Following its success in Canary Wharf, Gallio is bringing vibrant Eastern Mediterranean cooking to Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia, opening opposite their sister restaurant, Norma – the ever-popular Sicilian restaurant. Charlotte Street is home to numerous excellent independent restaurants, and Gallio’s new flagship restaurant fits just right in with its great food concept and sophisticated yet still relaxing ambience. Featuring terracotta tones and adorned with handmade tapestry and artwork, Gallio Fitzrovia creates a warm, welcoming space that injects a burst of vibrance to central London.
Gallio: The Art of Bread & Honest Fresh Cooking
Bread is a core part of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, a humble yet unmissable staple on the dining table. Gallio’s menu focuses on the art of bread, building the menu around their signature homemade dough that complements a mix of modern Greek, Turkish, and Levantine dishes. It’s all about that famous homemade dough, made with ancient grains, and used as a base across all their breads and pizzas. The open kitchen allows you to see it all in action, where every dish is being freshly prepared.
Yes, chicken, beef, and lamb are halal at Gallio. No pork, but alcohol is served at the restaurant.
Tottenham Court Road (Central Line / Elizabeth Line) and Goodge Street (Northern Line) are the closest stations to Gallio Fitzrovia.
The Food at Gallio Fitzrovia (what we ordered)
*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press meal, but all thoughts are our own.
Shell On Tiger Prawns (£13)
You just know that these shell-on tiger prawns are good when that alluring aroma hits the table. Massive in size and doused in garlic and chilli oil, these prawns were absolutely finger-licking delicious. Each prawn was plump, meaty, and fresh to taste. Finished with a squeeze of charred lemon, it’s simple yet so palatably impactful.
On a sidenote, they also thoughtfully serve a bowl of lemon water to clean your fingers.
Kofte Meatballs (£10)
Three kofte meatballs bathed in a moreish tomato sauce, spiked with smoked paprika, a subtle tinge of chilli, and za’atar – this dish was surprisingly homely and satisfying. The kofte meatballs were very tender in texture and offered an earthy touch of flavour. Make sure you order some bread to mop up all that glorious tomato sauce, as it has such a beautiful flavour depth that’s too good to be wasted.
Etli Hummus (£11)
Just as bread is the core, hummus is also essential to Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Everything about this Etli Hummus was spot on. It was beautifully creamy and bright to taste, with the perfect earthy, nutty touch. The pickled onions and gherkins added a lovely tangy flavour, while the steak bites offered a flavoursome savoury edge. Together with their signature pita bread, it makes such a wonderful combo to savour.
Shorba (£7)
Shorba, i.e. soup of the day, was a comforting lentil soup that could do no wrong. It wasn’t an exceptional standout, though. Perhaps a little extra zing would perk up the flavours more, but all in all, it’s a solid one.
Fluffy Pita (£4)
This may just be the fluffiest and most pillowy pita bread I’ve ever had, and it’s one that truly impressed. It was stone-baked to perfection, giving that irresistible crust and mind-blowingly fluffy texture. The pita paired well with pretty much all the dishes and very much hit the spot. It’s what completes each dish, tying up all the beautiful flavours together.
Onion Bazlama (£11)
Think of this like a cheesy garlic bread, topped with lightly caramelised onions and a sprinkle of za’atar for extra flavour and aroma. The onion bazlama was such an alluring treat that we could munch all day long on its own. Impeccably fluffy bread topped with gooey cheese, complemented with an added sweetness and umami from the onions – it’s the perfect hearty bite.
Truffled Batatas (£9)
A touch of truffle oil and za’atar, topped with grated halloumi and honey, is the recipe for addictive flavours. The Truffled Batatas were a lovely munch. The truffle flavours weren’t as outstanding as we’d liked, but we enjoyed the earthy flavours from the za’atar, which blends well with both the savoury halloumi and the sweetness from the honey.
Shawarma Chicken (£50 – serves two)
As for the main dish, we had the showstopping Shawarma Chicken, which comes served like a platter completed with rice pilaf, slaw, tomatoes, harissa yoghurt, pink pickled onions, and Turkish green chilli. Unfortunately, the chicken was lacklustre, but its accompaniments pulled through. For us, the chicken was missing spice & heat. A punchier and bolder flavour on the chicken would’ve paired more effectively and created more contrast with the refreshing slaw and yoghurt. The rice pilaf was nicely savoury to taste, and I enjoyed pairing it with the pickled onions. Again, if the chicken had been spicier and more succulent, it would’ve been a fantastic flavour party.
Ciftci Pidesi (£22)
From dough to topping, every element was spot on for Gallio’s pizza. After all, pizza is what first put Gallio on the map, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The Ciftci Pidesi is a Turkish-inspired pizza topped with beef pepperoni, merguez sausage, turkey bacon, mozzarella, chilli, and hot honey. It’s punchy with bold flavours and a kick of spice, balanced with a touch of sweetness.
Leila Cake (£5)
Moving on to desserts, we had the Leila Cake, which is Gallio’s signature homemade vanilla sponge milk cake, topped with sweet whipped cream and honey, crumbled pistachios, walnuts, and dried fruit. It was delightfully light and not overly sweet – just the right pick-me-up after a big feast.
Gallio Restaurant Review Summary
I didn’t think I’d be singing praises over bread, but here I am. Gallio perfectly captures Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, with a modern approach, by anchoring its menu concept in bread. The mezze and small plates were the most memorable, and they paired exquisitely with their phenomenal breads. The service was great and attentive throughout our meal, adding to our overall positive experience. In the sea of overpriced restaurants nowadays, Gallio is a worthwhile destination, and we felt the pricing was fair for the quality of food, serving portions, dining experience, and prime central London location.
Our Rating
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Value for Money
