top 10

Bern's Steak House

Claim
marker

1208 S Howard Ave (at West Marjory Avenue)
Tampa, FL 33606

marker
(813) 251-2421
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Reviews
( 116 )
( 24 )
( 5 )
( 19 )
( 16 )

Best

I Absolutely love this place! Great Desserts , Great Wine selections and very romantic setting! Great Date night with the hubby!

Worst

Used to be great, now, not so great...existing on its old reputation and, everyone ""in the area"" knows it. Only tourists or pseudo-affectionatos go there nowadays.

As my favorite restaurant, Bern's serves a vast array of ... 6/11/2007

MikeCanencia Provided by Partner
As my favorite restaurant, Bern's serves a vast array of food. Asian cuisine, such as tuna tartare and sushi, French cuisine, and American steakhou... more
Reply | Report abuse |

Expect to be pampered 4/26/2007

We've lived in Tampa Bay for 20 years and have visited Bern's a dozen times over that span. The one thing that always impresses us is the atmosphere. We're always greeted with a smile and pleasant words. Of course, we've made reservations and arrive in high spirits! If you're not excited about the experience, DON'T GO! I'm saddend by the remarks here regarding the ""so-so"" food and ""quirky"" atmosphere. This place is as old as the hills, family owned and operated since it's inception, and quite honestly, a Tampa Bay institution. Go if only to visit the dessert room! If you have HUGE expectations about ANY meal then HAVE IT AT HOME; where you'll get EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT, EXACTLY HOW YOU WANT IT. Eat out for the experience and ambiance and you'll be much more fulfilled. By the way, we've NEVER had a ""so-so"" meal or service here. It's just not possible. Pros: EVERYTHING Cons: WITHOUT RESERVATIONS, ON ANY GIVEN DAY, YOU WILL WAIT. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great food and service 4/23/2007

The food is great. The service is top-notch. They give you a lot of food with your steak. Taking that into consideration, the prices are very reasonable. Check out their menu online before you go b/c they have a lot of steak choices to choose from. Also, they offer a tour of the kitchen and the wine cellar (where i was salivating at the rare bottles room). Upstairs is the desert floor...excellent service and desserts...not too sweet so you are able to eat it and not feel sick. Highly recommend!!!! Pros: price, service, and steaks! Cons: overstuffing yourself more
Reply | Report abuse |

Don't know if I would go again 4/15/2007

The atmosphere was nice, I felt the waitor was attentive and did help us pick out a very nice bottle of wine, but I felt the food (Tuna tar tar & scallops) was just ok. I felt for the price they should of melted in my mouth. I also do not like the 12% gratuity already added in. Though we were very satisfied with our waitor I like having the option of deciding how much I'm going to tip. Pros: Ambience, excellent waitor, great wine list Cons: Prices are 20% higher than the competition, food was ok but I have better for 2/3 the price more
Reply | Report abuse |

Overratted 4/1/2007

Very overrated restaurant! Very dark, dated decor with low ceilings which makes it very noisy. Have had better steaks elsewhere. The desert room is unique and the only good feature. Pros: Desert Room Cons: Expensive, dark, loud more
Reply | Report abuse |

Very DIsappointed 11/15/2006

We are new to the area and my husband wanted to take me someplace special for my birthday. I read EVERYWHERE about how great this place was. The atmosphere is great but the food is nothing special. For the price it should have been outstanding. I had caviar that was mediocre, with the Berns accompaniments. They plate of 5 accompanimnets all tasted the same had been sitting out for awhile b/c all of them were metling on the marble plate they were presented on. My filet was cooked as ordered (rare)but had no flavor. The bernaise sauce was adequate but served cold. The house vegetables were awful. It really seemed as if they had pureed whatever scraps had been leftover for the week to serve[my b-day was on a Sunday] The server was innattentive, never asking if my husband wanted another drink, and we had to request refills on water. I enjoy a relaxed elongated meal but not b/c the waiter continuously forgets we are there! As a hospitality company director, I was very disappointed with the experience and will never return to this resaturant. Pros: Valet parking, good drinks and good atmosphere Cons: food and service more
Reply | Report abuse |

great for impressing a date 11/13/2006

bern's is very expensive but if you can afford it, then i would highly reccomend it. they have seasonal items and an expansive wine list. very upper class. more
Reply | Report abuse |

The granddaddy of steakhouses 11/10/2006

The ultimate for the steak lover and oenophile. Largest wine list in the world, and lots of little touches that make it special - coffe beans ground on premises, all breads made there as well, all desserts done there, even bean sprouts sprouted on site! A must-do at least once! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Get the Banana's Foster 10/31/2006

The Bern's dessert room has a mind-boggling array of choices for both desserts and after dinner drinks. However, one stands above all, the banana's foster. Anyone not familiar with the preparation of this delicious Southern dessert will get an intimate tutorial. A cart equipped with propane burners is wheeled to your table as your server creates the dish before your eyes. Not only is this fantastic entertainment, it tastes heavenly. For those that must have chocolate, their cakes are incredible as well. more
Reply | Report abuse |

An experience 10/27/2006

Bern's does it right from the begining. Since they control the quality of product from the start they can ensure its quality to the table. The establishment has history and originality that provides another facet to the entire experience. When was the last time you were at a restaurant that allows tours? Especially in the kitchen. You pay a premium and get premium service and food. Only a bit dissapointed that the dress code was not enforced. Why have one? Pros: Food, wine, service Cons: Dress code not being followed more
Reply | Report abuse |

What is all the big buzz - other than flys ?? 8/25/2006

Went to have dinner to celebrate our 30 th wedding anniversary- first time visit - everyone said this was the place to be. \r \r The steak was good - not the best I have ever had and what serving bad carrots for the veggies is a special house thging ?\r \r We did take the kitchen tour - someone other than us should tell them that flys on the beef that is ready to be cooked is not a healthy thing. The kitchen folks just brushed them off. \r \r Maybe the next time - no there will not be a next time. \r \r Maybe the flys were looking for the bad carrots they served me.\r \r Too many other GREAT steak place to explore - fly by Bern's. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Best steak anywhere. 8/23/2006

Best special occasion restaurant anywhere. Tour of the kitchen, wine cellar and dessert room are a must. more
Reply | Report abuse |

One of a Kind 8/10/2006

People who write reviews trashing Berns dont understand that this isnt a trendy ""hotspot"" for self indulging yuppies who only care about decor and the speed that their apple martini is delivered. Berns is classic and is one of the most unique eating establishments you will find if this country. Several of the waiters have been at Berns for over 20 years. The vegetables are home grown on an organic farm outside of town. The Wine selection is one of the largest in the world. Tour the kitchen after your meal prior to going to the dessert room and you will understand why Berns is unique. Chains like Shulas and Charlies have nothing on Berns with their cookie cutter decor and undertrained staff of college students. Pros: Food, Service, Selection more
Reply | Report abuse |

The Most Flavorful Steak 5/4/2006

The best tasting steak I've had. Bern's ages their steaks to perfection. In contrast to the bland exterior, the interior decor seems a little gaudy to me but adds to the specialness of the whole event. There's a separate desert room upstairs that must be experienced as part of the evening. This is a special occassion type place for most people, be prepared to spend a good amount. But the food is definitely worth it and the service is impeccable. Pros: Flavor, Steak, Service more
Reply | Report abuse |

Simply Amazing 2/18/2006

The steak is amazing all cooked to order and aged, they are 1 of 5 restuarnts in america that still use a classic ageing procces for all of there meat and they age it to perfection (longer than any other anyone else) they have the largest wine collection in the world close to 1 million bottles, they have a dessert menu that is huge and full of variety of fresh hand made desserts, they have a wonderful piano player who will play anything you request even the jaws theme song in the dessert rooms there is a phone to call him for a request, the waiters have all been trained for a year in the kitchen before ever becoming a waiter they are very polite very nice and if you start a conversation with them very intresting, berns grows all of its own organic produce on a farm in tampa Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more
Reply | Report abuse |

Loyal Customer 1/18/2006

I go to Berns once a year when im down in Tampa. I've read many of the reviews for this and im amazed at what some people say. Yes you do need a reservation to get into this place, you do need to dress up, shorts or t-shirts are not allowed, and if you want to fit in with everyone else, you should dress up. The steak is Delicious, as long as you know how to order it, this isnt any normal restaurant, you will get it how you order it. The prices are high, but appropriate, and if you have the time, definately go to the desert room. The people that dont like this restaurant are people who like a loud enviornment, mediocre food, poor service, and a small bill. Dont believe what others say, its worth every penny. Pros: Steak, Wine, Dessert Cons: Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Not like it used to be! 1/17/2006

For years our special date place was Bern's. What a disappointment we had these last few visits! The service was terrible, but worst was all was the food. I don't know if the new owner has become inattentive or if they are trying to cut costs, but I won't go back soon. more
Reply | Report abuse |

The Best Of 4 Worlds 1/17/2006

The best stake you'll ever have, order it by the ounce (not your standard 6, 8, 12) or if you surf is your choice, order your lobster by the 1/2 lb, go to the fish tanks and pick out the fillet you want while it's still swimming, if you can't find the wine you want...it's obvioulsy no longer in existence, the desert room (very coazy and romantic) leaves absolutely no taste bud or desire unpleaseable. Bottom line -- In Tampa? Want a one a kind dining experience -- this is your place...be sure to ask for a tour of the ""behind the scenes"". Pros: Variety, Service, Quality Cons: Outisde looks, Not Cheap, Tough to Find more
Reply | Report abuse |

Worth Any Price 10/26/2005

This is what a fine dining experience should be. Perfect steaks, personnel service that's doting, but inobtrusive; the largest wine list of any restaurant in the world (can it be?); if their Hazelnut Ice Cream dessert doesn't thrill your tastebuds, check for a pulse! If you're in Tampa, missing Bern's would be a sin! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Wonderful 10/26/2005

Berns was really an experience, i cant wait to go back! the Dessert room is incredible! Go to this resturant! more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next >
Menu for Bern's Steak House


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • The Scene
    Luminaries from out of town automatically visit Bern's when they arrive in the Tampa Bay area. Limos jam the homely front parking lot and well-dressed diners crowd the foyer. For decades, the steakhouse has maintained its reputation for almost fanatically perfect food and service.

    The Food
    Start with one of the 24 varieties of caviar. Move onto vichysoisse, a creamy soup served chilled, accompanied by garlic toast and crackling homemade potato chips. The chateaubriand is delectable. Choose anything from a petite, seven-ouncer all the way to a belly-busting 48-ounce monster. It arrives sizzling, crisp on the outside, juicy and tender inside, crowned with garlic butter and ringed with bright vegetables. Save room for the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake or the bananas foster for dessert.

  • 3/5/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 5pm-11pm
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Diner's Club, Visa, Master Card, Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Southwest, Historic Hyde Park North
badge