Veganuary? Here are five places for a great steak in London

With the festive season over, magazines, newspapers and adverts are all about Veganuary. Reducing meat consumption is important, but it should be addressed in our day-to-day life rather than a month-long ban followed by a beef feast for the rest of the year. For those looking for a more moderate approach or a slow transition, it’s important to champion the necessity of steering away from supermarket meat in favour of butchers and restaurants who utilise meat that respects animal welfare standards.

January is actually a great time to discover a delicious new steak restaurant. Whether diners are celebrating a pay rise, having a romantic anniversary or just looking for an excuse to eat out, steak can be the perfect option.

Hawksmoor

For simple and delicious charcoal-grilled steaks, meat-eaters should look no further than Hawksmoor. Since opening their doors in 2006 they have made a commitment to serving only the best beef the country has to offer. They ethically source their ingredients by prioritising animal welfare and quality, and, complemented by their award-winning cocktails, they have become one of the best steak restaurants in Britain.

Hawksmoor has venues in Borough, Knightsbridge, Air Street, Canary Wharf, Covent Garden and Shoreditch High Street in London and in Edinburgh, Manchester and New York. For further information or to book visit their website here.

Sagardi

Born in 1996 from a team who are passionate about local ingredients and devoted to quality products, Sagardi offers beautifully cooked Spanish steaks from several key locations across the world, including Shoreditch, London. With 20 years of experience, Sagardi have developed an essential kitchen tool: their Basque grill. This specially designed oven is rooted in Basque tradition and is the true heart of the restaurant, helping them to produce some of the most delicious steaks in the country.

To book a table at Sagardi, Cordy House 95 Curtain Road London EC2A 3BS, call 020 3802 0478 or visit their website here.

The Guinea Grill

In 1423 this Mayfair institute was opened as a pub and they began serving beef in 1946. They turned into a more traditional restaurant in the 50s, and now specialise in serving dry-aged, grass-fed British beef from an open grill. Taken over by Oisin Rogers in 2016, they have become ever more popular, taking a heartwarmingly old-school approach to service and embracing their roots to deliver exceptional food. Their supplier partner is premium butcher Godfrey’s from North London.

To book a table at The Guinea Grill, 30 Bruton Place, Mayfair, London, W1J 6NL, or call 020 7409 1728 or visit their website here.

Twist Connubio

This Spanish-Italian restaurant is one of London’s best kept secrets. Chef Gonzalo Luzarraga and sommelier Fabio Aguzzi make the quality of produce (and wine) their obsession, and their steak is no exception. The team’s expertise in wine and experimenting with flavours, means that Twist Connubio produces some of the most divine combinations out there. Meat is carefully aged on site, and the menu includes pluma steak, which is from Iberian black pigs and can be served rare just like beef.

To book a table at Twist Connubio, 42 Crawford Street, W1H 1JW, London call 020 7723 3377 or visit their website here.

Flat Iron

Who says a good steak must be expensive? At Flat Iron, the concept of remarkable steak and access to all is fostered through their menu as they produce ethically sourced, quality meat that doesn’t break the bank. Their menu is short and sweet, and consists of a selection of wines, cocktails and sides, a Shortrib Smoked Chilli Cheeseburger and their signature Flat Iron Steak.

Flat Iron has venues in Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Marylebone, Spitalfields, Kingscross, Soho, Shoreditch, London Bridge and Borough. For further information or to book visit their website here.

Jayda Bilal