Highest-rated steakhouses in Rochester by diners
The French have their bistros. The English have their pubs. And the Americans have their steakhouses.
Going out for a steak has been a pivotal part of American culture for more than a century, but it wasn't always considered a high-class, expensive meal. In New York City in the 1800s, working-class folks would down pints of ale and feast on slices of beefsteak (usually without utensils and atop white or French bread) for celebratory meals. Sometimes, the "beefsteak banquet," as it was known, would be put on as a political fundraiser.
Soon, fine-dining establishments opened up to take those steak dinners up a notch, like Delmonico's in 1837, Old Homestead Steakhouse in 1868, and Carl Luger's Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley (now Peter Luger) in 1887. One thing has remained the same though: Dining at a steakhouse is still synonymous with celebration. It's the kind of meal used to mark milestone moments on the path to the American dream—get a job, buy a house, go out for steak.
The steakhouse experience has certainly modernized from the days of eating beef with your hands and slugging beers. Ordering a steak involves choosing the best cuts, like rib-eye, filet mignon, and New York strip. Then there are the starters—a shrimp cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, or a classic house salad with your choice of dressing. And of course, you can't forget all of the accouterments—the potato (baked, mashed, or au gratin?), the vegetable (creamed spinach, sautéed asparagus, or roasted broccoli?), and a slice of classic New York cheesecake to finish it off.
More than a century after the steak dinner got upgraded in New York City, chain steakhouses started bringing this central part of the American culinary tradition cross-country in the 1980s and '90s with spots like Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille. Today, with so many steakhouses to choose from, it takes high-quality service, top-of-the-line cooking, and of course, the best cuts of beef to stand out from the rest.
How will you choose where to live out this iconic American meal? To help, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated steakhouses in Rochester, according to diners' reviews on Yelp as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least five reviews were considered.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily depict the specific restaurants listed or the dishes they serve.
#19. East Ridge Diner & Steakhouse
- Rating: 2.5/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 765 East Ridge Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: American, Diners, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Sakura Home Restaurant
- Rating: 3.0/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2775 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#17. LongHorn Steakhouse
- Rating: 3.0/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 680 Jefferson Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, American, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Outback Steakhouse
- Rating: 3.0/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1954 West Ridge Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Whiskey River Pub and Grill
- Rating: 3.5/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 421 River St. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Pubs, Seafood, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Texas Roadhouse
- Rating: 3.5/5 (182 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3150 West Henrietta Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: American, Barbecue, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Delmonico's Italian Steak House
- Rating: 3.5/5 (268 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 125 White Spruce Blvd. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Italian, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Texas Roadhouse
- Rating: 3.5/5 (83 reviews)
- Address: 3065 West Ridge Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Char Steak & Lounge
- Rating: 3.5/5 (213 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 550 East Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Texas de Brazil - Rochester
- Rating: 4.0/5 (184 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 22 Celebration Drive Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Brazilian, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Park Avenue Pub & Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 650 Park Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Wine Bars, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Black & Blue Steak and Crab
- Rating: 4.0/5 (311 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3349 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Shamrock Jack's Irish Pub
- Rating: 4.0/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4554 Culver Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Irish
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Max Chophouse
- Rating: 4.0/5 (118 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1456 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Rare 3001
- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 3001 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Wine Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Sumo Japanese Sushi & Hibachi
- Rating: 4.0/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1600 West Ridge Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Tournedos Steakhouse At The Inn On Broadway
- Rating: 4.0/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 26 Broadway Rochester, New York
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Michael's Valley Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1694 Penfield Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, American
- Read more on Yelp
#1. 809 Sports Bar and Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 160 Lyell Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Lounges, Steakhouses, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 275 metros.