Enjoying a dinner of excellent traditional Greek food is like nothing else. If you're in the mood for an exotic meal, Sydney has some of the top Greek restaurants in the country.
Traditional Greek fare like Souvlaki & Moussaka sit alongside more modern offerings at these restaurants. Then why not get together with some loved ones and enjoy a fantastic meal? If you take our advice, you won't be sorry.
Greek cuisine has a special way of making you happy. Perhaps it's the comforting aroma or the satisfying taste that makes you want to make it a part of your winter routine. Greek cuisine, however, is universally acknowledged as among the finest in the world.
Look no farther than this list for the finest Greek dining in Sydney. You can easily discover a place to eat that serves the type of Mediterranean food you're looking for. In that case, why delay any longer?
Where to Find Sydney's Finest Greek Cuisine
Numerous factors contribute to Greek cuisine's popularity, including its use of fresh, nutritious, and light ingredients; its emphasis on baking rather than frying; and its use of basic yet intense flavours. You won't have to look very hard to discover a Greek taverna in Sydney, as Greek food has long enjoyed worldwide popularity (restaurant).
Greek cuisine has gifted the world with many delicious dishes, such as the ubiquitous moussaka and the less well-known kolokythokeftedes (feta balls and zucchini), tapenade, souvlaki, gyros, juicy Mediterranean olives, tzatziki, dolmades, and more. Antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and flavour make Greek food among the safest.
Here are the best Greek restaurants in Sydney, along with some of their most popular meals, in case you've suddenly developed a hankering for lamb gyros and dolmades.
The Apollo
The Apollo, one of Sydney's most prestigious Greek restaurants, is renowned for its elegant and inviting atmosphere and its exquisite Greek cuisine. There is low lighting and melancholy music, making it perfect for a romantic evening out. Started in 2012 by chef Jonathan Barthelmess and restaurateur Sam Christie, it features upscale, unusual preparations of traditional Greek dishes including charcoal chicken and oven-baked lamb with yoghurt. One of Sydney's most popular foods is saganaki cheese with oregano and honey, which consists of a mixture of melted cheese and honey cooked in a heated frying pan.
Apollo Restaurant serves Sydney's best contemporary Greek fare. co-founder of Cho Cho San Sam Christie, and Jonathan Barthelmess, formerly of Manly Pavilion's kitchen, run the show at Apollo Restaurant, where they've established a cosy, intimate atmosphere with low lighting.
Their oregano-and-honey-topped saganaki, oven-baked lamb shoulder with Greek yoghurt and lemon, and velvety-smooth mullet roe-based taramasalata dip, served with warm, freshly-made pita bread, are some of their most popular Greek meals.
The filo pastry cigars at The Apollo are a must-try—they're stuffed with finely chopped walnuts, honey, olive oil, and served with a dab of coffee cream. You can get some of the best Greek food in Sydney delivered to your door or picked up from the Apollo Restaurant, so there's no reason to stay in!
Bondi, Ikaria.
If we told you that the longest life expectancy in the world was on the Greek island of Ikaria in the Aegean Sea, would you believe us? This beachfront eatery serves you superb Mediterranean mezze in two different banquet layouts. You may chow down on fried calamari, marinated olives, grilled pita, taramasalata, lamb shoulder, and more. The Baklava Fizz, Hellenic Calling, Aegean Spritz, and Blue Zone Margarita are just a few of Ikaria's distinctive cocktails that stand out among the list's many traditional options.
It's the Alpha Restaurant.
Alpha Restaurant, one of Sydney's best Greek eateries, is an obvious pick. Alpha Restaurant's magnificent décor features classic Greek colours and stone walls reminiscent of the inside of an ancient Greek ruin, promising an unforgettable dining experience from the moment you arrive.
Some of the best Greek dishes in Sydney can be found on the menu that Executive Chef Peter Conistis has crafted. These include the moussaka with creamy ricotta, beef brisket, and eggplant; the taramasalata with white cod roe and slices of bottarga; and the saganaki with king prawns, kritharaki, calamari, and octopus.
Loukoumades with honey cinnamon coating and fig ice cream are a must for any doughnut lover visiting Alpha Restaurant. On the menu, you'll find a wide selection of wines from all over the world, including South Australia, Greece, France, Italy, and more.
The STEKI Taverna
You might overlook the vivid blue walls of STEKI Taverna on O'Connell street, but once you step inside, you won't be able to forget it. Despite its modest size, this charming Greek restaurant in Sydney offers one of the liveliest Greek eating experiences you're ever likely to have.
Since its opening in 1983, the Greek restaurant STEKI (the name means "meeting place" in Greek) has welcomed patrons with a laid-back and relaxed vibe, where they can enjoy live music and a delicious selection of authentic Greek dishes. Their menu features several delicious options, such as the octopus xidato marinated in vinegar olive oil, the stuffed tomatoes and capsicum with sultanas, pine nuts, rice, and the keftedes meatballs served in a thick tomato sauce.
They serve a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as Australian and Greek spirits, genuine Greek plomari ouzo, beers, and liqueurs. STEKI Taverna is the place to go for authentic Greek cuisine in a lively setting with dancing and live music.
Ancient Greek Town of Kazzi
One of the best Greek tavernas in Sydney is Kazzi Beach Greek. This azure gem is based on the island of Kastellorizo (Kazzi), which is noted for its "Beach Greek" cuisine, a style of Hellenic cooking that features the kind of inexpensive, casual Mediterranean fare that can be found everywhere over the Aegean Sea's sandy coasts. Winners of the mezze platter include grilled octopus and chargrilled prawns, while spit-roasted meats take centre stage.
Eat GRK
By transporting your taste senses to Athens in the heat of summer, Eat GRK provides the greatest authentic Greek cuisine in Sydney. The lamb and pork for the fresh souvlas, pita wraps, and meat dishes are carved directly from the spit, embracing ancient Greek traditions of cooking. All of the dips (buttery feta, refreshing tzatziki, briny kalamata olive spread, and mysterious Eat GRK sauce) are excellent. But most of all, we want to kiss the mind that combined cheese and frying into halloumi chips; that person deserves a world of smack. Loukoumades are classic Greek doughnuts drenched in honey syrup and sprinkled with malt biscuit; for an extra $1.90, you may upgrade to a Nutella version.
Barzaari
Barzaari, former Quay chef Darryl Martin, and co-owned by Andrew Jordanou and is a fantastic representation of how far contemporary Cypriot and Mediterranean cuisine have come. Barzaari's cosy ambience is the result of its attractive, rustic decor and the eclectic array of artwork that adorns the restaurant's walls.
They may have gotten you in with their stylish decor, but it's the delicious food that will keep you coming back. Their lamb, chicken, or hog souvla, made with thick and succulent chunks of meat slow-roasted over a charcoal grill, is a must-try for any BBQ lover. Seafood lovers can also enjoy delectable barbequed swordfish with skordalia, chickpeas, and capers, as well as octopus with raisins, pine nuts, and kritharaki, at Barzaari.
In the spirit of the communal nature of Greek cuisine, why not gather some friends and order the "Whole Bazaar" platter from Barzaari? Pickled octopus, molasses with cauliflower, tahini and tsheftalies, sakistes, souvlakia, falafels, halloumi, Greek salad, dukkah, and much more can be found on this enormous platter.
The Greek Cuisine at Sofie's
Sofie's Greek Restaurant is a little but vibrant bar managed by a Greek wife and husband, located off Darling Street. It may be a small restaurant, but the stylish decor, warm service, and Greek Tsifteteli belly dancers more than make up for its size.
Traditional Greek dishes like moussaka, made with beef or vegetables and layered with béchamel sauce, kefalotiri cheese, eggplant, and potato, are available at Sofie's. Pastitsio, their take on lasagne, features layers of penne pasta, ground meat, bechamel sauce, seasoned salsa and cheese.
Sofie's Greek Restaurant is a cosy restaurant where you can enjoy delicious, homemade Greek food for any occasion. Bring the whole family, a large group of friends, or your special someone for a romantic meal.
Gyros Fix
Gyros Fix is a father-and-son run business that specialises on simple, traditional, and irresistible Greek food, exemplifying the Greek value of philotimo (meaning "love and honour"). Featuring family traditions passed down through generations, Gyros Fix honours the culinary legacy of their ancestors in the Greek town of Nafpaktos.
You can have chicken, pork gyros, lamb with onion, chips, tomato, and tzatziki wrapped in warm, fresh pita bread, or choose from a variety of vegetarian skepasti (one of Greece's best-kept secrets) on the menu. You may round out your dinner with some fresh Greek salad, and if dessert is in order, their famous rizogalo rice puddings are unrivalled in their ability to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The pita bread, tzatziki dip, tomato, hot chips, onion, and portions of tender pork, chicken, and lamb on their 4-person plate are some of the best we've ever had, and it's perfect for sharing with a group of friends. Gyros Fix exemplifies the idea that simple preparation methods can nevertheless yield delicious results when cooking authentic Greek food.
Beta on Castlereagh
The Beta restaurant is located on the second floor of the building housing the Alpha restaurant. Explicit brickwork and a classical Greek aesthetic characterise the layout. From the large double sofa seats to the banquette below the floor-to-ceiling windows, everything is decorated in cool blues, greys, and wood tones. From any point in the long room, one's gaze is drawn directly to the bar, giving the vast space an intimate atmosphere. The attention to detail displayed by Paul Papadopoulos and the rest of the DS17 team in the form of marble pillar candle holders, arched walkways with rustic brick architraves, and brass pendant lighting, chair frames, and glassware is evocative of Greece.
With an emphasis on Australian, boutique drinks, and organic, bar manager Nathan Cannon and his crew of eight bartenders (several of whom also work at Alpha downstairs) run the show. The Bothos, for example, is a potent mixture of Dark Matter maple syrup, spiced rum, and Cointreau, topped with whipped Cointreau foam, and is available from the cocktail menu. Smooth, smokey, and tangy, this drink is garnished with a dried orange and mint sprig. Cannon takes special pride in the wide selection and local flavour of its distilled beverages.
It's recommended that you try the reimagined Greek salad, which consists of layers of feta pudding, bread crumbs, olive oil, and iced horitaki (which tastes like tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives, but feels like a snow cone), topped with candied Kalamata olives and bits of feta.
1821
The restaurant's namesake, the year of the Greek War of Independence, 1821, is also the year that chef David Tsierkas fought to create his restaurant. Sydney diners waited a full year for the Pitt Street venue to open in November 2016, as the opening was delayed by negotiations with the landlord and Sydney City Council.
This Pitt Street eatery lives up to its grand moniker and pays homage to Greek culture and history with its grandiose design and expansive menu. The restaurant 1821 is divided into three sections: the main dining area, a mezzanine on the second floor, and a basement bar with a bunker-like refuge.
The most eye-catching element is the floor-to-ceiling Greek flag on the far right wall, which was ripped out from white plaster to reveal the ancient brick beneath. This was an homage to the guerilla shepherds who lived in the hills during the Greek struggle. Tsirekas reworked traditional fare without sacrificing its signature warmth and generosity. Dishes are made to be shared, in the Greek manner, and have bright, delicate flavours.
Tsirekas has spent many hours cultivating personal connections with local farmers in order to source the freshest and most flavorful ingredients. Like the octopus. Simply prepared, grilled and tender, with swordfish taramasalata and pickled veggies, it is supplied by Southern Fresh Seafood. His go-to dishes are the lobster spaghetti and the lamb shoulder.
The drinks drive home the point with names like "Tears of Chios" (Mastiha, Belvedere, Chambord, and lemon) and "Aphrodite Bellini" (sparkling Greek wine, pear purée, ouzo, and lemon). The red wines, sparkling, and white, from Santorini and Crete on the wine list are an unanticipated bonus.
Pita and Stix
Stix & Pita, a Greek restaurant on the corner of Enmore Road, is well-loved by the neighborhood's regulars for its authentic and flavorful take on Greek street food. This vibrant café is decorated with rustic brown bricks and timber, and the scent of meats being spit-roasted over charcoal fills the air. There are a few tables and chairs outside for those who want to stay for a while, but most people just grab something to eat and head out into the city to see what it has to offer while munching on something delicious. Pita wraps can be prepared with pork belly that has been roasted over organic charcoal and special mayo, slaw, and chips; the Hermes burger can be produced with grilled chicken, housemade chilli sauce, cheese, lettuce, mayo; and more.
Cuisine at Xenos Restaurant
The Xenos Restaurant has been a mainstay of the Greek food scene in Sydney since its inception in 1969. The success of this family-run restaurant can be attributed to its skilful blending of classic Mediterranean flavours and techniques with those of contemporary Australia. In addition to serving Greek-inspired food for all three meals of the day, the restaurant's 24/7 availability is a major draw. Xenos' location in the middle of Crows Nest, along Burlington Street, with its al fresco dining options, is a major selling point. The lamb salad with roasted pumpkin and lime Greek yoghurt is a favourite.
Enigma
Modernist Enigma in Castle Hill has won over gourmands with its lyrical cooking and high-quality ingredients. Sydney's Psaroudis family restaurant values continuity, thus its recipes have been passed down through the Psaroudis family for several generations. The wood-fired and slow-cooked saltbush lamb and the swordfish steak with toasted almonds are two examples of the modern twist that permeates the entire menu. This is one of the most popular eateries on Quandoo, so don't wait!
Restaurant Diethnes (Greek)
Like the idea of eating authentic Greek food right in the middle of Sydney's financial district? If that's the case, Diethnes Greek Restaurant is where you should be eating. People have been coming to this popular restaurant since it first opened in 1952 because of the excellent cuisine and warm, genuine service it provides. Diethnes is dedicated to provide patrons with an enjoyable, or kefi (in Greek) dining experience, and its proprietors place a premium on ambience. Please be aware that the lunch and supper banquet menus are very delicious and reasonably priced.
Aristotle's Neutral Bay
Located in the trendy neighbourhood of Neutral Bay on Sydney's lower North Shore, Aristotle's Neutral Bay offers a flavour of Greece. Aristotle Onassis, a shipping entrepreneur, inspired the restaurant's contemporary design, which has polished concrete floors, white tablecloths, mirrored walls, and comfortable booth seating illuminated by bronze pendants.
Menu items include grilled Fremantle octopus with tarragon aioli and salsa verde, and mezze with honey, halloumi, red grapes, pomegranate, and white balsamic dressing, put a contemporary spin on traditional dishes. Larger appetites should choose lamb moussaka with potato, eggplant, tomato, and chicken prassoriso or Bechamel sauce with risotto, leeks, and lemon.
Seed Greek Kouzina
Seed Greek Kouzina on Audley Street in Petersham is the place to go for some of the best modern Greek cuisine south of Sydney. Artwork of cobblestone laneways transports diners around the world for an evening of delightful flavours, while rough rendered walls and an earthy palette of browns, creams, and olive green touches create a timeless interior design.
Starters like tiny calamari with pickled octopus, lemon garlic dip, and zucchini flowers packed with feta, leek, and thyme are shared amongst diners while they sip wine and peruse the menu at Seed Greek, which features delectable Mediterranean treats. Then, when your appetite is at its best, you may chow down on dishes like slow-cooked lamb shoulder with fava bean puree, and if you still have room, you can finish with a slice of sticky baklava.
Conclusion
Sydney's greatest Greek restaurants serve Souvlaki, Moussaka, and other dishes. Greek cuisine is known for its fresh, healthful, and light ingredients, baking rather than frying, and simple yet powerful flavours. Sydney's Apollo, a top Greek restaurant, serves charcoal chicken and oven-baked lamb with yoghurt. Saganaki cheese with sauce, lamb gyros, and dolmades among Sydney's favourite dishes. The Apollo Restaurant and Alpha Restaurant serve some of Sydney's greatest Greek meals, delivered or picked up.
The Apollo Restaurant's oregano-and-honey-topped saganaki, oven-baked lamb shoulder with Greek yoghurt and lemon, and velvety-smooth mullet roe-based taramasalata dip, served with warm, freshly-made pita bread, are popular Greek dishes. Alpha Restaurant serves moussaka with beef brisket, eggplant, and creamy ricotta. Doughnut lovers visiting Alpha Restaurant must try loukoumades with honey cinnamon covering and fig ice cream. Sydney's STEKI Taverna delivers traditional Greek food with dancing and live music. Kazzi Beach Greek serves "Beach Greek" food on Kastellorizo.
Eat GRK serves the best authentic Greek food, including lamb and pork souvlas, pita wraps, and meat meals, and dips like creamy feta, tangy tzatziki, briny kalamata olive spread, and mystery Eat GRK sauce. Barzaari exemplifies modern Cypriot and Mediterranean cuisine. A Greek couple runs Sofie's Greek Restaurant off Darling Street. Moussaka, pastitsio, and gyros are served. The Barzaari "Whole Bazaar" plate includes pickled octopus, molasses, tahini, tsheftalies, sakistes, souvlakia, falafels, halloumi, Greek salad, dukkah, and more.
Gyros Fix, a father-and-son enterprise, serves simple, classic, and delectable Greek food, exemplifying philotimo. Alpha's second-floor Beta restaurant has a classical Greek design. Paul Papadopoulos and the DS17 team's marble pillar candle holders, arched walkways with rustic brick architraves, brass pendant lighting, chair frames, and glassware evoke Greece. Nathan Cannon and his eight bartenders emphasise Australian, boutique, and organic beverages. The Bothos is a strong mix of Dark Matter maple syrup, spiced rum, and Cointreau topped with whipped foam and a dried orange and mint sprig.
The majestic design and extensive menu of 1821 honour Greek culture and heritage. Tsirekas used local farmers to acquire the freshest, most flavorful ingredients and updated traditional meals without compromising warmth and generosity. The "Tears of Chios" (Mastiha, Belvedere, Chambord, and lemon) and "Aphrodite Bellini" (sparkling Greek wine, pear purée, ouzo, and lemon) beverages complement his lobster spaghetti and lamb shoulder. Pita and Stix on Enmore Road is known for its delicious Greek street cuisine. Since 1969, Sydney's Greek cuisine scene has relied on Xenos Restaurant's 24/7 service.
Sydney's business district's Diethnes Greek Restaurant serves trendy Greek cuisine. Aristotle's Neutral Bay's smooth concrete flooring, white tablecloths, mirrored walls, and bronze pendant-lit booth seating evoke Greece. Seed Greek Kouzina on Audley Street in Petersham serves the greatest modern Greek food south of Sydney.
Content Summary
- A delicious Greek supper is unmatched.
- Sydney has some of the nation's best Greek restaurants for unique dining.
- These restaurants serve Souvlaki and Moussaka alongside current Greek dishes.
- Greek food brings joy.
- Greek food is world-renowned.
- This is Sydney's best Greek food.
- Mediterranean food is easy to find.
- Greek food is popular globally, hence Sydney has many Greek tavernas (restaurant).
- Greek food has given the world moussaka, kolokythokeftedes (feta balls with zucchini), tapenade, souvlaki, gyros, juicy Mediterranean olives, tzatziki, dolmades, and more.
- Greek food has antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and flavour.
- Apollo Sydney's Apollo, a top Greek restaurant, is known for its classy atmosphere and delicious food.
- At Apollo Restaurant, co-founder of Cho Cho San Sam Christie and former Manly Pavilion chef Jonathan Barthelmess create a cosy, intimate ambience with low lighting.
- The Apollo Restaurant delivers Sydney's best Greek meals, so don't stay in!
- Ikaria's Baklava Fizz, Hellenic Calling, Aegean Spritz, and Blue Zone Margarita are among its unique cocktails.
- Alpha Restaurant, Sydney's top Greek restaurant, is evident.
- Executive Chef Peter Conistis's menu features Sydney's best Greek meals.
- Since 1983, the Greek restaurant STEKI (which means "gathering place" in Greek) has welcomed guests with a laid-back atmosphere, live music, and a superb assortment of authentic Greek meals.
- STEKI Taverna serves traditional Greek food with dancing and live music.
- Kazzi Beach Greek is a top Sydney Greek taverna.
- GRK Eat GRK serves Sydney's best Greek food by taking you to Athens in summer.
- Barzaari, founded by former Quay chef Darryl Martin and Andrew Jordanou, is a great example of modern Cypriot and Mediterranean food.
- Sofie's Greek Food Off Darling Street, a Greek wife and husband run Sofie's Greek Restaurant, a lively pub.
- Sofie's Greek Restaurant serves homemade Greek meals for any occasion in a cosy setting.
- Bring your family, friends, or significant other for a romantic supper.
- Fix Gyros Fix, a father-and-son business that serves basic, classic, and delectable Greek food, exemplifies philotimo (meaning "love and honour").
- Gyros Fix in Nafpaktos, Greece, honours family recipes.
- Alpha and Beta restaurants share a second story.
- The layout features brickwork and traditional Greek style.
- Bar manager Nathan Cannon and his eight bartenders—several of whom work at Alpha downstairs—focus on Australian, boutique, and organic beverages.
- 1821 Chef David Tsierkas battled for his restaurant in 1821, the year of the Greek War of Independence.
- The Pitt Street restaurant opened in November 2016 after a year of negotiations with the landlord and Sydney City Council.
- The majestic decor and extensive menu of this Pitt Street restaurant honour Greek culture and history.
- The restaurant 1821 has a main dining room, a second-floor mezzanine, and a basement bar with a bunker.
- Stix The neighborhood's regulars adore Stix & Pita's authentic and tasty Greek street food on Enmore Road.
- Xenos' food Since 1969, the Xenos Restaurant has been a Sydney Greek culinary staple.
- This family-run restaurant blends old Mediterranean flavours and techniques with modern Australian ones, making it successful.
- The restaurant's 24/7 availability and Greek-inspired dishes are draws.
- Xenos' Burlington Street location in Crows Nest, featuring outside dining, is a draw.
- Don't delay—most Quandoo's popular restaurant!
- If so, try Diethnes Greek Restaurant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greek Food
Dinner was when most of the foods were consumed. The ancient Greeks would eat eggs from quail and hens, fish, legumes, olives, cheeses, bread, figs, and any vegetables they could grow, which might include arugula, asparagus, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. Meats were reserved for the wealthy.
Greek people, on the whole, eat very little meat and a lot of vegetables. When Greek dishes do include meat, it is typically lamb or seafood, though some dishes also involve rabbit. These meat choices are due to the fact that cattle are historically difficult to raise in the Grecian landscape.
Ouzo is considered the national drink of Greece. In technical terms, it is either produced by partial distillation or the admixture of plain alcohol with aromatic herbs.
Greek lunches are traditionally a light meal that consists of a homemade vegetable stew or casserole. It is served with staple sides of cheese, bread, salad, and most importantly, wine.