The Greek dining scene in London has been reaching new heights. Recipes with an abundance of fresh ingredients, dazzling flavours and health benefits can be found on menus all over the capital.
Alongside the comfort food brought over by Greek Cypriots in the 1960s and 70s, restaurants are celebrating classic regional cooking, adding contemporary twists and exploring fusion cuisine.
A chic West End restaurant spotlights Greek seafood and in Hyde Park, find some of the best traditional dishes in the city. Second-to-none souvlaki and a host of local wines play a starring role at a Soho stalwart.
If you’re after an exceptional meal at one of the best Greek restaurants in London, book on OpenTable – there’s a table waiting for you.
The best Greek restaurants in London worth booking right now – read on for a guide.
For innovative sharing plates – book at SUZI TROS in Kensington
Greek food gets given a contemporary twist at trendy SUZI TROS. Credit: SUZI TROS
This sibling to Mazi has a fun backstory that matches the bistro’s equally lively atmosphere. Its name SUZI TROS, which translates “Suzy you eat” derives from ‘Pariziana’, a famous Greek 1960s movie, featuring a local seamstress who reinvents herself to impress the high society of Mykonos. Since then, the expression “suzi tros” has been associated with those who enjoy life and good food in Greek culture. Fittingly, the restaurant has been praised by diners for its buzzing vibe and innovative cooking. The menu channels the tavernas of Thessaloniki, featuring small plates such as lamb gyro tacos, okra fries with paprika dip and soy-glazed smoked aubergine. Mains to share include langoustine, orzo pasta and a lobster head bisque. Pair your meal with one of the Greek wines from the extensive list.
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For classic fare with a modern twist – visit Zephyr in Notting Hill
Tuck into a feast of fresh salads, meats and seafood at Zephyr. Credit: Zephyr
Diners flock to Zephyr’s yellow-accented dining room for classic Greek fare with a modern twist. Named after the Greek god of the West Wind, the atmosphere is casual with an elegant flair. Cocktails are an event of their own; start with a Negroily, combining gin, vermouth, bitters, amàrico and olive oil before ordering dishes such as tarama, a creamy fish roe dip – here with the addition of makrut lime – seabass carpaccio and a simple but stunning beef tomato salad. There are also a host of grilled meat and seafood dishes along with a robust vegetarian and vegan selection. Don’t miss the loukoumades for dessert, Greek doughnuts served with coffee dulce de leche.
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For the city’s best souvlaki – don’t miss Suvlaki in Soho
Meat comes cooked on skewers and is folded into pita at Suvlaki. Credit: Suvlaki Soho
Head to this Soho spot for some of the city’s best souvlaki. Pick between chicken, pork and wild boar—which is cooked on skewers over a robata grill until succulent, before getting folded into a pita. Drizzle your sandwich with tzatziki or rose aioli and eat it alongside some of the small plates such as the gigantes, the baked beans and feta dish that’s served here with oregano-flecked chips. The restaurant, founded by famed Greek chef Elias Mamalakis, has an all-Greek wine list and a cosy-chic dining room featuring wooden tables set side-by-side with underexposed light fixtures.
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For raw and grilled seafood – book a table at Meraki in Fitzrovia
Meats and seafood are given the star treatment at Meraki. Credit: Meraki
Like its neighbourhood, Meraki is understated and warm with exposed brick walls, wooden floors and leather chairs. Seafood is a highlight of the menu with a large selection of raw and grilled preparations. Diners come here for classics such as kebabs and calamari, as well as some of Meraki’s original creations including tuna ceviche that comes with crispy filo pastry and tgiouvetsi, a pasta dish in which Meraki swaps the typical beef with mushrooms or lobster. Pair your food with a selection from the extensive Greek wine list, which largely showcases bottles from Santorini, Macedonia and Attiki.
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For group dining – feast at Andy’s Taverna in Camden Town
Bring friends to make the most of feasting at Andy’s Taverna. Credit: Andy’s Taverna
Nestled beneath blue awnings, Andy’s Taverna’s timeless charm draws in diners with its white-fronted space, reminiscent of Greek island houses. Indoors, the blue and white theme continues, evoking the allure of the Aegean. The restaurant has been famous for its friendly service and stellar value since 1967. Fresh sea bass and sea bream arrive daily from Greece. Savour them grilled with potatoes and salad, followed by classic Greek pastries. You can also order platters piled high for the table to enjoy, alongside dishes such as melitzanes – aubergines with feta and tomato – and loukaniko, a type of Greek spiced pork sausage. The portions here are massive, so be sure to bring a friend—or three.
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For traditional specialities – head to Retsina in Belsize Park
Grilled seafood is a highlight at Retsina. Credit: Retsina
A favourite of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, the family-run Retsina has been serving Londoners for 30 years. Start with appetisers such as whole-grilled sardines and loukanika (a type of Greek sausage), before moving on to hearty mains that include klefito, a braised lamb shoulder dish, and soutzoukakia, juicy meatballs in a red wine and oregano sauce. Grab a spot at one of the azure blue seats in the restaurant and pair your food with one of the selections from the extensive wine list which features wines from Spain, Italy, France and Greece.
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For any special occasion – try OPSO in Marylebone
The sheer variety at OPSO makes it the ideal spot for any occasion. Credit: OPSO
Marylebone’s OPSO, with its sleek, beechwood-clad dining room and elegant pavement terrace, is for any occasion, whether it be dinners with the parents, anniversary celebration or date night. Named after the ancient Greek word for ‘a delectable morsel’, the food is similarly upscale with dishes including Greek caviar, yellowtail crudo in a smoked aubergine broth, and moussaka featuring beef ragu, zested aubergines, and a shard-like potato topping. The drinks are equally luxurious with Greek spirits such as masitha, metaxa and rakomelo starring on a cocktail menu full of cucumber sours, gin and tonics and old-fashioneds. End your meal with kiounef, a pastry featuring smoked cheese and pistachios.
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For market-style fish of the day – visit Estiatorio Milos (Piccadilly)
The historical entrance of Estiatorio Milos is a grand prequel to the stunning interior. Credit: Estiatorio Milos
Like its fellow locations around the world, the London outpost of this famed Montreal-founded chain is a must-visit. And not just because it’s in the elegant former British Columbia House in Westminster. Seafood is the centrepiece at Estiatorio Milos, quite literally in the form of a gigantic market-style fish stall where diners can select their catch. Order the chef’s daily selection of raw preparations, platters of cured fish, grilled seafood dishes or the house favourite: a whole salt-baked loup de mer. Whatever fish you land on (or if you choose the token offering of grilled lamb or beef), pair it with fried potatoes and a host of side dishes such as roasted beets and fava Santorini, a protected bean varietal from the island.
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For homestyle dishes – visit Ammos (Hyde Park)
Tuck into prawns, served different ways at Ammos. Credit: Ammos
If you’re looking for a meal to accompany a Hyde Park stroll, it’s hard to top the lively Ammos, a five-minute walk from the park. The restaurant unites fresh British produce with non-perishable items from Greece such as olives, olive oil, capers and wine. Find these in dishes such as the saganaki, a tomatoey stew that Ammos makes with prawns; Cypriot ravioles made with grated halloumi cheese, eggs and mint; and Cretan dakos, rusks topped with tomatoes and feta. Make sure you order one of the desserts, all of which come with kaimaki, the chewy Greek ice cream.
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