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The best Greek restaurants in Melbourne
Updated 20 October 2026
Melbourne has one of the largest Greek communities outside Greece, and you can taste it. There are souvlaki bars that have been on the same corner since the 1970s and new-wave tavernas run by chefs trained in Athens.
This guide groups our listed Greek restaurants by the kind of night you want. Each name links to its full listing, with the website and the sources we used. Booking rules, opening hours and menus change, so check the restaurant’s own site before you go.
The classics: institutions that have fed Melbourne for decades
Restaurants with a long, family-run history. Go for big plates, a loud room and dishes that have hardly changed.
Stalactites
Family-run Greek restaurant on the corner of Lonsdale Street since 1978, opened by the Konstandakopoulos family. Known for spit-roasted souvlaki and gyros, slow-cooked lamb, house-made dips and its cave-like ceiling, and it opens late.
Salona
Greek restaurant on Swan Street since 1969, run by three generations of the same family, with a boutique wine list. Known for slow-cooked goat with potatoes.
Jim's Greek Tavern
Collingwood institution that has served Greek feasts for more than 50 years. There's no printed menu: staff bring a run of dishes to the table, and it's BYO. Popular for big groups.
Florina's Greek Tavern
Greek tavern in Elsternwick since 2008 serving traditional recipes, chargrilled meats off the spit, fresh seafood and homemade sweets, with private functions and catering.
Modern Greek and chef-led dining
For a date night or a special occasion: contemporary cooking, Greek wine lists and refined meze.
Aegli
Contemporary Greek restaurant from chef Ioannis (Yianni) Kasidokostas, who previously worked in Michelin-starred kitchens in Athens. Also runs a Greek wine store.
Taverna
Athenian-inspired taverna from restaurateur Angie Giannakodakis on the former Hellenic Republic site on Lygon Street. Seasonal meze for sharing, built around philoxenia (hospitality to strangers).
Kafeneion
Greek kitchen ("emeis & emeis") on the first floor of the Melbourne Supper Club on Spring Street, serving homestyle, village-style Greek dishes and late-night supper. A Good Food Guide Critics' Pick.
Astoria Bar Kè Grill
Greek bar and grill in a Victorian terrace on Toorak Road from hospitality veteran Nik Pouloupatis, mixing family recipes with modern technique. Seafood, tarama and Greek-twist cocktails.
Bahari
Chef Philip Vakos's Swan Street restaurant serving his 'Gringlish' take on Greek share food, with takeaway, catering and events.
Patris
Greek-Cypriot restaurant from a husband-and-wife team, named after the SS Patris migrant ship. Eastern Mediterranean share plates, charcoal-grilled fish and olive oil from the family in the Peloponnese.
Family tavernas for groups and banquets
Share plates, banquet menus and plenty of room for the whole extended family.
Elia Greek Tavern
Contemporary Greek tavern ("eliá" means olive) with generous share plates and slow-braised lamb shoulder. Offers takeaway and functions, and is known for a lively, plate-smashing atmosphere.
Gracie Greco
Family-owned Greek restaurant run by two brothers, serving traditional recipes such as moussaka, spanakopita, gemista and loukoumades, with banquet menus and takeaway.
Mediterranean Greek Tavern
Family-owned Greek tavern run by Angelo and John on Glen Huntly Road, with meat, fish and produce bought fresh from the market each day. Seafood-leaning menu.
Lemnos Taverna
Traditional Greek taverna specialising in fresh seafood and meats cooked on a charcoal grill, with a fireplace in winter and banquets for groups.
Eleni's Kitchen + Bar
Home-style Greek restaurant named after the family's yiayia, from a family with more than five decades in Yarraville hospitality. Has an outdoor terrace and hosts Greek nights with live music.
Greca Street
Sleek Greek restaurant in the Oakleigh precinct run by host Mike, offering traditional Greek and Mediterranean food and wine with a private event space.
Meze bars and casual Greek
Smaller plates, a glass of ouzo or Greek wine, and a more relaxed feel.
Alpha Ouzeri
Greek meze and sharing-plates restaurant on Victoria Street. It began in Fitzroy in 2008 and now has its home in Brunswick.
Tzaki
Athenian-style café and meze bar from former Press Club chef Alex Xinis, named for the fireplace ("tzaki") at its centre. Greek coffee and pastries by day, wine and meze later. Walk-ins only.
Olympia
Rooftop wine bar and restaurant in a converted Oakleigh car park, with Santorini-style whitewashed décor and Greek small plates to share.
Capers
Late-night café, bar, diner, event space and gallery on High Street. The menu focuses on Cypriot home cooking. Run by the second generation of the family behind GRK Greek Kitchen next door.
The Pontian Club
Former pop-up turned Smith Street restaurant cooking Greek food from a weekly blackboard menu.
Good to know
- Meze (μεζέδες) are small plates for sharing. Order several for the table rather than one main each.
- Popular slow-cooked dishes include kleftiko and other slow-roasted lamb, goat with potatoes, moussaka and gemista (stuffed vegetables). They can sell out, so ask when you book.
- Greek Easter is a big week for Greek restaurants and butchers. Book early if you plan to eat out over Orthodox Easter.
- For souvlaki and gyros rather than a sit-down dinner, see our souvlaki guide.
FAQ
Where is the Greek precinct in Melbourne?
Lonsdale Street in the CBD (between Swanston and Russell streets) is the historic Greek precinct, home to the Greek Centre and the Antipodes Festival. In the south-east, Oakleigh (Eaton Mall and Portman Street) is the busiest Greek dining and shopping strip.
Which Greek restaurants in Melbourne are good for big groups?
Family tavernas with banquet menus suit groups. Our listings include Elia Greek Tavern, Gracie Greco, Lemnos Taverna and Jim’s Greek Tavern, which has no printed menu and brings a run of dishes to the table. Check each restaurant’s website for group bookings.
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