London Bridge in Southwark is a hotspot for dining, with the likes of the fashionable Legare, cult favourite Barrafina, and all of the culinary riches of Borough Market (including one of the best oyster spots in London, Applebee’s) in easy reach of the station.
PYRO is a relatively new addition to the restaurant scene, launching in summer 2025. Still, it has quickly made its way onto must-dine lists thanks to its stylish interiors and vast terrace that will transport diners straight to the Aegean. Inside, wooden alcoves and a minimalist palette complemented by rattan lampshades and speckled ceramics set the scene for an evening of relaxed dining inspired by the flavours of Greece.
The kitchen is led by Yiannis Mexis, who previously worked in the kitchens of Elystan Street, The Ledbury, and the esteemed HIDE — and his pedigree is clearly felt in the exquisitely crafted dishes. Yiannis takes a more back-to-basics approach, leaning into the simplicity of seasonal ingredients and cooking over an open fire in the open kitchen, where guests can watch the spectacle unfold.
First impressions
To reach PYRO, we navigated the lively maze of bars and pop-up restaurants in Flat Iron Square on a balmy late-summer evening, the air warm and the sunset golden; almost as if we were actually on a Greek holiday. While the colourful mix of eateries next to it feels more eclectic, PYRO has an air of sophistication, with a large terrace that feels sectioned off from the hustle and bustle.
Our table was inside the restaurant, with a view of the open kitchen in the spacious dining room. However, we opted for a drink on the terrace before our meal to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a fresh lychee martini.
Personally, I’m a big fan of theatrics when it comes to dining (though never at the expense of good food). London’s Circus restaurant, where acrobats dangled from hoops alongside your meal, was an early favourite, while the original experiential dining hotspot, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck, was at the top of the bucket list for many years.
PYRO succeeds in bringing a touch of theatre and magic to its London Bridge location with inventive presentations and an immersive dining experience. The terrace looks even more impressive after dark, when the fire pits are blazing and the lights are twinkling.
A corner of Athens in London
In the late summer sunshine, PYRO’s bustling terrace would be at home in Athens, with its long wooden tables and relaxed atmosphere that are reminiscent of a Greek taverna. Although the minimalist decor and stylish clientele also pay homage to Mykonos (though, while on the expensive side, PYRO isn’t as eye-wateringly costly as a typical dinner on the famous Greek island). It’s a place that taps into the serene spirit of dining in the Mediterranean, with dishes meant for sharing over relaxed conversation and a fun, communal approach to dining.
The menu is divided into sections that diners can explore at their leisure with a focus on seasonal ingredients: breads and crudités, delicious dips, grazing, crudo (meaning raw foods), dishes cooked over the fire (called ‘From the Fire’), other mains (‘Beyond the Fire’), and sides. It’s customary in Greece for guests to be well fed — and this tradition is certainly in place here. We sampled dishes from each section, selected by the chef, alongside some of the restaurant’s signature cocktails.
A Grecian feast with modern flair
We began with the classic combination of toasted bread and dips, a sure-fire crowd pleaser. In PYRO, it’s potato pita breads cooked on the hearth, served with elevated dips such as tzatziki and black olive oil, as well as smoked aubergine and roasted garlic. We also sampled some market crudités, served elegantly on ice.
Spanakopita, featuring fragrant herbs and barrel-aged feta, and mussel saganaki, served with toasted bread and vine leaves, make delicious starters packed with Mediterranean flavours. We also tried one of PYRO’s signature cocktails alongside the dishes, a long drink consisting of almond liquor blended with fresh honey. Diners can also try the restaurant’s Midas cocktail, crafted with cinnamon-infused Reposado tequila, Aperol, and spicy apricot.
One of the highlights of the meal was the crudo: a whole sea bream, cured in citrus and served with pickled cucumber and caper leaves for a fresh and fragrant fish. The Dorset lamb, slow-cooked over alder wood and served with a smoked anchovy yoghurt, was also a triumph, offering a satisfying main course after the array of lighter dishes that preceded it.
PYRO is tipped to be one of the most exciting new restaurants in London Bridge — a claim it wholeheartedly deserves. Not only does PYRO offer excellent food, but dining here is a real experience, offering a slice of Greek culture in the heart of London.
PYRO avoids becoming too gimmicky thanks to its inventive menu, which combines fresh seasonal ingredients with Greek cooking techniques and an emphasis on local flavours where possible. Sweet honey, salty olives, and wild herbs are regular fixtures. There’s even an olive oil gin to sample as part of the cocktail menu.
While our meal was at dinner time and allowed us to experience this magical restaurant after dark, PYRO would be an ideal spot for a long, leisurely lunch with friends over glasses of Greek wine and sharing plates, with fire pits to keep diners cosy as autumn sets in.
Liked this? Take a look at our guide to the best oysters in London and the best seafood restaurants in London, as well as our glowing review of the incredible Fire & Wine by Boxcar.
