The Tastiest Steakhouses in Santa Ana

Vine Restaurant & Bar

★★★★★ 4.7 (946) • $$$

"The chicken schnitzel was one of the best dishes we've ever had in our lives. The chicken was moist and well seasoned, the combination of textures with the pasta it's served with went SO well. The maitake flavor pairs so well, this could be a Michelin star dish.The brussel sprouts were also delicious. The duck wings were good but I wasn't as into them as the other dishes. Heather was our server and she was so great and knowledgeable on the menu. The restaurant was cozy and upscale with white linen table clothings. A 10/10 experience all around, we will def be returning."

The Alley Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (729) • $$

"I wasn't impressed by service nor the restaurant. I found the restaurant to incredibly loud and the waiter to be impatient and abrupt. On a busy night we were in and out in les than an hour. I would have liked to enjoy my nice evening out by way of a more lingering experience, but our waiter had no time for that. My friend ordered the pot pie which she enjoyed. The presentation was impressive with the oversized pastry billowing over the dish. I ordered the chicken picatta. It was okay but not anything special. The mixed vegetables were steamed, which I always find uninteresting and not flavorful. I would expect steamed vegetables at a lower class restaurant. On the flip side, if you're looking for a hip, vibing place to hang, then their bar looked like it would fill that need greatly. Parking is mostly Valet, which takes some patients too at their busy times."

Twenty Eight

★★★★☆ 4 (715) • $$$

"This was a surprise for me - I had never heard of this restaurant. Upon arrival the seating seemed a bit too open for my taste but I adjusted and it was fine . They have a great whisky list and the wine list is pretty good as well. I do need to take a moment to silence for the Wagyu steak. It was so good! They give you a soy egg sauce for dipping if you'd like and it's pretty tasty. Staff was very informative and attentive throughout the meal. I can't wait to go back."

OPAH Seafood Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (779) • $$

"I go to 230 quite a bit one of my favorite restaurants. This one has a very similar menu and taste the same. I've had nothing but a good experience coming here, I did just get told that Mark is no longer The owner. Hope the new owner does not change the recipes, and only adds if you knew good items."

dPlace Steak & Pasta

★★★★☆ 4.2 (629) • $$$

"Super solid korean italian fusion spot! We came in around 2 and we didn't have to wait. Staff is super friendly and the place is really clean. Food is super yum & the side dishes help balance the flavors. The owner gave us the burrata grapefruit dish on the house and i think it might've been my favorite. The carbonara was really creamy and flavorful i loved that too. Pictured: burrata grapefruit, seafood marinara, carbonara, oc galbi korean"

La Cave

★★★★☆ 3.7 (776) • $$$

"A steak that cuts like butter and terrific cocktails and service. First time and won't be the last!"

Jeff's Inviting Food and Spirits

★★★★★ 4.6 (445) • $$$

"This place is a real treasure in Orange. The service is exceptional, and the food is consistently flavorful and tasty. Jeff is a true professional, warmly welcoming and seating every guest. It's a wonderful spot that I highly recommend."

The Bungalow Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (631) • $$$

"What a fantastic dining experience this evening at The Bungalow in Corona Del Mar. The hostesses were very friendly and professional as was the Valet attendant. We were seated at a lovely booth in the dining room. Derrick was our server extraordinare. What an amazing person, professional and kind. We started with drinks and my wife had her favorite, Don Julio Blanco with Topo Chico and three limes muddled with mint and I had bottled water and a soft drink. We both started with salads and my wife had the Cesar salad and I had the wedge. Both salads were presented well and very tasty. Oscar, another fine individual came by and brought us fresh bread and also attended to our table. We so enjoyed the evening with great conversation and fantastic food.Derrick took our entree order as well and my wife had the seabass entree, butterfield and I had the filet mignon entree with melted blue cheese and a side of sautéed spinach. The meals came out beautifully prepared and presented and the taste of both meals were excellent. I finished with an Americano and some additional conversation and then Kevin, one of the managers, stopped by to thank us for coming in while asking how everything was. We thanked Kevin and praised the staff, food and overall experience. Highly recommended"

SET Steak & Sushi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (477) • $$$

"Set is located in the Pendry in Newport.Valet is $15 with restaurant validation.This place is dressy. Like really dressy! I was surprised at how dressed up the ladies were and I was there for it. The restaurant has an outdoor patio and inside. The outdoor has fire heaters and gives a more romantic feel. The inside is loud, tvs, large groups and more of a bar feel. Completely opposite of each other which I found interesting. So I recommend booking your reservation to the vibe you desire. Reservations are tough to come by on the weekends so definitely recommend in advance. Food: I thought it was fun that this place catered to a steak house feel but also had the sushi aspect. I was feeling more steak and my hubby wanted sushi so it made a fun dinner spread. We started with Mac n cheese sticks ($15) as an appetizer and these were phenomenal! The sticks were crispy and the Mac n cheese was perfectly cheesy. The jalapeño sauce was chefs kiss. I recommend! I ordered the prime steak($52) with the fried rice($15) and both were delicious. The fried rice was so flavorful! My hunny got the surf and turf roll which consisted of 8 in a roll for $32. He also ordered the bang bang shrimp ($24) which was quite a bit of shrimp and very flavorful. Overall, the food was delicious! Drinks: the cocktail menu looks pretty solid. I am doing dry January so I appreciate they had a select mocktail list of 5 drinks. I got the strawberries & cream and it was so delicious! Tasted like a strawberry milkshake but in soda form! I also ordered the berries mocktail and it was way too sweet. The syrup or grenadine was really strong. I would skip. Service: 5/5 very attentive and kind. Had great recommendations! We also were seated promptly upon arrival for a 9:30pm reservation which was nice.Overall, a very trendy spot in the OC. I would definitely come back. Just keep in mind valet is a train wreck. It took us almost 45 minutes to get our car on a Saturday night and it was freezing out. I would definitely Uber so you can just avoid that mess in general."

En Familia

★★★★☆ 4.3 (379)

"Food was great and the service was great. We got help super fast. The food came out right away. The music was fantastic. I was Vibin with my husband. We had a fun little brunch date overall fun experience. Everyone was very friendly."

Ocean 48

★★★★☆ 4.4 (302) • $$$$

"General manager, Anthony at Ocean 48 reached out to me and we discussed the concerns I had on my initial visit. He took the time to listen and assured me he would discuss my concerns with his staff so they could make improvements. He invited me back to try them again. On this subsequent visit I had a much better experience.Crispy shrimp ($29) - This was a great appetizer with plenty of crispy shrimp coated in a sweet thai chili sauce and served with some garlic aioli.Big eyed tuna ($58) - I was impressed with the freshness of the tuna here and the presentation was beautiful.Sea scallops ($59) - These scallops were perfectly pan fried and served with a sauce that helped to elevate the flavor profile.Crab cakes ($58) - This came with 2 crab cakes with plenty of fresh crab meat and was another great seafood option.Sauteed wild mushrooms ($18) -A medley of mushrooms was sauteed in some garlic, with parsley, and thyme and was a much better accompaniment then the previous side dish I had last time.Peanut butter pie ($19) - This dessert was rich and decadent with it's peanut butter chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache and a crushed peanut crust.Overall the food items I ordered this time were much better. Service was excellent and the staff accommodated my request to sit by the indoor pool. I'm glad Anthony reached out to me and I appreciated that he personally came by to check in how things went."

Dizz's As Is

★★★★☆ 4.1 (307) • $$$

"The last of the old established Laguna restaurants. Fantastic atmosphere .If you want a drink and some appetizer you will be ok. I would not go here for the food specifically. The menu looks good but for the price , I expect better execution and flavor and presentation for my dollar. It was not bad but it was nothing I would want to come back for ."

Agave Seasons

★★★★☆ 4.1 (209)

"The food at Agave Seasons is phenomenal. The patio is beautiful. We had the chile colorado, braised ribs, sashimi, and the black beans were beyond incredible. The drinks were beyond fantastic. Honorio was the server who took amazing care of us. The patio is dog friendly and we had a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We highly recommend Agave Seasons. Its only down the street from the beach. What a great location. I cant stop talking about how great the food and drinks are."

Mentirosa Resto Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (7)

"Must try food and drinks are amazing. We had the cantaritos can't wait to be back! We had the ceviche with pulpo and cantaritos. Great staff and atmosphere."

Selanne Steak Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$$

"Never been down here to laguna, gotta say it was well worth the drive! Came here for our anniversary right when they opened. Cute little house looking restaurant lol. Parking is just street parking didn't have too much trouble finding any just kinda scary crossing the busy street. As soon as we got seated our very nice helpful waiter got us started with drinks. Forgot to take pictures of it lol. Drinks were good not too strong tho. I got the 8oz filet mignon and side of mac n cheese and the truffle thingy. I was worried 8 oz would be too small but with the sides I was pretty stuffed by the end. The mac and cheese and truffle were to die for I still crave for more. The end they offered us dessert we got a nice small free one for our anniversary then ordered another one. The flavors were really good all together. I'd come back here one day."

Saddle Ranch

★★★☆☆ 3.4 • $$

"First time coming here, and I love the cute western theme! Also, they have a mechanical ball so if you're into that 10 out of 10. We sat at the bar and we greatly enjoyed it. They have TVs all around playing music videos. There are lots of different menu options, which is a great choice. If people are into a variety of different things I feel like you can find a great food choice for anyone. Drinks at the bar, were delicious and portion size were great! Also, the bartenders were really kind although very busy service was great. I ordered the three mini cheeseburgers and I was so obsessed with the fact that they were so cute and tiny! It did take quite a while to get our food, but we understand that it was a busy evening so we didn't mind it too much. We took note that they have happy hour so we look forward to coming here and enjoying some food and drinks then as well ."

Fogo De Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"I hear so much of their happy hours I had to try for myself before taking the plunge with their full dining experience. Happy hour is only at the patio or bar top and you seat yourself for bar top. We ordered the lamb chops, cheese appetizers, and filet mignon along with two clean cocktails. Also got the complimentary cheese bread. All were delicious, but the lamb is REALLY gamey. It was recommended to eat lamb medium cooked. It really is an acquired taste. I asked the hostess what is the best value at fogo and she said the brunch* was by far better than anything they offer just due to the breakfast options and it costing less than dinner."

Nick's Laguna Beach

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$$

"SUNDAY BLOODY MARY SUNDAYS.... NICK'S Laguna Beach, California! I Freakin' LOVE NICK'S Bloody Mary's w/ their Fried Panko Crusted Blue Cheese Stuffed Olive =$14... "Almost" as Much as I LOVE Pickleball!And Without Question, after you see All My Brunch NICK'S Pics, You Too, will Dream of NICK'S, Too! NICK's Laguna Beach, they undeniably have one of the Most Amazin' Weekend Breakfast & Brunch's in the OC!! NICK'S! Please make my Dreams Come True & Serve Breakfast 7-days a Week, Again Soon! :)Brunch Currently Served Only on the Weekends from 8:30am - 11:30am and a MUST Check Out!"

Cedar Creek Inn

★★★★☆ 3.5 • $$

"Good Wine Pairings on the Menu:- Unshackled Red Blend: Perfect with Prime Rib or Filet Mignon- Heitz Cellar Cabernet: Ideal with Rack of Lamb or New York Steak- Padrillos Malbec: Best with Boneless Braised Short Ribs- Daou Chardonnay: Pairs wonderfully with Seafood Fettucine- Justin Sauvignon Blanc: Delightful with Brie & Pecan ChickenWe savored the Sauvignon Blanc with Brie, and it was absolutely delicious!The restaurant exudes an elegant ambiance with bright, open spaces.Our server was cheery and attentive. We sat near the hostess station to the right--an excellent table.I appreciated the diverse menu choices and enjoyed the Monte Cristo.Overall, a delightful experience for my first visit here.Review: Highly recommended!¡Bon appétit!"

The Capital Grille

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"This was my third or fourth time coming to The Capital Grille. It's still just as good as the first time! Service is wonderful. The food is phenomenal. You can't go wrong here.This time I brought my parents and aunt/ uncle. It was my aunts birthday, so I recommend that we come here to celebrate. It was a great success! My aunt loved the food. My dad and uncle loved the ribeye so much! They said it was the best ribeye they have ever had. That's awesome! Ambiance got a little loud in the area we were seated. The table next to us was super loud. It was hard at times for us to have a quiet conversation. But that hasn't been my experience on other visits.10/10 overall! Fantastic experience! My family said they would love to come back here. Score!!! :)"

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.3

"Came on a Sunday evening to celebrate my mother in law's retirement! We made a reservation and only had to wait briefly for our table. I really appreciated the dim, intimate ambiance of the restaurant. This was my first Brazilian steakhouse experience so I didn't know what to expect! I am not a huge steak person so this may not be the spot for me, but my favorites of the meats ended up being the chicken thighs and drumstick. The seasoning was amazing and it was crisped to perfection. I also appreciated we were treated to a complimentary dessert since we were celebrating-- we opted for the lava cake and it was so good and gooey. The highlight of the night for me though was the carrot ginger soup from the salad bar! It was the best soup I've ever had and i would come back just for that."

Fogo de Chão

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$$

"I had an absolutely wonderful experience at this restaurant! The food was nothing short of amazing - each type of meat served was bursting with flavor, beautifully presented, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients.What truly made the experience exceptional, however, was the service. Julia B, one of our waitresses, was an absolute delight. She was so attentive, making sure we had everything we needed at all times. Her sweetness and professionalism stood out.Overall, this visit was a memorable one, and I'm definitely looking forward to returning!"

Paul Martin's American Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$$

"I had dinner here on a busy weeknight, and while there were some hiccups, it was still an enjoyable experience. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, and the service was attentive and kind despite the crowd.The appetizers were great. Calamari was perfectly cooked, the cheddar biscuits were tasty, and the Holiday Fizz cocktail was a fun, festive treat.The entrees were a bit disappointing. My steak frites were fine, but since the cut is thin, it can only be cooked to medium - tough for someone like me who prefers medium rare. My colleagues' ribeyes also came out overcooked, then undercooked, and sending it back multiple times was just painful. I'd come back for the vibe, service, drinks, and apps, but I'd probably save the steaks for another spot."

Mozambique

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$$

"Excellent food and service.A wide variety to choose from, the halal menu is limited but still enough.One of my friends had the lamb curry and I had the chicken peri peri.Highly recommend!"

Woody's Wharf

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"It's been a while, but I've given this place more chances and have to say I'll continue returning!As someone who doesn't like mimosas, I knew bottomless would've been a rip off for me with their deal. Luckily, I was able to use a different menu and order a margarita on the side without having to use their bottomless brunch menu!Their Buffalo Chicken Wings came out steaming and packed! It tasted exactly like you'd expect from good wings. If you have the stomach, try out their Clam Chowder! Super creamy, filling, and hearty if you're not feeling anything else. Glad I'm able to get a difference experience from last time!"

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4 • $$$$

"It's always good to come here and enjoy a nice good ribeye steak the service here is always amazing food & drinks is good also the tomahawk is my favorite steak here but today it was the ribeye.."

Mahé

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"The Best Sushi Experience Ever! It deserves 10 starsDuring my visit to family in town, my only food request was sushi--and this place did not disappoint! I can't wait to come back.The Good:- The location is absolutely stunning.- The staff (except the hostess) were amazing.- The sushi? Hands down the best I've ever had. The menu offers a great selection, but the real gems are the rolls not listed on the menu. Every single roll we tried was delicious and mouthwatering.Our Choices:- Red Tataki- Avocado El Effe- All Night- Lollipop- FernandoThere were a few more, but I didn't catch the names. Show the staff pictures, and they'll likely be able to identify them.The Downside:- The hostess wasn't friendly or nice, which was a bit of a letdown. But it did not interfere with the food. Despite that minor hiccup, the experience was phenomenal. If you love sushi, you need to try this place!"

Newport Rib Company

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"This place was bookmarked for a while, but I finally got to it! We were coming back from a LONG day and ordered a basket of ribs and a Tri-tip quinoa salad to go. A mix of savory and healthy? Pickup was easy and ready within 20-25 minutes.The portion was gracious, and the ribs were delicious- not dry at all. We did not even have to use the provided sauce. Will be back to try the prime rib everyone seems to be raving out!"

Vaca

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Vaca is hands down one of the best spots for Spanish-inspired cuisine in Costa Mesa! The ambiance is stylish yet welcoming, with a great vibe that makes it perfect for a night out. We started with the croquettas de pollo, which were crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside--so good! The bikini sandwich was another highlight--loaded with Jamón Ibérico, Manchego cheese, and a touch of truffle oil. Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.While the tapas can be on the pricier side, it's totally worth it for the quality of the ingredients and the overall experience. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made great wine recommendations to pair with the meal. If you're in the area, definitely check out Vaca for a memorable dining experience!"

Nick's on 2nd

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"I visited Nick's on 2nd on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was quite crowded, as expected, and parking in the area was a challenge. I parked in the residential area behind the restaurant. For appetizers, we ordered fried devil eggs and spinach and artichoke dip. I never seen the bottom of an egg deep fried for devil eggs before but it was delectable. Spinach artichoke was also another hit. It was really good. For lunch, I ordered the Bistro Plate, which included a petite filet mignon, a petite bistro salad, and the soup of the day (French onion). Unfortunately, the steak was poorly seasoned and had an odd taste. The salad was just okay, but the French onion soup was too salty. After two spoonfuls, I couldn't eat any more. Luckily, I don't have high blood pressure because the sodium was extremely high. My brother ordered the center-cut filet and found it similarly disappointing, describing it as bland. However, my father ordered the ribeye melt sandwich, which he absolutely loved, calling it one of the best he's ever had.For drinks, we selected bottle service and went with the Cabernet, Impetuous, which was enjoyable.I ordered their butter cake for dessert to go. However, I had their ice cream and compote there. I usually don't like compote but it was very good and sweet. I warmed the butter cake at home. While the top layer was just average, the bottom layer of the cake was really good. My brother ordered desert wine- Taylor Fladgate. I took a sip and it was actually good. I'm not a fan of sweet wine but it was enjoyable. Overall, the experience was a mix of hits and misses. While the ribeye melt sandwich and dessert stood out, the steaks and soup was not appeasing. Nick's has potential, but the inconsistencies in food quality would make me hesitate to return."