Tsiakkos & Charcoal

A bleak and wet mid-Winter afternoon calls for a treat. After stumbling across a Jay Rayner restaurant recommendation, things look a little bit brighter. Located on an unassuming side street in West London, close to Royal Oak tube station, Tsiakkos & Charcoal does not disappoint.

You can easily walk past never knowing it’s there. The front’s cornflower blue exterior and drawn curtains don’t give anything away. The only clue is the barbeque aroma flowing from the kitchen out into the cold and dark streets of Maida Vale.

London has a lot of Greek restaurants, but none are quite like this one. Open the door and you immediately feel like you’re in a Greek Cypriot family’s front room. A few tables are crammed into one space, smoke from the grill steams up glasses, and cheeks turn red whilst you settle into the Mediterranean vibe. It’s an authentic taverna experience without the pretentiousness.

Tsiakkos & Charcoal sports a simple menu, containing all the best dishes you associate with Greek cuisine. The humous and taramasalata are delightful. And they are served just how they should be. Creamy, homely, and alongside freshly baked warm pitta. Mop it all up and tuck into some feta and olives. For your main dish, there are six options. Three from the grill and three from the oven. My favourite is the ‘Kleftiko’. Tender, rich and flakey lamb falling off the bone, served with rice and the leftover juices from the “secret” marinade recipe. What’s not to like? Well, there aren’t many vegetarian options. But the food is hearty, traditional, good value for money and contains a few tasty surprises. I won’t spoil them here.

The portions are massive, so come with the appropriate appetite. Bring your friends and make an evening of it. The family atmosphere makes it somewhere you want to stick around and chat for hours. But be sure to book, Tsiakkos & Charcoal’s reputation has carried far and it fills up quickly. And also bear in mind, your clothes and hair will stink of BBQ the next day. I don’t mind it, but if you do, get over it. This Greek tavern is perfectly worth it.

5 Marylands Rd, London W9 2DU