
Vovem Meat & Liquor
Quick info
About Vovem Meat & Liquor
On Union Street in Aberdeen, Vovem Meat & Liquor is a steakhouse and bar built around a menu of steaks, including Highland Wagyu and Bannerman Butcher fillet. Diners are seated with a view of the open grill and the head chef at work. Bread with truffle butter is brought out at the start of the meal, and sides such as truffle mash and truffle fries are charged separately from the steaks. On Sundays, the format shifts to sharing plates like chicken and sirloin, and a kids' burger with chips is offered on the wider menu. Reservations are required. Live music runs through the evenings, including on Friday nights, giving the dining room a regular soundtrack alongside the grill.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking · Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention truffle mash, steaks, live music and sides sold separately.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention truffle mash, steaks, live music and sides sold separately.
Customer Review Summary
Steaks are the clear draw, with reviewers repeatedly singling out cuts like the Bannerman Butcher fillet as some of the best they've had, alongside sides such as truffle mash and truffle fries and a complimentary truffle butter bread. The Sunday roast also earns praise, with tender chicken and flavourful sirloin, and the baked camembert starter and desserts get recurring mentions, with several calling the pudding standout. The atmosphere and live music come up often as a highlight, though a couple of diners found the music made conversation difficult when seated near it. Complaints center on value and execution: multiple reviewers felt steak quality didn't match the price compared to elsewhere, sides billed separately at around £7 each drew criticism, and one diner received an undercooked ribeye while another was served the wrong cut of steak along with an incorrect bill and no apology. One reviewer also recounts a fire at the premises shortly after their visit. Service is generally described as attentive, with one visit noting a minor issue resolved promptly by staff.
Customer Review Summary
Steaks are the clear draw, with reviewers repeatedly singling out cuts like the Bannerman Butcher fillet as some of the best they've had, alongside sides such as truffle mash and truffle fries and a complimentary truffle butter bread. The Sunday roast also earns praise, with tender chicken and flavourful sirloin, and the baked camembert starter and desserts get recurring mentions, with several calling the pudding standout. The atmosphere and live music come up often as a highlight, though a couple of diners found the music made conversation difficult when seated near it. Complaints center on value and execution: multiple reviewers felt steak quality didn't match the price compared to elsewhere, sides billed separately at around £7 each drew criticism, and one diner received an undercooked ribeye while another was served the wrong cut of steak along with an incorrect bill and no apology. One reviewer also recounts a fire at the premises shortly after their visit. Service is generally described as attentive, with one visit noting a minor issue resolved promptly by staff.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Great place, food was good. Unfortunately we went there to eat good Angus beef( in Aberdeen!), and this what my husband ordered, but not what he received. We discovered with the bill that he received Kansas steak. It’s not what he wanted at all! We came a very long way to eat Angus beef in Aberdeen and he got USA meat. Big disappointment. The waitress after already another mistake in the bill ( they charged an aperitive we didn’t get) just said it was to our advantage because it was more expensive. We didn’t not even receive an apology!”
- Google user
“The atmosphere here was amazing, the live music is such a nice touch. The food was good as well but definitely overpriced- steaks cost a lot but were nice cuts. Problem is they don’t come with any sides, all sides paid for separately and run about £7+ each which I feel is way too much for chips. Staff were lovely and food was quick to the table. Will be back to try the Sunday roast.”
- Google user
“Fantastic place with an elegant interior and a great atmosphere. Very friendly staff, a wide selection of steaks, and an excellent menu overall. You can even watch the head chef at work — he is happy to give advice and recommendations. Highly recommended, we will definitely come back!”
- Google user
“The service was great, lovely FOH staff. I ordered a medium rare ribeye, cut into it and it looked fine, but the more I cut into it I realised the other side of the steak was very undercooked (I wouldn’t even consider it rare). The deserts were good and drinks were good.”
- Google user
“If you’re looking for a Sunday lunch in Aberdeen that feels a little more special than the traditional pub roast, Vovem delivers an experience that sits comfortably between modern steakhouse luxury and relaxed family dining. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere stood out. The décor is sleek and contemporary without feeling cold, striking a balance that makes it equally suited to date nights, family meals, or celebratory lunches. Seating is notably comfortable — something often overlooked — and it encourages you to settle in and properly enjoy the experience rather than rush through it. The menu offers a strong cross-section of dishes and price points, meaning you can visit whether you’re after a casual meal or a full indulgent treat. That said, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets if the Highland Wagyu beef catches your eye — a premium option that clearly signals Vovem’s steakhouse ambitions. For our visit, we opted for the Sunday lunch sharing plates: one chicken and one sirloin, while our daughter chose the kids’ burger. The Sunday roasts were, overall, excellent. Each individual element was well executed — flavourful meats, well-prepared vegetables, and all the components you hope for in a proper roast done with care. The chicken was tender and satisfying, and the sirloin delivered great flavour. My only small grumble would be the portioning of the roast beef itself; the slices were on the smaller side, and one additional slice would have elevated the dish from very good to near-perfect. Aside from that minor point, the quality across the plate was impressive. The kids’ burger showed the same commitment to ingredient quality, with good meat. However, it was unfortunately very overcooked, leaving the burger quite dry. As it’s served simply in a bun with a side of chips — without melted cheese or sauce — there was nothing to balance the dryness, which made it harder for our daughter to enjoy comfortably. A small adjustment here, either in cooking time or added moisture through toppings, would make a big difference. Drinks were another highlight of the visit. The IPA selection was enjoyable and paired well with the roast, while the cocktails were well made and, importantly, reasonably priced — a pleasant surprise given the overall premium feel of the restaurant. We did experience a minor service incident during our visit, which we raised with our server. It was handled promptly and without hesitation, and the issue was adequately resolved. This kind of service attitude is genuinely nice to see — staff who listen and act quickly make a real difference to the overall experience. In fact, the way it was managed ensured that we all left saying we’d happily return again in the near future”
Highlights
“Vovem Meat & Liquor is Aberdeen's superior independent steakhouse and bar. Offering a unique experience and authentic atmosphere, it is innovative and contemporary; a bar and steakhouse of the likes Aberdeen has never seen before.”
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Popular for lunch
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dine-in
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Coffee
- Late-night food
- Dessert
- Table service
- Live music
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 3
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Planning· 3
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 2
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
- Parking· 1
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Location
Restaurants near Vovem Meat & Liquor
- Wild Goose4.62890.2 mi£20–30Reservations
cocktails, hummus, langoustines
- The Albyn4.43520.3 mi£20–60Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
cocktail selection, sunday brunch waffles, spacious seating layout
- Books and Beans4.38150.3 miWheelchair accessible
afternoon tea, scones, second hand books
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vovem Meat & LiquorWheelchair accessible · Reservations | 4.3538 | — | — | truffle mash, steaks, live music |
| Wild GooseReservations | 4.6289 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | cocktails, hummus, langoustines |
| The AlbynOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.4352 | 0.3 mi | £20–60 | cocktail selection, sunday brunch waffles, spacious seating layout |
| Books and BeansWheelchair accessible | 4.3815 | 0.3 mi | — | afternoon tea, scones, second hand books |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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