10 to try: Steakhouses

Vegetarians might want to look away now. Meateaters, however, should tuck into Time Out’s guide to some of the best steaks in town 27 Comments

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Vegetarians might want to look away now. There is nothing for you here.

Meat-lovers, however, prepare to revel in Time Out’s celebration of steak.

We’ve picked out ten to try from the Dubai’s numerous steakhouses.

The Exchange Grill, Fairmont Dubai: From the moment you sink into the restaurant's deep leather chairs, a night at The Exchange is an experience to salivate over. A starter of blue swimmer crab cakes with pineapple and vanilla relish and a tarragon mustard aioli followed by a 10oz filet mignon, a cut of aged Angus meat, is utterly sublime – delicately pliant yet full of flavour and complemented exquisitely by a quartet of sauces, including a buttery béarnaise and a selection of Dijon mustards.

JW’s Steakhouse, JW Marriott Hotel: The clubby leather chairs and starched tablecloths at JW's send out a clear message about what to expect here: simple, old-fashioned and very, very good grub with discreet, knowledgeable service. Food trends can come and go, but if you want a big, juicy steak, crisp french fries and an excellent wine list, JW's is a consistent favourite – as evidenced by the brass name plates on the tables, listing its many devoted regulars.

Fire & Ice, Raffles Dubai: Fire & Ice is all about drama and in true style the main courses step into the limelight and shine like stars. The wagyu beef tenderloin threatens to stop the show with its rich, marbled, crimson flesh, which returns encore after encore of intense meat flavours. A strong supporting cast of black truffle mashed potato, sautéed spinach and green asparagus with lemon butter bows out with aplomb, setting you up for a fascinating denouement.

Asado, The Palace Hotel: The Palace Hotel's Argentinean grill – is no ordinary steakhouse. The interior of the restaurant may offer the kind of gaucho tat, rough-stone walls and open kitchen you might expect at a high-end South American meat joint. But here you can take a table on the terrace and wonder at the Burj Dubai, already over 600 metres high. The soup of the day is worth a look and for the main opt for the seven ounce tenderloin steak. It arrives with a side order of thick-cut fries arranged like building blocks and will not let you down.

La Parrilla, Jumeirah Beach Hotel: Peculiarly tender, scandalously succulent and fantastically flavoursome, are a few of the words to describe the steak at La Parrilla. Start with a plate of the tart, but exquisitely juicy, smoked paprika-grilled chorizos, served with a cheese platter and some capsicum sides. Then rest and wait for the main masterpiece – certified Angus beef tenderloin served on an enormous plate, accompanied with Cassava fries and bean cazuela. If you still have room for dessert go for the raspberry and rosemary meringue tart.

Manhattan Grill, Grand Hyatt: A favourite of Dubai's steak-loving elite, the Manhattan Grill, tucked away in a corner of the city's biggest hotel, the Grand Hyatt, is a cool, spacious joint that's perfect either for a group or a more intimate tête-â-tête. As with any steakhouse, you're best off sticking to the meat, and it's a wise choice to make here. Cooked to soft, tender perfection, the wagyu sirloin is a pillowy, juicy dream of a steak, just a hint of charring sets off the perfectly pink, uniformly cooked consistency within.

Palm Grill, Radisson SAS Hotel, Deira Creek: The pricey hunks of meat at the Radisson SAS Deira Creek Hotel are certainly extravagant, but are they really worth it? It would seem so. Settle down to some complimentary miniature naan breads and a portion of smooth goose liver pate or enjoy a delicately drizzled shrimp cocktail dish, featuring sweet cherry tomatoes and a couple of hefty prawns. But the various cuts of meat, with flavoursome side dishes, are the main event. The deserts are certainly worth a look too.

Rodeo Grill, Al Bustan Rotana Hotel: This is an elegant eatery serving up a mouth-watering repast, albeit at eye-watering prices. Dinner here is not a cheap night out. But this places oozes high quality and the food does not disappoint. From the delightfully fluffy, warm bread appetisers, with subtle tapernade and soft butters to the complimentary ice-cream filled chocolates at the finish, each dish hits the mark. Choose from the array of steaks available, and there are sizes to match all appetites. The attentive staff completes this fine-dining experience.

The Grand Grill, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa: Expect a selection of South African steaks, chicken and a smattering of seafood alongside regional specialities such as bobotie and bunny chow. If you're in the mood for meat, and lots of it, then there are worse places to be. The bobotie, which is best described to newcomers as a little cottage pie, replete with a suety lid, curried beef and some hunks of lamb shank nestling on top is also worth a whirl.

Western Steakhouse, Crowne Plaza Hotel: Popular among grill-seekers, the Western Steakhouse does a few crucial things well. The beef is consistently impressive, but a deviation from steak can be unpredictable. If you're set on a Dhs200 steak it's not a bad place to find one. But does it offer enough to set it above and beyond the multitude of other meaty eateries in Dubai?

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Posted by: rahul on 06 May ' 09 at 16:40

Well if we are talkin about a good fat -worth drooling over peice of meat i wud say MJ steakhouse @ madinat ....by far the best steak ive had the wagyu beef was absolutely delicious an juicy an they had a good selection wine ...

Posted by: Ton on 06 May ' 09 at 09:26

I can only assume that Simon has shares in all the other restaurants. I've eaten at Ruth's Chris 3 times - twice here and once in HK - and each time it has been outstanding. I highly recommend it! (and no, I don't work there!

Posted by: Sally on 29 Apr ' 09 at 07:15

Ruths Chris is by far one of the best ... if you appreciate good food you should give it a go!

Posted by: Simon on 27 Apr ' 09 at 10:15

To the two people who say Ruths Chris at The Monarch should be on this list all I can say is you either work there or you are being evil and inticing unsuspecting punters to waste their time and money as you did - it is absolutely the worst steak house in Dubai. Everything was overcooked, cold and greasy including side orders (even the red wine was fridge cold - that is if they even had it in stock). It is an absolute joke, our American friend who took us there because of his knowledge of Ruths Chris in the states was embarrassed. Avoid at all costs !! My add to the list would be Legends at the Creek, quiet but great ambiance and incredible steaks !

Posted by: Khaled Crow on 23 Apr ' 09 at 07:36

Might I add that Hunter's Grill at the Westin Hotel serves some of the best steaks I have ever had! The presentation and taste of what gets served is brilliant and top notch!

Posted by: Karl J on 21 Apr ' 09 at 15:57

The newly opened Butcher shop & Grill in THE WALK @ JBR is super if you want to enjoy your steaks sitting out side watching expensive cars cursing by. It´s a steak dinner & a car show in the same time ;) Rib-eye steak & thick fries for 75 aed.

Posted by: amazed of dubai on 14 Apr ' 09 at 14:54

i too am amazed that the Grand Grill at the Habtour is not mentioned - it is THE best steak in dubai -the staff are amazing and the food fantastic there is a great feel to the place and sitting out side is the best!

Posted by: the dard on 10 Apr ' 09 at 08:29

As I great steak lover, I recently tried Seafire at Atlantis. Avoid this restuarant at all costs. This is the only steak hose in Dubai that cannot cook steaks to order - 3 out of 4 were over cooked and even when we sent it back it came back wrong. Attitude was terrible from staff, service slow and generally arrogant. Atlantis continues to under deliver on all fronts (apart from Nobu).

PLEASE SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO TO ANY OF THE RESTAURANTS LISTED ABOVE

Posted by: Mahmoud on 09 Apr ' 09 at 06:32

The Meat Company is absolutely the best steak ever!

Posted by: Joanna on 08 Apr ' 09 at 12:27

Has no-one ever tried the Beef Bistro at the Meridian Dubai? The tenderloin in red-wine reduction, topped by fois gras and accompanied by creamed potatoes, is the best steak I've ever tasted - and I'm a real meat fanatic. The meat is soft, full of flavour and beautifully complemented by the red wine sauce - Yummy!

Seriously, this dish is even far better than the very expensive wagu six-week aged fillets they have on the menu. In fact, it knocks off it's socks. Try it.

Posted by: Witso on 01 Apr ' 09 at 13:26

I can NOT believe that the Grand Grill was not nominated this year, BEST STEAKS, SERVICE & PRICE & GREAT Friday afternoon BBQ's.

Posted by: Khalid on 30 Mar ' 09 at 06:17

The best steak I ever tried in my life is the MEAT COMPANy in madinat Jumirah.

Posted by: Jake Liston on 19 Mar ' 09 at 08:20

Ruth's Chris steak house on SZR is great. Huge portions and a great selection of wine.

Posted by: Helen on 19 Mar ' 09 at 08:09

I've been to pretty much every steakhouse in town and La Parrilla is well ahead of the others. The chic interior, the most succulent steak, authentic argentinian sides, the tango dancers and of course Margharita, the restaurant manager!

Posted by: Dominik MJ on 16 Mar ' 09 at 20:50

Well, can we agree, that the meat in Dubai is [oppose to other things] quite cutting edge and that it is not so difficult to grill a decent steak?

Some restaurants like Rib Room or Manhattan Grill also offer quite more - nice sides, a nice setting, well good service, good beverages...

Though I would say, that the best steak [and it is unbeatable cheap] you get in my kitchen...

Cheers!

Posted by: Irwin Fletcher on 10 Mar ' 09 at 08:43

St Tropez in Century Village does the best cheap steak in the country. I've been there five or six times and it's always been near perfect. Steak au poivre, medium rare with chips.

Posted by: Latif on 03 Mar ' 09 at 11:26

My all time favourite has to go to the Wagyu beef at MJ's Steakhouse in Al Qasr, for a non wagyu beef the Sea fire in Atlantis have the certified atlantis cattle - it is the best non wagyu i've tried. And i HAVE tried most of the places. The rib room in Emirates Towers and Meat Co is also on my favourite list

Posted by: Dave Voller on 23 Feb ' 09 at 08:17

Not sure when this list was complied but there is a new steakhouse opened in the Monarch Hotel (SZR) called Ruth's Chris. An American friend of mine has been raving about their branches in the states for ages so I thought i'd give it a try. Having had the pleasure of eating at most of the restaurants on this list I would have to say that Ruth's Chris beats them all. The steak is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Its a must for people serious about their steak!

Posted by: PeterR on 20 Feb ' 09 at 09:33

JW Steakhouse in my absolute favorite, the meat co.
is o.k. but for ambience, quality, presentation, the JW does it for me.
Sure tastes are different, I haven't got my own yellow brass though, maybe in the near future.

Posted by: John Wilcox on 19 Feb ' 09 at 09:08

Where is Seafire at Atlantis???? the most amazing tenderloin in Dubai - great atmosphere.

Posted by: SAEED on 17 Feb ' 09 at 08:18

Butcher Shop & Grill at Mall Of Emirates ... another place to try :)

Dubai Session ..

Posted by: Talha Rizvi on 16 Feb ' 09 at 16:30

Though JW is good, but I think value for money is Golden Fork peper steak. Its good and tasty as well, not to dry.
Whereas most other places in Dubai have dry steaks

Posted by: JW on 11 Feb ' 09 at 10:13

No 1 on my list HAS to be the Meat Co. by FAR

Posted by: Peta Dann on 10 Feb ' 09 at 07:56

I agree with Nour, I don't know why you have not mentioned The Meat Co - fantastic food and SERVICE which is unusual in Dubai. Also the new Hunters Room & Grill at The Westin Hotel next to Le Meridien Mina Sayahi - lovely food and view if you sit outside.

Posted by: Richard Dean on 05 Feb ' 09 at 08:15

Are you mad? Rib Room at Emirates Towers trumps the lot.

Posted by: nour on 27 Jan ' 09 at 17:17

My husband and I have tried most of the best steak houses in dubai and I can't believe you forgot Meat Co at madinat or Souk al bahar.
this needs to be added to the list for sure...

we judge our places by meats, side dishes, and ambience so here's our top 3:

1. Meat Co
2. Grand Grill
3. Rodeo Grill/ or JW Steak house

Posted by: JohnB on 27 Jan ' 09 at 10:16

Suggestions:
JW's for ambience
Manhattan Grill for presentation
Fairmont for feeling of pure indulgence
Rodeo Grill for chocolate souffle
Western Steakhouse for price only

The top three are the cream, I haven't tried the Argentinian steakhouses though, I imagine they should be great foodwise.

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