Gorgeous Greek Tapas In London's Sleek New Restaurant: Our Review Of HERA Stratford

Yes, although we’ve had glimmers of summery weather recently, let’s face it: a Mediterranean escape is what’s really needed right now. And don’t know about you, but food is my number 1 priority when on hols, so imagine the joy when we discovered a stylish oasis promising traditional flavours and innovative techniques. Meet HERA Stratford; a brand new Greek restaurant in thriving East London. 

This beautiful restaurant is a hidden gem.

DesignMyNight Review Of HERA London

Having opened on 21 November last year, HERA London is named after Ancient Greece's queen of the gods and can be found on a quiet side street at Stratford Cross' new cultural hub. The location is nestled between some big names, think ABBA Voyage, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Sadler's Wells, Westfield and Everyman Cinema, plus the new V&A East (set for 2026). For now, it's arguably London’s best-kept secret but it's unlikely to stay that way for long.

You’re welcomed straight into HERA's stunning bar space, fronting a ginormous lit-up backdrop that takes over the whole side. If you go around the corner, other cool design features include the plant-covered wall, clusters of rounded lights and a unique wood-clad mezzanine level that looks like the ideal place for a cocktail. The colour scheme blended tones of sage, red wine and burnt orange, plus stone-like finishing touches and glass panels to make the most of natural light. Oh, and don’t miss the airy, heated outdoor terrace in the shadow of West Ham's London Stadium. 

Check out the HERA restaurant photos, they're a stunner alright.

Mirroring family feasts that Greece is famous for, the HERA Restaurant menu is a sharing affair, which was apt as mum accompanied me for lunch. You’re advised to pick two or three options, including a main that’s helpfully sectioned into ‘garden’, ‘meat’ and ‘fish’. We started off with some best sellers, feta saganaki (£13.90) and smoked aubergine (£15), and both were a sure-fire hit. Prepare for a slab of creamy, tangy cheese encased in strands of angel’s hair pasta, thyme flecks, drizzles of lemon honey and decorated with a purple flower. I learnt that they deliberately held back on too much of the sweet stuff so it’s not overpowering the plate, but to be honest, I think it could have taken a bit more because of the richness. Either way, it was delicious as hell. The aforementioned eggplant dish was my absolute favourite and I ate it all to myself. Just imagine a whole earthy fruit on a bed of heavenly charred-tasting yoghurt, finished off with two types of indulgent truffle (including shavings) and za'atar honey. The seeds provided crunch, plus the olive oil brought everything together.

As for the cocktails? HERA restaurant Stratford’s menu has been thoughtfully designed to not only honour the classics but also draw inspiration from modern-day Greece. Our incredible host Vil recommended Helen of Spice (£13), a zippy, fruity twist on the spicy marg, blending tequila, chilli mix, mango and agave, finished with a fuchsia rose petal. I enjoyed the heat that lingered on my tongue afterwards, it was balanced wonderfully. He also suggested trying the Karpouzi Island (£13), which tasted remarkably like those watermelon fizzy candy you get in a pick ‘n’ mix but refined and not too sweet. The apple green-coloured tipple fused vodka, melon and mint, plus the playful jelly decoration in the shape of a lime went down well. 

Aegean flavours meet high glam at Stratford's latest restaurant. 

Dishes are served fresh out of the kitchen, so before long, our table was totally full. From the soft, herby and flavoursome beef meatballs (£13.90 - served with tzatziki) to the salty yet buttery oregano oil-smothered roasted potatoes (£7), each bite whisked us away to sunnier shores, especially paired with the elegant beach bar-like music as our soundtrack. My final small plate on the HERA restaurant London menu came in the form of roasted beetroots (£12), segments of vivid purple vegetables, doused in dill-infused oil and a rocher of manouri soft cheese, something I’ve never tried before. We really enjoyed this dish as it proved to be a bit of a refresher compared to the others, cutting through the richness.

As we sat back to admire the sweeping city views, our attention turned to dessert. I was lucky enough to visit Athens on a recent trip and Loukoumades (£9) was the must-try sweet treat. Similar to a mini doughnut, these crispy, light, fluffy golden orbs had a lovely cinnamon dusting. Presented piping hot, we also loved the vivid green pistachio sprinkles which elevated the plate further. Although it’s appreciated this isn’t authentic, perhaps an ice cream accompaniment would have been a nice match here. Our top tip? Squeeze the spheres down into the lemon-infused honey so you soak up the mouthwatering nectar. 

HERA Stratford: Overall

As the recent HERA restaurant reviews have attested, this shiny new Greek restaurant is a great addition to London’s culinary scene. The whole experience made us feel like we were on a luxury holiday, and we think everything is pretty good value when you consider the generous portions and talented chefs who have a clear concept of flavour. The crowd was a nice mix of families and dates, expertly looked after by the kind and passionate staff. We say save yourself the airfare, and head East.      

Want more? Check out our guide to the prettiest London restaurants.