At Myrtos by Asimakis, Easter speaks to something close to our heart: the generosity of the Greek table and the pleasure of gathering with those around us. In the spirit of togetherness, we invite guests to discover an elevated taste of Greece in the heart of London, where heritage, flavour and hospitality combine with warmth.
EASTER IN GREECE: AN INVITATION TO SLOW DOWN AND SHARE
While Easter in the UK will be celebrated on Sunday 5 April, in Greece, Pascha will fall on Sunday 12 April this year, keeping with the Orthodox Church calendar. Though marked on different dates, Easter remains, in both places, a time of reflection and the joy of coming together with loved ones.
In Greece, Easter is one of the most meaningful moments of the year. It is deeply spiritual and shaped by generations of family tradition. From the quiet restraint of Lent to the warmth and abundance of the Easter feast, it is a celebration that brings faith, memory and hospitality together.
The journey begins with the 40 days of Lent, a period of fasting and reflection observed in preparation for Holy Week. During this time, many Greeks abstain from meat and other rich foods, embracing simplicity before the celebrations ahead. On Palm Sunday, worshippers are often given small woven palm crosses, and although Lent continues, the Church traditionally permits fish.
Most families honour the day with crispy salt cod, a tradition rooted in history and preservation, because fresh fish wasn’t always accessible, but the ritual of gathering around the table always was. Paired with skordalia, the delicious potato dip rich in garlic and olive oil, it’s a celebration of simplicity, resilience and the flavours that define Greek fasting cuisine.
The days that follow are marked by devotion and preparation. Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are observed with prayer and contemplation, while Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. It is also the day when many homes begin preparing the flavours most closely associated with Greek Easter: Koulourakia, Lamprokouloura and Tsoureki – a selection of biscuits and breads, scented with orange. Eggs are dyed a deep red, symbolising the blood of Christ and becoming one of the most recognisable symbols of the season.
Holy Friday is the most solemn day of all. It is a day of mourning, remembrance and the strictest fasting, with many abstaining from animal products, olive oil and alcohol altogether.
Then, at last, comes the joy of Easter. The fast is traditionally broken with Magiritsa, a deeply comforting soup served in the early hours. On Easter Sunday, families and friends gather once again, usually around a table filled with dishes prepared for sharing. Lamb is traditionally roasted to mark the day, and red eggs are cracked in a playful ritual that represents the Anastasis Resurrection, with each tap echoing the breaking of the tomb, and a wish of good luck for the ‘winner’ who cracks the most eggs.
WHERE TO GO FOR EASTER SUNDAY LUNCH IN LONDON
At its heart, Greek Easter is a celebration of connection – of slowing down, sharing generously and welcoming others with open arms. Gather with those you cherish this Easter weekend and experience Greece through a contemporary lens at our South Kensington restaurant.
Whether sharing our Grilled Lamb Chops with coconut tzatziki or our salt-baked Kefalonian Organic Sea Bass, every plate is designed to be savoured together, in true Myrtos style. And for those celebrating Pascha on the 12th, our restaurant remains open. In the spirit of philoxenia, you may even find a familiar ritual waiting for you – red eggs, waiting to be cracked.
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