Recently, the Hubby and I celebrated our 43rd Anniversary at @Sophia Steak, @Lake Forest, Il. As first-timers, we were looking for somewhere new and special to celebrate, and after reading several great reviews, we decided to give Sophia Steak a try. We headed there for Happy Hour, which runs from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM and is definitely on the short side! We actually thought we'd be the only "early birders," but the bar area filled up surprisingly fast, so clearly this happy hour is popular with the locals. Sophia offers a fantastic $10 Happy Hour menu featuring cocktails, beer, wine, and five appetizers. Between the two of us, we ordered four of the five appetizers offered, and honestly, every single one was a hit. The Potato Croquettes were incredibly light and fluffy, the Ahi Tuna Crisp was absolutely delicious, and the Nashville Chicken Bites packed great flavor. The Meatball Sliders were another standout -- flavorful and juicy, and actually held together instead of falling apart after the first bite! To make the evening even more special, the bartender heard we were celebrating our anniversary and surprised us by comping a dessert: the Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding. Absolutely delicious and the perfect sweet ending to our meal. Even better, our total bill came in under $100! I highly recommend @Sophia Steak's Happy Hour if you're looking for affordable yet classy dining in Lake Forest. Next time, we'll definitely be back to try dinner. read more

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Came here for the first time on a Saturday evening for a birthday celebration. First of all they have a patio area which is very nice and beautiful and the inside is very nice as well however it is very very dark. On this summer evening I was very disappointed to see all the windows and doors open to the dining area because it was so humid outside and so it was extremely humid on the inside as well. I chose to sit on the inside because I wanted a not because I wanted to feel the heat and humidity. Note that parking here is truly a challenge. You can valet for free or if you get here early enough as we had a 5 o'clock reservation we were able to find street parking and walked less than a block. The street parking also happened to be free, which was lucky. As you can imagine in Lake Forest, there is no residential street parking allowed Dinner itself was absolutely delicious!!! The food quality was delicious. Everything tasted incredible and just about everything got finished, but because we ordered too much food we are very happy to have some leftovers. We are also very lucky to be here on a Saturday night in order early enough to get the prime rib special because apparently they ran out at 6:30. I am definitely coming back here again whether it's a good occasion or not the food is fantastic!!! Our server, Noel was awesome!!!! The manager did actually forget to charge us for the bottle of wine which I did call out because I am an honest person and they added it to the bill. One disappointment of the evening is the fact that the desserts are covered in nuts and we have a nut allergy in our party. So we had to get a sundae, which was a little underwhelming as well as the Atlantic pie, which is basically a Keylime pie. The second disappointment was the side order of asparagus, which is awfully pricey and you only get six pieces you would assume that they would be generous with the truffle, but they're not. We did get a free birthday dessert, which was very nice. It was the ice cream sundae. read more

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Review of Sophia's in Lake Forest We arrived at Sophia's in Lake Forest last Friday night, a location we've frequented numerous times, and I've always enjoyed excellent food. Our favorite dish is the tomahawk steaks, and we prefer to sit in the round booths to easily talk to everyone. I made the reservations weeks in advance for a special occasion, booking a table for three. Upon our arrival, the gentleman at the front desk had us seated at a middle table between the bar and the high-traffic area of the bathrooms and waiting staff, despite my request for a round booth. I was told that the round booths were unavailable and the booths along the walls were reserved for larger groups. Ironically, we noticed that the booths were filled with parties of two and three throughout the evening, contrary to what we had been told. Our waiter was terrific, as usual, and the food was very good overall. However, the tomahawk steaks were disappointing. We ordered them cooked medium, but they arrived overcooked on the outside and raw in the middle, which was extremely underwhelming. We chose not to address this with our waiter, as he was quite busy, and I didn't want to spoil the mood of our special occasion. Overall, while the service and the atmosphere remain top-notch, the inconsistency with our seating request and the preparation of the tomahawk steaks left us feeling less than satisfied. read more

We visited recently to celebrate Mother's Day and came in before the dinner rush. As we were dining it got busier and louder. We had a few apps, and shared a steak and some sides. The Wagyu skewers with the yuzu sauce was delicious, as was the tempura. The bread had an everything seasoning on it which made it flavorful but a bit salty. For our steak we ordered it medium rare but it came out more well then medium rare but it was so busy and we hadn't seen our server for a bit and were trying to get out before it got busier that we decided not to say anything. It was still flavorful and delicious just a bit tougher than we're used to. It came with the side of sauces and the chimichurri was my favorite. Overall a good experience, we look forward to coming back again soon. read more

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This is my first time here and we went here for my friend's birthday. We sat in the bar area and the booth were big and had a nice dark setting. The drinks were really good that we ordered as well. We told them it was my friend's birthday and they printed it on the menu for her so that was very nice. The surface was also very good in our serpent was very nice very accommodating for what we needed and very attentive. All the food that we ordered was delicious and I will be coming back because I love the oysters Rockefeller. They were one of my favorites along with the tuna tartare it was very fresh highly recommend this place. read more

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Went for an early dinner to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary, the menu was customized to wish us a happy anniversary with complimentary champagne and dessert on the house. The food was great! Scallops and tuna tartar was the highlight! read more

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Just went for my birthday with my immediate family and boyfriend. The food was incredible. Everything we got was very delicious and fresh. My boyfriend got the salmon and he said it was the best salmon ever. I got the scallops - a little salty but delicious. The lobster mac and Caesar salad were very good as well. The service was great too! Food came out quick and hot and our waitress was very friendly. The inside is perfect for dates and a nice night out. MY ONLY CAVEAT + why I didn't give this restaurant 5 stars was: I noted it was my birthday on the reso and everyone said hbd and even printed a menu that said hbd which was a special detail. we ordered well over $500 worth of food for 6 people and a few of my family members did restaurant week which came with the dessert. I didn't order a dessert because I was pretty full AND I would have some dessert from my family that we ordered (total of 4). With that being said, I feel like it's a nice touch for any restaurant to provide a small dessert for the persons bday or special celebration that is very common. I got a sundae with a sparkler which was nice and right after, the waitress came and told me the dessert I got that was mine for my bday was actually my SISTERS. So they literally just stuck a sparkler in a dessert that wasn't meant for me.... it honestly just made a rly nice experience end a bit awkwardly. We all laughed and it's not a big deal but I think it ruins the moment a bit. I think a restaurant can spare a scoop of ice cream for their guests that pick their restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. read more

Sophia Steak - Lake Forest - Steakhouses Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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Good food, excellent customer service from staff, cozy setting. Great location and setting for date night, family meals, corporate dinners. read more

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We took Chicago Restaurant Week 2026 as an opportunity to try Sophia Steak in Lake Forest. The restaurant offers valet service but we easily found a spot across the street. The restaurant has a dark, masculine, urban feel to it. We enjoyed the ambiance however our table was the closest table to the entrance that was directly in line with door. It was a sub zero night and occasionally we'd feel the chill at the table as people entered and exited. Through out our visit there was a steady flow of customers so I recommend making a reservation. The food and beverages didn't disappoint. I tried the smoky bird cocktail and my husband had an espresso martini. Both were delicious. We were offered bread which ended up being a piece of freshly made bread served with butter for each of us. We both had the shrimp scampi appetizer. My steak was cooked as expected and my husband enjoyed his risotto. To end the meal my husband tried the malted milk chocolate sundae and I had the toffee bread pudding both were a great way to end the meal. Overall the food was delicious and we'll make a return trip when the weather is warmer. read more

The food was great the service incredible -- we enjoyed r visit and will be back. The location was easy to find but parking can be a challenge use the runners. read more

Food was very good, I had the specials that night, cream of mushroom soup, loved it and the black truffle risotto w sea scallops-- risotto was cooked perfectly and sea scallops had the perfect crust on them-- just enough but still delicate. I had a glass of pinot noir, I dont remember, but it was very pricey-- delicious. Service was spot on. Ambiance is great for a date night, a tad more lighting would be nice, but it wasn't so dim I couldn't see my menu. Over all, I give it 5 stars and plan to return. read more

Posting new menu pix from visit in March 2026. Our second time dinner here included hearty Meatballs Pomodoro ($18 as of 03/2026), excellent Yellowfin Tuna Tartare ($23 as of 03/2026), good Bill's Classic Caesar ($15 as of 03/2026), steakhouse classic Brussels Sprouts & Bacon ($14 as of 03/2026), and an evening's special baked potato that was underwhelming and dry. read more

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Loved the ambience....my 1st time..it was a bday celebration gift from my gfriend Jan...I was beyond impressed....our server was great..they kept us filled with room temp water..wanted a baked potato with my steak but wasn't an option I'm looking to take my significant other there soon...not sure if the inside is as nice as outside read more

Sophia Steak - Lake Forest - Patrons - Steakhouses Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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The the ambience was very nice service. A little Ifti food was a definite five star. This food was very delicious steak cooked perfectly luxury restaurant high prices. read more

Phenomenal steakhouse experience. Once you find your way in to the restaurant from valet (there is not a clear path or direction), the hostess is ready and happy to help you. We made reservations prior and it only took a few moments to be seated. Our waitress was so kind to bring us two glasses of champagne as we sat down as we had previously let them know that we were there celebrating. My husband and I both have some food allergies which the staff took seriously. There were a few occasions where our waitress went back to speak with the chef for clarification on ingredients which was much appreciated. The service, food, and drinks were all superb. I would be thrilled to dine here again. read more

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The atmosphere, was top notch! Service made the day special (husband's birthday), very attentive. The food was perfectly plated, and delicious and we had quite the variety! You can't go wrong having dinner at Sophia's!! read more

I went there with a large party for the first time. The places was packed on that night but the hostess was very helpful in guiding us to our seating area. We had multiple servers taking care of us and they were very attentive to our request and needs. The food was spot on and great from beginning to end. Everyone raved about the food that each othered. We will for sure go back again. read more

My husband and I absolutely enjoyed this place. We loved the Prosecco served and the old fashioned were spot on. We ordered the crispy lobster and then the tuna. My husband ordered the NY strip and I had the filet with the cognac sauce. For the dessert we ordered cake which was worth every penny. The service was fantastic and we were treated very well! Ambiance was a little noisy but we went on a Saturday night. read more

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Sophia steak was Awesome! Great food and service! I highly recommend the Tomahawk steak! read more

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Yellowfin Tuna Tartare | avocado, crispy shallot, sesame, macadamia nut, wasabi ponzu - 4.5/5, served with fresh, slightly greasy crisps of wonton Jumbo Lump Crab Cake | apple-celery salad, remoulade - 4.5/5, salad slivers were interestingly chunky Beets & Burrata | cara cara orange, pistachio + sesame crunch, green goddess - 5/5, should have started with this cold as a starter Prime Skirt Steak | served with chimichurri - 4.5/5, too thick so that's probably why it's a bit rare. Companion has odd tastes to choose this here *shrugs* Pork Chop Tomahawk | vande rose farms duroc, oreganata, sweet + spicy pickled peppers - 5/5, it was fine Brussels Sprouts & Bacon - 5/5, great blanche and roast Truffle-Parm Fries - 5/5, great aoili dip, chunky cut steak fries, but 2/5 when packed and no dip at home 13 Layer Chocolate Cake | Hazelnut Crunch, Milk Chocolate Buttercream, Dark Chocolate Ganache - 4/5, not sure that I would order it again here Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding | Warm, rich bread pudding baked with salted caramel sauce and topped with toffee sauce. Served with vanilla ice cream - 4/5, not sure that I would order it again here summary: reorder the crab cake, tuna tartare, brussel sprouts, fries if you can finish them at the table Espresso martini, black coffee, double espresso - nothing to wrote home about read more

This place is amazing. The food is delicious, and service is great. I had the beef carpaccio, rib eye steak, and Parmesan truffle fries. I'm so excited! Im going there this Sunday to celebrate my father in laws birthday. read more

Sophia Steak - Lake Forest - Beef carpaccio - Steakhouses Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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Dark and lovely, Sophia Steak is perched at the corner of Laurel and Western, at the northernmost edge of Lake Forest's row of restaurants. Valet parking is available, but arriving early in the evening as we did, there is ample street parking facing the Metra line. The restaurant is comfortable and elegant, very dimly lit, with booths in the front and along one side and a bar off to the left. I was disappointed that we were seated at a table in the middle with many of the booths still unoccupied. We had early reservations and I saw there were couples and young families already dining in. We were offered bread and butter, and water was dispensed as we looked over the menu (hard to see as I said it is dark). If you were to observe us you would have seen us constantly moving around the skinny dining lamp at our table, to read the menu, to take pictures, etc. I ordered a Commuter Train (vodka, lychee, lemon, wine--ha,ha--the Metra Line travels down Western). We ordered an app of crispy lobster and shishitos--wonderful--like an elevated calamari with mild shishitos, crispy garlic and a dipping sauce. Since this is a steak house, I ordered the 10 oz Flatiron Steak Sophia - peppercorn-crusted, roasted mushrooms and cognac cream. I ordered it cooked Medium and it was served Medium Well/Well, which was unfortunate since the sauce was rich and delicious. My companion ordered the 10 oz prime skirt steak with chimichurri, and they said it was perfectly cooked. We shared a cone of Truffle Parm fries which were simply amazing--light and crispy with tender insides, the truffle flavor was not overpowering and the fries were amazing dipped in the aioli sauce. The roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and leeks were also quite good--crispy to the tooth but not overly crunchy and with a sweet and salty taste. We concluded the meal with the Apple Crisp which was a letdown. The oat crisp was overly dry, the inside apples were half cold/lukewarm and tough. What should have been the crescendo to the meal fell flat. The manager asked about the dessert and we quite honestly told them and they took it off the bill. Service was friendly and efficient without being obtrusive. Our meal was overall quite good, with a few areas for improvement. We will be back -- for the amazing truffle Parm fries and maybe to try the Daily Special -- Steak Frites (Monday) or Fried Chicken (Sunday) or the Roasted Branzino (Friday). read more

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Excellent steaks, nice people, great location! A ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My wife and I recently dined at Sofia Steakhouse in Lake Forest. We were seated promptly but after waiting for15 minutes no wait staff had appeared. Finally we asked a busboy to please find our waiter. The restaurant's hostess came quickly and took our wine orders and a waiter appeared. After that service improved and our meal was excellent. In their defense it was was a Saturday evening and the place was mobbed. If you're thinking of eating at this restaurant I advise you avoid Saturday evening. read more

I happened to eat here on a week night. It was a lovely restaurant. Great menu selection, steaks and seafood. Everything was delicious but dessert was my favorite. Great ambiance and excellent service. Go check it out! read more

My favorite restaurant on the north shore. Consistently wonderful food and great service. Theyvtreat you so well on your birthday with complimentary bubbly and dessert! The scallops and steaks are fantastic and the hot rolls they serve divine. The mashed potatoes the best I've ever had in a restaurant. Highly recommend! read more

Delicious food, romantic atmosphere and a flat iron steak to die for! Came to celebrate our anniversary. Service was fantastic and attentive. We will be back! read more

We are being induced with our first baby on Tuesday and came here as our last date night of two. It was wonderful! We had the maple bacon appetizer which was great. I ordered the Filet Mignon and my husband had the swordfish with sides of Whipped Mashed Potato's and Broccoli and everything was cooked perfectly. The steak was cooked to perfection, potato's were delicious! The bar is absolutely beautiful and my husband really enjoyed the old fashioned. They have a few mocktail options which is always nice to have an actual drink to chose from. Our server was beyond kind, and attentive. It has a beautiful atmosphere. The patio is also very cute! Would 100% recommend. read more

Sophia Steak - Lake Forest - Maple Bacon appetizer. Very good! - Steakhouses Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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April 5, 2026 we were first time diners at Sophia. We had beef filet, two orders of Halibut and one lamb shank, which was huge. All four meals were excellent and our server was great. I had their take on Carrot Cake which was excellent. They really know how to cook steak. Can't wait to go there again. The restaurant is in what used to be Knauz Mercedes dealer in Lake Forest. They have done a great job creating a very pleasant and comfortable space for dining. read more

Cozy restaurant with great menu selections. The vibe at Sophia Steak was a combination of sophisticated, yet approachable. The restaurant featured a long bar on one side of the restaurant, a cozy dining area with round booths and wooden tables and a small private room in the rear. For shareables, we tried the crab cakes which were superb...plump and filled with lump crab. We also tried the burrata, which was rich and creamy and topped with pistachios, the creamed spinach and the potato hash. My favorite was the main, lobster bucatini with a red chili flake sauce! The bucatini could have been slightly more al dente, but that wouldn't deter me from ordering it again, the sauce was delicious and the lobster plentiful! We appreciated the service with a smile and easy street parking. The restaurant is located off Western Ave, adjacent to the train line which is also convenient if using public transportation. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Top notch food and service definitely will be back! The wine and steak are perfect! Lobster is must have read more

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My husband and I have been to Sophia's twice now, and both times we really enjoyed it. The first time was his birthday, and most recently we sat at the bar and had dinner on a Saturday night since it was a last minute decision and there were no table reservations. Get to the bar early (literally when they open) and you should be fine! We are steak lovers, and both times the NY strip was cooked perfectly and was very delicious. Like any decent steakhouse, the sides are shareable. We both loved the Brussels sprouts. Service is fast and attentive both in the dining room and at the bar. With Fleming's gone, Sophia is now our go to North Shore steak house. read more

We had a lovely anniversary dinner here in LF location. Arrival: Valet parking is available and there is a coat check in a foyer, before you enter the restaurant. Both are much appreciated conveniences. Special occasion: I mentioned our anniversary in the reservation notes and the hostess confirmed it with us. Shortly after seating our waiter brought us two glasses bottle of sparkling wine and wished us happy anniversary. The wine was quite tasty. He also brought us a complimentary desert. Atmosphere: cozy, trendy, and just enough elegant without being stuffy. There was energy and good feel. Decor is on a darker side, it is a steakhouse, after all, but modern. Service: Buntit was attentive, knowledgeable, and did not rush us to turn the table. Food: everything was tasty. We had lobster and shishito peppers, wedge salad, filet mignon with chimichurri sauce, broccoli, roasted potato hash, and chocolate cake. Nice spirit selection, not large but everyone can find something they like. Now we need to check out their other location. read more

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I went for a work dinner when I started my new job. The food, I got the steak Sophia and a side of Brussels, and the service were great. The downside, the credit card surcharge they apply to every bill that restaurants started doing during covid. I would rather spend my money at another establishment that no longer charges a surcharge. read more

How does this restaurant get good reviews? The best thing about it was Dean the mngr. He's fortunate to have gone to another restaurant. The service tries to accommodate guests. The new manager isn't a person who understands the hospitality business. The food is below mediocre. The patio which was nearly empty. mediocre. meatball app was decent. The steak in Caesar salad was rare vs medium rare which we requested. The new manager was rude and inappropriate. Cannot take criticism if it's well deserved. Nothing would bring me back, avoid this place. The cocktails are good so just get a drink. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed on every level. read more

Amazing service and amazing food. Our server was through, sweet and patient. The ambience was old school with holiday decorations. read more

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Casual elegance. Get the flat iron steak soon good. Cesar was our server and just great.

It seems as if truly stelar customer service is a rarity these days...when you experience it, you greatly appreciate it. But everyone seems to be in a hurry...service is just a job, there often is a lack of understanding and connection, and, those delivering it may not have had the proper training. In the dining arena, when you find a special place that combines the best of service with truly outstanding food, you tend to remember it...and joyfully tell others. Such is the case with Sophia's Steakhouse in Lake Foret. On Sunday, February 2, 2025, my wife and I had a phenomenal dining experience at Sophia's. The ambience was very inviting, the menu options were plentiful, the food - absolutely delicious (steaks that honestly melt in your mouth - toppings not needed!) However, what really made for a superb experience was the phenomenal level of service. It started with our waitress, Carol (Segal). Authentic, knowledgeable, and so personable - you can really tell she loves what she does. Though busy, she took her time and listened to us...Carol made great recommendations based on our responses, interests and tastes. Here stories were fun and entertaining - we felt as if we were the only ones in there. She used our names frequently. Call backs were routine and the smiles, the casual banter, were so welcomed. Professional. How special is that? Then along comes the manager, Rikki (Anderson). She made her rounds among the tables with great care and concern, really listening to every guest. These were not 'fly bys'. Something I observed throughout. And when she arrived at our table, Rikki's honest, genuine and sincere demeanor and presence was truly felt. Also using our names frequently, we felt that instant connection. She loves her job!!! On top of that, Rikki did some special things for us that was over the top. Where else can you find that? People tend to remember the beginning and end of everything. When you fittingly manage the first and last impression, you create a value-added outcome...and when you combined that with processes that genuinely dazzle the consumer, you create a very loyal customer base. Carol and Rikki are truly two great ambassadors for Sophia's. It's one of the main reasons we can't wait to go back. Thanks for a wonderful evening. Scott and Gwynne Chovanec read more

Another great addition to the North Shore dining scene. Sophia's checks all the boxes...Great Vibrant atmosphere, Great Service and Great Food. The menu has something for everybody. I enjoyed a Caesar Salad and a few cocktails at the bar. I will tell you bring your wallet if you are having Steak. Enjoy! read more

Sophia Steak - Lake Forest - Bar - Steakhouses Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Perfect birthday dinner. Perfect service and food. So special and worth the cost. Cannot wait to go back.