Manakis Greek Taverna — Restaurant in Saint Julian's

After carrying out several searches and analyzing the evaluations we went to Manakis with the hope of having a good experience. But what happened was a terrible disappointment. We made a reservation for 9pm and as soon as we arrived we requested water, wine, two starters and two main courses. We received our water and after half an hour of waiting we decided to leave because as you can see in the photo the restaurant was packed and they had no waiters to attend. When we asked for the bill, the waitress was very kind and asked for a second chance, advising us that she would already bring the wine and the entrees and offered to change tables, putting us at a table overlooking the bay. After a long time she brought the wrong wine and we had to wait until she went to change. A long time later the entrees arrived which were delicious. And again we were abandoned. It was already past 10am when a waiter brought a dish that was not what we ordered, he came back with our plate it was after 10:40 (and they close at 11). The main food was tasty but dry (we ordered two different lamb dishes to taste the two flavors). In the end, as if the annoyance was not enough, the manager came to ask if everything was all right, and that was when I was honest with him saying that I noticed a lack of staff in the restaurant. During the week they can account for everything but for the night of a Friday certainly not. The waiter tried to tell us that the change of dishes was because we changed tables and they had tables with lots of people making many requests, talked until we picked the wrong day to have dinner there. My husband and I travel the world eating at the best restaurants and without complaining about the prices, but the least we expect is a friendly service. The place is beautiful but it doesn't matter when you are...

This is a restaurant that gives a bad name to Greeks and Greek restaurants!! But what can you expect when IT IS NOT OWNED BY GREEKS!! The owner is a corporation that owns a number of restaurants in the area, the manager is Serbian (I guess they feel it’s close enough), the staff a mix of Asian/Pilipino and Indian/Pakistani and the Chef God only knows!! They know as much about Greek food and culture as a Greek would known about Chicken Tikka Masala!! The food has no taste, it isn’t that it doesn’t taste like authentic Greek food, it just doesn’t have taste period!! And what about not having lamb on the menu!! This is sacrilege!! The portions are average to small in size and the value for money is not there!! Better save the money, get a cheap ticket to Greece and have some real Greek food there, the food in the worst restaurants in Greece is better than this!! The location is convenient and authentic close to the water and the atmosphere is nice albeit a bit kitsch, there are some nice photos on the wall and the traditional Greek icon (the flag is missing) to give it a realistic look which makes me think it was originally started by a Greek and it had a Greek owner in the past but probably he retired or sold it a while back and now the new owners are clueless about Greek food and Culture!! In conclusion, I don’t recommend eating here if you want to eat...

Step into Manakis Greek Taverna, and you'll swear they've got a Greek grandma hidden in the kitchen, whipping up magic with a ladle and a lot of love. This place doesn't just serve food; it serves up a full-on Greek mythology experience, where every bite feels like an epic poem.

The dips were so divine, I'm convinced Zeus himself might have dipped his ambrosia in them. The tzatziki was as creamy as Aphrodite's complexion, and the hummus? Let's just say, Homer would write an odyssey just for a taste.

Grilled asparagus and olives here aren't just side dishes; they're the gods' gift to mortals. The asparagus was so tender and flavorful, it could make even a Spartan smile. And the olives? To die for, literally. I'm considering reincarnating as an olive tree in their grove.

The traditional moussaka was a heavenly layer of flavors, with each bite sending me straight to Mount Olympus. And the chicken souvlaki? Juicy, tender, and seasoned to perfection – it was enough to make Hercules take a break from his labors.

Manakis Greek Taverna is the kind of place I'd fly all the way to Malta just to eat at. In fact, if I had wings like Icarus, I'd soar there regularly, and trust me, I'd avoid the sun just to keep coming back. This restaurant isn't just a meal; it's a Greek feast...