Beloved Greek pop-up taverna finds a permanent home in Melbourne’s north

·

For restaurateur Angie Giannakodakis, the launch of Taverna as a permanent restaurant is a homecoming in more ways than one, according to theage.com.au

Originally conceived as a pop-up with Guy Holder in late 2024, Taverna is a heartfelt tribute to her Greek heritage and parents. It follows the closure of her acclaimed Carlton restaurant, Epocha, after 12 years. But its new home in Brunswick East is also deeply familiar—she helped establish George Calombaris’ original Hellenic Republic at the very same site years ago.

“It was quite emotional stepping into that space, I’m pinching myself a little bit every day,” says Giannakodakis to the age.

Located on Lygon Street, the restaurant has been transformed into an inviting Greek haven, with crisp white and Aegean blue hues, Baltic pine tables, earthenware pots, and rattan light fixtures. It embodies the warmth of home-style cooking and philoxenia—Greek hospitality’s spirit of welcoming strangers.

“It’s more than a restaurant,” she says. “When my mum, the matriarch of our family, entered care after a fall, I realised how much her food represented love and survival. Taverna is … my way of honouring her and my dad.”

Her mother’s recipes appear on the menu, including horta (seasonal greens), keftethes (pan-fried meatballs), and Katina’s moussaka when eggplant is in season. Other highlights include arni kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb shoulder), Corfiot pastitsada (beef ragu with macaronia pasta), and vegetarian options like revithokeftethes (chickpea fritters) and silky fava with Cretan olive oil.

As Melbourne’s Greek dining scene flourishes, Giannakodakis remains a pioneer. “You put 10 good Greek restaurants in Melbourne, I don’t think that’s enough any way.”

For dessert? Fresh watermelon or a sundae of kataifi, mastic ice cream, and seasonal sorbet. You’ll have to wait for the liquor licence to sip her signature blue-tinged Aegean Negroni.

Source: theage.com.au

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From passion to production: Steven Koutzoumis launches SoundCult studio in Sydney

In the heart of Beverly Hills, a fresh sound is taking shape - and it’s being led by young Greek Australian Steven Koutzoumis who has a vision

Greek immersion in the early years pays off for Year 8 student Mariah Palaktsoglou

Year 8 student Mariah Palaktsoglou won the Hellenic Dreaming High School Short Story Competition held by the Greek Museum of Adelaide Inc.

Faith, family and football: The making of Nectarios Triantis

Growing up in a bustling Greek Australian household in Sydney, footballer Nectarios Triantis was never far from a football - or chaos.

Bella Spasis’ big deal: Live music in Victoria set to thrive

Greek-Victorian bar owner, Isabella (Bella) Spasis, hosted a remarkable event at her venue, ‘The Dog’s Bar’ early on Sunday morning, July 6.

GOCNSW Home for the Aged welcomes Consul General and celebrates its donors

The Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged played host to the Consul General of Greece in Sydney and some of its major donors.

You May Also Like

‘Opou Gis Kai Patris 2’ returns to Sydney for highly-anticipated follow-up performance

The Greek theatre production 'Opou Gis Kai Patris' is set to return for its highly anticipated sequel, 'Opou Gis Kai Patris 2.'

Inaugural Global ‘Women and Hellenism’ Conference in Ioannina hailed a huge success

The effort to bring together Greek women culminated in a successful inaugural Global ‘Women and Hellenism’ Conference in Ioannina.

Greek community gathers at St Spyridon Parish for enjoyable ‘Family Taverna Night’

Greek families gathered at the church hall of St Spyridon Parish in Kingsford on April 29 to enjoy the first-ever 'Family Taverna Night.'