Located just a couple of minutes away from Arsenal tube station, Garufa brings a taste of Buenos Aires to an otherwise sleepy area on non-match days.

The Venue
The decor of Garufa is pared-down with wooden flooring, chairs and tables. The walls are a rough and simple but sophisticated brickwork, and they’re lined with sepia shots of Argentina of old. The warm colours and subdued lighting enhance the venue’s good looks.

The Atmosphere
The staff seem authentically Argentinean and are extremely friendly. They help make the atmosphere a little more lively than it would be otherwise, especially early on during the week.

The Food
The focus of the menu is most definitely on steaks, whether you come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Choose from a bife de lomo (fillet), bife de chorizo (sirloin), bife ancho (ribeye) or bife de cuadril (rump), all served with the classic Argentinean chimichurri sauce, made from fresh herbs mixed with garlic, onion paprika and olive oil. The meat is cooked according to your liking and is wonderfully succulent and tender. The prices might seem a little high but not for the quality on offer; savings can be made by stopping by for breakfast or lunch.

If there are two of you and your stomachs will stretch that far, then the parrillada mixta (mixed grill, £30) is a good way of sampling what Garufa has to offer. The grill arrives ceremoniously on a hotplate with two portions of fillet steak dotted with red pepper, a pork sausage, a large chunk of aubergine and portobello mushroom – both topped with provolone cheese as well as a large puddle of more oozing provolone in the middle of the grill for dipping your meat in. The ensalada ringo bonavena (£6.50) is a good choice to refresh the palate and offset all the cheese and is filled with crunchy greens such as asparagus and mange tout, all dressed in a tasty mix of fresh lime and olive oil. A vast array of side dishes is offered from chips with garlic and parsley (£3) or mash (£3) to grilled red peppers (£4) and fresh corn (£4.50). Vegetarians are catered for too with some tasty options available including butternut squash and sage tortelli (£10).

Desserts are on the small side so it’s worth getting your own rather than sharing if you have some room after your steak. An Argentinean favourite, dulce de leche (a milk based thick sauce, similar to toffee) figures highly in a caramelised bread pudding, pancake or cheesecake (£4.50). The latter is strongly accented by lemon and ginger which disguises the loveliness of the dulce de leche somewhat.

The Drink
Choose from a range of cocktails such as pisco sour, mojito, Cuba Libre, daiquiri or margarita, from £6 to £8. Wine is, however, the obvious choice here to wash down your steak, with a vast range of reds and whites on the menu, from £13.50 to £147 per bottle, all hailing from Argentina. The Valle Perdido pinot noir (£20 a bottle) is particularly recommended.

The Last Word
The combination of a convivial, authentic Argentinean atmosphere and plates to share makes Garufa a suitable venue for a party and for those looking to try South American fare that’s a little different from other London chains.

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