OMA Review - london Restaurants | Christoff

OMA: Greek Fire Meets London Sophistication in Borough Market's Hidden Gem

Where coastal Mediterranean meets live-fire cooking above the Bedale Street bustle

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

OMA strikes that elusive balance between sophisticated and casual, scoring a solid 7.8 on the refinement scale while maintaining an energy level that keeps things lively without being overwhelming. The coastal vibes are palpable throughout, creating an atmosphere that genuinely transports you to the sun-washed shores of the Greek isles. The live fire kitchen becomes a theatrical centerpiece, with the charcoal grill and coal-braised clay pots adding both visual drama and that distinctive smoky aroma that permeates the space. It's clearly designed for sharing - both plates and conversation - with a social group size score of 8.5 reflecting its communal dining philosophy. The venue manages to feel both trendy and timeless, sophisticated enough for a special occasion yet relaxed enough that you won't feel overdressed in smart casual attire.

Food & Drink

The menu showcases genuine creativity within the Greek and Mediterranean framework, with those bold Levantine influences adding unexpected depth to familiar flavors. Signature dishes like the spanakopita gratin and oxtail giouvetsi demonstrate the kitchen's ability to elevate traditional concepts through modern technique and that impressive live-fire cooking setup. The sharing plates format dominates, supported by breads and dips, alongside options from the crudo bar that showcase the kitchen's range beyond the grill. The charcoal grill and coal-braised clay pots aren't just for show - they're integral to the cooking philosophy, creating those authentic Greek isle flavors that the 400+ bin wine list is specifically curated to complement. Vegetarian options are available, and there's a separate dessert menu, though the focus clearly lies in those small and large sharing plates that have earned the restaurant its acclaimed status.

Service & Experience

The staff consistently receives praise for being attentive, friendly, and warm, with service that's notably well-paced - crucial when you're dealing with sharing plates that need to arrive in logical sequence. The team clearly understands the wine list's complexity, and given the 400+ bin selection focusing on coastal minerality and salinity, their guidance becomes invaluable. The service style aligns perfectly with the sophisticated-casual vibe, professional without being stuffy, knowledgeable without being pretentious.

Value for Money

At price level 3 out of 4, OMA sits firmly in the 'investment dining' category, but the value proposition becomes clearer when you consider what you're getting. That extensive wine list, the live-fire cooking techniques, and the acclaimed status all justify the pricing structure. The sharing plates format means you'll likely spend more than a standard dinner, but the quality of cooking and that impressive wine selection - particularly the coastal-focused bins - deliver on the promise. It's tagged as offering value-for-quality, suggesting that while it's not cheap, you're getting what you pay for in terms of ingredient quality, technique, and overall experience.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Open Monday-Friday 12:00-15:00 and 17:30-23:00, with continuous service weekends 12:00-23:00 (Sunday until 10pm). The lunch service during weekdays offers a potentially quieter experience, while weekend evenings will showcase the venue at its most energetic.

What to Focus On

Don't miss the signature spanakopita gratin and oxtail giouvetsi. Start with the breads and dips, explore the crudo bar offerings, and definitely engage with items from the charcoal grill and coal-braised clay pot sections to experience the live-fire cooking that defines the kitchen.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Let the staff guide you through the wine pairings - the coastal selections are genuinely next level and the team knows how to match them with the bold Levantine flavorsThe sharing plates format may not suit solo diners, so come with at least one other person to properly experience the menuBook ahead as this acclaimed spot has gained serious traction, and the intimate space fills quickly

The Final Verdict

OMA represents everything that's exciting about London's current dining scene - genuine culinary heritage expressed through modern technique, an impressive wine program that actually enhances the food, and an atmosphere that manages to feel both special and welcoming. The live-fire cooking isn't just theater; it's fundamental to flavors that genuinely transport you to the Mediterranean coast. While the price point requires commitment and the sharing format isn't universally suitable, the overall experience - from that 400+ bin wine list to the acclaimed cooking - justifies its growing reputation. This is sophisticated Mediterranean dining that doesn't sacrifice soul for style.

Christoff's Rating:

8.3/10

Perfect For:

Wine enthusiasts seeking coastal Mediterranean selectionsDate night diners wanting sophisticated but unstuffy atmosphereGroups of 2-4 looking for acclaimed sharing plate experiences

OMA

OMA

Christoff's Take

OMA: Greek Fire Meets London Sophistication in Borough Market's Hidden Gem

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Food & Drink

Service & Experience

Value for Money

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

What to Focus On

Christoff's Insider Tips

The Final Verdict

Perfect For:

Quick Details

OMA

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