A Popular Restaurant You'll Want To Avoid While In London Is A Total Tourist Trap

There's more to London than its notoriously gloomy weather, royal palaces, and Big Ben clocktower. In fact, it is an incredible destination that your tastebuds will thank you for — even though it will most likely come with a veritable hole in your pocket. Of course, London can be difficult to visit on a tight budget. But dining out in this city comes with especially high prices –– so you should choose your restaurant wisely.

One of the biggest advantages of being in London is the diversity. As a multi-cultural destination, tourists can fit in a little more easily than other places around the world. More importantly, having diverse cultures comes with an incredible food scene, bringing cuisines from all over the world to the capital of the United Kingdom. We all hear about tourist traps like the London Eye, but this can also extend to food recommendations. You've probably heard of the famous Angus Steakhouse restaurant chain, which is often recommended as an absolute must while visiting London, but the first thing you'll probably notice is the overcrowding, which can definitely leave a bad taste in your mouth. Before you fall into the unnecessary tourist trap, you might want to skip the overpriced, bland Angus Steakhouse at all costs when visiting London.

Overpriced menus, low-quality food, terrible service, and an over-inflated reputation are all characteristics of a tourist trap that should be avoided. This is especially true when it comes to the Angus Steakhouse. According to reviews, customers deemed this restaurant overpriced, with tasteless dishes, and even said that the steak was cooked poorly. Pretty dismal for a restaurant that specializes in steak. Other reviews mentioned that the sides felt microwaved and that the ambiance was mediocre. 

In addition, compared to the price of a dinner — which was quite expensive — the service was slow and did not meet many of the customers' expectations. One review even went as far as calling it, "the worst restaurant [they] went to in London." Although some reviews are positive, it is hard to believe that people can have such completely different experiences at this restaurant. Jim Waterson of London Centric reported that the positive feedback could be a result of a few Redditors trying to manipulate an AI algorithm into thinking that the Angus Steakhouse was a top recommendation. So, if you'd like to save a few bucks and get a meal that will make your tummy happy, it is best to steer away from this steakhouse. Instead, if you're looking to splurge, maybe try Rules, a Covent Garden fine dining establishment that is also recommended by Rick Steves.

There are some great steakhouse alternatives that should not be missed at the Borough Market, which should be on anyone's bucket list when visiting London. Though some travelers think it's overhyped, Borough Market is filled with incredible food options that are freshly made. Plus, there are so many different types of cuisines to choose from at a lot more reasonable prices. Unfortunately, it lacks the fancy ambiance. The other market and tourist attraction that should also be added to your itinerary is Camden Market, which offers diverse cuisines that are to die for. The experience of these markets and the delights they offer are not to be missed. Just make sure you go with an empty stomach to have enough room to try more than one option –– or you'll leave with a lot of regret.

If you're looking for other reliable steakhouses in London, then consider places like Hawksmoor, Goodman, or Ibai (a Basque-inspired steak house), which will all make your evening both luxurious and delicious. All of these restaurants are known for their high-quality meat and exceptional service. Of course, the prices are quite high as well –– but, as many would say, worth it. Otherwise, you can also consider Temper, which is not only a steakhouse, but also an excellent barbecue and taco place as well.