We had such a wonderful dinner tonight and the experience was made even better by our amazing waiter, Jared. From the moment we sat down, he was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind. He made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed, and his recommendations for wine and entrees were spot on. The food was absolutely delicious and the service truly elevated the entire evening. It’s rare to find someone who clearly cares so much about making sure guests have a great experience, and it did not go unnoticed. Thank you for such a lovely evening—we will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shannon J
Our party of 2 had early reservations on a Thursday evening and were seated promptly upon arrival. We had a wonderful table next to the “fireplace” in view of the waterfall. The ambiance was warm and welcoming. Service was professional and attentive throughout the meal. I began with a glass of the Nebbiolo and crab lollipops. THIS is actually why I chose Dakota’s over many other steakhouses. They were phenomenal. I love places that provide fresh bread and butter, and their bread service was so lovely that we asked for more. Because of the portion sizes, we decided to split a Caesar salad and ribeye. The Caesar dressing was some of the best I’ve had, with an ample amount of dressing to coat the salad. The ribeye was cooked perfectly to medium rare, and sliced for us at our table. It was seasoned beautifully with a nice char on the outside. The wine paired well with it. The potato puree was light and velvety. I topped off the night with a Carajillo cocktail, which was well crafted. It was a top notch evening, from beginning to end.
Judge L. provided us with amazing service! The restaurant was gorgeous, with a live pianist and a waterfall. I was proposing to my girlfriend and had called a day ahead to set up the plan. We were staying at the JW Marriot and my guest service agent, Jack, walked it over to the restaurant so that my girlfriend wouldn't see it in my pocket. When we arrived at the Dakota's, Judge was already aware and had placed the ring in their safe when they received it from Jack. When I went to the restroom, Judge met me out of sight of my girlfriend and we confirmed how to do the reveal. One of the managers brought the ring out under a metal cloche surrounded by rose petals. Everything was handled so well and professionally that I highly recommended Dakota's and Judge for any special occasion!
Oh, and she said yes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brittany Simons
We visited Dakota’s Steakhouse for the first time on February 28, 2026 to celebrate our engagement. We had been really looking forward to trying it, but unfortunately, the experience was altogether disappointing.
To start, the Old Fashioned was $25 and mediocre at best. For that price, I expected a well-crafted cocktail, but it lacked the quality and attention to detail you would expect from an upscale steakhouse. Not to mention it took forever to even get our drinks. I’m assuming they forgot about them.
What was even more frustrating was the dress code. When I made the reservation, I was texted twice reminding me of their dress code, which set a clear expectation that it would be enforced. However, that was not the case at all. We were seated directly next to what appeared to be two different escorts dressed completely risque and joined side by side at the table with significantly older men. It was clear what kinda arrangement this was. As we made our way to the elevator after we were done eating, two younger women dressed like trashy strippers took the elevator down and walked into the restaurant. I even whispered to my fiancé there is no way they would be allowed to stay dressed like that, but they were. They looked like they had come straight from the strip club. It completely contradicted the image Dakota’s tries to present, and honestly, I would have been mortified to have our children there witnessing that environment.
To make matters worse, when my fiancé went to use the men’s restroom, he encountered a man openly snorting what appeared to be cocaine. That alone was shocking and completely unacceptable for any establishment, let alone one positioning itself as a high-end dining experience.
This was supposed to be a special night celebrating our engagement, and instead it felt uncomfortable and disappointing. Between the mediocre drinks, lack of standards, and the environment we witnessed, the experience did not match the price or reputation.
We will not be returning, and we truly regret not sticking with our original choice of Capital Grille. Lesson learned.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Darren Carbone
It really touches on all the best notes of a dining experience. The mystic begins as you take the elevator downstairs with a waterfall view like no other once you get in the dining room. The piano player is top notch in creating the experience as well. The service is welcoming and knowledgable and it’s all brought tougher with fantastic and tasty dishes and steaks. I was blown away away by the creative and well executed menu. The bone marrow dumplings and pork belly dishes really were extraordinary. We had a larger party and they had no problem helping us feel like a two top on a special occasion. All the steaks were wonderful, especially the ribeye. When the steaks arrive, they have you cut it open just to ensure that your temperature is correct, bravo. The accompaniments were fantastic. We all saved them for dessert and it did not disappoint. Please see the photos and now we will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James R.
Steakhouse Review #5: Dakota’s. Made a reservation for 7:30 on a Saturday. Not sure how parking is because we got a ride, but it’s downtown so I’m assuming it’s not the easiest. When you arrive, there’s an elevator that takes you down to get into the underground restaurant. Fun! The look and atmosphere was just swanky enough with a classic flair that included a waterfall. It’s one of my favorite vibes we’ve had thus far…not too noisy, not too pretentious, and just the right amount of special. We were seated right away and ordered a blackberry mule. It was tart and sweet and so good. Our service was good but not spectacular, no complaints. Ordered two famous tator tots for an app and they almost made me cry they were so good! They are $5 a pop and so worth it. Our main meal was a filet, mac & cheese, cacio y pepe risotto, carrots, and mashed potatoes. The steak was the best we’ve had thus far and was tender, mildly smoky, and perfectly seasoned. Divine. Now, the sides were where we were reallllllly let down. The mac (bland with no distinct flavor) and mashers (gummy and bland) just weren’t good, the carrots were basic, and the risotto had promise and was actually fairly decent with a parmesan and black pepper accent. It was my birthday (they had a cute little birthday card on the table which was appreciated) and brought out a dessert but it was two chunks of frozen cheesecake and was not bangin. One of these places will eventually knock our socks off on all levels, but this wasn’t the one, though the steak itself was supurb. Overall, we probably wouldn’t go back but glad we got to experience it. The meal was $160 and we tipped $50 for a total if $210. Food: 7 (the sides really brought this down) Ambience: 9.5 Service: 8 Next up is Nuri and we are truly loving trying all these places. Muah. Rank: 1. Al Biernat’s 2 Nick & Sam’s 3. Pappas Bros 4. Dakota’s 5. Town Hearth
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Trina Griffith
Delicious food & vibe.💯
Rosalyn Murphy
I ordered chicken al limone it was half cooked I didn't like it
From the moment we arrived, the valet staff was professional and nice. The elevator down, the space was beautiful and very swanky. The hotess greeted us, told us happy anniversary and asked if we wanted to check in our coats. We were escorted to our table that had rose petals on it and a sign that said happy anniversary. The waiter, Nico, greeted us with a happy anniversary and was knowledgeable of the menu. We liked his suggestions. The chef made us a special off menu small dessert for our anniversary and we had a complimentary glass of rose champagne. Highly recommend this for date night, anniversary or just because.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Rogers
Our hotel, The Joule, highly recommended this underground steakhouse, and we were eager to try it. A short eight-minute walk led us to the restaurant, which was cleverly concealed, with an elevator serving as the sole indicator of its presence. We took the elevator down two floors and stepped directly into the dining area, where we were warmly greeted by the hostess and seated promptly. The pianist's soft melodies created a sophisticated ambiance, and our server's attentiveness was noteworthy. The espresso martini mocktail was a highlight, and my wedge salad and lobster thermidor were both well-prepared. The steak special, an 8 oz. filet mignon with asparagus, received a lukewarm response from my partner. With a total cost of $275, the meal was undoubtedly pricey; however, the atmosphere and service justified the expense. For those seeking a distinctive dining experience, this restaurant is certainly worth visiting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
A C
Everything was exceptional
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria McKenzie
I visited Dakota Steakhouse on Valentine’s Day and unfortunately had a slightly disappointing experience.
First, I want to recognize Kayla (bartender). She has always been absolutely wonderful, attentive, kind, professional, and genuinely welcoming. She consistently goes above and beyond and creates an amazing guest experience. Dakota is lucky to have staff like her.
However, during this most recent visit, the service at the bar was noticeably different . The bartender working that evening (Quincy) came across as dismissive. Constantly rolling her eyes, and exhaling as if everything was an inconvenience to her. Her overall energy was unwelcoming, especially on a holiday where guests are expecting a special experience.
In addition, I received an $80 bill from valet services which I tipped and has always been complimentary.
For a restaurant of this caliber, especially on Valentine’s Day, I expected a much smoother and more professional experience.
I truly hope management looks into both the valet situation and the inconsistency in service this time. Dakota has always been exceptional. Food was amazing as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Fernando Perez
I had the t-bone porch chop with loaded potatoes and it was so good.. wife had the filet mignon with Brussel sprouts.. all was great Don't get me wrong, the food was great everything was great.. but im now sure if i would go back.. once I got off the elevator and the doors closed, my anxiety started acting up 😔 just knowing there's no where to go in an emergency just wasn't my cup of tea..
We had such a wonderful dinner tonight and the experience was made even better by our amazing waiter, Jared. From the moment we sat down, he was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind. He made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed, and his recommendations for wine and entrees were spot on.
The food was absolutely delicious and the service truly elevated the entire evening. It’s rare to find someone who clearly cares so much about making sure guests have a great experience, and it did not go unnoticed.
Thank you for such a lovely evening—we will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our party of 2 had early reservations on a Thursday evening and were seated promptly upon arrival. We had a wonderful table next to the “fireplace” in view of the waterfall. The ambiance was warm and welcoming. Service was professional and attentive throughout the meal. I began with a glass of the Nebbiolo and crab lollipops. THIS is actually why I chose Dakota’s over many other steakhouses. They were phenomenal. I love places that provide fresh bread and butter, and their bread service was so lovely that we asked for more. Because of the portion sizes, we decided to split a Caesar salad and ribeye. The Caesar dressing was some of the best I’ve had, with an ample amount of dressing to coat the salad. The ribeye was cooked perfectly to medium rare, and sliced for us at our table. It was seasoned beautifully with a nice char on the outside. The wine paired well with it. The potato puree was light and velvety. I topped off the night with a Carajillo cocktail, which was well crafted. It was a top notch evening, from beginning to end.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great spot and really excellent somm!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wagyu dumplings 5/5
Cocktails- 4/5
Cowboy wagyu steak - 5/5
Salmon- 3/5
Dessert- 5/5
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Judge L. provided us with amazing service! The restaurant was gorgeous, with a live pianist and a waterfall. I was proposing to my girlfriend and had called a day ahead to set up the plan. We were staying at the JW Marriot and my guest service agent, Jack, walked it over to the restaurant so that my girlfriend wouldn't see it in my pocket. When we arrived at the Dakota's, Judge was already aware and had placed the ring in their safe when they received it from Jack. When I went to the restroom, Judge met me out of sight of my girlfriend and we confirmed how to do the reveal. One of the managers brought the ring out under a metal cloche surrounded by rose petals. Everything was handled so well and professionally that I highly recommended Dakota's and Judge for any special occasion!
Oh, and she said yes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited Dakota’s Steakhouse for the first time on February 28, 2026 to celebrate our engagement. We had been really looking forward to trying it, but unfortunately, the experience was altogether disappointing.
To start, the Old Fashioned was $25 and mediocre at best. For that price, I expected a well-crafted cocktail, but it lacked the quality and attention to detail you would expect from an upscale steakhouse. Not to mention it took forever to even get our drinks. I’m assuming they forgot about them.
What was even more frustrating was the dress code. When I made the reservation, I was texted twice reminding me of their dress code, which set a clear expectation that it would be enforced. However, that was not the case at all. We were seated directly next to what appeared to be two different escorts dressed completely risque and joined side by side at the table with significantly older men. It was clear what kinda arrangement this was. As we made our way to the elevator after we were done eating, two younger women dressed like trashy strippers took the elevator down and walked into the restaurant. I even whispered to my fiancé there is no way they would be allowed to stay dressed like that, but they were. They looked like they had come straight from the strip club. It completely contradicted the image Dakota’s tries to present, and honestly, I would have been mortified to have our children there witnessing that environment.
To make matters worse, when my fiancé went to use the men’s restroom, he encountered a man openly snorting what appeared to be cocaine. That alone was shocking and completely unacceptable for any establishment, let alone one positioning itself as a high-end dining experience.
This was supposed to be a special night celebrating our engagement, and instead it felt uncomfortable and disappointing. Between the mediocre drinks, lack of standards, and the environment we witnessed, the experience did not match the price or reputation.
We will not be returning, and we truly regret not sticking with our original choice of Capital Grille. Lesson learned.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
It really touches on all the best notes of a dining experience. The mystic begins as you take the elevator downstairs with a waterfall view like no other once you get in the dining room. The piano player is top notch in creating the experience as well. The service is welcoming and knowledgable and it’s all brought tougher with fantastic and tasty dishes and steaks. I was blown away away by the creative and well executed menu. The bone marrow dumplings and pork belly dishes really were extraordinary. We had a larger party and they had no problem helping us feel like a two top on a special occasion. All the steaks were wonderful, especially the ribeye. When the steaks arrive, they have you cut it open just to ensure that your temperature is correct, bravo. The accompaniments were fantastic. We all saved them for dessert and it did not disappoint. Please see the photos and now we will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steakhouse Review #5: Dakota’s.
Made a reservation for 7:30 on a Saturday. Not sure how parking is because we got a ride, but it’s downtown so I’m assuming it’s not the easiest. When you arrive, there’s an elevator that takes you down to get into the underground restaurant. Fun! The look and atmosphere was just swanky enough with a classic flair that included a waterfall. It’s one of my favorite vibes we’ve had thus far…not too noisy, not too pretentious, and just the right amount of special. We were seated right away and ordered a blackberry mule. It was tart and sweet and so good. Our service was good but not spectacular, no complaints. Ordered two famous tator tots for an app and they almost made me cry they were so good! They are $5 a pop and so worth it. Our main meal was a filet, mac & cheese, cacio y pepe risotto, carrots, and mashed potatoes. The steak was the best we’ve had thus far and was tender, mildly smoky, and perfectly seasoned. Divine. Now, the sides were where we were reallllllly let down. The mac (bland with no distinct flavor) and mashers (gummy and bland) just weren’t good, the carrots were basic, and the risotto had promise and was actually fairly decent with a parmesan and black pepper accent. It was my birthday (they had a cute little birthday card on the table which was appreciated) and brought out a dessert but it was two chunks of frozen cheesecake and was not bangin. One of these places will eventually knock our socks off on all levels, but this wasn’t the one, though the steak itself was supurb. Overall, we probably wouldn’t go back but glad we got to experience it. The meal was $160 and we tipped $50 for a total if $210.
Food: 7 (the sides really brought this down)
Ambience: 9.5
Service: 8
Next up is Nuri and we are truly loving trying all these places. Muah.
Rank:
1. Al Biernat’s
2 Nick & Sam’s
3. Pappas Bros
4. Dakota’s
5. Town Hearth
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Delicious food & vibe.💯
I ordered chicken al limone it was half cooked I didn't like it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
From the moment we arrived, the valet staff was professional and nice. The elevator down, the space was beautiful and very swanky. The hotess greeted us, told us happy anniversary and asked if we wanted to check in our coats. We were escorted to our table that had rose petals on it and a sign that said happy anniversary. The waiter, Nico, greeted us with a happy anniversary and was knowledgeable of the menu. We liked his suggestions. The chef made us a special off menu small dessert for our anniversary and we had a complimentary glass of rose champagne. Highly recommend this for date night, anniversary or just because.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our hotel, The Joule, highly recommended this underground steakhouse, and we were eager to try it. A short eight-minute walk led us to the restaurant, which was cleverly concealed, with an elevator serving as the sole indicator of its presence. We took the elevator down two floors and stepped directly into the dining area, where we were warmly greeted by the hostess and seated promptly. The pianist's soft melodies created a sophisticated ambiance, and our server's attentiveness was noteworthy. The espresso martini mocktail was a highlight, and my wedge salad and lobster thermidor were both well-prepared. The steak special, an 8 oz. filet mignon with asparagus, received a lukewarm response from my partner. With a total cost of $275, the meal was undoubtedly pricey; however, the atmosphere and service justified the expense. For those seeking a distinctive dining experience, this restaurant is certainly worth visiting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Everything was exceptional
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I visited Dakota Steakhouse on Valentine’s Day and unfortunately had a slightly disappointing experience.
First, I want to recognize Kayla (bartender). She has always been absolutely wonderful, attentive, kind, professional, and genuinely welcoming. She consistently goes above and beyond and creates an amazing guest experience. Dakota is lucky to have staff like her.
However, during this most recent visit, the service at the bar was noticeably different . The bartender working that evening (Quincy) came across as dismissive. Constantly rolling her eyes, and exhaling as if everything was an inconvenience to her. Her overall energy was unwelcoming, especially on a holiday where guests are expecting a special experience.
In addition, I received an $80 bill from valet services which I tipped and has always been complimentary.
For a restaurant of this caliber, especially on Valentine’s Day, I expected a much smoother and more professional experience.
I truly hope management looks into both the valet situation and the inconsistency in service this time. Dakota has always been exceptional. Food was amazing as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
I had the t-bone porch chop with loaded potatoes and it was so good.. wife had the filet mignon with Brussel sprouts.. all was great
Don't get me wrong, the food was great everything was great.. but im now sure if i would go back.. once I got off the elevator and the doors closed, my anxiety started acting up 😔 just knowing there's no where to go in an emergency just wasn't my cup of tea..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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