The Real Greek

I went to this restaurant in Clerkenwell on a Friday night.

It was surprisingly quiet - but after the meal, I could see why.

I've had Greek food (souvlaki) in Athens and there's no comparison. The portions at the "Real" Greek were small - apparently attempting to imitate tapas - why? I expect Greek food to be substantial and satisfying.

One of the kebabs was good, however the rest was forgettable. Sorry, let me correct that. I WILL remember this - as probably the worst-value meal I've ever had. For 2 adults and 3 teenagers, the total amount to just under £100.

So to summarise, it wasn't good food, there wasn't enough of it, and it was simply a waste of time and money.
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Kevin
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, November 03, 2007

Have been to the Covent Garden branch a few times and always been merely satisfied with the service and atmosphere. What kept me coming back? The first rate food.

A real shame that even the food could not keep me there at the last visit. We sat in the restaurant for 15 minutes and no-one even asked us for drinks. There were only three other tables with people at them and three waiters. I asked the same guy (looked like the senior chappy) to take our order twice and he basically told me to be quiet and wait for someone to come. He then proceeded to stand around looking at us and not doing a single bloody thing!

Unsurprisingly, we left and went to Wagamamas around the corner instead, where the food is equally good, the service always swift and friendly, and the prices less. Good food is not enough for this place to keep us.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Monday, October 15, 2007

I had dinner at The Real Greek last night. Indeed, the waiters are more Brazilian, Portuguese and French than Greek as there were none and couldn't practice my Greek unfortunately, but the food was more than enough as we ordered a few meze. It was all very tasty and the waiters (many of them, Saturday night) were very pleasant.

If you don' t like cinnamon, don' t order the baklava. We had to send it back (it wasn't charged) as my friend doesn't like cinnamon. To conclude, the background is very pleasant, even though it doesn't remind you of Greece at all. Nice wooden floors and open bar, clean and large ladies' room.

Good value for money
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Sophie Marette
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, October 07, 2007

I went to this restaurant more than a year back. It was outstanding, with well-cooked and genuine Greek food and a wine list that was full of the kinds of wines you can generally only find in Greece.

I returned to take my daughter to a birthday meal ......... the change was astounding. A new and unchanging menu with only mezze, and a very unimaginative selection at that; slow service; and poor cooking. There were actually two dishes it was difficult to distinguish, and the hummous was the worst I have tasted in Britain. This is no longer the real thing, and I advise anyone seeking genuine Greek food to avoid it. The place was empty when we arrived and I am not surprised; wish I'd had the news .....

If you want Greek Cypriot food, head for Seven Sisters Road in Holloway, where you'll get better at a fraction of the price. I am sad to lose the real thing, because Greek food of the quality of the old place rarely existed outside of the homes of Greek friends.
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Brian
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Friday, September 21, 2007

having just eaten in this restaurant i was very surprised at just how much my wife and i enjoyed it. we was staying in covent garden so it was very convenient for us. We wasnt sure as to what we wanted or how the portions were gonna span out but i can honestly say all the food we ordered was very tasty and good value.

we ordered five seperate hot and cold meze type dishes and then a main dish each. this meal was just about the right amount for us. didnt want anymore food afterwards. not even desserts!!

the service wasnt the best in the world but only because there were just two waitresses serving the food. those two certainly had there work cut out for them. i didnt envy their role.

overall i would recommend and we would certainly eat there again.

p.s go for the grilled cheese.... very very tasty.

p.p.s sorry for my spelling
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craig walton
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 02, 2007

Well your reviewers are 100% correct it isn't "real greek", to get that you would have to go to Greece, not Hoxton Market. What you get is a converted pub (converted very nicely), with a very pleasant atmosphere first class food at a reasonable price. Pretentious, no, nor exactly what it says on the label, but if you are looking for genuine freshly cooked, tasty food, served in a very acceptable venue with an ambient feel, then it does very well indeed. Will happilly return and expect all of the above.
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jdmg100 - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, July 02, 2007

Ignore any of the reviews on this page as people are not even commenting on the correct restaurant!!!

This is a gem of a place if ever i have found one!!! The space itself is stunning, the most amzing interior in london!

Having been here many times( just recently for a friends birthday infact), unlike many it has retained an atmosphere and style like no other! The staff are warm, sincere, fun and attentive adding to the whole buzz- saturdays are the busiest and most atmospheric!!!

The tapas style food is fresh and filling, order individual dishes to get the most of the menu, theres loads to choose from- pitta and taramasalata like you get in greece and its not pink!!

Overall we love this place and will continue going back time and time again!!!!

keep up the good work!!!!
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, March 30, 2007

This is NOT a greek restaurant, it's just a wannabe greek restaurant. Nothing in this place reminds you Greece, from the Chinese waitress to the pub-like decor and the ambient Starbucks-feel music, it's clearly a Brit version of what they THINK it's greek. The food was more dissapointing since the portions were too small and they didn't look like a proper suvlaki. The Greek salad had a tiny portion of feta and the baklava was not even close to the traditional greek desert. If you are looking for a true GREEK experience, stay away!
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Somebody
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, March 18, 2007

We booked a table for four people at The Real Greek in Marylebone to celebrate a Birthday. Being Greek Cypriot and having eaten in many Greek Restaurants in London, we were most disappointed with our meal. We ordered Fish Meze for 2 people at £20 and this was served on one plate with only one small portion of Tarama. We then ordered a mixed meat Meze for four people and again this was disappointing. The accompanying salad for the four of us was in one small bowl which consisted mainly tomatoes. The only other food to accompany the meat was a small bowl of chips. Usually Mezes have an abundance of dips and other dishes but sadly this was not the case. Our orders for coffees/teas at the end of the meal were all wrong but that was not surprising considering that only two people were serving on a busy Saturday evening. The Restaurant is supposed to be Greek but neither the waitors or kitchen staff were Greek.
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Leah Michaelides
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 19, 2007

This has always been one of my favourite restaurants in London. I've been a regular for three years. I went recently though and it has changed into a souvlaki place. I was gutted. Still the same great mezedes though but only kebabs now, none of the fancy stuff. On the bright side at least its now a lot cheaper which was the only excuse needed for me to eat twice as much. No aubergine salad. Please bring it back! I always eat in the big room that used to be a chapel. Even when its not busy it still has a special character I am yet to define. Oh and another plus, the usual I-love-myself-Hoxton-brigade that have warped fashion-irony into a way of life are thankfully absent from here. Great grub, great wine and not a tosser in sight. You can edit that last bit, if you want.
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Rick Aphex
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 16, 2007