
10 Feb 2023
From fresh tzatziki and charcoal grilled lamb to delicately prepared Cretan seafood, if there’s anything Melbourne does well it’s Greek cuisine. But of all the bustling Greek restaurants and family-owned tavernas to discover, where do you go for the best? Start with five of our favourites…
For modern Greek food and cocktails in a chic setting, make Bahari your next dinner booking.
The Richmond restaurant is run by ex-MasterChef contestant Philip Vakos along with his partner and friend, and the trio’s culinary expertise shows.
Bahari, meaning “spice”, is all about traditional Greek food with a contemporary twist. Vakos highlights fresh Aussie produce in a series of creative dishes that tend to rotate and shapeshift weekly. Ask the chef for today’s specials to taste the latest.
For the rest of the menu, anticipate share-style a la carte dishes and banquet offerings, great for couples and large groups alike.
The slow-roasted lamb shoulder, Greek skewers and chargrilled octopus with ouzo are must-tries.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Pulled lamb shoulder ($31)
The family behind this Yarraville tavern have been hospitality mavericks for over five decades. Eleni’s, named after the family’s yiayia, is today one of the best restaurants in Melbourne for authentic Greek home-style food.
First, you’ll fall in love with the space. Picture soft warm lighting, vintage-style wall murals and a sun-dappled outdoor terrace where on weekends, live music, dancing and sometimes even a bit of traditional plate-smashing enliven the atmosphere.
Next, it’s the menu’s turn to seduce. The food at Eleni’s is classic Greek, with plenty of seafood, grilled meats, dips and cheeses. For something special, try Chef Hristos’ signature dish, the ouzo seafood saganaki.
It’s a rich tomato and ouzo broth-soaked stew, bursting with mussels, scallops and prawns. It comes with paximathi (country-style Greek bread) and rice.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Seafood platter for two ($100)
No article about Greek food in Melbourne would be complete without mention of Jim’s Greek Tavern.
Since 1980, the iconic Collingwood restaurant has been a fail-safe choice for enjoying a Greek banquet with friends. There’s no pomp or fanfare here, nor playing around with new ingredient combinations.
It’s pure and simple, just the way many Greeks would prefer, with a focus on fresh ingredients cooked well with love. It’s BYO so bring a decent bottle, though cold beers marry with the salty, protein-rich, slow-cooked deliciousness you’ll find here equally as well.
Step inside the white-washed walls of the taverna and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped back in time to a Greek coastal town. But if you’re looking for a menu, don’t bother.
Instead, a waiter will guide your group through your options for the night. You can expect a traditional multi-course feast of familiar Greek delicacies including pan-fried saganaki, home-made dips, meats and market-fresh seafood.
On weekends this place fills up fast, so remember to make a booking.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Set banquet menu ($65pp)
The ethos at this Richmond restaurant is candid: it’s simply “Greek food made by a Greek guy”.
But don’t underestimate what’s on offer at Demitri’s – the fresh, authentic Greek food here is some of the best you can taste in Melbourne. The kitchen won’t touch anything less than seasonal and organic produce, and there’s an enticing blend of old-school Greek dishes and creative takes to choose from on the menu.
Consider ouzo-cured salmon with horseradish cream, garlicky dolmades, roast eggplant balls with tomato sugo and yoghurt, and epic grilled meat plates.
The grilled calamari and marinated chicken skewers – juicy, zesty, flavour-packed morsels of meat half-caramelised to perfection – are worth a visit to Demitri’s alone.
Before your meal, head out to the courtyard and enjoy a Greek wine or cocktail as the sun sets. It can be hard to get a table here on busy nights but if the food’s anything to go off, Demitri’s certainly deserves a try.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Pork neck kontosouvli ($26)
An idyllic locale for a date night or special occasion, Agapi is an upscale Greek restaurant that celebrates traditional Greek recipes in a stylish setting. “Agapi” is the Greek word for love, an apt name for describing the warm, convivial atmosphere here.
Expect a rustic menu inspired by the beach towns of Greece, with a focus on share plates, generous starters, house-made dips and authentic meat grills and bakes.
The seafood platters are lavish, with a bounty of fresh calamari, scallops, prawns, fish, oysters, mussels and whitebait for sharing.
Don’t forget about dessert, either. The small traditional selection is an elegant way to end the night. Choose from Turkish delight, sesame or chocolate halva, baklava and galaktoboureko (pastry with soft custard).
A strong Greek coffee makes the perfect accompaniment.
Dish Cult’s top pick: Moussaka ($29.50)