The Knife Meets HERA, East London’s New Greek Goddess
- James Massoud
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
For decades, upscale Greek restaurants in London were the preserve of Mayfair and central postcodes. Think Estiatorio Milos with its gleaming fish counters or Mazi with its inventive sharing plates in Notting Hill. But now, the scene is shifting. Luxury Greek dining is breaking new ground outside the West End, and nowhere is that more evident than in Stratford, where HERA has established itself as the city’s new Hellenic destination.
A New Era for Greek Dining in London
Opened in late 2024 and named after the Greek goddess of women and family, HERA is part of the emerging cultural quarter of Stratford Cross. Neighbours include Sadler’s Wells East, the ABBA Arena, and the soon-to-open V&A East Museum, giving the restaurant an enviable location in one of London’s fastest-changing districts. But more importantly, it is raising the standard for Greek dining in East London, taking a cuisine often associated with casual tavernas and giving it a refined, modern interpretation.
Inside, HERA is a 200-seater with aubergine-hued walls, marble, and copper detailing that glows in the evening light. The design is warm and stylish without being showy, creating a space that invites you to linger over mezze, a bottle of Assyrtiko, and perhaps a cocktail or two from the front-lounge bar.
A Journey Through Greece on a Plate
The menus, overseen by new Head Chef Mario Selimis, are unapologetically Greek but with a contemporary edge. Selimis has introduced a new wave of autumn dishes that both respect tradition and reimagine it. Diners can chart their own odyssey through sections titled To Begin, The Garden, The Farm and The Sea – a structure that feels both intuitive and evocative.
Highlights from To Begin include silky taramasalata and smoky melitzanosalata, alongside the now-iconic Feta Saganaki: cheese wrapped in angel hair pastry, fried until crisp, and drizzled with lemon honey.
In The Garden, you’ll find an elegant Vegetable Moussaka layered with aubergine, potato, and mushroom ragu, or Gemista, courgettes stuffed with herbs and rice.
The Farm brings robust meat dishes like grilled baby chicken with herb salt, beef meatballs simmered in tomato, and juicy lamb chops. Meanwhile The Sea celebrates the country’s shoreline with perfectly charred octopus, calamari, and a show-stopping wild sea bass.
Selimis’ autumn menu introduces further standouts: a Seafood Orzo Pasta brimming with prawns, clams and calamari in tomato sauce, and Seabass Carpaccio with yuzu lemon dressing, dill oil and radish – an elegant play of citrus and salt.
Cocktails and Wine Worthy of Olympus
The dining experience at HERA doesn’t stop at the plate. The cocktail programme is clever, playful and distinctly Mediterranean. Helen of Spice riffs on the Margarita with a chilli hit, while Dates in Crete twists the Old Fashioned with sweet, earthy notes. Lighter options like Nymph Minthe and Karpuzi Island bring mint, watermelon, and summer flavours to Stratford, even in winter.
Then there’s the wine list. Greek bottles are finally earning their international due, and HERA puts them front and centre: Assyrtiko from Santorini, and rich reds from Kokotos estate. Each pour feels like a geography lesson in terroir.
For All Generations & Beyond
While HERA is pitched firmly in the upscale bracket, it’s not exclusive. The restaurant has leaned into its namesake’s theme of family by launching a luxury kids’ menu. Young diners can now tuck into mini moussakas, grilled seabass, penne bolognese or charcoal chicken. It’s a clever move, making Greek gastronomy accessible to a new generation while keeping parents happy.
Hera also understands that dining is theatre. Its Greek Carnival – a monthly night of music, dancers, and cocktails – transforms the Stratford space into a celebratory feast hall. The entertainment is complimentary for diners, and the atmosphere, unsurprisingly, is electric.
East London’s Greek Beacon
HERA is more than a restaurant; it’s a statement of intent. A statement that Stratford deserves restaurants of the calibre long reserved for Mayfair, and that Greek cuisine – rich, layered, celebratory – deserves the same attention as French fine dining or Italian classics. After all, it's becoming London's most popular cuisine for a reason.
With its elegant design, generous menus, lively events and focus on both authenticity and innovation, HERA is not just leading the way for Greek restaurants in East London; it’s helping to redefine upscale Greek dining across London itself.
