Taverna

Greek$$

A lively Athenian-inspired adventure from a longstanding champion of Hellenic Melbourne.

How can they possibly fill this place day after day, you might ask yourself, surveying the long, deep room of unclothed timber tables. But then the doors open, people pour through, and they don’t stop until the room is ringing with cries for more Greek vermouth and another look at co-owner Angie Giannakodakis’ ever-inspiring drinks list.

The menu is no slouch, either. Fava, the classic split pea dip, is creamy and laden with a generous glug of good oil, capers and raw onion. Cut it with the tang of the house-salted tuna lakerda, or lean into the dip’s lush texture with an order of smoky and deeply flavoured octopus, plated with a dollop of skordalia.

Kleftiko, the classic lamb shoulder baked in parchment, presents beautifully, the meat nearly as tender as the onions with which it is slow-cooked. Taverna is brisk, it’s fun, it’s a pillar of Melbourne’s Greek culinary bona fides.

Best for: The whole fam.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.

Last visited: April 2026

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