Sarasota boasts an impressive lineup of restaurants specializing in prime cuts of beef, but only one landed on the USA TODAY Network’s recent list of the 12 best steakhouses in Florida.
After wrapping up its roundup of Florida’s must-visit dive bars, the team traded neon beer signs for something a little more polished and headed in the opposite direction — straight into the world of sizzling ribeyes, dry-aged cuts and big-night-out steakhouses.
To find the very best, USA TODAY Network food writers fanned out across the state, ordering filets, cowboy cuts and ribeyes along the way. While Sarasota is home to several standout steak spots, only Alpine Steakhouse made the cut for best in the Sunshine State.
Sarasota’s Alpine Steakhouse named among Florida’s best
Details: 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-921-3798; alpinesteak.com
A restaurant and meat market serving Sarasota since 1975 — and famously seen producing its iconic turducken dish on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — the family-run Alpine Steakhouse is also where discerning locals go for excellent steaks, sides and burgers.
It’s billed as the first place in Sarasota to “specialize in prime meats of the New York City steakhouse persuasion,” according to Alpine’s website. “Matt Rebhan’s father, Mark, took over the business of his father, Henry, and the restaurant continues to be a collaborative father-son family effort for your enjoyment to this day.”
What to order at Alpine Steakhouse in Sarasota
All the steaks are hand-cut, USDA Prime, and dry-aged for 14 days, from the filet mignon to the Delmonico — two of Alpine’s most popular cuts. Expect both to be cooked perfectly to order, seasoned just right, and finished with a beautiful crosshatched char. Also expect to be pleasantly surprised by the prices: $39 for the eight-ounce center-cut filet mignon and $59 for the 14-ounce prime boneless ribeye (Delmonico) during this editor’s recent visit.
For starters, consider the platter of house-made knockwurst and bratwurst with sauerkraut and whole grain mustard — or the irresistible house-smoked bacon that just might be the best you’ve ever tasted. But if the idea of a meat plate before steak feels a bit overwhelming, start with Alpine’s signature gorgonzola salad — a nicely sized “small” for $6. For sides, treat yourself to the twice-baked potato ($4), rich and creamy and covered in cheese and bacon — exactly what you want with a great steak.
The truffle fries are also delicious and a steal at $3. And if you’re looking to save a few bucks, don’t overlook Alpine’s Signature Steakhouse Burger ($16), a massive half-pound patty stacked with house-made jowl bacon, a crispy onion ring, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
What makes Alpine Steakhouse in Sarasota stand out among Florida’s best?
Alpine is a charming, casual, family-run restaurant and steakhouse, meat market and butcher shop — plus a small specialty grocery — all under one roof. It sits just off Tamiami Trail, with a large smoker out front. Inside, you’ll find a no-frills dining room and beer-and-wine bar — including a solid selection of local and German drafts — all in full view of the display cases. Nothing fancy here, folks, but everything hits the spot. And while the steaks are among the best I’ve tasted in town, they’re made even more special by the value.
A New York Times article published Dec. 21 notes that “beef prices are near record levels” and that “steakhouses — from the wood-paneled clubs of Manhattan to chain outposts along highways — are trying to cover their costs and still keep their customers.”
I see this everywhere I dine. Filet mignons of the same size at other Sarasota steakhouses often cost as much as 40 percent more than Alpine’s eight-ounce cut. The Times reported that a person overseeing five fine-dining steakhouses in the Southeast recently raised the price of an eight-ounce filet to $61 from $57, with ribeyes climbing to $85 from $82. Alpine’s Delmonico ribeye, by contrast, remained $59 during our visit earlier this month.
So yes, Alpine Steakhouse stands out among Florida’s top beef temples not only for exceptional quality, but for prices that still feel welcoming. The excellent service is a plus, too — as is the overall down-home appeal of this Sarasota landmark.
Wade Tatangelo is Audience Director for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular Sarasota restaurant named among Florida’s best steakhouses
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
