Johannesburg’s own The Blockman has earned global recognition, landing at #97 on the 2025 World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list.
This achievement puts The Blockman on the international culinary map, solidifying its reputation as one of South Africa’s top destinations for steak and fire-based cooking.
Located in the upmarket suburb of Parkhurst, The Blockman is a refined, fire-fuelled meat eatery that combines contemporary South African dining with the ancient traditions of butchery and open-fire cooking. Led by chef-owner Vassilios Holiasmenos, a trained butcher and chef, the restaurant honours whole-animal butchery, dry-aging, and coals as the core of its offering.
A celebration of meat and method
Cuts like dry-aged rib-eye, thick-cut sirloin, and heritage breeds are aged and broken down in-house before being cooked over hardwood coals. Diners can even select their own steak from the restaurant’s visible aging room, an immersive experience that reinforces The Blockman’s philosophy: let the meat speak for itself.
But it's not just about beef. Seasonal sides like ember-roasted carrots, bone marrow bread, and crisp salads offer balance, while the curated wine list highlights top South African producers—both essential factors in the restaurant's global recognition.
A global standard in steak
The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list is known for its integrity and high standards. Restaurants are selected and ranked by Steak Ambassadors, experts ranging from chefs to meat masters and food journalists, who conduct incognito visits across six continents.
According to Upper Cut Media House, the boutique hospitality media company behind the list, the ranking is guided by nine key criteria, including meat quality and cut variety, service and product knowledge, wine curation, ambiance, and a strong international presence. Importantly, the process is independent, with no pay-to-play involvement.
The Blockman’s inclusion is a proud moment for South African gastronomy, recognising the restaurant’s commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and transparency.
Visit The Blockman on 4th Avenue in Parkhurst, and experience why it’s not only one of Joburg’s best restaurants but now officially one of the best steakhouses in the world.
Did you know that Stellenbosch based Vuur is the only other South African restaurant on the list?
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