Harden's survey result
Summary
USDA prime dry-aged steak – “their hanging tomahawk with dripping fat is a real experience” – is the whole point of a visit to this London outpost of a classic NYC steakhouse group, in the “convenient” and appropriately grand and Manhattan-esque setting of the 1930s Adelphi Building, just off the Strand. But while the interior is “stylish and classy” and the steaks impeccable, this is ultimately “very basic food” that is “far too overpriced” to achieve a better rating.
Summary
“Amazing grass-fed” USDA prime steaks (hand-cut and dry-aged for 28 days) are the USP of this NYC-based brand, whose London outpost has a Manhattan-esque location, on the ground floor of the landmark Adelphi Building, just off the Strand. No-one doubts the quality of the offering, and the odd reporter had their best meal of the year here (“amazing!”). But the level of value is a perennial issue and even a fan who rated their visit as “outstanding” noted: “the price is high… everyone seems to be either on holiday or on expenses!”
Summary
Despite a fine NYC pedigree; a selection of top-quality imported USDA steaks; and a ‘prestige’ location, at the foot of the Adelphi (just off the Strand), this US steakhouse has never made waves in the capital. When it does, it’s often for the wrong reasons, with too many complaints either that it’s “overpriced” or “very disappointing”.
Summary
Fans proclaim “excellent steaks” (including imported prime, dry-aged USDA fillets) and “not a fault to find” at this plush steakhouse off the Strand: the first international branch of the famous NYC chain. Its pricing, though, has often struck Londoners as “totally out of order”, leading to poor ratings across the board.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Smith & Wollensky?
The Adelphi Building, 1-11 John Adam St, London, WC2N 6HT
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £28.00 | £32.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £18.90 | £77.00 | £9.50 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £36.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £5.25 |
| Service | 15.00% |
The Adelphi Building, 1-11 John Adam St, London, WC2N 6HT
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑9:30 pm |
Best Steaks & grills restaurants nearby
Steaks & grills restaurant in Covent Garden
Steaks & grills restaurant in Covent Garden
American restaurant in Covent Garden
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Fish & seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
British, Modern restaurant in Southwark
Chinese restaurant in Soho
