Sydney’s Greek ex-pat community has a long and storied tradition on our sandy shores. From the salty coastlines of the beaches right out to the foot of the mountains, you’ll find Greek folks having settled down and started doing what they do best: cook.
From special occasion dining spots to superb street food, here’s our round-up of the best Greek restaurants Sydney has to offer.
Steki Taverna
Enmore
Beloved Greek restaurant Steki Taverna has made a comeback in a new Enmore Road space (the former home of equally beloved Greek restaurant Kafenes) after a year-long closure, with the same heaping serve of Greek warmth and hospitality as the original Newtown location.
The lively Greek ambience with live music and dancing will continue, and the venue's signature slow-cooked quarter lamb is also on the cards, plus live music from the epic Steki band through to 1am on weekends. Good food, huge vibes, and a Greek welcome—this one's an icon for a reason.
Norma's Deli
Manly
Fresh from the team behind Roller's Bakehouse and Butterboy, Norma's Deli is Manly's Greek deli cafe and all-day diner, complete with cocktails, wine, bespoke olive oils and fresh-baked pita.
For breakfast, order up spanakopita, Greek baked eggs, fresh croissants with classic condiments like Chantilly cream or mandarin marmalade, or a sweet bougatsa pastry dusted in cinnamon and icing sugar.
For lunch, kick off with warm marinated olives and a fresh baguette before hitting up pork souvlaki, moussaka, Norma's rotisserie chicken, 12-hour braised lamb shoulder and makarounes aglio e olio, and take home a coffee and Greek dessert for later.
The Apollo
Potts Point
Under the imposing DeVere Hotel sits one of Sydney’s best Greek restaurants, The Apollo, in a bright and minimal space that splashes out onto the corner cul de sac.
The modern taverna is big on flavour and does traditional Greek specialties that don't need fussing with, like charcoal chicken and oven-baked lamb with plenty of Greek yoghurt, with lots of simple but satisfying sides to craft your perfect meal; the bubbling saganaki cheese with honey and oregano has become one of Sydney's most beloved dishes.
Cocktails use Greek sips like ouzo, mastiha and Metaxa for twists on classic combos, and the set menus make The Apollo a great Greek restaurant for feeding a larger group.
Stix And Pita
Enmore
Slow-cooked meats turning over charcoal, handmade pitas, and quality local ingredients make Stix and Pita on Enmore Road a must-try for hearty Greek pita wraps packed with juicy meat or halloumi, heaping platters of souvla, Greek-inspired burgers, and traditional sides.
Owners Jim and Elvis put their heart and soul into recreating the food of their homeland and it shows—even the chips come heaped with herbs and spices and feta or kefalograviera cheese. It’s restaurant-quality Greek food at takeaway prices and will have you coming back again and again.
Kazzi Beach Greek
Balmoral and Manly
Kazzi Beach Greek is one of Sydney's most authentic Greek tavernas, taking inspiration from the island of Kastellorizo, these Greek restaurants showcase a certain type of Hellenic cuisine affectionately known as Beach Greek—the very kind of street-style Mediterranean offerings found along the blue shores of the Aegean.
Starring on the menu is everything from mezze winners like grilled octopus and chargrilled prawns to tender meats fresh from the spit.
Ikaria Bondi
Bondi
Ikaria is named after an island in the Aegean Sea, and this beachside restaurant offers up Mediterranean mezze at its finest, with an abundant Greek menu and two generous banquets to choose from.
You'll get to sink your teeth into coastal goodness like taramasalata topped with finger lime, crumpets topped with tuna and nduja, oven-baked lamb shoulder, and fried calamari.
The cocktail list goes strong with the classics but it's Ikaria's originals that shine the best with a Baklava Fizz, Hellenic Calling, Aegean Spritz, and a Blue Zone Margarita.
Ploos
The Rocks
Overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Opera House from its heritage-listed home in Campbell’s Cove, Ploos, by legendary Greek-Australian chef Peter Conistis, celebrates all things South Aegean.
Top picks on this high-end Greek restaurant's menu include reinterpretations of regional dishes like kataifi tart with whipped feta, pastourmas, and candied eggplant, Abrolhos octopus with carob, taramosalata and caper shoots, and kingfish omos with boukovo, lemon, oregano, and olive oil.
A range of Cretan and Cypriot wines are on the list, further connecting diners with these seaside locales.
Koutouki
Leichhardt
Koutouki is an old-school Greek restaurant that highlights the best of the Greek dining experience. These guys are like a culinary embassy dealing exclusively in good times that will instantly transport you to memories of holidays past.
The food is traditional and authentic with tasty morsels like lahanodolmades stuffed with spicy onions, beef mince, parsley, and dill, and the home-cooked veggie moussaka oozing with bechamel sauce. Friday or Saturday night is the time to go as it’s a full-on celebration with live Greek music until late, and plenty of ouzo on the cards.
Alpha
CBD
After a stunning multi-million dollar glow-up, Alpha is one of Sydney's best spots for Greek food in a relaxed but elevated setting.
The food line-up is a stellar creation from executive chef and Greek culinary pioneer Peter Conistis, with hero dishes like the scallop moussaka, slow-roasted lamb, and Alpha spanakopita joined by fresh and grilled starters from the flaming Josper oven, and must-order desserts like the portokalopita orange cake with kumquat filo cannoli and orange blossom gelato.
Eat GRK
Beverley Hills and Rouse Hill
Eat GRK embraces traditional Greek techniques of cooking meats over charcoal to stuff into pita wraps, and meat plates. We want to kiss the genius who came up with halloumi chips, combining two of the best things this world has to offer: cheese and deep-frying.
Finish off with the loukoumades soaked in honey syrup, sprinkled with malt biscuit, and drizzled in Nutella.
Meet The Greek
Brighton Le Sands
The Mougios family has owned a bunch of restaurants in the Brighton Le Sands area for over 30 years, and Meet The Greek is their iconic iteration of a warm and friendly Greek restaurant that provides top quality, village-style food.
Sink your mitts into a selection of house-made dips served with fesh pita, an array of breads and cheeses including feta slabs, village 'karvelli' bread, saganaki, and feta filo parcels, and prime cuts of lamb and pork souvla, all marinated in a combo of Meet The Greek's special herb mix for 24 hours.
The menu here is massive, with a serious dessert selection to finish on—so we recommend bringing a big crew so you can try it all.
Medusa Greek Taverna
CBD
For many, Medusa Greek Taverna is the go-to Greek restaurant in Sydney, with Santorini vibes aplenty. Owner Peter Koutsopoulos is a legend in the Greek food scene, with over 35 years in the game and five restaurants under his belt.
It’s the one-stop shop for post-work dining and long business lunches—but Medusa is well priced and has something for everyone. The prawns sautéed in thick tomato sauce and served with charred pita are a must try.
Zeus Street Greek
Various Locations
Zeus Street Greek has about 11 outlets across the Sydney region, and it’s exactly what you want when looking for fresh, zesty lunch-time fillers and they specialise in delicious wraps and bowls.
The Spartan bowls draw inspo from the diet of the legendary warriors,their Keto bowls are perfect for cutting out the carbs, and the Nutella loukoumades are a necessary add-on. It’s quick, easy, and satisfying Greek food.
Nieo’s Grille
Earlwood and Ramsgate
Nieo’s blends the hallowed Greek charcoal chicken shop and American diner to create something unique and delicious.
Founders Theo Georgoulopoulos and Nick Xenofos are hospo veterans with years of experience working the rotisseries, so you're in for a flavour-packed experience, whether you opt for the flattened Greek-style chicken or some cheeky Buffalo wings.
Still hungry? Here's where to find Sydney's best gyros.
Image credit: The Apollo, Norma's Deli, The Apollo, Stix & Pita, Ikaria, Ploos, Alpha, Meet The Greek, Zeus Street Greek