I am partial to a big, fat, juicy steak. To be honest, steak would be my death row meal: steak in a chimichurri sauce with Nan’s deep-fried chips, a glass of orange wine, and Early Birds Bakery pecan pie. I like to think everyone would respect my wishes and deliver, but I have a feeling Nan’s response would be, “Piss off, I’m nearly dead.”

The food scene is buzzing in Birmingham, From incredible wood-fired pizzas to rich and aromatic curries that nod to the city’s storied history with South Asian cuisine, and from vibrant Thai dishes to gourmet burgers, Birmingham’s culinary landscape is as diverse as it is delicious. I have pretty much everything I need except, a quality steakhouse. Finding out Pasture was opening a new restaurant on Colmore Row, my curiosity was immediately piqued. I had heard rave reviews about their Bristol branch and when they announced their Birmingham opening, my DMs lit up like never before, flooded with messages from many of you begging me to review it. So, could Pasture be the steakhouse that finally fills this gap in Birmingham?

We went on a Thursday around 5:30 PM,the bar was filled with city workers going for their after-work tipples and the restaurant was quiet but slowly filling up. Pasture’s Birmingham branch is their biggest yet, and I have to say the design of the restaurant is pretty flawless throughout. The décor had a lot of Manhattan feel to it that I really loved, especially the bar. Sexy interior, high class, and I can see this being a hot spot for couples’ date nights, after-work drinks, or catch-up with the girls! Walking into the dining area, you can see the big glass-fronted dry-aging fridge, which I believe is the biggest in any UK restaurant, as well as an open kitchen for diners to see the ‘theatrical’ open-fire cooking. As we took our seats, water and menus were delivered straight away.

Let’s start with the menu, the cocktail menu that is! It was about eight pages long and offered plenty of options; it was pretty impressive. There were a few that raised both mine and James’s eyebrows: Chimichurri Margarita? Jude’s Beef? We’ll take them both! I do applaud an adventurous cocktail menu. They arrived quickly, and my god, were the cocktails delicious. Jude’s Beef: beef fat-washed spiced rum, coffee liqueur, demerara, and walnut bitters—a cocktail I wouldn’t usually go for, but it was sweet and strong, and warmed the lungs! The chimichurri was different yet oddly satisfying after a few sips. My favourite was Nina Rose, a Ramsbury gin, rose, elderflower, and prosecco drink, which was a refreshing summer drink that I could drink like pop! Price-wise, it was around £10/£11 per cocktail. Overall, the cocktails were a big hit and they matched the price.

Now for the food. For starters, we opted for crispy fried chicken wings in a soy & bourbon glaze and kimchi dressing (£8.50) and the char siu pork belly with puffed crackling, BBQ sauce, and sauerkraut. Service was quick and strong; our server went through the menu for us and was sharp in replying to our questions about various dishes. We tucked into the chicken wings, which were seasoned beautifully. Each wing was licked clean like I set my dog on them. They were crispy, battered incredibly, and a great dish to start with. The char siu was petite yet had an almighty kick of flavour! Paired with the puffed crackling in a sweet BBQ sauce, it was our favourite starter dish overall.

Now, let’s talk steak. You’re going to find pretty much all the steak your heart desires here, just not that £1000 steak covered in “gold leaves” served by someone who looks like they should be out of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events, which is a good sign. From rumps to sirloins to large cuts like Tomahawks to porterhouse. The house cuts were showcased by our waiter, and we were instantly sold on the dinosaur Tomahawk. Each cut delivers a different flavour profile, texture, and experience. The sirloin is rich and flavourful, the ribeye is marbled and juicy, and the Tomahawk is an impressive cut that’s both tender and full of robust, beefy flavour. The Tomahawk house cut comes with two sauces and two sides, £9 per 100g, with the weight displayed on their blackboards that change daily. We decided to go for 1kg, paired with brown butter béarnaise and Sichuan pepper. Add the chimichurri—it melts beautifully into the fat, and it is sensational. For the steak, it was £90 – now I know a few people will raise their eyebrows at the price, but come on, this is not Wetherspoons where you’re going to find a steak for £10. This is PREMIUM—the best of the best. Highest quality steaks you can get your hands on, from sirloins and ribeyes to the ‘dinosaur cut’ Tomahawk and prized Chateaubriand—all dry-aged for a minimum of 35 days, and you can really taste the quality!

The upscale steakhouse serves some of the finest cuts of steak for miles, using only local ingredients that are ethically and sustainably sourced. For £90, the Tomahawk comes with two sides. We were recommended fire-roasted carrots and Thai som tam, which was a highly flavourful salad with a great balance of sweet and sour that my partner completely demolished. Both were beautiful sides that paired up rather nicely with our steak. We cut into the Tomahawk, and it sliced perfectly. Once thrown into our mouths, it melted and was cooked to perfection. The fat was sweet yet salty and melted away. You could really taste the quality of the meat, and I felt the portions were enough for two people, maybe a little bit more than enough. With a few bits of steak left, we were left clasping our stomachs, and it must have been a sight to see as we looked like a couple of pregnant ladies doing breathing exercises.

I must say service was exceptional throughout our dining experience. The service added to the value of the dishes and experience. Our server couldn’t do enough for us; he was exceptional throughout. Desserts? I was struggling to get up from the seat and do my lipstick, so we had to skip. But eyeing up the options, we know it’s a must to come back.For those curious about veggie options, yes, they exist! But let’s be real – this place is practically a shrine to all things beef. So, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a crowd of vegans to flock here!

So, the question is, is this the best steak restaurant in Birmingham? For me, it is. I have been mourning the loss of Pulperia in Brindleyplace, which served up the best steak, and I have to admit there is just nowhere that comes near it until Pasture. The bill came to around £180, and we left feeling full and satisfied. Pasture, to me, has fired straight to the top tier of restaurants in Birmingham. I believe it’s here to stay for a long time, and I, for one, am hugely relieved that Birmingham once again has a great steakhouse.

Book your table at Pasture here