The best places for steak in Manchester

Sister restaurant to Ramsbottom’s much-missed Levanter, Baratxuri (pronounced ‘barra-churi’) is a Basque-style restaurant within the ever-trendy Exhibition on Peter Street. Basque cooking is all about big, robust flavours and features loads of fish and meat cooked over hot coals. It’s also heavy on pintxos, which are little bar snacks served on a slice of toasted bread, skewered with all sorts of flavoursome things on top. Steak-wise, Baratxuri co-founders Joe and Fiona Botham popularised the ‘txuleton’, the aged rib steak from dairy cattle which is now seen on menus across town. So if you want to graze on delicious cuts of meat flamed to perfection, accompanied by things like salt cod branade and halibut cerviche, this is the spot.

If you imagined the ideal cosy pub, you’d probably imagine one of those brick built ones that’s slightly crooked around the edges, filled with huge wooden tables and olde worlde bits and bobs, serving up delicious but not overcomplicated grub. The pub you’re imagining is Salford’s The Black Friar, and alongside their superb classics, they have a grill menu featuring both a sirloin and a ribeye. Add ons are simple: a brandy and peppercorn sauce, a blue cheese and portobello mushroom, or fennel onion rings. Honestly, pub grub rarely tastes this good.

One of Manchester’s most anticipated recent London imports, Blacklock already have a cult following, not least because of their sharing platters of meat, ‘say when’ dessert policy and impeccable service. While the focus here is on the chops – which come piled high atop a cushion of flatbread – the steak deserves some of your attention too. There’s five to choose from, ranging from a Denver, to the signature Blacklock fillet, and the best way to enjoy them is with a stack of fluffy, golden chips (some of the best in town) and lashing of that signature chop sauce.

One of the best of the city’s now numerous rodizio restaurants, Fazenda has a distinctly high-glam approach (it is in Spinningfields after all). The concept is much the same as any other meat-centric Brazilian restaurant you’ve been to: there’s a fresh salad and charcuterie bar, while the meat comes to you – wave after wave of the stuff – from sirloin to ribeye to Brazilian favourite, pichana. Everything is cooked churrasco style, on a charcoal grill, and if that wasn’t decadent enough you can supplement it with a la carte dishes like tuna steak and truffle risotto. If you like to eat steak in a manor that makes you feel like a Roman Emperor, this is a spot for you.

Another London import, Flat Iron is located at 200 Deansgate in a stunning Grade II-listed building, designed by Charles Heathcote in 1908. Their concept is all about simplicity, and in contrast to some other spots on the list, affordability, with the signature steak coming in at £15. Think lean cuts (the flat iron – a piece of marbled featherblade – is not one of your melt-in-the-mouth numbers, more gutsy and robust), crowd-pleasing sides like truffled mac and cheese and homemade beef dripping chips. Little extras like free beef dripping popcorn on the way in and complimentary soft serve on the way out just make this deeply pleasing experience all round.

Synonymous with excellent steak in Manchester for over 30 years now, Gaucho are a bit of a no-brainer. Hidden away between Deansgate and Parsonage Gardens, the decor may be avant garde (think marble everywhere and ceiling-mounted chrome bubbles), but the menu is as classic as anything. Once you’ve chosen your cut of 100% Argentine beef, it is brought to you, raw, for you to inspect before cooking. You can opt for sirloin, rump, ribeye or fillet in a number of sizes, as well as some marinated options, or a huge chateaubriand for sharing if you’re really looking to impress. The sauces are equally decadent, from a Malbec and bone marrow jus to a lobster tail butter. Not a budget option, but if you’re pushing the boat out, Gaucho could be the one for you.

Since 2006, Hawksmoor – founded by steak aficionados Will Beckett and Huw Gott – has re-written how we think about steak. It has always prided itself on provenance since those early days, carefully sourcing grass-fed, traditionally-reared cattle, the cuts from which are then dry aged for 35 days, meaning these are some of the best steaks you can get anywhere in the UK. Though if you’ve ever eaten there, you know that already, and while this might be a London-born concern, Mancs have rather taken ownership of these gorgeously appointed rooms. And it’s not just the meat. From impeccable cocktails to impeccable service, there’s nothing these guys don’t know about the fine art of the steakhouse.

Steeped in history, this Cross Street tavern has been pouring ale and serving hot grub since the time of Charles Dickens. It’s no surprise then that the menu is full of olde worlde, stodgy favourites like corned beef hash and satisfying home-cooked pies. Steak-wise, you’re well-served too. There’s a rump and a ribeye on the menu, both served with fluffy, chunky chips and all your classic sauces. Add in some buttered greens and creamy mash from the sides menu, and you’re all set for a great lunch. Or dinner, obviously.

This city centre halal steakhouse takes all things grilled to the next level, serving dishes with outrageous artistic flair, like crispy chicken cheddar globes (globes!) and a tower of dynamite prawns – and that’s just for starters. They keep it simple with mains though; simply pick which outstanding steak you’d like from a list of premium options like Aberdeen Angus, Creekstone and, of course, Wagyu. These show-stoppers come with plenty of butters, sauces and oils for you to season to taste.

Making absolutely no bones about what the main ingredient on the menu is, Tender Cow is the kiosk-sized steakhouse with locations in Mackie Mayor and Altrincham Market. Working with some lesser-known cuts of beef, their aim is to serve some of the best tasting steaks around, at a slightly more affordable price point. An endeavour they are very much successful in. As well as perfectly seared slabs of meat, you can also enjoy one of our excellent burgers, with bearnaise sauce and caramelised onions, or the slightly mediaeval-sounding ox tongue and dripping on toast, served with a zingy salsa verde. Unsurprisingly, the steak sarnie is worth a try too.

One of the crop of cool, contemporary restaurants in Manchester that exclusively cook over open flame, it’s only fair to assume Stow has an excellent steak on their menu. And you’d assume correctly. You can enjoy a 700g ex-dairy rib eye, served with roast garlic. No need for traditional ‘sides’ when the entire menu is composed of perfectly simple side-sized dishes, which change according to the seasons. Complete with Stow’s moody lighting and impeccable wine list, a cooler destination for steak night we could not imagine.