Buy a travel guide!
Visit our bookstore

Welcome

 

Bern's Steak House Review

Read our Tampa Bay Area restaurant reviews. Or post your own.

Find more restaurants in Tampa Bay Area »

Bern's Steak House

Member Rating: **** 3.9 | Rate It
  • Price range: $$$-$$$$
  • Cuisine: Steak
  • Location: Tampa

Fodor's Review:

For those who love meat, this is one of Florida's finest steak houses, an elegant eatery with the air of an exclusive club. Rich mahogany paneling and ornate chandeliers define the legendary Bern's, where Laxer ages his own beef, grows his own organic vegetables, roasts his own coffee, and maintains his own saltwater fish tanks. Cuts of topmost beef are sold by weight and thickness. There's a 60-ounce, 3-inch porterhouse that's big enough to feed your pride (of lions), but for our taste the veal loin chop or 8-ounce Chateaubriand is more than enough. The wine list includes some 6,500 selections (with 1,800 dessert wines). After dinner, tour the kitchen and wine cellar before having dessert upstairs in a cozy booth. Casual business attire is recommended.

  • Keep in mind: Reservations essential.
  • Credit Cards: AE, D, MC, V

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Not even close to great...

Posted by LarryB34695 from Tampa on 5/23/09
Bern's might have been great once. But now, all I have experienced is an incredibly overcrowded, incredibly loud and, yes, incredibly inconsiderate wait staff. The food is "Ok"...with a pretentious air that may impress some. Prices are at times absurd. And the decor is, well, a bad attempt at doing what was elegant in other settings. Go elsewhere, where they actually appreciate you as a customer.

Food: 3.0 Atmosphere: 2.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 1.0 RATING: 2.2

A tantalizing experience

Posted by cassysun2 from North Palm Beach, FL on 8/21/08
My husband and I have been to Bern's Steakhouse several times. The people who work there are friendly and efficient. The food melts in your mouth and the wine selection is incredible. My son, who was two at the time, got a kick out of the waiter making a salad at our table, free entertainment! After dinner we took a tour of the kitchen. We then went to the dessert room which is an experience in itself. We had a man playing a violin at our table, had coffee and a very tasty chocolate dessert.

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0 RATING: 4.8

Just once is enough

Posted by lrivas07 from St. Petersburg, FL on 10/24/07
My husband and I enjoyed our experience but don't think we'll be back again. Had we seen the dirty kitchen before eating, we would have left. Although we did like the food and service, everything was over-priced.

Food: 4.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 3.0 RATING: 3.6

Outstanding - A Must Visit

Posted by JerseyShore from New Jersey Shore on 8/2/07
It was our first visit, and the bar area was a zoo. We were beginning to wonder if the place was as good as its reputation. However, the waiters in the bar were great, getting us some drinks quickly and making us comfortable. When our reservation was called, and we were seated, we immediately knew we had made the right choice. The waiter was fantastic. He was very knowledable, and gave us some suggestions which turned out great. He also told us a lot about the history of Bern's. It was all part of the experience. The steak was as good as the service. The tour of the kitchen at the end was great fun (I suspect they do it to move the table at the end of the meal, which is a good idea - you go upstairs for coffee and desert.) Wne lovers will enjoy the 500,000 bottle wine celler. All in all, probably the best dining experience my wife and I have ever had. A great value for what you get.

Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0 RATING: 4.8

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip



Buy the Guidebook

  • Fodor's Walt Disney World® 2008
    $17.95
  • Fodor's Florida 2009
    $19.95

Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.

Current Fodor's Newsletter



Copyright © 2009 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.