Get ready to smash some plates…Saturday, March 25 is Greece’s National Day!
Blending Independence Day with the Feast of Annunciation, this is the perfect chance to get your Greek on at restaurants and food trucks around the country - whether you devour souvlaki, slow-cooked lamb or succulent and tender octopus.
Here are five of our favourite venues to celebrate all things that make this country one of our favourite Mediterranean holiday and culinary destinations:
For one of the best selections of souvlaki in Melbourne, head along Centre Road in Bentleigh to find Alati Greek restaurant. An inviting alfresco space streetside is ideal for people watching before following the tantalising aromas of meat cooking on the rotisserie to find a white-washed interior, splashed with pops of aqua-coloured cushions and potted plants, setting the scene for feasting on authentic Greek fare.
Drop in on Saturday for a catchup with friends and a pork gyro wrapped in pita, with lettuce, tomato, onion, chips and mayo mustard sauce; or grilled lamb chops with sides of shoestring fries and Greek salad, washed down with a ginger beer.
Feel welcomed like you are dining at home at Blu Olive Greek Kitchen on Parkhill Drive in Berwick. This traditional Greek restaurant believes the most important dishes on the menu are hospitality, generosity and friendship; settle in at blond wood tables on white chairs to ponder an authentic menu of char-grilled meat and share platters.
Pan-fried saganaki entices to start, served with lemon wedges, or flash-fried whitebait, lemon and ouzo aioli; before shared mains like the Spartan Grill – lamb, chicken, bifteki, pita, tzatziki, chips and village salad.
When made properly, souvlaki is a thing to be admired and few follow this practice as well as Kalimera Souvlaki Art, an Oakleigh eatery on Chester Street that has patrons lining up from near and far. The open kitchen is where the focus lies in this vibrant cafe; an upbeat ambience is partnered by colourful shutters plastered to the back wall, buckets of herbs and sepia-toned photos adorning exposed brick.
Start with a housemade dip such as eggplant or tzatziki to tempt tastebuds, followed by a skepatski platter with pork gyros, cheese, green pepper and tomato, stuffed between pita bread and grilled, best enjoyed with a Greek salad and chips.
Embrace the vibrancy of Greek culture at Koutouki, a lively restaurant in the bustling shopping and dining precinct established on Norton Street in Leichhardt. Warm in ambience, inside is fitted out in earthy features with a mix of honeyed timbers and exposed brick walls, while a stage beside the bar remains a permanent fixture ready for live music performances.
While toe-tapping to the sounds of Greek blues music, devour mezze plates like grilled octopus, oregano, lemon and olive oil; for the main, think dishes like slow-baked lamb shoulder, served with lemon potatoes and a side green salad.
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.
Hand-rolled Cypriot pork sausages are sure to hit the mark, or juicy BBQ prawns served on a bed of lettuce and tomato, followed by a lamb open souvlaki grill. That Greek Truck also caters for any event, so jump on board for your next occasion.
Still looking to get your Greek this Saturday? Click here for a restaurant near you.
