There are dozens of steakhouses in every city serving up tasty grilled meat. But where can you find the very best steak?

The 2017 Eat Out Tramontina Best Steakhouses have just been announced at the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries. The top names in each category were determined by a two-step process. Star ratings given by reader reviewers on our site from 1 October 2016 to 30 August 2017 were tallied. The restaurants that received a large volume of high scores from fans were then visited by our professional critics. Final results were based on a 50-50 composite score from the public and the critics.

And those results are…

Gauteng

Best steakhouse

The Local Grill (Parktown North, Johannesburg)
This spot is a tribute to meat. With T-bone, fillet, rib-eye and sirloin steaks, you’re sure to find your favourite cut here. The glorious range of grain- and grass-fed steaks include both wet- and dry-aged steaks. You could also enjoy one of their tasting platters, the kudu platter or a starter of beef cheeks. Go hungry, the portions are generous.

A tempting steak at The Local Grill. Photo supplied.

The winner of Eat Out’s first Best Reader Review award, Joash Narainsamy, had this to say: “This is one of those OG steakhouses. The minute you step in you want to luxuriate in the old-world charm replete with starched napkins and well-dressed wait staff. You should order one thing only – steak. They know what they’re doing here. Like all OG steakhouses, steaks are served alone and sauces etc are optional/additional. This place is worth the splurge.”

Western Cape

Best steakhouse

Primal Eatery (Gardens, Cape Town)

Primal Eatery is a restaurant for purists who love the taste of meat – not the basting or sauces, but the naked goodness of the cut. The steaks here, cooked perfectly to your preference, could be eaten with a butter knife. They come accompanied by onions done three ways and truffle mustard. No sauce on the steak is needed – the flavour, texture and grill of the meat is more than enough to amaze your senses.

One of Primal Eatery’s glorious steaks. Photo supplied.

Candice Mentor describes their experience: “The attention to detail is AMAZING! I want to try everything on the menu. I’m close! I just can’t help myself from going back! #beststeakever”

Highly commended

Rare Grill (Kenilworth, Cape Town)
The menu is small and to the point, with steak as the restaurant’s mainstay. Choose between superb cuts of sirloin, rump or fillet, which have all been wet-aged for up to four weeks. They’re accompanied by your choice of starchy sides and sauces. Owner Greg Bax, who himself mans the grill, knows his meat. The succulent fillet here is tender and tasty, sporting beautiful grill marks. If you’re feeling ravenous, ask about the blackboard specials, which could include the popular 500g fillet on the bone (a revelation); the 500g grass-fed black Angus; or a 1kg t-bone steak, which is perfect for sharing.

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Reader reviewer Simon Kilpin had this to say: “Hands-down the best steak my family and I have ever had; cooked to perfection. A great feeling of laughter and light fills the restaurant, creating a wonderful environment! On top of the magnificent steaks, the chocolate brownie was out of this world. Highly recommended!”

About the sponsor

Tramontina’s Churrasco range is made with high-quality treated steel and Polywood – a shock- and heat-resistant wood that is dishwasher safe. The knives are long-lasting and feature a five-year warranty against manufacturer defects. The Churrasco range also includes grills, tongs, serving dishes and carts to make your braai experience as effortless as possible.