13 Absolute Best Steakhouses In Denver, Ranked

Let's be honest: Denver is probably not at the top of anyone's list when thinking about the most happening, foodie-friendly cities in the United States. The city has a fascinating history and has long been revered for its outdoorsy population and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Up until a couple of years ago, the food in Denver was never a draw... but that's beginning to change. Colorado's population has exploded in the last decade, especially in Denver. As more and more Americans make their way to the state, the tastes of the Mile High City are endlessly evolving. In fact, just this month, the MICHELIN Guide announced that it was expanding to the Centennial State.

Colorado may not have a food style as distinguished as NYC, New Orleans, or Texas, but one food the state hasn't struggled with is steak. In fact, the state's capital is home to some of the very best steakhouses in America, cooking up juicy, mouthwatering cuts of prime rib, filets, New York strips, and more (and let's not forget those classic steakhouse apps and sides). From mom-and-pop operations to national chains, here are, in our opinion, the very best steakhouses Denver has to offer.

Founded in Newport Beach, CA all the way back in the '90s, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar now operates a whopping 65+ locations across the United States. Although it's a large chain, Fleming's manages to maintain quality across its locations, and Fleming's in Englewood, Colorado is a well-known local hang. Kick things off with one of the restaurant's signature starters like sweet chili calamari or panko-crusted onion rings with jalapeño aioli, and whet your appetite with a strawberry fennel salad before moving on to the main course: steak. Fleming's offers both classic and specialty beef cuts, and each can be topped with a specialty butter (béarnaise, smoked chili, or herbed horseradish).

If steak isn't your jam, there are plenty of other entrées to choose from, including fish, seafood, poultry, and the plant-based roasted portobello and cauliflower "steak." Steakhouses aren't well-known as great happy hour spots, but Fleming's hosts a social hour with drink and bar bite specials, which is a great way to sample a bit more of the menu. The downside of this otherwise well-rounded steakhouse is that there's nothing specific to Colorado here, whereas more locally-owned restaurants are able to offer dishes that showcase local and seasonal ingredients.

Columbine Steak House and Lounge might not look like much on the outside. Settled off Federal Boulevard, its exterior looks more like a combination gas station and diner than a fancy steakhouse, but that's because Columbine isn't a fancy steakhouse. The no-frills, cash-only restaurant is as humble as it gets, but that said, the food is lovingly prepared and has a great bang for your buck. The most expensive item on the menu is the 22 to 24-ounce porterhouse, ringing in at $28, and each entrée item is served with dinner salad, Texas toast, and a baked potato or fries. There are a fair number of cuts to choose from for steak, from the aforementioned porterhouse to a T-bone, filet mignon, sirloin, and New York strip.

You're not limited to steak when dining at Columbine. There are a couple of other dinner options, including pork chops, breaded shrimp, fried chicken, and breaded Hoki fish, all for under $16. The establishment's reviews are mostly four and five-star, and many of them echo the same sentiment: This is a really good steak for the price, but many of the reviews reference poor service (some brush it off as a quirk, but it irks other diners), and incorrectly cooked steaks.

Elway's was founded by two friends with the mission of bringing together friends and family over the best food Colorado has to offer, regardless of the season. Today, Elway's has locations in Cherry Creek, downtown Denver, Vail, and the Denver airport, all of which feature prime hand-cut steaks, local lamb, and seafood. The menu rotates throughout the year, showcasing seasonal specials and sides, but steak never goes out of style. Whether you're chowing down on a filet, a New York strip, a ribeye, or a porterhouse, Elway's steaks are impressive. That said, a handful of reviews indicate that the kitchen struggles with cooking steaks to the proper temperature — admittedly, not the easiest feat, but something that needs to be perfected by a restaurant that specializes in steak.

One of the best menu portions at Elway's is the appetizer section. The lamb chop fondue is truly unique, the grilled artichoke app is beautifully decadent, and the spicy steak chili is one of a kind. At the bar, you'll find funnily named ("Out Of Your League," "Caught Stealing"), and deliciously crafted cocktails — the restaurant changes up its spirits selection seasonally along with the food. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the opportunity to try a sommelier flight, and beer drinkers have a large section of Colorado craft beers to choose from. Don't sleep on the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, perhaps a la mode, for dessert.

Union Station in the heart of downtown Denver is brimming with historic charm, and just steps away lies Urban Farmer. The down-to-earth steakhouse mini-chain operates locations in Philly, Portland, and Denver, and focuses on sustainability by working with nearby ranchers, farmers, and other vendors to allow guests to experience authentic, locally-sourced, delicious food. The restaurant group follows a zero-waste model, and parts of livestock that would be discarded in most restaurants are repurposed into stocks, sausages, and more.

Given Urban Farmer's focus on sustainability, it should come as no surprise that the menu changes seasonally — however, one constant is top-notch steaks, many of which are cut from grass-fed and raised cows right in Colorado. All steaks, from the king choice beef to the dry-aged T-bone, can be upgraded with additions like a spicy peppercorn quartet crust, herb jus, and blue cheese Wagyu fat. Additional current entrées include things like a venison rack, local Colorado striped bass, and a delightful eggplant ratatouille for the vegetarian at the table. The drinks at Urban Farmer include creative cocktails, 20 wines by the glass, and a selection of both local and national beers. Notably, the restaurant has a great mocktail selection — the lavender honey limeade is sure to be a hit with anyone abstaining from alcohol.

Shanahan's isn't your average steakhouse. Named for longtime Denver Broncos football coach Mike Shanahan, you won't find soft jazz and dim lighting here. Instead, diners are greeted by a bull cowhide bench and authentic Lombardi trophies in the entryway, a huge, full-circle bar, and a host of plasma screens, which will always be tuned into the Broncos games during football season. Shanahan's is like a sports bar that's been elevated tenfold, and while it might sound like an unheard-of idea, it works. These are some of the best steaks in Denver — the steak section includes 28-day aged USDA prime steaks like the center barrel cut filet mignon, the prime NY strip, and a dry-aged Kansas City strip, along with chops such as a prime bone-in veal chop and lamb chops with mint chimichurri.

Finding quality seafood in a landlocked state like Colorado is like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Shanahan's has Marine Stewardship Council-certified seafood flown in daily for menu features like parmesan-crusted Pacific halibut and real, buttery Maine lobster tails. Pair your meal with one of Shanahan's 25 bottled beer options, or 25 types of wine by the glass. If you're splurging on a bottle, you may need a minute with the wine list — over 750 selections are offered at the restaurant.

Settled in the Central Business District (there's also a location in Houston), Guard and Grace Denver has won numerous awards and uses high-quality ingredients to create avant-garde wood-fired food, including charcuterie, seafood, and, of course, steak. The restaurant serves several cuts each of melt-in-your-mouth prime, Wagyu, and grass-fed beef. In true innovative Chef Troy Guard fashion, patrons can also order a filet flight, which includes a 4-ounce sampling of all three varieties.

While steak is the focus here, Guard and Grace offer an extensive menu. Munch on an appetizer like oak-fired carrots or oak-fired octopus, or enjoy fresh oysters, Alaskan king crab, and scallop tartare from the raw bar. Don't miss out on the charcuterie boards, which include locally-sourced and house-made accompaniments. If you're hungry enough for an entrée but not craving steak, the braised Colorado lamb and Skuna Bay salmon are both fantastic. Round out your meal with a cocktail or glass of wine, and be sure to save room for dessert — the sticky coffee cake and peanut butter mud pie are to die for, making this spot overall one of the best steak places in Denver.