Eleni's Kitchen + Bar

Overview

Eleni's Kitchen has one of those origin stories that are rare in hospitality these days. It takes place in Yarraville in 1971 when the family opened a Greek restaurant named Eleni's opposite the Sun Theatre. It was a huge part of the community but eventually shut down and moved around the corner — reopened by two sisters and the family matriarch, Eleni. Here, at the newer version of Eleni's Kitchen + Bar, you still get authentic and traditional Greek food made and served with plenty of love, but it has been refined somewhat.

The venue has the air of a classic Greek taverna and has brought the local Greek community together, as well as anyone else who wants great food and even better company.

Chef Christos Katapodis brings 35 years of experience cooking in Greek restaurants to Eleni's and is known for his mastery of the chargrill and his habit of singing while he cooks. His menu begins with mezes including grilled haloumi with lemon, fried whitebait, fire-roasted peppers with mint and feta, marinated olives and locally sourced scallops with white wine and olive oil.

From the sea, you can try some calamari, chargrilled king prawns or the fish of the day (snapper, whiting or blue eye). From the field, the menu offers lamb gyros with potato, chargrilled quail with lemon potatoes, pork kalamakia with pita bread and homemade Greek meatballs served in tomato concasse with feta.

Salads include a classic Greek and horiatiki  — a classic village salad and a xorta, which is endives in Eleni's secret lemon vinaigrette. There are share platters and banquets aplenty, which is fortunate as this is definitely the kind of venue to come and enjoy with a big group of your favourite people.

When it comes to a drink, it's got you sorted in every way imaginable. Fancy a beer? Try a stein of Zeus or a bottle of Mythos. Wine? There's a range of every colour by glass or bottle, including French Champagnes, dry whites from Greece, rosé from Provence, and Malbecs from Mendoza. There's a list of ouzos, too, because there has to be, and the cocktail list includes fun Greek twists including Eleni's Donkey, with vodka, ginger ale, mint and lime. 

It's always a good time at Eleni's Kitchen + Bar, and if you plan it just right, you might be there on a night when local Greek band, Aetos, is playing. On these nights, the staff even smash plates for added fun.