The classic steakhouse is an ever-more rare thing in the UAE’s F&B industry, with casual venues taking precedence in the last few years. The reasons are manifold and have contributed towards the trend of forgoing trendy fine dining establishments for more affordable, casual operations.
The idea of the classic steakhouse is a relatively new concept and a very American addition to the world’s cuisine. It then spread like crazy, satisfying many carnivorous cravings. But, while many restaurants in the UAE may offer a steak option, few actually specialise in beef.
As such, it has become more and more difficult to find good, proper, bona fide beef restaurants in the country, places where butch chefs take seriously the bovine spring of a perfectly seared sirloin or the chargrilling of a mammoth T-bone.
In the publication of the 2024 Gault&Millau UAE guide, only a handful of restaurants in Abu Dhabi presented a steak offering, with the likes of Indian and Japanese restaurants dominating. However, of those few, the quality sings with everything from Stockyard Cowboy Steak and Canadian Angus Bone to Bone-In New York Strip and Sanchoku Wagyu Tomahawk.
Here are the five best steak restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Butcher & Still (one-toque)
“The 1920s theme is carried out perfectly, from décor to dishes”
Steak connoisseurs in Abu Dhabi speak of Butcher & Still in hushed tones. The restaurant is a favourite for many reasons, but mainly the quality of its meat. Head chef Marshall Allen Röth is a respected figure in the city and one who seemingly can do wonders with any cut.
Found, like so many of Abu Dhabi’s best restaurants, on Al Maryah Island, it transports diners to 1920s Chicago with a pitch-perfect Art Deco-inspired charm. Although the steakhouse flaunts an outdoor terrace, the true essence of Butcher & Still lies within its interiors. There’s also a neat ‘secret’ private dining room, modelled on Al Capone’s cell.
The menu is a homage to dishes of the 1920s, with the oysters Rockefeller a fantastic starter. Steak tartare is also superb but could pave the way for too much meat in one sitting (if there is such a thing in a steakhouse). The main courses here are the true showstoppers, boasting a vast selection of prime beef cuts. There are fish, chicken, and vegetarian options, too, but steak is the pièce de résistance, oozing with flavour courtesy of a generous butter slathering and exquisite marbling on the pricier cuts.
Read the full 2024 Gault&Millau review here
www.fourseasons.com/abudhabi/dining/restaurants/butcher_and_still; +971 2 333 2222
COYA Abu Dhabi
“The spicy beef fillet with aji limo and star anise, showcases expert seasoning, marination and cooking”
At the heart of Abu Dhabi’s culinary centre, Al Maryah Island, sits COYA Abu Dhabi, a centre of Peruvian culinary excellence. Part of the global COYA family, this restaurant is a trendsetter in Nikkei cuisine, a harmonious fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavours, textures, ingredients and history.
The kitchen serves various versions of ceviche and sashimi, as well as maki rolls. The red snapper ceviche provides an intriguing contrast to the traditional sea bass version. The Chilean sea bass rice iron pot remains one of the city’s best main courses, while the spicy beef fillet with aji limo and star anise, showcases expert seasoning, marination and cooking. Excellent for both food and cocktails, COYA continues to set the bar for Nikkei cuisine in Abu Dhabi.
Read the full 2024 Gault&Millau review here
www.coyarestaurant.com/abu-dhabi; +971 2 306 7000
Les Dangereux
“There’s a mix of playfulness and pretension about the place”
With no website and limited social presence, it can be difficult to know what is being served at Les Dangereux and where the menu is in its seasonal and inspirational leanings. The restaurant offers the promise of farm-to-fork dining, as well as a tasting menu with dishes described only by ingredients, leaving diners to ponder what might arrive at the table.
The charm of the staff overtakes any concerns about the pretensions of the venue, despite the art gallery vibes inside that could alienate some. There’s a big view into the kitchen from the dining room floor, and while inside is perhaps a little clinical, it befits the food more than the terrace.
When it comes to the food, the succinct menu is primarily French-influenced, with a smattering of pastas, too. Much of it is fairly brilliant, from the bread and butter to begin, to the perfectly cooked and seasoned steak, and as shown in the featured Instagram post, this braised boeuf bourguignon which, while technically not steak, does use beef just without grilling or frying.
Read the full 2024 Gault&Millau review here
www.instagram.com/dangereux.ae; +971 55 977 2774
Oak Room (one-toque)
“The meat sommelier is impressive, but beef steals the show”
Finding a restaurant that strikes the right balance between cool and classy, while serving excellent food, too, can be difficult in the UAE, despite the number of high-end venues. However, Oak Room, a modern steakhouse originally crafted by British chef Tom Aikens, hits the mark. Located in the chic Abu Dhabi EDITION, Aikens is no longer attached to the hotel, but the quality at Oak Room remains.
Tucked away on the hotel’s ground floor, Oak Room’s entrance is subtle and understated. Yet, once you push open the oversized door, you’re welcomed into a stunning space that’s perfect for special occasions. Coupled with the sleek décor and ambience, the service is impeccable, especially when the meat sommelier arrives at the table to discuss the available cuts. But, however impressive he may be, the real star at Oak Room is the food – quintessentially British and simple, yet bursting with flavour.
The culinary journey begins with crusty artisanal sourdough served with Marmite butter, which sets the scene for what’s to come – you either love it or hate it. There are mains such as fish and chips available, but it’s the butcher’s block that steals the show. There’s even a beef tasting menu available, which runs through the restaurant’s greatest hits, such as Black Onyx tenderloin, 18-hour braised short rib and carpaccio.
Read the full 2024 Gault&Millau review here
www.oakroomabudhabi.com; +971 2 208 0000
Zuma Abu Dhabi (one-toque)
“Every single item is brilliantly executed time and again”
For those who have enough money to spend on regular meals out, Zuma is likely a name that rings a bell. With a collection of awards to its name, Rainer Becker’s culinary juggernaut has made waves on the global dining scene, and its outpost in Abu Dhabi is no different.
Whether you visit during the day or at night, Zuma’s chic and elegant venue consistently delivers top-notch service and near-perfect cuisine. The establishment shines in all aspects, from the ambience generated to the service and food.
The restaurant’s menu boasts an impressive selection of Japanese dishes. From sashimi and sushi to maki rolls and its unique interpretation of miso black cod, plus a variety of excellent robata grill options, including ribeye with wafu (“Japanese-style dressing”) sauce and garlic chips, beef and green chilli skewers with a smoked chilli soy and chilli miso marinated wagyu beef ribs.
Read the full 2024 Gault&Millau review here
www.zumarestaurant.com/locations/abu-dhabi/; +971 2 333 2222