Discover London’s top steak restaurants with Squaremeal’s guide to the best steak restaurants in London. Steak has long been a favourite choice of dish when dining out, and over recent years London has seen an influx of first class steak restaurants opening up. There are so many kinds of steak to choose from these days, from fillet to rump and sirloin to rib eye, and so many kinds of beef too, from Angus to Hereford and USDA to Wagyu. Steak restaurants are judged by the quality of the cut and the cooking techniques and the competition is fierce.
Squaremeal’s list of the top steak restaurants in London features some of the very best the capital has to offer. From sleek NYC style North American restaurants to traditional British restaurants and stylish Argentinean restaurants to classic steakhouses, London is a destination city for a prime steak.
Every one of the steak restaurants featured in Squaremeal’s list of London’s top steak restaurants have been tried and tested by food critics and our own customers so check out the reviews and book a table online with Squaremeal today. As well as the restaurants on this page, we have listings for steak restaurants in the West End, including Mayfair and Covent Garden and steak restaurants in the City along with steak restaurants in many other areas of London. Each Squaremeal listing features an independent review, as well as reviews from diners, together with unique special offers such as free drinks and discounts.
17 Beak Street, London, W1F 9RW
As the price of steak and chips in London nudges inexorably closer to three figures, it’s reassuring to find a credible joint that cheerfully does the business for a tenner. This one-time Shoreditch pop-up turned Soho hit has quite literally made its name with the ‘flat iron’ steak (a ‘secondary’ cut taken from the featherblade). The menu may be minimal, but that doesn’t make choosing any easier: horseradish or béarnaise sauce; creamed spinach or blue cheese salad; craft beer or spicy house red? The special burger is also a must if it’s advertised. Otherwise, the eponymous steaks are tender, flavoursome and seasoned with a wallop, though it seems churlish to quibble at these prices. Cramped communal seating and no reservations are a drag, but the downstairs cocktail bar more than makes amends.
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11 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JG
“The best steak in London, by a mile”, declares one reader, and we have to agree. The beefy Hawksmoor chain somehow manages to get everything right, from its glorious 35-day-aged steaks supplied by The Ginger Pig to its creative cocktails – all presented by staff with a genuine passion for service. It's easy to understand why there are now six branches in the capital (and another in Manchester), though this atmospheric site in the old barrel-vaulted Watney Combe Brewery is one of our favourites. Start with Old Spot belly ribs or sweetly caramelised roast scallops with white port and garlic, before taking your pick of the beefy cuts chalked up by weight on blackboards. Perfectly crisp triple-cooked chips, gut-busting macaroni cheese or grilled bone marrow make happy companions, but we urge saving some space for the addictive salted caramel Rolos too. The comfortable bar deals in burgers and lobster rolls as well as brilliant drinks, though between the hours of 3pm and 5pm Monday-Friday, you can dine from the full a la carte menu when booking in advance. Sunday lunch sees roast rump of Longhorn beef with all the trimmings for Sunday lunch. “Great for big groups and for couples”, notes one fan.
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63-69 Canonbury Road, London, N1 2DG
Part of a wee gang of three covering N1 and EC2 (The Pig & Butcher and The Princess of Shoreditch being the other two), the Smokehouse is a gastropub through and through. It doesn’t open until 5pm Monday to Friday, yet despite the lack of daytime hours it is definitely a pub, with a stonking range of beers by draught and bottle – including a great showing from London. There’s a highly serviceable European-based wine list too. Rustic-chic is the order of the day when it comes to the decor, with plenty of wood and a verdant patio garden. But although you’ll find hearty smoky dishes on the menu to match, the food is actually rather refined, with the kitchen producing foie gras ganache with peaches and granola alongside the Highland cow-burger with Korean pulled pork, or smoked lamb shoulder with polenta. We also found a genuine passion for provenance here.
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3 Chapel Place, London, W1G 0BG
A basement revellers’ hall with gleaming candelabra and endless wooden tables channelling medieval feasting (especially during bonus season for City boys), Beast is Goodman’s tribute to high-rolling surf ’n’ turf. It was all change in 2016, though, with the fixed-price option of nibbles, king crab and steak jettisoned in favour of a steakhouse-style, all-day menu that’s priced no less ruinously. Still, you get what you pay for; witness the free glass of vintage fizz on arrival, the blue-tinged tanks of gargantuan, prehistoric-looking king crabs and an aging room of long-shrivelled Nebraskan beef. It’s all top-end stuff, but unimpressed visitors (ourselves included) feel the place is “nothing special” and “overpriced for what it is”, with ancillary items such as Wagyu tataki, shrimp tempura, and crab and foie gras gyozas eliciting little praise. Wines (from £40 a bottle) are no less punishing, while service strikes us as directionless.
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15 Eccleston Street, London, SW1W 9LX
Boasting tartan chairs, kilted waitresses, hunting trophies and a selection of whisky to make any crofter sing, Boisdale of Belgravia clearly isn’t shy of trumpeting its Scottish heritage. There’s plenty of Caledonian flag-waving on the menu too, from haggis in various guises (try the mustardy Scotch egg riff with neeps ’n’ tatties) to beef from Buccleuch Estate, salmon, “wonderful” oysters and seasonal game. With classic sauces such as béarnaise and green peppercorn to go with steaks “cooked exactly as requested”, it’s not exactly cutting-edge stuff, but the jolly crowd are mainly here to enjoy themselves in surroundings that make them feel as if they’ve “stepped back in time”. Many scoot upstairs for a snifter whilst smoking something from the walk-in humidor after they’ve eaten; nearly all stay for the easy, lively jazz session that kicks in at 10pm. It can seem a tad expensive, but no one seems to mind.
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34 Grosvenor Square (Entrance on South Audley St), London, W1K 2HD
Promising British hospitality at its finest, 34 is testament to the “slick”, “five-star” hospitality that marks out the Caprice Holdings stable. From the top-hatted doorman outside this former bank to the timeless art deco-style interiors – think table lamps, brown leather banquettes and a marble bar – every bit of the consummate experience is “perfectly executed”, cocktails included. The grill menu has steak at its heart, but also does a mean line in seafood – our sprightly lobster, shrimp and sea bass ceviche was a judiciously spiced appetiser for the oncoming meat fest. Yorkshire heritage breeds and top-end Wagyu both feature prominently, but it’s worth doffing your cap to the nearby American Embassy and opting for the USDA Prime chateaubriand – a glorious, “succulent”, hunk of beef for two served with truffle gravy and mushrooms. If you have space for dessert, a chocolatey peanut-butter crunch bar with blackcurrant sorbet is simple but satisfying. Dapper, ever-attentive staff earn due praise, and the sommelier is full of great recommendations (in our case, a gorgeous Los Vascos Grande Reserve 2012 Rothschild). High prices reflect the postcode, but fans reckon 34 is “worth every penny”.
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Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG
Long before Coal Drops Yard upped King’s Cross’s cool factor, Rotunda was drawing in the crowds with its farm-to-table ethos and charming canal-side terrace. The restaurant underwent refurbishment in the summer of 2018 and while most of the cosmetic changes are subtle (splashes of orange in the colour scheme, a new hanging cabinet on display near the entrance), the biggest difference is the introduction of a buzzy chef’s counter. With much of the kitchen moved from downstairs into the restaurant, diners can now watch the chefs at work, while asking for their cooking tips of course.
Rotunda makes full use of its owner’s farm in Northumberland, while all beef and lamb on the menu is dry-aged, hung and butchered on site. Seasonally changing specials are also a fixture: on our visit, we devoured a tremendously decadent baked camembert, drizzled with honey and truffle oil and served with St John bread.
The kitchen’s commitment to process is evidenced in triumphs such as the 8oz beef burger. So often an uninspiring choice on restaurant menus, this perfectly cooked burger is gratifyingly greasy without overdoing it and is complemented by toppings of smoked bacon and Ogleshield cheese. If you’d rather eat fish, try the likes of fleshy, citrusy grilled Cornish scallops slathered in seaweed butter and topped with crispy samphire.
Things get a little odd come dessert, with some rather random combinations on offer (blueberry Eccles cake with espresso coffee choc pot anyone?). Nonetheless, our more conventional chocolate and almond lava cake with cherry compote was a warm, comforting end to a delicious meal.
Friendly staff and a fairly-priced wine list are further reasons to take a trip to King’s Place – it might have more competition now, but Rotunda’s still got it.
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69-73 St John Street, London, EC1M 4AY
Foxlow is the kind of joint that every neighbourhood should have. Friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere and crowd-pleasing dishes are hallmarks of this mini-chain, which is a spin-off from the mighty Hawksmoor dynasty set up by Will Beckett and Huw Gott. The duo have a knack for creating venues with shared style, but without cookie-cutter sameness, giving each branch of Foxlow a unique character. Menus major on popular chicken and steak options - think finger-licking Tamworth spare ribs with green slaw, a juicy chicken burger with avocado, and perfectly cooked sirloin steak with fries and béarnaise - plus interesting veggie choices, such as spice-roasted cauliflower with chickpeas, wilted spinach and curried aubergine sauce. Separate kids’ menus, good value express deals (two courses for £12) and the popular brunch menu score further points with readers; with one fan declaring it “the best brunch ever!” Drinks meanwhile range from creative softs, like fresh grapefruit soda, to craft beers and well-priced wines. Meanwhile cocktails, including the Hawksmoor classic Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew, are impeccably made.
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9 Duke Street, London, W1U 3EG
Readers love the “great, relaxed atmosphere” conjured at this little patch of Argentina – and we’re fans too. Space is at a premium, with an open kitchen counter in the basement and a long bar with more seating above, but what Zoilo lacks in wide horizons, it makes up for in punchy flavours and cross-country variety. It’s all about the small plates, so commit to an empanada or three while you navigate the menu: bubbling provolone cheese, its farmyard notes offset with oregano honey, has been a hit since day one; from here it’s a brief hop to rib-eye with intensely garlicky chips, grilled lamb chops with green pea and morel ragù or grilled octopus with black tomatoes, Jersey royals and pickled mussel mayo. The sweet tooth of a nation is reflected in a changing roster of dulce de leche desserts, and the all-Argentinean wine list aids exploration.
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32 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3LX
Curious passers-by peer through the window to catch a glimpse of Damien Hirst’s ‘Cock and Bull’ installation housed in chef/art collector Mark Hix’s Tramshed. They should brave it and go on in; allcomers are welcome at this cavernous industrial space where Hix serves seriously sourced chicken and steak – crowd-pleasers both – to solo diners at the bar, rowdy parties in capacious booths, and everyone in between. In less capable hands, Tramshed would be a fail-safe ‘yawn’ of a concept, but Hix’s menu goes beyond salt-aged Glenarm beef and roast barn-reared chooks into lively international territory. To wit, whipped chicken livers served with an enormous duck-fat Yorkshire pud (as a British alternative to brioche), American-style bone-in rib and slaw, a fearsomely hot curry, and a no-airs-and-graces raspberry cheesecake – not that anything will lure the lunchtime crowd away from their steak sandwiches. Wines and cocktails are credible rather than posey.
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45 Park Lane, London, W1K 1PN
Cut stands out from the steakhouse crowd thanks to its Park Lane pricing, glammed-up globe-trotting clientele and the clout of A-list chef Wolfgang Puck. Provided you’re financially prepared, you’ll find a surprisingly unpretentious vibe in the very attractive (if hotel-ish) dining room, where soaring drapes and wood panelling head northwards to a ceiling hung with starburst lights. Service could be slicker, but the kitchen pulls out all the stops to justify the prices. Cuts of USDA Prime, South Devon Angus, New York sirloin and dizzyingly expensive Wagyu are presented in all their raw marbled glory before being returned to the table charred and crusted from the grill. Sides include wickedly buttery potato purée and glistening nuggets of bone marrow, while top-notch starters range from maple-glazed pork belly to a very pretty crab and lobster cocktail with spicy tomato horseradish. Desserts, should you get that far, are all-American sweet treats. Upstairs, Bar 45 dispenses classy concoctions in large glasses.
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77 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9ZN
“If you love steak, go to MASH and enjoy” implores a devotee who worships at this Danish shrine to meat, which sprawls along beneath Soho’s pavements. With its racing-red leather, the odd art-deco flourish and high ceilings, the grand dining room is an appropriately capacious space in which to indulge voracious appetites, while the menu owes more to American traditions than Danish – witness mighty crab cakes with mango chutney to start, and heavy sides of mac ’n’ cheese or onion rings. Top billing goes to the Danish crown (a dry-aged rib-eye), but also look for new arrivals such as (comparatively) cheaper Uruguayan steak in a variety of cuts, alongside top-dollar Kobe, Black Angus, Australian and Nebraskan beef. The wine list is equally cosmopolitan with certain pricier bottles accessible by the glass, all overseen by master sommelier Jess Kildetoft. Prices are in line with the London steakhouse norm, while Sundays mean BYOB with no corkage.
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311-313 Fulham Road, SW10 9QH
Good for sober midweek dining as well as Friday-night revelling, this Fulham Road fixture made its name with British beef, and the kitchen now butchers and dry-ages all its carcasses. Crowds continue to pack the conservatively cool space, with its blood-red banquettes and stripped brickwork – although we were expecting more finesse in the presentation of Sophie's headline steaks and burgers. Elsewhere, the kitchen excels with vibrant starters of hand-picked crab with coriander, while puds keep it traditional with fruit crumble and cheesecake. The weekday express menu is cracking value, and well-drilled staff are helpful when it comes to the carefully chosen wine list.
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10-13 Grosvenor Square, London, W1K 6JP
The Maze Grill concept now inhabits two more reinvented Ramsay sites across town, but the Mayfair original still competes in a steak-crazy marketplace by refusing to slobber over down 'n' dirty juices. This is meat you eat with a knife and fork, in a room that's a symphony in taupe, on a square that has as much romance as history. With Maze next door, it's no surprise that sushi creeps onto the menu, along with iceberg salads, simple grilled fish and other warm-up acts. The main event is steak from a variety of sources (native British, USDA, Japanese etc), cooked in the charcoal-burning Josper oven and offered with all-American sides including onion rings and mac 'n' cheese. Breakfasts of ricotta hotcakes and eggs Benedict are also worth knowing about. As for the vibe, some detractors brand it more "prissy London chophouse" than NYC.
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40-42 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7EX
The Square Mile is fuelled by steak but this newcomer has a warmth and homeliness often absent from the City’s more corporate-focused steakhouses. This has less to do with the standard-issue masculine, moody interior – think dark wood tables and deep red leather banquettes – and a lot to do with the incredibly friendly staff. The restaurant is run by a team of three brothers who’ll greet you like an old friend and perhaps even take shots with you at the end of your meal.
Free-range prime Argentinian beef arrives from a central charcoal grill as marbled, smoky ribeye and lean and tender rump, among other cuts. Pep up your steak with sauces such as béarnaise or chimichurri and add sides such as sweet potato fries and mac ‘n’ cheese. It’s not all about the steaks though, with other options including chicken escalope with salsa and cheese, slow-cooked short ribs and a peppering of veggie and vegan dishes such as grilled aubergine with brown miso, couscous, chilli and spinach.
Fiendishly sugary desserts include Nutella-stuffed crêpes topped with vanilla ice cream and heavenly dulce de leche, while the Argentinean-focused wine list has a good showing of Malbec. There’s a G&T menu too, featuring 16 different kinds of gin.
Reasonable pricing, a buzzy atmosphere and a handy location just a few minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street make Bife a worthy City pit stop for a steak, and is a restaurant where you’ll truly feel welcomed, whether you’re suited and booted or not.
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26 Maddox Street, London, W1S 1QH
The Goodman chain may have arrived here from Russia, but the whole package is ‘as close to an American steakhouse as you can get', says one admirer who loves its stylish, fun-loving vibe and clubby intimacy – think polished mahogany, leather booths and monochrome scenes of 1950s' Americana. Take your time as ‘brilliant' staff proffer free bread and talk you through the various slabs of raw protein from the in-house ageing room: ‘exceptional beef’ is the deal, with prime cuts from the UK and US backed by highly ranked burgers – plus some luxurious crustacea. Classy starters such as lobster cocktail are worth a punt, ridiculously seductive truffle chips add that ‘special something’, and there are indulgent cinnamon-dusted doughnuts to finish. Prices take no prisoners, but most readers clamour for more – particularly with the promise of cult American reds to quaff.
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25 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4QR
This ‘typically slick’ branch of the upmarket, Argentinian-themed group still pulls in the diners thanks to its high-visibility location, four floors of carousing opportunities & fine
summertime terrace. It’s a striking-looking place, dressed in Gaucho’s signature get-up of chandeliers, black leather & cowhide, with love-or-hate nightclub acoustics & moody lighting. The
menu isn’t all about beef – there are brightly flavoured ceviches, spatchcock chicken & lamb chops, too – but the most famous dishes are the ones to order: a selection of pasty-like empanadas
followed by steak done any which way. Prices (around £25 a slab) aren’t the most intimidating in town but, with sauces & sides to pay for, the result may be ‘decent – not wow’, an impression
reinforced by ‘efficient’ but ‘stressed’ staff. Finish in style with a cocktail in the bar.
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