Santa Maria del Sur — Restaurant in London

A group of 9 of us went to Santa Maria for their new lunch deal a few weeks ago. £9.50 for a 220g steak and chips and a free glass of wine is a great deal, but we left disappointed. I've been several times in the evening and have had a great meal every time, which made this visit all the more disappointing.

We booked the table the day before, so they knew 9 of us were coming. We ordered 8 of the lunchtime steak specials and one vegetarian dish, only to be told that they only had 4 steaks. We were the only people in restaurant for the duration of our visit and we were the first people in there that day (as we arrived shortly after opening). We were offered the chicken option as an alternative, so we took 4 of those...but who goes to a steakhouse to order chicken?! If you know a big group of people are coming to your steakhouse for lunch after you've recently announced a new lunchtime menu, I would have thought you'd make sure you have enough steaks available.

When we said how we'd like our steak cooked, the waiter told us that this cut (oyster blade) was only cooked medium and we didn't get a choice. We thought this was strange but accepted it. The restaurant may recommend you have a steak cooked in a particular way, but surely as the customer we should be able to choose if we want it done differently for whatever reason. I'd have preferred mine medium-rare, for example.

When the food arrived, all 4 steaks were over-cooked - there was no pink in the middle at all, which to me is very much well-done, not medium. That's a pretty basic thing you need to get right if you're primarily a high-end steakhouse, surely. The steaks were also smaller than the advertised 220g - I order 250g oyster blade steaks from my butcher and I would say they are nearly twice the size of the steaks we were given. The steaks themselves still tasted nice and the chips were good, but it wasn't as good as it could have been. When the waiter asked if all was ok with our meals, I didn't feel it was worth complaining about the steak being over-cooked, as we knew they didn't have any steak left, so it's not like they could prepare new ones. My colleagues who had the chicken all said it tasted very nice but they all said that it wasn't hot when it arrived, so that was a let-down too.

I left a message via their website that afternoon describing out visit and the problems, but didn't hear anything back.

All-in-all, rather disappointing. As mentioned, all previous visits in the evening have been good, so maybe they were having an off-day on this occasion.

We work nearby and I had been telling my colleagues how good the steak was and how we should visit for the lunch deal, but after this visit I may struggle to tempt them all back again...

Had a really good time here. Had brilliant starters and desserts. The mains were a bit of a hit and miss. But overall the visit was quite good and we had a lovely serving staff who was very knowledgeable about all the dishes. Here is a detailed review of the dishes we ordered.

Starters Ordered empanadas and grilled provolone cheese - these were authentic and fresh Argentinian food, will definitely come back for these.

Main course Medium rare sirloin steak- cooked in Argentinian style- grilled on the outside, was fresh and definitely medium rare on my plate- this is something that even big/popular restaurants struggle with however the chefs here nailed it.

Pork belly- pork belly was dry and chewy however the supporting elements in the dish were quite good. Id recommend leaving the pork belly as a whole instead of slicing it too early and risking it to dry out and become chewy.

Beef burger- burger was extremely dry as opposed to being juicy which is preferable and didnt feel fresh. The bun on the burger was of really poor quality too. This was the most underwhelming dishes out of all.

Chips- the chips were cooked and seasoned to perfection especially with generous amounts of garlic and herbs - made it full of flavour.

Desserts Had cheesecake and banana split. Both were really good but what stood out for me was that banana split with filo pastry shell. Id like to have some...

Santa Maria del Sur — Cozy, Authentic, and Full of Flavour

We had a truly lovely time at Santa Maria del Sur — a place that wraps you in warmth the moment you step inside. With its rustic brick walls, soft lighting, and South American charm, the atmosphere feels both intimate and inviting. It’s the kind of restaurant where conversation flows easily and every dish tells a story.

The food was excellent — Argentinian steaks grilled to perfection, rich chimichurri, and sides that complemented without overpowering. The wine list is carefully curated, with bold Malbecs and elegant whites that elevate the meal. The service was attentive and kind, striking that rare balance between professionalism and genuine warmth. Whether you’re there for a quiet dinner or a special occasion, the staff make you feel truly looked after.

Highlights:

Premium Argentinian steaks and wines Cozy, rustic interior with South American flair Occasional live music that adds to the ambiance A place that feels personal, soulful, and quietly special

Final Thought Santa Maria del Sur isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a little journey to Argentina, served with heart and grilled to perfection. Cozy and delicious in...