Bern's Steak House

Live in Melbourne fl and drive to tampa to go to berns quite often. Love the food, desserts and service.

It was a very special Event. Kern, I waiter asked me how I wanted my steak, It was the delmonico. I told him medium. He states, can I suggest rare, stated no. If you bring it medium, I will have no problem. Kern brought out my steak and it was bloody ready, and chared on the outside. Will not go EVER again, But I did enjoy the $13.99 veggies. Gee, thanks Kern.

My wife and I decided that we would celebrate our 10th anniversary at Bern's Steakhouse last week because we've heard so many good things about it and thought we'd give it a try. The place wasn't much to look at from the outside, but it made up for it on the inside. The decor was a little tacky and outdated, but still nice. Our service was great and they took care of us very well, even let us tour the kitchen. It was a neat experience because how many other restaurants let you into their kitchen? Everything was going great until we headed up to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room where everything fell apart. It was during the week and not busy but it still took our server over 15 minutes to just get us our water! She didn't apologize for the wait or anything. She took our order of the apple pie and creme brulee ans said it would be out in a few. She was right, but it was dropped off by someone else and it sat outside our table for about 10 minutes before she came and served it to us. We de... Read more

Took my Wife for the first time on her Birthday and she enjoyed it! I called ahead and spoke to Harry Waugh Room and they baked a cake to order for my wife. They were very pleasant and I was impressed. It was my first time back in 20+ years. I went there on Prom and I really did not appreciate it back then. The Porterhouse was Excellent and my wife had Lobster.

I was told to take a visiting European friend to this restaurant because the food was superb. However, little did I know what I was in for when I arrived. Decor is highly outdated, restaurant was loud and packed- not not you expect for a romantic night out. The chairs were cushioned wrought iron. We ordered 2 glasses of $20/glass champagne at the bar while we waited 20 mins past our reservation time. Then at the table my date ordered a second glass of champagne that arrived flat! When it was replaced the same thing occured. Then we ordered a $200 bottle of red that had half of the label missing so we settled on another with the sommelier. The steaks were great, but after taking a $60 cab ride to receive flat champagne in a loud "cafeteria" feeling atmosphere I would not return. However, feel free to go with kids/groups. That seems to be the majority of the patrons. Bern's needs to visit other restaurants and look at remodeling urgently.

It is a sad place to be sitting in, shabby decor, tired and stained red wallpaper, plastic miniature busts that were either purchased at Liberace?s estate sale or reclaimed from Ceasar?s Palace when they renovated the washrooms in 1971, with dark lighting to hide the decay and attitude to match. While most world-class restaurants have used the gifts of the Internet to see what world-class looks like, Bern?s has used it to create a larger than life web-facade. Curiously, among the many web-pages touting it, there are no pictures of the place itself, not a one. Here's why - Apart from a film crew scouting locations for a low-budget direct to television yawner about a depressed alcoholic gambler, it has no appeal inside or out. I went with a group of 16 we're not rich, just professionals of decent means able to spring for a top meal as part of the trip. Lured in by the Internet presence, we planned a visit to Bern?s. Note to Bern?s #1 - World-class dining is not about waiting on ... Read more

Highly recommend the delmonico with crab meat. $100 for wife and I and that was without drinks but well worth it. Awesome experience. Will take 3 hours so go early and go hungry.

My husband and I traveled to Tampa to celebrate our 5th Anniversary and Bern's Steakhouse was recommended to me by a friend. It was absolutely the BEST dining experience we have ever had. The wine was wonderful as was our steaks. Our waiter was also the best I have ever had! With out a doubt, my husband and I will be going back there!

Early this week I had a family reunion. I had guest in from France, Italy, and some from Russia. My family tends to be a bit picky about thier meals and since this happens only once a year (and this year its in my town) I recommended Bern's Steakhouse. I have been a guest for over 10 years but the experience I had this year surpasses the rest. My evening started with drinks in at the bar, as usual the service was wonderful with Jean Ives. Most wonderful personality. Followed by dinner in the Bronze Room. Jesse was our server and here is where my experience changed from wonderful to spectacular. If you ever get the chance to dine at Bern's Steakhouse, I recommend that you request to be seated with Jesse. My family and I had the most pleasing experience with him. Very personable person. He had great knowledge of wine, an expansive taste bud, as to say there was not a meal that he could not match a wine perfectly to. Our table did not repeat an entree between each other. Everyone ordered... Read more

I absolutely loved every minute of it. This is not just a good place to eat, but is an overall amazing dining experience. The service was amazing. We had more than one server for our table. We were never out of anything. Our server was also very knowlegable of the menu and the restaurant in general. Our dinner and desert along with tour took us about 4 hours for 2 people. This is the perfect romantic date night. The food was the best steak I have ever had. The deserts were delicious and somany to choose from. You could tell there was a passion for good quality food here. I now live in FL a couple hours from Bern's and am willing to make the drive for special dinners! I would and have recommended this restaurant to everyone. Just make sure you do not wear jeans even if they are dressy or you will be sitting in the bar area (which was still a great experience). This place is one of a kind worth every penny!!

I went to Bern's expecting a pleasant dining experience. I was very disappointed to find that the steak which I ordered as rare to medium rare arrived to me well done. Furthermore, I had a female waitress that took the wine orders for me and my girlfriend, and I didn't see her again until both of us had finished our glasses of wine for approximately 20 minutes. I couldn't get out of there fast enough as I've had a better dining experience at Taco Bell. I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone as the service and food was entirely well below my standards. I have had much better experiences at Charlie's or Ruth Chris, and I will continue to spend lots of money at those particular places.

Was staying in Tampa a few extra days after a wedding and decided we were in the mood for a good steak. Being from large Metropolitan areas we decided to consult the internet seeing large chain names we were accustomed to and enjoyed, we stumbled across a name we didn't know...Bern's. Deciding to peruse the reviews online the, the mention of the dessert room peaked my interest and I insisted with 40+ desserts, it was a must try. I can Only say WOW...what an experience! We were seated in a luxuriously decadent room in dark wood and red velvet and handed an overwhelming menu that went on and on for 19 pages. Save this, comes our server extraordinaire...Ash. He seamlessly led us through ordering an amazing special chateaubriande which must be tasted to be believed! He explained the aging process and how the beef was prepared. He also knew the most innate details about EVERYTHING in the restaurant and serving process, explaining the very complex process about becoming a server ther... Read more

As a Tampa resident, I have dined at all the major steakhouses and while I have had excellent steak at many of them none have the value that comes with eating at Bern's. I usually order the filet, either rare or medium rare depending my mood, and that comes with soup, salad, fresh veggies, onion rings, and a baked potato all for 29.99$. That is a ridiculous bargain for such fine dining and is what keep me going back 4-5 times a year. Not to mention the succulent quality of the filets I've recieved there.The wine list is monumental and is fun to explore and the dessert room is a uniquely intimate experience which helps compensate for the somwhat cafeteria seating downstairs (although at Charlie's I feel like I'm on my neighbors lap). The times we have ordered extra sides we have been blown away from their sweet potatos to their white truffle macaroni and cheese. Their staff is as close to perfection as can be found going so far as to strain the onions from my husbands soup when he trie... Read more

I have heard from many people how great this place was. I ordered the delmonico steak which was completely TASTELESS, save for the few pieces of charred fat left on the ends. The service was mediocre and the atmosphere made me feel like I was in a New Orleans whorehouse. Honestly, I believe that one could get a better steak at Outback.

Ok-I travel around the country, and when I tell people I live in Tampa and we speak restaurants they ask about Berns. It has a national name. I was just there , I usually go 5 times a year, and it was once again outstanding. The steaks were unbelievable. The value of ther other dishes excellent. I did notice the crock of onion soup was smaller, not a crock this time. The salad was great, lettuce crispy cool, I had 4 different dressings on the side all were tasty each with a different flavor. I had the bone in delmonico, and it was the best one I have had in my last several visits. My girlfirend had the porterhouse and it was wonderful as well. The service was fantatsic. DAVOR, is a specialist. If you can get him I strongly recommend it. He has been there for years and knows every possible answer for every question, including wine. This leads me to my response of some of the comments on this page. If you think you can get a better steak at Outback, then I suggest you go there. Simple a... Read more

TODAY THE GREAT JEANNIE PIEROLA HAS BEEN FIRED!!!!!!!!!! DETAILS TO COME !!! WHAT A GREAT EXECUTIVE CHOICE !!!! HAIL TO THE OWNER >>

WE HAD A COMPANY DINNER ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND THE FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING!!! THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN MY STEAK WAS MY SERVER, JESSE. EXTREMELY PROFICIENT IN THE ART OF SERVICE, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN FOOD AND WINE... HE HAD MADE A (very risky) RECOMMENDATION TO MY SISTER, WHO WORSHIPS YOUR ONION SOUP. HE ADVISED HER TO TRY THE LOBSTER BISQUE AS A NEW ALTERNATIVE. MY SISTER SAID "THIS BETTER BE GOOD" , ALL HE DID WAS SMILE AND HUMBLY REPLY "IT WILL BE". MY SISTER NOW WORSHIPS YOUR LOBSTER BISQUE..AFTER DINNER WE HAD A GREAT TOUR (also given by Jesse) HE INFORMED US OF ALL THE NEW ADDITIONS TO YOUR KITCHEN AND RESTAURANT. HE SPOKE EXTREMELY HIGHLY OF THE HEAD CHEF, SOUS CHEFS AND KITCHEN STAFF "THEY, ARE BERNS STEAK HOUSE" HE SAID..

Bern's used to be the best steakhouse in Tampa. But, in recent years, with the addition of so many other good restaurants in Tampa, it has slipped a little. The ambiance is still great and the dessert room is unmatched, but they need to work on serving quality steak again.

Berns has a long, well earned, much respected, reputation throughout the Tampa Bay area as being the "best of the best" of all steakhouses in town. The food is fantastic. The service is unmatched anywhere and the upstairs dessert room is the perfect ending to the best meal you may ever have here or anywhere else! Everyone should eat at Berns, at least one time, in order to fully appreciate the experience. You will be glad you did!

I've been to Berns a couple of times all of which my family visited just for dessert. We've never actually eaten dinner there, just dessert and their dessert is fabulous. They have very unique and delicious dessert and I'm highly recommending it.

We had heard about Bern's from friends who really loved it. It turns out they were right! We celebrated my husbands birthday and it was a wonderful celebration. Our waiter, Steve, was always there when we needed him and was watchful without hovering. After the meal we tried the dessert room upstairs. The coffee in both places was great, the steaks very tender, and the personality of the waiter was perfect. We plan on going back on my birthday this year. Expensive? Yes! But worth every penny!

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.

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!!!!

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.

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.

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 w... Read more

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.

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!

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?

Went to have dinner to celebrate our 30 th wedding anniversary- first time visit - everyone said this was the place to be. The steak was good - not the best I have ever had and what serving bad carrots for the veggies is a special house thging ? 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. Maybe the next time - no there will not be a next time. Maybe the flys were looking for the bad carrots they served me. Too many other GREAT steak place to explore - fly by Bern's.

Best special occasion restaurant anywhere. Tour of the kitchen, wine cellar and dessert room are a must.

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.

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.

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.

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

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".

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.

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.

Berns was really an experience, i cant wait to go back! the Dessert room is incredible! Go to this resturant!

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

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.