12 Greek Restaurants in Melbourne

It's little wonder that Greek restaurants in Melbourne are among the finest in Australia, if not the world. Australia's second-largest city is home to a thriving Cypriot population that's made a noticeable impression on local life. At the turn of the millennium, Melbourne had the largest concentration of Greeks of any city outside of Greece itself. Over the years, Greek restaurants have become commonplace in Melbourne, proving popular with both long-time locals and expatriates from Greece craving the flavours of home.

The cuisine of Greece puts a premium on quality ingredients and seasonal eating, ensuring even the most basic of recipes is bursting with flavour. When you dine out at Greek restaurants in Melbourne, get set to enjoy the very best of Mediterranean cuisine, with an endless pick of dishes that'll satisfy every palate. Looking for something to start off a superior feast? Order up a plate of pita and delve into mouth-watering dips like taramasalata, a fish roe based recipe that'll go down a storm with its creamy consistency. After something more substantial? Dolmades always hits the spot. Popular throughout Greece with plenty of regional variations, these morsels are made with various fillings, seasoned with traditional herbs, then wrapped in vine leaves.

Once the appetisers are done with, it's time to turn your attentions to the main course. Most Greekrestaurants in Melbourne provide a choice of meats, with lamb and pork particularly popular. The Greeks are renowned for their char-grilled recipes and spit-roasted skewers, so it's worth giving these a try if your taste buds have never had the privilege before. For more authentic flavours synonymous with Greece, fish dishes never fail to disappoint. When dining out at Greek restaurants in Melbourne, keep your eyes peeled for fresh fish grilled whole, lightly fried whitebait and calamari, or grilled octopus served up with citrus infused dressings and sauces.

If you're new to this cuisine and need a little help making sense of it all, exploring the various types of Greek restaurants on offer in Melbourne is a great way of training your palate to what's on offer. There's no need to contend with expansive menus crammed with hundreds of choices when you can narrow it down with focused food haunts specialising in specific corners of this legendary cuisine. Looking for something simple? Giradiko eateries are particularly popular in Melbourne, with Greek restaurants offering a more sophisticated take on the humble gryo. Try out a taverna if you're keen to experience Greek hospitality at its very best. You'll find a good selection of these traditional Greek restaurants in Melbourne, all serving up staple dishes like flat breads and baked dishes, succulent tender loin, fried fish and seafood, and an epic range of grilled specialities.

Historically, cuisine from Greece has embraced frugality and simplicity, focusing on quality ingredients and simple preparation for hearty dishes that don't skimp on flavour. Vegetarian dishes and meals crafted around seafood were stalwarts of the cuisine of Greece for many centuries, although technological and agricultural advancements during the 20th century meant that meat became more readily available and affordable, adding even more variety to this deliciously diverse cuisine. Today, you'll find plenty of meaty feasts on offer at Greek restaurants when dining in Melbourne. Love lamb? Tuck into succulent chops fresh from the grill, or warm yourself up with a generous bowl of slow-cooked stew. Looking for something lighter? Chicken souvlaki is an ideal choice if you're in the market for a no frills feast with bags of flavour. For the more daring diner in Melbourne, try Greek restaurants specialising in fusion cuisine that combine the best of the Mediterranean with more far flung influences.

Dining out is a common occurrence in Greece for most people, mainly due to the relative expensiveness of restaurant meals there. Even big families might head out multiple times in any given week to feast on their menu favourites rather than fire up the stove back home. Restaurateurs know their patrons well and this familiarity creates an incredibly relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that's shared by Greek restaurants here in Melbourne. Whether it's your first or fiftieth time visiting any given eatery, expect a warm welcome, big smiles and an authentic ambience you can't help but feel inspired by.