Durant's

Where to begin? This establishment lives up to its reputation, offering an exceptional dining experience. The service is impeccable, and the food is simply divine. The prime rib was the highlight of my meal, surpassing any I have had throughout the United States. The vodka sauce pasta was cooked to perfection, and the pepper flakes, which could have been added to the sauce, are provided on the side. The strawberry shortcake is a must-try and truly unforgettable. The wine selection is exceptional, and the after-dinner drinks provide a perfect conclusion to a memorable evening.

Durant’s Steakhouse is not merely a place to dine—it is a Phoenix institution and a masterclass in old-school hospitality done exactly right. From the moment you enter through the legendary back-of-house kitchen entrance, you know you are in for something special. The ambiance is unapologetically classic: dim lighting, red leather booths, dark wood, and an atmosphere steeped in history and confidence. The service is exceptional in the truest sense of the word. The staff operates with professionalism, warmth, and a level of polish that is increasingly rare. Servers know the menu intimately, anticipate needs without intrusion, and treat every guest as if they are a regular—because at Durant’s, everyone feels like one. The food is outstanding. The steaks are perfectly cooked, richly flavored, and expertly seasoned, embodying everything a great steakhouse should deliver. Whether you order a filet, ribeye, or New York strip, the quality and execution are consistently top-tier. Classic sides—creamed spinach, baked potatoes, and crisp salads—are prepared with care and balance, complementing the main course without distraction. The martinis deserve special mention: cold, strong, and impeccably made. What truly sets Durant’s apart is its authenticity. There is no pretense, no trend-chasing—just confidence in doing things the right way, the way they have been done for decades. It is the kind of place where business deals are closed, celebrations are marked, and memories are made. In a dining landscape crowded with concepts and reinventions, Durant’s Steakhouse stands tall as a reminder that excellence, consistency, and tradition never go out of style. Simply put, it is one of the finest steakhouse experiences in Phoenix—and one you will want to return to again and again.

We went to Durant’s after the remodel really wanting it to be fantastic. It has that reputation and history, and I went in hoping for one of those classic steakhouse nights. This ended up being a tough review for me because there were real positives, but also some misses. I try to keep my reviews consistent and trustworthy, so I’m always honest and hold every place to the same standards. *Service: very good overall. Brandon was our server and Cohen was the server assistant. Brandon was friendly and attentive, just a bit robotic at times and leaned slightly toward upselling. Cohen was warm and personable. The manager, John, checked in and genuinely wanted to be sure we had a good experience. When I honestly mentioned the issues with my steak, they offered another cut. I chose to keep the ribeye. They later sent us home with a piece of chocolate cake on the house, which was generous and appreciated. The team clearly cared about us having a good experience. *Food: mixed. The Caesar salad with the poached egg was excellent and they split it for us. The sourdough bread was very good, warm and chewy inside with a very crunchy crust that was honestly a bit too tough, but flavorful. It came with whipped butter, olive oil, and a small crudité plate. My 22 oz wet aged ribeye was the disappointment. Cooked to proper medium rare in the center, but overall dry and bland with a chewy, gristly section near the fat cap and not enough marbling to keep it moist. On my scale about a 5 out of 10, especially for the price. Ribeye depends heavily on fat quality and careful rendering, while filet mignon is the most ordered steak and often gets the most consistency and attention. Two others ordered the filet mignon and loved theirs, rating them around a 9 out of 10, which made me wish I had done the same. The scalloped potatoes were excellent. Cheesy, rich, creamy. The roasted brussels sprouts were fair. Nice smoky pork, but the sprouts were small, lacked char, and didn’t have any pop. The walnut and chocolate old fashioneds were excellent. My Cabernet was just okay and a bit flat for the price. *Ambiance: beautiful, classic old-school steakhouse. Dark, warm, very 1950s. The renovation looks great. That said, it was extremely dark, hard to see across the room and even at our table. Our table was right next to the busing station where the lavender towels are steamed and the smell was very strong all night and affected the food for me. We were also near the end of the bar and it was extremely loud. Much louder than expected. We had to raise our voices to talk. Between the noise, darkness, and lavender, the evening was less enjoyable than it could have been. *Value: this is an expensive night out. Roughly $280 per couple, close to $600 for the table. The cost alone wasn’t the issue. The noise, darkness, and table location next to the lavender steamer lowered the value for me. *Overall: a mixed experience. There were highlights. Great service, excellent Caesar, fantastic scalloped potatoes, strong cocktails, and others at the table loved their meals. My ribeye, combined with the table location, lavender smell, darkness, and noise level, made this a three star experience for me. I can see how it could be a five star night at the right table with the right steak. I’d consider trying Durant’s again someday, but given the price and how this visit went, it won’t be anytime soon.

Never been to Durants before. My husband wanted to go for his birthday. So glad we did. Excellent service! The steaks were amazing! Great place for special occasions. They brought him out a dessert, as well as a card. Couldn't have been more pleased. Definitely will return!

We live in the neighborhood and were really happy to see Durant’s reopen and feel like itself again. Walking in through the kitchen is still part of the experience, and I loved seeing that they kept the phone booth and the original bathroom signage. Those details matter, and it’s clear there was real intention around preserving the character of the space. For anyone concerned about changes: yes, it’s refreshed and a bit more polished, but the soul of Durant’s is absolutely still there. Restaurants can’t be frozen in time forever, and what matters is whether the integrity is respected. In this case, it is. Durant’s is expensive and may be more of a special-occasion spot for many people, but it’s not inaccessible. It sounds like Friday lunch is coming back, and the bar and appetizers are a great option if you want something more low-key. The food was excellent. My partner had the ribeye and I had the sea bass, and both were exactly what you’d hope for. Service was attentive, professional, and very much in line with what Durant’s has always been known for. The only small thing that stood out to me was the TV in the bar. I can’t remember if it was there before, but it pulled slightly from the otherwise classic vibe. Overall, this feels like a thoughtful revival rather than a reinvention. The restaurant is elevated, but the atmosphere, service, and experience remain unmistakably Durant’s. Looking forward to coming back and sitting at the bar next time.