Where the Chefs Eat: Georgina Hayden’s favourite ‘Greekish’ restaurants in London

Who comes here?

“This is very much a favourite amongst the North London Greek and Cypriot community.”

Best table in the restaurant

“Nissi is quite narrow, but if you sit in the middle of the restaurant, you can see the grill, which is fab. I always go with quite a few people – at least eight or 10 of us – so I try to sit in the back, which is slightly wider. We take over a whole table and, as is the way with Greek food, it’s all about sharing plates. Also, Greek people are quite loud, so if you’re in the back, you’re not shouting over everybody else.”

Best time to come

“I love to go for a big, long lunch.”

Dish to order

“They do a fantastic fish mezedakia [fish stuffed into grape leaves]. When I was on maternity leave, I’d go with the kids for lunch and have a plate of calamari and chips and it was delicious.”

Ospo

Ospo

“This is a different vibe to Nissi, as Ospo is in Marylebone. It’s quite cool and it’s got that very Central London feel to it, with lovely décor. It reminds me very much of being in Thessaloniki in the north of Greece. We went to Thessaloniki last year, and I just think it’s a fantastic city; it’s really hip, it’s very young, and the brunch at Ospo reminded me of being there, but the dishes are more stylised than traditional.”

Who comes here?

“It’s definitely a hip Marylebone hangout rather than a strict pull for the Greek-Cypriot community.”

Best table in the restaurant

“Ospo is on two floors. If you sit upstairs, it’s quiet, bright and light, and you can have a really great brunch in peace. That said, the ground floor is also lovely, airy and open, so I personally like to sit there at a window table if possible and look out onto everything.”

https://www.cntraveller.com/article/where-the-chefs-eat-georgina-hayden