Steakhouse in Austin: 10 Local Favorites.

SP Brazilian Steakhouse at 900 Ranch Road 620 South in Lakeway is a churrascaria, the Brazilian style where servers carry skewers of meat from table to table and a salad bar sits at the center of the meal. It is the metro's top-ranked steakhouse on this list, and one diner calls it the best Brazilian steakhouse they have tried.

The salad bar is what diners mention first, and several would go back for it alone. Then come the meats: ribeye, filet and bacon wrapped chicken, with shrimp passing through as well. Diners say the sides are small and nearly unnecessary because the meat is the focus. A flaming cheesecake and a strawberry cheesecake close the meal.

Service is the other reason this room ranks first. Diners describe staff who push in chairs, set out a stand for a hat, and help organize surprise parties. Birthdays and anniversaries are common reasons to visit, so reserve ahead. A few diners found the prices higher than before, so check the current cost when booking.

Bitelo Brazilian Steakhouse sits on South Lakeline Boulevard in Cedar Park. It is a churrascaria, with servers carving meat at the table, and diners rate the hospitality as high as the meat. The dining room is described as modern and upscale, which fits a dinner out for a birthday or anniversary.

The salad bar is the most discussed part of the meal. Diners mention candied bacon, shiitake mushrooms, heart of palm, and Caesar and Italian salads kept light on sauces. The meats include filet, ribeye, chicken, shrimp and lamb, and diners rate the sausage and garlic steak as well. Dessert is the flaming cheesecake, served lit, and one diner notes that only one dessert contains nuts.

Lunch is a common time to come, and reservations through OpenTable are described as easy. Diners say they were seated promptly, and the staff is described as polite and attentive. Pace the salad bar, because a server may warn that the meat is the specialty.

J Carver's at 509 Rio Grande Street is a downtown Austin steakhouse that diners choose for proposals, birthdays and anniversaries. The room is polished, and the service is the first thing most diners mention, from the host at the door to the valet who remembers returning guests.

The steak list covers filet and a tomahawk, and diners also order oysters, lobster and crab. Two sides get repeated attention: the baked potato gnocchi and the crab fried rice. Bananas foster bread pudding is the dessert diners name. The wine list is a draw, and cocktails are also mentioned often, so the bar is worth a stop before dinner.

Reservations come up often, and a celebration booked here tends to get small extras, such as a complimentary glass of champagne or a card signed by the team. One diner noted the restaurant has no high chairs, so families with toddlers should ask about seating. Valet parking is available, and diners describe the arrival as smooth.

Casa do Brasil at 10515 North MoPac Expressway is a Brazilian steakhouse that diners say fixed their opinion of the style. Visitors who were let down by Brazilian restaurants elsewhere in Austin and Orlando report a better meal here, with a salad bar and tableside meats done well.

The salad bar is named in more diner accounts than any other item, and the selection is wide enough to be a meal. The meats include bacon wrapped chicken, filet and lamb, and one diner came for the lamb and was surprised by the rest. Brazilian lemonade comes with free refills, and diners also mention a birthday cheesecake and lobster as highlights.

Service gets the most praise. Diners say waiters are available before they are needed, and managers come by to carve and check in. Happy hour, lunch and brunch are all mentioned, so there are several ways to try it. Birthdays are the most common occasion, and waits come up at busy times, so reserve for weekends.

J Prime Steakhouse at 301 Brazos Street downtown is an upscale steakhouse that diners describe as sophisticated and modern. Many guests come for birthdays and anniversaries, and servers earn repeated credit for knowing the menu and offering advice.

The steak list includes filet, ribeye, tomahawk and wagyu, and diners often add lobster, crab, shrimp and oysters for a surf and turf order. Truffle mac and cheese and crab fried rice are the sides that come up most. The wine list by the glass leans American, which one diner called decent, and cocktails are also popular at the bar.

Happy hour is a regular mention, and the bar has ample seating. Waits come up more at this room than at some others on the list, so reserve for evenings when the dining room is full. A small share of diners reported disappointing visits, so the experience can vary. For a special occasion with a long wine list, it remains a strong downtown choice.

III Forks at 111 Lavaca Street downtown is a steakhouse with a large menu of cuts, sauces and shellfish. One diner calls it their favorite steakhouse in Austin, and others celebrate birthdays and anniversaries here in large groups.

Fried lobster is the dish diners name most, ahead of the steaks. The beef list includes ribeye, filet, tomahawk and wagyu, and the sauce list includes an Oscar style crab bearnaise and a bleu cheese bordelaise that diners say suit a ribeye or filet. Lobster mac and cheese is the side to add, and the III Forks salad is also named.

Servers receive consistent praise for explaining the menu and making a group feel looked after. Valet parking is in the garage on the same block, and diners describe it as quick and easy. Wine gets attention too, with a broad list. One diner had an uncomfortable exchange with a waiter, which shows service can vary, but most accounts describe attentive tables.

Bob's Steak & Chop House at 301 Lavaca Street downtown is a steakhouse with a patio and a rooftop used for events. Diners enjoy reading about the flags on the walls, and some celebrate holidays and anniversaries here.

The menu centers on filet and ribeye, with lobster, crab and bacon wrapped shrimp for starters or sides. A chopped salad with honey mustard dressing, offered off menu by a server, impressed one diner enough to call it the best salad they had eaten. Wine and cocktails are both mentioned often, so the bar program is a real part of the visit.

Service gets credit in many accounts, with one diner advising guests to ask for a particular server and wait if needed. Noise is the repeated complaint, and one diner wished there were a quiet section, so ask for the patio or an earlier seating. A larger share of diners than at other rooms on this list were disappointed, so expect some variation from visit to visit.

Dean's Italian Steakhouse at 110 East 2nd Street downtown pairs a steak list with Italian dishes, so a table can split between beef and pasta. Diners rate the service highly, and anniversaries and birthdays are common reasons for a visit.

The orders diners name include filet, aged ribeye, wagyu meatballs and short rib gnocchi, with lobster, shrimp and crab on the seafood side. Onion soup is also mentioned. The bread at the start of dinner gets unusually high praise, and the bread pudding is the dessert people recommend. One diner said the kitchen delivered dessert alongside the entree when asked.

Reservations are easy to book, and bar seating is available for those who walk in. Happy hour is a regular mention, along with a customized skinny margarita. Wait times come up at busy hours, so plan ahead for weekend evenings.

Estância Brazilian Steakhouse at 10000 Research Boulevard Suite B is a churrascaria in northwest Austin with continuous tableside service. Diners describe the room as upscale yet welcoming, and many visit for birthdays and anniversaries.

The salad bar is the most named item, and diners say it holds up as a meal. The meats include filet, prime rib and chicken, and tiramisu is a dessert some diners recommend. Lunch and brunch are both mentioned, which suits those who want a lighter version of the format. A shrimp and a Brazilian steak order also appear.

Staff members earn heavy praise, with one diner saying the service moved them to tears. A diner noted the dining room was hot and loud on one visit, and another said quality can vary on busy days at a restaurant of this size. Booking ahead and asking about seating helps. Date night, celebrations and family groups all fit the room.

Bartlett's at 2408 West Anderson Lane is a neighborhood steakhouse with a dark, old school dining room and booths. Diners treat it as one of the dependable rooms in the city, and some who lived nearby for years say they wish they had visited sooner.

The menu is wider than a typical steakhouse. Diners order steak, prime rib and filet, then branch into the French dip sandwich, salmon, crab, tortilla soup and burgers. Caesar and Asian salads are also named. Lunch is the most common visit, which makes this a sensible place for a midday steak or sandwich.

Dinner reservations can be hard to get, and waits come up more than at most rooms here, so book early. A diner who dressed casually suggests business casual or better. Service earns warm credit, with servers describing dishes accurately and helping guests choose. A few diners found quirks in a visit, but most describe a positive meal and a warm, genuine room.