Photo by Simon Sperling via Getty Images
When it comes to steak, the last thing you want is an overcooked or flaccid number. Especially as it's often the most expensive thing on the menu.
To protect you from such misfortune, we've rounded up London's best steak restaurants.
From Hawksmoor to Flat Iron, Europe to Argentina, fillet to T-bone, we've got the capital's steak scene sorted.
London's Best Steak Restaurants
Flat Iron(01 of11)
There aren't many places in town that offer a flat iron steak (and a side salad) for just £10. So there's little surprise that this Soho gem is constantly packed to the rafters.
The steak is beautifully cooked - juicy and perfectly pink on the inside. Treat yourself to an extra side dish - dripping cooked chips and creamed spinach are equal favourites.
You also get quite a fun meat cleaver to play butcher with. Win/win.
Note: there is no reservations policy. But then again, you are in Soho, so put your name down and head to a local bar for a pre-dinner drink. It's be rude not to.
Flat Iron
17 Beak St, London W1F 9RW
The steak is beautifully cooked - juicy and perfectly pink on the inside. Treat yourself to an extra side dish - dripping cooked chips and creamed spinach are equal favourites.
You also get quite a fun meat cleaver to play butcher with. Win/win.
Note: there is no reservations policy. But then again, you are in Soho, so put your name down and head to a local bar for a pre-dinner drink. It's be rude not to.
Flat Iron
17 Beak St, London W1F 9RW
Hawksmoor, Seven Dials(02 of11)
For oysters, you go to the Wright Brothers, for steak, you go to Hawksmoor.
With exposed brick and pipework, the restaurant feels masculine in a 'grrr I want steak' sort of way, which isn't a bad thing: I saw plenty of bromance tables of four.
You can't fault the service - friendly and you get the feeling they've eaten everything on the menu, judging by our waiter's intimate knowledge of it.
There are lots of cuts on offer, with varying degrees of ageing. Choose a Chateaubriand for meat with a small amount of marbling (70% fillet) - juicy, cooked perfectly and full of flavour. And large. The chips were crunchy and not too door-stoppery while wilted spinach offset my guilt at hoovering down 300 grams of heaven quite nicely.
There are awesome seafood options - mackerel, shrimp and lobster - for those who aren't there for steak.
Hawksmoor, Seven Dials
11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG
020 7420 9390
With exposed brick and pipework, the restaurant feels masculine in a 'grrr I want steak' sort of way, which isn't a bad thing: I saw plenty of bromance tables of four.
You can't fault the service - friendly and you get the feeling they've eaten everything on the menu, judging by our waiter's intimate knowledge of it.
There are lots of cuts on offer, with varying degrees of ageing. Choose a Chateaubriand for meat with a small amount of marbling (70% fillet) - juicy, cooked perfectly and full of flavour. And large. The chips were crunchy and not too door-stoppery while wilted spinach offset my guilt at hoovering down 300 grams of heaven quite nicely.
There are awesome seafood options - mackerel, shrimp and lobster - for those who aren't there for steak.
Hawksmoor, Seven Dials
11 Langley Street, London WC2H 9JG
020 7420 9390
Blacklock City(03 of11)
Located in an old electricity substation on the site of a medieval meat market, the history of the newly-opened Blacklock City does not disappoint - much like its sister site which is located in an old brothel in Soho.Dark green walls, exposed brickwork, antique mirrors and low lighting ensures the 100-seater venue retains a relaxed and low-key atmosphere - perfect for chilled after work drinks with colleagues or date night.While Blacklock may be famed for its chops, you’d be mad not to try the sixth rib eye, which is packed with texture and flavour. For starters try the juicy coal-roasted scallops with black pudding or pig’s head on toast with a jug of gravy. There is an extensive wine list and great selection of cocktails.Much of the meat on the menu is priced by weight. The weights of available cuts are written on the wall in chalk each night, to be crossed off when ordered. So get in fast with your order.Blacklock City13 Philpot Lane London EC3M
Pavilion(04 of11)
This steak is without a doubt one of the best in London. Juicy, packed with so much flavour it's like Mohammed Ali pounding your tastebuds, yet softer than a feather pillow. Perfect portion sizes and oh-la-la, chips in beef dripping.
The restaurant itself is glossy with an impressive oval bar and walls of glass, and although you'd expect Michelin star chef Adam Simmonds to charge ridiculous prices, you get to see him at work in the open plan kitchen and tuck into a rib-eye for £20. If you're plumping for a flash dinner, go for Wagyu at £45.
Pavilion
96 Kensington High Street, W8 4SG
020 7221 2000
The restaurant itself is glossy with an impressive oval bar and walls of glass, and although you'd expect Michelin star chef Adam Simmonds to charge ridiculous prices, you get to see him at work in the open plan kitchen and tuck into a rib-eye for £20. If you're plumping for a flash dinner, go for Wagyu at £45.
Pavilion
96 Kensington High Street, W8 4SG
020 7221 2000
MASH(05 of11)
Mash's steak is last supper kinda food; a superb quality, unforgettable, no-expenses spared experience.
Start with the tartare, infused with delicate spices which explode on your tastebuds, and follow up with the famous Wagyu steak; cuts like butter, oozes with sensational, mind-blowing flavours, and pairs perfectly with the creamed spinach side.
Or try the Danish long bone, it's simple, chunky and no fuss, and it sure does pack a punch.
MASH
77 Brewer St, London W1F 9ZN
020 7734 2608
Start with the tartare, infused with delicate spices which explode on your tastebuds, and follow up with the famous Wagyu steak; cuts like butter, oozes with sensational, mind-blowing flavours, and pairs perfectly with the creamed spinach side.
Or try the Danish long bone, it's simple, chunky and no fuss, and it sure does pack a punch.
MASH
77 Brewer St, London W1F 9ZN
020 7734 2608
Foxlow(06 of11)
The youngest sibling of the revered Hawksmoor group, expectations for Foxlow are understandably high. Thankfully, this sharp Clerkenwell meat mecca certainly measures up.
Like other London restaurants du jour, they serve meat sourced from The Ginger Pig. The D-rump, aged for 55 days, is deeply flavoursome and well-seasoned and the deckle, aka butcher's butter, is great for those who love fattier, marbled meat.
For cocktails try the Smokestack Mary - gin, tomato, chipotle, smoked paprika, peated scotch - and the Steve Madden - gin, lemon, watermelon, Prosecco.
Foxlow
69-73 St John St, London EC1M 4AN
020 7014 8070
Like other London restaurants du jour, they serve meat sourced from The Ginger Pig. The D-rump, aged for 55 days, is deeply flavoursome and well-seasoned and the deckle, aka butcher's butter, is great for those who love fattier, marbled meat.
For cocktails try the Smokestack Mary - gin, tomato, chipotle, smoked paprika, peated scotch - and the Steve Madden - gin, lemon, watermelon, Prosecco.
Foxlow
69-73 St John St, London EC1M 4AN
020 7014 8070
Cheyne Walk Brassiere(07 of11)
You have to walk a long, long way down the King's Road but elbowing past Hooray Henrys is worth it. This little gem ( and it really feels like that when you walk in) sits on the edge of the Thames, at the end of a residential road. It feels local even if you aren't one, and it's the kind of place you'd go to for a tryst or romantic dinner.
Treat yourself to a bottle of red, and tuck into the delicious rib-eye - medium-rare and juicy, with lovely seams of fat running through the meat, and the piece de resistance: a snail sauce drizzled on top of it.
Magnifique.
Cheyne Walk Brasserie
50 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, SW3 5LR
0207 3768787
Treat yourself to a bottle of red, and tuck into the delicious rib-eye - medium-rare and juicy, with lovely seams of fat running through the meat, and the piece de resistance: a snail sauce drizzled on top of it.
Magnifique.
Cheyne Walk Brasserie
50 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, SW3 5LR
0207 3768787
Santa Maria del Sur(08 of11)
Even if you don't live anywhere near Battersea, a trip to this family-run restaurant is highly recommended.
Santa Maria del Sur is a little bit of Argentina tucked away on Queenstown Road serving the best steak in London. Even Gordon Ramsay agrees that this place is rather special after it made it to the semi-finals of 'The F Word'.
Go for the Bife de Cuadril: 250g of prime Argentinean rump.
You're unlikely to find anything tastier outside of Buenos Aires and a zone 2 travel card is a lot cheaper than that air fare.
Santa Maria del Sur
129 Queenstown Rd, London SW8 3RH
020 7622 2088
Santa Maria del Sur is a little bit of Argentina tucked away on Queenstown Road serving the best steak in London. Even Gordon Ramsay agrees that this place is rather special after it made it to the semi-finals of 'The F Word'.
Go for the Bife de Cuadril: 250g of prime Argentinean rump.
You're unlikely to find anything tastier outside of Buenos Aires and a zone 2 travel card is a lot cheaper than that air fare.
Santa Maria del Sur
129 Queenstown Rd, London SW8 3RH
020 7622 2088
Buen Ayre(09 of11)
This no frills eaterie is located in Hackney's Broadway market, slap bang in the middle of Regent's Canal and London Fields.
The restaurant is a small, one-room affair, with the asado grill taking pride of place in the centre (pictured). Table service is slightly hectic, but then again you're not there for fancy table service. You're here for one thing: meat.
So on the subject of meat, order the Parrillada Deluxe - 14oz prime Argentine Sirloin steak, 11oz grilled Argentine Rib-eye steak, two Argentine-style pork sausages, black pudding and provolone cheese - at £28 per person (minimum two people). The portions are huge, so a green salad makes a great side order. Or fries to share.
Buen Ayre
50 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ
020 7275 9900
The restaurant is a small, one-room affair, with the asado grill taking pride of place in the centre (pictured). Table service is slightly hectic, but then again you're not there for fancy table service. You're here for one thing: meat.
So on the subject of meat, order the Parrillada Deluxe - 14oz prime Argentine Sirloin steak, 11oz grilled Argentine Rib-eye steak, two Argentine-style pork sausages, black pudding and provolone cheese - at £28 per person (minimum two people). The portions are huge, so a green salad makes a great side order. Or fries to share.
Buen Ayre
50 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ
020 7275 9900
Gaucho, Tower Bridge(10 of11)
It was one of those times where your parents visit and you want to make it seem like you know what you’re talking about.
To any non-Londoner, a restaurant with a tourists view is perfect, making Gaucho at Tower Bridge a strong choice.
The steaks are great especially as the staff are trained so well they can match the meat perfectly to your liking. Convinced you're a fillet person? They may know you better than you know yourself.
Wash it down with a Malbec (and a few cocktails…)
Gaucho (Tower Bridge)
2 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AP
020 7407 5222
To any non-Londoner, a restaurant with a tourists view is perfect, making Gaucho at Tower Bridge a strong choice.
The steaks are great especially as the staff are trained so well they can match the meat perfectly to your liking. Convinced you're a fillet person? They may know you better than you know yourself.
Wash it down with a Malbec (and a few cocktails…)
Gaucho (Tower Bridge)
2 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AP
020 7407 5222
London Steakhouse Co., City(11 of11)
London Steakhouse Co. may be co-owned by renowned chef Marco Pierre White, but with fixed lunch and pre/post-theatre menus at £27.50 for three courses, it may be more affordable than you think.
The menu is seasonally changing with British-sourced ingredients at its heart. All animals are grass-fed and steak cuts are dry-aged for at least 28 days, then served with a choice of Café de Paris butter, peppercorn or béarnaise sauce.
Try the kipper pâté with whisky on melba toast to start. Then, pay the £8 supplement for the 6oz centre-cut fillet, its melt-in-the-mouth texture makes it well worth it.Finish the meal with the crème brulée, which offers a surprising (but delicious) hint of orange.
With a marble-top bar, mahogany detailing and a miniature lamp on each table, the City restaurant oozes timeless British glamour, making it perfect for a special occasion.
London Steakhouse Company, City
109-117 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7JF
020 7247 5050
city@londonsteakhousecompany.com (credit:London Steakhouse Co.)
The menu is seasonally changing with British-sourced ingredients at its heart. All animals are grass-fed and steak cuts are dry-aged for at least 28 days, then served with a choice of Café de Paris butter, peppercorn or béarnaise sauce.
Try the kipper pâté with whisky on melba toast to start. Then, pay the £8 supplement for the 6oz centre-cut fillet, its melt-in-the-mouth texture makes it well worth it.Finish the meal with the crème brulée, which offers a surprising (but delicious) hint of orange.
With a marble-top bar, mahogany detailing and a miniature lamp on each table, the City restaurant oozes timeless British glamour, making it perfect for a special occasion.
London Steakhouse Company, City
109-117 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7JF
020 7247 5050
city@londonsteakhousecompany.com (credit:London Steakhouse Co.)