Dreaming of jetting off to a sunny, sandy beach? If you can’t take a spontaneous trip to a sunny Greek island this week, let your tastebuds do the travelling for you and satisfy cravings for hummus and halloumi a little closer to home at one of London’s best Mediterranean restaurants.
From freshly caught whole fish and chargrilled meats to tasty tapas, chocolate churros and hummus by the bucketful (not really, but we can dream), here’s where to get your Mediterranean food fix in the capital.
Saison by Mauro Colagreco
If you’re looking for a luxurious dinner to book for a special occasion, our Editor highly recommends Saison by Mauro Colagreco. Located in Whitehall, walk past the extravagant sweeping staircase in the foyer and into this hidden gem.
The décor alone is breathtaking, with opulent wall-art. As for the menu, we highly recommend the Seabass Carpaccio to start – served with a fresh citrus dressing, followed by the Turbot for main.
Our insider tip? Ask the in-house sommelier, Claudia, for wine pairings for each course – she never misses.
WHERE: The OWO, Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX
WEBSITE: www.raffles.com
The Barbary
Taking inspiration from the Barbary Coast, known for its infamous pirates, The Barbary in the iconic Neal’s Yard serves up small plates as rich in culture and travel as they are in flavour. You won’t find a dish on the menu that doesn’t have a story behind it of people migrating along the Barbary Coast, collecting and sharing ingredients, and gathering influences from areas visited – the likes of Morocco, Tunisia and Syria.
Much of the food is cooked in a stripped-back way – grilled over coals or baked in ancient clay ovens – and the menu is split into different elements: Sea, Land, Earth and Heaven. Expect the likes of black salmon dukkah, Jaffa-style cauliflower, and grilled octopus on chickpeas, lemon and parsley, finished with a Mechouia spiced lamb jus.
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Where: 16 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP
Website:www.thebarbary.co.uk
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Bala Baya
Bala Baya is a gorgeous slice of Tel-Aviv in the heart of Southwark. Courtesy of ex-Ottolenghi chef and Israeli-born Eran Tibi, sharing is at the heart of Bala Baya’s delicious menu of colourful, flavour-packed small plates.
Menu highlights include the prawn baklava with Persian lime, nori dust and pistachios, the aubergine mess with tahini and lychee and the burnt babka for pudding – grilled pistachio and tahini enriched dough with blackberry compote and crème anglaise.
Where: Arch 25, Old union yard arches, 229 Union St, London SE1 0LR
Website:www.balabaya.co.uk
Berber & Q
Bringing together two of your favourite things – mezze and music – Berber & Q does a successful job of combining casual restaurant charm with low-lit nightclub vibes.
Expect a middle eastern menu where the veggie dishes taste just as good as the meat – from cauliflower shawarma to burnt aubergine, rose harissa, yoghurt and amba with fried capers.
And if you’re after something a little different to wash it all down with, try the Shisha Ol’ Fashioned, a Turkish twist on the classic cocktail made with bourbon, tobacco liqueur and Turkish coffee.
Where: ARCH 338 Acton Mews, E8 4EA, London
Website: www.berberandq.com
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Carmel
From the same team behind Berber & Q, Carmel has recently popped up in Queen’s Park and feels like the Dalston spot’s older sibling.
Expect to tuck into comforting shakshuka, slow-grilled urfa chilli chicken, and fluffy flatbreads with a changing range of seasonal toppings.
The décor is also worth a look, with draped greenery, wooden tables and an open kitchen. Grab a stool at the counter to get closer to the action and sample the list of rare and interesting wines. But be warned, the sizzle of the grill and the fresh aromas drifting out of the kitchen is enough to make you ravenous.
Where: 23-25 Lonsdale Road, Queens Park, London, NW6 6RA
Website: www.carmelrestaurant.com
Bubala
Proving that veggie and vegan dishes can be more tasty than meat is Bubala. Thanks to its silky soft vegetables and vibrant Middle Eastern flavours, it’s enough for even the keenest meat-eaters to stop thinking of veg as just a side dish.
Choose from the likes of hummus, burnt butter and pinenuts and slow roast celariac musakhan, braised sumac onions and tahini to curate your own mezze spread. Or, opt for the Bubala Knows Best Set Menu at £35pp to try a range of the restaurant’s most well-loved plates
Where: 65 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London E1 6BD
Website: www.bubala.co.uk
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Whitcomb’s
A corner of the French Mediterranean in the heart of The Londoner Hotel. Whitcomb’s feels both traditional and modern blending contemporary French cooking with influences from other Mediterranean cuisines. Here you can indulge in simple yet elegant cuisine, prepared using carefully selected quality ingredients.
There’s escargots, tartare de thon, and wild mushroom risotto with aged parmesan and black truffle. And to accompany, their wine list explores a coveted collection of wineries from across the world, paying special homage to the terroirs of France. You won’t want to leave.
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Where: 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX
Website: www.thelondoner.com
42 Holborn
General Manager of the must-visit Mayfair restaurant, Jeru (along with Hakkasan and Park Chinois), have opened a brand new eatery called 42 Holborn. Located in a Grade II listed building, 42 Holborn combines luxe interiors with a quality, yet reasonably priced, menu. Highlights include the deep-fried calamari, grilled chicken skewers and, the unexpected star of the menu, Turkish coffee Crème Brûlée (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!). This hidden gem is sure to become a favourite for after-work dinners and appetising mid-week lunches, so add it to your list before it gets booked up.
Where: 42 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EY
Website:www.42holborn.com
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10 Greek Street
You know what they say, “If you can’t go to Greece, go to Greek Street”. Okay, we might have just made that up. But we stand by it after visiting 10 Greek Street. This unpretentious, ingredient-focused restaurant is all about serving up great Mediterranean-inspired food, with a daily changing menu and an ever-evolving wine list.
Don’t forget to ask to see their ‘little black book’ – a hand-written list of rarer wine gems from around the globe.
Where: 10 Greek Street, London W1D 4DH
Website: www.10greekstreet.com
Harry’s Bar
Located within easy reach of Oxford Street, Harry’s Bar brings a slice of the “dolce vita” to Marylebone. Whether you’re looking for dinner, lunch or weekend brunch, you’ll find unfussy, timeless Italian favourites served in elegant surroundings with a nod to Italy’s glamorous ‘50s heyday.
As well as the main dining room, with luxurious banquettes and bright, colourful artwork, there’s a stunning, wood-panelled bar serving Italian wines and classic cocktails with a Harry’s twist – such as Harry’s Fiero Spritz.
Prefer to dine alfresco? The outdoor terrace is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of St. Christopher’s Place during the warmer months.
Where: 26 South Audley Street, London W1K 2PD
Website: www.harrysbar.co.uk
Meraki
The team at Meraki have scoured the length and breadth of Greece to find the most tantalising ingredients for your tastebuds. With ingredients like Bottarga from Mesologgi, tomatoes from Santorini and butter from Crete, they’ve created an ever-changing seasonal menu that captures the soul, heart and warmth of Greece.
Prepare to be mesmerised by mezze dishes, charmed by chargrilled meats and won over by whole fish dishes carved right in front of your eyes at the table. Just sit back and let the flavours take you out of Fitzrovia to the stunning views of the Greek islands.
Where: 80-82 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 7QT
Website: www.meraki-restaurant.com
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Daphne’s
Nestled amongst the shops of Brompton Cross lies Daphne’s – a Italian restaurant, bar and conservatory. Its effortless Italian charm and elegant interiors have captured the hearts of foodies and Instagrammers alike, and its ever-changing a la carte menu invites you to experience seasonal Italian cooking at its finest.
Start your meal with Gamberoni con Peperoncino, Aglio & Prezzemolo (Tiger Prawns with Chilli, Garlic & Parsley) and choose your main from the likes of Linguine with Portland Crab & Chilli, or Tagliatelle with Black Truffle. Make sure to save room for dessert as the Panna Cotta with Rhubarb and Amaretti is a must-try.
Where: 112 Draycott Ave, London, SW3 3AE
Website: www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk
Megan’s At The Power Station
Voted one of the most romantic restaurants in London, the food and waterside views at Megan’s At The Power Station will surely satisfy your holiday cravings (and no – that doesn’t mean you should dive into the Thames in winter for a swim. It’s not the Mediterranean sea).
You can’t go to Megan’s without trying their open plant-based ‘lamb’ kebabs – stretched flatbread piled high with crispy ‘lamb’ shoulder, pomegranate and pistachios, on a bed of harissa hummus, pickled veg and smoked aubergine. For dessert, opt for the lemon tart with blueberry compote. Yum.
Where: 27 Circus West Village, London, SW11 8NN
Website: www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk
Bocconcino
Transport your tastebuds to the gorgeous climes of Italy at Bocconcino – one of the most luxurious authentic Italian restaurants in London. One visit here and you’ll see why this is a firm Handbook favourite. Spread across two floors in the heart of Mayfair, expect first-class service, traditional Italian cuisine, and a beautiful selection of fine wines.
The menu combines simple Italian fare with contemporary flair, and each ingredient is directly imported and locally sourced to recreate the authentic flavours of Italy.
Where: 19 Berkeley St, London, W1J 8ED
Website: www.bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk
Rakes Café Bar
Escape the January gloom and duck into Rake’s Café Bar at the Andaz Hotel. A café by day and bar by night, it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city; offering simple and comforting food alongside artisan coffee and a specially crafted signature cocktail menu made up of both modern and classic concoctions.
The foliage-filled décor is reminiscent of warmer climes, and the menu is filled with of Med-inspired dishes like Spanish ham & potato croquettes with chipotle mayo & chilli jam, and homemade olive tapenade.
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Where: 40 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7QN
Website: www.hyatt.com
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EVE Restaurant
You might have seen their TikTok go viral of their co-working space, but Ember Locke in Kensington is offering a new Mediterranean menu to rival the rest.
Full of character, the selection of dishes span from whole Sicilian red prawns, ras el hanout lamb, to fried potatoes with fresh harissa and a rosemary and honey ice cream. Sip on a plum sour cocktail and enjoy the live music every Friday night.
Where: 202-220 Cromwell Road,Kensington, London,SW5 0SW
Website:www.evekensington.com
