LONDON'S BEST STEAK RESTAURANTS
- MG
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
Discover London's finest purveyors of beef, as selected by you in our Time Well Spent Awards
Ever since humans discovered fire, we've been chucking great chunks of meat over the flames and delighting in the result. But let's be honest, not everyone has used the past two million years wisely and there are still people churning out steaks that'll leave you crying ugly tears of disappointment. Praise be, then, that you have the good readers of Time Well Spent to guide you towards the greatest beef in our capital city. Don't make a reservation until you've perused this, the ultimate list of London's Best Steak Restaurants, as nominated by YOU.
MEET BROS
Paddington
You'd be forgiven for not knowing Asian steakhouses were a 'thing' in London, but we can't forgive you for not wanting to give it a go now we've put it on your radar. Meet Bros started out as a collaboration between a premium Halal butchers and the Malaysian Serai Group, who've been in the hospitality game for the best part of three decades. The result is Meet Bros, an Asian-Fusion, Halal steakhouse in Paddington.
The restaurant itself is a gorgeous, stone-clad arch with soft lighting and Asian-influenced decor, while the menu includesPremium Gressfed Ribeye; Black Angus cuts and even Wagyu beef, with small plates such as Sauteed White Prawns with Chilli Jam Oil and Fried Mantao.
29-31 Craven Rd, London W2 3BX
HAWKSMOOR WOOD WHARF
Canary Wharf
We fully expected Hawksmoor's name to come up in your nominations for best steak, given that it's been at the forefront of London's culinary scene since it launched nearly 20 years ago. But it was their newest restaurant - the floating beef palace of Wood Wharf - that earned itself a spot on the nominations list. Perhaps it's because it manages to combine that Mad Men aesthetic with the feeling of being on a yacht (complete with a row of sunloungers surrounded by skyscrapers, which seems a little ambitious, if you ask us). Or maybe it's just because their steak is perfect. Either way, the Hawksmoor is a welcome addition to the nominee's list
1 Water St, London E14 5GX
TEMPER
Various locations
This highly-styled eatery looks like a modern brasserie, save for the huge fire-pit that takes centre stage - and that's where the magic happens. In fact, the only criticism we have of Temper is that spending half the evening completely entranced by the sight of steaks sizzling over those dancing flames, doesn't exactly lead to a riveting conversation for date night.
But you're not here for the chat, you're here for the MEAT! And Temper does meat very, very well. They'll cart in whole carcases, butcher them on site and then lay them over that fire right in front of your eyes. Wait, we should be clear that only the cooking bit is before your eyes. The rest happens in a back room somewhere far away from your conscience.
Even the vegetables are meaty here: Corn in lamb fat butter and Beef fat potatoes will sit next to your plate of meat and quite possibly a side of meat, like the delicious Pork belly bites or Bone Marrow with Chimichurri. To put it lightly, you'll eat a lot of very good meat here, and come home smelling of smoke and feeling like a caveman.
Our favourite location: 25 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 0DF
SOPHIE’S
Soho & Chelsea
Sophie's deserves its spot on this list, if only for its custom-built fire pit, which not only takes centre stage in the restaurant, but also sends the scent of flame-cooked meat through the full-length bi-fold windows and onto the breeze along Soho’s Windmill Street. That’s a better investment than an A-board any day of the week.
As you make your way past the opulent, horseshoe shaped bar to your seat, you’ll catch sight of the fire, where large cuts of meat dangle from a metal frame and fresh cuts sizzle over the coals.
The menu includes native breed beef by Philip Warren, which is dry aged and butchered in house - expect Chateaubriand, Axehandle Ribeye and Porterhouse cuts to share or single cut steaks for those who want their own dish.
The Smoked Brisket Croquettes are a winning small plate here, as is the Grilled Red Prawn Skewer, and for mains there’s also plenty of fish and barbecue classics including Ribs and Chicken.
Our favourite location: 42-44 Great Windmill Street, Soho, W1D 7NB
THE COAL SHED
Tower Bridge
As the name suggests, The Coal Shed cooks over fire, and for our money, that makes all the difference. Situated in the shadow of Tower Bridge, the restaurant seats 120 diners, who can choose between charcoal-grilled Wagyu Striploin, Rump Cap Steak or Flat Iron amongst a smorgasbord of other cuts. There's fish cooked over fire too, and if you're really looking for something special, order cuts from the restaurant's own Himalayan Salt Chamber.
One Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, SE1 2SE
ZOILO
Marylebone
Argentinian beef hits different, and nobody knows that better than Zoilo's Chef-Patron, Diego Jacquet, who started his kitchen career in Buenos Aires in 1993. After a stint at three Michelin-starred El Bulli, a spell at Casa Nicolasa in San Sebastian and a period at New York's Aquavit, he brought a wealth of international experience to London to launch Zoilo.
This is all about modern dining with traditional, old-school hospitality. Expect an impeccable wine list packed with Argentinian reds, starters including crab croquettes and Grilled chorizo with Chimichurri and, of course, more Argentinian beef than you could feasibly eat in one sitting.
Sirloin with sweetbreads, Bife Ancho with Chimichurri sauce, Flank steak with bone marrow... choose carefully, friends, because food envy is real at Zoilo.
9 Duke Street, London, W1U 3EG
BLACKLOCK
Various locations
If you're heading to Blacklock, we recommend skipping breakfast. It's the kind of place that encourages feasting, and when the food's this good, that's pretty easy to get on board with.
The steaks are, of course, excellent. Denver, Sirloin, Rump Cap, Sixth Rib-eye, Pork Rib-eye and Blacklock Fillet are your choices here, and paired up with Beef Dripping Chips or the delicious 10 Hour Ash Roasted Sweet Potato, they'll fill an em,pty stomach with ease. But if you're like us, you'll eye the 'Big Chops' and the words 'fit for two to share' and see it as a personal challenge.
The 'All In' offer is a deal worth your attention - Pre Chop bites, followed by a heady mix of beef, pork and lamb skinny chops piled high on charcoal-grilled flatbreads with a choice of side each. All that for £27pp? Winner winner, beef steak dinner.
Our favourite location: 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG
FLAT IRON
Various locations
How to sucessfully create a steak empire: Take one cut of beef, cook it until it's absolutely perfect and then offer it at a bargain basement price with no other choices. Pretty simple, huh? Well, it's served Flat Iron pretty well over the years. In fact, we'll go as far as to say that there isn't a better bang-for-your-buck meal in London. We're not ashamed to say we've finished a steak here and immediately ordered a second.
The simplicity is Flat Iron's beauty. No stressing about what all those cuts mean. No prior knowledge needed. Just roll up, order 'the steak' and choose your sides. Oh, and the sides? They're pretty special, too. Crispy Bone Marrow Garlic Mash; Truffled Macaroni Cheese; Homemade Beef Dripping Chips. It's worth reiterating: You'll pay less than £20 for steak and a side. Majestic.
Chances are, there's probably a Flat Iron opening near you soon. If there isn't you need to start petitioning for it.
Our favourite location: 112-116 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TH
MANTECA
Various locations
Manteca doesn't market itself as a Steak Restaurant, but that's not to say it doesn't serve incredible steaks. In fact, the mere mention of its co-owner, David Carter (he of Smokestak and OMA fame, and one of the nominees for this year's Hospitality Hero award, no less) is enough for us to sit up and take notice. You see, nobody knows his way around a flame quite like David Carter.
Manteca's focus is on nose-to-tail cooking which, for the uninitiated, simpley means very little waste, which is excellent news if you'd like to eat cattle while still hoping to save the planet. For the purpose of this award at least, you're not concerned about the nose or the tail, but that juicy big bit in the middle, and for that, there's plenty of choice. Go for the Denver (a well marbled cut from under the shoulder), the Flat Iron (a highly marbled cut from inside the shoulder blade), the Chateaubriand (the end of the fillet rucked into the rump) or any other number of cuts you've probably not heard of, but will definitely want to try.
Manteca, 49-51 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3PT
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