The Best Keto Friendly Restaurants & What To Order (UPDATED)

The statistics have spoken. Americans are fond of eating out vs. cooking at home. (*)

Well, that’s not surprising. After all, eating out or ordering takeouts is a much more convenient option.

Not only that, it seems like it will be a more practical choice. (*)

But wait, is it a suitable choice for a keto dieter?

It is, especially since more and more restaurants are not starting to cater to special dietary needs. There are already lots of American chain restaurants that have also jumped on the bandwagon.

To help you out, we’ve listed the top 25 keto friendly restaurants in the US below.

25 of The Best Keto Friendly Restaurants & What To Order

Here are some of the best keto restaurants of 2023, along with their best low-carb meals!

Steakhouses

Let’s begin the list with the restaurants that serve the best keto meal—steak!

1. Outback Steakhouse

We believe Outback Steakhouse is one of the best steakhouses in the US because of its extensive range of steak cuts. They even offer steak plates and other excellent protein sources like seafood and chicken.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Signature Steaks

Filet Mignon, Center-cut Sirloin, Ribeye, Slow-roasted Prime Rib, Seasoned and Seared Prime Rib, NY Strip, Porterhouse, and Bone-in Ribeye

Chicken and Pork

Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Pork Chop, Grilled Chicken on the Barbie, and Alice’s Spring Chicken

Seafood

Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Toowoomba Salmon, Perfectly Grilled Salmon, and Steamed Lobster Tails

Sides

Over-the-top Brussels Sprouts, Fresh Steamed Seasonal Vegetables, and Asparagus

2. Texas Roadhouse

Hearty meals are at the heart of this casual steak restaurant. The best thing about their meals is they are handcrafted and made from scratch.

Not only that, the dishes come in large portions so you can leave this place satisfied and full.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Hand-cut Steaks

Sirloin, Bone-in Ribeye, FT. Worth Ribeye, and NY Strip

Salads

Classic Caesar Salad, Bleu Steak Salad, and California Chicken Salad

Fall-Off-the-Bone Ribs

Award-winning Baby Back Ribs and St. Louis Rib Platter

Pork, Chicken, and Fish

Grilled Salmon, Grilled Shrimp, Roadie’s Grilled Pork Belly, Grilled Bone-in Porkchop, and Oven-roasted Chicken

Seafood Restaurants

Let’s follow it up with the restaurants that serve the best pairing to steaks.

3. Red Lobster

Lobster is the place to be if you want to celebrate seafood at its finest. They serve seafood dishes in all ways imaginable—grilled, roasted, deep fried, steamed, and many more. Err on the safe side and shy away from the breaded and fried offerings.

For the ultimate Red Lobster experience, go for the 3-course Meal, which features a soup or salad, individual-sized starter, and entrée.

If you want to taste their bestselling seafood dishes, choose from any of their Signature Feasts packages.

Warning: Steer clear of their cheddar bay biscuits. (It’s a struggle, we know.)

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Bowls

Classic Caesar Salad, Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, Classic Caesar Salad with Shrimp, And Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon

Signature Feasts

Grilled Lobster, Shrimp, and Salmon, Surf & Turf, and Rock Lobster & Shrimp

Starters

White Wine and Roasted-Garlic Mussels, Seafood-stuffed Mushrooms, and Signature Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Classics

Wild-caught Snow Crab Legs, Wild-caught Dungeness Crab, Live Maine Lobster, Sirloin, NY Strip, Filet Mignon, and Grilled Red Argentinian Shrimp

4. Joe’s Crab Shack

Enjoy the best crabs at Joe’s Crab Shack. This casual seafood restaurant offers an extensive seafood menu, including shrimp, lobsters, crabs, and fish.

Avoid breaded and deep-fried dishes and choose low-carb sides to stay on keto.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Stay on Shore

Grilled Herb Chicken and Joe’s Top Sirloin

What a Catch

Lobster Tails, Broiled Seafood Platter, and Shrimp Sampler

So-Fish-Ticated

Seared Salmon, Stuffed Flounder, and Fisherman’s Choice

Burger Joints

And, of course, we need restaurants that serve the ultimate comfort food.

5. Bareburger

Are you getting tired of lettuce-wrapped burgers? Bareburger is here to change the burger game.

Instead of wrapping their burgers with lettuce, Bareburger wraps theirs in collard greens that contain more fiber. (*)

Choose from famous burgers and have them wrapped in collard greens to keep them low carb.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Greens

Southwestern, Classic Caesar, Hudson, Mediterranean, and Simple Greens

Signature

Blazin’ Bacon, Supreme, Standard, American, Wrangler, Smokey Blue, Matador, and So Cal

Be My Burger

Choose your bun, protein, cheese, sauces, produce, bacon and egg.

6. Red Robin

When it comes to burgers, nothing beats Red Robin. They take comfort food to the next level with their gourmet burgers and unlimited sides.

We consider them one of the best low carb restaurants for keto diet because they serve their burgers wedge-style (their term for lettuce wrap). Not only that, but they also have lots of low-carb entrées and sides.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Red Robin’s Finest

Smoke and Pepper, The Master Cheese, The Southern Charm, Black and Bleu, and Tuscan Salmon

Gourmet Burgers

Royal Red Robin Burger, Banzai Burger, Sauteed ‘Shroom Burger, Burnin’ Love Burger, Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger, Guacamole Bacon Burger, and The Wedgie Burger

Entrees

Ensenada Chicken Platter and Sear-ious Salmon

Fresh Salads

Simply Grilled Chicken, Mighty Caesar Salad, Southwest Salad, Avo-Cobb-O Salad, Bottomless House Salad, and Bottomless Caesar Salad

7. Sonic

This is an American drive-in restaurant. But since their specialty is burgers, we decided to label it as a burger joint.

Featuring all kinds of American comfort food, their menu is packed with shakes, fries, and breaded wings.

But don’t be disheartened! You can easily order any of their burgers without a bun to keep your meal low carb.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Burger Selection

Sonic Cheeseburger, SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger, SuperSonic Bacon Double Cheeseburger, and Chicken Club.

Keto Tip: Order without the bread.

Build-Your-Own Burger

Keto Tip: Skip the bun and choose low-carb sauces and toppings.

Grill and Bars

You can still have a great time even on keto. These restaurants will make sure of that!

8. Applebee’s

Whoever says you can no longer enjoy nights out on a keto diet has never been to an Applebee’s. But, this bar and grill are at the top of our list when it comes to low-carb comfort food.

Why? Their menu comprises solid protein and fat sources (steaks and chicken). As if their fantastic selection is not enough, they even kick it up by giving you the option to top everything with buttery shrimp.

Need we say more?

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Steak and Ribs

Top Sirloin, Double-glazed Baby Back Ribs, Bourbon Street Steak, and Shrimp ‘n Parmesan Sirloin

Chicken Options

Grilled Chicken Breast, Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp, and Grilled Chicken Breast
Salads
Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

9. Bonefish Grill

It’s a restaurant specializing in market-fresh fish from all over the world, so you know it will be a gran excellent for your diet.

In addition to their freshly grilled seafood and fish dishes, they offer a few wood-grilled meats.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

From the Land

Filet Mignon, Sirloin Steak, Fontina Pork Chop, Chicken Marsala, and Lily’s Chicken

From the Wood-fired Grill

Atlantic Salmon, Mahi-mahi, Chilean Sea Bass, Scallops and Shrimp Skewer, Rainbow Trout, and Chicken Breast

Soups and Greens

Corn Chowder & Lump Crab, Bonefish House Salad, and Classic Caesar Salad

10. Ruby Tuesday

There are many reasons why we consider Ruby Tuesday as one of the best keto restaurants in the US. These are their:

Endless Garden Bar for a boost of fiber,
Famous Ribs with 5 big and bold flavors
and Cajun-style dishes that are both delicious and low carb. (*)

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Ribs & Steaks

BBQ Sirloin, Top Sirloin, Ribeye, and Baby Back Ribs

Chicken

Honey Bourbon Chicken and Asiago Bacon Chicken

Seafood

Grilled Salmon, Hickory Bourbon Salmon, and New Orleans Seafood

11. Chili’s

The specialty of this bar and grill is good ol’ American comfort food. We’re talking about burgers, fries, nachos, and all high-carb dishes that you can think of.

Luckily, they also have a fantastic keto selection. You can find the best options in their fajitas, steaks, and grill choices.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Ribs & Steaks

Baby Back Ribs, Sirloin, Ribeye, and Cilantro-Lime Asada

Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas, Steak Fajitas, and Shrimp Fajitas

Guiltless Grill

Classic Sirloin with Grilled Avocado and Ancho Salmon

Chicken Joints

And, of course, we have a list for chicken lovers.

12. Chick-fil-A

Fact: Chick-fil-A is known for its breaded chicken, which is a no-no for keto.

But here’s one thing not many people are aware of—they offer a wide range of grilled items too!

They also have a great selection of salads and soups that are perfect for your diet.

Warning: Just stay away from their burritos, biscuits, and sandwiches.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Entrees

Grilled Chicken Nuggets and Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

Keto Tip: Order without the bread.

Salads

Spicy Southwest Salad and Market Salad

Keto Tip: Skip the berries.

Sides

Kale Crunch Side and Side Salad

13. Buffalo Wild Wings

When you’re on keto, the idea of eating breaded wings coated with different types of sauces may turn you off.

But hear us out. At Buffalo Wild Wings, a snack-size serving of their traditional wings has 0g of net carbs.

Add flavor to your wings with either a dry seasoning or low-carb sauce.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Dry Seasoning

Buffalo Seasoning, Chipotle BBQ Seasoning, Lemon Pepper Seasoning, Salt and Vinegar Seasoning, and Desert Heat Seasoning

Low-carb Sauces

Blazin’ Carolina Reaper, Hot, Nashville Hot, Spicy Garlic, and Medium

Burgers

All-American Cheeseburger, Cheese Curd Bacon Cheeseburger, Guacamole Bacon Cheeseburger, BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, and Bacon Smashed Hatch Chile Burger

Keto Tip: Skip the bun.

Greens

Chopped Cobb Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, House Entrée Salad, and Side House Salad

14. Wingstop

Another day, another chicken joint! We know breaded chicken wings have become all the rage, but they are a big no-no when you’re on keto.

Lucky for you, Wingstop offers plain jumbo wings containing only around 1 gram of carbohydrates for every 2 wings. Pair this with a low-carb sauce, and you’re good to go.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Dips and Flavors

Cheese Sauce, Homemade Ranch, and Bleu Cheese

Veggie Sticks

Fresh and chilled carrot and celery sticks

Full-service Restaurants

And if you can’t decide what to eat, these full-service restaurants are here to help you.

15. The Cheesecake Factory

Okay, so cheesecake might be the last thing you’d want to eat on keto. But you’ll enjoy this restaurant because they have one of the most extensive menus on the list.

You can choose from up to 250 dishes, so you can find one that suits your low-carb diet. Turn any of their plates into a low-carb dish by skipping the rice or potatoes.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Specialties

Seared Ahi Tuna, Chicken Riesling, Chicken Madeira, and Famous Factory Meatloaf

Fish and Seafood

Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo, Fresh Grilled Salmon, Miso Salmon, and Herb-crusted Salmon Filet

Steak

Hibachi Steak, Carne Asada Steak, Steak Diane, Chargrilled NY Steak, Grilled Ribeye Steak, and Filet Mignon

16. TGI Friday’s

There’s more to TGI Friday’s than potato skins (although that’s what they are famous for). They also have a fantastic low-carb selection, including salads and meat platters.

So no matter what your diet is, you can have a good time at TGI Friday’s. Just make sure that you shy away from their battered and deep-fried sides and whisky-glazed ribs.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Salads

Caesar Salad and Oriental Sesame Salad

Hand Cut Steaks

NY Strip Steak and Ribeye Steak

Friday’s Classics

Pork: Pacific Grilled Pork Chop, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and Oriental Baby Back Ribs
Chicken: Sizzling Chicken Fajitas, Grilled BBQ Chicken, Chipotle Chicken, and 6-spice Chicken

17. Cracker Barrel

Delicious homestyle foods—this is what Cracker Barrel is known for. Since they offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, this is the place to be to satisfy your cravings at any time of the day.

This Old Country restaurant is now starting to cater to different dietary needs to keep up with the times. They now have Impossible sausage on their menu.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Daily Dinner Features

Butter Baked Chicken, Broccoli Cheddar Chicken, and Turkey ‘n Dressing

Fancy Fixin’s

Country Fried Steak, Roast Beef Dinner, Grilled Sirloin Steak, Rib Eye Steak, Chicken Tenderloin Dinner, and Farm-raised Catfish

Coffee Shops

Because you need your daily dose of caffeine, even on keto!

18. Starbucks

Considered the largest coffee chain in the US, you can find a branch wherever you go. And since they have a few keto drinks and food options on their menu, enjoying a low-carb diet is now easier and more convenient.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Refreshing Drinks

Low Carb Pink Drink and Unsweetened Iced Tea

Keto Tip: Switch to sugar-free syrup

Coffee Options

Caffe Misto, Brewed Coffee, Low Carb London Fog, Skinny Mocha, Keto White Drink, Low-carb Flat White, Unsweetened Iced Coffee, Iced Blonde, Nitro Cold Brew, and Keto Frappuccino

Food Selections

Monterey Jack and Sopressata Salami, Cheddar Moon Cheese, Savory Tray, Sous Vide Egg, and Cheese Strings

19. Tim Horton’s

Canada’s most famous coffee shop also has few keto offerings. This is a great surprise considering they’re known for their donuts and Timbits.

The best news is there are now around 632 Tim Horton’s that you can visit in the US. (*)

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Sandwich Options

Aged Cheddar Biscuit Sandwich, Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwich, Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, Angus Steak and Egg Sandwich, and Steak and Four-cheese Bagel Sandwich.

Keto Tip: Order without the bread.

Drinks Menu

Sugar-free Brewed Coffee, Bagged Tea, Unsweetened Iced Coffee, Espresso Shot, Loose Leaf Steeped Tea, and Americano

Breakfast Spots

When you need to jumpstart your day with a good meal, these are the places to go:

20. Denny’s

Since this is a 24-hour chain, you can enjoy breakfast meals anytime, all the time!

But if you’re not exactly a breakfast person, you’ll be happy to know that they do have dinner plates too. The best part is most of them are low carb!

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Breakfast Classics

T-Bone Steak and Eggs and Santa Fe Bowl

Omelettes

Build-Your-Own Omelette, Philly Cheesesteak Omelette, Loaded Veggie Omelette, and Mile High Denver Omelette

Classic Dinners

Mama D’s Pot Roast Bowl, Bourbon Chicken Bowl, Sirloin Steak, T-bone Steak, and Wild Alaska Salmon

Keto Tip: Order without the potatoes.

Salads

House Salad and Cobb Salad

21. IHop

Can you find something keto in a restaurant named International House of Pancakes? Yes, you can!

While their menu is comprised mainly of carb-rich food items, you can still enjoy some of the best low-carb dishes at IHop. We highly suggest that you start with their omelette selections.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Omelettes

Spicy Poblano Omelette, Big Steak Omelette, Chicken Fajita Omelette, Colorado Omelette, Bacon Temptation Omelette, Spinach Mushroom Omelette, and Build-Your-Own Omelette

Entrée

Grilled Tilapia, Sirloin Steak Tips, and All-Natural Roasted Turkey

Keto Tip: Skip the mashed potato and rice.

Sides

Pork Sausage Links, Hickory-smoked Bacon Strips, and Ham Slices

Other Cuisines

These amazing options will make your keto diet more interesting.

22. Chipotle

Tortilla wraps and corn chips are the first things that come to mind when you think about Chipotle. But thanks to their burrito bowls, you can enjoy all the fantastic flavors and ingredients minus the carbs.

Chipotle is known for being real. Being real means, they make their food fresh every day.

That’s not all. They also don’t use any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Additionally, the dishes contain no canned or frozen ingredients.

What’s Keto on Their Menu:

Burrito Bowls

Your choice of grilled meat, Baby Kale, Baby Spinach, Romaine, Queso Blanca, Salsa, Guacamole, and Sour Cream

Keto Tip: Skip the beans.

Keto Salad Bowl

Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Fajita Veggies, Steak, Guacamole, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guacamole, and Red Chili Salsa

Paleo Salad Bowl

Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Fajita Veggies, Chicken, Guacamole, and Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa

Whole30 Salad Bowl

New Pollo Asado, Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guacamole, and Fajita Veggies

23. California Pizza Kitchen

If you’re craving pizza, California Pizza Kitchen now has a cauliflower pizza crust!

And despite its name, California Pizza Kitchen offers more than just pizza. This famous pizza joint also offers salads, a few low-carb appetizers, and keto main plates.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Salads

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Italian Chopped, Classic Caesar, and California Cobb

Main Plates

Fire-grilled Ribeye, BBQ Short Ribs, and Cedar Plank Salmon

Pizzas

Classic Pizzas, Globally-inspired Pizzas, CPK Original Pizzas, and Crispy Thin Crust Pizzas

Keto Tip: Switch to cauliflower crust.

24. Olive Garden

You might be thinking: can you find something low carb in an Italian place? Yes, you can!

Finding a keto option in this pasta haven is easier than you might think.

Here are a few tips:

Avoid the pastas and breadsticks.
Load up on salad.
Go for their protein-packed plates.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Appetizers

Stuffed Mushrooms and Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta

Lighter Italian Fare

Chicken Abruzzi, Garlic Rosemary Chicken, and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Beef & Pork

Steak Toscano and Center-cut Filet Mignon

Chicken

Stuffed Chicken Marsala and Chicken Marsala

Seafood

Baked Tilapia with Shrimp

25. Subway

Subway is known for their, well, submarine sandwich. But the good thing about this sandwich shop is you can convert all their sandwiches into a delicious salad just by skipping the bread.

Also, avoid all their sauce-covered options to eliminate any added sugars.

What’s Keto in their Menu:

Salads

BLT, Chicken Teriyaki, Ham, Roast Beef, Italian BMT, Meatball Marinara, Roast Beef, Oven-roasted Breast, Sliced Chicken, Steak and Cheese, Subway Club, Veggie Delite, and Tuna