The steak king of the UK
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| Truffle and charizo |
Ibai is one of those rare places where the noise around it actually feels justified the moment the first plate lands on your table. Service follows the same philosophy. It’s attentive but never intrusive, informed without sounding rehearsed. You get the sense that everyone working there genuinely understands the food. Ibai is my no 1 restaurant in the UK as they get the simple thing done properly, good ingredients, cooked just right with the right level of seasoning. The following captures my 18th visit.
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| La Noir de Bigorre Ham & Crisps with smoked piparra peppers |
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| Cured beef Cecina |
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| Wagyu and crab |
I had the crab rice dish many times, and I kept going back for it. It arrives with a gentle aroma that hits you before the plate even fully settles, a mix of sweet crab, toasted rice, and something deeper, almost savoury-sweet, that pulls you in. The rice itself is cooked with precision, each grain distinct but still carrying enough moisture to hold the flavours together. The steak is, quite simply, outstanding. Not in a flashy, overworked way, but in the kind of restrained, confident style that comes from knowing exactly what you’re working with. The cut arrives with a dark, deeply caramelised crust that gives way to a perfectly judged interior, tender but with enough structure to remind you that this is serious beef. The flavour is rich, slightly nutty, with that clean, mineral depth you only get from high-quality sourcing and careful ageing.
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| King crab rice |
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| Grilled XL Carabinero Prawn |
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| 1.5kg wagyu rib |
There is a reason Ibai just landed no 7 at the World's Best Steak Restaurant Award in 2026. No matter which cut you order, you would notice the balance between fat and lean, the way the juices carry the flavour across your palate, and the subtle smokiness from the grill that ties everything together. It’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down without realising it. You start paying closer attention, chewing a little longer, noticing the small details. By the time you’re halfway through, it’s clear this isn’t just a good steak. It’s an excellent one, easily among the best you’ll find in London, and served with a level of restraint that makes it even more compelling.
Food 4.5/5
What I paid: £125 per person with wine
Average cost without drinks and services: £80 (dinner)
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