TAVERNA

I live up the block from Taverna and I’ve been meaning to go here since they opened. Tonight was the night and I can’t rave more highly about this awesome family-style casual Greek joint. Taverna is hospitality personified. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place more warm and welcoming. We did the $60 set menu which was incredible value and beyond delicious. We also chose a whole baby snapper which was grilled on hot coals and melted in your mouth. Taverna is one of the best front of house experiences I’ve ever had, and I’ve been everywhere. I’m excited to say that this is my new local and I’ll be coming here for dinner at least once a week

Good traditional Greek food experience. Owners were so lovely to accommodate 5 of us for a late visit. They promote local businesses not only with the produce but also the crockery. Some beautiful handmade plates to support "hope". Well, lamb was great, fava bean dip and the capsicum dip was good. Have to say....bread should come with the dips.. The fried Whitebait was decent and so was the sausage and leek. They have a good variety of Reds....and the waiting staff helped deciding which one went well with our appetizers. It was a good night out !! Thank you Taverna.

Taverna is an absolute gem of a restaurant! The lamb was incredibly succulent and perfectly cooked—truly one of the best meals we've had in Melbourne. The moussaka was amazing, with perfectly baked layers and plenty of flavorful meat. Even the fried potato wedges, a simple dish, were perfectly done and delicious. The pickled octopus was tender, juicy, and full of flavor—not too tough—and paired wonderfully with the fava bean paste and olive bread. The meal overall was outstanding, and the wine selection complemented everything beautifully. What really stood out was the unpretentious, home-cooked feel of the food. It was authentic and full of heart, something rare to find. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a genuine and delicious dining experience!

Dropped into Taverna for a relaxed lunch and walked out seriously impressed. From the moment we sat down, the service was on point — friendly, warm, and totally effortless. Bohdan looked after us and was an absolute pro — great energy, super attentive, and gave us some solid food tips that really paid off. You could tell he genuinely cared about making the experience a good one. And a big shoutout to Chrysa, the manager. She was across everything with a calm confidence that just made the whole place feel like it was in good hands. Always smiling, checking in, and creating a welcoming vibe. The food? Fresh, full of flavour, and exactly what you want from a Greek lunch. Everything from the dips to the mains hit the spot without going over the top. Taverna knows how to do it right — great service, good food, and a team that actually cares. Will 100% be back.

Great food and service. The bread was fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside, the taramasalata was the perfect size and taste, and the lamb was juicy and light (which is not what might usually be expected). Highly recommend!

The other night, my family and some friends visited Taverna in Brunswick to celebrate my dad’s birthday. Unfortunately, our experience was a little disappointing, mostly due to timing issues with the service. We were a group of eight with a 7pm booking, and when we arrived, the place was absolutely packed – buzzing with energy and filled with other large groups. The staff were welcoming and friendly from the start, and we were seated and served drinks fairly quickly, which we appreciated. We ordered a few entrees and quite a few mains. The dips and bread came out not long after our drinks, but it took another 30 minutes for the rest of the entrees to arrive. After we finished those, the real wait began — we were left waiting nearly 40 minutes for our mains. It became frustrating, especially as we noticed that other tables around us had already received their food, eaten, and left. When we flagged it with the staff, they were very apologetic and acted quickly to check on our order. To be fair, the kitchen did seem understaffed that night, which may explain the delay — but when you’re hungry and celebrating, a long wait like that can really take away from the experience. To their credit, the staff handled it graciously. They did their best to get our food out as quickly as possible after that, and generously offered us a few complimentary dishes, desserts, and drinks to make up for the delay. That gesture didn’t go unnoticed and was much appreciated. The food itself was quite good overall — classic Greek flavours, fresh ingredients, and a nice variety. One small personal wish: I was hoping for lemon potatoes, which are always a standout in any Greek meal! All in all, Taverna has potential, but I think the large size of the venue might be working against it. A slightly smaller space might allow for better kitchen flow and a more consistent experience. I’d still be open to returning, maybe on a quieter night, to give it another go.

Attentive service and authentic Greek cuisine! The food was delicious and the waiter was helpful in recommending dishes to complement our preferences for entree and mains. Highly recommend for an authentic Greek experience.

I really loved this place from the hospitality to the food. From the second I was greeted, I felt like I had walked into someone's brightly lit, Greek-inspired home. I was served with so much enthusiasm, it only excited me more for what was to come. The creamy dips can be ordered as half serves (even if not stated on the menu) allowing us to devour all three. Originally disappointed that there was no pita on the menu, the House Baked Olive Bread was so much better that we ordered a second serve! The moorish Moussaka is another must order as is the char-grilled Arni Kleftiko that fell apart with the touch of the fork. Sharing is caring here with the Maritha white bait that was slightly sweet, a touch zesty and subtly salty, and was everything addictive! But POV - order a serve each of the Patates, because OMG were these the best chips I've ever had and just too good to share! It might look expensive on the outset but as a meze style, sharing menu - it worked out better to pick, choose and split the bill then it was to take on the set menu. Now liquor licensed, it came to $85 each including dessert and drinks and we were full! It's not casual street food but it's not fine dining, it's Greek soul food served with a geunine enthusiasm that makes for the best experience no matter the occasion including my birthday!