Upstairs at the old Melbourne Supper Club on Spring Street, this authentic Greek taverna is quietly one of the city's most underrated dining experiences — and our second visit only confirmed it.
We were invited to dine at Kafeneion. As always, our thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.
Melbourne has a little slice of Athens hiding above Parliament, and we couldn't wait to return. Kafeneion — a play on kafeneio, the traditional Greek coffee house — occupies the first floor of 161 Spring Street, in the storied space long known as the Melbourne Supper Club. Created by acclaimed restaurateur Con Christopoulos (City Wine Shop, The European, Siglo) alongside Stavros Konis, the taverna began life as a pop-up before proving popular enough to become a permanent fixture. Our second visit confirmed why: this is home-style Greek cooking, made with heart, in one of the city's most atmospheric rooms — and one of the standouts in our guide to the best Greek restaurants in Melbourne.
The Room & the Welcome
You reach Kafeneion via a narrow staircase off Spring Street, and the climb only builds the anticipation. This is a genuine piece of Melbourne heritage — the room has hosted decades of the city's big nights, and it wears that history beautifully. High ceilings, racing green carpet, deep chesterfield lounges and plush red sofas give the space a worn-in, grand glamour that feels equal parts old Athens and old Melbourne. Wine bottles line wooden ledges, a dramatic Columbia Pictures logo mural presides over the well-trodden floorboards, and it's real "if these walls could talk" stuff.
We were seated at the window table, looking straight out over Parliament House — genuinely one of the best perches in the city for a date night, especially once the lights come up outside and the room settles into its evening rhythm. Lively Greek music plays throughout, and the hospitality matches the setting: sommelier Isaac talked us through the wine list with real knowledge and enthusiasm, while Emilia looked after our table with warmth and polish all night. We left seriously impressed by the level of service — attentive without ever being intrusive, and clearly proud of what they're pouring and plating.
What We Ordered
This is food built for sharing, and we ploughed in accordingly.
Whipped Cod Roe (Tarama), $22 — salty, silky and served with thick hunks of warm village bread, this is a non-negotiable order. It's the dish the kitchen is best known for, and it earns that reputation in the first bite.
Ouzo-Cured Marlin, $29 — fresh, delicate slivers with just enough aniseed lift from the ouzo cure to keep things interesting without overpowering the fish.
Fried Sweetbreads, $26 — genuinely addictive, and the dish that's earned local acclaim for good reason. Crisp outside, soft within, and gone far too quickly at our table.
Slow Braised Lamb with Potatoes & Wild Oregano, $38/$49 — rustic, straightforward, and exactly what you want on a chilly Melbourne night. The lamb falls apart at the touch of a fork, and the oregano-scented potatoes soak up every bit of the braising juices.
Greek Chicken with Traditional Greek Pasta, $29/$41 — arrives straight from the oven, its tomatoey sauce mingling with the juices of the chicken thighs. Cassis-like, savoury aromas rise off the plate. Pure comfort food.
Greek Village Salad, $22 — topped with a genuinely massive slab of feta, and loaded with plump olives, cucumber, tomato and red onion. The acidity cuts beautifully through the richer braised dishes.
Orange Filo Cake (Portokalopita), $17 — sticky, citrusy and worth saving room for. Share it — one serve easily does two.
The After-10pm Supper Menu
Kafeneion's late-night roots show in its supper menu, which kicks in after 10pm and is worth staying on for. On previous visits we've worked through the lamb offal soup — a rich, restorative dish that speaks to the kitchen's confidence with traditional, nose-to-tail Greek cooking — alongside the fried meatballs and a serve of the olive oil hand-cut chips.
All three are exactly what you want in hand as the room gets louder and the wine keeps flowing; if you're the type to linger past dinner, don't rush out before the supper menu lands.
The Wine Surprise
The standout of the night wasn't on the plate at all. The 2023 Thymiopoulos “Young Vines” Xinomavro from Naoussa ($87) was a genuine revelation and completely changed our opinion of Greek red wine. Thymiopoulos is a well-regarded producer, and this bottling is fresh, vibrant and approachable — think red berries, spice and earthy undertones, backed by good acidity and fine, food-friendly tannins. It's elegant but has enough structure to stand up to the lamb and chicken. Often flagged as excellent value by the wine world, it's real, unpretentious and versatile — a genuine gateway into Greek varietals for anyone who's written the category off.
Kafeneion proves that the simplest food, made with heart, is often the most memorable. Between the two of us we spent around $260–$300 including wine, and left already planning the next visit. The tarama, the sweetbreads and the Xinomavro alone are worth the climb up the stairs off Spring Street — add the heritage room, the window table over Parliament House and the genuinely warm service from Isaac and Emilia, and this is one of Melbourne's most underrated dining experiences, and one of its best-kept date-night secrets.
At a Glance
| Cuisine | Traditional Greek taverna |
| Address | Level 1, 161 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 |
| Hours | Daily from 5pm, late — supper menu after 10pm |
| Must-order | Whipped Cod Roe (Tarama), Fried Sweetbreads |
| Best seat | Window table overlooking Parliament House |
| Price for two | $260–$300 with wine |
| Wine pick | 2023 Thymiopoulos "Young Vines" Xinomavro |
FAQ
Where is Kafeneion?
It's on the first floor of 161 Spring Street, Melbourne, up the stairs off Spring St, in the space long known as the Melbourne Supper Club, overlooking Parliament House.
Who is behind Kafeneion?
Acclaimed restaurateur Con Christopoulos, alongside Stavros Konis. The name is a play on kafeneio, the traditional Greek coffee house.
What should I order?
Start with the Whipped Cod Roe (Tarama) and Fried Sweetbreads, follow with the Slow Braised Lamb or Greek Chicken with pasta, and finish with the Orange Filo Cake (Portokalopita). If you're staying late, the after-10pm supper menu's lamb offal soup, meatballs and chips are worth it too.
Is it good for a date night?
Yes — the heritage room, chesterfield lounges, high ceilings and a window table over Parliament House make it one of the most atmospheric date-night settings in the city.