Ibai London: The Best Steak I’ve Ever Had in London

There are some restaurants that are good, some that are memorable, and then there are the ones that completely change your standards for a certain dish. For me, Ibai falls into that last category. I went in expecting a really good steak dinner after hearing all the hype around it, especially after it was recently listed as the seventh best steak restaurant in the world. That’s a pretty bold title, so naturally my expectations were high. Somehow, it still managed to exceed them.

From the moment the steak arrived at the table, I already knew this was going to ruin other steaks for me. I genuinely can say it was the best steak I’ve ever had. Juicy, tender, rich in flavour and somehow still light enough that you keep wanting another bite. No chewiness, no toughness, just perfectly cooked meat that completely lived up to the reputation.

I visited Ibai for a weekday lunch with a group of friends, and honestly, I think that’s the ideal way to experience this restaurant. The menu is designed in a way where sharing makes sense, especially when you’re ordering the steaks because they are large portions. Going as a group meant we could try a little bit of everything, compare dishes and really get a full experience of the menu.

What I also loved was that despite being busy, the restaurant never felt overwhelming or too loud. It had a relaxed atmosphere where you could properly sit back and enjoy the meal. Whether it’s for a girls night, date night or simply catching up with friends over incredible food, Ibai manages to feel special without feeling intimidating.

About Ibai

Ibai is a Spanish-inspired steak restaurant located in the City of London, tucked away near Barbican, Farringdon and St Paul’s stations. The restaurant focuses heavily on premium beef and high-quality produce while bringing strong Spanish influences into the menu and overall dining experience.

Lately, I’ve been noticing how many amazing Spanish food spots London actually has, and Ibai definitely deserves its place among them. It combines refined cooking with a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, which I think is part of what makes it stand out.

Ibai is also featured on the Michelin Guide, which honestly makes complete sense once you experience the food and service for yourself. Everything feels thoughtful without becoming overly formal.

Even before sitting down, there were little touches that made the experience feel elevated. At the front of the restaurant, the staff offered to store our coats and bags, giving us tags to collect them afterwards. It’s a simple detail but one that immediately makes the dining experience feel comfortable and organised.

What is Ibai Known For?

Without question, Ibai is best known for its steak, specifically the Galician Blond steak. If you’ve spent any time looking into London’s steak scene recently, there’s a high chance you’ve already heard the name mentioned somewhere.

The restaurant has built a reputation around sourcing exceptional cuts of meat, particularly from Spain, and cooking them with a real focus on simplicity and quality. The steak is the star here and rightfully so.

We ordered the Galician Blond by Xose Portas from Pontevedra, Spain and it completely stole the show. Honestly, I understand now why people rave about it so much. It was rich without being too heavy, incredibly tender and full of flavour in every bite. It practically melted in your mouth. The texture alone was enough to make it memorable because there was absolutely none of that chewiness that sometimes comes with larger cuts of steak.

At this point, I feel like anywhere I see Galician Blond steak on a menu, I’m automatically ordering it because this meal completely converted me.

Ibai is also known for blending seafood and Spanish-inspired flavours throughout the menu. While the steak is definitely the main attraction, some of the starters and seafood dishes were equally impressive and made the meal feel much more balanced overall.

What is the Experience Like at Ibai?

One of the things I appreciated most about Ibai was how relaxed the entire meal felt. Sometimes restaurants with this level of recognition can feel overly formal or slightly intimidating, but Ibai manages to create an atmosphere that feels polished while still being warm and approachable.

I visited during weekday lunch service and the restaurant was fairly busy, which honestly says a lot considering it wasn’t even dinner service. Despite that, it never became too noisy. You could still comfortably have conversations without needing to raise your voice across the table, which made it ideal for a long catch-up with friends.

The pacing of the meal was also really well done. We never felt rushed between courses and the staff gave us enough time to properly enjoy each dish. The servers were friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely helpful when it came to recommendations. Since we were ordering quite a lot of food, their suggestions helped us balance the meal properly.

Another nice touch was downstairs near the toilets where you pass by their wine collection on display. It adds a little extra character to the restaurant and makes the space feel even more considered.

Overall, the experience felt calm, comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish. It’s the type of restaurant where you can easily spend a few hours without noticing the time pass.

What is the Food Like at Ibai?

The food at Ibai was genuinely one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in London in a long time. Every dish felt carefully considered, and even though the steak was the highlight, the rest of the menu absolutely deserves attention too.

We started with the Croque Ibai (£20) with carabinero, boudin noir and Tomme de Brebis. This ended up being one of my favourite dishes for the starters. Strangely, even though there wasn’t pork in it, it reminded me of pork belly because of the richness and texture. The best part was the crunch when you bite into it. It was incredibly satisfying and balanced perfectly with the softer filling inside.

The Crab & Wagyu Beef Pintxo (£24) was another standout and an absolute must-order in my opinion. The wagyu completely melts in your mouth while the crab adds a subtle sweetness that works so well together. It’s rich but still delicate enough that it doesn’t feel too heavy.

We also ordered the Beef Tartare (£15) with smoked Espelette pepper. While it was good, I personally preferred the Carabinero tartare (£28). After a few meat-heavy starters, the seafood tartare added a freshness that balanced everything nicely. The texture was smooth, clean and refreshing.

The Pâté Basque (£12) with truffle honey and grilled bread was another dish we added to the table, and it ended up being such a good addition amongst all the richer dishes. The pâté itself was smooth, rich and full of flavour, while the truffle honey added a slight sweetness that balanced everything surprisingly well. Paired with the grilled bread, it felt simple but done really well.

For mains, the King Crab Rice (£85) was easily one of the highlights. The portion size was huge and definitely ideal for sharing. The rice absorbed so much flavour from the seafood and felt incredibly comforting while still tasting luxurious.

The Octopus & Piperade Marmitako (£42) was another dish I really enjoyed. The octopus was tender and flavourful without being rubbery, which can sometimes happen with octopus dishes.

We also ordered Tomatoes & Shallots (£6)which may sound simple compared to everything else, but honestly it was needed amongst all the richness from the meat and seafood. Having something fresh and acidic on the table helped balance the meal.

The Beef Fat French Fries (£9) were exactly what you want alongside steak. Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside and impossible to stop eating.

Then came the steaks.

The Galician Blond steak (£140/kg) completely lived up to every bit of hype around it. It was the best steak I’ve ever had, and I genuinely don’t say that lightly. Every bite was juicy, tender and deeply flavourful. It melted in your mouth without feeling overly fatty.

Alongside it, we also tried the Fullblood Wagyu (£145/kg) by Rob Cumine from Newport, Wales. It was still good, but when comparing the two side by side, the Galician Blond was the clear winner for me. The difference in flavour and texture was noticeable immediately. If you’re deciding between the two, I would absolutely recommend prioritising the Galician Blond.

For dessert, we shared the Pain Perdu with rum and hazelnut ice cream (£12). After such a rich meal, it was comforting without being overly sweet and ended the meal perfectly.

What is the Price Like at Ibai?

Ibai definitely sits on the pricier side, with the average spend being around £80 to £100+ per person depending on what you order. Once you start adding premium steaks and sharing dishes, the bill can climb quite quickly.

That said, I personally think it’s worth it if you’re going for a special occasion or if you simply appreciate really high-quality steak. The ingredients, cooking and overall experience justify the pricing in my opinion.

I wouldn’t necessarily call it an everyday restaurant, but for birthdays, celebrations, date nights or when you’re happy to splurge a little, it absolutely feels worth the treat.

I’d also highly recommend booking in advance because even weekday lunch service was busy when I visited. Considering its reputation and popularity, reservations are definitely worth securing ahead of time.

Final Thoughts about Ibai

Overall, Ibai completely exceeded my expectations and easily ranks as one of the best steak experiences I’ve had in London. Between the relaxed atmosphere, thoughtful service and genuinely exceptional food, it’s the kind of restaurant that leaves a lasting impression long after the meal is over.

While there were so many dishes I enjoyed throughout the menu, the Galician Blond steak was truly unforgettable and absolutely worth the visit alone. Combined with standout dishes like the Crab & Wagyu Beef Pintxo, Croque Ibai and King Crab Rice, the whole experience felt balanced, indulgent and genuinely exciting from start to finish.

If you love steak, appreciate Spanish-inspired dining or simply want a restaurant in London that feels special without being overly stuffy, Ibai is somewhere I’d wholeheartedly recommend.

There are certain restaurants you enjoy while you’re there, and then there are the ones you keep thinking about weeks later. Ibai is definitely the second type for me. From the first bite of steak to the relaxed atmosphere and thoughtful service, everything just worked so well together.

It’s not the cheapest meal in London, but if you’re someone who appreciates incredible food and doesn’t mind spending a little extra for a memorable experience, I really do think Ibai is worth trying at least once. And if you go, trust me on this: order the Galician Blond steak.

Highlights at ibai

• Recently ranked as the 7th best steak restaurant in the world
• Spanish-inspired steak restaurant in London
• Michelin Guide listed restaurant
• Coat and bag storage available at the entrance
• Beautiful wine display downstairs
• Recommend visiting with a group to try more dishes
• Relaxed atmosphere perfect for girls night, date night or group dining
• Reservations highly recommended
• Galician Blond steak is a must-order
• Favourite Dishes: Croque Ibai, Crab & Wagyu Beef Pintxo, Carabinero tartare, King Crab Rice, Galician Blond Steak

ibai Details

• Address: 90 Bartholomew Cl, London EC1A 7BN
• Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 10pm; Closed: Sundays
• Average Price: £80 – £100+ per person
• Closest Stations: Barbican, Farringdon, St Paul’s

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