Olympus Dining — Restaurant in Sydney

Recently found out the news about the Apollo group is opening a brand new restaurant in Surry Hills called the Olympus, so went down there today to try it out.

The two hours free parking is really a game breaker, so convenient.

First time to the centre but the signage is very well placed, big sign to direct you to the Restaurants. Got out of the lift and the Olympus sign is right in front.

First impression, this place is huge, and very bright, so much natural lights, almost like an outdoor dining place. The reception is spacious and has a spacious and comfortable waiting area.

Confirming our booking and the hostess leads us to our table for 4. Was hoping we won’t be seating in the sun. We weren’t. Got a table made up with two rounds with the cushioned bench seating on one side and two comfy full size chairs on other side. This is quite different from the slimmer size seats at the main shop Apollo, if you have also been to the Potts Point place.

A very bubbly young waitress was serving us and I think her name is Debrina if I spell it correctly. She is very helpful, quick, attentive, knowledgeable and made confident suggestions. If you also get her to serve you, there’s guaranteed great service and dining experience to be have.

We wanted to try many things on the menu so didn’t ordered the banquet menu.

Everything were shared and I think we had 9 items plus 5 different desserts, yeap, that’s a lot of food for lunch and for four people. But hey, it’s near Xmas time, and it’s ok to walk off a full tummy during day time than at night.

Not going to describe every dish as they were all very good, just check out the photos please.

Personal favorite: the Coral Trout is a must try unless you don’t eat fish. The Fried Zucchini 😋👌, like the best tempura I ever had 👍, The Lobster pasta is surprisingly good, the Oyster can’t go wrong with the sauces.

Actually, not everything is good and highly recommended: the Greek salad was a bit average which is not to say it’s bad, we were just too full and couldn’t finish it, so one of us have it takeaway. And out of the 5 dessert , the Greek doughnuts were rather plain so it was largely unfinished . Everything else we almost licked the plates clean . Enough said.

The restaurant is very big, it was almost full today with lots of Xmas parties.

But one thing if I want to be critical, it was quite noisy in the restaurant, but then again , the atmosphere during this festive season is excellent and electric, you can clearly feel that everyone is having a great time. And who would want to eat and drink quietly this time of the year.

BTW, great to see the whole Apollo team were all there working their butts off and smiling so proudly. Nick was serving drinks and seating customers, the ever so handsome Jonathan was the Commander in Chief calling out orders outside the huge Open Kitchen and good old Sam Christie was as usual, totally in charge while busing tables and clearing plates.

Congratulations gentlemen, well done and you have got another winner here.

Last but not least, the last photo here was taken today around 2.30pm as we drove past the Apollo after lunch. What you see here was the crowds gathered outside the Apollo waiting to be seated for the second seating of the Friday lunch. No kidding, the whole street was full. And that’s the real reason why we end up eating and trying the new Olympus because we couldn’t get a table at the Apollo. Glad I was told about the Olympus as the food in these two sister restaurants are almost entire different, so is the decor and atmosphere. Love them both for sure is all I can say.

Just telling it as it is.

Enjoy you next dining experience at the Apollo or Olympus, both are highly recommended.

Ps. I work in the Potts Point area and have been a regular diner at both the Apollo and Cho Cho San for many...

Last night was my birthday.After coming to the restaurant 6th time bring family friend’s who are greek as well. My time was a total disaster and very disappointing.

While wait for my other guest to come I was asked are they really coming? I said yes. Then I want thinking why would FOH ask me this question.

We ordered 2 Olives $9 for a small little bowl unbelievable 2 Taramosalata which was good as always plus the homemade bread Dolmades horrible 2 Calamari which was all salad and was change from last time not worth the $ Sagaanki cheese which was but cold The prawn sagaanki which were not de vain The lamb came out and look like a turkey leg the meat as tough and not worth $160

Now this were it starts not once I ever got somone to attend to me I had to nearly raise my hand myself to get notice. Cocktail and drink were great until. Some of my guest went to the toilet and I asked someone were our last two drinks were? Then I was told I been cut off? I said wow really why I had five drinks the whole time. Plus I have a guest next to me and I asked to speak to the manager the the lady said I’m the manager. I said what’s is the problem? She said we are all cut off we no reason. Then she told me to calm down I said I’m calm then whole table had come back then I explained too them what happened which they then we were all very upset and disappointed. One of my guest was not even drinking alcohol at all. Then my other guest cocktails arrived and we all looked at each and said what is going on? Many other customers were drunk n ect we can see and loud I feel I was disrespected and treated like a peasant and I was the only dark skin person there. The someone bring out frozen yogurt with a candle I said forget about it please as my whole birthday was ruined. As we went to pay after being told 20mins left and we said let’s go I asked for the manager. Then was told who is spoke to was the Sommelier who has the right to cut who ever of when we were not intoxicated. And said nothing we can do?? I work in hospitality for over 30 yrs in hotels restaurants all over the world and never ever been treated like ever in MY LIFE you not will see us again ever plus I have 3 of my own restaurants good luck we will not be BACK...

NEW EDIT Restaurant Manager emailed on the 3rd April to discuss my experience based on the edit below. He suggested a time and day to call, but I was away in New Zealand so suggested another time in which he agreed (was only a week later). It's now the 30th April and still nothing. It's clear that this restaurant isn't sincere in requesting feedback or addressing my concerns. Please don't contact me again. END NEW EDIT

EDIT The restaurant responded to my initial review and asked me to reach out, which I did on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. However, I’ve yet to receive a reply. At this point, it feels like their response was just a templated reaction to bad reviews rather than a genuine attempt to address feedback. To make matters worse, it’s now April 1st, and instead of a follow-up, I’ve just received a newsletter updating me on what’s happening at Olympus. Poor form! END EDIT

Olympus Dining had a lot to live up to, especially having dined at their sister venue, Apollo, where the food is consistently excellent. Unfortunately, while the decor was stunning and well thought out, the food itself didn’t quite reach the level of expectation—it was decent but nothing particularly spectacular.

One aspect that stood out, however, was the seating arrangement. Despite booking over five weeks in advance for a Wednesday lunch when there was plenty of availability, we were seated in a tucked-away corner rather than in the center of the restaurant, where the best tables were. Looking around, it was hard not to notice a pattern—certain groups seemed to be clustered together in the less desirable areas, while others were placed more prominently in the main dining space. It left an uncomfortable impression that seating arrangements may not have been as neutral as they should be.

Overall, while the experience wasn’t terrible, it didn’t leave me eager to return. Given the reputation of its sister venue, I had hoped for better—not just in terms of food, but in the overall hospitality and inclusivity of...