Hellenic House
32 Russell St
West End, Brisbane
Daily 11am-10pm
BYO (no corkage)
Cash Only
38441179

This standout West End eatery and hang-out sits fittingly in a Greek temple-like building atop the crest of a hill. From here those who nab an outdoor table can enjoy balmy summer breezes and views of Mt Coot-tha whilst indulging in authentic plates of Aegean food at rock bottom prices.

In the roomy barn-like indoors Greek music blares from a stereo, an oil painting of the Parthenon and portraits of Greek football teams from bygone eras adorn the walls and on the adjoining patio Greek men engross themselves in games of inhouse tavli (backgammon).

The food is dirt cheap but delicious simple home cooking, from the dips (taramasalata or tsatsiki). fried haloumi and copious salads to the chips, marinated octopus (the most expensive dish at $15), scrumptious bifekia (meatballs) and souvlaki. The house special is the Cypriot sausages (sheftalies) and Fridays feature souvla (lamb on the spit). For dessert there is home made baklava, samali, rice pudding and custard filo, all for $3.50.

After dinner there’s no need to run off - patrons can avail themselves of the free billiards table.