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Grilandia

restaurants
London
London

Grilandia

10-12 Cork St, Mayfair, London W1S 3NP, United Kingdom

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Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Cork Street in the heart of Mayfair, Grilandia manages something quite remarkable - delivering authentic Lebanese cuisine in an award-winning tropical setting without the eye-watering prices you'd expect from this postcode. This hidden gem has created something genuinely unique in London's dining scene, though as with any good secret, it comes with its own set of challenges.

Grilandia: Mayfair's Tropical Lebanese Hideaway That Won't Break the Bank

Where authentic mezze meets Instagram-worthy rainforest vibes in prime W1

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The moment you step inside Grilandia, you're transported from Mayfair's bustling streets into what feels like a secret garden oasis. The award-winning tropical rainforest interior by Accanto Interiors is genuinely impressive - lush greenery cascades throughout the space, creating an intimate atmosphere enhanced by soft lighting that filters through the plants. The open kitchen concept adds a vibrant energy to the proceedings, striking that sweet spot between sophistication and accessibility. With venue intelligence scores placing it at 7.5/10 for sophistication and 8.5/10 for uniqueness, this isn't your typical Lebanese restaurant. The tropical décor creates an Instagram-worthy environment that feels both exotic and welcoming, making it clear why it's tagged as a 'tropical oasis' and 'hidden gem'. The space manages to feel both intimate for couples and accommodating for groups, with a social atmosphere that encourages conversation without being overwhelming.

Food & Drink

The menu showcases authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine with a clear focus on quality and authenticity. Signature dishes include lamb shank, kibbe, and baba ganoush, alongside halloumi-chicken salad and comprehensive mezze platters. What sets Grilandia apart is their commitment to halal meats and extensive vegan and vegetarian mezze options, making it genuinely inclusive. The fresh fruit desserts provide a lighter finish to complement the rich mezze offerings. The restaurant prides itself on amazing fresh food, and with generous portions that keep prices under £25, they're clearly not skimping on quality to maintain their affordable positioning. Lebanese wines and cocktails round out the beverage programme, though the specific details of the drinks menu aren't available. The open kitchen concept suggests transparency in preparation, always a good sign for food quality and freshness.

Service & Experience

The staff at Grilandia clearly understand the importance of personal touches in creating memorable experiences. They provide warm, attentive service that goes beyond the basics - think birthday singing and complimentary sweets for special occasions. This level of care helps explain why the venue scores 4.7/5 on OpenTable and is tagged as 'celebration-worthy'. The team seems well-versed in accommodating various dining occasions, from romantic dinners to business lunches and family gatherings. Weekend brunch service is available, and they offer takeaway and catering services for those wanting to enjoy their food elsewhere.

Value for Money

Here's where Grilandia truly shines for a Mayfair location. With a price level of just 1/4 and portions under £25, it's genuinely tagged as 'affordable-for-mayfair' - no small feat in this part of London. The 'great-value-portions' tag suggests you're getting substantial plates for your money, making it accessible for students on special occasions while still maintaining the quality and ambiance that appeals to the Mayfair crowd. This pricing strategy makes it 'pre-theatre-friendly' - crucial for this location near the West End. The value proposition becomes even more compelling when you factor in the award-winning interior design and prime location near Bond Street and Oxford Circus.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Book the 6pm slot for optimal golden hour lighting that filters beautifully through the tropical plants - perfect for both ambiance and photos. The restaurant operates daily from 12pm-11pm, but be aware that it fills quickly during peak times and there's only street parking available.

What to Focus On

Focus on the signature lamb shank and mezze platters to get the full Lebanese experience. Don't miss the baba ganoush and kibbe, and the halloumi-chicken salad offers a nice modern twist on traditional flavours.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The tropical interior is genuinely Instagram-worthy, so that 6pm golden hour booking isn't just about ambiance - it's perfect for content creation. The award-winning design by Accanto Interiors photographs beautifully with the right lighting. Weekend brunch is available but not widely advertised, offering a different perspective on their Lebanese cuisine in that stunning tropical setting.

The Final Verdict

Grilandia succeeds in being something quite rare - a genuinely unique dining experience in Mayfair that doesn't require a small mortgage. The combination of authentic Lebanese cuisine, award-winning tropical interiors, and reasonable pricing creates a compelling proposition. While the street parking situation and quick booking pace during peak times can be frustrating, these are small prices to pay for what you get. The venue scores consistently high across uniqueness and trendy factors, and the personal service touches elevate it beyond just good food in a pretty room. It's clear why this place has earned its 'hidden gem' status.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

couples seeking a romantic date night spot with charactergroups celebrating special occasions who want Instagram-worthy surroundingspre-theatre diners wanting quality Lebanese food without Mayfair prices

Quick Details

1

Grilandia

⭐️ Tropical interiors
⭐️ Halal lebanese
👑 Affordable mayfair
⭐️ Instagram worthy
💖 Romantic

Hidden in Mayfair's Cork Street, this Lebanese restaurant creates an award-winning tropical rainforest environment that transports diners far from London's streets. Accanto Interiors designed a secret-garden atmosphere with lush greenery and soft lighting, while the kitchen delivers authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine with halal meats and extensive vegan options. Signature dishes like lamb shank and fresh mezze platters come with generous portions that make the Mayfair location surprisingly affordable. The intimate atmosphere works perfectly for romantic dinners and celebrations, with staff providing warm, personal touches like birthday singing and complimentary sweets. This rare combination of prime location, stunning décor, and reasonable pricing creates one of London's most compelling hidden gems.

What's Great

Award-winning tropical-rainforest interior creates Instagram-worthy dining environment in Mayfair

Generous halal Lebanese portions under £25 make it rare affordable gem for prime location

Keep in Mind

× Street parking only and fills quickly during peak times

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Book 6pm slot for golden hour lighting through the tropical plants - perfect for content creation!

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details