Gaucho

Argentinean restaurant in DIFC with good food and stylish decor 18 Reviews

Meal Deal

Lunch deal

This Argentinian steakhouse offers either a starter and main course or main course and dessert. From Dhs120 for two courses Timings: 11.30am (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Gaucho’s mini masterclass

The venue offers free grape lessons with the sommelier for guests who are dining at the restaurant. Free for diners Timings: 11.30am-2am (Thursday, Friday)

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Gaucho is not a steakhouse, according to the restaurant’s international operations director Ryan Hattingh – it’s an Argentinean restaurant that ‘specialises in steaks’. It is also an Argentinean restaurant that looks great – moody and beautifully sleek. Service is as slick as the decor and guests are talked through options with the aid of a cutting board exhibiting each different cut of steak, which are explained in detail, with recommendations of how each should be cooked. It’s all good (go for the churrasco chorizo, a cut of sirloin that had been marinated in garlic, parsley and olive oil), though can be let down by lacklustre sides. Ultimately, however, Gaucho offers good food but an exquisite restaurant experience by way of the decor, the service and the convivial atmosphere.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 21 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 30 November,2011- reviewed by Oliver Robinson

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Matthew on 30 Jan ' 13 at 20:56

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

I work in the DIFC and Gaucho has become by far my favourite restaurant. Service has never failed me and the food always come out with little wait and lots of flavour. The meat it's the best you will ever try, but don't believe me... try it yourself! Guaranteed no regrets.

Posted by: george on 14 Dec ' 12 at 09:28

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Great food, Excellent and knowledgeable staff which is very rare to find in Dubai. Fantastic Beef board, great selection of starter , a mind blowing rib-eye pared with a great bottle of Malbec and i had a very sweet ending with a typical Argentinian sweets pared with dessert sparkling wine , finish your meal and go up to the lounge,live Dj beautiful bar service and some good cuban cigars !!

Posted by: george on 14 Dec ' 12 at 09:28

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Great food, Excellent and knowledgeable staff which is very rare to find in Dubai. Fantastic Beef board, great selection of starter , a mind blowing rib-eye pared with a great bottle of Malbec and i had a very sweet ending with a typical Argentinian sweets pared with dessert sparkling wine , finish your meal and go up to the lounge,live Dj beautiful bar service and some good cuban cigars !!

Posted by: Dr. Michael on 30 Nov ' 12 at 08:18

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Superior atmosphere. Unmatched service from ground level elevator to the table servers. Single best steak I've ever eaten (and I'm a Texan). Wine well matched to the cut of meat we chose. And one MUST have the cheesecake to finish. We will make this a once a month outing !

Posted by: Monika on 23 Nov ' 12 at 08:00

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I usually don't take the time to write reviews but I felt Gaucho deserved one from me.
I was there on a wednesday night with a group of friends and absolutely loved it! The steaks are the best you will find, very tender & juicy, had some perfectly made cocktails before dinner and a superb bottle of wine recommended by the house sommelier. The service was immaculate and much more than the ususal "Sir/Madam" treatment you get in Dubai. Our waiter was very bubbly and very much on top of his game.
There was a guitarist playing alongside the DJ at the bar lounge area which was just perfect to unwind.
Highly recommend!

Posted by: Adriana on 08 Oct ' 12 at 20:10

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Great service, unique decor, tasty food...I highly recommend

Posted by: Quinapalus on 09 Jul ' 12 at 08:51

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

In a word; Fantastic.

The decor; Classic Gaucho, but blinged up just a little bit for Dubai. The staff; efficient, friendly, very helpful and all seem to really enjoy working there. The food; amazing! Have tried just about everything on the menu, but my favourite is the Chateubriand. I normally like my steak rare, but took the advice of the waitress and opted to have cooked Medium (which also met with the approval of my date with whom I was sharing the dish). The texture and flavour of the meat, combined with incredibly well judged seasoning created a taste sensation so overwhelming that it brought tears of joy to my eyes (I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world, and have only experienced this sensation 3 times in my life!!). Truly memorable, and well worth the money!

Posted by: Irina on 21 Apr ' 12 at 06:17

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

best meat in Dubai!

Posted by: Ayman Karadsheh on 18 Feb ' 12 at 09:17

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Impressive Decor even comparing to Gaucho in London, Dubai always looks for luxury and prestige. The starter menu is OK, still would like to see more variety, it is very expensive, AED 68 for most of the starter items (small portions).
Nice selection of steaks, great taste, rich in flavor. Disappointed that I had to pay for a small side order (mashed potatoes AED25).
Dessert menu can use more creativity. We asked if they can make Chocolate Fondant since it was not on the menu, they made it for AED40, and it was worth every penny.
Our server..Piotr, nice guy, not sure where is he from due to his heavy accent, he mentioned that he used to work for Gaucho Swallow St London (That's where I experienced Gaucho for the 1st time), he was professional and friendly. We received too much attention from every employee there, we have been served by 5 persons, one for the wine, another for the bread, another for the water and another lady who was just chatting to us.
One point for the servers there, give the customer sometime to go over the menu before you present the wooden board with the steaks selection. At least, when you name the different steaks, we will be already familiar with them since we read him off the menu.
Finally, I was disappointed that I could not smoke my Monte Cresto
cigar, smoking allowed only in the bar upstairs but you can't have
dinner.
I paid AED1026 for two persons.
Acqua Panna Water 30
Bottle of Merlot. 255
Fried Squid. 38
Salmon Ceviche. 50
Filet Medallions. 180
Filet 400g. 295
Mashed Potato. 20
Sweet Mashed Potato 25
Fondant. 40
DIFC Tax 10%. 93

Posted by: Mohammad on 17 Feb ' 12 at 10:29

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The fillet steak was amazing and my medium well request was perfectly done. So no complaints what so ever regarding the food or service. The not so great part was that the music was sooo loud and the table for two was long that it was impossible for me to have a conversation with my wife. I really felt I could use the mic and head phones the staff use to talk to each other. If just the music volume is slightly lower, it would be my favorite steakhouse place in town. For now, Meat Company and Ruth's Chris are more enjoyable.

Posted by: Emy on 15 Feb ' 12 at 16:35

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Just loved it! Great food and ambience.
Tip: ask for a table in the main restaurant when you make a reservation

Posted by: dominique on 13 Dec ' 11 at 09:05

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

loved it. amazing passionfruit bellinis in the incredibly cool upstairs bar and a superb meal - we shared the tasty and perfectly cooked chateaubriand (easily enough for two) lots of tasty sides and a beautiful bottle of red wine. the complimentary deserts were delicious too and with great service, not rushed or pushy.

already highly recommending it to my friends (they're coming tonight!)

Posted by: Sarah Rickard on 12 Dec ' 11 at 18:38

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Great to have my favourite restaurant in the UK in Dubai and I was not dissapointed. Great steak, service and decor. Will definitely be visiting again with my friends.

Posted by: J The Explorer on 12 Dec ' 11 at 18:25

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Best steak in UAE.
Having had some bad experiences in other steak restaurants in Dubai recently, I had all but given up hope.... However, I found Gaucho to be a rare surprise....fantasssstic

Posted by: Kate Watson on 12 Dec ' 11 at 12:18

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

Having been a regular Gaucho visitor in London, I was excited to learn they were opening in Dubai. After my first visit there last week, I was certainly not disappointed. They have perfectly matched the stylish decor with the iconic black and white walls. The staff were attentive and friendly. The food was excellent and the Chateaubriand was to die for. Already planning my next trip back.

Posted by: Emily on 07 Dec ' 11 at 06:36

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Despite being based in the main finance district of the City, they lack a business lunch menu - a poor decision given that their competitors have caught onto this practice.

I have been their twice and their French fries were regularly awful - soggy and tasteless. Even McDonalds do a better job!

I requested pepper sauce without alcohol, but apparently the chef holds his customers in contempt and knows better than we do about our tastes.

Steak was however very tender, and it was reassuring knowing that the cows are treated well.

Posted by: Mark Astor on 06 Dec ' 11 at 07:48

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The food is pretty good but it's just way overpriced.

One of the steaks on the menu is Dhs1,000 which is ridiculous.

There's still nothing to touch The Exchange Grill at The Fairmont.

Posted by: Sally Ann on 05 Dec ' 11 at 21:25

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Loved the decor of the restaurant. My food was excellent, (the best steak I've ever had) and the service was amazing with friendly and knowledgeable staff. I was with a group of friends but would also come here on a date.