Unlike Hank Hill, we will not ask you “politely, yet firmly, to leave,” should you prefer a well-done steak. A good steakhouse provides more than just a meal – it’s an experience whatever way you order your steak. A perfectly seared steak is a thing of beauty, and if you’re browsing through this list, I’m sure you agree. Make a reservation, if at all possible, before you head to one of these steakhouse restaurants in Santa Monica!

Always remember to double-check dates, opening times, and weather conditions before traveling.

Delicious SteakHouse Restaurants in Santa Monica

Meat on Ocean

Address: 1501 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

If Ron Swanson were in Santa Monica (though I’m sure he’d avoid it at all costs), I think he’d appreciate this steakhouse’s simplicity. It tells you what’s being served and where it is. It also has an acronym of MOO. What more do you want to know?

If you do need more information, know that you’ll find a large selection of daily cuts and a robust menu. Meat and seafood options are complemented by charcuterie boards and hot and cold appetizers. Steak novices will appreciate the smaller filet mignons and house specials. Treat yourself to an American or Japanese Wagyu cut if you know your way around a cut of meat.

BOA Steakhouse

Address: 101 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

You don’t go to steakhouses to save money. Even by steakhouse standards, BOA is not on the cheaper end. Having rightfully earned the title of top Santa Monica steak house, if you have one special dinner planned and you’re an avid carnivore, save your pennies because this is the place to go. You may even see a celebrity or two (if that’s your thing) as this is one of the hottest steakhouses in Santa Monica.

You want to order steak at a steakhouse, of course. Should you have a friend who’s in the mood for seafood, though, no one will be disappointed. The surf is no slouch at this surf and turf spot with salmon, lobster tail, and Alaskan King crab legs. Go for the dry-aged New York Strip if you want a classic. Any wagyu option is the correct choice if you have some extra cash.

The Galley

Address: 2442 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

You don’t have to know your port from your starboard to enjoy The Galley (though it couldn’t hurt). Santa Monica’s oldest restaurant and bar, this spot has been a local stalwart since 1934. Want to impress a date without having to take out a loan? The

Galley is the spot. You’ll get a high-quality cut with decades of legacy to back it up at a competitive price. The tomahawk steak for two is a great pick; just make sure it’s not a first date because it’s 48 ounces. With a name like The Galley, you know you can expect top-notch seafood offerings as well.

Chez Jay

Address: 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Established in 1959, Chez Jay was the place to spot celebrities. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, and a host of others from old Hollywood used to frequent this steakhouse. You probably won’t see Sinatra in there, but keep your eyes peeled for some sightings!

Chez Jay has the lingerings of Old Hollywood in it, which makes it more approachable and comforting than many other steakhouses. It’s probably remiss to call a steakhouse a “dive,” but whatever the equivalent term is, that accurately describes it. Known as one of the best spots to stop on a road trip, Chez Jay has high-quality steaks and drinks as the top two selling points. Free peanuts get an honorable mention, however.

The Golden Bull

Address: 170 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402

The Golden Bull gets the distinction of “chophouse” instead of steakhouse. This simply means there are more cuts of meat on the menu to choose from!

Rest assured, there are ample choices of steaks that you’ll love if your heart is set on steak. If you sit down around 5:00 pm, you can take advantage of happy hour (Monday-Friday 4:00-5:30 PM) before your meal. If doing so, pair your cocktail with fried calamari.

Del Frisco’s Grille

Address: 1551 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Del Frisco’s takes the classic bar and grill and makes it modern and upscale. Everything you love about the comforts of a bar and grill is elevated, and the utmost care is put into the food you’ll be served.

With plenty of cuts for different appetites and budgets, Del Frisco’s is sure to be a hit, especially when with a group. If you’re up for a bit of a drive, head to Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, just outside of Santa Monica.

Tar & Roses

Address: 602 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Tar & Roses is a new American-style restaurant at heart. You don’t have a large selection of steaks, but luckily you don’t need too many choices here. While not a steakhouse exclusively, their prime cuts are raved about, and you’ll want to taste the hype for yourself!

Not only are their steaks popular, but their overall menus make Tar and Roses one of the top destinations in Santa Monica for dinner, period.

Water Grill

Address: 1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

You might be surprised to hear that one of the best spots for steak in Santa Monica is a seafood restaurant. Yes, the emphasis here is a bit more on the surf than the turf, but don’t let that stop you from walking through the door. The turf stands strong in this seafood spot with filet mignon, New York strip, and even wagyu. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, there might not be a better place in the city to be an omnivore.

While you’re waiting, have a look at the cocktail menu and see what might pair nicely with the meal you’ve ordered. Fans of light liquor will appreciate the complexity of The Rosewood. If you fancy something a bit darker, you can’t go wrong with Water Grill’s take on the Dark and Stormy.

It ain’t hard to find the best steak house in Santa Monica, simply follow the suggestions in this list, and you won’t be disappointed. At all!

Where to stay in Santa Monica

Find more Santa Monica accommodation options on Booking.com.

Santa Monica is fairly easy to get around. We recommend renting a car and exploring all there is to see. You can find the best prices on rental cars by clicking here.

When you’re not discovering Santa Monica on your own, we suggest treating yourself to a tour. From private wine tours to kayak and SUP tours, cooking classes classes to tours of celebrity-owned homes, there’s a little something for everyone. Browse all the Santa Monica tours available on Viator by clicking here.

If you want to capture the memories from your trip to Monterey, we recommend hiring a professional photographer. A Flytographer photoshoot is one of our favorite souvenirs from our travels and we want to share them with you!

How to Find the Best Steakhouse Restaurants in Santa Monica