Just as The Apollo smashed Sydney’s perceptions of Greek restaurants, Greca is making waves within the new heritage listed Howard Smith Wharves precinct in Brisbane. The relaxed eatery puts up a feast that would please Bacchus himself, from its seared saganaki cheese with oregano and honey to its taramasalata crowned with salmon roe and served with either freshly baked flatbread or fries. Howard Smith Wharf, 3/5 Boundary Street, Brisbane. greca.com.au.

The Hellenic Museum, which is home to hundreds of works of art and objects of antiquity, has added a Greek restaurant to its collection of treasures. Housed within the museum’s garden, the restaurant offers up hearty Mediterranean fare which celebrates the country’s meandering coastline, from Spetses-style whole baked snapper with sautéed fregola to kritharaki, a seafood risoni from Corfu. Finish with an ambrosial galaktoboureko with cinnamon chocolate spears. 280 William Street, Melbourne. groundsofarcadia.com.au.

Ever since the Brisbane iteration of this Gold Coast favourite opened its elegant doors in the new, architectural showpiece that is the Calile Hotel on James St, it has been going gangbusters. The combination of simple, yet perfectly cooked Greek fare wrought from the best ingredients, an attractive room with a softly lit dome as its centrepiece, as well as service that is both warm and efficient, has led to tables being in hot demand. Hellenika at The Calile, 1/48 James Street, Fortitude Valley. hellenika.com.au.

Six years on and Alpha continues to bring its A-game. The striking dining room sets the scene for chef Peter Conistis’ menu, which both challenges and pays homage to traditional Greek cuisine. Classic taverna dishes such as spanakopita sit alongside Conistis’ signature scallop moussaka, sandwiched with pan-fried scallops and thick slabs of eggplant. The flavours coming out of the kitchen may be refined but the experience is rustic and generous. 238 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. alpharestaurant.com.au.

Great Ocean Road favourite Lorne is not only home to a slew of popular surf breaks, but Greek gem Ipsos. Formerly Kostas Taverna, the space has been taken over by sons Alex and Dominic Talimanidis who offer a young, vibrant take on typical Greek fare. Loud and proudly so, Friday nights quickly turn into a big Greek party and everyone’s invited. 48 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne. ipsosrestaurant.com.au.

Perhaps Sydney’s most popular Greek venture, The Apollo has long been a Potts Point mainstay. The project of chef Jonathan Barthelmess and Longrain’s Sam Christie, the haunt is a modern take on the traditional taverna that buzzes every night of the week. While the lamb comes highly recommended, it’s the saganaki cheese sizzled in honey and oregano here that you can’t afford to miss. 44 MacLeay Street, Potts Point, Sydney. theapollo.com.au.

The casual dining offering from chefs George Calombaris and Travis McAuley, Hellenic Republic first opened in Brunswick in 2008 and grew from there. Currently numbering at four, the eateries are an ode to Yia Yia’s simple fare, but that doesn’t mean the food is devoid of flavour. In fact, it’s the opposite here, with each restaurant committed to recreating an authentic taverna experience using the best of Greek and Aussie produce alike. 434 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Victoria (among others). hellenicrepublic.com.au.

Central Adelaide is home to Georges on Waymouth, the crowd-pleasing traditional taverna established in 2002. Owners George and Voula Kasimatis serve up a menu of Greek delights, made from seasonal South Australian fare. Their signature dish? A lamb press with pancetta, cauliflower puree, broccoli, kale and currants. 20 Waymouth Street, Adelaide. georgesonwaymouth.com.au.

City slickers (and visitors to Sydney CBD alike) will find a taste of Greek at Barzaari which has slotted into the design-savvy Old Clare Hotel. Like the Marrickville original (which remains) this Kensington Street addition is a melding of Middle Eastern and Greek flavours, offering a sojourn around the Mediterranean without the airfare. 3 Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney. barzaari-chippendale.com.au.

1821 in Sydney’s central business district is certainly no wallflower. Named after the year of Greek revolt against the Ottoman Empire, the eatery is nothing short of show-stoppin thanks to Greek designer Dimitris Economou. The menu is similarly bold; publican and restaurateur Jim Kospetas has created a menu that removes the rustic from traditional dishes, instead offering a modern twist on favourites. 122 Pitt Street, Sydney. facebook.com/1821restaurant/.

Nobby Beach outpost Hellenika has long been considered one of the Gold Coast (if not Queensland’s) best outposts for traditional Greek food. If you are not close to its new Brisbane sibling on James Street, we suggest you make your way to the coastal original, which has an obvious focus on hearty, family-friendly cuisine. 2235 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach. hellenika.com.au.

Prepare to undertake an odyssey at this inner-city meze bar, which serves up grilled saganaki and slow-cooked lamb shoulder so good it’s like a spiritual journey. If you’re pressed for time, there’s also a dedicated filos and yiro window, which serves Greek coffee, frappes and fluffy pitas to go, with a park just next door. 3/177 Stirling St, Perth. brika.com.au.

After making his way to Australia in 2013, Andrew Papadakis soon decided to share with locals the authentic flavours of Greece via eatery Meze Mazi. The result is a family-focused restaurant big on the type of Hellenic dishes you may not find in every Greek-inspired eatery, but those favourites doled up by the heap in many a traditional household. Think share plates of kalamari and Greek sausage Loukaniko among others. 86B Prospect Road, Prospect, SA. mezemazi.com.

Melbourne institution Stalactites is one of the city’s longest established and best known Greek options, having been run by the same family since 1978. The best part? You’ll be able to dine on its fare no matter what time your Greek craving hits, as it opens 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 177-183 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. stalactites.com.au.

It might be tropical territory but even the Top End isn’t without a good Greek feast or two. Yots Greek Taverna has long been considered Darwin’s best Greek offering, specialising in a blend of modern and traditional cuisine with a particular penchant for seafood. While it’s not quite Santorini, the view is not bad either, with Yots nestled on the waterfront of scenic Cullen Bay. 4/54 Marina Blvd, Larrakeyah, NT. yots.com.au.