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Bern's Steak House

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

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(813) 251-2421
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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.

1st time but not the last time 10/9/2005

The food was exquisite and the wine selection was more than impressive. I had an 8oz rib eye, oh my goodness, the best steak I've ever had. And an 8oz steak was an ""8oz steak"" b/c they trim the fat off before grilling so you get what you order. The dinner included soup, salad, 2 vegetable sides, baked potatoe and steakhouse onion rings. Along with a glass of wine, the dinner cost around 50$ per person. We then took a tour of the kitchen of their ""active"" cellar which only contain 15% of their wine selection( about 80,000 bottles) and the other 85% of their wine is stored in another building. The best is yet to come... we then go upstairs, a whole separate room for desserts. We shared a Bananas Fosters, Lemon Mousse Cake and their homemade Macademia Nut Icecream... I've died and gone to heaven!!! Pros: Food/Dessert, Service, Wine Selection more

Wonderful Experience 10/1/2005

Bern's is a fabulous experience once you're in the doors. The service is impeccable, the food is fabulous, and the drink options are expansive enough to meat most tastes. My German wheat beer was a perfect complement to my medium strip, and I'm glad I forced myself into the dessert room. Expensive evening, but I did not feel it was overpriced at all. Pros: Service, Quality of Food, Dessert Room Cons: Parking more

great food-poor service 9/9/2005

i find everything but the service to be of the highest quality. the servers are poorly educated and not focused on guest satisfaction. The bartenders are poorly trained in guest services and focused only on income rather than making all guests happy. I recall fondly my first visit and wish they could replicate that type experience still. Lately though it seems they only hire young money-hungry servers who are more involved in partying than excelling at service. It is definitely a shame because the food and drink is fantastic. more

Amazing Food even better service 7/12/2005

I have been to the Harry Waugh dessert room many times and I must say there isnt a better place to have a romantic date. The food is so amazing, I especially reccomend the Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate. Another great part of this place is the service, Darcel is a great server and has a bubbly personality. I would reccomend this place to anyone looking to satisfy a sweet tooth! more

Ask for Everett 6/8/2005

Bern's is one of those restaraunts that you can count on the same quality everytime you dine there. Everett Bethune is one of the best waiters in the world. Ask for him when making reservations. Pros: Quality, Good Value, Service Cons: Parking, Reservations more

An evening of perfection! 6/5/2005

Berns is not a place to go in and eat and get out. This restaurant is a whole dining experience! The steak is outstanding, and I have had great steak other places, but they have so very much more to offer than just steak. The food is knee-weakening wonderful and so fresh you just can't believe it. As most southerners would say it so good it will make you sass your momma! Well I think it will make you sass your momma and the rest of your family! The decor in the main dining areas could be upgraded a bit and this is not a place for children, but as a whole this dining experience was like a fairy tale! I was on a date with my fiancee and it was very romantic and the people in large groups looked like they were having a blast! Pros: Food, food, and wine!, attentive waitstaff, great ambience Cons: decor needs update more

Four words: Macadamia Nut Ice Cream 5/5/2005

To me, ice cream should be in its very own food group. If I could live off it, I would. Bern's macadamia nut ice cream is simply the best ice cream I have ever eaten in my entire life. The first time I tried it, I was skeptical. I don't like macadamia nuts so I really didn't think I would enjoy it. I only ordered it because my curiosity was piqued by hearing that Mr. Bern's went through God knows how many recipes before arriving at this one. Mr. Bern knew what he was doing. Rich, sinful, creamy, smooth as silk. more

Wonderful food, wonderful staff... 5/5/2005

I have been to Bern's several times and have never been disappointed. I am a person of modest means (I save my pennies for my yearly visit), yet I have never been made to feel out of place by their fantastic wait staff. They are both extremely knowledgable, and very welcoming. As for the food, the steaks are delectable--I would say almost delicate. Bern's does not overseason meats and allows the true flavor of the beef to shine. I especially love the Delmonico. Going there makes me feel as pampered as a day at a spa. The sides are a perfect accompaniment and don't overpower the taste of the beef. The decor is a bit on the tacky side (think 19th century bordello), but besides that, it's a world class restaurant. more

Bern's is...great!! 5/3/2005

I've been to Bern's twice and after visiting several other famous steak houses in big cities (NYC and Chicago) Bern's greatness has only grown in my mind. The food is spectacular and they actually let you tour the kitchen...in most restaurants I'm sure this experience might not be an appetizing one. At Bern's it just makes you more anxious to get back to your table and eat. The dessert room is simply the most magical place on earth!! I love Bern's!!! Pros: Food, Dessert, Kitchen Tour Cons: Not even one more

The best steak I've ever had 4/5/2005

I will admit, this place is pricey, don't dare go dressed in anything other than business casual or better, but this had to have been the best steak I've ever eaten. The wait service was polite, on top of everything we needed, and very knowledgable about their menu. Save your money and go here. You wont regret it. Pros: Food, Steak Cons: Pricey, not for unruly kids more

Tampa Native 1/10/2005

I have lived in Tampa since December 1985 and have always heard about Berns Steak house and the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. In December 2004 I took my wife to the dessert room after a nice dinner elsewhere to celebrate her graduation. While the dessert room was everything it was hyped up to be.....I would not rate it the number place to go or thing to do in Tampa. This is one of the best cities in the country with many others activities that I would rank higher. Pros: Ambience, Food, Service more

Hands down the best! 10/10/2004

Coming from Atlanta, I didn't think there would be a steakhouse to rival Morton's or Chops... boy was I wrong! I have only lived in Tampa for 6 months and have been to Bern's 6 times. Not only are the steaks the best I've ever encountered, but the service was unsurpassed! Don't even get me started on their fabulous wine list. I take all of my visiting guest to Bern's when they come to town and they all agree. Be sure to take in the whole experience of touring the kitchen and wine cellar and you DON'T want to miss the dessert room. And as far as the comments regarding price, don't forget that your dinner at Bern's includes soup, salad, starch and vegetable. Remember that the next time you go to one of those a la carte steak houses. Pros: Steaks, Service, Dessert Room more

The Best at Bern's! 6/24/2004

Perfection! Ask your waiter or waitress how long they've worked for Bern's and what it took for them to make it to where they are and you are sure to be impressed! The dedicated staff is the heart of your experience. Finest quality foods (vegtebles grown by their own staff at their own farm) provide you with page after page of choices, all sure to exceed satisfaction. Steak is of course their forte, but other soups, vegetable and chicken dishes are a wonderful alternative. Bern's will be sure to become a favorite for all. Even if the prices may seem out of your range, this is worth the money and dressing up for! And if that isn't enough, try the Bananas Foster, made fresh and on fire - right in front of your private dessert room. Pros: quality, service, memorable more

Mr Mario Crociata 5/7/2004

The dinner was okay, but as someone who buys and cooks a mean steak, I was not going to eat one. I ordered duck. Fatty, greasy and basically uninviting on the palate. The ""veg du jour"" was okra. Tough and slimey, and this after all the raving about the fresh grown vegetables. The baked potato served with my wifes filet mignon, was hard and almost inedible. The saving grace was the dessert room. Pros: Tour of wine cellar, Dessert room Cons: , Poor food quality, Overrated more

Simply the best 5/6/2004

Take the time to read up on the history of this restaurant before you dine. Just like reading a play before going to the theatre, you will appreciate the food/wine even more if you do. Pros: Service, Preparation, Wine more

Dessert only...please!!! 3/17/2004

Save yourself some time and money and skip Bern's. The service was just plain horrendous. Although their web-site touts a strong training program for their waiters, our waiter basically ignored us. The steak was undercooked and mediocre at best. Next time, it's dessert only...please!!! Pros: dessert, wine selection Cons: , moldy atmosphere, horrible service more

Downright offensive... 3/14/2004

Horrible service, mediocre entrees, and terrible atmosphere are all in order at ""one of Tampa's finest"". Apparently customer satisfaction no longer counts for anything at this Tampa ""institution"". The steak was extremely undercooked (based on my order) and the service was non-existant. The dining area smelled like it had been under water for some time. Definitely will not be back. Pros: dessert Cons: , Food, Atmosphere more

Bern's is Great! 3/11/2004

Bern's is the best steakhouse ever. While the price is definetly extreme you are paying for the ambiance, excellent service, and wonderful food. I had been to Bern's a few times as a child and was always amazed by the place. I finally enjoyed it as an adult when I moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2000! It was definetly a meal and a night to remember!! Pros: Excellent Food, Quality Service, Wonderful Ambiance more

Berns for special occaisions 3/11/2004

Berns is very expensive, so we don't visit often, but it is a highlight in Tampa Bay. Bern's is ideal for impressing some business accounts. It is a very nice location for a romantic dinner. Bern's is also terrific for a group company function. If you are looking for a one of a kind location for an excellent steak dinner and are particular about how your steak is cooked, this is the place. Fish doesn't get any fresher at Bern's they select fish live from their tanks and cook it to order. All vegetables are organically grown and fresh. Don't miss the tour of the kitchen and the wine cellar. Reserve a trip to the desert room, even if it's only for a glass of port. Have fun! Pros: Excellent food, Excellent service, Best wine selection Cons: , Advance reservations more

AWESOME 3/11/2004

My fiance and I love this place. The food is excellent. The wine list is unbelievable! It doesn't look like much from the outside. But, You will love the ambience of this place. The wait staff is top notch. They have a private dessert room where you can have a quiet moment with your sweetie. We are originally from Delaware, But always make a stop here as part of our trip to Florida. Definitely worth checking it out! more
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Menu for Bern's Steak House


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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
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