Drawn by the promise of new beginnings, Greek migrants have settled in Western Australia since the late 19th century. They brought culinary traditions that are still showcased in Greek restaurants, cafes, and delis that are now firmly part of Perth’s dining landscape.
Ode to Sirens
In Northbridge, Brika opened its doors in 2013 with chef Stratos Psaros and his wife Amelia at the helm. It heralded a closer appreciation for Hellenic cuisine and became a favourite with diners for its meze plates and signature dishes like slow-cooked lamb shoulder, dill spiked spanakopita and their irresistible saganaki kefalograviera with pomegranate syrup. Also in the family, Filos And Yiros, the Psaros’ hole-in-the-wall offering, serves up street eats of gyros (yiros) filled with slow-cooked lamb or rotisserie chicken, tangy tzatziki, hand-cut potato fries and traditional Greek pastries.
Yiamas
Yefsi At Attika is a more formal dining setting with a menu that pays homage to authentic Greek flavours from moussaka, West Australian char-grilled octopus, and keftedes Greek style meatballs, to sharing plates of mixed grilled meats and seafood with a horiatiki Greek salad.
Nick’s Place opened in Fremantle back in 1985 and is known for its late-night Greek fare along the Cappuccino Strip. They pride themselves on marinating fresh meats in-house, sourced from local butchers – no frozen, processed Doner meats here – with a range of vegetarian options and an outlet in Cockburn Central.
Also in Fremantle, Acropolis Souvlaki is a favourite for its namesake in the bustling markets, using free-range marinated pork belly with homemade tzatziki and chips. Their breakfast souvlaki is a satisfying late-morning option for brunch on the go.
Jetty
Whilst not Greek across the board, Jetty has carved out a reputation for its Greek-style gyros, quickly becoming a go-to spot for this classic bite. And new to the port city, Ode to Sirens is a bar with a music tilt and meze plates that lean heavily on the Greek influences from Fremantle’s past. On the plate, Linley Valley pork sausage with ouzo cucumbers and larger plates like mushroom moussaka and Amelia Park lamb gyro.
Yiamas
In Subiaco, Yiamas the latest venture from the team behind Vinotto Bar, boasts a taverna feel with a Greek-inspired menu cooked over coals by chef Justin Scarvaci. Meat for the spit roast is sourced locally and prepared in-house daily with lamb keftedes, grilled octopus, and sour cherry tomato dolmades some fan favourites. Meanwhile, sommelier Caitlin Johnston has curated a small but mighty range of Greek gin, wine and lager.
At Lady Of Ro, chef Sean McArdle’s skill on the charcoal grill is used to create Med-inspired shared plates within the tiny 50-seater diner. Meat comes from Torre Butchers and fresh fish from Sealanes in Fremantle. Save room for the Greek apple cake. At sister diner Boucla, this Mediterranean-inspired cafe focuses on breakfast and lunch, specialising in house-baked cakes – think honey-drizzled biscuits and baklava in a cosy bric-a-brac setting.
Boucla
Getting your Greek fix at home couldn’t be easier as Perth boasts several spots to find authentic staples. Since 1988, Angelo Street Market in South Perth has offered a wide range of gourmet Greek products, from traditional cheeses to freshly prepared items like dolmades. European Foods Marketplace in Osbourne Park offers an extensive range of Greek olives and honey, with its Cheese Cathedral in Osborne Park stocking feta to kefalotyri amongst its 350 cheeses. Kakulas Sister in Fremantle was opened in 1994 by Eleni Kakulas as an offshoot of her family’s business, Kakulas Brothers which opened in Northbridge back in 1929. Eleni’s grandfather Evangelos and Uncle Stavros emigrated to Australia from Kastellorizo, Greece, in 1923. Dry beans, pulses, nuts and dried fruit, olive oils, spices, coffee, and continental grocery items are stacked on shelves in both outlets. Cheese apothēkē Little Sister opened in 2015 next door on Market Street, Fremantle, specialising in imported cheeses, charcuterie, and their famed cheese toasties.
