Local Picks: London’s Best Mediterranean Restaurants You’d Never Notice

London’s restaurant landscape has long been shaped by the flavours of the Mediterranean. Chefs across the city draw inspiration from Barcelona, Athens, Tel Aviv, Naples, and beyond, creating a vibrant dining culture that is both familiar and ever-evolving. Today, the capital is filled with restaurants that champion simple ingredients, bold flavours, and relaxed hospitality. Whether you are sitting at a lively tapas bar, enjoying a Greek feast, or digging into slow-cooked Mediterranean stews, London offers plenty of options.

Below are some of the city’s strongest Mediterranean powerhouses, each many considered local favourites and under-the-radar gems. From Spanish small plates to wood-fired Italian pasta and modern Israeli comfort food, these restaurants show just how rich and diverse Mediterranean dining in London has become.

Barrafina (Spanish tapas, multiple locations) 

Barrafina remains one of London’s most dependable destinations for Spanish tapas. With several locations across the city, the restaurant is known for its open-kitchen counters, where guests can watch chefs prepare dishes like classic tortillas, blistered prawns, razor clams, pan con tomate, and croquetas that crack lightly at the edges. 

Barrafina’s success lies in its simplicity and precision. Ingredients are treated with respect, dishes arrive the moment they are ready, and the atmosphere is always lively. Even with constant competition from new openings, Barrafina continues to feel essential - a benchmark for how good tapas in London can be.

Honey & Co. (Modern Israeli restaurant, multiple locations) 

Honey & Co., run by Israeli husband-and-wife chefs Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, offers some of London’s warmest and most soulful Mediterranean cooking. The restaurant blends influences from across the region but remains firmly rooted in the flavours of the Levant and the Israeli home kitchens the owners grew up with. 

Their menu balances comfort and freshness: lamb meatballs with sour cherries, stuffed vegetables, slow-cooked stews, seasonal salads, and some of the city’s most beloved pastries. Breakfast at Honey & Co. is also a highlight, with dishes like shakshuka, feta pastries, and homemade jams drawing loyal fans. The restaurant’s charm lies in its generosity - food that feels personal, rooted, and made with care.

Manteca (Italian nose-to-tail, Shoreditch) 

Manteca has earned a strong reputation for its nose-to-tail approach, handmade pasta, and wood-fired cooking. Located in Shoreditch, the restaurant mixes rustic Italian tradition with modern London creativity. Signatures include brown crab cacio e pepe, pappardelle with slow-cooked ragù, and fire-grilled meats infused with deep, smoky flavour. 

Manteca also produces its own salumi, giving the menu an extra layer of craftsmanship rarely found in London. It strikes the perfect balance between casual dining and serious cooking - a go-to spot for pasta lovers and anyone who enjoys hearty, flavour-driven Italian food.

Sucre (Latin-Mediterranean fusion, Soho) 

Sucre blends Mediterranean influences with Latin American depth, all centred around open-fire cooking. The dining room is dramatic and atmospheric, but the food remains approachable and flavour-first. Dishes often feature grilled seafood, smoky vegetables, tender meats, and sauces built on citrus, spice, and warm caramelised notes. 

While not strictly a Mediterranean restaurant, Sucre’s ingredients and techniques draw heavily from the region. The result is bold, vibrant cooking that feels familiar yet fresh - ideal for diners who want Mediterranean flavours with an added spark.

Lemonia (Greek, Primrose Hill) 

Lemonia is a classic. Family-run since the 1970s, this Primrose Hill favourite serves the kind of Greek food that generations of Londoners have loved. The menu includes moussaka, dolmades, grilled halloumi, souvlaki, and generous Greek salads piled high with feta and oregano. 

The restaurant’s strength is its authenticity. It does not chase trends or change its identity to fit the moment. Instead, Lemonia focuses on honest cooking, warm service, and a welcoming atmosphere. It remains one of London’s most reliable destinations for traditional Greek cuisine.

Morito (Spanish & North African small plates, Hackney Road) 

Morito, the younger sibling of Moro, offers a playful mix of Spanish tapas and North African flavours. The restaurant excels at small plates designed for sharing, from fried aubergine with honey to smoky dips, flatbreads, citrus-laced seafood, and slow-cooked meats enriched with spices. 

The kitchen is confident in its fusion approach, creating a menu full of colour, texture, and contrast. Morito is ideal for diners who want Mediterranean dishes with a Moorish twist - bright, aromatic, and full of character.

Bancone (Fresh pasta, multiple locations) 

Bancone has become a modern essential for lovers of fresh pasta. With multiple locations across London, the restaurant offers handmade pasta dishes at accessible prices, balancing simplicity and sophistication. House favourites include the silk handkerchiefs with egg yolk and walnut butter, spicy pork ragù, and buttery gnocchi. 

Bancone’s appeal lies in its consistency. The food quality remains high, the atmosphere relaxed, and the menu broad enough to suit quick lunches and long dinners alike. It showcases Italian cooking that is modern, unfussy, and confident.

FAQ: Best Hidden Restaurants in London That Locals Swear By

Q1: What are the best hidden Mediterranean restaurants in London?
Locals frequently recommend tapas bars in Soho, pasta kitchens in Shoreditch, Greek family restaurants in Primrose Hill, and small Israeli cafés near Fitzrovia.

Q2: Which London areas have the most hidden dining gems?
Shoreditch, Soho, Hackney Road and Primrose Hill are repeatedly cited in local food forums as neighbourhoods with strong, under-the-radar restaurants.

Q3: Why do locals swear by these spots?
They prioritise authenticity, small menus, regional cooking, and warm service—qualities that many Mediterranean restaurants in London are known for.

Q4: Are hidden restaurants in London expensive?
Many are surprisingly affordable, especially pasta bars like Bancone or small-plate restaurants such as Morito.

Q5: Do these restaurants require reservations?
Some hidden gems—like Barrafina—operate primarily on walk-ins, while others book up quickly, especially on weekends.