When one thinks about the L.A. dining scene, it’s easy to focus on the acclaimed sushi joints in the financial district or innovative seafood and poultry dishes at one of the numerous bistros that dot the area’s historic beachfront. But ignoring the city’s lavish steakhouses – considered some of the country and world’s best – is a grave mistake, normally followed by missing out on an epic meat-inspired dining experience.

Sure, you can chow down on USDA Prime dry-aged gourmet slabs of meat at home, but sometimes a sexy night out on the town is in order, and when dining amidst Woodland Hills’ renowned culinary circuit, there are a number of steakhouse restaurants that aren’t to be missed.

Try one of the following spots and eliminate any misconceptions you may have of So Cal’s dining scene being even remotely “red meat-phobic.”

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, located at 6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Suite 1360 at The Promenade, should be an instantly-recognized name even to the least-seasoned – no pun intended – dining enthusiast. Named “Best Steak House” by the Daily News for 10 years in a row, this famous eatery boasts a light wood interior with copper overtones that exudes an atmosphere of sophistication and easy elegance. Whether your evening includes a show at the IMAX theater or a stroll through The Village, a handcrafted cocktail with a fantastic meal at Ruth’s Chris is the perfect way to make your night extra-special. 

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, located at 6373 Topanga Canyon Boulevard just north of the 101 Freeway near the Warner Center Business Complex, remains an outstanding choice when you and your fellow diners are hankering for exceptional Prime steak and a handcrafted cocktail or glass of wine. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner or simply enjoying a night out, Fleming’s creates a memorable evening in its dining room, the premium Prime steak options on the dinner menu and best-in-class seafood/plant-based selections offering something for everyone.

Morton’s The Steakhouse, located at 6250 Canoga Avenue Suite 111 near the Westfield Topanga Plaza and Promenade, is the perfect destination for dinner with an extensive wine collection, prime-aged beef, succulent seafood, steakhouse sides and decadent desserts. Offering spacious boardroom facilities, the 12-21 bar and an outdoor patio, this upscale eatery is an excellent choice for business meetings, birthdays, sexy date nights, after-work cocktails and anything else you can imagine. Proper attire required.

Larsen’s Steakhouse, located at 6256 Topanga Canyon Boulevard #2280, serves dinner daily from 5 pm to 9 pm as supervised by a highly-skilled butcher who monitors airflow, temperature and humidity to guarantee the dry-aging process remains authentic – but there’s so much more to the Larsen’s experience. The restaurant wet-ages its beef for another arduous 14 days, preserving its flavor of highly-marbled, Prime-grade meat from exceptional cattle breed. What’s more, this diligent method of preparation includes slowly searing the meat in its own natural juices at 500-degrees, rather than cooking it at 1700 like most steakhouses. This is one steak indulgence not to be missed in Woodland Hills.

Monty’s Steakhouse, located at 5371 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, is designated a prime steak restaurant, offering customer-favorite dishes that transcend the menus of ordinary beef eateries such as Chicken Parmigiana, giant Shrimp Cocktail and a host of fresh seafood delicacies. Owned by the Levine family since 1940, Monty’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm and Sunday from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Kravings Brazilian Fusion Steakhouse and Lounge, located at 18663 Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana, offers a serving concept inspired by the Brazilian Rodizio – where grill masters bring the sizzling fire-roasted meats on skewers or cedar planks to carve tableside. Dine at your own pace, instructing waiters and waitresses to either bring more food or stop; using only the freshest ingredients and cooked via an open flame, the mouth-watering menu of Kravings transports you to Brazil and beyond with every bite. From Brazilian Churrasco BBQ to Kebabs and from Asian flavors to the best of American USDA steaks, a variety of meats including beef, chicken, seafood and pork are served tableside until you’ve had your fill. Bring your appetite!

From old-fashioned meat joints sporting red leather booths to modern chophouses that server globally-inspired fare, the aforementioned steakhouses that have made our cut all have one thing in common: great beef. So tuck into your favorite cuts or try new ones at any of these Woodland Hills “steakeries.”