From traditional mezze to grilled seafood, Greek cuisine boasts wonderful fresh ingredients and flavours. If you have a penchant for Mediterranean dining you’ll love these Greek restaurants in Singapore where you can get your fix!
Mykonos on the bay
What’s on the table?
There’s a wide range of classic mezze on offer here, including a Mykonos dip platter ($26), which we devoured in no time. The three featured dips were tzatziki (Greek yogurt spread, salad, garlic, cucumber, dill), taramosalata (made of salted and cured fish) and melitzanosalata (grilled eggplant “caviar”, fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, Greek yogurt), served with handmade pita, which was the star of the show for its perfect texture. For mains, we opted for the tsipoura ($35) – air-flown Mediterranean seabream and grilled summer veggies served with an olive oil aioli. Well-seasoned and grilled to tenderness, this fish dish was utterly delicious and refreshing. Portions here tend to be on the larger side though, so it’s definitely better to visit in a group! No meal is complete without dessert; don’t leave without trying the baklava ($15.90) – a sinful treat made of crispy pistachio filo rolls bathed in honey syrup, served with homemade fior di latte (cheese) ice cream.
What else?
Thanks to its Quayside Isle locale, this Greek resto offers a quiet exclusivity with the bonus of gorgeous views of the marina. Snag a seat outside like we did, as it’s the best spot to people- and dog-watch (the venue is pet-friendly), or opt for indoor dining if it’s too hot for an alfresco meal. – Anthia Chng
Mykonos on the bay
31 Ocean Way, Sentosa Cove #01-10 Quayside Isle
6334 3818 | mykonosonthebay.com
Alati
What’s on the table?
Of the huge range of dips and mezze on the menu, we opted for light and zesty taramosalata ($16) and a dish of octopus ($39), cooked sous vide for 14 hours, then charred in its juices until caramelised on the outside and tender-soft on the inside. Fresh fish ($11 per 100g) is flown in thrice weekly from Thessaloniki, then displayed on ice. The preparation is simple: grilled or salt-baked with three sauces on the side. Langoustine and prawns are also off-the-grill, plus there are some chicken skewers, lamb cutlets and moussaka if you’re not a seafood fan. Salads are sharing size; we had the Alati special ($25), a finely chopped mix of the usual Greek suspects like olives and capers, then topped with a light egg aioli, which prevented it from being too tart. Very decent Greek wine is sold by the glass, bottle or mid-sized carafe – the perfect size for a mid-week dinner for two.
What else?
While there are tables for two, this place is best for groups – you can share the many mezze and enjoy a mixture of fresh fish, meat skewers and salads, leaving some room for desserts! The three-course lunch menu at $32 (top up $25 for wine pairing) is good value, and a great way to beat the midday heat in Chinatown. – Danielle Rossetti
Alati
73 Amoy Street | 6221 6124 | alati.sg
Bakalaki Greek Taverna
What’s on the table?
I’m all about the taramosalata ($15.90) when I “go Greek” so I made a bee-line for it, and here it didn’t disappoint! Make sure you order it, along with a boat-load of warm pita bread ($2.90), plus tzatziki ($14.90) and melitzanosalata agioritiko ($14.90), a classic aubergine and red pepper dip. They’re oldies but most certainly goodies! In classic Greek fashion the mains are of a decent size. Go for the htapodi ($32.90) – grilled octopus with lemon, oregano and extra virgin olive oil – and balance it out with a refreshing dish of horiatiki ($20.90), a traditional Greek salad. We also indulged in one of my favourites, paidakia ($32.90) – grilled marinated lamb chops with oregano and rosemary. The wine list is impressive, too; all Greek of course, with a bottle of Gerovassiliou ($76.90) proving an ideal accompaniment to our meal.
What else?
This isn’t the new kid on the Tiong Bahru block anymore; in just over year, I’d say it’s managed to establish itself as an old favourite. If you haven’t been there yet, make sure you do – before snaring a table becomes nigh on impossible (even on a Monday!). There’s such energy around the guys who own this restaurant; always welcoming and smiling – and they always remember a returning guest! See you again soon, Bakalaki. – Emily Finch
Bakalaki
3 Seng Poh Road
6836 3688 | bakalaki.com
Blu Kouzina
What’s on the table?
Set in the heart of Dempsey, this lovely spot uses plenty of pure and fresh ingredients – from extra virgin olive oil to sea salt and Greek thyme honey. The owners are involved in the entire production process, from obtaining the raw material to the final bottling. We couldn’t resist starting with some of their fluffy pita bread ($3.90), dipped in homemade hummus ($15.80), a mix of tahini, chickpeas and extra virgin olive oil from their family-owned olive grove estate in Messenia, Greece. Next came the hot mezze, and we went straight into the keftedes – beef meatballs with tzatziki ($11.80) – along with bougiourdi ($17.80), a red pepper dish stuffed with marinated spicy feta cheese. For mains, we opted for the small meat platter ($50.80), consisting of two keftedes, one beef skewer, one soft beef patty and two lamb chops cooked to perfection, along with a side of fries and more tzatziki. We just had enough room for a small shared dessert so we tried the bougatsa ($13.80) – a light filo pastry filled with semolina cream – and we washed everything down with a cup of traditional Greek coffee ($5.80).
What else?
The vibe here is fun and relaxed, while the staff are friendly and willing to make recommendations. Get a seat outside on the terrace if you can – we utterly enjoyed the atmosphere! – Jacqui Young
Blu Kouzina
#01-21, 10 Dempsey Road, Block 10
6875 0872 | blukouzina.com
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This article first appeared in the February 2018 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
