Unless there’s a zombie apocalypse or a cardiologist’s warning—and in that order—I can probably never part ways with steak. For nothing in this world can deliver the perfect umami like meat can.
My vegetarian mates are going to shun me for saying this.
Notwithstanding, I’m going to brave their cold shoulder to produce a humble report of my journey as a foodie. I’m also grateful for a few carnivore souls at Wunderlust London for lending their time to scour London for the best places to have steak.
So go on, then. Prepare yourself because your pockets and arteries are going to take a hit!
How we chose the best steak restaurants in London
- Value: Let’s face it, steak is generally expensive, so price is not the issue here but the value. We picked restaurants where the quality of the steak justifies the cost.
- Taste: This is not a no-brainer, for steak is a rather tricky dish to prepare—it must be done right to be the best!
- Location: We’ve considered locations that are generally accessible by public transport, given that parking in London can be a pain in the ass.
- Atmosphere: We believe that a restaurant’s atmosphere can contribute to a good meal, so we’ve also noted this.
- Service: Ditto the above entry, although we can be generously forgiving, especially if the food is great. To err is human.
- Customer Review: We interviewed fellow diners and food enthusiasts to have a fair perspective.
1. Hawksmoor – Air Street
Address: 5A Air Street
Phone: 020 3659 8427
Opening hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 11.45 AM to 3:00 PM & 4:45 PM – 9.30 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 11.45 AM to 3:00 PM & 4.45 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11.45 AM to 3:00 PM & 4:45 PM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 11:45 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 11.45 AM to 9:00 PM
We gotta admit—we hoped on a steak-seeking trip to Hawksmoor because we’d heard of its native grass-fed cattle. The burgeoning connoisseurs in us wanted to find out if there’s a taste difference.
Indeed, in Hawksmoor we discovered that their especially matured beef had just the right nuttiness and beefy flavor. And we liked it most medium rare to be done right!
We particularly enjoy having our porterhouse and rump in the Air Street location near Piccadilly Circus due to its grand art deco feel and lively chatter. Their staff on duty was helpful and rescued us when we couldn’t decide on the wine.
However, we were not expecting the £1 on our bill for something about charity. However, we did find the notice in a small corner on our way out.
While here, we were lucky our server was nice, but some of our friends weren’t so. They talked about getting no assistance from the staff despite walking in with armfuls of shopping bags.
Some of the diners we talked to were turned away due to booking issues, without even being invited to sit at the bar.
But if it’s a great steak you’re gunning for, seriously consider Hawskmoor as we have.
Recommend!
A great dinner with wonderful service from Vanesa & Team. The mussels were excellent and would definitely have again and recommend. We shared a 900g Porterhouse which was well cooked.
- Claudio F., Google Review
Delightful!
What a fantastic place to enjoy a great steak. Hats off to Michael (assistant manager) for his amazing culinary advice with the steak and to Laura (sommelier) for her spot on recommendation of a chianti for medium rare rump steak. Delightful.
- Hitesh H., Google Review
2. Flat Iron – Covent Garden
Address: 17-18 Henrietta Street
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday – 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM
We popped in at the last minute at Flat Iron, in the heart of Covent Garden, on a weekday evening without booking. To our delight, we only had to wait for 15 minutes to be seated.
The place has the feel of a turn-of-the-century joint, with its industrial-style interiors and in-house butchery. That said, we rather found the table for two a bit small and the stools tiny.
We soon forgot this after our order of regular flat iron steak arrived. Flavourful and done just right for under £20, this steak is one of the best value fares you can find in London.
In addition to this umami-fest is the super-moist sirloin special and crispy bone marrow garlic mash.
This joint doesn’t do dessert, so look elsewhere if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Instead, you get a freebie salted caramel cornetto, which is exactly the right way to finish off a meaty meal.
We’re lucky we experienced good service here on several occasions. Some people we know weren’t so lucky.
One ended up with incorrect orders, and a few had issues with their reservations.
Still, we truly believe the steaks here are on par with some of the best in the city—at a fraction of the price—so it’s definitely worth considering.
Great experience for dinner!
My wife & I had a great experience for dinner. The restaurant had a lively atmosphere- friends, families, and couples enjoying date night. I recommend making reservations as the wait can grow quickly. Patricia took excellent care of us…
- Nick L., Google Review
Very well prepared
I’ve previously been to the Flat Iron in Londin Bridge and this one is of the same high standard. Popped in with two friends for lunch and were seated quickly. The place had a nice relaxed vibe and the staff were friendly and helpful.
The food was delicious and very well prepared. The free ice-cream on exchange of the mini cleaver is a nice and very tasty touch.
- Feizal M., Google Review
3. CUT at 45 Park Lane
Address: 45 Park Lane, Mayfair Westminster
Phone: 0207 493 4545
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
This London outpost of Hollywood Walk of Famer and Chef Wolfgang Puck is where you go for a steak splurge, depending on how moneyed you are. In our case, we went there for the Japanese A5 wagyu alone.
Never mind that the place was so posh you could bump into a celebrity anytime. Or the 33-page wine list is so extensive that the wine enthusiasts in us quivered in excitement.
We were not disappointed though, for the ribeye wagyu we ordered was the most melt-in-your-mouth steak we’ve ever had. Fellow beef fiends would also be delighted to know that the restaurant offers small cuts of different wagyu and sirloins.
Surprisingly, it was nibbling on the muscle of the bone-in tomahawk wagyu that made all the financial expenditure worth it.
In another surprising twist, we skipped the usual fries for sides and settled on green leafy vegetables—broccoli rapini—instead.
As for the service, there was nothing we could fault about it. But some food enthusiasts we chatted with before informed us they got served with overly burnt crusts and bland beef tartare.
Some had trouble with their confirmed reservations.
However, this is the place you’d want to try the steak at least once in your life!
The food was just right
Luxury setting near Hyde Park Corner, perfect for dates and private dining! The food was just right and we had the most amazing chef that day! Thank you Elliot for your hospitality and great food would definitely return to try more on the A La Carte…
- Jenna S., Google Review
Highly recommend it
Excellent experience. Menu has amazing cuts from US, UK, Australia and Japan. Cooked to perfecrion. Service is top notch. Decor is beautiful. There are art works from Damien Hirst on the walls. The whole building is amazing representation of art deco. Highly recommended.
- Ayberk K., Google Review
4. The Quality Chop House
Address: 88-94 Farringdon Rd.
Phone: 020 7278 1452
Business hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 2:15 PM (Lunch) 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM
- Monday – closed
The 155-year-old Quality Chop House is now a British dining institution serving affordable grub. It’s one of our favourite places to indulge in chops and to get nostalgic due to its classic Victorian London decor, complete with chequerboard floors and pew-like diners.
The latter means that it can get quite cramped for groups, especially on crowded days. This, we don’t mind.
In addition to its convenient location just 8 minutes from the Farringdon station, we’re treated to freshly hacked steaks—courtesy of its own butchery next door.
This chop house has always delighted us. With their humbly priced veal rump that’s full of meaty character, only a plain vegetable side is required.
Then, there are the lamb chops that are slick with their own juices and trimmed with crispy fat. Together with the restaurant’s signature confit potatoes, you’re in for the biggest treat of your life.
The only downside we can think of is that this place can get packed. With it come service issues such as long waiting hours, delayed orders, and impersonal service. This is according to our interview with fellow patrons and food geeks.
But if you’re not looking for comfort and are after seriously satisfying grub, then Quality Chop House lives up to its name.
Staff were very friendly
Come for the meat, stay for the ‘snacks’. Had a beautifully cooked Aberdeen Angus steak, but also, several delicious dishes from the snack side of their menu, which were incredible….
- George S., Google Review
Some of the best food
delicious doesn’t cut it! probably some of the best food i have had in london and the service was outstanding. they even gifted us their beautiful cook book as a memento! 5 stars all around
- Erica S., Google Reviews
5. Blacklock Soho
Address: 24 Great Windmill Street
Phone: 020 3441 6996
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 3 PM, 5 PM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:45 AM to 8 PM
Another carnivore’s paradise is Blacklock Soho. It’s located inside the building of a former brothel and in a street frequented by night owls more than 50 years ago.
But true to the Soho spirit, today’s chop house is lively. It’s one of the favourite haunts of office workers like us in London due to its affordable menu.
Its storied heritage aside, we went for the mini chops for starters before pouncing on the porterhouse and ribeye beasts. The meat was everything we’d like it to be: succulent, juicy, and well-seasoned.
The sides are something else as well. These include the crispy-yet-not-oily chips and the tasty kale-parmesan combo. Lastly, we had room for some heavenly white chocolate cheesecake everyone’s raving about on social media.
The one thing we didn’t like, though, was the inadequate ventilation in the basement where we were seated. With the wafting meaty aroma, it can get pretty overwhelming for some.
Another thing worth noting is that the service can get pretty mixed up, especially if it’s a full house. The diner after us was complaining of having to wait for an hour to be seated.
Another foodie we interviewed talked about getting incorrect orders.
Still, we’re quite forgiving to mistake-prone humans, especially if you get the best value for your money.
Service was fantastic!
Recently came to Blacklock prior going to a theatre performance and will definitely be coming back! I came with my family for an early dinner and the service was fantastic.
- Hannah, Google Review
Delicious!
We came for Sunday roast and enjoyed it a lot. We ordered the all-in, which includes 3 types of meat along with your typical Sunday roast items and it was delicious. I especially liked that it also came with 3 additional sauces along with …
- Tracy H., Google Review
