Zephyr Notting Hill — Restaurant in London

I’ve eaten all over the world and I’ve never experienced a more blatant rip-off than at Zephyr in Notting Hill. What looks like a stylish, modern Greek restaurant from the outside is actually a textbook example of style over substance — and serious overcharging. Let’s start with the menu: no prices listed. That’s not only shady — it’s actually illegal in the UK, where all menus must display pricing. That should’ve been the first red flag. We were charged £9 for a tiny bowl of Tzatziki — literally a spoonful of yoghurt with a few cucumber bits. Then came the Calamari (£18) — served dry, with no chilli jam mayo as advertised. Not even a basic dip. For that price, you'd expect at least a bit of effort or flavour. Now the Lamb Cutlets (£33) — three small pieces, tossed into a cheap, old-looking square aluminium dish that wouldn’t be acceptable even in a takeaway shop. It looked completely out of place in a restaurant pretending to be upscale. No sides, no sauce, no warning from the staff that nothing comes with it. We had to order vegetables separately — and were slapped with a £16 charge for a small portion of peppers, courgettes, shallots, and aubergines. Bland and forgettable. But the real insult? Two half glasses of Xinomavro, Magoutes (2020) — £32 total. That’s more than the cost of an entire bottle retail (£22 or less), and this is not even a fine dining establishment. That pricing is offensive. The staff weren’t particularly helpful either — no guidance, no transparency, and certainly no apologies. Just a smooth routine of upselling and letting guests get surprised by the bill. Zephyr is the kind of place that prioritises aesthetic over authenticity, hoping guests won’t notice how overpriced and under-delivered the whole experience is. There are countless excellent Greek restaurants in London where you’ll get real flavour, proper portions, and honest pricing. This is not one of them. Avoid Zephyr unless you enjoy being ripped off with a smile.

In response to the owner's reply, I would like to clarify...

Ah yes, the classic “Thank you for your hideous review, we treat it as a gift” routine — passive-aggressive damage control dressed up as wisdom. Let me help unwrap the truth for you. You talk about travel making one wiser — yet your business model banks on tourists and locals not knowing any better. No prices on the menu? Illegal. Charging fine-dining rates for dishes served in aluminium trays? Embarrassing. Pouring half glasses of mediocre wine and charging more than the bottle’s retail price? That’s not “stylish modern Greek” — that’s daylight robbery with a wine list. Calling an honest, detailed account of overpriced food, laughable portions, and zero transparency a “hideous review” shows exactly how seriously you take feedback: not at all. You’re not interested in improving — you’re just trying to protect an image built on style over substance. Let’s go back to the facts you conveniently ignored: • No prices on the menu. That’s illegal in the UK, not just “unfortunate.” This requirement is outlined in the Price Marking (Food and Drink on Premises) Order 1979. • £9 for a spoonful of tzatziki. That’s not cuisine — that’s comedy. • Calamari served dry, without the dip advertised? False advertising. • Three tiny lamb cutlets for £33 in a takeaway tray? That’s not a presentation choice — that’s disrespect. • Two half-glasses of Xinomavro for £32? You’re not a wine bar. You’re just marking up mediocrity and hoping no one checks the bottle online. • Staff who upsell and ghost you the moment the bill arrives? That’s not service — it’s a setup. And your response? A vague invitation to email you, so you can gaslight your way through “three sides to every story.” No ownership. No accountability. Just polished evasion. Here’s the truth: Zephyr isn’t a misunderstood gem. It’s a case study in how to charge luxury prices while delivering takeaway quality and tourist-trap ethics. You prey on people who don’t check the bill until it’s too late. If this review is a gift, I suggest you open it properly — and use it...

Overpriced, rude staff, cold food

A group of three of us went to dine here for my friends birthday after hearing great things re social media (beware) at first staff were friendly and engaged, seemed happy it was my friends birthday and we’d chosen to dine there. Wine list was good, had a lot of choice and we enjoyed. Food and staff was where it all went downhill.

#1 bread and dips, we asked for the bread for the three of us, we were suggested to get a dip to go with as it was worth trying so we did. While it was very nice the portion brought out was two half slices of bread for the three of us and a huge bowl of dip. After asking the waitress if we could have another piece as it seemed a bit strange that we’d only get two pieces of bread for the three of us we were told that it was a sharing meal for two and we couldn’t have another slice. For the 20p it costs to make, surely keeping a table happy is worth more? Another thing to note had we been told when ordering “it only comes with two slices” we would have ordered two portions. We brought this up to both a waitress and manager (maybe?) and both responded rudely, and told us to get over it, didn’t offer anything, including asking if we’d like to order another portion (which we would have)

#2 the mains. Absolute disaster. We had the yellowtail, calamari, orzo and chicken. The calamari and orzo came out first, which seemed a bit strange considering the raw fish was advertised not as a main on menu. The calamari was nice. The orzo was freezing cold. As we were noticing the orzo was cold the chicken arrived and was again cold. We sent both back, and unfortunately were met with negative comments by the staff saying that they had temperature checked it and it was fine. If 3 people are all finding their food cold, take it back, apologise and warm it, don’t try and argue. After 20 minutes we still hadn’t had the yellowtail either so asked about this and we’re told it was on its way. We received the yellowtail and orzo (which was now warm) but no chicken, this was after waiting a considerable amount of time and the table that had come in at the same time as us and was much larger had finished their meals and left. The two of us eating the orzo and yellowtail finished and waited 10 minutes before we decided to give up on the chicken that was for our other friend and asked for the bill with the service charge taken off. At this point they bought the chicken out, we were ready to just leave and our friend wanted to go to a McDonald’s rather than here because at least she knew what she was getting!

After all this we still paid £50 between two of us for a cold and disappointing meal, not once were we apologised to, rather told we were wrong and that apparently Greek people eat lukewarm orzo and chicken as that’s the temperature they always serve it! Note that other Greek restaurants in London, like the lovely and similarly priced Ampeli in Charlotte street never seem to serve lukewarm mains, although this is normal??

Absolutely avoid, much better and just as pretty Greek restaurant to go to in London. do not give into the social media hype (likely paid for). Utterly disappointing meal...

In the winding alleys of Notting Hill, a culinary metamorphosis unfolds, one that may have escaped even the most attentive epicurean—until now. The "Zephyr," a Greek restaurant, has entered the scene, transforming the evening into an intoxicating whirlwind of gourmet culture.

The Greek cuisine, often underestimated, rises here to a true art form. The open kitchen is like a perfect choreography, and I prefer to sit at the bar to witness the spectacle. Cooking becomes an art that one can not only taste but also see.

What initially may seem like a simple gastronomic experience unfolds upon closer inspection into a refined feast that makes every inch of my palate rejoice. The Greek cuisine, often underestimated and misunderstood, shines here in its full glory. The happenings in the open kitchen resemble a perfect choreography, and as a guest, you have the privilege of witnessing the culinary spectacle. My preferred spot is at the bar, where I not only expand my knowledge by watching but also gain insight into the art of preparation.

The audience, an illustrious blend of youth, creativity, and self-assurance, makes this gem a place not overrun by tourists alone. People come here to celebrate life, society, and the world. The menu is an absolute must, even for vegetarians, and it feels as if the heart of culinary masterpieces lies in the preparation of fish. A symphony of flavors unfolds here, allowing one to dream of distant worlds, yet there's a reluctance to enter any other place, as the ambiance is a soothing spectacle.

Like a mantra, the "Zephyr" irresistibly pulls one back. It is more than a restaurant; it is a journey through the flavors of Greece, an ode to the senses. Here, the palate is indulged, the eyes delighted, and the soul nourished. A visit is not just a culinary experience but a homage to the joy of indulgence. There is still so much to discover on the diverse menu, and the anticipation for future visits is already ignited. The "Zephyr" is undoubtedly a culinary gem on Portobello Road that is worth...