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The Taverna is a Greek restaurant. It's usual menu caters for vegans in the appetisers and side dishes but not in the mains. In fact they don't indicate which dishes are vegan or vegetarian but there is a note to let them know of dietary preferences. The idea of having special vegan nights from time to time got Sylvia's attention on social media. We had the pleasure of going along to the Taverna's Vegan Night on Tuesday 2 June 2026.
I have been to Greek restaurants occasionally and found them be very meaty but I know that during Greek Lent the traditional diet focuses on plant based foods and some shellfish. So it makes sense that the Taverna claims on its social media that "Greek cooking
has always celebrated the garden, rooted in the Mediterranean’s love of
fresh vegetables, olive oil, legumes, and herbs, so much of our menu is
naturally vegan (and gluten free).Plant-based friendly long before it was trendy. The Greeks did it first obviously."
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There was a decent turn out but I think we might have still got a table if we didn't book. The food was good honest Greek food. We arrived at 6.30 and I took the above photo between guests. It got busier as the night went on.
Taverna is in the building where Hellenic Republic served great food but ended in igmony. We had loved Hellenic Republic and it was sad it ended with the scandal of underpaying staff. I was surprised to find that we had been there four times with Sylvia when I looked back at my photos. You can read more about Hellenic Republic at the links at the end of this post.
The space didn't seem overly different, though as it was night we did not get the sunlight streaming through the large front windows. When I asked if the woven basket light shades were the same as Hellenic Republic, he told me that another restaurant had totally changed the decor after Hellenic Republic closed in 2020 so that the decor was all new when they moved in last year.
Upon arriving we were given a menu and were asked about dietary requirements.
The set menu was organised into 4 courses for $65 per person plus drinks (with vegan options):
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Toursi | house pickled vegetables;
Psomi | House-baked olive oil rolls;
Fava, capers and shallots
The fava dip was amazing with the bitter capers a
great contrast against the mild legume flavours. We enjoyed it with the warm soft bread rolls. I was not a huge fan of the pickled vegetables, which is not a way I am used to eating vegies. Having said that, it was nice to nibble on them as contrast to the dip and bread.
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Kolokithokeftethes | Pumpkin fritters;
Revithia | Braised chickpeas, onion, dill
The
braised chickpeas looked very plain. This was all about the wonderful depth of flavour in this home style dish and I loved it.
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I loved the crispy
pumpkin fritters. They were served beside the braised chickpeas on a plain white plate. I would have loved a bit of flair, perhaps some
herbs or dipping sauce. However, home cooking is about flavours rather
than presentation and this delivered on the flavour. They were cooked to a crispy golden brown and filled with chunky vegetables. Sylvia does not like pumpkin but swooned about these fritters.
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Lahano Stifatho | Cabbage stew, tomato, skorthalia;
Patzari | Beetroots, orange, mint
The roasted cabbage had a fantastic smoky tomato sauce that worked really well with the silky smooth skorthalia (potato puree). The waiter happily filled our bread bowl so we could mop up the delicious sauces. We were surprised that the roast vegies on the side were onions and not potatoes but they beautifully cooked so they fell apart at the sight of the fork.
I was also
surprised at a main without the usual emphasis on proteins but this was
taken care of in the starters. However the wedge of purple cabbage with the red sauce poured over it and herbs sprinkled on top was presented really beautifully. I found the beetroot, orange and mint salad a bit plain. On the regular menu this is served with feta and I feel it needed a little boost, especially when served with the vegetable heavy cabbage dish.
Saragli Baklava | Syrup crushed walnuts rolled in phyllo
A special mention also
goes to the attentive service. Our waiter would approach us with great
flair and present each course. We appreciated his offer of more bread. When he asked how we were going, we said we were really full and he asked if we were happy. It made us smile and enjoy the Greek
hospitality. But I really was full. I suspect this is why I was not so impressed by the baklava which Sylvia loved.
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Taverna
434 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Open: Wed-Fri 5pm til late, Sat & Sun 12pm til late
https://www.ourtaverna.com/
Hellenic Republic (former restaurant in Taverna Building) links:
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