It’s no secret that Borough is basically a magnet for foodies the world over. But walk just five minutes from the famous market and you’ll find Pyro - promising modern Greek cuisine with a touch of fire (the clue is in the name).
Having opened in May 2025, Pyro is ex-HIDE head chef Yiannis Mexis’ latest venture, having honed his craft through years of Michelin-starred kitchens and celebrated restaurants like Elystan Street, The Ledbury and Petrus. Cleverly merging an elegant take on food from his childhood (having grown up in Mykonos via Athens) with honouring the earth’s natural elements, in addition to the feel-good atmosphere of an Aegean taverna, I'd heard amazing reviews about Pyro. Naturally, I went by to check it out for myself.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Pyro
The surroundings at Pyro were smart but relaxed, and the playful dishes (pictured) gave us a true taste of the Mediterranean.
Need To Know:
- Address: 53b Southwark Street, SE1 1RU
- Area: Borough, not far from the market and London Bridge station
- Cuisine: refined Greek
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: from the outside, Pyro looked like a secluded secret garden, covered in foliage, olive trees and fairy lights, but once past the flaming pillars at the entrance, it was a different affair altogether. It had the atmosphere of a hidden beach bar on a remote Greek island, the kind that only locals know about. But it still felt very classy; prepare for a canopy of bamboo with straw lampshades, stone floors and huge beams. Tables were nicely spaced out so we weren’t crammed in, plus the low lighting gave things an intimate feel. The indoor area was bustling, and when the great British summer shows its face, I expect the suntrap terrace to be as well. I was sat opposite the open kitchen, and it was a joy to watch the chefs in action and stoke the flames – it really added to the buzz.
- Perfect For: anniversary date ideas or sophisticated birthdays.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For
Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: the new tasting menu costs £95 per person (excludes drinks and service). Note, a la carte options are available too.
Get ready for dishes that excite and amaze, plus the well-organised chefs in the open kitchen were fascinating to watch.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Spanakopita pastel de nata – if you’ve been to Greece, you’ve probably had a spinach pie, and this was a quirky version of that. Expect flaky filo pastry that’s filled with a galomizithra (Greek cheese) savoury custard and feta. I could detect hints of lemon, which worked perfectly and gave it a little lift.
- Potato pita & market crudités – probably the prettiest starter ever, making radish, pickled cucumber, carrot and pepper look like a summer garden. But the stars of the show? The pomegranate, walnut and crispy onion-topped smoked aubergine dip – it had incredible depth. Don’t skip the moreish puffed 'bread' as well.
- Celeriac souvlaki – cooked over embers with a sweet prune glaze, covered in herbs, it took skill to make this skewered dish, as they managed to elevate the humble root vegetable’s earthy flavours to the next level.
- Cornish lobster – at one point, my date went unusually silent just to contemplate how epic this plate was. Think indulgent seafood served in a scallop shell, with creamy, citrusy blood orange avgolemono (a traditional soup) finished with chives.
- Dorset lamb - this was a feast containing juicy, alder wood-cooked meat served on the bone, crisp lamb fat flatbreads and smoked anchovy yoghurt. Nothing is wasted as you get a dolma made with lamb off-cuts on the side.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paying homage to chef Yiannis Mexis' homeland, cocktails are named after towns. The wine menu focuses on Greece's most respected wineries - so you're in safe hands.
- Midas (£14) - coming from the ‘mountain’ section of the cocktail offering, this well-balanced (and totally delicious) sip brought together Aperol and spicy apricot with a glug of cinnamon-infused tequila.
- Alpha Estate Malagouzia Turtles Single Vineyard (£65 for the bottle, but we had a glass) – our kind and informative sommelier encouraged us to try this zippy, aromatic white wine from North West Greece, similar to a Sauvignon Blanc, as it stood up to the richness of our starters.
- Kokotos Three Hills Agiorgitiko (£10) – I was recommended this red wine to complement my main – and it certainly did. With notes of dark fruit like blackberry, this rich, silky little number was a great choice.
Our Overall Experience At Pyro
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What impressed me most about Pyro is that they don’t rely on simple char, using fire is thoughtfully integrated into every flavour profile and experience here. For example, dishes are smoked by your table for theatre (service was excellent, by the way) and flames are used to really complement the seasonal ingredients, some of which were unfamiliar to me. Presentation throughout was inventive and immaculate, and my guest remarked that this was some of the best food he’s ever eaten. Be aware, the tasting menu is seven courses and you will be dangerously full, but you will leave very happy.
