Agora Greek Market & Tavernaki — Restaurant in Edmonton

Our family of four visited Agora for what we hoped would be a pleasant Greek lunch, but it turned out to be an appalling and distressing experience. From the moment we arrived, the manager (also serving) was rude, dismissive, and condescending. She made us feel as though our inquiries about menu items were a bother, despite us intending to order a variety of dishes to share.

We ordered pita with tzatziki, Greek meatballs, potatoes, and chicken souvlaki. While the pita and tzatziki were decent, the meatballs had a bizarre, spongy texture, raising concerns about their freshness. Everything arrived at the table so quickly that it left us questioning whether the food had been freshly prepared or simply reheated.

The most alarming issue arose with the chicken souvlaki. As my sister bit into a piece, we realized the chicken was raw and severely undercooked in the center. Given that both my mother and I suffer from genetic immunodeficiencies, this was not just an inconvenience—it was potentially life-threatening. When we raised the issue with the manager, we were met with a stunning lack of professionalism or accountability.

Rather than offering an apology or taking appropriate responsibility for serving raw chicken, the manager suggested they could “throw it back on the grill.” This was not only unhygienic but completely unacceptable. The idea of returning to eat a meal that included dangerously undercooked poultry was unthinkable.

Despite expressing our concerns and explaining how this situation ruined our meal, the manager insisted that we pay the bill. Her attitude was combative, rude, and accusatory, going so far as to suggest we were attempting a “dine and dash,” which was both insulting and false. My father ultimately paid in cash to avoid further conflict, though we left most of the food untouched due to how uncomfortable and unsafe the experience was.

The hygiene practices in this restaurant also left much to be desired. The manager touched the rims of our water glasses while refilling them and proceeded to do the same at other tables. For a restaurant to display such carelessness during service and in food preparation is completely unacceptable.

Had this been a larger, more professional establishment, the meal would have been comped entirely, as it should have been. Instead, we were left feeling disrespected, unheard, and extremely concerned about the food safety standards at Agora. Serving raw chicken is a serious issue that could hospitalize or even kill someone. The fact that this was met with such indifference is shocking and inexcusable.

To further illustrate this, I have attached a photo of the raw chicken served to us.

We would strongly caution anyone against dining at Agora. This was not just a bad experience; it was a dangerous one. Food safety and customer service seem to be completely absent at this establishment, and we left not only disappointed but deeply concerned for the health of...

Single handedly the worst and most offensive service I have ever had. The spouse and I decided to try this place based on some of the reviews here. When I booked the reservation, the hostess was rude on the phone but I took it as maybe a one off. As soon as we walked in, before our reservation time, the server waved me off when I said I had a reservation. She didn't seem to care. Our wine was brought to the table and I notice that it tasted off and it was extremely unpleasant. I've never sent wine/food back in my entire life but I had to in this situation because it reeked and tasted like rancid old mold. The waitress said it was supposed to taste that way and that it was supposed to taste like "pine". I know the difference between pine and mold, thanks. She rolled her eyes and the proceeded to go to another table and make fun of us with another customer. It was just my wife and I and this one other person in the establishment. She was being extremely loud. There was noway to NOT hear them. I've never experienced something so disrespectful from a server/restaurant in my life. I've also never NOT tipped before in my life. Until now. The server was the wife of the owner, so I didnt bother filing a complaint. Avoid this place at all costs. I will say that the food WAS very good...

We don't get a date night very often. We decided to go for coffee and dessert. We have gone to a number of places in the past and really wanted to check out Agora. It looked like a great spot and maybe it is? I would love to say we sat down and enjoyed our time, but we were only in the place for a minute before we left. We were greeted at the door, and the place smelled amazing. It was maybe at 50% capacity, so we had many choices as to where we could sit. The host asked where we wanted to sit, and I said "wherever, we just have an hour and a bit, so we just want to grab coffee and dessert". She proceed to put the menu's back where she grabbed them and said "nope". She proceeded to say only between 2 and 4pm.

I wasn't aware of specific dessert and coffee time, and it is there establishment and they can decide what they want. I have no issues with that.

However, if you are looking for a coffee and dessert in the evening, this I guess is not the place. Atmosphere looked good, it smelled good, just didn't get any further then that. (Maybe they will change their rules in the future?)

Ended up going to Earls and had cheesecake, I guess it was a good...