The best Greek restaurants in Melbourne

Kafeneion (a play on the Greek term ‘kafeneio’, which refers to a traditional coffee house) aims to serve Melburnians a taste of true, traditional Greek comfort food. Think homestyle soups and hearty meat and vegetable dishes made from authentic village recipes you’re unlikely to find outside of the Hellenic motherland. The place itself has a touch of taverna about it, too, with basic white tablecloths and Supper Club’s home-y wood panelling. It’s easy to imagine merrily hanging out here until long after dinner as the Athenians do – and you absolutely can, for it serves supper and drinks most nights until late.

Melbourne is in a golden era for casual Greek food right now and Taverna – a nifty newcomer from restaurateur Angie Giannakodakis (Epocha, Press Club) – is proof. The breezy Athenian-inspired restaurant opened on the site of George Calombaris’s OG Hellenic Republic to much fanfare, an instant hit with Greek food lovers thanks to its wholesome taverna eats cooked with simplicity and served share-style, and its understated dazzler of a drinks list. Extra gold stars are duly awarded for Taverna’s warm approach to service, inspired by the spirit of ‘philoxenia’ (‘love of strangers’). 

Tucked in a quiet pocket of South Melbourne, Aegli takes a contemporary approach to Greek cuisine that’s rarely seen in Melbourne. Chef Ioannis (Yianni) Kasidokostas, who previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Athens, brings that fine dining finesse to a menu rooted in tradition. The space and food (the menu offers depth and complexity not always apparent at first glance) are refined, yet the service has the warmth of a taverna or family home. It’s clear Kasidokostas is deeply committed to his craft – and to sharing it with diners.

Tzaki translates to “fireplace” in Greek. This Yarraville spot is named for the blazing hearth at its centre – the tool chef-owner Alex Xinis uses to prepare nearly every dish on the menu, roasting octopus and smoking saganaki as 15 diners sit around him and watch.The menu is concise with a balanced mix of vegetable and meat-forward dishes. No matter where your preferences lie, the psomi (flatbread) is an excellent starting point.

Jim's has been at the forefront of group dinner predicaments for years, primarily due to the boisterous and animated atmosphere, but helped greatly by the flexible BYO policy. There's no menu here, but that's part of the charm. Just sit back and enjoy as an endless rotation of Greece's finest fare takes its turn delighting the table. This is the place you'll want to visit for a celebratory meal or the first stop on a night out – it's all about enjoyment at Jim's, and it's so very easy to have a good time at this rowdy joint. 

Astoria Bar Kè Grill is one of the newest venues to join Melbourne's Hellenic boom, a sleek and relaxed restaurant from hospo veteran Nik Pouloupatis. Here's a restaurateur who once worked front-of-house for Grossi Florentino, armed with a resume that spans the likes of Attica and Vue de Monde. Bringing to the fore 17 years' worth of experience as a chef (in addition to his many other hats), Pouloupatis has earned a unique 360-degree perspective on the makings of a venue's success. But at its heart, his new restaurant is a deeply personal project.

Run by the second generation of the family behind GRK Greek Kitchen and Bar next door, Capers channels the charm of yiayia’s house with the energy of a dive bar. The menu celebrates home-style Greek dishes with a contemporary, often plant-based, twist. Mains hover around the $25 mark, each one a thoughtful take on classics rarely seen in Melbourne’s inner-city restaurants. And with its commitment to community – both within and beyond Melbourne’s Greek-Cypriot diaspora – it’s carving out a space that feels genuinely one of a kind.

After a stint on MasterChef, chef Philip Vakos moved to Melbourne to pursue his foodie dreams and opened Bahari in 2014. The venue specialises in "Gringlish" food, a term coined by Vakos, referring to his Greek dishes made with Australian produce. The menu is broad, and rather than being split into dish sizes, it's sectioned into dish origin: from the garden, from the sea and from the pasture. All the food is designed to be shared, and you're encouraged to wash your meal down with one of the numerous Greek beers and wines on offer. Don't miss out on the pulled lamb shoulder with lemon, rosemary, garlic and EVOO, or the deceptively simple fasolakia, a traditional Greek green bean dish swimming in a flavoursome tomato sauce. 

There is no doubt that Melbourne loves its souvas. But despite our dedication, our souva scene is surprisingly monotonal, with lamb being the most common protein available. Thomas, owner and chef at Kalimera Souvlaki Art, spied a market opportunity and decided to push the pig by bringing authentic pork souvlaki to our humble city. Dusted in oregano, paprika and a healthy lick of char, the succulent pork is the perfect passenger in your souva (with a couple of chippies, of course). So get some pork on your fork – or in your souva – at Kalimera. 

In a city filled with dainty wine bars and hatted venues, sometimes what you really crave is a robust and uncomplicated meal. Stalactites has fulfilled this need since 1978 and has not only survived but thrived, evidenced by its perpetual busyness. Fresh dips such as salty tarama and creamy eggplant, along with colossal platters of glistening meat fresh from the spit, are a must. On weekends it serves the goods until 2am, making it the perfect spot for hangover-preventing gyros, which you can enjoy dining in or takeaway. 

Plaka specialises in the late-night favourite, gyros. Made up of spit-roasted meats, veggies, chips and tzatziki wrapped in a pita, it's the perfect hand-held meal. The result is gloriously savoury, with the meats striking the balance of crispy fat rendered outside and succulent inside. For a more controlled eating experience, the generous dinner plates come with all the parts of a gyro, albeit in an unassembled form. The sides are also note-worthy, with the requisite Greek salad providing a good acidic background to the fatty meats and the tirokafteri (spicy feta dip) bringing a little punch. This is modern Hellenic street food in all its vibrant glory. 

With a family at the helm who have been hospitality leaders for over five decades, it's no surprise that Eleni's is a firm favourite for Greek food lovers all around Melbourne. Named after the family's yiayia, the restaurant serves up authentic home-style fare in a cosy, vintage space and adjoining terrace. On weekends, there's occasionally live music, dancing and even a bit of plate-smashing if you're lucky! Expect classic Greek that highlights fresh seafood, grilled meats, dips and cheeses.

Owned by two brothers who run the front of house and bar while their grandparents cook up a storm in the kitchen, the family feel of this joint permeates the space. The moussaka is the real deal, with defined layers of beef, eggplant and potato topped with golden brown bechamel – a delightfully rich and savoury bite. School prawns are shallow fried, making them a satisfying one-biter and perfect to wash down with the on-tap Gracie Lager. Gracie's has Greek hospitality down pat with good vibes and a menu to match.

If you're looking for a quiet, calm evening, Ilios ain't for you. This lively taverna is dedicated to the good times, and there's rarely an empty seat in sight. The restaurant has a colossal menu filled with all the necessities, but the banquet is a sure way to ensure you don't miss out on anything – even the hungriest of people will be satisfied. Try not to fill up on the freshly baked bread, and save room for the loukoumades and halva ice cream, it is simply *chef's kiss*. 

Elia does lively Greek hospitality with a decidedly elegant twist. Familiar white and blue details dot the venue but this time mixed with snazzy concrete fittings and tasteful olive trees. And as with any Greek venue worth their ouzo, the lamb is exceptional. Served here as a slow braised shoulder with plenty of lemon, oregano and tzatziki, it's fall off the bone, finger-licking good. There's a large selection of local and Greek drinks, however, the spot is also enthusiastically BYO. Don't be fooled by the more refined aesthetics – this place encourages plate smashing, zeibekiko dancing and getting rowdy. 

In ancient Greece, Olympia was considered the valley of the gods. While Melbourne’s version – a wine and cocktail bar perched above the suburban bustle of Oakleigh’s main street – might not reach such divine heights, there’s something undeniably celestial about it that makes the name feel apt.

Salona is a modern Greek restaurant in Richmond, offering traditional Hellenic classes with a touch of contemporary flair. Get stuck into gyros, calamari and creamy housemade dips made from organic ingredients, or slip in late at night for a cheeky round of cocktails and mezze plate with friends. Another part of the appeal here is the moody narrow dining space, decorated with Hellenic-inspired murals.