Krokodilos – Laid-Back Excellence with a Greek Soul in Kensington
In the heart of Kensington, Krokodilos is a restaurant that doesn’t shout for attention — it simply earns it. With its Greek-influenced Mediterranean menu, carefully sourced ingredients, and relaxed elegance, it brings a refreshing sense of warmth and authenticity to one of London’s most refined neighborhoods. It’s the kind of place that feels like a local secret, even as it steadily builds a loyal following.
Ambience: Relaxed and Inviting with Subtle Personality
Krokodilos strikes that elusive balance between effortless style and genuine comfort. The design is minimal but warm — soft lighting, natural textures, and tasteful décor that hints at the Aegean without slipping into cliché. Whether you’re seated by the front windows or at the open kitchen counter, the atmosphere remains calm, communal, and thoughtfully put together.
It’s a setting that works equally well for a quiet weekday dinner, a long lunch with friends, or a spontaneous evening over wine and small plates.
Food: Mediterranean Simplicity with a Decidedly Greek Touch
At the heart of Krokodilos is a modern Mediterranean menu with a distinct Greek sensibility. The influence is subtle but unmistakable — from the ingredients chosen to the seasoning profile and the structural simplicity of the dishes. Expect clean, bold flavors, with a strong emphasis on olive oil, herbs, citrus, grilled elements, and fresh seasonal produce.
The kitchen avoids unnecessary complication, focusing instead on precision, restraint, and a deep respect for the ingredients. This approach results in food that feels soulful and honest, but also elegant and well-composed. It’s comfort food elevated — Greek-inspired cooking filtered through a modern London lens.
Drinks: Mediterranean Wines, Balanced Cocktails
The wine list is compact and confident, with a strong Mediterranean leaning — and several Greek bottles that are well worth exploring. Whether you're in the mood for a bright Assyrtiko or a juicy Xinomavro, the list is curated to complement the menu’s flavor profile. Cocktails follow the same ethos: clean, seasonal, and never overdone — they’re there to lift the experience, not dominate it.
Service: Professional, Warm, and Quietly Polished
Service at Krokodilos is everything you’d hope for in a neighborhood favorite: attentive but unintrusive, knowledgeable but never overbearing. The team moves with quiet confidence, and the overall tone is relaxed and friendly. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the hospitality feels genuine — and it makes a lasting impression.
Final Verdict: Modern Greek Comfort in West London
Krokodilos is an easy place to love — not because it tries to impress, but because it knows exactly what it’s doing. The Greek touch in the menu gives it identity, the space gives it warmth, and the cooking gives it purpose. For a refined yet relaxed dining experience that still feels connected to real flavors and generous hospitality, it’s a new standout...
Read moreWe visited for lunch on a Sunday. We entered into a stunning room with soft and earthy tones and were allocated a great table with more space than necessary (but note not all tables were as fortunate). The crowd was mainly families with kids.
We were 2 adults and 2 young kids and between us we ordered the bread, potato flatbread, 2 of the “creams” (dips), the octopus, prawn saganaki, the wild goat and some fries. They also prepared an off menu portion of orzo for the kids. For dessert we tried the “milopita” which is basically an apple pie cut up and mixed into ice cream. The food was decent without really standing out. I struggle to identify any dish which really made an impression, although it was all pleasant enough. I also tried a couple of wines by the glass and these were quite disappointing. Portion sizes were larger than expected and we packed some food to take home.
Service was excellent. Our primary server was really friendly and highly attentive, and any requests were dealt with swiftly. The bill for our lunch came to £280 of which £63 was spent on drinks. Not the cheapest, but within reason considering the neighbourhood and the large quantity of food we ordered. In conclusion, a beautiful setting with great service but the food - while not bad at all - was the weakest link.
I am a fan of this group of commonly owned restaurants, having had great meals at Belvedere, Lita and a couple of their other venues too. Krokodilos didn’t seem to be quite on the same level in terms of food but on the plus side was relatively good value versus the others. That said, I would happily go back to the aforementioned names but am less sure about a return...
Read moreNever again - service ruined the meal
Went there for dinner and the food was pretty good. The wine list had plenty of options. We tried a Greek Chardonnay that had both oak and mineral notes — quite a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, the service was what really ruined the experience.
We ordered one starter and three mains, and everything arrived within ten minutes. I care a lot about food temperature, and with such a small table for three people (barely bigger than a cafe table), we had no choice but to rush through the dishes before they went cold or ran out of space. When a waiter came by to ask how the food was, I immediately raised the issue of the serving speed. He apologised and said the kitchen probably didn’t know, but I couldn’t really accept that explanation. Even at any decent mid-range restaurant, staff usually ask whether you’d like dishes to come together or separately.
What made me most upset, though, was when we asked for the bill, another waitress asked for our feedback. We told her honestly, and she explained that this was “authentic Greek style.” I replied that we’ve been to other Greek restaurants, and she insisted that they were the authentic ones — so we had to point out that we’ve actually been to Greece. Earlier, another waiter told us it wasn’t meant to be this way, and now we’re being told it is the way. So which is it? Are we supposed to just accept that this is how things are served...
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