Mamakas Taverna — Restaurant in Toronto

Overall it was great minus one tiny tiny thing we did not order, getting gaslit by the manager. Let me explain.

We thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the bar, chatting with staff who were very attentive and churning out awesome drinks the whole time. We started off with the house dips, you cannot go wrong with any but we always get taramosalata - this alone makes it worth checking out. The pita is pillowy soft and the perfect vessel for these dips. You will crave it every second of every subsequent day I guarantee you.

We then enjoyed the Froutosalata (strawberry and peach salad) and octopus before we got the lamb neck and mussels pasta. Mussels in pasta isn’t anything special and not unique as an offering to a restaurant but at the care they put in their other dishes we wanted to try it. Famous last words.

The mussels were very very VERY fishy. Maybe the first bites were off? But then we tried 2-3 more and it was not consumable. There was a gut feeling that something was wrong if you catch my drift. All good, the restaurant was super busy and sometimes these things happen and everything else was great so no harm, no foul. We just didn’t eat it and enjoyed the lamb neck. Our server asked if we wanted to pack the pasta which we politely declined and I mentioned it was quite fishy but that it was fine we loved everything else. She kindly and apologetically said since we didn’t like it that they would take it off our bill. I thought that was such a kind and honestly unnecessary gesture we were fine just not eating it and paying for it. But THIS is where it goes south. The manager comes by to “check in” on us and mentions in a demeaning way she heard about the pasta and that the chef said it’s a seafood-forward pasta and sometimes that’s not for anyone. Then walks away. Ok…?

Ma’am, more than half my diet is seafood. Seafood is the food of my people. This tasted absolutely foul. FOUL. Seafood-forward? As in projectile vomit it forward? I would pay her to eat that entire dish in front of me and not break eye contact and tell me that’s what she takes pride in serving to patrons. It’s just bizarre because the situation was already handled gracefully by our server.

In any case, we still had dessert, the baklava cheesecake. Incredible. It almost made us forget how condescending that manager was. Almost.

We’ll return to mamakas but maybe just do takeout for the dips...

Review of Mamakas – A Greek Chef's Honest Take

As a Greek chef visiting Mamakas for the first time, I had high hopes for what was advertised as an authentic Greek experience. Unfortunately, what I encountered was far from anything resembling true Greek cuisine — and I left deeply disappointed.

Let’s start with the food. The Imam Bayildi was topped with an overwhelming amount of parsley, dill, and — bizarrely — walnuts. The sauce wasn’t anything like a slow-cooked tomato base; it tasted more like uncooked pizza sauce slapped on top as an afterthought. This wasn’t a reinterpretation — it was a complete misrepresentation.

One of my guests had the Moussaka, which was yet another letdown. Walnuts appeared again (why?!), and what was meant to be béchamel seemed like a lumpy topping thrown into more of that same bland sauce. The eggplant salad? Again, walnuts and honey — a far cry from the smoky, simple melitzanosalata we Greeks are known for.

Even the pita was wrong — thick, bready, lacking the light char and chewiness of real Greek pita. The vegetables throughout the meal were not fresh, not fried in traditional olive oil, but had a weird tourshi (pickled) texture. This isn’t just creative license — it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of Greek food.

What’s even more insulting is the price. Our bill was $500 — for a meal I wouldn’t serve at home, let alone in a restaurant claiming to be “authentic.” There was no feta, no proper seasoning, and certainly no respect for Greek culinary traditions.

The service was fine, but that’s not what makes or breaks a dining experience when the food is this bad. I’ve read reviews complaining about the service, but honestly, people should be talking more about the food — or lack thereof.

Mamakas, stop calling this Greek cuisine. You’re doing a disservice to the rich, flavorful, honest food of Greece. I’d love to ask the executive chef where these recipes came from — because they’re not from any part of Greece I’ve ever known.

As a Greek and a chef, I left embarrassed, not for myself — but for anyone who believes this is what our food is supposed...

I recently visited Mamakas Taverna and had a mixed experience. Let’s start with the food, which was definitely the highlight of the evening. I ordered the lamb chops, grilled octopus, and cheese, and each dish had its own memorable qualities.

The lamb chops were cooked to perfection, with a tender, juicy interior and a well-seasoned, slightly charred exterior that added a delightful smokiness to each bite. The balance of herbs and spices brought out the natural flavors of the lamb, making it a standout dish that I would definitely recommend.

The grilled octopus was another star on the table. It was beautifully tender, with a perfect char that added a nice, slightly crisp texture to the outside. The octopus was paired with a light, citrusy sauce that complemented its delicate flavor without overpowering it. It’s one of those dishes that showcases the chef’s skill in preparing seafood, and it left a lasting impression.

The saganaki, although not your traditional one, but was also enjoyable. The cheese was served sizzling hot, with a golden-brown crust that gave way to a gooey, rich interior. It was both indulgent and comforting, with just the right amount of saltiness to keep you reaching for more.

While the food was undeniably excellent, the service at Mamakas Taverna was less impressive. The staff, though friendly, seemed disorganized, leading to delays and a few minor errors with our orders. This lack of attentiveness detracted from what could have been a more seamless dining experience.

In terms of value, I found the prices to be on the higher side, especially considering the portion sizes. While the quality of the food is undeniable, the overall experience didn’t fully justify the cost, leaving me with mixed feelings about the value for money.

In conclusion, Mamakas Taverna delivers on flavor, especially with dishes like the lamb chops, grilled octopus, and cheese. However, the service and value for money didn’t quite meet my expectations. I’d consider returning for the food, but it wouldn’t be my top choice...