Salona’s logo (a cross and a fouled anchor over a heart) is a proud nod to the heritage of the family who started this restaurant 50 years ago. Current owner Stavros Konis is committed to keeping Tony Atherinos, his grandfather’s, Kastellorizo origins and vision for the restaurant alive and says Salona’s food is not taverna style, but restaurant versions of things that his mum and aunties cooked, classics with a modern twist. Expect share-style plates of ouzo-cured kingfish, grilled octopus served on fava, spit fired lamb and chicken riganato. With Greek inspired cocktails, you’ll think you’re in Athens. 260A Swan Street, Richmond; salona.com.au.

Growing up in Tasmania with two Cretan grandmothers, Philip Vakos was immersed in all that is magical about the combo of excellent Australian produce with Greek flavours and techniques. Having taken part in the second season of MasterChef, in 2010, Vakos moved to Melbourne. His experience on the show cemented his desire to work with food and he opened Bahari in 2014. Bahari means spice with Vakos describing his food as ‘gringlish’, a Greece meets Melbourne vibe. Share haloumi and thyme cigars, pulled lamb shoulder, Pantzarosalata beetroot salad. But the tender beef moussaka with fluffy potato is just for one. 179 Swan Street, Richmond; bahari-richmond.com.au.

Provincial Greek with Cretan influences, Philhellene is owned by John and Susie Rerakis and it is both their mothers who are quite literally behind the dishes they’ve been serving since 2008. Depending on what John brings in from his garden, or from foraging, Katina, Nikki and Susie could be cooking freshly picked saffron milk cap mushrooms, lamb and fresh artichoke fricassee, silver beet dolmades, zucchini flowers with herbed rice, or roast kid goat with vegetables. With its exposed brick walls, black and white family photos and live Greek music on Sundays, Philhellene is a little Moonee Ponds portal to Crete. 551-553 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds; philhellene.com.au.

No list of Melbourne Greek restaurants would be complete without Jim’s Greek Tavern in Collingwood, where there are no menus and waiters deftly weave between white-clothed tables deciding for you a selection of meze, dips and pita, saganaki in the pan and platters of salty slow-cooked lamb and smoky seafood. The food is unfussy, simple and delicious. Don’t leave without a slice of baklava and some Greek coffee. Jim is actually owner Leo Panagopoulos and he and his family have been running the busy 200-seater tavern since 1982. It’s noisy and fun and you can bring your own wine. 32 Johnston Street, Collingwood.

If you want to eat souvlaki, Kalimera Souvlaki Art just down the road from Eaton Mall is the place to eat it. In Greece, souvlaki is marinated meat, grilled on a skewer over coals and is a popular street food in the north of Greece, where it is served with pita bread, lemon, sauces, tomatoes, onion, and chips. Which is exactly what Thomas Deliopoulos and his wife, Sylvia Gabriel, offer at Kalimera. While other venues often serve lamb, Deliopoulos sticks to the smoky pork he grew up with, or chicken, pita from a local bakery and oregano imported from Greece. 41 Chester Street, Oakleigh; kalimerasouvlakiart.com.au.