YASSAS - THE GREEK WAY (SOUTHBANK) — Restaurant in Melbourne

This past Christmas Eve, we had the pleasure of experiencing a truly memorable dining experience at a Greek restaurant that left a lasting impression, not only for its exceptional food but also for the warmth and hospitality extended by its owners and staff.

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted with a festive, yet cozy atmosphere. The restaurant was beautifully decorated, with twinkling lights and holiday cheer that made the setting feel intimate and welcoming. The owners were on hand, and their warmth and genuine care for their guests were immediately evident. They took the time to find a table for us even we haven’t had a reservation. It was clear that they poured their hearts into the place, and it reflected in every aspect of the dining experience.

The food itself was absolutely outstanding. Every dish we tried felt like a piece of Greece brought to life right on our plates. We started with a Chicken gyros and Chicken Kalamaki, including creamy tzatziki, garlic pita bread, and tangy olives. Each bite was packed with rich, authentic flavors that immediately transported us to the Mediterranean. The highlight of the meal was the mixed skewers, tender, and cooked to perfection with a delicate blend of herbs and spices. Paired with crispy chips and fresh salad, it was a true celebration of Greek culinary tradition.

Even the simplest dishes, like the Greek salad, stood out for their freshness and quality. The vibrant tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese were enhanced with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of oregano—so simple, yet so delicious. Kids loved their drinks and food too..

Throughout the meal, the staff made sure we felt like part of their family, offering recommendations, checking in with us. It was clear that for them, the experience was about more than just serving food—it was about creating a connection and making their guests feel special.

As we left, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the experience. The combination of incredible Greek food and genuinely kind owners made for a perfect Christmas Eve that we will remember for...

Thoroughly disappointing experience at one of the most overpriced and under tasting food I have had in Melbourne. The staff are completely lost and have no idea what they are doing, dropped our food twice ON THE FLOOR and didn't even apologise. The owner, who is an INDIAN (owning an "authentic" Greek restaurant is a JOKE in itself) is even more rude and arrogant than the staff. Absolutely WASTED my money at this place and would never do it again, if even ONE of you benefits from this review, I have given back some good into this world. If ripping a hole into your wallet for average food isn't good enough, we even saw a group of people fighting over Zomato Gold and the staff was rude to them too and eventually didn't even allow them to use their Zomato offers. Pass on the review, save your loved ones from this "Pricey Greek Experience".

RESPONSE TO OWNER -

There is nothing racist about the comments made by myself and there is nothing wrong with an Indian running a greek restaurant, but when you represent the Greeks, the least you can do is also TREAT your customers like Greeks, not like indians. I am an Indian myself and I know exactly how Indian the treatment your team provides. Authentic Greek is not only the food, but also the service. Without knowing how to serve, don't call yourself "Authentic Greek".

The fact that you resort to defending yourself by calling your customer "Racist", only amplifies your typical Indian mentality and further supports my review.

P.S. I am very well aware of what happened with the Zomato gold customer as we had a chat with them right outside and shared our bad experience with them too. Utterly shameful of you to accuse your customers instead of accepting your faults and trying to improve. If only Google had the option to rate 0 stars, well.. negative stars would be best fit for...

Absolutely Disappointing – Overhyped and Underwhelming

We booked Yassas The Greek – Southbank three months in advance, travelling all the way from Adelaide on the recommendation that this was one of Melbourne’s top Greek spots. Unfortunately, the experience was nothing short of frustrating from the moment we arrived.

Despite the beautiful weather, we were told the outdoor balcony was closed, and were shoved into a dark corner with a wobbly table. Not exactly what you expect after planning months in advance. Moments later, we saw the manager seat a woman and her child on the very same balcony – when we politely asked if we could be seated out there too, she reluctantly agreed. Not a great start.

Things didn’t improve with the food. We wanted to share a platter between two of us, with the third person ordering just calamari. Simple, right? Wrong. We were told all three of us had to order the $89 platter just to share – absurd, but we agreed, thinking at least it included the calamari. What arrived was a joke: a mountain of bland zucchini fritters, a laughably small portion of saganaki that wouldn’t fill a child, and… no calamari. When we asked, we were told they had substituted the calamari with extra fritters – without asking us. Who does that?

To top it all off, after spending over $489.00 we were given a grand total of $6 credit as some kind of peace offering. The manager was rude and dismissive throughout. The only saving grace was a lovely waitress (I believe from the UK), who was friendly, professional, and clearly doing her best amidst the chaos. The rest of the staff were uninterested and cold.

Thanks, Melbourne, for one of the most disappointing food experiences I’ve had in a long time. Avoid this place unless you enjoy being treated like an inconvenience and served overpriced,...