Welcome to The Latch Tastemakers, where we sit down with people who know a city’s scene like the back of their hand to ask their must-try restaurants, cafes and bars. Dive into our Tastemakers series and curate your ultimate hit-list, whether you’re exploring your own city or venturing somewhere new.
Poppy Papadopoulos is one of the best people to ask about the Greek dining scene in Sydney. She’s of Greek heritage but grew up in Sydney in a Greek community and now co-owns Greek eatery The Yeeros Shop, open since 1968.
“Greek restaurants in Sydney — they’re always the same,” she says. “I’d say there are a lot more Greek eateries you can go to now [than a decade ago]. I think people from all walks of life have embraced Mediterranean food not only for the delicious flavours but also for being one of the healthiest in the world.”
Papadopoulos says that while the authenticity of the food and friendly staff have remained the same at Greek restaurants in Sydney over the years, there’s now more variety, with a mix of fine dining, casual and street food.
“The Yeeros Shop was the first yeeros shop in Sydney and it catered for Greek people because they knew what a yeeros was,” she says. “Now people from all walks of life come to Yeeros Shop. They all know what a yeeros is. Back then, they didn’t. They would ask us ‘What is a yeeros?’. They would walk in and weren’t even sure what to order.”
So where else does Papadopoulos go for good Greek food in Sydney?
Ploos
The Sydney Greek restaurant with the best atmosphere, in Papadopoulos’s eyes, is Ploos in Circular Quay. The restaurant located in Campbell’s Stores opened in 2022.
“The atmosphere is always buzzy,” she says. “People are happy to be there and they just love the scenery. You can’t get any better Greek food and harbour views.”
You can’t go wrong with anything you order from the menu, Papadopoulos’ says. She’s been impressed with everything. She also suggests dressing up a little to make the most of the dining experience.
Ammos
If you’re looking for elevated Greek food in Sydney, Papadopoulos suggests Ammos located in Novotel Brighton-le-Sands. Like Ploos, Ammos also has water views — though the restaurant is more casual as it’s on the beach. “The scenery is nice, the interior is nice, the people are nice,” she says.
“I’ve loved all their entrées, just all the finger foods. They’re experts at all the finger foods. The mains [I recommend] would have to be fish. The Greeks are great at any fish, any seafood. They put all the Greek cuisine spices, a lot of oregano and lemon. It’s zesty.”
Yiamas
Papadopoulos recommends Yiamas on Princes Highway in St Peters for some of Sydney’s most authentic Greek food. The traditional Greek taverna opened in 2009.
“The portions are too big,” says Papadopoulos. “That’s what Greeks want. We always have too much on our tables. I order everything and then regret it because I don’t know what to eat and how much to eat. We always take home what we don’t eat.”
She suggests ordering appetisers like tzatziki, olives, feta, dips and Greek salad before meat and seafood platters. The restaurant also has gyros (meat on a spit). “It’s all beautiful and too much,” says Papadopoulos.
The Corinthian
The Sydney Greek restaurant Papadopoulos goes for a single dish is The Corinthian on Marrickville Road in Marrickville, a family-run business opened in 1980. The dish she visits for is lamb — the restaurant cooks it whole on a spit.
“That’s every night because they can’t keep up with [the demand],” she says. “You can’t find that anywhere else. It’s divine. I’ve been going there since childhood. Their menu doesn’t change a lot because it keeps their customers coming back.”
“The mother does all the cooking for years, seven days a week,” she says. “She keeps that restaurant pumping and it’s a one-man show. She knows what her customers want and she nails it.”
Meli
If you want to try good Greek coffee in Sydney, visit Meli in Annandale, a new café around the corner from The Yeeros Shop, says Papadopoulos.
“Their coffee — I just had one this morning, it’s perfection,” she says. “It’s smooth and doesn’t give you an after-taste in your throat. I had banana cake — it was hot, and moist. It’s Greek owners. Banana bread isn’t 100% Greek food but Greeks have embraced these types of desserts.”
Belmore Cakes
When Papadopoulos craves authentic Greek desserts in Sydney, she heads to family-owned Belmore Cakes in Belmore. The shop serves Greek sweets and pastries and, Papadopoulos says, makes all of it from scratch.
“You can’t go wrong no matter what you pick in that shop,” she says. “It’s the best.”
Athena Cake Shop
Finally, Papadopoulos names Athena Cake Shop in Marrickville as a favourite for Greek food in Sydney, specifically for its Greek desserts. Opened in 1974, Athena is the longest-running cake shop in Marrickville.
“They’re just as good [as Belmore Cakes],” says Papadopoulous. “I love the galaktoboureko which is like a custard, milky base with a syrupy pastry on top. But there are so many [desserts] to pick from, it’s hard to choose.”
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