Baklava’s sweet layers of texture and flavour are created between sheets of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey.
This Friday, November 17 is National Baklava Day – the perfect opportunity to celebrate this Greek dessert by either attempting to make one at home (click here for recipe), or heading to your favourite dining destination to get your fix. Here are six of our favourites:
Transporting visitors to the Mediterranean from the familiarity of Coolangatta is Xenia Grill, a Greek-inspired restaurant well-suited to the tropical, laidback setting on the corner of McLean Street and Marine Parade. Aqua tones and vibrant paintings set the scene, while a breezy alfresco setting brings the iconic Gold Coast ambience inside with locals cruising up from the beach for lunch, as those already dining link arms and start up a flurry of Zorba the Greek.
To satisfy ravenous hunger, opt for mezze plates and enjoy a taste of everything with a glass of wine; perhaps try flash-fried baby squid, lemon and skordalia, or saganaki prawns with Turkish bread; before indulging your sweet tooth with baklava, almonds, walnuts, citrus syrup and kataifi, served with ice cream.
Embodying the social nature of Greek eating and drinking, Sydneysiders head to Medusa Greek Taverna on Market Street in the heart of the city for a truly memorable dining experience. Expect cuisine thoughtfully paired with a relaxed yet stylish ambience of white-clothed tables, striped banquette seating and a stunning image of the Greek islands on the wall; while the menu delivers authentic recipes using unique ingredients and indigenous herbs.
Explore texture, colour and taste with starters such as BBQ octopus, with roasted pepper and olive tapenade, moving onto roast lamb shoulder, lemon potatoes, peas and jus; flaky, sticky and sweet baklava with honey yoghurt completes your Greek feast.
Experience the best Afghan food you have ever tried at Ashy’s Afghan Restaurant on High Street in Ashburton. Step into a warm and welcoming vibe of polished wood, tiles and glowing pendents to peruse a menu of traditional fare promising delicious flavour combinations sure to tantalise all taste buds.
Typical Afghani dishes consist of meat and rice as staples, along with distinctive curries and spices such as turmeric, chilli, coriander or fennel; embark on a memorable culinary journey with starters like steamed prawn dumplings, followed by chicken tikka kebabs, or traditional lamb shank and flavoured rice. Finish a memorable meal with Turkish delight or baklava and leave satisfied.
Find an authentic taste of Greece in the heart of Sydney at The Good Filo on Rocky Point Road in Ramsgate. This award-winning Greek bakehouse, patisserie and café is where good friends meet over traditional cuisine created from old family recipes including handcrafted desserts, sweets, pastries and bread, along with homestyle hot meals.
A hot spot for coffee lovers, order your brew of choice to go with all-day brunch plates such as smashed avo on toast, with feta, tomatoes, chives, spinach and poached eggs, or delve into French toast, yoghurt cream and fig syrup; you’ll go nuts for pastries in the display cabinet, such as everyone’s fave baklava.
Brisbane foodies get their souvlaki fix from That Greek Truck, as it trundles around the city serving authentic fare like Yia-Yia makes. Setting up at various venues, markets and festivals, this food truck has diners salivating over mouth-watering meat marinated in olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano before being barbequed on board. Kickstart a flavour explosion with juicy barbeque prawns, on a bed of lettuce and tomato, drizzled with lemon juice; or warm pita bread triangles served with garlic yoghurt.
Wrap your hands around an open chicken souvlaki grill, with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, feta and olives, drizzled with olive oil; before a dessert of rich baklava, layered with chopped nuts. That Greek Truck also caters for any event, so why not jump on board for your next occasion?
Those seeking Greek delights in Altona make their way along Civic Parade to find locally-loved restaurant, The Greek Grill. As the aroma of meat spit-roasting over charcoal wafts in the air, settle into this sleek eatery where black subway tiles, blond wood and pendent globes offer an ideal vibe for enjoying all things Greek from souvlaki to flame-grilled burgers and succulent seafood.
Start with char-grilled octopus, or scallops with lemon and herbs, followed by traditional souvlaki with lettuce, onion, tomato and tzatziki; indulge your dessert side with fresh housemade baklava, or chocolate semifreddo with white and marbled chocolate shavings.
