A polished Greek-Cypriot restaurant in Covent Garden with standout grilled meats, dips and warm hospitality, though portions, menu breadth and central-London pricing will not suit everyone.
Zylia delivers strong food quality and attentive service that anchor a reliable dining experience, with warm staff and an attractive Covent Garden setting. Inconsistent execution on certain dishes and split value perceptions prevent a higher grade, though the restaurant maintains solid performance across core dimensions.
Zylia is a new, compact Greek-Cypriot address tucked into Covent Garden’s Arcade, with a polished taverna feel rather than a bare-bones neighbourhood café. Reviewers repeatedly describe a warm room, evocative music and décor, and servers who make the unfamiliar parts of the menu easy to navigate; one diner said a particularly thoughtful waiter transformed a delayed start into a memorable evening. The cooking is elevated traditional Greek-Cypriot food: charcoal-grilled meats, generous meze flavours and recognizable classics presented with a modern London gloss. Sheftalia, lamb chops, pork chop, dips and prawn saganaki are the recurring stars, while the menu also offers more unusual touches such as Metsovone croquettes and Ekmek Politiko. It suits diners who enjoy sharing and trying regional specialties, although one critic found the concept caught between traditional and neo-taverna cooking, and several diners questioned portions or menu breadth for the price. Families should find enough approachable food in the chicken and pork souvlakia, fries, pita, halloumi, Greek salad and ice cream, and reviews mention enjoyable family visits. There is no dedicated children’s menu in the supplied menu, so very conservative young eaters may need to share simple sides or skewers rather than expect classic children’s staples.
Area vibe: Theatre and tourist-focused West End with dense dining and nightlife options.
Safety: Generally safe with busy streets and good evening footfall, though tourist crowds and pickpockets can occur.
What's nearby: Close to Covent Garden piazza, Strand, theatres, transport hubs (Covent Garden/Lyceum/Charing Cross) and many restaurants.