or NY strip steak. Want to branch out even further? Try out the elk, quail, or Colorado lamb entrées. Buckhorn provides an incredibly unique experience and a wonderful way to sample items you may not be able to try otherwise, but it's not known for preparing best-in-class steaks. Kitschy shock value is the name of the (wild) game here.

Columbine Steak House and Lounge might not look like much on the outside. Settled off Federal Boulevard, its exterior looks more like a combination gas station and diner than a fancy steakhouse, but that's because Columbine isn't a fancy steakhouse. The no-frills, cash-only restaurant is as humble as it gets, but that said, the food is lovingly prepared and has a great bang for your buck. The most expensive item on the menu is the 22 to 24-ounce porterhouse, ringing in at $28, and each entrée item is served with dinner salad, Texas toast, and a baked potato or fries. There are a fair number of cuts to choose from for steak, from the aforementioned porterhouse to a T-bone, filet mignon, sirloin, and New York strip.

You're not limited to steak when dining at Columbine. There are a couple of other dinner options, including pork chops, breaded shrimp, fried chicken, and breaded Hoki fish, all for under $16. The establishment's reviews are mostly four and five-star, and many of them echo the same sentiment: This is a really good steak for the price, but many of the reviews reference poor service (some brush it off as a quirk, but it irks other diners), and incorrectly cooked steaks.

Englewood is about a 20-minute drive from the heart of Denver, but a visit to Steakhouse 10 is well worth the gas money. The family-owned steak and seafood joint has been around for over 25 years and boasts an impressive 4.5/5 stars on Yelp. Service is on point, and the food rarely disappoints. Steak-wise, the New York pepper steak with fresh ground black pepper and a peppercorn brandy cream sauce is *chef's kiss,* but if you're not feeling it, you can order a ribeye, filet, and even beef medallions or lamb chops. On the seafood side, the salmon with a bright lemon beurre blanc is exquisite, as is the tender Chilean sea bass entrée — and you simply must start your meal with the lobster bisque.

While the quality of the food is inarguable, there's nothing that truly stands out from other steakhouses on the menu. It's all pretty classic steakhouse fare, such as shrimp cocktail, jumbo lump crab cakes, wedge salad, steak and seafood entrées, and a solitary Mediterranean poultry dish. Prices are comparable to many other steakhouses on this list, but if you're willing to shell out $100+ for an app, entrée, and a drink or two, there are more exciting places in town. Another bummer? It's closed on Sundays.

Elway's was founded by two friends with the mission of bringing together friends and family over the best food Colorado has to offer, regardless of the season. Today, Elway's has locations in Cherry Creek, downtown Denver, Vail, and the Denver airport, all of which feature prime hand-cut steaks, local lamb, and seafood. The menu rotates throughout the year, showcasing seasonal specials and sides, but steak never goes out of style. Whether you're chowing down on a filet, a New York strip, a ribeye, or a porterhouse, Elway's steaks are impressive. That said, a handful of reviews indicate that the kitchen struggles with cooking steaks to the proper temperature — admittedly, not the easiest feat, but something that needs to be perfected by a restaurant that specializes in steak.

One of the best menu portions at Elway's is the appetizer section. The lamb chop fondue is truly unique, the grilled artichoke app is beautifully decadent, and the spicy steak chili is one of a kind. At the bar, you'll find funnily named ("Out Of Your League," "Caught Stealing"), and deliciously crafted cocktails — the restaurant changes up its spirits selection seasonally along with the food. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the opportunity to try a sommelier flight, and beer drinkers have a large section of Colorado craft beers to choose from. Don't sleep on the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, perhaps a la mode, for dessert.

If you're looking for a laid-back steak joint after enjoying a Rockies game at the famous Coors Field, look no further than Denver ChopHouse & Brewery. The ballpark neighborhood favorite serves up an impressively-sized menu with steaks and chops playing the lead role. ChopHouse's signature steaks are reasonably priced, spanning from $45 for a black Angus top sirloin to $71 for a bone-in Porterhouse steak. While the steaks are delicious, some of the other entrée offerings — particularly the sage and fontina-stuffed pork chops and the stout braised short ribs — just might be even better. The shaved prime rib sandwich, which is only available on the lunch menu, is another excellent dish.

It's hard not to enjoy the tavern-like atmosphere provided by Denver ChopHouse. Though it's upscale, with white tablecloths and excellent service, there's a relaxing quality to the place. ChopHouse boasts a fantastic small-batch bourbon menu and a huge bonus is the beer list, featuring brews made right onsite at the brewery (the raspberry Berliner Weisse sour is divine).

Union Station in the heart of downtown Denver is brimming with historic charm, and just steps away lies Urban Farmer. The down-to-earth steakhouse mini-chain operates locations in Philly, Portland, and Denver, and focuses on sustainability by working with nearby ranchers, farmers, and other vendors to allow guests to experience authentic, locally-sourced, delicious food. The restaurant group follows a zero-waste model, and parts of livestock that would be discarded in most restaurants are repurposed into stocks, sausages, and more.

Given Urban Farmer's focus on sustainability, it should come as no surprise that the menu changes seasonally — however, one constant is top-notch steaks, many of which are cut from grass-fed and raised cows right in Colorado. All steaks, from the king choice beef to the dry-aged T-bone, can be upgraded with additions like a spicy peppercorn quartet crust, herb jus, and blue cheese Wagyu fat. Additional current entrées include things like a venison rack, local Colorado striped bass, and a delightful eggplant ratatouille for the vegetarian at the table. The drinks at Urban Farmer include creative cocktails, 20 wines by the glass, and a selection of both local and national beers. Notably, the restaurant has a great mocktail selection — the lavender honey limeade is sure to be a hit with anyone abstaining from alcohol.

Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood, just minutes from downtown Denver, is known for expensive condos, high-end boutiques, and upscale restaurants. It's here you'll find 801 Chophouse. This New York-style steakhouse has been slinging USDA prime beef steaks, chops, fish, and crustaceans since its establishment in 2016. There's a timeless, classy feel to 801 Chophouse, and the commitment to quality is evident in the food. There are a number of steaks available on the menu, including several cuts each of prime rib, wet-aged steaks, dry-aged steaks, and Japanese A5 Wagyu. Each steak can be finished in a variety of styles, including au poivre, black truffle butter, foie gras, and others.

Dessert is not to be missed at 801 Chophouse — pastries are made fresh in-house daily and feature longtime favorites like creme brûlée and death by chocolate cake alongside seasonally rotated specials. The bar's carefully curated small-batch bourbon and Scotch collection are sure to be a hit with the whiskey lovers in your life, while the wine drinkers can choose a bottle from 801's award-winning wine list.

Shanahan's isn't your average steakhouse. Named for longtime Denver Broncos football coach Mike Shanahan, you won't find soft jazz and dim lighting here. Instead, diners are greeted by a bull cowhide bench and authentic Lombardi trophies in the entryway, a huge, full-circle bar, and a host of plasma screens, which will always be tuned into the Broncos games during football season. Shanahan's is like a sports bar that's been elevated tenfold, and while it might sound like an unheard-of idea, it works. These are some of the best steaks in Denver — the steak section includes 28-day aged USDA prime steaks like the center barrel cut filet mignon, the prime NY strip, and a dry-aged Kansas City strip, along with chops such as a prime bone-in veal chop and lamb chops with mint chimichurri.

Finding quality seafood in a landlocked state like Colorado is like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Shanahan's has Marine Stewardship Council-certified seafood flown in daily for menu features like parmesan-crusted Pacific halibut and real, buttery Maine lobster tails. Pair your meal with one of Shanahan's 25 bottled beer options, or 25 types of wine by the glass. If you're splurging on a bottle, you may need a minute with the wine list — over 750 selections are offered at the restaurant.

When driving down Colfax, it's hard to miss the bright neon-lit sign advertising Bastien's, home of the sugar steak. A local favorite since 1958, Bastien's Restaurant is an old-school steakhouse with laid-back, cozy vibes. It's also one of the most affordable spots in town to get a really, really good steak. Bastien's steaks range in price from $34 to $52, and, on top of that, each steak is served with your choice of potato (baked, twice baked, mashed, potato salad, or fries), a soup or salad, and a side of grilled veggies. This makes for quite a hearty plate at a reasonable price, but don't be fooled: Bastien's serves up some of the juiciest, tenderest steaks in the Mile High City.

The restaurant's signature preparation style, the sugar rub, allows a sugar and spice blend to act as a meat tenderizer and leads to a surprising caramelization effect on marbled beef. If a sugar rub doesn't tickle your fancy, order your steak plain, or choose from one of the other prep styles like jalapeño, caramelized onion and white cheddar, or panko gorgonzola. Steaks aside, the sides, soups, and salads at Bastien's all warrant a mention. The steakhouse's French onion soup is deeply flavored with veal stock and contrasted by a soft, melty slice of Swiss cheese. The warm Brie appetizer with raspberry coulis is not to be missed, and the grilled Caesar salad puts a unique smoky twist on a classic.

Settled in the Central Business District (there's also a location in Houston), Guard and Grace Denver has won numerous awards and uses high-quality ingredients to create avant-garde wood-fired food, including charcuterie, seafood, and, of course, steak. The restaurant serves several cuts each of melt-in-your-mouth prime, Wagyu, and grass-fed beef. In true innovative Chef Troy Guard fashion, patrons can also order a filet flight, which includes a 4-ounce sampling of all three varieties.

While steak is the focus here, Guard and Grace offer an extensive menu. Munch on an appetizer like oak-fired carrots or oak-fired octopus, or enjoy fresh oysters, Alaskan king crab, and scallop tartare from the raw bar. Don't miss out on the charcuterie boards, which include locally-sourced and house-made accompaniments. If you're hungry enough for an entrée but not craving steak, the braised Colorado lamb and Skuna Bay salmon are both fantastic. Round out your meal with a cocktail or glass of wine, and be sure to save room for dessert — the sticky coffee cake and peanut butter mud pie are to die for, making this spot overall one of the best steak places in Denver.

Step through the doors, and you'll immediately notice the restaurant's funky, modern design featuring clean lines, wooden furniture, and bright pops of color — but it's the food that really stands out here. The restaurant's name hails from the Wagyu beef grading scale, which scores Wagyu beef cuts based on factors like meat and fat color, size and shape, and marbling, with the very highest score being, you guessed it, A5.

A5 Steakhouse's focus is quality food made sustainably, working extensively with local farmers, ranchers, and other vendors to deliver eco-friendly, world-class dishes. The menu reaches far and wide, but the restaurant is known first and foremost as a steakhouse. There are a number of cuts on the menu, from the prime black Angus tenderloin for $60 to the bone-in New York strip at $125, to a market-price Tomahawk ribeye. Of course, given the restaurant's name, a Japanese A5 striploin makes an appearance. If you're not feeling steak, there are plenty of other options on the menu — buttermilk fried chicken, Galbi marinated Wagyu lettuce wraps, and roasted black cod are all solid choices. The quality of the steak, uniqueness and class of the restaurant, and overall menu options make this our top pick for the best steakhouse in Denver.