Gaucho Hampstead — Restaurant in London

Absolutely breaks my heart to leave a bad review for Gauchos. I usually LOVE eating here but the food and service yesterday was not good enough for the standards I’d expect with the money we spent. I understand it was Mother’s Day and it was a full restaurant but that should have been taken into consideration when planning the day. Our waiter was friendly but it took a while to get his attention and we ended up using 3 different waiters on the night which became really confusing and some of our orders kept being forgotten because of this. As the designated driver, I was not drinking alcohol and the Diet Coke glass bottles were so tiny and became flat quickly. They were 200ml mixer bottles rather than a standard 330 size bottle. Charging £4 for that little amount of Diet Coke felt like a scam. Not to mention the drink or price was not even on the drinks menu.

The bread basket was the second tragedy of the night. We loved the bread baskets Gauchos did but last night what we received felt like a cop out to save some money. Instead of freshly oven cooked bread we received slices of a loaf of bread that were grilled - I could make this at home for 1% of the cost.

The Beef Tacos we had did not state on the menu that raw beef was used and we did not enjoy it for this reason.

As our waiter was busy taking orders from other tables and we could not get his attention for about 10 minutes we called another waiter over. This waiter insisted that everyone should order themselves so they know the order of food - fair enough but it came across quite blunt and cold.

After about an hour wait from ordering our main dishes arrived and another waiter brought them to us and gave us all the wrong plates which we then switched over amongst ourselves. 3/5 steaks were cooked wrongly and we did send one of the ribeyes back which was rare. The two fillets which were meant to be medium were also rare. We did not want to send back too many dishes as we were hungry and tired from the waiting. The steaks were very lackluster for the price. My fillet looked so dry as if it had been sitting out for a while and there was no sear on it. My partner makes a better fillet at home for £6 from Tesco so why should I spend £38+ Service for this one. The broccoli side dish used to be so delicious with notes of garlic but this time around tasted like nothing. The mac and cheese was horrible - the old truffle recipe was FAR better. The chips were actually the only good thing of the night. Let’s not forget how you’ve also ran out of sautéed spinach.

The dessert was okay, nothing really special either. I tried the apple crumble and it was way too much apple and not enough crumble - the ratio was completely off and it ended up being quite sickly because of it.

Overall, spending £550 for what we received was very heartbreaking especially as it was Mother’s Day and my mum was also very disappointed. I felt like you tried to maximise profits and quality went down hill. I feel really let...

A Disappointing Experience at Gaucho Hampstead Heath – Style Over Substance

I don’t normally take the time to write reviews, but after visiting Gaucho Hampstead Heath, I felt compelled to share my experience – in the hope that it saves others from wasting their time, energy, and money.

From the moment we walked in, it was clear that hygiene was not a priority at this establishment. The restaurant was filthy. Dust drifted visibly from the air vents – not just in small amounts, but enough to see it land on your hand. Our table was so dusty I had to ask the waiter to wipe it down, and even the wine glasses were coated in grime. The nearby plants hadn’t been cleaned in what looked like months – when I brushed my hand across them, they left behind a thick, black, sooty residue.

Even worse, the toilet facilities were offensive. The stench was overwhelming – a clear sign of neglect that mirrored the general lack of cleanliness throughout the restaurant.

Sadly, the food didn’t do anything to redeem the experience.

I ordered the Angus cheeseburger – a simple dish that any self-respecting restaurant should be able to get right. What I received, however, was an overpriced, tasteless, and poorly constructed burger that resembled soggy cardboard. Two sad, flat patties, drenched in a sticky sweet red sauce pretending to be ketchup. There were no tomatoes or lettuce, which is baffling. When I asked the waitress, she claimed that they had stopped serving those toppings two weeks ago – yet I literally saw a burger go past with a full set of toppings. A quick glance at their Instagram and recent reviews showed burgers, within the last two weeks, garnished with tomatoes and lettuce. So either she was misinformed or simply not being truthful.

And just to clarify – they only offer one burger on the menu, so this wasn’t a mix-up.

In short: Gaucho Hampstead Heath is all gloss and no substance. The environment is unhygienic, the food is disappointing, and the service is evasive at best. For the premium prices they charge, the experience delivered is simply unacceptable.

Would I recommend this restaurant? Absolutely not.

Save your money. There are far better places in London that respect your time, your palate, and basic standards of...

Exceptional Dining Experience at Gaucho – A Memorable Evening Thanks to Chad and Team

Three weeks ago, after a disappointing visit to Gaucho, we reached out to management to address our concerns. The response we received was both swift and thoughtful, resulting in an invitation to return for a meal. This time, I had the pleasure of taking my sister and our mother for her very first steak dining experience—and what an experience it was!

From the moment we arrived, the front-of-house team welcomed us warmly. The service throughout the evening was nothing short of outstanding. Special recognition goes to Chad, the restaurant manager, whose attention to detail and genuine care for our comfort made all the difference. He checked in regularly to ensure we were enjoying our evening, always with a professional yet warm demeanor that set the tone for an exceptional meal.

We started with a selection of starters, including the scallops, which were a true highlight. The quality, taste, and presentation were impeccable, leaving my mother amazed. The Winter Rum cocktail was another standout—rich, warming, and perfectly balanced.

When it came to the mains, each of us chose a different steak, and they did not disappoint. My mother, who was initially hesitant, was absolutely thrilled. She declared it the best steak she had ever eaten, a sentiment that truly made our evening special. Seeing her joy brought immense satisfaction to us as a family.

Daniella, another manager, was equally delightful. Her bubbly personality and ability to engage in thoughtful conversation added a personal touch to the experience. It’s clear that Gaucho is fortunate to have such dedicated individuals on their team.

Overall, the combination of exceptional service, exquisite food, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere created a dining experience we won’t soon forget. Chad and his team went above and beyond, turning what began as a disappointing experience into one of our most memorable evenings.

We’re already looking forward to our next visit. If you’re planning a trip to Gaucho Hampstead, I highly recommend the scallops / steaks and the Winter Rum—you...