Ela re! While our Greek slang might not be up to scratch, our palette for a good moussaka sure is due to Sydney’s burgeoning Greek food scene. From simple street eats to classic dishes that delight food enthusiasts all over Oz, viásou and check out our fave Greek restaurants in Sydney for souvlaki, dolmades and saganaki.
Zeus Street Greek
Multiple locations
Any eatery that considers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle as their forefathers has got to be good, right? HELL. YES. Serving up souvlaki fit for a Greek god , the Uncle ‘Tzimmy’ Classic, Papou Niki and Spartan will have you feeling a part of the family.
The Apollo
Potts Point
No round-up of Sydney’s top Greek eats could leave The Apollo in Potts Point off its list. Why, you ask? Well, aside from the lingering taste and authentic flavours that comes from cooking over wood and charcoal, the modern Greek restaurant does a saganaki cheese with honey and oregano like no other #thatsafact.
Alpha
CBD
Alpha’s dining room nods to Greece’s glam islands with white-washed walls and lamp-shaped fishing nets fit for an anassa (queen). Thanks to a menu full of taramasalata, tzatziki and twice-grilled octopus you can toss your passport, your Santorini-approved kaftan and your bikini bod for a less exxy (but just as tasty) food trip.
Athenian Greek Restaurant
CBD
If you’re after traditional Greek with a touch of elegance, Athenian Greek rolls out the red carpet. Located in Martin Place, the modern Mediterranean menu boasts a signature slow-baked roast lamb that could’ve been made by your yiayia.
Medusa Greek Tavern
CBD
While Greek mythology states that Medusa had venomous snakes for hair, Medusa Greek Tavern won’t turn you into stone for enjoying its haloumi, souzoukakia or loukaniko. With a focus on farm fresh ingredients, it’s the top spot for traditional Greek cooking made to be shared with the whole family (mythological Medusa not invited).
Lemonia
Annandale
This is Greek food just like your yiayia used to make. Lemonia has been plating up breakfast and lunch to diners in the inner west for a while now and recently launched their dinner menu. Showcasing the food they ate as kids, grab a spot outside and a two for one cocktail every Thursday to Sunday before tucking in to some hearty, rustic fare like lamb ribs, fried white bait, moussaka and their out of this world chips with fetta.
Xenos
Crows Nest
What’s Greek for yum? For a love of brunch? For a breakfast we’d sell our siblings for? Whatever it may be, Xenos has your brunch needs covered. With an extensive morning menu full of traditional lamb fry and bacon, Greek-style scrambled eggs and even Grandma’s Greek brekkie (again, with pide), all you’ll need is a nice Greek coffee to wash down the most important meal of the day.
Parea
Kogarah
Parea: a group of friends who regularly gather together to share their experiences on life, their philosophies, values and fears. So simply put, the atmosphere at Parea is not dissimilar to a big, fat Greek gathering full of family and friends. Bring your inside voices kids; this one’s fun, friendly and LOUD.
Kefi Greek Tavern
Kingsgrove
Joy, passion, fun and having a great mojo—yep, that’s how the team behind Kefi Greek Tavern describes itself (and they wouldn’t be wrong there). Working to bring you philoxenia and an appreciation of the simple and wonderful flavours of Greek cuisine, Kefi’s fresh selection of seafood will make you feel like you’ve just jumped off a fishing boat in Crete.
Eat GRK
Beverly Hills
Eat GRK is all about bringing the best GRK food to the streets with simple, authentic cooking methods combined with fresh ingredients that’ll get your taste buds begging for more. Their mouth-watering, self-basting charred meats are cooked in the same way as the original cooking method of an ancient GRK kitchen—over charcoal. FYI, they have fetta fries also.
Greek at The Belvedere
CBD
Bringing traditional Greek to the heart of the CBD, Greek at The Belvedere prides itself on quality food, with a menu crafted to resonate with authentic Greek feasting style (aka your theía piling up your plate while your cousins pick out the best bits).
Need more Greek in your life? Check out Sydney’s Best Gyros.
Image credit: Federica Portentoso at Greek at the Belvedere