Gaucho Covent Garden

Gaucho Covent Garden is the James Street outpost of the Argentine steak group, standing between the Piazza and Covent Garden Underground station on one of the busiest pedestrian streets in the area. The room is built around the grill, and the interiors blend a contemporary feel with the motifs of Latin America: aged saddle leather, reds, ochres and earthy greens.

The draw is Argentine beef, with ribeye and other cuts cooked on the parrilla as they would be on the grasslands of Argentina, served with the group's signature sauces. Around the steaks sit sharing plates inspired by Peru, Chile and Brazil, king prawns with a spicy kick, empanadas, a full-bodied list of Malbecs and a strong line in cocktails. The weekend brunch has a following of its own.

Argentine steak restaurant in Covent Garden

A terrace framed by greenery and soft lighting gives the restaurant open-air dining in fine weather, and a set of private rooms, each with its own door, table and service, can be taken for anything from a long lunch to a full-room celebration. The group also runs winemaker dinners, live music nights and seasonal menus, so the calendar is worth checking before a visit.

What to expect on a visit

Doors open at midday every day, closing at 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 9pm on Sunday. This is an occasion-led restaurant that suits groups and celebrations, so book ahead for dinner and expect a full, lively room rather than a quiet one. Gaucho is one of the larger rooms among Covent Garden's fine dining restaurants, and steak lovers comparing options should also look at the charcoal-grilled British beef at Hawksmoor Seven Dials a few minutes away. For a steak dinner in Covent Garden with a Latin American accent, this is the address.