The Best Greek Restaurants in Adelaide

Lemon-laden taramasalata and slow-cooked lamb that falls off the bone. These are the best Greek restaurants in Adelaide.

Meze-Mazi

Adelaide-born Andrew Papadakis grew up in Greece and was an accountant until he saw the light and returned to his home town to open Meze-Mazi, a simple, light-filled corner restaurant that has rapidly won fans. Its menu of mostly homely family recipes from Crete – thanks to his grandmothers – includes favourites such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder glazed with honey and mustard and fall-apart beef shoulder in a rich tomato sauce. Start with a plate of crisp whitebait if it’s available and finish with crunchy Nutella-topped loukoumades (honey puffs). With Greek-born chefs and floor staff, plus bold flavours, this is as authentic as it gets. If you want more Greek than this, you’ll have to get on a plane.

86b Prospect Road, Prospect (08) 8269 2777

The Greek on Halifax

Overseen by second-generation Greek-Australian Mary Galantomos, the sense of tradition at “The Greek” is reflected by the many family photographs on the walls and, more to the point, its home-style Greek cooking. The dozen or so umbrella-sheltered outdoor tables beckon on a sunny day, while the series of small rooms inside – most of them light and airy – feel intimate and warm, thanks to the historic red-brick walls and landmark chimney (a remnant of the century-old building’s former incarnation as the city’s “refuse destructor”). Fire is used to much better effect these days, with chargrilled octopus, quail, gyros and souvlaki among the many classic dishes on offer, while the gargantuan seafood or meat platters are ideal for sharing at a large table.

75-79 Halifax Street, Adelaide (08) 8223 3336