When asking a local Seattleite for a steakhouse recommendation here in town, it’s hard to imagine you’d end up 5-15 miles east of Seattle. Seattle boasts some pretty big names when it comes to steak, but we’ve got heavy hitters on our Eastside steakhouse list that I personally stand behind. From your traditional steakhouse setting to a more modern and chic feel, our list for the best Eastside Steakhouses will challenge your taste palette with flavor and cuisine influences from traditional American, Japanese, Brazilian, and French culture.
Strap in as we zoom from Seattle across Lake Washington to one of our Eastside suburbs. Let’s dive deep into the best steakhouses in Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland.
The 9 Best Eastside Steakhouses (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond):
- Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
- John Howie Steak
- Prime Steakhouse Redmond
- Le Grand Bistro American
- El Gaucho
- Fuji Steak House
- Fogo De Chao
- Daniel’s Broiler
- STK Steakhouse
1. Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
Address: 10400 NE 4th St, Suite 3100, Bellevue, WA 98004
Best for: The Views
Located in the Lincoln Tower South building in the heart of downtown Bellevue, you ride an elevator up 31 floors to reach this sky destination. Take one step out and welcome to Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi. You’ll immediately notice the chic and club-like atmosphere but don’t worry, they aren’t blasting the music. An open concept feel accompanies numerous fireplaces, fresh meats, and seafood on display, chefs preparing orders, and at the very end of it all is the panoramic view of Downtown Bellevue, Lake Washington, and Downtown Seattle.
Don’t let the aesthetics of this place fool you as the preparation, quality, and taste of their food and drink rivals the views. Clearly a Japanese-influenced menu, the appetizers range from your traditional steakhouse options such as oysters and beef tartar to sushi tacos and kurobuta pork belly marinated in a truffled tonkatsu broth accompanied by a soy poach quail egg.
Move on to the steak section and here you’ll see a tiered menu ranging from your Prime American, Dry Aged American, all the way to Japanese A5 Wagyu steaks. This will be a pricey recommendation but if you’ve never had Japanese A5 Wagyu, it’s a must. Be aware that once you go Japanese A5 Wagyu, you’ll never go back! At a minimum order of 3 ounces and ranging from $35 – $50 per ounce, be prepared when you get your bill.
Pro-tip for Japanese A5 Wagyu is you’ll want to order a bit more on the well-done side. This is because these meats are high in fat so you want that fat to melt into the steak, as opposed to ordering it on the more raw side and having those slabs whole in your meat.
Another great option and recommendation that’s often overlooked in the steak world is the “Cap” of Ribeye.
Ascend also offers a wide range of traditional Nigiri and Sashimi options, along with your contemporary/modern sushi rolls.
2. John Howie Steak
Address: 11111 NE 8th St, Suite 125, Bellevue, WA 98004
Best for: Traditional Setting
Chef John Howie is a household name in the Seattle area. He has several successful restaurants and clearly the flagship steakhouse bearing his name makes our list. Located at “The Shops at Bravern” just off of I-405 in downtown Bellevue, you know you’ve entered high society when seeing retailers such as Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton on your way to dinner.
As soon as you enter John Howie Steak, it’s going to feel just right. It’s your traditional steakhouse feel with warm wood furniture, a professional wait staff dressed sharply in all black, and white tablecloth at each table.
This high-end restaurant has all your standard steakhouse appetizers such as jumbo prawn cocktail, Dungeness crab cakes, and roasted bone marrow. The diver scallops are a must! If you’re wanting a warm, rich, and lobster-filled bisque to warm you up, look no further.
The wait staff here are all highly-trained when it comes to taking you through not only your steak options, but how you want that steak prepared. Know what you want? No problem, but if you’re like me, you enjoy learning a little bit about the process. From USDA Prime Steaks to Custom-Aged USDA Prime Beef, John Howie steak has a simple and high-quality selection. I highly recommend the Mishima Reserve American Wagyu Beef “Long Bone” Rib Eye for sharing.
A manhattan from the bar to accompany your steak dinner and it sounds like a fantastic evening.
3. Prime Steakhouse Redmond
Address: 16330 Cleveland St, Redmond, WA 98052
Best for: Small Town Steakhouse Vibes
Prime Steakhouse is located in downtown Redmond, a small town suburb east of Seattle that has transformed in the past several decades with condo complexes and restaurants. Don’t let the small-town description turn you off to Prime. This is a serious steakhouse with serious steak!
Self-described as a contemporary version of a classic American steakhouse, enter Prime and you’ll feel like you’re at a friend’s home. There are several different rooms that serve as dining areas and the vast majority of the interior is a dark warm wooden brown with overhead lighting that keeps everything bright and lively.
A combination of the crab shiitake spring rolls and spiced curry mussels will give a wonderful flavor and texture contrast for the appetizer portion of your meal. Feel like keeping it traditional? No problem, as Prime offers fresh oysters on the half-shell, crab cakes, and tenderloin steak bites.
Nothing says Pacific Northwest like a cup of seafood chowder. Perfect for a late fall/early winter evening. Prime has a wide assortment of steaks that are classic USDA Certified Prime and if you’re in the mood for some surf and turf, try adding a 6-ounce lobster tail or make that steak oscar style with some crab, asparagus, and bearnaise sauce.
An often overlooked section of Prime’s menu is their sandwiches. If you feel like having a slightly lighter (and cheaper) steak option, I highly recommend the open-faced steak sandwich or the Prime burger. I always add bacon and avocado to my burger!
4. Le Grand Bistro American
Address: 2220 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033
Best for: Waterfront Dining
I grew up most of my life in Kirkland. Talk about another small town that has exploded in both real estate and commercial growth in the past two decades. If you’re looking for a steakhouse, with waterfront views, and a french influenced menu, look no further than Le Grand Bistro American at Carillon Point, Kirkland.
Before entering the restaurant, take a moment to walk around outside and enjoy the views and atmosphere of this beautiful area. You’ll have a view across Lake Washington and of local sights like the Yarrow Bay Wetlands and Hunts Point. During the summer months, Le Grand has outdoor seating, which I highly recommend.
Le Grand definitely has that classy French feel when you enter their doors. The large windows looking out at Lake Washington offer a romantic date night option and if you’re dining in the fall and winter seasons, there are plenty of twinkling lights out there to keep things illuminated while you dine.
Le Grand has a wide selection of charcuterie and Fromage. Pair that with a glass from their selection of red wines to get your evening started. Their petits plats (appetizers) feature their house-made brioche and although you may not be adventurous enough to try the escargots, the charred octopus plate always makes it to my table.
Although this list is about featuring steaks at steakhouses, I can’t go without recommending the Moules Frites (mussels and fries). It’s a perfect white wine sauce that’s light but carries richness from bacon and cream. Be sure to get some of the juice each bite of mussel you take. The fries are always perfectly done with a light crispy crunch on the outside and soft potato on the inside.
There’s a small selection of steaks, but the focus is on quality, not quantity. Steak frites are my go-to when it comes to steak at Le Grand.
Le Grand might be the best bang for your buck restaurant on our list. Not only do you get a high-end French steakhouse on the list with reasonable prices, but you get that Lake Washington waterfront view.
5. El Gaucho
Address: 450 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Best for: Presentation and Pyrotechnics
El Gaucho reminds me of a classy steakhouse you’d see back in a 1960s movie or show, but of course modernized to meet the expectations of their 2022 customers. Located next to the Skyline Tower and plaza in Downtown Bellevue, El Gaucho is another household name when it comes to fine dining in the Pacific Northwest.
El Gaucho has a theater-like setup to their restaurant floor. You’ll see semi-circle booths all around the outer tiers, and as you make your way inward, you have your standard tables with seating. A second-floor seating option along with floor-to-ceiling windows provides you with a spacious dining experience. They have a live pianist playing on a grand piano on weekends at dinner to enhance the mood as well.
Prawn cocktails, oysters, crab cakes, and scallops are all available on the menu. But if you’re interested in trying something a little different and don’t mind spicy, I recommend the Tenderloin Diablo as a starter. El Gaucho uses seared tenderloin tips cooked in clarified butter, minced garlic, and El Gaucho Diablo Spice and Seasoning for their Tenderloin Diablo dish.
El Gaucho has some great options when it comes to taste AND presentation. If you decide on the caesar salad, you’re in for a treat. It’s all made from scratch ingredients and you’ll get a show as they’ll make and serve the salad to you tableside! Be aware that it’s served for a minimum of two people at a cost of $17 per person.
El Gaucho has a small steak menu and some may dislike that. However, each of their steaks is of the highest quality and the taste is exquisite. Keeping up with presentation and tableside options, I recommend the “flaming sword brochette of tenderloin”. It’s exactly like it sounds. Your server will bring out a tenderloin steak on a flaming sword!
If you feel like adding some surf to your turf, there’s your standard oscar style which includes crab and asparagus in a bearnaise sauce. The Gaucho style substitutes the crab with lobster. You can also add some grilled prawns or scallops as well.
Save some room for dessert as the bananas foster is out of this world. Another tableside presentation and service, this is one meal you’ll likely have your cell phone in hand the whole time taking pictures and video!
6. Fuji Steakhouse
Address: 7330 164th Ave NE, E255, Redmond, WA 98052
Best for: Experience and Show
Fuji Steakhouse is the sister restaurant of Tokyo Steakhouse located in Bellevue. I decided to add Fuji on this list and not Tokyo for a couple of reasons: first, the two restaurants are virtually identical. Second, I personally enjoy the Redmond location more due to the ease of access, parking availability, and that it’s located at Redmond Town Center.
If you’ve never experienced Japanese teppanyaki tableside grill dining before, you’re missing out! You’ll be seated right at a grill where you’ll have your personal chef not only cook for you but put on a show while doing it. One thing to note. Unless you’re coming with a large party, know that you’ll likely share a grill side table with other diners.
Fuji has a limited sashimi selection as there are only three different choices. However, they more than make up for that with a wide assortment of traditional nigiri sushi and rolls, as well as contemporary rolls on their menu. Tempura, gyoza, edamame, or some tuna poke is always a light and delicious appetizer option before you get going with your main course.
Order your protein and vegetables and watch your teppanyaki chef get to work. From the flaming tower of onion rings, to flipping food in the air, breaking eggs, and catching the shell in their hat, there’s no limit to what these chefs can do.
The teppanyaki experience serves many purposes from date night, special occasions, and even taking the family out.
7. Fogo De Chao
Address: 440 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Best for: All-You-Can-Eat
Located at the Lincoln Tower South building in Downtown Bellevue, Fogo De Chao makes our list for its tasty Brazilian marinated meats and the fact that you can select the all-you-can-eat option! Step into a lively and bright atmosphere filled with savory and sweet smells of various grilled meats.
There’s no debating which options to select from the menu. Of course, there will be some ala carte options such as the seafood tower or the 36-ounce long bone dry-aged tomahawk ribeye, but you’ll want to go with the Churrasco Experience. You get continuous tableside service where servers walk around the restaurant and serve you various cuts of meat that include beef steaks, chicken, pork ribs, and sausage. Eat as much as you’d like!
This option also includes access to the market table and Feijoada bar that has various Brazilian-style vegetables, beans, rice, meats, and other dishes. You might want to consider walking around Lincoln Square Towers or Bellevue Square to work off dinner!
8. STK Steakhouse
Address: 610 Bellevue Way NE, #110, Bellevue, WA 98004
Best for: A Club Atmosphere
STK Steakhouse is located on the ground floor of the Lincoln Tower North building in Downtown Bellevue. If you’re looking for high-energy and club-like vibes, STK is for you. Even from 20 feet away, you’ll start to hear the thumping bassline from the latest hits they’ll be playing at STK. Neon signs and light purple lightning will shine off of their black and white color scheme throughout the restaurant.
STK has everything you’d expect to see on the appetizer section of a steakhouse menu from crispy calamari, crab cakes, oysters on the half shell, and even Alaskan king crab. The menu for steak is divided into small, medium, and large sections based on steak size. The featured high-end cut of dry-aged Delmonico is going to set you back as will the Japanese A5 Wagyu. Those looking to add seafood to their plate can do it by adding king crab, lobster tail, or shrimp as a topping. Or you can get the filet and lobster tail option.
STK has something for those looking for options other than steak as well. My recommendations would be the Maine lobster linguini or the miso-glazed Chilean sea bass. I’m a huge sucker for donuts and I love it when it comes in a bag! If you saved a little room for dessert, consider the “bag o’ donuts”. They come warm and are covered with cinnamon sugar. The dulce de leche, raspberry, and chocolate dipping sauces are amazing.
9. Daniel’s Broiler
Address: 10500 NE 8th, Bellevue, WA 98004
Best for: Classic Steakhouse
Located on the 21st floor of the Bank of America building the Bellevue Place complex of Downtown Bellevue, Daniel’s Broiler is a household name in the greater Seattle area. Known for their high-quality food and service, there’s no way we could leave this gem off this list. Many will argue that Daniel’s hasn’t really kept up with the times, but for those looking for a classic Eastside steakhouse with high-quality food and service, Daniel’s Broiler is your place.
Daniel’s keeps their menu straightforward with your classic steakhouse options. I highly recommend the filet mignon steak strips. A light teriyaki glaze with sesame seeds and green onion on perfectly cooked strips of filet hits the spot! Add bacon-wrapped scallops to the table and clean your palette with a spinach pecan salad to finish your first course. Daniel’s features only the highest-end cuts of meat so you can’t really go wrong with any selection. However, the last time I dined at Daniel’s, I tried the flight of filet mignon. You get three, 4 ounce cuts of USDA prime filet mignon, piedmontese filet mignon, and domestic wagyu filet mignon. It was a great way to experience trying the variety of filets!
Instead of sampling a typical desert, if you’re a fan of port wine, I recommend trying their “taste a century: 100 years of Tawny” option. You get a 1-ounce pour of their four different years of port. A perfect way to finish a classic steakhouse meal!
