Tucked away on an unsuspecting street in Maida Vale, you will find Tsiakkos and Charcoal, one of London's most authentic Greek Cypriot restaurants. The space is rich with the scent of grilled meat, and the atmosphere is welcoming and homely, it's the kind of place you would be happy to return to week after week.
The open kitchen at the front of the restaurant introduces you to what is to come, emanating the heat and scent of their live charcoal grill.
The menu offers affordable iterations of dishes that have been passed down through generations. Start out with a selection of dips, houmous, tzatziki and taramosalata, all scooped up on a steaming hot pita. Come with an empty stomach, and plenty of people to share with, because you will want to sample as many of their starters as possible. Halloumi is served simply, chargrilled with lemon and olive oil, and beetroot is tossed with garlic and parsley. The commitment to using high-quality ingredients elevates these simple dishes to something truly delicious.
This simplicity continues with the selection of main courses. Categorised by char-grilled, or cooked in the oven, these dishes are what you could expect to find in any traditional Greek taverna. Pork and chicken souvlaki are juicy and chargrilled, and the whole grilled fish will transport you to the Ionian Sea. The traditional offerings of Moussaka and Kleftiko are not to be missed either.
The atmosphere inside is homely and inviting, while the outside space is the perfect place to spend a summer evening, sipping on a bottle of Keo, the popular Cypriot beer. Or, explore their selection of Greek wines, and wash down the meal with a glass of crisp white wine.