Krokodilos.
Snappy name.
And it’s a pretty great restaurant too. It’s just cut the ribbon on the High Street Ken end of Kensington Church Street, and it’s a very welcome, very upscale Greek place that’s joining the growing pantheon of great Greek restaurants in the city (AGORA, OMA, and Bottarga being but the latest).
Step inside to the reception area, shed your coats, and the burnt orange curtain concealing the restaurant will be pulled back, and you’ll be practically slapped by the restaurant’s inviting, golden-lit atmosphere. The whole place balances elegance with homely warmth extremely well thanks to plentiful wood, scattered greenery, and terracotta banquettes, all soaked in diffuse light from muslin chandeliers. It really nails the ‘Greek countryside courtyard’ aesthetic.
On the menu, everything’s built around (surprise!) sharing plates. Particular standouts include their anything-but-flat flatbreads (with either mushrooms, anchovies, or smoked tomatoes), and the steak, which is a tender ribeye topped with a vibrant Greek chimichurri. For dessert, the portokalopita (a citrus-soaked filo pastry creation) and elmek katafi (a pistachio-filled pastry nest) are refreshing ways to round off a meal, and unusual even in Greek restaurants.
The cocktails are another highlight, especially their passionfruit & yogurt creation, which is a weirdly refined twist on the pornstar martini. And there’s a massive shelf of all-Greek wine in the centre of the restaurant you can pick from too.
The food is fresh and light, though the prices are anything but (that steak? Is £52), but if you order wisely, you can get out of there with a great meal that doesn’t break the bank.
So you won’t end up with Krokodilos tears.
NOTE: Krokodilos is open now, Monday to Saturday. You can find out more, and make a booking at the Krokodilos website.
Krokodilos | 28a Kensington Church St, W8 4EP
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