Lemonia

One of my favourite restaurants in London. Cracking service and always a buzz about the place.
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Hugh
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 07, 2012

MEAN AND DISAPPOINTING. Meagre portions. Dolmades NOT GREEK but CYPRIOT version with tomatoes -YUK! This is not a GREEK restaurant even if some of the staff are. DEFINITELY CYPRIOT. Unknowing Brits might like this place. MOUSSAKA insipid, no nice bread. Lamb shanks were fine as were keftedes and souzoukakia - but nothing good enough to take me back!!
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4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, December 08, 2011

I have just recently visited for my husband's 40th birthday. We too were very disappointed. It used to be a favourite place of our 7 or 8 years ago. I took 23 people, I had requested the upstairs room exclusively with a booking of 25 people. Because two people were ill on the night we couldn't have the room to ourselves and this changed the whole night (I had booked over three months in advance). The food was very poor, not a proper meze, and the seafood looked dreadful. All my guests paid for their meals and I paid the drinks bill (over £600) and will not be going back. They have lived off their reputation for too long.
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Claire Connold
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Absolutely fantastic.

Food which is actaully provided to you with service. Most restaurants today charge for service at 10 per cent, when the service is literally nonexistent.

Not so at LEMONIA where the waiters look after all your needs and serve the best of food and drink.

The coffee is a fantastic end to the meal and the Turkish Delights are authentic tasting not like the jelly served elsewhere.

Top marks to this retaurant.
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alec - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Retsina is much better in Belsize Village. Lemonia is a Greek restaurant for people that don't know about Greek food. I am Greek and would never eat there!
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nikolas k
5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Friday, July 15, 2011

Every tribe in London has their place. The well to do theatre crowd colonise The Ivy, Sheekeys and Joe Allens and the hedge fundies have Scotts or Goodman. The smug monied media mass of Primrose Hill have Odettes and posh Greek charcoal grill Lemonia.

It's been a local fixture for years, almost certainly in existence before the arrival of the creative agency types and the minor celebs attracted by the villagey vibe and bucolic rusticity of the little street off the top of Regent's Park. Sandwiched between delis and dress shops Lemonia has a reputation above and beyond a thick menu of competent Greek cuisine. Arriving late, sodden with rain and lager, we managed to slide into one of the booths in the atrium at the rear, a table overhung with flourishing greenery from the low hanging roof planters.

Mixed meze and pitta forgettably dealt with early hunger pangs. I went for a slow roast aubergine dish topped with a smooth paste of minced lamb and cheese, served on a bed of creamy spinach. Not accomplished cooking by any means but hearty fare in variance with the thin and fashionable regulars. A couple of companions, more regular habitués than I, went for lamb chops from the grill. Slim shards of perfectly crisped fat along the bone were a delight to gnaw, but the meat wasn't quite pink enough for us.. the charcoal grill giveth but it also taketh away. The accompanying chips and rice were largely and deservedly unnoticed.

Right place at the right time? It's certainly got a place in local hearts and with the crowds it gets, the management won't be bothered that I'm not a super fan. I'd be happy to eat here again, but only if someone forces me to spend time in the many nearby bars first.
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www.grumblinggourmet.com
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Saturday, June 18, 2011

I was visiting a friend that took me. I was really pleased as I don't do Greek normally but there were tons and tons of vegetarian options, it was like paradise. It was bustling and lots of happy voices that made the scenery great.

Next time i"m in London it is definitely on my list.
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abrown - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 16, 2011

After a break of three years, it was wonderful to return here. The friendly management and waiters haven't changed one iota. Great food and excellent service. No wonder it's been going for so long (at least 30 years). Great atmosphere (albeit slighly noisy). Still have to book ahead as this is still incredibly popular. Absolute goldmine here!! Will definitely return...
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JR
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, April 12, 2011

whether you are planning a business lunch or lunch with a few friends/family, you will be hard pressed to beat the lunchtime vibrancy at lemonia.

been there plenty of times and food is great and love the banter with the waiters. Allways get a warm welcome.

Book the conservatory every time in my view.
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Roger
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 01, 2011

First Trip here today and i teel it will the first of many,

we took a table for 6 and 2 kids and were well looked after, the food and wine was very tasty and the bill was reasonable.

They are friendly and accomdating staff ans the atmosphere was nice and bubbly,

it was good to see a place quites so busy on a sunday and we were never hurried we sat down about 12 and didnt leave till gone 4

all in all 5*
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James
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 09, 2011