Orange County takes steak seriously. From a Michelin-listed Anaheim institution to a hockey legend’s Laguna Beach dining room, OC’s steakhouse scene rivals any city in Southern California.
This guide covers the best steakhouses in Orange County, organized by what you’re actually looking for. Fine dining. Celebrity chefs. Ocean views. Classic quality. We’ve got you covered.
Every pick below comes from real menus, real reviews, and real reputations built over years, not a generic “top 10” scrape. Let’s get into it.
Quick Answer
- Best overall / special occasion: THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon (Anaheim)
- Best celebrity-owned steakhouse: Selanne Steak Tavern (Laguna Beach)
- Best chef-driven fine dining: Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina (Dana Point)
- Best view with dinner: Orange Hill Restaurant (Orange)
- Best classic steakhouse chain: The Capital Grille (Costa Mesa)
- Best value: Tartan Room (Orange)
THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon (Anaheim)
THE RANCH tops nearly every serious list of Orange County steakhouses, and it earns the spot. This Michelin-listed restaurant won Best Steakhouse from the LA Times. It also earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence nine years running.
Executive Chef Pedro Garcia runs the kitchen. He sources from THE RANCH’s own organic farm in the Santa Ana Mountains. The menu goes big. Try the 58-ounce Cowboy Ribeye. Or the 40-ounce Delmonico. A team of ten sommeliers backs the wine program.
- Where: 1025 E. Ball Rd., Anaheim
- Price: $-$$
- Known for: Large-format steaks, farm-to-table sides, an extensive whiskey and wine list
- Best for: Anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and anyone who wants the single most impressive steak dinner in the county
Selanne Steak Tavern (Laguna Beach)
NHL Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne co-owns this Laguna Beach steakhouse. It sits inside a restored 1934 home on Pacific Coast Highway.
The setting alone justifies the trip. Choose from five distinct dining spaces: The Loft, The Wine Library, The Tavern, or two outdoor terraces facing the coast.
Chef Vincent Terusa leads the kitchen. His steaks come well-marbled and expertly cooked. Order the mashed potatoes. Save room for the monkey bread. And if you come at the right time, with a little bit of luck, you might even meet Teemu Selanne, who is an extremely friendly guy!
- Where: 1464 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach
- Price: $-$$
- Known for: Historic coastal setting, a deep wine list, a lively bar scene
- Best for: Date nights, out-of-town guests, anyone who wants dinner with real character
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina (Dana Point)
Celebrity chef Michael Mina brings Bourbon Steak to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort. This is fine dining at resort level.
The menu spans a Black Angus filet mignon to a 50-ounce American Wagyu tomahawk from Snake River Farms.
The setting matches the food. Ocean views. Resort-level service. A wine list built for the occasion.
- Where: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Dana Point
- Price: $$$$
- Known for: Premium Wagyu options, resort ambiance, chef-driven technique
- Best for: A true splurge night, or pairing dinner with a resort stay
Rare Society (San Clemente)
Rare Society brings a modern, design-forward take to the classic steakhouse formula. The interior looks sleek. The menu sticks to steakhouse fundamentals done well.
Order a high-end cut. Add the pickled fried onion rings. Or the cheesy shell mac. Sip an old-fashioned before or after dinner at the bar.
- Where: San Clemente
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Contemporary design, well-executed steakhouse classics, a strong cocktail program
- Best for: A stylish dinner in South County without driving all the way to Laguna or Dana Point
Old Brea Chop House (Brea)
Old Brea Chop House opened in late 2019 and quickly built a loyal following. Six years in, the reviews still rave. Expect melt-in-your-mouth steaks.
Towering seafood platters round out the menu, plus enough sides to share around the table.
- Where: Brea
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Consistent quality since opening, generous seafood towers, a full chop-house menu
- Best for: North County diners who don’t want to drive south for a great steak
Mastro’s Steakhouse (Costa Mesa)
Mastro’s brings its national reputation to the South Coast Plaza area, and the formula works. Live piano music.
A buzzy bar scene. Steaks cooked exactly how you order them, every time.
- Where: South Coast Plaza area, Costa Mesa
- Price: $$$$
- Known for: Consistent execution, a lively upscale atmosphere, an excellent seafood tower
- Best for: Business dinners, group celebrations, anyone who wants a proven national name done right
The Capital Grille (Costa Mesa)
The Capital Grille sits near South Coast Plaza and delivers exactly what regulars expect: dry-aged steaks, a serious wine list, and white-tablecloth service.
The Wagyu and Wine Pairing nights draw repeat visitors specifically for the event.
- Where: South Coast Plaza area, Costa Mesa
- Price: $$$$
- Known for: Dry-aged beef, special pairing dinners, dependable fine-dining service
- Best for: Anyone who wants a classic, formal steakhouse experience they already trust
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (Newport Beach / Irvine)
Fleming’s runs a tighter, more approachable version of the classic steakhouse. Multiple Orange County locations make it easy to get a reservation without months of planning.
The wine list stays deep. The bar menu makes a great lower-key option too.
- Where: Newport Beach and Irvine locations
- Price: $$$
- Known for: A strong by-the-glass wine program, a flexible bar and small-plates menu
- Best for: A slightly more casual steakhouse night that still feels special
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Irvine / Anaheim)
Ruth’s Chris built its reputation on one signature move: steaks served sizzling in butter, straight off a 500-degree plate.
The New York strip remains the order most regulars come back for. Save room for the chocolate sin cake.
- Where: Irvine and Anaheim locations
- Price: $$$
- Known for: The sizzling butter presentation, a reliably strong menu across every location
- Best for: First-timers who want the classic American steakhouse experience done exactly right
Orange Hill Restaurant (Orange)
Orange Hill sits up in the hills above the city, and the view alone earns it a spot on this list. Catalina Island. The California coastline. All visible from your table on a clear night.
The steak-forward menu holds its own against the scenery.
- Where: Orange, in the hills above the city
- Price: $$$
- Known for: Panoramic coastal views, a strong American steakhouse menu, romantic atmosphere
- Best for: Sunset dinners, proposals, and anyone who wants the view to do half the work
Tartan Room (Orange)
Tartan Room proves you don’t need a $150 tab to get a great steak in Orange County. Locals keep coming back for a reason.
Generous portions. A comfortable, unfussy dining room. Prices that don’t require a special occasion to justify.
- Where: Orange
- Price: $$
- Known for: Genuine local following, big portions, honest prices
- Best for: A regular night out, not just a once-a-year splurge
Comparing Your Options at a Glance
| Steakhouse | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon | $$$-$$$$ | Overall best, special occasions |
| Selanne Steak Tavern | $$$-$$$$ | Date nights, coastal charm |
| Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina | $$$$ | Chef-driven splurge |
| Rare Society | $$$ | Modern South County dinner |
| Old Brea Chop House | $$$ | North County quality |
| Mastro’s Steakhouse | $$$$ | Lively national name |
| The Capital Grille | $$$$ | Classic formal steakhouse |
| Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse | $$$ | Approachable fine dining |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | $$$ | Reliable, classic experience |
| Orange Hill Restaurant | $$$ | Views with dinner |
| Tartan Room | $$ | Best value |
Tips for Booking an Orange County Steakhouse
A few things make the night go smoother:
- Book ahead for weekends. The top spots on this list fill up fast on Friday and Saturday nights, sometimes weeks out for THE RANCH or Selanne.
- Ask about happy hour. Several of these steakhouses, including Fleming’s and Mastro’s, run a strong bar-menu happy hour that lets you sample the kitchen for less.
- Request a window seat at Orange Hill. The view is the whole point, so ask when you book, not when you arrive.
- Check for pairing events. The Capital Grille’s Wagyu and Wine nights book out fast once announced, so follow their calendar if that’s your kind of evening.
- Split a large-format steak. THE RANCH’s Cowboy Ribeye and similar cuts easily serve two or three people, and sharing keeps the bill and the portion size reasonable.
Frequently Asked Questions
THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon in Anaheim consistently ranks as the top pick. It holds a Michelin listing, won Best Steakhouse from the LA Times, and earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence nine years in a row.
Tartan Room in Orange offers a genuinely good steak dinner without fine-dining prices. It’s a longtime local favorite for exactly that reason.
Orange Hill Restaurant sits in the hills above the city of Orange, with clear views of Catalina Island and the coastline on a good night.
Yes. Selanne Steak Tavern in Laguna Beach is co-owned by Anaheim Ducks NHL Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne. Bourbon Steak in Dana Point comes from celebrity chef Michael Mina.
For weekend dinners, yes, especially at THE RANCH, Selanne Steak Tavern, and Mastro’s. Book at least a few days ahead, and further out for a special occasion.
