Following waves of immigration in the sixties and seventies, Greek food and culture has become a huge part of Melbourne’s culinary identity. We’ve got the largest Greek population outside of Athens, so it’s no surprise the city is brimming with Greek taverns and family-owned restaurants to suit all occasions and budgets.
Whether you're prepping for a Greek summer of island hopping or wishing you were, you don't need to venture far to taste the Mediterranean flavours you're craving. From authentic souvs to ocean-fresh seafood to vegetarian fare, we've got you covered.
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It’s a tough task, but we’ve pulled together the freshest, tastiest options so you can take a seat at the best Greek restaurant Melbourne has to offer.
Astoria Bar Ke Grill
302 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Image: Astoria Bar Ke Grill | Kit Edwards
Housed in a beautiful Victorian-era terrace, Astoria is a little slice of Athens in South Yarra, especially with the tiered seating right onto the streetfront. Headed up by Nik Pouloupatis, who has a 35-year tenure in the industry (and 17 of those as a chef), it’s evident the restaurant is both an homage to his motherland and a labour of love. Seafood, as one would expect, is the star of the show here. Indulge in some hefty, smoky and tomato-ey prawns, Freo octopus, or a whopping big snapper to share.
INSIDER INTEL
- Must-orders include the bite-sized spanakopita, tarama dip and flatbread.
- Greek twists on classic cocktails are a big yes — a mastiha sour or ouzo mojito are our picks.
- The Greek wine list is most definitely worth exploring.
Jim’s Greek Tavern
32 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Image: Jim's Greek Tavern | Supplied
Generations of Melbourne diners have spent a night at Jim’s Greek Tavern—it’s like a rite of passage we all must go through. But once you’ve been, you’ll understand why. Jim’s is one of the most authentic Greek restaurants in Melbourne. It’s bustling, noisy and a bit confusing at times, but the food has kept people coming back for decades. Add it to your to-do list if you haven’t already made the trip.
INSIDER INTEL
- Jim’s is known for their traditional service with no menu, no prices, and generous serves.
- Let the team know what you like and they’ll curate a delicious array for you.
- It’s BYO with no corkage.
Gracie Greco
536 Riversdale Road, Camberwell
Gracie Greco is a family-owned and run tavern serving up traditional recipes in Camberwell. The grandparents are in the kitchen cooking up a storm, while the two sons run the beautiful bar and front of house.
As for the food, the grilled halloumi is legit drool-worthy—it’s lathered in honey and toasted sesame seeds and is oh-so-gooey. The gemista (stuffed peppers) are amazing too, with both a vegetarian and beef variety available, no one will go home hungry.
INSIDER INTEL
- You absolutely have to try the loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) for dessert.
- The set menu starts at $59 per person, or go a la carte.
- The takeaway packs are perfect for a night in.
Bahari
179 Swan Street, Richmond
Image: Bahari | Supplied
Since 2014, Masterchef alumnus Philip Vakos has been sharing his take on Hellenic food in his Swan Street haunt, Bahari. What started as a restaurant has grown into so much more—they now offer at-home feasts, picnic hampers, catering services, masterclasses, and grazing boxes alongside their in-house service in the restaurant, cocktail bar, and upstairs dining room.
INSIDER INTEL
- Their banquet menu starts at a very reasonable $59 per person.
- The menu is designed for sharing, with Vakos’ signature ‘Gringlish’ style filtered across the menu.
- You can’t go wrong with the saganaki sliders and moussaka toastie.
Stalactites
177/183 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Stalactites | Supplied
If you haven’t been to Stalactites yet, are you even a Melburnian? This iconic family-owned restaurant is serving up some of the best Greek food Melbourne CBD has on offer — from the literal stalactite-covered ceiling to the fast-paced service, it’s one-of-a-kind. Start off with the pita and dips before gorging on souvs and gyros.
INSIDER INTEL
- There’s usually a line for a table in the evenings, but it’s so worth the wait.
- Originally opening in 1978, this institution has stood the test of time.
- They have a pretty great kids’ menu with far more options than your standard selection of burgers and chips.
Kafeneion
161 Spring Street, Melbourne CBD
The flavourful menu at Kafeneion offers a lot, from spicy cheese croquettes and dry cured beef with olives and fennel to braised beef cheeks coated with shallots and cloves. There’s no doubt it’s high on the list for best Greek food Melbourne has to offer, with tradition seeping from the walls. After your meal, engross yourself fully in the evening Euro-style, enjoying company and drinks long after dinner.
INSIDER INTEL
- Kafeneion is open until 3am most nights.
- Plenty of vegetarian options on the menu.
- It can get busy, book a table if you can.
Kalimera Souvlaki Art
43 Chester Street, Oakleigh
Image: Kalimera Souvlaki Art | Supplied
Meaning ‘Good Morning’ in Greek, Kalimera has become a pillar of the Souvlaki community in Melbourne. Its store on the top end of Oakleigh’s main hub is constantly heaving with a raft of loyal locals and hungry travellers who’ve come for a souv. Serving up authentic Greek-style souvlaki, they have the option of pork and chicken Gyros which is served in a house-made pita with chips, tomato, and signature Kalimera sauce (a garlicky tzatziki yoghurt sauce with paprika). This might be the best souvlaki in Melbourne.
INSIDER INTEL
- Ben Shewry of Attica named this place in his top 5 restaurants.
- A souvlaki will set you back $12, the perfect wallet-friendly Greek meal.
- It’s all authentic here, which means you won’t find a lamb souvlaki on the menu.
Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar
28 Anderson Street, Yarraville
Image: Eleni's Kitchen | Supplied
If it’s family cooking you’re after, then head to Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar in Yarraville. Marking 50+ years of family hospitality businesses in Yarraville, Eleni’s is the best Greek restaurant in Melbourne for authentic home-style food. Named after the family matriarch, the space offers a gorgeous outdoor terrace with regular plate-smashing and live music on the weekends. The desserts are a sight to behold too, with their in-house pastry chef churning out stunning made-to-order treats.
INSIDER INTEL
- Book in a Greek Tavern Night with live music, belly dancing, dinner and plate smashing — the Greek night you’ve always wanted to experience.
- Want to recreate this feast at home? They’ve just released a new cook book.
- Thierry's bread and butter pudding is the ultimate dessert.
Mediterranean Greek Tavern
511 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
Freshness is the keyword at John and Angelo’s Mediterranean Greek Tavern. Everything is handpicked and selected from the market each morning to be served on your plate that night, so you know you’re getting the freshest meal possible. The menu slants to the seafood side of things, with fish, calamari, prawns and oysters on offer each day. It’s a wonderful local gem that’s worth every cent.
INSIDER INTEL
- The Greek wines are delish, just know there’s a maximum of two bottles per table.
- There’s plenty of entree options and sharing platters.
- For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the baklava or turkish delight.
Philhellene
551-553 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds
A regular feature in the Good Food Guide, Philhellene celebrates provincial Greek cuisine and culture with a strong Cretan influence. Eating at Philhellene is like eating in a Greek home, with family recipes dominating the menu and owners Susie and John’s mothers preparing everything in the kitchen. It’s all about the love for Greek cuisine and culture here, and you can taste it in the food from the dips to the souvlakis. Hands down one of the best Greek restaurants Melbourne is home to.
INSIDER INTEL
- The interior gives big Greek tavern energy, there’s even live music and dancing if you’re lucky.
- Plenty of Greek beers, wines, spirits and cocktails on offer.
- The loukoumades or galaktoboureko for dessert. Yum.
Yakamoz
74 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Not confined solely to Greek food, Yakamoz is Brunswick East’s cosy neighbourhood Mediterranean restaurant. From the family behind Lygon Street favourite Halikarnas, Yakamoz is a father-son venture serving up food that will warm your body and soul.
For dinner, select from a range of hot or cold meze, seafood, mains, wood fired pide, and salads. There’s an entire menu with gluten free and vegan options, perfect for those with dietaries. The lunch menu is shorter but no less impressive, with favourites including the double cheeseburger cooked on an open flame, served with reggiano french fries.
INSIDER INTEL
- Halloumi with brown butter, wild honey and walnuts. Just do it.
- Get a spicy sumac marg.
- Save room for their tiramisu or baklava.
Alpha Ouzeri
281 Victoria Street, Brunswick
One of the newest additions to Brunswick, Alpha Ouzeri has received quite the welcome. This quaint and cosy family-run joint is giving all the old school Greek tavern vibes you’re craving, minus the flight to Greece. The menu is all your Mediterranean dreams come true. Think feta saganaki with tomato jam, whole snapper with olives, medjool dates stuffed with labneh. Drop it in the group chat now.
INSIDER INTEL
- Open until 11pm every night except Sunday.
- The Rakomelo (cinnamon and honey flavoured raki) is the perfect winter warmer.
- The drinks and cocktails here are on point — our fave is the creamy risoyallo with rice milk, cream, cinamon, vanilla and lemon.
Main image credit: Astoria Bar Ke Grill | Kit Edwards
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