**Welsh Steakhouse Earns Global Recognition in Prestigious World’s Best List**
A restaurant tucked away in the South Wales valleys has captured the attention of food lovers around the globe, after being named among the world’s top steak restaurants. BLOK, situated within Lanelay Hall Hotel and Spa in Talbot Green, has secured 55th place in the much-anticipated World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for 2025. This major accolade not only puts the venue on the culinary map but also marks it as the only Welsh establishment recognised on this year’s prestigious list.
BLOK’s impressive ranking places it alongside some of the most celebrated steakhouses from international dining capitals such as New York, Buenos Aires, Sydney, and Bilbao. The annual competition considers thousands of contenders, making this recognition a significant achievement for the South Wales newcomer. Opened in November 2023, BLOK has quickly developed a reputation for delivering premium cuts, including dry-aged sirloin, rib-eye, and tomahawk steaks, all expertly cooked over an open fire charcoal grill.
Reviewers from the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants described BLOK as a “harmonious blend of traditional cooking methods and contemporary culinary artistry.” Their assessment also praised the restaurant for offering “a journey through flavours that are both comforting and innovative”, emphasising BLOK’s unique ability to balance classic steakhouse techniques with modern twists, much to the delight of locals and critics alike.
The list itself is fiercely contested, encompassing eateries from global hotspots. This year, the top ten features international luminaries such as Don Julio Parrilla in Buenos Aires, Margaret in Sydney, Laia Erretegia in Hondarribia, and renowned venues in cities like Madrid, Stockholm, and New York. Closer to home, only a handful of UK restaurants were included outside London, highlighting BLOK’s rare distinction. The only other non-London UK entry was Porter & Rye in Glasgow.
Speaking about the honour, Jonathan Smith, managing director of Lanelay Hall, described the achievement as “remarkable.” He told local media, “To be amidst these chefs and establishments of that calibre was truly extraordinary for us. All of this came from a desire to give our customers the best possible experience – with humble ingredients, yet elevating them to fine dining standards.” Smith was also quick to credit the hard work of the kitchen team, noting their constant efforts to refresh and improve the menu, which now boasts creations that are “just getting better and better.”
Smith continued, “To be even considered within the 101 is an unbelievable achievement, but to be named 55th in the world is phenomenal. It’s a massive thing for the south Wales valleys, and we’re so proud to be raising the flag for this area.” This sentiment reflects the pride felt across the local community, as BLOK’s recognition brings the region into the international culinary spotlight.
BLOK operates from Wednesday to Sunday, and has already become a must-visit for steak enthusiasts, with meals priced between £27 and £38. Its dedication to sourcing local produce and cooking over open flames has resonated with diners, combining a sense of comfort with gastronomic flair. This blend of approachability and ambition has no doubt contributed to BLOK’s considerable success in such a short period.
Notably, BLOK was not the only Welsh link on this year’s international list. BRAT, a Shoreditch-based restaurant founded by Anglesey-born chef Tomos Parry, achieved an even higher ranking, coming in at 24th place. However, BLOK remains the only representative from Wales itself, shining a light on the nation’s evolving food scene.
As the restaurant industry continues to recover and reinvent itself, accolades such as this play a vital role in attracting both tourism and local patronage. BLOK’s success is an encouraging sign for Welsh hospitality, suggesting that world-class dining experiences can be found far beyond major metropolitan centres.
Ultimately, the inclusion of BLOK in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants serves as a testament to the passion, creativity, and unrelenting pursuit of quality exhibited by its team. For diners in Wales and beyond, it offers compelling proof that the valleys now play home to some of the finest steak in the world.