The Saturday over Halloween weekend, I was walking through the downtown of the city with my wife, getting some black and white pics of Manhattan framed, working with these fine folks. The Blue Jays were playing that night in Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre. There was a tangible buzz around the city core I hadn’t felt since the Raptors won the NBA title in 2019.
I had a Nicaraguan cigar going. After three hours of walking, like what happens regularly, it got me thinking about steak and the best steak restaurants in Toronto. As I’ve written about in the past, there’s no better protein fix than steak. And I needed a protein fix after seven miles of walking.
If you’re like me, you want a quality steak restaurant experience, but you’re not in the financial position to drop $190 on a rib eye at a place like Harbour 60. Not that there’s anything wrong with Harbour 60. If you have the means go with God. Most of us don’t, though. especially during these uncertain economic times (and a real estate market downturn for those of us who own property downtown).
But also as steak fans, we’re not looking for a $12 steak and eggs at some joint on Spadina.
So what are some of the best steak restaurant options in Toronto, a level down from the elite level?
What Makes Me a Steak Lover?
As a born and bred carnivore, there are those aforementioned protein benefits, as someone who prioritizes health and wellness. I don’t buy any of the arguments about the negative side effects of a meat diet. I’ve said a hundred times, I’d have steak three times a day if I could.
Melt-in-your-mouth fat, the juiciness and succulence, the crunchy char, the tender pink centre, for me there’s nothing that comes close to it. There’s the status and ritual of it as well – it feels primal, caveman-like. Steak is a celebration of food, from Texas bbqs to Japanese wagyu shrines. I bet I average three steak meals per week – pan fried, over the barbecue at home, out at a restaurant.
Mark Keast and wife Shari at the entrance of Peter Luger steak restaurant in Las Vegas this summer.
What Are the Best Steak Restaurants in Toronto?
We aspire to be a member of the one percent crowd, those people who somehow could afford to drop over $8,000 a ticket for a World Series game against the Dodgers. We want the Ferrari, or the Hublot watch at L’Oro jewellery, priced at $12,700. We love the boys who run Via Cavour in Yorkville, and we’d like to be in a position to drop $11,700 on a Brunello Cucinelli Double Cloth Overcoat, but we’re not there yet.
When I think about steak restaurants in the city, the elite level ones, I always turn to my brother-in-law Clayton Adams for his recommendations, because that’s his bailiwick. Clay and his friends only go to elite level steak restaurants in the city.
Most Expensive Steak Restaurants
The top level steak restaurants in Toronto according to Clay and his crowd usually mean the most expensive. Since money is no object, quality is measured by these guys not only by the steak but also essential add-ons like an aperitif, wine selection, service and ambience.
Here are Clay’s and his circle’s Top 3.
Sammarco, 4 Front St. E., Toronto, ON, 416-964-2120
Oozing old-school elegance with its dim lighting and live jazz, among its premium steak offerings, Sammarco serves Wagyu. If you’ve never had Wagyu – and I never have – it’s apparently a religious experience for steak enthusiasts. Clay says Sammarco is a go-to because the overall experience is amazing, not just the steak.
What Is Wagyu Steak and Why Is It Superior?
Wagyu steak comes from specific Japanese cattle breeds, prized for their intense marbling-tiny flecks of fat woven through the lean meat.
This marbling makes it incredibly tender, juicy, and rich in flavor, with a buttery texture that practically melts when you bite into it. It’s considered superior because of this unique fat distribution, which gives it a depth of taste and mouthfeel you don’t get from standard beef. Plus, the cattle are raised with meticulous care, sometimes fed special diets like beer or massaged for muscle relaxation, which ups the ante on quality. It’s like beef on a whole other level-decadent, but worth every penny.
Jacobs & Co., 81 Bay St., 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, 416-366-0200
If you love a tomahawk steak, then Jacobs & Co. is your choice in Toronto – sleek, modern, also known for its top-tier service. Check out their steak menu for options.
Harbour 60, 60 Harbour St, Toronto, ON, 416-777-2111
Harbour 60 delivers waterfront glamour with panoramic views, where the dry-aged rib-eye stands out among all others. It’s the place to be when there’s a big game or event at Scotiabank Arena, Clay says.
Best Economical Steak Restaurants in Toronto
OK, so what about a “festivus for the rest of us”? I have three go-to restaurants that I would recommend for the quality of the steaks, service and ambience – and price point (less than $100 for steak).
Earls, 601 King St. W., Toronto, ON, 437-780-8726
This is where we ended up Saturday, and I’ve actually been there half a dozen times now for the rib eye steak over the past year. At 14 ounces, priced at CAD $72, your steak comes with mashed potatoes and a vegetable, which I substituted for a Caesar Salad. My wife and I sat out of their second floor patio, overlooking King St, and a city scape of glass condo towers intermixed with heritage buildings as the back drop. The place was packed with Blue Jays fans about to walk down for the big game.
Shari’s oven-roasted, salmon with broccolini, plus a Rhino lager for me, and a Happy Hour appetizer, with tip, brought the whole bill to $180. King West is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in the city, which you can sit back and watch off that second floor patio. There are heaters up there, so look for continued access to the patio through the cold weather months.
Crusty exterior, juicy, tender, an explosive buttery flavor with every bite – great value for the $72 price tag. Earls has never let me down.
Image by Mark Keast
Cactus Club, 77 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, ON, 647-748-2025
Cactus Club Cafe excels in steak dining with Certified Angus Beef steaks—tender, pasture-raised, and sustainably sourced from Canadian ranches. Chef Rob Feenie’s influence ensures precise cooking, like the perfectly seared steak frites, bursting with flavor from house seasonings and chimichurri accents. The vibrant Financial District vibe, rooftop deck, and service elevate the experience, outshining stuffier steakhouses. It is a downtown gem for juicy, unforgettable cuts – well within your budget.
The Keg Steakhouse, 165 York St., Toronto, ON, 416-703-1773
I can hear the elitists recoiling in horror, but I’ve actually had a few good steak meals at The Keg on York St., to the point where it makes my list.
The Keg steaks embody luxury through premium, aged cuts grilled with signature spices, ensuring tenderness and bold flavor. The dimly lit ambiance—boasting a spacious lounge, bar, and summer patio—creates an intimate, celebratory vibe ideal for dates or special occasions, or business meetings in my case.Â
Top image of a rib eye at Earls by Mark Keast
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
Check out my stories, and email me direct at mkeast@regardingluxury.com
