Hidden just behind High Holborn, you’ll find one of London’s most enduring steak spots – The Bountiful Cow, a proudly female-led independent steakhouse that’s been quietly flying the flag for no-fuss, flavour-first cooking since 2005. Now celebrating 20 years of service, this laid-back local is proof that some of the best restaurants in London aren’t flashy – they’re the ones that just keep doing things right.

The Bountiful Cow: The Lowdown

Step inside and you’ll find a 1960s-style pub setting with vintage cinema posters, deep booths, and the low hum of regulars enjoying a pint of house Cow Lager. It’s part local pub, part hidden gem – and fully committed to the craft of great steak.

Owned and run by Cveta Dukovska, a self-taught chef from the Balkans with decades of experience behind the grill, The Bountiful Cow is a rare breed. Cveta cut her teeth in London’s old-school kitchens – from Dean Street’s Gigi to the legendary Wolf’s Steakhouse – and has spent the last two decades perfecting a menu that showcases the very best of British beef.

The Bountiful Cow: The Food

Steak, But Done Properly

At the heart of the menu? The steaks, of course. Sourced from top-tier Irish and Scottish farms and matured for at least 28 days, every cut is chosen for richness, texture, and depth of flavour. Steaks are grilled to order and served simply: hand-cut chips, house sauces made from scratch (béarnaise, peppercorn, chimichurri), and zero unnecessary frills.

Regulars rave about the juicy ribeye, flame-seared sirloin, and the showstopper T-bone, while the Surf ‘n’ Turf for two brings together grilled beef and garlic butter prawns in perfect harmony. For those after something more casual, the in-house Bounty Burger is a must – oversized, unpretentious, and loaded with rich, beefy flavour.

 

Not Just for Steak Lovers

While meat is the main event, The Bountiful Cow’s bar menu is packed with pub classics done right. Think: crispy steak bites, croquettes, halloumi fries, and a whipped feta-topped hummus that’s ideal with a glass from the well-curated wine list. Mains range from slow-cooked beef ragu to duck rillettes and golden chicken schnitzel, with a rotating blackboard of seasonal specials.

Save space for dessert – the sticky toffee pudding, Belgian apple tart, and crème brûlée are all house-made and deliciously old-school.

The Bountiful Cow: £20 Menu

Celebrating 20 Years: Special Anniversary Menu for £20

To mark two decades of service, The Bountiful Cow has launched a limited-edition 20th birthday menu, with three returning favourites priced at just £20 each:
• The Flashback Burger – A tribute to the original, made with chuck steak, pancetta, cheddar, garlic mayo, and crispy chips.
• The Legacy Flight (Steak Sandwich) – Ribeye, grilled and sliced, slathered in house chimichurri on toasted ciabatta.
• The Bountiful Beast – A decadent Surf ‘n’ Turf burger with sirloin steak, garlic butter prawns, and smoky paprika mayo.

It’s the kind of menu that rewards loyalty while giving newcomers a taste of what’s made it such a staple for two decades.

The Bountiful Cow: The Verdict

Whether you’re stopping in for a weekday lunch, a steak dinner with friends, or a pint at the bar, The Bountiful Cow delivers warm hospitality, honest cooking, and a menu built on quality, not gimmicks. It remains one of the few independent steakhouses in London still doing things its own way – and doing them exceptionally well.

So if you’re looking for one of the best steaks in Holborn, or just a proper pub with great food and a great story, it’s time to get acquainted with The Bountiful Cow.

For more information on The Bountiful Cow, see here.

61–67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU