Tucked away on North Central Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona, Durant’s is the kind of restaurant that feels like a well-kept secret among locals who know great food. Since reopening under new ownership, this classic chophouse has been wowing diners with its legendary NY strip steak and old-school charm.
The dimly lit red-velvet booths, the iconic kitchen entrance, and the impeccable service make every visit feel like a special occasion. Whether you are a longtime fan or a first-timer, Durant’s delivers a steakhouse experience that is genuinely hard to forget.
The NY Strip Steak That Steals the Show
One customer said it plainly: “Best NY strip I ever had.” That kind of praise does not come lightly, especially at a place with decades of history behind it. Durant’s NY strip is thick, richly seasoned, and cooked with the kind of precision that only comes from a kitchen that truly cares about every plate it sends out.
The crust on the outside is beautifully caramelized while the inside stays tender and juicy. It hits every note a great steak should — bold flavor, satisfying texture, and a finish that lingers long after the last bite.
For anyone visiting Phoenix and wondering where to find a world-class steak, this is the answer. Pair it with one of their classic sides and a cold martini, and you have got yourself a dinner worth talking about for years.
Walking Through the Kitchen: A One-of-a-Kind Entrance
Most restaurants greet you at a front door with a host stand. Durant’s greets you with the sizzle of the kitchen.
Entering through the back-of-house cooking area has been a signature part of the Durant’s experience for decades, and it remains one of the most memorable moments of the evening before you even sit down.
Chefs and kitchen staff wave you in warmly, giving you a behind-the-scenes peek at where all the magic happens. It immediately sets the tone — this is not just another dinner out, it is an experience.
Guests consistently mention this entrance as one of their favorite details, calling it unique and full of character. The new owners wisely kept this tradition intact after the renovation, understanding that some things are simply too good to change.
It is the kind of welcome that makes you feel like an insider from the very first step.
Red Booths, Dark Wood, and Timeless Atmosphere
Walking into Durant’s feels like stepping into a different era — in the best possible way. The iconic red leather booths have become a symbol of the restaurant itself, and the recent renovation kept them front and center while giving the entire space a polished, refreshed look.
Dark wood, low lighting, and carefully preserved vintage details like the old phone booth and original bathroom signage create an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and undeniably cool. Several reviewers compared the vibe to something straight out of a classic mob movie, calling it effortlessly stylish.
The ambiance here is not manufactured or trend-driven. It grew organically over decades of real dining history.
Whether you are celebrating a birthday, closing a business deal, or just treating yourself to a great night out, the setting at Durant’s makes every occasion feel a little more meaningful and a lot more memorable.
Service That Makes You Feel Like a Regular
There is a reason so many reviewers single out their servers by name. At Durant’s, the service is not just attentive — it is personal.
Staff members like Miroslav, Isaac, Marcello, and Brandon have each earned glowing praise for their warmth, humor, and genuine care for every guest at their table.
Servers here know the menu inside and out, offer thoughtful recommendations, and have a knack for anticipating what you need before you even ask. One diner noted that their server brought out fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies as a surprise when the table declined dessert — a small gesture that left a lasting impression.
Even the follow-up matters. One guest received a personal phone call the next day thanking them for visiting.
That level of hospitality is increasingly rare in the restaurant world, and it speaks volumes about the culture that Durant’s management has built and maintained through its reopening.
Martinis So Good They Deserve Their Own Spotlight
A great steakhouse needs great cocktails, and Durant’s delivers. The martinis here have developed their own fan following, with guests raving about cucumber martinis, Belvedere martinis with an extra shaker, and walnut old fashioneds that hit just right.
Cold, strong, and expertly crafted — these drinks are the real deal.
The bar at Durant’s has a personality of its own. Talented bartenders bring both skill and charisma to every pour, making the bar a destination even if you are just stopping in for a quick drink before heading home.
One reviewer specifically mentioned the bartenders as a highlight of the entire evening.
For anyone who appreciates a properly made cocktail alongside a beautifully cooked steak, Durant’s checks both boxes with confidence. The drink program complements the food menu in a way that feels intentional and well-curated — exactly what you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber.
Classic Sides That Complete the Meal
Ordering a great steak is only half the equation. The sides at Durant’s are the kind that earn their own shout-outs in reviews, and for good reason.
Scalloped potatoes described as cheesy, rich, and creamy. Signature mashed potatoes loaded with white shrimp, crab, and cheese.
A loaded baked potato that reportedly weighs in at a full pound.
Creamed spinach, whipped potatoes with truffle butter, Mac and cheese, and roasted vegetables round out a menu that takes classic steakhouse accompaniments seriously. These are not afterthoughts — they are carefully prepared dishes that hold their own alongside the main course.
Portions are generous enough that sharing is not just possible, it is encouraged. Several guests noted that splitting sides between two or more people was both practical and satisfying.
When the sides get as much praise as the steaks, you know the kitchen is operating at a high level across the board.
Fresh Seafood Options for Non-Steak Lovers
Not everyone at the table is a steak person, and Durant’s has never left seafood lovers out in the cold. The menu features standout options like lobster thermidor, sea bass, Branzino filet, and a shrimp, crab, and crab leg tower with six different dipping sauces — a true showstopper for the table.
One reviewer called a meal of lobster thermidor and crab legs shared among three people “one of the best meals I have had in a while.” The sea bass earned equally enthusiastic praise, with guests saying it was exactly what they hoped for. Oysters also make a frequent appearance in rave reviews, described as fresh and bursting with flavor.
Durant’s understands that a great steakhouse should satisfy everyone, not just the carnivores. The seafood dishes are prepared with the same care and attention that goes into every steak, making them a genuinely exciting option for any diner at the table.
A Legendary Caesar Salad Worth Ordering
Before the steak arrives, there is the Caesar salad — and at Durant’s, it is no ordinary starter. The Caesar with a poached egg has drawn consistent praise from diners, with one reviewer rating it among the strongest parts of an already impressive meal.
Rich, well-balanced, and elegantly presented, it sets a high bar from the very first course.
The kitchen even offers to split the salad for sharing, which is a thoughtful touch that speaks to the overall attentiveness of the staff. When a side salad earns this much attention in a review about steak, you know it is genuinely special.
Starting a meal at Durant’s with this Caesar feels like the right move. It primes the palate, builds anticipation, and signals clearly that everything coming next will be executed with equal care.
Great salads at steakhouses are rarer than you might think, and this one truly delivers.
The Bread and Crudite: An Elevated Beginning
Some restaurants treat bread as an afterthought. Durant’s treats it as an opening statement.
The sourdough bread served at the start of the meal is warm, chewy on the inside, and arrives alongside whipped butter, olive oil, and a small crudite plate. Guests have called it flavorful and satisfying, a proper preview of what is to come.
After the renovation, the bread and crudite presentation was described as elevated — familiar enough to honor the original Durant’s experience, but polished enough to reflect the restaurant’s refreshed identity. One longtime regular noted that the tradition was kept but clearly given more thought and care than before.
Small details like this matter more than people often realize. A great bread course signals that the kitchen respects every part of the dining experience, not just the headline dishes.
At Durant’s, even the opening act is worth paying attention to.
Desserts That Stick in Your Memory
Ending a meal at Durant’s on a sweet note is practically a requirement. The strawberry shortcake has developed something close to legendary status among regulars, with multiple reviewers calling it a must-order.
Fresh chocolate chip cookies, described by one diner as possibly the best they had ever had, are sometimes brought out as a surprise treat — no menu required.
There is also an ice cream cookie cake that earned high praise, and the restaurant famously honored a decades-old free dessert chip from a longtime guest, proving that some traditions run very deep here. Chocolate cake sent home with guests as a goodwill gesture after a difficult visit showed that the team genuinely cares about leaving a good impression.
Dessert at Durant’s is not just a formality — it is a fitting finale to a meal that was built to impress from start to finish. Do not skip it.
The Renovation That Honored the Past
Change is always risky for a restaurant with loyal regulars. When Durant’s reopened under new ownership by the team behind Steak 44, many longtime fans held their breath.
What they found was a renovation done with genuine respect for the restaurant’s history — the kitchen entrance preserved, the red banquettes restored, the old phone booth kept in place, and the original bathroom signage left untouched.
One neighbor who lives nearby put it well: the soul of Durant’s is absolutely still there. The updates feel intentional rather than corporate, adding polish without erasing character.
Multiple guests who had been coming since the late 1990s said the restaurant felt like itself again, only cleaner and more vibrant.
Balancing nostalgia with progress is genuinely difficult, and the team at Durant’s pulled it off. The result is a space that feels both familiar to those who loved the original and welcoming to those discovering it for the very first time.
Perfect for Special Occasions and Celebrations
Birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, business dinners — Durant’s has hosted them all, and it handles special occasions with a level of grace that keeps people coming back. Staff members regularly go out of their way to make milestone moments feel truly celebrated, from birthday desserts delivered with a card to servers who remember returning guests from other restaurants in the same ownership group.
One family visiting for a husband’s birthday described the evening as an experience they would absolutely repeat. Another couple called their Valentine’s Day dinner one of the best they had ever shared at a restaurant.
The combination of exceptional food, attentive service, and a setting that feels inherently celebratory makes Durant’s a natural choice when you want a night to remember.
At $$$$ pricing, it is a splurge — but the experience consistently justifies the cost for guests who want more than just a meal. This is dining as an event.
How to Plan Your Visit to Durant’s
Durant’s is located at 2611 N Central Ave in Phoenix, Arizona, and is open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9:15 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 10 PM. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant fills up quickly.
You can reach them at 602-264-5967 or visit their website at durantsaz.com.
The dress code leans smart and polished — this is not a flip-flops-and-jeans kind of place. Come dressed to match the setting, and you will fit right in.
Portions are generous, so sharing sides is a smart strategy that keeps the bill slightly more manageable without sacrificing variety.
Arriving a little early to enjoy a drink at the bar before your table is ready is a genuinely great move. The bartenders are talented, the cocktails are exceptional, and it gives you a chance to soak in the full Durant’s experience before the main event even begins.