11 Tennessee Steakhouses You Will Brag About Trying This Year
Think you’ve tasted Tennessee? Think again. This year, it’s all about the steakhouses that make locals whisper, tourists linger, and anyone with a love for perfectly seared meat brag shamelessly.
From smoky grills tucked into charming towns to sleek spots in the heart of the city, these are the tables you’ll want to book before the hype catches up. Each steakhouse on this list isn’t just serving dinner.
It’s serving an experience: sizzling cuts that demand attention, sides that steal scenes, and a vibe that turns a meal into a story you’ll be retelling all year. If your taste buds could talk, they’d be begging you to follow this list. Consider this your roadmap.
Tennessee’s finest steakhouses await, and trust me, these are the ones worth bragging about.
1. Oak Steakhouse
The steakhouse not to miss this year in Tennessee is Oak Steakhouse, 801 Clark Place, Nashville, TN 37203. A contemporary dining room meets a classic respect for prime beef, where every cut, temperature, and side arrives in perfect balance, each element enhancing the other without crowding the palate.
The bone in ribeye arrives with a deep crust and a buttery center that feels almost silk like, especially when a pat of roasted garlic butter melts into each slice.
I like adding a shareable of crispy Brussels sprouts for that sweet charred counterpoint. Steaks here rest properly, so the juices are calm and the knife feels like it is gliding rather than working.
If you want to linger, the pacing supports a relaxed conversation while the kitchen keeps momentum. Sauces lean focused and purposeful, so a peppercorn or a tangy chimichurri lifts without stealing the show.
When the check comes, you remember the welcome at the door and the easy confidence of a team that knows its craft and treats your table like the night’s headline.
2. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
Velvet energy and polished service hit first, then the steak follows with a flourish. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, 300 4th Avenue N, Nashville, TN 37219, feels theatrical in the best way, like dinner with a spotlight that never blinds.
You sit, the napkin lands just so, and suddenly the menu reads like a playlist of favorites that still surprises.
The signature filet turns out fork tender, with a peppercorn crust that adds gentle heat instead of a shout. I pair it with truffle mashed potatoes for a plush side that respects the steak rather than competing.
Timing is a strength here, so sides arrive hot and steaks hold that perfect blush center without drifting.
Beyond the plates, little touches charm, including quick refills and a gracious check in that never hovers. The room’s buzz carries but does not drown conversation, keeping a celebratory mood in reach on a Tuesday.
Walk out and you will feel a bit taller, like you just nailed a main stage set and still have enough energy for an encore down the block.
3. Kayne Prime
What makes a steak unforgettable before it even touches the plate? Minimalist lines meet maximum flavor the moment it lands with that quiet sizzle that says, this is handled.
Kayne Prime, 1103 McGavock Street, Nashville, TN 37203, is where technique hums in the background like a well-tuned engine, evident in the cutting, the seasoning, and the precise control of heat.
A wagyu strip here carries a delicate richness that builds instead of blasting all at once. I like to start with the bacon with maple and black pepper for a playful nod to sweetness before a deeper dive into savory.
Then a truffled potato side keeps texture on point, each forkful creamy with a light earthy note that frames the meat.
The atmosphere fits everything from milestone celebrations to a spontaneous Tuesday splurge, while the kitchen delivers with consistency and care. Another standout spot for steak this year, it’s wise to save room for dessert.
Each finale arrives clean, balanced, and satisfying, leaving the memory of that perfect steak lingering long after the evening ends.
4. Steak By Michael Mina
Skyline views often steal the show, yet here they simply frame the reason you came. Steak by Michael Mina, 201 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, plates steaks with laser focused sears and a rested tenderness that stays consistent.
You notice the calm rhythm of a kitchen that knows timing is everything and lets the details speak.
The ribeye arrives with a vibrant crust, the kind that clicks lightly under the knife and releases a flood of aroma. I reach for the fries crisped in rich fat, stacked like golden architecture beside the steak.
Sauces glide rather than shout, so a classic béarnaise or bright chimichurri adds a nudge, not a takeover.
The room lets conversation breathe while the city winks through the glass. When you leave, the elevator ride feels like a gentle landing after a small culinary flight where the seatbelt sign never turned on.
5. Char Restaurant
Char Restaurant, 3988 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215, blends comfort and polish like old friends who never run out of stories.
Steaks arrive elegant yet retain that honest, satisfying chew. The dining room is softly lit, and the pace allows the meal to unfold while the kitchen keeps every detail perfectly dialed in.
A center cut filet, cooked to a warm pink, has a gentle minerality that pairs nicely with au gratin potatoes. I add haricots verts for a little snap on the side, and it keeps everything feeling balanced instead of heavy.
The seasoning shows restraint, allowing the cut to lead with clean, focused flavor that grows richer as you go.
Char’s team handles preferences with ease, adjusting sauces and sides to match your mood. There is a steady stream of regulars, and you feel why after a single visit.
As you step outside, you carry a pleasant calm that lingers like the last savory echo of a well seared edge.
6. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House
Old-school charm never goes out of style. But what makes a steak taste truly timeless?
Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House, 551 S.
Mendenhall Road, Memphis, TN 38117, delivers an experience where history is felt in the wood, in the confident pacing, and in the hush that settles the moment the porterhouse arrives.
The porterhouse balances filet tenderness with strip flavor, giving you two storylines on one plate. I like a baked potato with all the fixings for a hearty side that keeps pace without stealing scenes.
Each slice shows off a deep sear and a gentle gradient to the center, proof that the rest was not rushed.
The room radiates a steady, inviting energy, perfect for gathering, celebrating, or quietly planning a return. Outside, the Memphis night hums softly, carrying the lingering warmth of the evening like a hand pressed briefly in farewell.
7. Hennen’s Steakhouse
A gentle river breeze drifts through, lending the room an effortless ease that carries to every table. Hennen’s Steakhouse, 193 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, pairs precise execution with an approachable, authentic energy.
The dining room combines raw textures and soft lighting, creating a space that is both polished and relaxed.
A New York strip arrives with a confident crust that lightly crackles under the knife. I like pairing it with asparagus and classic mashed potatoes, a trio that keeps each bite steady and satisfying.
Seasoning hits that just right band, amplifying the steak’s natural savor while leaving space for a house sauce if you want an extra accent.
Perfect for a fast business catch-up or an unhurried dinner that lingers through dessert. But what makes the experience stick?
That sear, precise, flavorful, and memorable, keeps returning to the mind long after the meal ends.
8. The Chop House
Sometimes you just want straightforward and done right, and this place delivers with a nod and a hot plate. The Chop House, 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, keeps its focus on reliable steaks and friendly pacing that respects your evening.
The sirloin is a strong pick, with a firm bite that rewards a patient chew. I like it alongside a loaded baked potato that adds creamy heft and a little crunch on top.
The knife slides cleanly, juices stay put, and the seasoning leans savory with a light herbal lift.
Value shows up in portion sizes and the way the kitchen hits temperature targets. It is easy to bring a group here and know everyone will find a favorite.
Leaving feels simple too, like checking a satisfying box on a busy week and still having a win to talk about on the drive home.
9. Ye Olde Steak House
Looking for a place where the food does the talking? The grill delivers exactly that, in every perfectly cooked cut.
Ye Olde Steak House, 6838 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920, pairs generous portions with an easygoing spirit that keeps locals coming back.
The T bone is a crowd pleaser, with that satisfying sizzle and a bold char that does not overwhelm the beef. I pair it with a classic salad and a hot baked potato, letting textures do the heavy lifting.
Slices hold their warmth, and each bite lands with a clean, savory finish that makes conversation pause for a second.
The dining room holds a bright, welcoming energy without ever feeling overwhelming, a perfect fit for families or longtime friends. Cravings here linger pleasantly, leaving a sense that a return is already on the horizon.
10. The Peddler Steakhouse
You know a meal is about to settle in when the river slides by outside, lending a calm that matches a slow cut and an even slower chew. The Peddler Steakhouse, 820 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, is known for hand-cut steaks presented with effortless flair.
Each cut is visible before it hits the grill, adding a quiet thrill that carries through the entire meal.
A ribeye here turns out plush and aromatic, the fat cap rendering into that whisper of richness you chase with each slice. I add a simple salad and a warm side to keep things grounded and let the steak lead.
The windows pull the trees into the room, so the whole experience feels like a well planned pause.
The room suggests celebration but does not require a reason, which is a nice trick to pull off. When you walk back into the mountain air, you carry a quiet satisfaction that fits the setting perfectly.
11. Connors Steak & Seafood
Surf and turf sets the guiding mood, with the steaks taking center stage without sharing credit unwillingly. Connors Steak & Seafood, 10915 Turkey Creek Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934, pairs a polished dining room with a menu that balances comfort and flair.
Every detail of the evening feels carefully arranged, creating a seamless, satisfying experience from first bite to last.
A medium rare filet arrives with a rosy center and a gentle mineral note that pairs well with garlic herb butter. I like adding seasonal vegetables for freshness and snap, keeping each bite lively instead of heavy.
The cook rests, the slice glides, and you notice how the heat was managed to hold flavor in the center.
Portions make sharing effortless, and there’s space to explore a sauce or two without ever overcrowding the plate.
In Tennessee, this kind of careful balance is rare, which makes it a standout destination for steak lovers in 2026. The room combines polished comfort with a relaxed energy, letting the meal unfold at its own pace.
Even the smallest details, from the presentation to the seasoning, reinforce why this is a place to return to. By the end of the evening, a steady contentment lingers, the sort that makes you scan the calendar for the next available night to come back and savor it all again.