The best meat restaurants in London

The convivial Three Rounds Tavern has adopted a drinks-led approach, inspired by Hong Kong's drinking culture, but that doesn't mean the food is an afterthought. In fact, this convivial Chinese restaurant prides itself on its signature cold cuts, crafted with a two-step process. The meats are braised slowly in rich soy and spice before being smoked carefully for depth and fragrance. Served like a charcuterie platter, they're the perfect foil to the potent baijiu spirits poured by the bar.

Three Darlings is a good place to come when you're in the mood for meat and don't want to make a whole thing of it. The menu has plenty to tuck into, from char siu beef ribs to proper steaks, and the steak nights are especially popular if you want something simple and satisfying. Cuts are classic, the sides are familiar, and they even have a dedicated steak night if you want to go all out.

At Sael, acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton pays tribute to British heritage, serving elevated takes on classic dishes, all made with the finest produce from the Isles. The elegant Piccadilly Circus restaurant is a big hit with meat lovers in London thanks to sharply executed takes on timeless classics like the Sunday roast or steak and ale pie, eye-catchingly served with bone sticking right out of it, as well as its offer of grilled delicacies like steaks or burgers.

Across its dual Asian and Italian dining areas, this sleek Mayfair destination offers plenty to tempt meat eaters in London. There's a particular focus on premium Wagyu, with the prized beef featuring in everything from bolognese, sushi rolls, and fried rice to expertly grilled steaks.  With assorted other meaty options, polished cocktails, and an impressive wine list to match, Novikov delivers a top-notch meat-centric experience.

Schnitzels are an often overlooked dish for meat lovers, especially when they're done properly – the golden crumb pairing with the tender flesh inside is surely up there with a nicely done steak or a juicy burger. Von Crumb is sure to satisfy even the most particular schnitzel fans, serving perfectly fried chicken, veal, or beef schnitzels as both standalone dishes or in pillowy challah buns. As you wait for the star of the show, you can graze on a selection of premium charcuterie.

The Jones Family Kitchen is widely acknowledged for its grass-fed steaks, sourced from specialist butchers, dry-aged for 28 days minimum, and cooked in a Josper charcoal oven. Set in Belgravia's Eccleston Yards, the elegant space provides a refined backdrop for serious meat lovers, with premium cuts supported by indulgent sides, a dedicated potato menu, and a much-loved house burger.

Indian cuisine mainly utilises meat as the foundation for simmering curries, but at Zoya, it gets the star treatment, with the restaurant offering expertly grilled meats in addition to a comprehensive assortment of meat-based curries. The signature Royal Mighty thali platter is sure to be a hit for anyone looking to load up on protein, featuring tandoor-grilled chicken, sizzling lamb chops, and wings, all in one go.

Acme Fire Cult might've initially put carnivores off with its determination to treat vegetables as equal to meat, but it didn't take long for even the most stalwart of meat eaters to come around to its point of view. That said, the various meat served fresh off the grill wholly justifies the East London restaurant's cult following. The grilling here is simply top-notch, bringing out the flavours regardless of whether it revolves around veg or meat.

If you're big on meat, the idea of cut after cut being paraded past your table for you to eat as much as you want to probably seems like heaven, and that's just what you get at Fazenda. The Bishopsgate restaurant offers a traditional Brazilian rodizio with expertly grilled meats, including picanha, sirloin, fillet, and rib-eye beef, as well as lamb, chicken, and pork, all carved tableside.

Temper is a carnivore's dream with a conscience, championing ethically sourced meat and rejecting factory farming. Whole animals are butchered on site, right at the heart of the restaurant, while open kitchens and fire pits turn live-fire cooking into a theatrical spectacle. Whether you're gathered around the massive basement fire pit at the Soho branch, observing the proceedings from your mezzanine PDR in The City, or stepping away from the smoke on the Covent Garden terrace, Temper is sure to leave an impression.

Smokestak is a Shoreditch institution for slow-smoked, flame-grilled barbecue, drawing crowds with the scent of melt-in-your-mouth brisket, signature thick-cut ribs, flavourful bone marrow, and skilfully charred pork belly drifting from its open kitchen. Inside, exposed brick, low lighting, and industrial details set a moody backdrop that counterbalance the bold, smoky flavours on the plate.

South London meat restaurant Whole Beast tackles nose-to-tail cooking with a dashing rock'n'roll attitude, cooking over live flames in ways most kitchens wouldn't dare attempt. It gained renown on the pop-up circuit thanks to its award-winning burger, but the recently launched Brixton flagship goes far beyond that, including the likes of Sunday roasts with whole cuts slowly turned over glowing coals. Add a line-up of craft beers, cocktails, and natural wines, and it's a no-brainer.

You can't really mention nose-to-tail dining without mentioning St. John, a legendary London original that helped revive interest in offal dishes around the world and snagged itself a Michelin star and countless adoring fans in the process. With the likes of tripe, offal, and cheek regularly on the menu, it's not for the faint of heart, but if you appreciate these less-common yet flavoursome meats, you're in for a religious experience.

Tucked beneath a railway arch in Leyton, Burnt is a casual, no-bookings spot with a stripped-back, industrial look and a serious reputation for its food. You order straight from the counter before settling into smoky barbecue plates, from juicy burgers and generously filled sandwiches to beautifully cooked cuts of meat. All the meat is halal, the atmosphere is refreshingly inclusive, and you can BYOB. All in all, this is a true hidden gem for meat lovers in London.

Lobos Meat and Tapas wears its carnivorous heart proudly, celebrating top-quality cuts from the Iberian peninsula. The menu at these meat-heavy Spanish joints centres on Ibérico pork alongside timeless tapas favourites like Spanish tortilla, chorizo, and padrón peppers. With an open kitchen setting the scene, these spots feel as atmospheric as they are unapologetically meaty.

Smok'd is an award-winning barbecue concept found at select pubs in London. The modern British barbecue menu features everything from one-off monthly burgers and ribs to wings and more, while the traditional pub setting helps create an unbeatable atmosphere. Fresh pints are obviously readily available too, so don't be too surprised when this one turns into an all-nighter.