Last Updated on August 12, 2025
Everyone’s a winner at The Heliot Steak House.
For almost a year now, I’ve worked around the corner from the Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square. Despite my curiosity about what goes on behind its grand doors and walking past it on countless occasions, I’ve never set foot inside until recently. The sheer size of the building alone is impressive, but I had no idea about its rich history. Originally opening in 1900 as a circus variety theatre, the Hippodrome boasted performances from legendary icons such as Judy Garland and Charlie Chaplin. Not to mention the daring Clara Heliot, a lion tamer who was said to have fed raw meat to her lions on stage – and after whom the restaurant is named. Today, the ground floor of the venue houses the largest and most iconic casino in the country. The first floor, however, is home to The Heliot restaurant, which is regarded as one of the best steak restaurants in London; and that’s precisely where we were headed.
Located on what used to be the circle level of the former theatre, The Heliot is reached via a sweeping staircase that gave a captivating view of the casino floor below. I was completely mesmerized watching the diverse array of people intensely playing blackjack and milling about the slot machines, it certainly made for some great pre-dinner entertainment. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the opulent chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and the plethora of roulette wheels made it feel like I was witnessing a scene straight out of a Las Vegas-inspired movie.
The atmosphere in the restaurant was lively, with a palpable sense of excitement that was contagious. The dim lighting added to the ambience of old-fashioned luxury, and we couldn’t resist indulging in some cheeky cocktails to kick off the night. I opted for the Pornstar Martini, which had a perfect blend of sweet passionfruit, zesty lime, and prosecco fizz, while my companion chose the Lychee Mojito – a refreshing concoction of lychee liqueur, mint, and soda water. Both drinks were delicious and disappeared within seconds.
Onto the food. We enjoyed some freshly made bread (naughty but irresistible), accompanied by olive oil and balsamic vinegar while our waiter enthusiastically talked us through the menu which offered a broad selection of dishes, a lot of meat of course, but enough variety to suit every palate.
For starters, we chose their sea bass ceviche and goat’s cheese ‘lollipops’. The ceviche was presented in a dramatic fashion on a raised glass dish, complete with a white smoking centre and not only looked wonderful but also really delivered on taste, boasting fresh and flavourful ingredients.
The goat’s cheese was rolled into four bite sized-balls and lightly fried, resulting in a delightfully crispy texture which was well-paired with the lemon curd sauce that complimented the tangy cheese perfectly.
We took a short break from our meal to order some more drinks – an important aspect of any dining experience. I chose a glass of Italian sparkling wine and my companion a cooling lager. Although we weren’t big wine drinkers, we couldn’t help but notice the extensive wine menu on offer.
Next came the main event and highlight of the evening, steak. We decided to share the USDA prime rib eye 355g and the Hereford fillet chateaubriand with grilled mushrooms. We were blown away by the quality of the meat, the rib eye was masterfully cooked and practically melted under the knife. It’s safe to say it was one of the most tender and succulent steaks I’ve ever tasted. The Chateaubriand was served rare but arrived on a sizzling hot stone, giving diners the option of cooking it to their liking – I prefer medium rare – and it was sensational.
The roast bone marrow with crispy shallots, steamed spinach and chunky chips made for excellent accompaniments. The bearnaise and red wine sauces we shared both went well with the steak, but the red wine sauce’s subtle sweetness made it my personal favourite.
Almost overcome by beef we decided to share a pudding. These puddings are no mere afterthought at The Heliot. We chose their magnificent mango alaska which arrived spectacularly on a bed of dry ice. The dessert itself consisted of a caramelized meringue that was baked to perfection with a warm, gooey centre of mango coulis. The blood orange ice cream and pistachio biscuit added a refreshing touch and provided a light and cooling finish to our meal.
It’s easy to see why The Heliot Steakhouse has acquired such popularity. The staff were incredibly attentive and from start to finish, from presentation to taste, it was all simply faultless. With such an extraordinary setting and menu of epicurean delights, it’s certainly a feast for the senses; and I will be returning. My only comment would be to try and refrain from indulging on the bread to make more room for the delights that follow.
Diners need to be 18 to go to the Heliot Steak House and to the Hippodrome
Heliot Steak House
The Hippodrome Leicester Square
4 Cranbourn St,
London WC2H 7JH
Looking for something different? We recommend Hawthorn Restaurant in Kew Gardens
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