Bern's Steakhouse Review

My friends took me to Berns for my birthday. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our dinner and champagne. We had outstanding service. I had steak tartare as my entree and it was absolutely delicious. My friends had the beef tips and salmon. Their meals were delicious as well. After, we went up to the dessert room which was amazing! I got the hazelnut ice cream sundae. It was absolutely to die for. While we were there, I felt very safe in terms of social distancing. It was not crowded. And in the dessert room, we had our own little table surrounded by walls. Loved every minute of it.

Bern's caters to it's regulars. They could care less about new business or making new friends. In fact, my first experience on Saturday 03/25 would lead me to believe they see new faces as only getting in their way of serving the priority "list of over 1000 families".
I'm reminded of the saying - You have to get to know them. My common response - You don't need to get to know an ass.

Top notch service and food. Total experience from cocktails to dessert. Lisa and Ashley took very good care of. We stayed late and never felt like we may have been some of the last customers in the building.

Excellent experience. Superbe wine list. Excellent service.

This place sets the bar for every restaurant. Also, people just focus on the main course, but the appetizers/tapas on the menu are even better in my opinion. I actually never get the main course anymore- and instead order several tapas style appetizers. You can taste the quality difference- everything is fresh with no hint of gaminess even in organ meat or raw meats (carpaccios/tartares). I also have no idea how they got their lobster roll to taste better than sushi restaurants. The only thing I can think of is if they kill the lobster fresh from the tank in the kitchen. That thing is so fresh. Their tempura is expertly battered and fried- a perfect texture that shows you how tempura is supposed to taste.

Steaks are good. Delmonico is the best. I probably prefer an aged flavored Charley s steak over the regular Bern s chateaubriand, but Charley s can t hold a candle to their appetizers.

The serving staff has consistently been accommodating and kind. Very knowledgeable with questions. Friendly. And you get some comedians on occasions lol. I ve also witnessed them be tolerant of my toddler nephews climbing under tables- so they get bonus points for that.

The male and female hostesses could smile more and be friendlier, but not everyone is that way.

I compare every restaurant to this one, and Bern s remains consistently the best for traditional, fine dining.

Good food! Great drinks! Waiter was very nice and efficient.

The wine collection is amazing and the food is just perfect!!

I have never written a review before but I knew I had too with this restaurant. This was my first time at Berns and I have heard only the best things about it. I had very high hopes. I went in mainly for the dessert room. I called prior and I asked if there are reservations for the dessert room and the wait time. The hostess had a rude tone and told me that they do not take reservations for the dessert room and that she could not tell me the wait time over the phone. I did not let that inconvenience stop me from giving this place a try. I walk in and I was disappointed by the atmosphere. Not what I was expecting at all. The hostess tells us the wait time for the dessert room is almost 2 hours. It was 9. They closed at 10. How could that have been? She proceeds to tell us that if we would like to have dessert still we could sit by the bar. My friends and I sat. We waited for a while until the waitress acknowledged us. It was a Monday night and it was not busy. We ordered the Bern's Sampler. I said to myself well at least the dessert will be worth it. I was wrong. Publix has way better desserts. Overall I do not recommend this place, do not waste your time. Was not worth the hype at all.

I eat mostly plant base but when I want a piece of meat, I go here. Great quality, semi formal or formal attire. Piano man and dessert room upstairs. Won't regret it.

Absolutely one of my favorite dining experiences ever. Soup to nuts this place know how to get your taste buds popping. I really don't think you can go wrong with anything you order. I'm already looking forward to eating there again when I'm in town.

Once in lifetime need to experience. Did that no can go to place with better steaks for lesser cost.

Oh my. I don't know any other superlatives to assign to this place that haven't already been said. I have never been to a restaurant that has truly been this impressive and maintained it's quality over the years. Quality is the best word to describe it. The meat, the wine, the appetizers, the service and attention to detail really makes this a truly unique special place. Worth every penny every time I have been here.

Eat, drink and laugh! Do not limit yourself, prefer everything! Save room for the dessert room, coffee and Armagnac . Be sure to tour the kitchen and wine cellar.

Two people previously recommended Bern s, so we decided to try out this wonderful place. Everyone was very nice from the get go. The French onion soup, house salad and filet minion was great. Even had a glass of Red wine from Spain.
The entire environment is very nice, as well as the most important part, the dining. Your reputation precedes you Berns. Keep up the great work!

Soooo everything people say about this place .... it s true. Phenomenal.

Went to the dessert room to see what the hype was about with some girlfriends. At the time the menu was about to be changed, so three of the desserts we wanted to order were not available. Maybe it's because of this that I ended up feeling like the whole place was overrated and overpriced. My friend did enjoy sampling some rare scotch for a reasonable price. Our server was very helpful and nice though.

I would share pictures of the food, but honestly I prefer not to have my phone out any time I m here. For as long as I ve lived in Tampa, I ve known that Bern s Steak House is the nicest restaurant in the Tampa Bay Area bar none. I ve gone about five times now over the past several years, and each time I ve sat in a different room, had a different waiter, and enjoyed a different meal. I ve celebrated birthdays and graduations here and the party size is never an issue as long as the reservation is made well in advance. Dinner, the tour of the restaurant, and the dessert room: the whole experience never gets old. Bern s is a fixture in Tampa! It has a great history and all of the staff are educated in it.
Simply fantastic every time.

Berns Steakhouse is the best of the best. Any time I have friends fly into Tampa, I always recommend Berns Steak House. From the wine, to the food, to the desserts- I always leave happy. I am so thrilled Berns is in my city. -Sonali B.

Food very good. Baked potato microwaved too many times. Disgusting

Yes, it is expensive and yes it is amazing. This is not going to be an every day kind of place and yes, two people can easily spend around $150 for two meals, a bottle of wine, and the dessert room.

If you are there for the first time, you must take the tour, and get the Caesar salad with your dinner as they bring all of the ingredients and make it fresh table side. Go for the small steak, you have a lot of food coming and should really save some room for dessert.

The decor is goofy and yes, a brothel does come to mind with the gaudy colors and over the top statues, busts, and such, but I find that part of the charm that is Bern's. Not everyone finds that uniqueness to be charming.

You can also park just around the corner and walk a block. Valet is not required. The only other thing I can think of to mention is ask plenty of questions on the tour. Almost forgot, there is music piped into the dessert room. One of the channels is the live pianist and there is a phone so you can call down there and make requests.

Bern's has been around longer than me. Going here is an experience. Often rated very highly, it never fails to deliver. The ambience is unique and familiar. The food is exquisite. The wine list is massive. The pageantry of it is unforgettable. For such a good meal, I am always shocked at how reasonably priced it is. I spend time trying to find reasons to come to Tampa and visit Bern's. It is not convenient but it is so worth it.

While there, make sure you take the kitchen and wine cellar tour. Save room for dessert too (or overindulge and enjoy doing it as is more likely).

Kurt was our server on 7/1/20 - he was amazing. Attentive, respectful, and stealthy! You don't get great service like that anymore. The restaurant itself was also awesome - creative menu with delicious and savory food, and classy, upscale ambiance.

A Tampa institution! Always have a great time celebrating at Berns and a visit to the desert restaurant upstairs is a must!

Slightly more expensive, but defo worth the experience! Delicious steaks, desserts, wine and outstanding service.

We've been to Bern's several times over the years and thought it was pretty good but something has happened since the last time we were there. Steaks was not as good as before, not as tender and the bearnaise sauce was off in taste and most of the food came out barely warmer than lukewarm and servers didn't seem as engaged and attentive as before. Was this just a bad night or has something happened with this institution?

Literally the definition of fine dining. Everything from the very first second you walk in until the second you leave is a top class experience. The staff are have impeccable customer service and know how to make the whole experience amazing. If it is your first time definitely do the tour, it is entertaining. And Every time you should go to the dessert room after dinner!

What can I say - the food is just the best! Go hungry and enjoy yourself!

Great menu. Well prepared foods. Tours through their kitchen and wine room. Romantic dessert room. Huge I mean HUGE wine list. Fairly inexpensive for the experience

Absolutely the best steak I've ever had. Service was amazing. Pricey, but worth it.

the service here is better than most. this place has a cool atmosphere.

Outstanding experience! Best steak I have had in years. The kitchen tour was worth the time. Worked in several restaurants this was one of the best run I have seen. Don't miss the desert room, worth every calorie.