A great steak is worth its weight in gold.
Cooked as you like it, with a choice of sides and sauces, we can think of little else as satisfying when dining out.
If, like us, you like to sink you teeth into a good steak then here are the best steak restaurants in the city to check out this year, as revealed at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2018.
Enjoy!
WINNER
JW Steakhouse
One meal that is guaranteed to put a dent in your pay packet is a steak dinner. There’s no getting away from it, heading to a steakhouse in Abu Dhabi usually means you’re spending the best part of Dhs1,000, especially if you’re going to the very best in the city. How refreshing then, that a venue that is as good as JW Steakhouse is offering some quite brilliant deals throughout the week, making the experience more affordable. There’s a tasting menu covering eight courses for Dhs303 available every night, an early bird deal for Dhs218 twice a week, and a Dhs278 gent’s night every Tuesday. All come with sides and soft drinks (you can add beverages to most of them) and cost around the same as you’d usually pay just for a steak on its own at this US-style restaurant. Excellent stuff. Starters include a filling and delicious lump crab cake and light and delicate sea bass ceviche. The sides such as the fries and creamed spinach are amazing, too. Cool, affordable and turning out super steakhouse food, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (02 304 7777).
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Butcher and Still
Yes, we’ve only seen 1930s Chicago in films but that only helps us feel excited every time our two-tone brogues touch the doorway of this superb steakhouse. Everything from the plush leather booths to the signature soft brioche bread with truffle infused butter, is on another level of cool. Retro touches to the décor add to the charm and indicate that there has been a lot of effort and attention to detail to get the venue’s mobster theme just right. Happily, the management have also put as much thought into the menu and what leaves the kitchen as the look and feel of the interiors. The prime cuts of beef are utterly amazing, as are the super sides like creamy spinach, roasted caulifower and potato gratin. Each and every dish is knocked up with such skill. The steakhouse offers great views, a memorable setting and top-quality cuts of meat. What’s not to like?
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 333 2222).
The Foundry
A former Best Steakhouse winner, we still have a soft spot for this impressive venue. Perhaps others have raised the steaks yet further, but judging by our 2018 visit, we still believe this place could be back on top of the pile sooner rather than later.
You just know you are in for a special night when you walk through the doors at this sophisticated steakhouse. Once inside, you will be greeted by a raised island seating area, where guests reign over a pretty stretch of water. The staff are always attentive, and all have an excellent knowledge of the extensive menu. The starters feature delicious razor-thin slices of wagyu beef carpaccio and very more-ish tempura veal sweet breads. The main attraction here is, of course, steak, and it comes in plenty of varieties and sizes. You’ll even be presented with a choice of six steak knives for tackling your tasty cut. The decadent desserts are not to be missed either, and the service is just excellent throughout.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Al Mina Street, Al Zahiya (02 818 4888).
55&5th The Grill
A former winner of our Best Steakhouse award (as recently as 2016, in fact), 55&5th, The Grill can still rustle up some mighty fine meat and so with all the flair you’d hope for from a St. Regis venue. Making the most of its Josper oven, this New York-style eatery also does some mean seafood and the young gourmet menu is a nice touch should you have little mouths to feed.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island (02 498 8443).
SHORTLISTED
Ray’s Grill
Ray’s will always make you leave on a high, not least because of its lofty perch that makes you feel as if you’re looking down on its competitors. Allied to a great setting is the quality of the cuts and the way they are lovingly prepared. Rump might not the fillet of choice of steak snobs but here the wagyu offering is a marbled marvel.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Corniche Road West (02 811 5666).
Stratos
Another venue that makes the very most out of its place in the sky, Stratos always delivers when it comes to a fabulous feast with friends or a date night taken to another level. On the latter occasion, try the John Stone côte de bouef as there’s something quite sweet about nodding to your loved one as you savour every mouthful. Two spoons for the lovely sticky toffee pudding would also work.
Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (80 010 1101).
The Forge
We can’t help but love the décor at The Forge but such stylishness would mean nothing without some substance to back it up. This Ritz-Carlton restaurant scores highly on both counts and although we come here primarily for the sumptuous steak, we can’t help but enjoy the veal starters, too. Class cuisine served with assurance, they broke the mould when they created The Forge.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta (02 818 8282).
The Grill
If we had an award for ‘most improved player’, The Grill would win it hands down. What it might have lacked last year when it opened, it has certainly worked upons. The scallops are the perfect way to start your meal, as is the crab cake, while the main event are hugely impressive.
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Khalifa City (02 201 4131).
The Park Bar and Grill
A more elegant steakhouse you’d be hard-pushed to meet, plus the waiters are so good you’d gladly add them on Facebook. The Park won’t befuddle you with an overly-expansive menu and what it will do is get every last slice to your liking. Its tuna tartare is the perfect entrée with which to start a night of keenly-priced, lovingly cooked carnivorous delights.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1138).
Turtle Bay Bar and Grill
Whoever came up with the idea of surf and turf deserves a medal. Turtle Bay has taken this most gratifying of concepts and run with it, straight up to the picturesque rooftop terrace (and without spilling a drop). Savour the scallops and short rib combo, or enjoy a fine rib-eye – whatever you choose, make sure you start with the excellent smoked carpaccio.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).
