Dine Out

Elisa Makes The 50 Best Steakhouses in North America

Posted by cassandra on

A newly released list of the 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America has officially crowned Asador Bastian in Chicago as the continent’s top destination for beef lovers, and Vancouver’s own Elisa Makes the list, just past the top 10 at #11. While Chicago takes the No. 1 spot, it’s New York City that truly dominates the 2025 ranking with an astounding 20 restaurants on the list.

A New No. 1: Asador Bastian, Chicago

Opening in 2023, Asador Bastian blends Basque grilling traditions with North American beef culture. Led by chef Doug Psaltis, formerly of RPM Steak, the restaurant sources prized beef from Galicia, Spain, and also grills American cattle bred specifically to mimic Spanish genetics. The result? A deeply smoky, ultra-premium steak program that’s turned heads continent-wide.

Rounding Out the Top Five Best steakhouses in North America 2025

  • #2 – Cote (New York City): A breakthrough Korean-American steakhouse with global acclaim

  • #3 – Jeffrey’s (Austin, TX): A classic Texas icon with modern polish

  • #4 – La Tête d’Or (New York City): A luxe new Daniel Boulud project

  • #5 – Miller & Lux (San Francisco): Chef Tyler Florence’s West Coast take on the steakhouse

best steakhouses in north america 2025 elisa 5

Canadian Finalists: Strong Showings from Toronto, Vancouver & St. Catharines

Canada made a notable mark on the 2025 list, landing five restaurants among North America’s best. With representation from Toronto, Vancouver, and the Niagara region, these picks reflect the country’s rising confidence in premium beef, dry-aging programs, wine pairings, and design-forward dining rooms.

✨ Canada’s Top Steakhouses on the 2025 List:

  • #11 – Elisa (Vancouver, BC): A major win for Vancouver’s luxury dining scene, Elisa ranks just outside the top 10 with its impressive wood-fired grill program, standout seafood, and polished Yaletown atmosphere.

  • #13 – Jacobs & Co. (Toronto, ON): A longtime Toronto institution, celebrated for its top-tier cuts, deep cellar, and flawless service.

  • #16 – Linny’s (Toronto, ON): One of Toronto’s buzziest modern steakhouses, standing out with big flavours, bold plating, and a chic contemporary room.

  • #19 – Fat Rabbit (St. Catharines, ON): A surprise Ontario entry—playful, creative, and pushing the boundaries of what a modern steakhouse can be.

  • #38 – Sammarco (Toronto, ON): A rising star with a strong dry-aging program and refined Italian-influenced approach to steak.

From West Coast elegance to classic Toronto indulgence, Canadian steakhouses are punching well above their weight—and attracting serious attention from global evaluators.

Spotlight: Elisa – Vancouver’s Modern Temple to Fire & Precision

Executive Chef Andrew Richardson leads Elisa’s world-class steak program, built on US Prime beef, American and Japanese Wagyu, and a mix of wet- and dry-aged cuts cooked over a bespoke wood-fired grill. Located in the heart of Yaletown (1109 Hamilton St, Vancouver), this striking room blends architectural warmth with the drama of open-fire cooking.

Elisa’s 2025 menu showcases precision and restraint—highlighted by standouts like the Alberta Black Angus bone-in ribeye, branzino with cavolo nero, and its now-iconic crispy hashbrowns. The wine programme remains exceptional, pairing BC favourites with global heavyweights, while service is polished, warm, and deeply knowledgeable.

More than a steakhouse, Elisa is Canada’s modern benchmark for wood-fired dining—a destination where fire, flavour, and craftsmanship come together in perfect balance.

New York City Reigns Supreme

With 20 restaurants placing in the top 50, New York remains the undisputed steak capital of North America. Highlights include:

  • 4 Charles Prime Rib

  • Hawksmoor

  • Gage & Tollner

  • Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

Chicago follows with five entries, while Los Angeles earns four spots—including the Michelin-starred Gwen, ranked No. 6.

How the Rankings Are Determined For Best steakhouses in North America 2025

The list comes from 101 Best Steak Restaurants, founded in London in 2018 and now operating with 21 anonymous inspectors across five continents. Restaurants are assessed annually on criteria including:

  • Meat quality

  • Selection of cuts

  • Staff expertise

  • Wine list

  • Design and atmosphere

Full List: The 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America 2025

50. Nick + Stef’s — Los Angeles
49. Bardea Steak — Wilmington, DE
48. Bern’s — Tampa, FL
47. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse — Chicago
46. Sparks — New York City
45. Porter House — New York City
44. Wolfgang’s — New York City
43. Al Biernat’s — Dallas
42. Gibsons Italia — Chicago
41. Klaw — Miami
40. Pappas Bros. — Houston
39. Nuri Steakhouse — Dallas
38. Sammarco — Toronto
37. Delmonico by Emeril Lagasse — Las Vegas
36. Baltaire — Los Angeles
35. Izzy’s Steaks & Chops — San Francisco
34. Delmonicos — New York City
33. The Greggory — South Barrington, IL
32. Dirty French — New York City
31. Gui Steakhouse — New York City
30. Minetta Tavern — New York City
29. Keens — New York City
28. Marcel — Atlanta
27. Cut by Wolfgang Puck — Beverly Hills
26. The Eight Six — New York City
25. Peter Luger — New York City
24. American Cut — New York City
23. Sunny’s — Miami
22. Gage & Tollner — New York City
21. Swift & Sons — Chicago
20. Prime + Proper — Detroit
19. Fat Rabbit — St. Catharines, Ontario
18. Bazaar Meat by José Andrés — New York City
17. Gallaghers — New York City
16. Linny’s — Toronto
15. Txula Steak — New York City
14. Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf — Chicago
13. Jacobs & Co. — Toronto
12. Niku Steakhouse — San Francisco
11. Elisa — Vancouver
10. Hawksmoor — New York City
9. Daniel’s — Miami
8. Beefbar — New York City
7. 4 Charles Prime Rib — New York City
6. Gwen — Los Angeles
5. Miller & Lux — San Francisco
4. La Tête d’Or — New York City
3. Jeffrey’s — Austin, TX
2. Cote — New York City
1. Asador Bastian — Chicago