Kafeneion "emeis & emeis" Melbourne — Restaurant in Melbourne

We were recommended this restaurant by a friend. It’s kind of above The European in Spring St. Big round glass window looks onto Parliament. Bistro vibe but more distressed, in a good way. Big Paramount picture on the wall. An old 4 and 20 pie board with wine list. Empty wine bottles line the shelf that runs all around the room. Very friendly service from the minute we are greeted. Warm. Genuine. They’re excited it’s our first visit. We are seated at the front near the window. Tea light candle illuminates the table and there’s a little table next to it for wine bottles or overflow dishes. We order fizzy water. After chatting to our lovely young British/Greek waitress, we make up our minds and order starters of the sardine special and the Tarama dip. The pork and lamb dishes (small size - future us will be very grateful for this decision!) and a Greek salad. We order a glass of Rose and Assyrtiko wines. The dip arrives and the Tarama dip is white and not the usual pink tinged one from supermarkets. This version is miles, galaxies different and it’s unbelievably smooth and unctuous and gently pungent of roe with a touch of garlic. The bread is soft with a bit of a crunchy crust. The sardines are grilled to perfection and swim in a tangy lemon, oregano and olive oil sauce. A brief pause and then the main courses come out. The potato and pork with dill is a revelation. It’s very reminiscent of home cooking and we could eat this every day. The meat is tender. The sauce is thickened by the potato and flavoured with dill. Wow. The lamb is tender on the inside and almost crispy on the outside. The sauce is tomato and olive. The Greek salad is fresh and generous and the best I’ve eaten. We shouldn’t have dessert, but hey - it’s our last night in Melbourne and we just can’t resist. So we order an orange filo cake and two little Greek coffees. The orange cake is moist and soaked in a lovely syrup - it has bits of filo pastry through it. A perfect accompaniment to the coffee and a fitting end to a beautiful meal. The service was outstanding from all staff. There were a lot of staff on the floor and their discreet attentiveness was ultra professional. The lovely birthday card was a thoughtful touch and a lovely memoir. We leave happy and sated. A massive thank you to...

Coming from a Greek background and growing up with my Yiayia’s cooking, I can confidently say that the food at Kafeneion stirs up a real sense of nostalgia. From the atmosphere to the decor—and of course, the food—everything speaks to a truly authentic Greek experience. This isn’t the kind of place serving gyros and pita bread. Kafeneion transports you straight into an old Yiayia’s kitchen, where slow-cooked dishes and soulful flavours take centre stage.

While it’s a lovely spot to visit in summer, I honestly believe Kafeneion shines in winter. There’s something about tucking into warm dishes surrounded by the restaurant’s moody, homely interior that makes the experience feel even more special. The space feels like an elegant, modern interpretation of a Greek village taverna—dim lighting, shelves lined with old wine bottles, timber furniture, and warm toned walls create a comforting, rustic charm that instantly puts you at ease. It’s intimate, warm and deeply atmospheric.

This was my second visit and it was just as good—if not better—than the first. For appetisers, we had the whipped cod roe, ouzo-cured kingfish, octopus, and the scallop saganaki (a special that night). Mains included green beans braised in tomato, lamb with potatoes and oregano, baked chicken with orzo, and seasonal greens with lemon and olive oil. Every single dish was beyond exceptional—flavourful, generous, and beautifully cooked. I’d re-order all of them again in a heartbeat. We also had a couple of cocktails to accompany the meal, which were equally lovely.

Service was friendly and attentive, and despite being packed on a Friday night, everything came out promptly. Compared to all the recent Greek restaurants I’ve visited, Kafeneion is hands down my favourite. If you’re craving an authentic Greek dining experience without hopping on a plane, this...

@kafeneion_melbourne 📍CBD

➖ Beef Stifado ➖ Arakas (Artichoke and Pea Stew) ➖ Patates

Kafeneion Emeis & Emeis is a Greek Winter pop-up located at the Paris End of Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD. Currently operating out of Self Preservation, owners Con Christopoulos (@siglobar @theeuropeanmelbourne) and Stavros Konis (@salona_restaurant) are organising a permanent home. 🇬🇷

The menu here offers a rustic, village-like selection of dishes that remind you of your yiayia's cooking. The menu itself is divided into Appetisers, Olive Oil Based Home Cooked Classics, Accompaniments and Sweets, with options for both small and large size main dishes priced on the more affordable side.

The Beef Stifado had a decent base flavour but it lacked the boldness and salt that would have elevated it to a memorable dish. The beef was incredibly tender and practically fell apart, but the stew seemed to be dominated by the taste of fat rather than the well-balanced flavors of the stew itself.

The Arakas Artichoke and Pea Stew was another dish that left us wanting. It needed a touch more salt to further bring out the flavours. Whilst I appreciated the effort put into the handcut chips, they weren’t crispy and were oversalted. One notable absence was bread, which is a staple in Greek cuisine and would have complemented the meal nicely. 🥺

We pondered wether Kafeneion was either identifying as a wine bar or a traditional restaurant. The name "Emeis and emeis," which means "us and us" in Greek, suggests an intimate, inner-circle gathering, like to hosting a dinner where only close friends are invited. This sentiment, while charming, didn't fully translate into the dining experience. Service although friendly, was...