Eleni's Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

Let's start this with the fact that im not here to give negative feedback, just constructive feedback. Hopefully, the owners take this on board Especially considering that I think the owner was serving our table and he was terribly terribly rude. 1st, when I rang to book, I was not informed on the phone by the young man that if you have more than 7 people, you can only order banquets, although 3 of the people were kids under 14 years old. We were only informed of this at the table by a very rude man. He just said you canot order your own individual meals you must only order banquets as the kitchen wouldn't cope. After questioning why I was not informed on the phone at the time of booking the waiter put the menu in front of me and said it says it here, Ummm i don't have your menu at home nor do in have one on the phone. He was terribly rude about it. After questioning this again because the kids would not eat half of what was on the banquets, he finally let the kids order individually. My friends actually were willing to get up and walk out because of his rudeness. 2nd. Drinks, we wanted to order drinks but he really had no interest in listening to what people were ordering running off to the counter in between, I think he may of been putting it into system but by doing this he didn't take the birthday girls drink order or some of the other adults. I think a good old piece of paper and pen to write it all down would be the easy to go then go off and enter it into computer. The lemon lime and bitters drinks we ordered were terrible they lacked taste weren't bubbly and they were warm they actually tasted flat. They tasted like they may of been pre made and just served as needed. Also just by putting it in a cold glass does not make it go cold. 3rd there was no manners when putting the food onto the table in front of us They did not excuse themselves, they just leanded over in between everyone and put it down. I've never experienced this behaviour anywhere For a table of 10 you could of made more money on drinks but never return to ask us if we would want another. I couldn't wait to get home to have a cold drink I was dying of thirst. We took cake for the birthday girl and not once were we asked if we'd like coffee to go with that another missed opportunity especially when most on the table drank it. Anyway I think the gentleman whom served us really needs to look at the approach and mannerisms towards his customers the rudeness just doesn't cut it in today's hospitality when things are so difficult. Anyway the banquets good but the saginaki needs to be looked at as it was extremely rubbery. As a group that eats out at lots of Greek restaurants I was really disappointed and would not...

An Unforgettable Greek Feast at Eleni's Kitchen + Bar

From the moment we arrived at Eleni’s Kitchen, we were greeted with a smile and promptly shown to our table. Even though we were running a little late, the team made us feel welcome, no fuss, no stress, just a relaxed and friendly vibe that set the tone for the night.

The service throughout the evening was outstanding. Every staff member was incredibly polite, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The entire night ran like clockwork, well-organised, yet never rushed. You could feel the team’s passion for creating a wonderful experience for every guest. The service was consistently attentive without being intrusive.

Now to the food—Everything sounded so good, it was hard to choose. In the end, we decided to sample a few dishes, and we’re so glad we did.

The grilled octopus and calamari were absolutely delicious, tender and full of flavour. The zucchini crisps were the standout for me. They were light and crunchy, pairing beautifully with the tangy tzatziki dip. That combo was just spot on.

We also enjoyed the fig saganaki. The sweetness of the fig really complemented the saltiness of the cheese.

The moussaka was everything you’d hope for. It was hearty and full of taste, with perfectly cooked slices of eggplant, a delicious sauce, and a smooth, creamy topping that added a lovely, subtle flavour to the dish. The portion was also very generous.

We also tried the chicken and lamb souvlaki, both of which were cooked just right, juicy, well-seasoned, and full of flavour. Again, the portions were very generous.

Even though we were full, we couldn’t resist taking some desserts home. We were so glad we did!

The galaktoboureko was hands down the best I’ve had. The custard was light and fresh, not overly sweet or heavy, and the syrup didn’t overpower it.

The ekmek kataifi and baklava were also excellent. Both were crunchy, nutty, and full of texture and taste.

The atmosphere at Eleni’s was warm and welcoming. The background music created a nice vibe without making conversation difficult. You could enjoy the ambiance and still talk comfortably. Everything from the layout to the lighting felt just right. We also appreciated how each guest was welcomed on arrival and thanked on their way out. It’s a small gesture, but it really stood out and added to the experience.

We’re giving Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar a top score—5 out of 5. If you’re looking for authentic Greek food, a relaxed and friendly setting, and a team that truly looks after their guests, Eleni’s won’t disappoint.

Huge thanks to the team at Eleni’s Kitchen for making our evening so enjoyable. We’ll...

A Masterclass in Deception – Truly Disappointing Dining Experience.

I had been meaning to try this place for a long time, especially after seeing all the glowing reviews. But after finally visiting tonight, I can honestly say this was the worst Greek dining experience I’ve had in all of Melbourne.

Let’s start with the venue itself. Despite having a reservation, we were initially seated in a cramped corner beneath a high bar table. We literally had to duck our heads to sit down. After raising this, we were moved, but only to a space so tight it felt like being seated on a budget airline. Elbow to elbow with other guests, no breathing room, no privacy. I get that squeezing in more tables means more money, but the layout prioritizes profit over comfort, and it shows.

Things only got worse when the food arrived. We specifically asked for entrées to come first, followed by mains. Instead, everything landed on our table within 10 minutes, a clear red flag for a many reasons.

The saganaki was cold and rubbery, paired with a side of cold fig jam.

The goat dish was tough and was overloaded with pitted olives, more than the Greek salad itself.

The lamb gyro meat was shockingly bad — dry, flavourless, and frankly reminiscent of canned pet food.

The Greek salad had one slice of tomato floating on top and was just lettuce. Lettuce! This is not a Greek salad.

A meat platter brought out to the table next to us looked equally unappetising. I overheard the couple say the chicken gyro resembled deli meat from Coles, and the loukaniko looked like red playdough.

I also couldn’t help but notice that not a single person in the kitchen appeared to be Greek, and that lack of authenticity was reflected heavily in the food. I’m not trying to be disrespectful or make it about ethnicity, but Greek cuisine is deeply cultural and rooted in tradition. What we were served tonight had zero soul, zero connection to a proper Greek family meal. Your brand, your logo, your instagram presence is simply not the reality.

The whole experience felt stressful, impersonal, and over-commercialised. It’s clear this place is set up to maximise turnover, not to deliver real Greek hospitality or food. You may be able to impress those unfamiliar with authentic Greek cuisine like your highest rated reviews, but for those of us who know the difference, that grew up with this menu, this was honestly insulting.

Eleni’s may be busy every night, but if you're going to profit off Greek culture, at least offer something that represents it with pride and respect. Dont laugh in our faces.

Really regret coming here!...