Lemonia

Great restaurant. Great Food. Outstandingly friendly and attentive service. Awesome value. Great location. Total no-brainer!!
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Pullman
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, July 12, 2008

When I used to go to London on a regular basis, my girlfriend and I came across Lemonia almost by chance. The Sunday lunchtimes spent there will remain with me forever. You may consider this a pointless review as I am talking about pre-1999 since I last frequented it BUT... reading the reviews below I am delighted to see how little has changed and I thought it may also highlight that that they are no flash-in-the-pan with regards their consistency of quality. OK, i've had 'finer' food, been to plusher places, spent less for food of equal standing but none could hold a torch to this place for the all round eating experience you would get from lunch spent there.

Two things stood out for me, the Meze's and the atmosphere. Both outstanding and made it my favourite eatery of all time and I fully intend to revisit sometime later on this year.
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Dragon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, July 05, 2008

Pre-wedding dinner for 23 (with no little ones). We reckoned we could count on the Lemonia and they did us proud. A hot May evening with people queng up outside and we had asort of annexe off to the right of the counter and main room, laid out in an L-shape. Sorry for the table for two left over who had to put up with our rowdiness... twice (two sitttings for them)....

We were looked after excellently and the meal was a ball - especially appreciatedly by those who had not encountered Greek cuisine before. Had to keep telling people to hold back a bit, there's more meze coming through!

But the amazing thing is that we've being going to the Lemonia now for 25+ years and Tony and bis crew haven't changed a bit - they - or the restaurant - must have the secret of perpetual youth! Standards remain impeccable and the food's as tasty as it ever was. Whether it's the best Greek/Cypriot nosh in London I wouldnt know, but it's delicious, makes you feel good and warms the cockles of your heart.

And no. I don't get paid for this. The meal for 23 was around £1K (we splurged out a bit on the wine). Was it good value? Absolutely. Would I reccomend it unreservedly? Yes.
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JohnMorr
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The word of mouth has a great power, as all my friends that had previously visited "Lemonia" had the best opinion about this restaurant, which I support as well! The food was really good,well cooked and delicious. The service pretty good too as the waiters looked experienced and friendly.

I would definately recommend it both to my greek and my foreign friends.
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Letty
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 23, 2008

The food is decent. Not bad but definitely not homemade. Especially if you have tried real homemade Greek food Lemonia’s food tastes like plastic. And with small portions. Decoration really poor. Greek revolution comrades’ pictures. What about the real beauties of Greece. Islands, olive trees with silver color leaves, beaches, ancient temples, country side people. Staff and service is a plus. Wine could be a plus as well if it had the right temperature.
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manolis
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

We fell on this place by accident after a great walk following the Belsize Walk from Primrose Hill to Parliament Hill. We were really hungry by 2.30 when we got to Lemonia. The restaurant was very busy but we were able to make a reservation for 3.00 pm. Despite the restaurant being very full, the staff were all very friendly and there was a feeling that everything was under control.

The service was excellent and friendly, and the food wonderful. We came to Primrose Hill from near Aylesbury for a day out, and we will be back!

It's worth checking out the Belsize Walk on the internet (especially if you enjoy architecture). Parking in the area is easy on Sundays (and free) and after the walk you will deserve a great meal at Lemonia!
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Steve
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 27, 2008

I enjoyed a great meal at Lemonia last night with a friend. Despite us being terribly late for our table, the friendly waiting staff accommodated us regardless.

As expected with a Greek restaurant, we were served olives while looking over the menu which was really extensive. I was disappointed that there was no shared meze starter available - my friend has limited experience with Greek food, so it would have been nice for her to experience a range of typical Greek starters. Nevertheless, she liked her stuffed vine leaves, while I enjoyed my chili king prawns (which weren't really that chili, but never mind) served with a rocket salad.

Our main courses were really good; the lamb with green beans looked creamy and delicious and it was reported as being very good. My portion of calves livers was generous and the meat was delicious. It was served very simply with a salsa to accompany, as well as roasted potato and a side order of mushrooms, but worked really well.

Being almost full, I opted for light pudding of yoghurt with honey and nuts, which was really lovely, rounding off the meal nicely. Overall, a decent meal complemented nicely by a bottle of retsina.

Lemonia is a bustling, airy restaurant with a neighbourhood feel. The food is quite simple, executed very well and extremely enjoyable. I found the value to be good - especially in view of its location - and the service from a full-strength waiting staff was friendly and professional. I will certainly return at some point!
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dawnage - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 12, 2008

been here many times with young and old ,they give you what they say on the menu with a smile if your mum cooks better stay at home
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, January 09, 2008

I've been coming to Lemonia for the past 20 years and still find it to be the best Greek restaurant in London - in fact it is my ultimate favourite London restaurant. I relocated to Chicago a few years ago, but every time I come home to London, I always make a point of making a reservation at Lemonia. I am a little confused by the bad reviews below, but only because every time I've dined here I've not only experienced really friendly service by the waiters (I always go here after my hols in Cyprus and the waiters are always really excited to see my photos and talk to me about their own experiences of growing up in Cyprus), but great food, the meze included. It gets busy and noisy on weekend evenings, but to my mind that adds to the ambience of a lively, friendly restaurant with GREAT food. Many London restaurants are over-priced and disappointing, Lemonia never fails to impress me. it's also nice to do the occasional celeb spotting here! 10/10 for everything.
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Pip - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 04, 2008

How sad that people think that just because you think this place is well over rated that one is then accused of being a competitor. I can assure you that I do not run, work or own a Greek Restaurant. I just happen to be of Greek Cypriot origins who had a mother who was a fantastic cook and therefore know a good Greek Cypriot meal to a rubbish one. I'm also saddened that the tablecloth reference was completely misunderstood and taken out of it's context. All real Greek Cypriots would understand the reference to that. I am led to suspected that maybe the person who challenged my review has an invested interest in the restaurant to want to protect it's reputation so much.
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Hector John Ktorides
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, January 03, 2008