Explore London’s offering of the Mediterranean with our selection of the city’s best Greek restaurants
Words Helen Brown
Try one of London’s best Greek restaurants for an authentic taste of the Med
Whether it’s souvlaki you’re after or gigantes as good they get in Greece, London seems to have undergone a med-restaurant boom of late. More specifically, Greek cuisine is now abundant city-wide, with a wealth of eateries offering up exceptional traditional fare and street food. These are our favourite Greek restaurants to get a taste of the region without leaving London.
MERAKI
Contemporary Greek restaurant Meraki is the latest restaurant from the family behind Roka, Zuma and The Arts Club. opened on Great Titchfield Street in July 2017. Loosely translating as ‘the love and soul someone puts into their work’, the restaurant showcases the finest Mediterranean ingredients and celebrates the warmth and generosity of Greek hospitality. The menu nods to the vibrant culinary scene of the Greek islands and includes a variety of fresh and raw dishes, salads and a variety of hot and cold mezze.
HUNGRY DONKEY
Perfect for a light bite of lunch, Hungry Donkey is a modern Greek food restaurant, just off Petticoat Lane, with a focus on street food. They focus on quick and enticing dishes served up in hip surroundings for the hungry folk of east London. Expect fresh flavours with an emphasis on simplicity and reasonably sourced ingredients.
THE REAL GREEK
The Real Greek is a jovial chain restaurant inspired by the delicious and healthy diet of the Eastern Mediterranean. Their Dulwich offshoot sits on the sunny side of Dulwich Village and has been designed to recreate the relaxed Mediterranean experience of dining in Santorini. It offers an authentic space for locals, families and visitors to relax and enjoy an array of traditional Greek cuisine, from Souvlaki Wraps to mezze sharing platters. Weather permitting, there is a charming al fresco area, to really get into the beachy swing of things.
GREEK LARDER
Theodore Kyriakou was the man behind The Real Greek when it wasn’t a chain, before moving on to open The Greek Larder. This bright, modern space is a beacon of exceptional dining in a relatively grey corner of King’s Cross. Enjoy traditional dishes with an emphasis on clean flavours and seasonal ingredients.
THE LIFE GODDESS
The Life Goddess started out as a deli in Bloomsbury before launching a sister site in Soho. This latest venture is more ambitious than the former; more of a restaurant than a cafe. Amid the wealth of eateries in Kingly Court, The Life Goddess makes its mark with a properly Greek menu and wine list.
MAZI
Mazi are doing wonders to bring upbeat Greek hospitality to west London. The place is more often than not packed out with a hungry crown on the hunt for the venue’s home-baked breads, grilled aubergine and arama mousse with lemon confit. Mazi also boasts an exceptionally well-curated all-Greek wine list to ensure the perfect eating-out experience.
OPSO
Opso prides itself in being a ‘social food’ establishment with a large, central table encouraging co-dining. Opso is an ancient Greek word for a delectable morsel of food, and the food here certainly reflects the concept. Inspired by traditional and contemporary Greek tastes, the menu features social style dining food to be shared amongst family and friends.
