Greek food is so much more than Gyros and Souvlaki (not to say that both of these are not delicious themselves). As a cuisine, it has evolved over thousands of years, yet to some, it has a reputation for being overly simple, which is unwarranted. In Notting Hill, where taste is a marker for many things in life, the area has long embraced pan-global cuisine – from Italian trattorias to Japanese omakase, and it should come as no surprise that there has been a quiet rise in seriously good Greek dining in the neighbourhood.
From traditional Athenian grill to modern takes on Cycladic seafood crudo, these are the best Greek restaurants in Notting Hill where olive oil, oregano and fire take centre stage.
Zephyr
Named after the Greek God of the West Wind, and set within a striking corner building just moments from the bustle of Portobello Market, Zephyr delivers Cycladic elegance from distinctly post-modern surroundings. Whitewashed walls, weathered wood furnishings, and sculpted vases evoke a sense of Mykonos-meets-Melbury Road. A central bar topped with honed marble is suitably Olympian and softly lit by pendant lights shaped like fishing buoys, while a scattering of tables spills onto the pavement during the warmer months for al fresco dining.
Begin a meal with the rich and glossy taramosalata, topped with pearls of bottarga and served alongside puffy, wood-fired pita. A signature dish here is the slow-cooked lamb shoulder, marinated for 24 hours in rosemary and garlic before being roasted and finished with a citrusy, olive oil glaze. Vegetarians will be drawn to the vine-leaf dolmades, stuffed with pine nuts and sun-blushed tomatoes, while the loukoumades (Greek-style doughnuts) arrive warm, golden, and drizzled with honey and crushed pistachios. It’s fitting that a restaurant named after the god of the wind can make a meal this heavy feel like a breeze.
Mazi
Mazi translates to "together" in Greek, which is fitting, as the restaurant offers a more intimate take on Greek dining. Tables are tightly spaced but deliberately so, creating an animated, taverna-style ambience, with distressed brickwork, copper pendant lighting, and handcrafted ceramics anchoring the interiors. To further the intimacy of the meal, the restaurant’s small plates format encourages sharing and an “eat together” philosophy.
The grilled octopus is a standout, with a layer of char that’s just enough to offer a tantilising bite, laid over Santorini fava and finished with a caper and lemon emulsion. Other crowd favourites include courgette cakes with tzatziki and the pork belly baklava, which reimagines the sweet dish as a savoury showstopper, layered with confit meat and crispy filo. Best paired with a glass of Assyrtiko from the well-curated wine list, featuring both mainland and island varieties, Mazi knows to deliver a delicious take on Greek Islands cuisine.
Suzi Tros
Just a few doors down from Mazi and owned by the same team, Suzi Tros serves as its more casual younger sibling, inspired by the street eateries of Thessaloniki. The space boasts an engaging open kitchen counter with communal wooden tables that make it ideal for solo diners or impromptu suppers with friends. The blue-tiled walls are a not-so-subtle nod to the Greek flag, but a welcome reminder that one is eating in an establishment proud to serve its homeland cuisine.
The menu is both short and seasonal, with highlights including the seabream crudo with fennel and lemon oil and the grilled calamari, served whole and drizzled in wild oregano dressing. Their moussaka, available only on weekends, has gained near-cult status, layered with slow-braised beef and a lighter-than-air béchamel that is every bit as delicious as it sounds, smells and looks. For an aperitif, it is worth browsing the list of cocktails, which lean herbal and put a distinctly Mediterranean twist on classics, such as the fig and rosemary Old Fashioned cocktail. It’s a very modern interpretation of Greek cuisine from one of the country’s most celebrated regions.
Tavernaki Portobello
A true local favourite tucked in amidst the energy of Portobello Road, Tavernaki Portobello captures the warmth and tradition of a family-run Greek taverna, up-ended into the busy streets of West London. The interior is rustic, with wooden tables, hanging lanterns and blue-painted accents that are bathed in the scent of grilling meats and fresh herbs, drifting invitingly from the open kitchen.
The menu is deeply traditional, leaning into the kind of homely cooking rarely seen outside the Greek islands. Start with a generously portioned meze platter, brimming with hummus, dolmades, grilled halloumi, and fresh salads dressed in lemon and oregano. Main courses feature melt-in-the-mouth lamb kleftiko, succulent grilled seabass and smoky chicken souvlaki served with crisp hand-cut chips. This is unapologetic yet elevated comfort food, served within a warm, family-centred environment which won’t fail to fill up all who dine here.
Tsiakkos & Charcoal
A short walk north of Notting Hill, Tsiakkos & Charcoal offers a boisterous take on the traditional Greek flame-grill. The space is casual, without the trappings or paraphernalia of some of the other establishments, but the intention here is serving up platters of smoky meats and endless rounds of tzatziki for diners to appreciate and revisit. Of particular note is the House Specialty Meze, a Herculean spread of everything one would expect to find on the menu that would make a worthy dinner for a demi-god.
Grilled pork skewers, spiced lamb chops, herbed chicken thighs, and whole sea bass cooked over charcoal arrive alongside fluffy pita, bowls of hummus and taramasalata, and a zingy Greek salad. Vegetarians are not missed out on, with oversized platters, grilled halloumi and roasted vegetable skewers served in abundance.
