In a city where culinary trends ebb and flow as frequently as the Thames tide, Greek cuisine is no longer a niche player but a serious contender in London’s dynamic dining scene. Whether or not it has overtaken Italian, Indian, or even British food is still a topic of debate, but one thing is clear: London is in love with all things Greek. From vibrant street food stalls to high-end seafood-focused restaurants, Greek cuisine is having a moment in the British capital.
The Long Road to Popularity
Greek food has been present in London for decades, following significant waves of immigration from Greece and Cyprus in the 19th and 20th centuries. Early Greek communities settled in areas like Soho, Camden, Fulham, and Bayswater, bringing with them not just their culture but their culinary traditions. Taverna-style restaurants and bakeries began to pop up, primarily serving London’s Greek diaspora. While Greek food remained somewhat under the radar compared to other Mediterranean cuisines like Italian or Spanish, the rise of affordable package holidays to Greece in the 70s and 80s introduced Brits to dishes like gyros, moussaka, and taramasalata, albeit often in their most simplified forms.
Though popular among tourists, the stereotypical image of Greek food as little more than kebabs and dips persisted for years. Yet, the new generation of Greek chefs in London, such as those behind Vori, INO, and Evi’s, are keen to challenge these outdated perceptions. They’re demonstrating that Greek cuisine is far richer and more diverse than its reputation might suggest, tapping into the wealth of regional dishes, seafood, and seasonal ingredients that define traditional Greek cooking.
Modern Greek Dining: From Rustic to Refined
One of the restaurants leading this charge is Vori, a modern taverna that embraces the essence of Greek hospitality. Run by the Tsimikalis brothers, Vori blends tradition with modernity, offering a menu that balances rustic roasts and sharable plates with innovative dishes. Their emphasis on quality, locally-sourced ingredients — such as kid goat, grilled fish, and regional Greek cheeses — paired with indigenous Greek wines, has turned Vori into a favourite in Holland Park
The popularity of Vori reflects a broader trend in Greek dining, where communal plates and a relaxed atmosphere appeal to London’s diners, who seek out authenticity in their food experiences. "The London dining scene is characterised by repetition and homogenisation," Markos Tsimikalis, Co-Founder of Vori, tells us. "For instance, there are a plethora of Asian and Italian restaurants, yet those specialising in Greek cuisine are still seriously under-represented."
Similarly, INO in Soho (currently relocating) has carved out a niche with its charcoal-focused menu, helmed by Nikos Roussos, who celebrates simplicity and seasonal ingredients in a way that resonates with the modern London diner. Roussos’ other ventures, like OPSO and Pittabun, explore different aspects of Greek cuisine, from fast-casual bites to high-end dishes, showing just how versatile the food of the Mediterranean can be.
Greek food’s rise in London also dovetails neatly with current health and wellness trends. The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood, and lean meats, is heralded as one of the healthiest in the world. This emphasis on health, combined with the fresh and vibrant flavours that define Greek dishes, has helped the cuisine gain traction among those seeking nutritious, yet indulgent, meals. "I believe there is a growing groundswell about what diners are actually looking for, namely clean, simple, flavoursome food where the ingredients take centre stage," explains Markos. "Greek cuisine is just that. We don’t use exotic ingredients, just premium quality extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and herbs. All of which is leading to an increased appreciation of our style of cooking."
Dishes like grilled octopus, feta-topped salads, and seafood-focused mains, such as those found at Kima — a restaurant that specialises in fin-to-gill cooking and dry-aged fish — speak to London’s growing appetite for healthy, sustainable dining.
The Greek Dining Experience: From Street Food to High-End Dining
Greek cuisine’s resurgence is not just about health and tradition; it’s about the sheer variety and dining experiences on offer. The casual street-food culture is thriving with spots like Suvlaki Soho and Evi’s in East Dulwich, where diners can enjoy traditional dishes such as grilled sardines, halloumi, and courgette fritters.
At the other end of the spectrum, luxury establishments like Gaia and Richard Caring’s Bacchanalia in Mayfair are redefining what Greek food can be. Gaia offers a glitzy dining experience, complete with tableside service, a seafood display, and a sprinkling of truffles and caviar over its dishes, proving that Greek food can rival the flashiest of London’s fine-dining options. Bacchanalia, meanwhile, melds Greek and Italian influences in an extravagant, art-filled space, where guests dine under hand-painted ceiling murals and Damien Hirst statues, underscoring how Greek cuisine is no longer limited to simple, rustic fare.
Food of the (Greek) Gods
Since the pandemic lockdowns, London has seen a dynamic resurgence in Greek cuisine, with Greek restaurants popping up across various neighbourhoods to meet growing demand. From small, traditional tavernas to high-end, contemporary dining experiences, Greek cuisine is having a notable moment in London. The city has welcomed multiple Greek establishments, from seafood-focused restaurants showcasing sophisticated, sustainable approaches to Greek food such as Kima, to places like Tsiakkos in Islington, which has brought a more homely, authentic Greek experience, featuring classic dishes like moussaka and souvlaki.
This boom isn’t only in neighbourhood spots either; from flashier openings in Mayfair appealing to high-end crowds, to new ventures such as AGORA and OMA in Borough Market, there is now more variety than ever offering casual street market-style dishes or a slower, more contemplative meal inspired by the Greek isles.
"I will also add another dynamic," adds Markos Tsimikalis. "Life can be full-on, 24/7, which brings with it increasing complexities and challenges. Having a meal is the one time during the day when people are able to relax, to let go and escape from their daily lives. Invariably humans will seek the opposite of complexity when they dine out, and so that is yet another allure of Greek cuisine – its simplicity.”
So, has Greek food become the most popular cuisine in London? While Italian, Indian, and British cuisines still dominate in terms of restaurant numbers and customer loyalty, Greek food is rapidly gaining ground; at the time of writing, new restaurants continue to open, such as HERA. Greek food is no longer just a niche option relegated to kebab shops and taverna-style joints but is instead becoming a diverse and sophisticated cuisine that appeals to a wide variety of tastes. From the rustic charm of Vori to the high-end spectacle of Bacchanalia, Londoners are increasingly spoiled for choice when it comes to Greek food.
The rise of Greek cuisine in London is part of a broader shift in the city’s food culture — one that prioritises sustainability, quality, and authenticity. As more chefs and restaurateurs embrace Greek traditions while adding their own contemporary twists, it’s likely that Greek food will continue to rise in prominence. Whether or not it can dethrone Italian or Indian as the most popular cuisine remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Greek food is firmly entrenched in the heart of London’s culinary landscape, and its future looks brighter than ever.
