Bringing the spirit of a classic Athenian neighbourhood taverna to central London, Taverna Ermou arrives in Marylebone as the first international outpost of the much-loved Athens original. The restaurant, created by Greek hospitality group ERGON, continues the story that began on Ermou Street in the Greek capital, where the original taverna quickly became known for its easy-going atmosphere and traditional cooking.
Now located on James Street in the beautiful St Christopher’s Place, the restaurant brings the spirit of community-style dining to London. Its concept draws inspiration from the old Athenian tavernas where locals would drop in throughout the day - sometimes for a meal, sometimes simply for a chat - with the hope that Londoners can get behind this familial ethos.
The menu, overseen by Culinary Director Panagiotis Xanthis, is all about Greek culinary tradition, with an emphasis on the coastal flavours that define much of the country’s cooking. For an example of what to expect, breakfast dishes look like koulouri (the classic sesame-coated bread ring) served with eggs and Greek yoghurt. While later in the day, guests might begin with a selection of dips and spreads designed for sharing, including spanakopita dip with spinach, feta and crispy phyllo, silky taramosalata, or Athinaiki, a traditional Athenian-style fish salad. One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the Crab Giouvetsi, a comforting plate of orzo baked in the oven and finished with generous crab meat. Alongside the seafood, there are dishes from the grill that reflect a breadth of Greek home cooking.
Desserts continue the sense of nostalgia, with classics such as galaktoboureko, layers of phyllo filled with sweet milk custard, and profiteroles topped with dark chocolate, olive oil and sea salt. The design of the Marylebone space feels worlds away from the busy metropolis outside its doors, instead hero-ing raw materials, warm textures and communal tables with a typically Mediterranean aesthetic. It's your chance to dissapear to Athens, if only for a few hours.