Overview

Tzaki is a small but vibrant restaurant tucked away at 31 Ballarat Street in Yarraville, offering an intimate dining experience centered around contemporary Athenian Greek cuisine. This is a place where the kitchen is the heart of the space, designed with bar seating wrapping around an open wood-fired oven, allowing diners to watch the skilled chefs craft each plate with precision and care.

The culinary focus at Tzaki is on bold, Mediterranean flavors brought to life through a wood-fired oven. Signature dishes like octopus, lemon potatoes, and the spiced meatballs known as soutzoukaki stand out for their depth and authenticity. The menu is dynamic, featuring traditional and inventive offerings such as loukaniko, flatbread served with feta butter, and delicate raw fish preparations. Lamb shoulder and beef ribs also showcase the kitchen’s skill in melding smoky char with tender textures. The experience is elevated by thoughtfully curated Greek wines and creative cocktails, such as the feta martini, that complement the savory dishes beautifully.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming despite the compact size, which fosters a close connection between diners and the chefs. It’s the kind of space where commitment to the food and the experience pays off—offering warmth in every detail, from hooks for coats to conversation with the kitchen team. The venue leans towards walk-in guests, with limited seating across the bar, a few window spots, and outdoor tables, making it best suited for small groups or couples seeking a distinctive night out beyond Melbourne’s bustling center.

For those drawn to traditional Greek flavors served with a modern twist and an open kitchen vibe, Tzaki represents a rare gem in Yarraville. Here, wood fire cooking adds a rich, smoky layer that transforms classics like saganaki and taramas into memorable dishes. Whether you’re exploring Greek cuisine more deeply or simply in search of a unique, quality-driven meal, Tzaki delivers a carefully curated culinary story—simple, robust, and intimately shared.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy

What Customers Say

Jeffrie Trika
Dec 10,2025
4/5
It's the Saganaki ... and front row of the show ... You need to be committed eating here ... it's outside Melbourne, in the foodie precint of Yarraville. But the food is worth the drive ... a different twist of Greek food, all cooked in a Wood fired oven ... even one of the dessert ... Very small venue, bar seating style ... great Geeek wine list ... and Chef Shehan and team will intimately look after you.
Clare D
Dec 10,2025
5/5
I first came across Tzaki on Instagram when it opened and had been meaning to try it ever since. I don’t usually visit Yarraville, but with a friend living nearby, it was the perfect opportunity to check it out. This place is honestly the tiniest restaurant I’ve ever seen – the whole space is essentially an open kitchen with bar seating wrapped around it, a few seats by the window, and some tables outside. Despite its size, the vibe is warm, inviting, and really fun. I loved being able to watch the chefs prepare each dish and cocktail right in front of us. The menu changes regularly, which keeps things exciting. On our visit, we shared the Psomi (flatbread), Saganaki (smoked cheese), Taramas (cod roe dip), Kounoupidi (cauliflower), Soutzoukaki (spiced meatballs), and Arni (lamb shoulder). Every dish was bursting with flavour and truly celebrated Greek cuisine. The cocktails were equally impressive – the feta martini was such a creative twist and paired beautifully with the food. Everything we ordered was a standout, and the portions were perfect for two people. Even though it’s a small space, the team has thought of every detail – they even have hooks for coats and bags. I’d absolutely come back again. A real gem in Yarraville!
Louise Taylor
Dec 10,2025
5/5
The wood fired oven cooks dishes to perfection! Definitely recommend giving Tzaki a go if you are looking for an intimate dining experience where you watch the chefs prepare each dish.
World Foodie
Dec 10,2025
5/5
Fantastic addition to the Yarraville food scene – contemporary Athenian Greek tapas, with a regularly updated blackboard menu, all prepared in a wood fired oven. Everything is good and the baked feta cheesecake is to die for. Walk-ins only, no bookings, with limited bar, window and outdoor seating. Groups larger than 4 should probably head elsewhere or be prepared to be seated and served separately.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM
Tuesday 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM
Wednesday 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:30 PM
Thursday 12:00 PM - 09:30 PM
Friday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 09:30 PM
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