Ladokolla on the Hill
Highgate Hill
Ladokolla on the Hill is a hidden gem of a little Greek taverna tucked away on a Highgate Hill shopping strip between a laundromat and a bottle shop.
Except for the smattering of tables outside it would be easy to blink and miss it but Ladokolla is well worth seeking out as it serves what is arguably the most authentic Greek cuisine to be found in Brisbane.
Take a step inside and you'll think you've arrived in Greece, from the mouth-watering aromas wafting from the kitchen and music to the wooden dining tables, framed Greek philosopher quotes on the walls and little touches like the small collection of Greek icons by the front door.
To start with there's a small selection of delicious appetisers including pan-fried saganaki; taramas or tzatziki; manitari gemisto (stuffed mushroom with a trio of peppers and cheese) and patates lemonate (oven baked potatoes marinated in a mixture of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and oregano).
Mageirefta (ready to eat dishes) include mousaka (a must-try); pastitsio (layered pasta in rich tomato mince meat sauce topped with bechamel sauce); gemista (stuffed capsicum with rice and mince meat or mushrooms); and laxanodolmades (stuffed cabbage leaves); smyrneika (meatballs seasoned with spices); and imam bayildi (baked stuffed eggplant with caramelised onions & garlic, topped with feta).
More choices include smyrneika (meatballs seasoned with spices); and imam bayildi (baked stuffed eggplant with caramelised onions & garlic, topped with feta); and arnaki fournou (lamb shank marinated with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice & oregano) served with lemon potatoes.
From the Tis Oras (cooked to order) menu there's a mouth-watering selection of pork, lamb, halloumi or chicken souvlaki (served with chips, politiki salad and tzatziki dip) as well as skewers (pork, chicken, halloumi or lamb) wrapped in pita with tzatziki, tomato, onions and hand cut chips).
Other delicious options include spanakopita and tiropeta (traditional Greek feta pastry); salads - Xoriatiki (traditional Greek) and politiki (cabbage, carrots and capsicum dressed with olive oil and apple cider vinegar).
For dessert there's a choice of baklava, galaktobouriko (custard-filled filo pastry); rizogalo (rice pudding) and creme caramel and drinks include Greek soft drinks, iced tea, classic soft drinks and juice.*
*At the time of our visit in September 2023 Ladokolla was BYO and waiting on a liquor licence.
Need to know - Takeaway is also available. There is a limited amount of onstreet parking on Gladstone Rd and surrounding streets.
