The Best Steakhouses in Toronto
The best steakhouses in Toronto have an appeal that go beyond a superb cut of meat that you haven't the resources to buy or the skill to cook to perfection, though it's a good place to start. In the dark ages of Toronto dining - roughly any time from the '30s to the '70s - steakhouses were fine dining, the best places to get a quality meal, and a few of those places still survive, though many others (Le Baron, Cyrano's and, just recently, Bigliardi's) have gone the way of the three martini lunch and the dress code.
It's no surprise that new steakhouses will try to ape their ancestors' style - the plush banquettes, the dim lighting, the dark wood-paneled walls and even the jumble of oddball antiques and architectural salvage that suggest both a gentleman's club and a posh cathouse. Menus change at a glacial pace, which is why even a recently opened steakhouse will feature a menu item that dates back to the days when Mateus rosé might have been the best bottle on the wine list, and non-smokers were a very silent minority.
Today a quality wine list is a must, and the kitchen might even be able to slap something together for the vegetarian who tagged along with you. (God knows you tried to convince them to stay at home.) The list voted by readers of this site favours independent steakhouses, which explains the absence of big chains like Ruth's Chris, Morton's or The Keg - though there's one exception that slipped under the wire. The range of establishments chosen is a testament to the abiding appeal of the particularly masculine charms of the steakhouse.
See also: The best steak frites in Toronto
Barberian’s
This Elm Street landmark celebrated its 50th anniversary this month, in the dining room that remains unchanged from the day when Raquel Welch broke the no-jeans dress code. Founded by Harry Barberian and run today by his son Arron, it features an epic wine cellar and a staff that stays around for decades. All the classic cuts are there, but the 9 oz. centre cut top sirloin remains one of the city’s great dining bargains at $29.75. Retro menu item - Baked Alaska. More...
Harbour Sixty
Famous for its power-dining clientele as much as its pricey menu, this lake view establishment is on the verge of re-opening after a renovation and menu revamp. The old Harbour Sixty was classic steakhouse; the new incarnation promises an update of what the website calls its “old world aesthetic.” When you walk through the front door, it’s always amusing to remember that, not so long ago, Lake Ontario once lapped against the steps. More...
Jacobs & Co.
This clean-lined rethink of the classic steakhouse opened two years ago in a nightclub space that had seen a lot of churn, and features a piano bar, a high-end menu and a well-picked wine list. The meat selection is impressive, and the inventory is kept proudly on display in a glass-walled room. Its vicinity to the club district means that the Mad Men vibe is overshadowed by a Nip/Tuck tip. Retro menu item - Lobster Thermidor More...
Hy's
The Toronto location of this Calgary-born chain opened in 1962, when Dief was chief and the Beatles were turned down by Decca Records. A Financial District standby since then, it still gets its meat from Alberta, including a massive 22 oz. porterhouse that will give your doctor nightmares. Retro menu item - creamed corn. More...
The Fifth Grill
This fine dining adjunct of the club district stalwart has a speakeasy-like lack of easy access. Once the elevator deposits you on the top floor, however, you’re met by an elegant room and probably the most exquisite rooftop patio in the city. Originally a private club, it’s open to the public only on the weekends, and features a reasonable wine list to go with its striploin and ribeye. It’s only been a steakhouse for three years, which might explain eccentric sides like the panko onion rings and the lobster mashed potatoes. Retro menu item - chopped salad. More...
The Tulip
The east end’s workingman’s steakhouse replaces the oak paneling with formica, and serves up steak that might lack the high end finesse, but not the taste. A 10 oz. New York cut striploin is only $22.75, and where else does your choice of sides include spaghetti? Retro menu item - “escargo.” More...
House Of Chan
One of Toronto’s worst-kept secrets is the top steakhouse disguised by the lacquer red booths and walls of this Chinese food institution. The rib-eye and porterhouse take pride of place over the chow mein in Chan’s menu, but you’d be missing an opportunity if you didn’t order the egg foo yong to go with your sirloin. Retro menu item - jumbo shrimp cocktail. More...
The Octagon
Opened in 1974, Thornhill’s Octagon is the steakhouse-meets-Field-Of-Dreams - a rococo steak house fantasia born in what was once beyond the city’s far fringes, with the certainty that if you build it, they will come. A solidly mid-priced steak menu (NY cut for $34.95; rib-eye for $42.95) is married to a generous but well-priced wine cellar in a dizzying baroque maze of a dining room. Retro menu item - Oysters Rockefeller. More...
Tom Jones
One of Toronto’s surviving old guard of original steakhouses, Tom Jones has been in its charming little home in the shadow of the King Eddy since 1966, and serves up heaps of atmosphere with its NY sirloin and filet mignon. The name alone should make it a landmark, and both the Welsh singer and the hero of the eponymous Fielding novel would find themselves at home here. Retro menu item - Steak Diane. More...
Carman’s
Another member of the old guard, Carman’s also celebrated its fifth decade this year in its tudor-beamed home near the gay ghetto, and promptly took the summer off to celebrate. Carman’s has old school atmosphere to spare, and its claim to fame is introducing garlic bread to the benighted city, though there’s a rumour that it might not open its doors again when the leaves start to turn. More...
Senior’s
Like The Tulip, Senior’s is an unprepossessing regular Joe’s steakhouse, opened in 1961 by Eddy Marlet. Downstairs is a standard-issue diner, but it’s the upstairs “dining nook” that serves the goods, including a 16 oz. NY sirloin for $37.50 and a host of hearty sides including the “pink caviar” (taramosalata.) Retro menu item - tomato juice as an appetizer. More...
Bardi’s
In the shadow of the Royal York since 1966, Bardi’s has served the business district crowd since before Trudeaumania, but got a new shot in the arm with the pre-game crowd on their way to their private boxes at the Rogers and Air Canada Centres. They were the first in the country to serve Black Angus, and have the magnums and jeroboams of fine wine in their glass-walled cellar if you need to celebrate. Retro menu item - Peasant Salad. More...
Comments (48)
I highly recommend Senior's not only for the steaks but for the atmosphere, there's some serious charm here from the employees and regulars who frequent this place.
However, I wouldn't waste my time heading up to Octagon if you don't live nearby.
Allen's on the Danforth can at times give most of these dedicated steak joints a run for their money, and those times are specifically in the spring when they run their "steak festival", it may lack the olde steake housee leathere banquettee atmospheree but the quality of the meat can't be beat.
Though I haven't been there for a few years, Carman's was always my favourite of the downtown throwbacks. I'm sad to hear they may be gone for good.
Duncan,
I can whole-heartedly support your Seniors reco. That place is a true mans mean house. And the owners daughter will kick your ass if you get in her way... just as she should. I LOVE that place.
Bardi's was a huge disappointment the second time I went there. The first, it was sublime. The second, the Keg would have been better...
Sorry Chester I have to disagree with you. The service at Allen's is pale in comparison to what's delivered at Harbour Sixty or Barberians.
that's MEAT house, not MEAN house.... Why oh why are there no EDIT buttons anywhere on the interweb?
Barberian's and the Tulip are my favorite places in the city to eat. Awesome list for once the indie's get the nod. Morton's does not deserve to be on the list and I am glad it was ignored... it is crass and overly boring.
I'll grant you the service at Allen's is uneven at best and never comes up to the level of the places you name but I'm prepared to forgive some service failings if what goes on the plate makes up for it, again I'm only talking about the brief few weeks a year where Allen's is doing their "steak festival" thing where they are putting top quality, well aged, grass fed, ranch identified steaks on the plate (and make no mistake about it, charging for it).
Your map puts Jacobs in the middle of the U of T campus, just south of Bloor. It is actually on Brant just north of King (a block west of Spadina).
Also keep in mind when reviewing Allen's is that while you might be enjoying a fine steak you run the risk of being asked to leave if you say to your company that you're enjoying it.You may also be kicked out by the older lady if you cough, clank your glass on the edge of your plate,or are visibly something other than an Irish Protestant.
Tom Jones = Stellar. And their caesar salad is worth the trip alone. Make sure you share, so as to make sure you have room for those great steaks of theirs!
The Fifth used to be a private club? It's only open on weekends?
Err The Fifth is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - not exactly "weekends", the rest of the time it's for events only - and has been one of the top restaurants in the city for years. It does have a "club" in the basement which is now known as The Fifth Social Club and used to be Easy and the Fifth, but really?
Trivia - Marc Thuet was the chef at the Fifth and was abruptly fired during service one night. Toronto Life last year said that this was rumoured to have involved misappropriation of some truffles.
Nice list...except for the omition of the Black Angus in the west end. A place that is much better than harbour sixty should really be there...
Ruth Chris sucks, the steaks are no better then the Keg at triple the price. I'm glad its not on the list too.
Barberian's is not the best steak in the city!!! It's like the Keg.
I eat out twice a week and have eaten there a least 20 times.
The food is never the same twice. I won't eat there anymore. I find Hy's better.
There are also a couple of good ones just outside Toronto...Le Castille in Mississauga and two in Oakville, Olivers and Omega
Uhgg. The Tulip is a foul place. I just never understood the appeal of that dump (even after they moved to the new place next door.) Then again, maybe my opinion has been jaded by the fact that most times I've been there, the fragrance of my food has been overwhelmed my the stench of cigarettes and whisky emanating from the missing-toothed locals who've evidently saved their welfare checks for a visit.
I have never had a bad experience at Morton's however. It's clean. The steaks are brilliant. And the people at the neighboring tables don't smell. Crass and overly boring? Please. That's more pretentious than my desire to dine with clean people.
Agree on Black Angus. Perhaps being in Etobicoke is why. I'm a Senoir's regular. Always good. Barbarian's is fantastic. Love the old school joints. Next up to try is Carmen's.
I'm glad to see that Baton Rouge is not on this list. My last experience with the service there was rather disappointing. I may try them again but I think I'll give any place mentioned on this list a chance before I go there again.
Can't believe Bymark is missing from this list. Not only is the steak exceptional, and reasonably priced, but so is the wine and the service.
I was shocked to read that one of our cities best steak restaurants was left off this list. The STEAK PIT (on Avenue Rd) has been around for more than 60 years and has been a long time dinning tradition for my family. I can remember feasting on their famous steaks with my parents and grandparents and now I am sharing the experience with my children. This restaurant has excellent steaks, is reasonably priced and has great service. A truly traditional steakhouse that everyone should experience!
For service and quality, Jacobs tops the list. Not sure why some of the others are even in this article.
There are others like Balck angus which are much better
THE STEAK PIT! Where all good carnivores want to be.
Juicy, bloody, tasty, meaty goodness. oh.. I forgot about the HP sauce. haha
Agreed... The Steak Pit is definitely the best option for good value and top quality steaks. Good restaurant for all ages. When I'm in the mood for steak (or ribs), the Steak Pit is where I go!
I read the article, but think the criteria and assessment of restaurants here seems random and illogical. As a 'best of' list, this lacks substance.
This 'best of' list uses the same populist approach that results in Taco Bell being chosen Best Mexican Restaurant in some other publication's surveys. Best to leave reviewing to the experts rather than reward the opinions of those who've never set foot inside a Morton's calibre steakhouse.
Tom Jones hands down...its just oozing with character and the food is tops! Not to mention you feel like a king being served by true old school waiters. Jacobs was a nice surprise, with an excellent ceasar salad. If only the entire restaurant could be like the piano bar area!!!
If you're going to include a chain like Hy's (which owns the Keg) you have to give some credence to Ruth's Chris and Morton's. Morton's it one of the best steakhouses in the city. Their fries cannot be beat and Barry is an awesome bartender. I've also been to Ruth's Chris well over 100 times and they honestly have the best service in the city. Selina and Kimberly are amongst the best waitresses on earth.
The Tulip is totally overrated. Their steaks have no seasoning to be found and with the price increase, you're better off elsewhere.
If you're going to go cheap, try Sneaky's steak. Wait for it to go on special ($12) and enjoy.
Harbour 360 is the best steakhouse restaurant I have been at in the city. The atmosphere is quiet and the steak is amazing. Barbariens is second for me. Wondering why Chris O'Hares is not on that list.
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