The best steak restaurants in Sydney right now

What is it? The opulent steak restaurant from the Liquor and Larder Group, who also own Bistecca, Alfie’s, Lottie and Bar Julius.

Why we love it: Picture this: a friendly host takes your jacket, zips your phone away in an expensive leather pouch, and walks you past the galley bar into a velvet-lined booth, complete with curtains. Here, the rib eye is king. You can get it on the bone, chargrilled over ironbark and charcoal, or as a boneless rib eye chop with a bourbon glaze. You'll also find the rarely served but impossibly juicy spinalis cut – also known as the rib eye cap. When it’s prepared and seared just right, just like they do here, it’s an absolute showstopper.

Time Out tip: The Gidley is home to one of Sydney's best burgers. The team may ask if you want to share, but trust us: you won’t want to.

Address: Basement/161 King Street, Sydney 2000

Expect to pay: $20+ starters; $38+ mains, $65-95 for steaks, plus drinks

What is it? A legendary Sydney fine diner still at the top of its game even after all these years – proving the classics never go out of style.

Why we love it: The chefs work closely with Australia’s finest farmers and producers, and dry-age the meat in-house to develop deep flavour and character. There’s a solid selection of cuts on the menu, each finished on the wood-fired grill for optimal char and caramelisation.

Time Out tip: There are more sides than you could throw a log at – so go to town. We're big fans of the mac and cheese.

Address: 66 Hunter St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $30+ entrées; $50+ mains, plus drinks

What is it? Hyper-seasonal plates of premium produce and pristine proteins from a kitchen powered solely by firewood and open flames.

Why we love it: Firedoor is a place that appeals to the primal. Watch glowing coals go from furnace to grill and chefs cook by touch, not timer. Head chef Lennox Hastie has basically won all the accolades there are to win, because he sure knows how to prep and grill a steak. At the electricity and gas-free, fire-powered Firedoor, Hastie specialises in a 150-day dry-aged beef rib on the bone. 

Time Out tip: The bar is the best place to sit, so you can watch Hastie in action.

Address: 23/33 Mary St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Expect to pay: Lunch set menu around $145; dinner set menu around $198, plus drinks

What is it? Celebrated chef Neil Perry’s flagship diner in Double Bay, named after his late mother, Margaret.

Why we love it: The elegant, cream-accented restaurant in the heart of the upmarket harbourside suburb is renowned for celebrating the best of the land and the sea. Perry is committed to sourcing top-tier Aussie produce, working with producers like Blackmore Wagyu and CopperTree Farms, before dry-ageing and cooking it bang on. Plus, Margaret was recently ranked the second-best steak restaurant in the world by The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants.

Time Out tip: After your meal, head to nearby Bobbie’s – Perry’s swish, New York-style Martini den – for one more.

Address: 30-36 Bay St, Double Bay NSW 2028

Expect to pay: $30+ entrées; $50+ mains, plus drinks

What is it? A neighbourhood bistro in Marrickville with a focus on wood-fired cooking and farm-fresh produce. 

Why we love it: Corey Costelloe, former culinary director of Rockpool Bar & Grill and recipient of Time Out Sydney’s Legend Award 2023, is behind the 64-seater Chapel Street diner. Costelloe has teamed up with his mate David Allison, chef-owner of Stix Farm (located on the banks of the Hawkesbury River just north of Sydney), as well as Rockpool’s former maître d' Anthony Qalilawa, to bring 20 Chapel to life. As you’d expect from the team’s impressive CV, the menu features premium proteins alongside locally grown, seasonal and organic fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Time Out tip: Negronis are on tap, too. Oh, and order the wedges.

Address: 20 Chapel St, Marrickville NSW 2204

Expect to pay: Snacks and small plates $18-34, mains $38-52, steaks $55-180, plus sides and a drink

What is it? The fine diner in The Point Group’s multi-level venue, The International, featuring a polished dining room with custom mid-century-inspired furniture and an alfresco space perfect for balmy-weather drinking and dining. 

Why we love it: This spot is hot as hell, from a considered food menu that showcases quality produce, some of it enhanced by fire, to an all-star team – the crew behind Shell House – with a CV spanning  Sepia, Aria, Oncore, Icebergs, Pilu and more. Beautifully cooked proteins and seafood are the go here – and considering The Grill was recently ranked as one of the world's best steak restaurants, it'd be remiss to not go for that.

Time Out tip: While you're here, be sure to check out the very sexy wine bar down below. Is the sun shining? Make a beeline to the rooftop bar.

Address: 25 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Snacks and starters $12-40, mains from the wood grill $58-320, plus sides, dessert and a drink

What is it? An Argentinian grill that threw down the gauntlet for carnivorous thrills and sparked a Latin American boom in this city. 

Why we love it: The Wagyu skirt here is luxuriously juicy, with that deep, savoury flavour that comes from grass-fed cattle raised up in north Queensland. The tender slices are laid out on crimson tracks of sweet roasted capsicum dressed in a generous lug of olive oil. The bartender mentions that he only eats red meat twice a year and it’s this steak – let that be your guide. 

Time Out tip: If you're in the area during the day, check out next-door sibling bakery Humble, home of the nostalgic finger bun and delicious focaccia sambos.

Address: 50 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Expect to pay: $32-44 entrées, $85-195 for a steak, plus drinks and sides

What is it? An excellent steakhouse located on Sydney Harbour in the heritage-listed Campbell’s Stores building.

Why we love it: With its covered alfresco dining space, 6Head makes the most of its enviable waterfront location – Sydney needs more outdoor dining options, in our books. The quality and flavour of the steak match the world-class views – they specialise in premium Wagyu and specialty cuts. If you’re looking for a special iron feast by the water, this is our pick.

Time Out tip: The sauces and sides deserve their own shout-out – they’re that good. Our faves include the zingy chimichurri and fiery three-pepper sauce, while the pomme purée with burnt butter and chives is heavenly.

Address: Bay 10 & 11, Campbell’s Stores, 7-27 Circular Quay W, The Rocks NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Steaks from $72, plus starters and drinks

What is it? A New York style steak house slinging retro classics by the powerhouses behind Bistrot 916 and Pellegrino 2000.

Why we love it: Clam Bar is inspired by the great steakhouses of New York City – chefs and owners Dan Pepperell and Mikey Clift, alongside sommelier Andy Tyson, went there on a research trip before opening the Bridge Street spot. So, top-notch prime-aged steaks are on the menu, including a New York strip, a rib-eye and a porterhouse. Plus, there’s a Barnsley lamb chop. It's all a clam dunk.

Time Out tip: Neptune’s Grotto, a sexy, underground Italian haven, is now open in the basement of Clam Bar. Come check out both.

Address: 44 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Appetizers $20-44, steaks $59-165, plus sides and drinks

What is it? A subterranean steakhouse and wood-fired grill in The Rocks, which recently reopened with a fresh look and menu from the team behind Sydney's award-winning Rockpool Bar & Grill, after being closed for four years.

Why we love it: Craving an iron hit? Head to the heritage-listed underground space on Argyle Street and go for The Cut’s signature slow-cooked prime rib that's sliced and served tableside. Alongside New York steakhouse classics and great steak, you'll find lots of fresh seafood and quality produce cooked over wood fire on the line-up.

Time Out tip: The Cut's pièce de résistance is the prime rib that's been slow-cooked and served with a buttery, red wine jus. Hooley dooley it's good.

Address: 16 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $30+ entrées; $50+ mains, steaks start at $66, plus drinks and sides

What is it? The CBD’s Paris-inspired diner – and an after-work steak-frites hall where the only choice that counts is your sauce.

Why we love it: The premise is ruthlessly simple: steaks and fries. Salad optional. Cheesecake inevitable. It’s the latest project by Hunter St Hospitality, the brains behind famed city meat-grillers Rockpool, as well as Spice Temple and Saké within a catalogue of other city venues. Their new vision is inspired by legendary Parisian venue Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, which has stayed loyal to the same minimalist concept for 65 years. It’s all about fast service, polished sequencing and great steak.

Time Out tip: Go during happy hour (4-6pm) for $12 Martinis and Negronis, and $7 wines and schooners. It’s the sweet spot before the after-office rush hits full tilt.

Address: 24 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $48 for steak, chips and sauce; $12 cheesecake, plus drinks

What is it? A basement restaurant devoted to Florence’s famous T-bone steaks. 

Why we love it: You elect how much steak you’re here for – at $21 per 100g – and they deliver it for inspection. It comes seasoned, with only a little olive wood and ironbark smoke to augment the clean, light beefiness of the sirloin and fillet sliced off the bone. Pure perfection. 

Time Out tip: You'll be asked to put your phone away – and at first, mild panic may set in. But as the night goes on, it becomes refreshing to be fully present, eating and drinking (well) with your people.

Address: 3 Dalley St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Starters and side dishes $12-20, steaks $21 per 100 grams, plus drinks

What is it? A relaxed and indulgent Castlecrag bistro, where‘Big’ Sam Young and his partner Grace take steak seriously.

Why we love it: The chefs and owners are passionate about sourcing the absolute best in the biz and the results are pretty juicy. Young gets all his steak from NSW – including the grass-fed beef from the award-winning Jack's Creek in Tamworth, as well as 2GR Wagyu, which is as luxe as they come. Young reckons the Wagyu has the perfect balance between fat and beef flavour, and we agree. All of the steaks are expertly cooked on the hibachi grill, and we recommend pairing it with a clay pot fried rice with lap cheong and shiitake mushrooms, and sweet corn lathered with a soy honey. More is more at S’more, and we’re here for the ride. 

Time Out tip: Wear loose pants. And order BSY's signature lobster pasta, a luscious, umami-rich plate bursting with the flavours of the sea (and yeah, lots of butter).

Address: 79 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag NSW 2068

Expect to pay: $19+ starters and small plates, $68-198 share-style mains, plus sides and drinks

What is it? The team behind Bistecca and The Gidley have trimmed the fat with their latest restaurant, Alfie's, promising steak within 15 minutes and bone-chilling Martinis.

Why we love it: Because this is the Bistecca team we're talking about, any old steak it ain't, but a 220g Riverine sirloin, dry-aged at the on-site butchery found at the back right of the room. And true to their word, in only 15 minutes your steak will arrive, blackened on the outside thanks to being sizzled on Alfie’s custom-made grill. It’s cooked to perfection, blushing pink, with a glorious amount of fat, char and seasoning. Paired with a green sauce, heady with confit garlic, Dijon mustard and horseradish, it’s a cut above most steaks in town.

Time Out tip: Alfie's Martini, served tableside out of a thermos, is one of Sydney's coldest. Go for that.

Address: Shop 2 4/6 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $39 steak, plus sides (served in either half or full portion sizes) and a drink

What is it? Morrison Bar & Oyster Room has had a glow-up, transforming into Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill. 

Why we love it: Prime cuts of beef – hand-selected and sourced from Aussie farmers including Jack’s Creek, The Australian Agricultural Company and Rangers Valley – is the go here. The meat is aged in-house from 6-12 weeks, tenderising the protein and allowing it to develop a deeper and more delicious flavour. Choose from a grain-fed rib eye with Diane sauce and rich and creamy Paris mash potato; pasture-fed beef tenderloin with cracked black pepper and chestnut puree; and black Angus sirloin with café de Paris butter and fries.

Time Out tip: Morrison’s still has its rocking oyster offer: swing by on Wednesdays, 6-7pm, and score $2 oysters. Shuck yes!

Address: Shop 2 4/6 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $22-29 for starters, $48-65 for a steak, plus sides and a drink

What is it? With a dreamy dining room and expertly cooked woodfired proteins, Poetica is sure to light your fire.

Why we love it: Poetica skews primal – you realise it as soon as you walk into the airy dining room and see all the meat and seafood in the glass-fronted dry-aging cabinet. It's clear from the get go: vegos, this isn't one for you. The open kitchen is an integral part of the space and the woodfired oven and Josper grill the focal point. This is cooking of the highest order.

Time Out tip: While meat is the undeniable hero here, the seasonal vegetable side dishes slap.

Address: Mezzanine Level, 1 Denison St, North Sydney NSW 2060

Expect to pay: $39-190 steaks, $15 sides

What is it? At this city steakhouse, they cut straight to the good bits and don’t mince words.

Why we love it: The joy of a steakhouse lies in its simplicity. At Matt Moran's Chophouse, curveballs are not welcome on a single-page menu with laser focus that skips from appetisers to steak and sides with nary a detour. You can order your own fully-contained cut from a selection of four from the grill – no sharing obligations attached. But to get your hands on the Moran family beef from their farm in Oberon, you need to level up to the ‘on the bone’ menu, where meat is priced by the 100g and minimum weights are enforced. 

Time Out tip: Located on Bligh Street in the CBD, Chophouse is a solid (and tasty) choice for a lunch meeting.

Address: 25 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Cuts from the grill $58-85 or on-the-bone selection $19-22 per 100 grams, plus sides and a dessert

What is it? Fire-charged produce, bold flavours, lo-fi wines and warm service remain at the heart of this Sydney institution.

Why we love it: Honestly, if you order anything on the menu at Ester you'll be dining happy. However, if you want to enter carnivore Nirvana, don't go past the dry-aged Angus striploin. Few things go together as beautifully as wood-fire and red meat, and while it might set you back a hefty $125, it's well worth it for every charred, tender and rich bite.

Time Out tip: Never been to Ester? You'll also need to order its signature dishes: the fermented potato bread with sour kefir and pops of bright salmon roe, and the blood sausage sanga on pillowy bread.

Address: 46-52 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008

Expect to pay: $155-195 for the set menu experience

What is it? With four open kitchens and countertop dining, everything's on show at the Bridge Room team's ambitious Crown eatery.

Why we love it: Just walking into Woodcut – the Crown’s ground-floor restaurant – is an experience in itself. Firstly, the sprawling dining room is enormous (it seats 300 both inside and al fresco) and, with golds and browns and blacks, statement moody lighting and leather seats, it’s absolutely glamorous. Each of the kitchens has its own focus – fire, smoke, ice and steam – and the chefs communicate with each other using headsets. Serious business, and the results are delicious, in particular the steak cooked on the wood grill. As good as it gets.

Time Out tip: Woodcut's bar has a happy hour offer during the week with $15 cocktails and snacks. Get around it.

Address: Crown Sydney, 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Steaks start at $80, plus sides or dishes from the cold seafood counter and a drink

What is it? Though it takes its inspiration from Little Italy and the state-side steakhouse scene, Gowings 2.0 is a thoroughly new era.

Why we love it: Steaks are just one of the highlights at this all-killer-no-filler diner, though they are truly exceptional steaks. Grass-fed, aged, and grilled to perfection, this is one to add to your list.

Time Out tip: The fresh, handmade pasta is also a hit at Gowings.

Address: Suite 1/49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $28+ antipasti, $36+ pasta, steak starts at $78

What is it? If you're after something familiar done so, so well, we suggest a steak feed at Sydney restaurant Bopp and Tone. 

Why we love it: There are four steaks to choose from: An Angus tenderloin; Wagyu sirloin; Angus flank; and an 800g bone-in rib eye from Riverine in NSW. Given the address’s smack-bang CBD centrality, a stone’s throw from Wynyard Station and metres away from George Street, you’d expect to find the corporate crowd carving up 300-gram rib-eyes in between bottles of Henschke shiraz – and they are. A Josper oven and woodfired grill occupy most of the open kitchen’s breathing room, and aside from a few starters and the line-up of sides, most of the work is dedicated to land and sea beasts.

Time Out tip: As for sides, we’d go for the roast cracked potatoes with herb butter; and asparagus with pistachio, mint and lemon.

Address: 60 Carrington St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $28+ small plates, $34+ pasta, $68+ steak

If you’re keen to dig into a great steak with a side of a million dollar view then Kingsleys Woolloomooloo is your spot. Executive chef Jason Roberson has curated a first-class steak menu showcasing mostly grain-fed, grain-finished or pasture-raised beef from some of Australia’s leading farms like Riverine, Westholme, 2GR and O’Connor. All the cuts are cooked on a charcoal grill and come with onion jam, snow pea leaves, smoked salt, and a bunch of mustards.

Time Out tip: Choose your sauce from bernaise, chimichurri, red wine jus, green peppercorns, confit garlic butter and fermented chilli. Read: condiment heaven. Don’t even get us started on the sides.

What is it? The Sanderson is a handsome CBD restaurant by the Speakeasy Group (also Eau de Vie, Nick and Nora’s and Mjølner) where excellent steak and sublime seafood comes served with a side of fun. 

Why we love it: When it comes to proteins, the team does not muck around. In fact, there’s a whole section of the menu dedicated to ‘Land’. They also dry-age their meat in-house (which you’ll see as soon as you walk in). Order the miso and roasted garlic butter to pair with your steak – you won’t regret it.

Time Out tip: Finished dinner? Head down to basement bar Eau de Vie for cocktails with a side of theatrics.

Address: Enter via Wynyard Lane, 285 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $36+ starters, $54+ mains, plus drinks and a dessert

What is it? The Fairmont, a classic bistro above the Occidental Pub in Wynyard, is fairly uncompromising in its offering: you’re having steak. End of. 

Why we love it: Only sixteen bucks separates the cheapest minute steak for $40 and the prime eye fillet. It’s all carefully managed to walk that mid-range line – but you still can expect great quality, aged and tender cuts of beef.

Time Out tip: When you're craving a well-cooked steak on a big white plate, a good pepper sauce, an even better jus, and a pleasing selection of mustards, head to the Fairmont Hotel.

Address: 43 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $45+ mains, $12-16 sides, plus a drink

What is it? This high-end steak house reminds you why you love the classics.

Why we love it: At Black, the chefs smoke your precious serve for ten minutes over cherry wood before grilling it over ironbark coals. It’s seasoned with Murray River pink salt and glazed with rendered fat that they trim from the meat. The result is four utterly perfect, rosy-hued slices. They come caramelised and salty on the outside and so juicy in the middle that you get a dopamine hit every time you bite down.

Time Out tip: The flavour of the steak is as pure and clean as the NSW pasture the cattle are raised on, and it’ll make you close your eyes, lean back, and groan quietly while pleasure firecrackers explode in your brain. Enjoy.

Address: Harbourside, The Star, Level G/80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Expect to pay: Set lunches $49+ or order from the a la carte, plus drinks