Chops Lobster Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Steakhouse Institution with Deep Roots

Chops Lobster Bar carries more than three decades of reputation into its Boca Raton address at 101 Plaza Real South. The original was founded in Atlanta in 1989 by I. Pano Karatassos — restaurateur and Culinary Institute of America Walk of Fame inductee — under the banner of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. The philosophy was straightforward from day one: source the finest ingredients, execute with precision, and make every guest feel the occasion. That standard has traveled intact to South Florida.

What Earns the Recognition

Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence is not handed out for ambition — it reflects a wine program with genuine depth and coherent pairings. At Chops Boca Raton, that list spans Napa Cabernets, White Burgundy, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Brunello di Montalcino, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, among others, with a strong selection available by the glass. The recognition sits alongside a string of local accolades: Boca Magazine readers have ranked it the #1 steakhouse and #1 wine list in Palm Beach County, and Palm Beach Illustrated has placed it on its Top Ten Tables list more than once.

The Plate

The American steakhouse and seafood menu is built around USDA Prime beef, custom aged in-house. A 40 oz dry-aged Porterhouse, a 32 oz Tomahawk Bone-In Ribeye for two, and a Bone-In New York Strip dry-aged 35 days anchor the steak side. Certified A5 Wagyu is also on offer. Seafood arrives daily — cold-water South African lobster tail, Nova Scotia lobster, Genuine Dover Sole, jumbo lump crab cakes, and a Maine Lobster Bisque Au Cognac that the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau placed on its 100 Signature Dishes list. Lobster truffle mashed potatoes have earned their own cult following, singled out by Jezebel Magazine as a must-try dish.

The Room and the Occasion

The space blends classic steakhouse warmth with a polished, contemporary edge — rich architectural detail, custom woodwork, and a dedicated Lobster Bar that gives the restaurant its name. It draws a consistent crowd for anniversaries, corporate dinners, and celebrations, with private dining options available for groups of varying sizes. Outdoor seating extends the experience on agreeable evenings. The combination of serious wine, prime American steakhouse cooking, and attentive table service makes Chops Boca Raton a reliable choice when the occasion genuinely calls for it.