Halloumi South

Stylish metropolitan take on the Greek taverna. Souvlaki and gyros bump up a classic mezze menu that's the Southside branch of the city-centre original.

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More European chic than traditional taverna, only the Hellenic pillars hint at the nature of the cuisine on offer here. That and the cute piles of cut pitta adorning tables just waiting to be dipped into creamy, delicious tzatziki. Small mezze plates are the way to make the most of a menu stacked with familiar sights. Lamb souvlaki is a fine choice from the grill, tender pink meat under crunchy chargrilled edges demonstrating a deft hand over the charcoals. Slow-cooked beef stifado comes with a rich, not too sweet, tomato gravy and to make it feel truly traditional the vegetarian dolmades are light and nicely textured with crunchy veg nestling under the delicate vine leaves. The subtly lit interior is divided by minimalist shelves lined with trailing plants that provide a splash of Athenian colour to a space that’s cool without ever feeling cold. Halloumi? Grilled, in satisfying chunky fries, or stencilled in Greek on the windows. Which makes for an enjoyable linguistic puzzle to fill any lull in the conversation.