The closest thing to a New York steak house you'll find on this side of the Atlantic, Goodman has masterminded the London steak experience. This is an institution that practically emanates excellence, from the elegant dark wood paneling to the staff members who share expertise and banter in equal measure. Much of the beef comes from Nebraskan USDA corn-fed herds, which boosts Goodman's American authenticity, but the Anglophile foodies among us might explore meat sourced locally from the Lake District. Upon entering, pay special attention to The Cut, a daily chef's listing of the best quality meat straight out of the in-house ageing room. These steak geniuses won't steer you wrong.
Step inside Hawksmoor's Seven Dials location and be transported to a universe where beef reigns supreme and your meat-loving dreams can come true. The space, a former fruit warehouse tucked away on quiet Langley Street, is warm and inviting, with brick walls and plush leather seating. There's a long list of divine starters on the menu (we love the generous portion of fatty bone marrow topped with caramelized onions), but you'll need to save room for the main course. Embrace the carnivorous lifestyle and order a 700g T-bone or prime rib, or try a simple but sumptuous fillet drizzled in lip-smacking anchovy hollandaise sauce. West End theater-goers, take note: smack in the middle of the theatre district, Hawksmoor has one of the best value pre-theatre menus in all of London.
Price guide
Bone-in prime rib 100g
£8.25
Porterhouse
£9.25
Address
Hawksmoor Seven Dials 11 Langley Street Covent Garden WC2H 9JG show on Google Maps
Chimichurri sauce? Check. Cowhide décor? Check. A bit of Spanish on the menu for good measure? Check. Indeed, Gaucho's 12 steak houses across London bring the flavours and flare of Argentina to our fine city. Argentinian chefs cook steak differently from their American neighbors to the north. While Gaucho offers a wide variety of familiar steak dinners and top-notch marinades, we recommend the mouth-watering Argentinian specialty: churrasco de chorizo, a spiral cut sirloin marinated in garlic, parsley, and olive oil. If you're eating with a group, try the tasting plate to sample a variety of cuts. Order at least one bottle of Argentinian Malbec and you've set yourself up for a memorable night out.
Soho's MASH (an acronym for Modern American Steak House) is the first British outpost of an establishment that became an instant hit in Denmark nearly ten years ago. Opened by Danish foodie icons Francis Cardenau and Jesper Boelskifte, MASH serves hearty American steaks with a Scandi twist. And they do it in style: MASH is housed in an enormous former hotel ballroom and maintains the glamorous 1930s art deco features. The menu is an international bazaar of beef, ranging from New York strip to Australian wagyu steaks, but the dry-aged Danish ribeye served rare is MASH's crowning glory. The dining room even features two large glass meat lockers so that you can start ogling the menu before you order.
If British and American relations ever fall to pieces, this steak house one block from the U.S. Embassy would be the perfect place to settle the dispute. JW Steakhouse's transatlantic menu features beloved cuts from both sides of the pond, including New York strip made from USDA-grade beef and an Aberdeen angus ribeye steak could make even the most patriotic American sing "God Save the Queen." After your main course, make sure to order dessert, even if you're full to bursting. The two-person cheesecake, wrapped in a thick graham cracker crust, is heavenly, and you can always take the leftover slices home for a sweet afternoon snack.
For a truly ritzy evening in Leicester Square, visit Heliot Steak House, the award-winning restaurant tucked away inside the mammoth Hippodrome Casino. Tables overlook the casino's gaming floor, so you can take in the exciting scene from a distance between bites. The main attraction, of course, is the selection of 28-day aged USDA prime steaks, which you can top with roast bone marrow, chargrilled king prawn, wild mushrooms, and more. If you're feeling like a high-roller, order a side dish of "millionaire's mac and cheese," served with poached duck egg and black truffle. Your wallet might not get any fatter, but your taste buds will hit the jackpot.
Price guide
28 Day Aged USDA Prime Steak Sirloin 300g
£20.00
28 Day Aged USDA Prime Steak Rib Eye 500g
£29.00
Address
Heliot Steak House 14 Cranbourn Street Leicester Square WC2H 7JH show on Google Maps
While many steak houses boast about the size and scope of their thick menus, Zelman Meats takes pride in its simplicity. The atmosphere is cosy and casual, and the walls feature an eclectic array of vintage artwork. There are just four main dishes on offer here - a rotating cast of short ribs, chateaubriand, picanha, and sirloin - and each is cooked to perfection. The picanha, a sliced Brazilian rump steak with a slightly smoky flavour, tends to shock diners with its price tag. At only 6.50 per 100g, it might be the best bargain of any kind in central London. Situated in the heart of Soho, Zelman Meats is the ideal place to start (or end) your night out.
Here in London, Argentinian steak is a small, small world: The Bull Steak Expert's current executive chef, Daniel Veron, is a former consultant to the popular chain Gaucho. Don't expect any dull imitations here, however. Veron has reimagined the Argentinian steak house in Holborn, designing an innovative menu and introducing a new selection of South American classics to hungry Londoners. Try the steak tartare starter, served with capers and guacamole. Then, mull over the extensive menu, which features a number of Veron's specialty cuts. For an indulgent affair, dig into the steak and lobster dish, a 250g fillet paired with lobster tail and rich bérnaise sauce. It's almost as good as a trip to Buenos Aires.
Price guide
Churrasco de Cuadril Marinado 400g
£26.00
Bife de Lomo (Fillet) 350g
£39.00
Address
The Bull Steak Expert 54 Red Lion Street Holborn WC1R 4PD show on Google Maps
If you're rushing down Liverpool Street to your office on a Monday morning, you might not notice New Street Grill, hidden away on a quiet cobbled street just off the main road. But if, after work, you stroll down that street and pop inside for dinner, you'll discover the best steak the City has to offer. The 45-day dry-aged Black Angus rib on the bone is gorgeously marbled and expertly charred with a tender, pink center. If you're in the market for a more low-key bite, the New Street Burger delivers a juicy patty bursting with flavour. New Street Grill does an excellent boozy brunch, too, so gather the carnivores in your life and make a Sunday morning date.
To all East Londoners longing for a local steak house, here is the answer to your prayers. John Rattagan opened Buen Ayre in an effort to bring casual Argentinian dining to Hackney, and in doing so, he created a neighbourhood staple. Buen Ayre's signature meal, and the one every visitor should experience, is the parrillada, an assortment of meats and cheeses served on a small tabletop grill. This is a feast that must be tackled by at least two people. Luckily, the grill will keep your feast hot for the duration of your meal, so you can take your time savouring the succulent, lightly seasoned steaks and juicy sausages.
