Steakhouses in London: things to know before you go

If you’re going to splash out on steak at a restaurant near you, it’s worth getting it right. Here are the answers to your meatiest questions.

What is the best steakhouse in London?

An oldie but a goodie is Rowley’s, right in the heart of central London. Well-known and well-loved for its hearty, no-frills menu, this classic British restaurant has been pulling in crowds since the 1970s. Try the house speciality – aged Entrecôte steak. It’ll have your mouth watering from the moment you book the table.

If you want to go a little higher-end, the Boisdale restaurants might be more your cup of tea. With numerous grill restaurants and steakhouses in London – including Canary Wharf, Belgravia, Mayfair and Bishopsgate – the Boisdale chain is renowned for its quality food and atmosphere. The Buccleuch fillet on-the-bone is one of the most popular orders the waiters scribble down in their notepads.

What are the different types of steak?

There are so many different cuts of steak – each one a completely different dish. Here are some of the main cuts you’re likely to find on the menu of a steakhouse in London:

• Ribeye – comes from (you guessed it) the rib. It has a delicious rich flavour and is wonderfully tender.
• Fillet – the leanest and more tender of all cuts.
• Sirloin – taken from the upper-middle of the cow, this cut is typically quite tender and marbled with fat.
• T-bone – one of the larger cuts, a T-bone comes with the sirloin on one side of the bone and the fillet on the other
• Flat iron – this cut is becoming more popular as it’s reasonably priced and marinades well.

Where can I get a great cheap steak in London?

Steak is never going to be super cheap – especially in central London. However, there are a number of great spots for getting something affordable if you find a deal you can pounce on.

One option that still offers an air of class but won’t break the bank is Gaucho. Famed for its combos of wine and meat, this is a little piece of Argentina on the Thames. There are numerous Gaucho steakhouses in London with a reputation for being the best, including in Piccadilly, Tower Bridge and Broadgate – so a few options to choose from.

Another cheap steakhouse in London is Flat Iron. You can get a decent meal as little as £10. The house cut (the clue’s in the name) is traditionally a bit tougher, but the restaurant has a knack for sourcing tender cuts too.

What are the best steak recipes?

The main things to remember are when cooking steak are:

• Bring the steak up to room temperature before you cook it.
• Oil the steak rather than the pan – you’ll get better contact between the steak and the metal.
• Season the meat well before cooking.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pan – it will distribute the heat more evenly.
• Let your steak rest after you cook it. The meat will relax and the juices will redistribute themselves.

The golden rule is: the less you do with a steak, the better. Whether you want to recreate a pub classic – steak and chunky chips for tea – or fancy throwing together something a little more suave with peppercorn sauce and sautéed potatoes, ex-chef Adam Bush has a great guide and BBC Good Food also provides some tasty recipes.