Jim's Greek Tavern

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Review

464 reviews

#3 of 94 Restaurants in Collingwood$$ - $$$, Mediterranean, Greek, Vegetarian Friendly

+61 3 9419 3827+ Add website

Hours

Sun

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Mon

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Tue

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Wed

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Thu

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Fri

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

Sat

6:00 pm - 12:00 am

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Ratings and reviews

4.0

464 reviews

#3 of 94 Restaurants in Collingwood

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Mediterranean, Greek, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

“The meat (Lamb Cutlets, Lamb Souva and Beef Skewers were all beautiful and te...”

“... octopus * Saganaki * Souvlakia - lamb * Roast potatoes * Yalaktaboureko (...”

“Some Dips and crudites arrive with warm bread rolls.”

Location and contact

32 Johnston St, Collingwood, Yarra, Victoria 3066 Australia

+61 3 9419 3827

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Does this restaurant have tables with seating?

Yes

Unsure

Details

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CUISINES

Mediterranean, Greek

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, BYOB

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4.0

464 reviews

Excellent

219

Very good

144

Average

Poor

Terrible

Big D McD

Palmetto Bay269 contributions

a Fun Saturday night, great food

Jan 2020 • none

An uber driver told us about Jim's. It sounded great but when we did our own research, the reviews were mixed. But after reading them closely and understanding the restaurant, we thought this sounded like fun. We were right. This is a loud noisy greek restaurant without menus. It was great. Our concierge was able to get us a reservation for 8:30 on a Saturday night. The waiter asked us if we wanted hummus and dips and we did. They were delicious. He then asked us what we wanted to eat. We told him meat, lamb and fish and he brought delicious steak kebabs, lamb chops and a whole flash friend fish along with a greek salad. All delicious. We ended our dinner with some sweets including some cookies for my wife and a custard which we all shared. We had brought bottle of wine with us as the restaurant does not have a liquor license. The waiters were great. They were busy so they didn't linger if you weren't ready. Everyone in the restaurant were busy and working hard. When a waiter or bus boy would drop a dish on the way to the dishwasher, the others would good naturedly laugh at him and shout out "Ump pa". Fun environment. Know what you are expecting and go and have fun soaking in the atmosphere and the delicious food.

Written 16 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter Y

Collingwood37 contributions

Great place for an informal dinner

Jan 2020 • friends

Went there last night because the other venue we were going to was fully booked and this was nearby. We thought it would be relatively to get into because who would pick a Greek restaurant called ‘Jims”? Anyway, it was pretty bustling when we got in but the waitress managed to get us a table for the 4 of us. There was no menu so wondering what was happening when another waiter dropped us a plate of mezze as a shared starter (everything was shared) with some crusty bread and it was lovely, washing it all down with a couple of carafes of house wine. He came round again asking what we wanted for mains? Fish, shellfish or meat. Sensing we didn’t know what to choose he suggested a plate of calamari, scallops and lamb skewers with a side of greek salad and it was just all fantastic. The lamb especially, I thought was delicious and the three dishes was more than enough for the 4 of us. Bill came to $155 including 3 carafes of the house wine. Can’t be bad, can it?

Written 23 January 2020

friedrice4

Paynesville262 contributions

Awesome food, great atmosphere

Feb 2021 • family

Dined here on a Friday night, place was very busy but had a great vibe and very friendly staff and customers. Lots of big groups of people all out for a good time. Food was very tasty and a great selection of dishes. You must try the calimari entree as it is delish, also the whole baked snapper. No alcohol sold so take your own, there are communal fridges and everyone seemed respectful and took only their drinks and not others. Well worth a visit.

Written 6 February 2021

Jules R

1 contribution

First and last time dining @ Jim’s Green Tavern

Jun 2021 • family

Excited to visit Jim’s Greek Tavern for the first time for a family birthday dinner. Got told by our waiter we had to have the set menu for $60pp moments after our group arrived. Wasn’t told this was the deal when booking else wouldn’t have taken the family there. Felt railroaded and ripped off. Food was ordinary and way too much of it. Didn’t adequately cater for non meat eaters either after making it clear some of the group weren't big on red meat!! Seafood and vegetarian options were light on. Plus service wasn’t flash. A big disappointment all round. Definitely do not recommend!

Written 21 June 2021

Chris Y

1 contribution

Quality of food set menu

Mar 2023 • none

Chris and family of 6 had a set menu at Jim’s Greek Tavern on a Sunday 6:00PM. The Saganki Cheese was one of the worst we have had did not taste like authentic saganaki cheese Greek Salad one of the worst ever no cucumber or Olive oil Shrimp we were given one each had better Meat platter had better one huge mess Fish expected whole fish on plate but served something that resembled fish patties not a whole cooked Snapper. Finally served Dessert we asked for some Baklava but we’re given a substandard round little baklava that tasted average, we then asked the waiters numerous times for baklava we got nothing but a few small cube size Turkish delight and halva sweets completely diffrent dessert. I would not recommend Jim’s Greek Tavern except as a fast food take away quality Greek style food Ridiculously over priced for sub standard quality Greek food set menu. Oh yes when we went to pay bill there was a big tray with large baklava why did your waiters not give us any when we ordered instead said they did not have any ?…. Reply with set menu only small round baklava that look like small spring rolls are served, Very disappointed we were all looking forward to having some baklava as promised. James Greek Tavern is an illusion nice Tavern but fast food Greek take away. I will not be recommending Jim’s Greek Tavern it as authentic Greek quality food Sorry but will not be going back if you wondering who I am it’s Chris and family booked 6:00PM Sunday 5 March 2023 Thank you for the Baklava you never gave us.

Written 5 March 2023

ausgirl56

Elizabeth200 contributions

A little taste of Greece, theatrical and food

Mar 2023 • family

Our son booked here for my birthday as he knows I love Greek food. He warned us no menus. Our table was right by the walk way to the upper level so I moved my seat a little out of the way. Noooo, waiter came and said must sit as they had laid. There is very little room between tables. We got asked if we wanted saganaki, yes. Want octopus, yes. A large basket of delicious warm bread and a plate of dips and crudités arrived. Then the saganaki, it was nice but having eaten saganaki around Greece, my husband and I questioned if it was the authentic cheese. The octopus arrived, delicious. The place considering it was a Wednesday night was rammed to the rafters. I asked for a second bottle or water, the waiter did give us another with a very dirty look. We decided on the meat platter. OMG so much meat. It was delicious. My only complaint was the Greek salad. A bowl of shredded lettuce, very little tomato, cucumber, olives, Feta, didn’t see any onion or capsicum and drowned in olive oil. There is no lettuce in a Greek salad!!!!! We asked for take away containers for the leftover meats as we were full and the bill. Took half an hour to get them. I would go back again as aspects of it reminded us of our Greek holidays.

Written 6 March 2023

vala v

Adelaide167 contributions

Disappointing second visit to Jim’s Greek Tavern

Jul 2023 • family

Having previously enjoyed the array of food 4 years ago as an interstate visitor, I looked forward to the meal. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing to a group of 8 people. Overall the banquet offer was very salty, the dips, ordinary vegetables and lots of bread as starters, followed by small piece of fish, halloumi, some prawns (1 each) and calamari. Previously, we had a choice of sea food or meat but this time a large platter of unattractively presented various red meats, generally very salty, was placed on the table on a large platter. For$75/ head, the meal could have been had at a take away or pub for less, including wine. Instead $600 for 8 people who were very disappointed in the taste, quality and offerings. The room was noisy and it was difficult to be heard if talking to our group. Won’t be returning!

Written 24 August 2023

Things_i_do_for_wine

Melbourne60 contributions

Disappointing

Oct 2022 • family

Went there for a family celebration. Young waiter was rude, really poor attitude. Told us we had to have the banquet, no choice. When I asked for a wine glass, he gave me a tumbler. Now I don’t mind drinking wine out of a tumbler, but when I enquired as to why I was drinking out of tumbler when other tables had wine glasses I was told it’s because we had the banquet menu. The full banquet was served to the table within 45 minutes, ridiculous. Saganaki was stuck to the bottom of the pan, you could barely scrape it off. Meat & seafood were great. Really disappointed, maybe my last visit.

Written 5 October 2022

Barb Inglis

Melbourne2 contributions

Will not return

Jan 2023 • none

We have not been to Jim''s Greek Tavern for a number of years and went with another couple. The food was quite good but we were not given a menu or asked what we liked. Plates were just plonked on our table during the night. There was no communication and no service from the waiter. We were given dips but no bread or pita bread to have with them. We had fish and a meat platter but no Greek salad to accompany either of them. The salad came at the end by itself. We asked for bread but it never appeared. We got up to leave and the waiter said sit down you haven't had dessert. We did not want it but it was put on our table. We were charged $75 a head for food that we did not order. The tables were very close together. Water was not offered. Would not go back.

Written 23 January 2023

jetaway08

Berwick259 contributions

Popular Greek in Collingwood

Jun 2023 • couples

It was the most crowded and noisiest place I have been to. There is no Menu. The waiter comes quickly and brings water, if you want alcohol you have to go over the road to the bottle shop, and then says he will bring starters, followed by fish or meat. Some Dips and crudites arrive with warm bread rolls. Very nice. Before you could finish some Saganaki had also arrived. We then chose Octopus and Grilled Whiting and a salad. The Octopus was a little under cooked and chewy but the Grilled Whiting was to die for. Best we have ever eaten. Whole fish with head but slit and filleted. No Bones. It was fantastic. You receive only one small plate each and that has to last through all the courses. There must have been 200 people all crowded in. Obviously they all love the place and the food. They are highly organised. They don't do coffee. Cost $100. If it wasn't for the noise we would go back.

Written 24 June 2023

sandpipers200@gmail.com

Porto29 contributions

Jim’s left obviously, left the children in charge

Mar 2020 • couples

Very poor service, both hot meals served cold, lamb skewers over cooked and tough. When we asked, yes it was confirmed, the chef went back to Greece last week. We won’t be back to Jim’s, and I’d suggest you find somewhere else.

Written 3 March 2020

Robert D

4257 contributions

Great Greek Food

Oct 2023 • friends

This is my favourite restaurant in Melbourne. It is very popular so it is a good idea to book, even on a Wednesday night. My friend introduced me to this restaurant in 2006 and we always come back whenever I visit Melbourne. There is no menu so you tell your server what you would like to have and he suggests items. My friend and I both enjoyed our food. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Written 8 November 2023

Ron A

1 contribution

Rushed meal - forgettable experience

Jun 2024 • couples

We came to celebrate a milestone birthday and left bitterly disappointed. We ordered 4 hot dishes plus bread and dips. No sooner had the bread and dips arrived when all hot dishes came together. They barely fitted on the table. We had to rush eating to prevent the hot dishes going cold. It was so fast that we only drank about the third of our bottle of wine. We entered the restaurant at 6.15pm and were gone before 7. Way way way too fast. There are far too many restaurants in Melbourne offering great dining experiences to bother with this place

Written 28 June 2024

Richiebrewer

Dunedin22 contributions

A good original Melbourne Greek

Jan 2024 • couples

I had been there several times so I was prepared to bring several bottles of wine with us. Loved the saganaki, then the pan fried scallops came next…quite generous servings, I was looking forward to the grilled octopus but then a fantastic flounder dish came along - it was massive and beautifully cooked. It was so tasty and got us full before we could eat the grilled Octopus. A good Greek experience though we would’ve like to choose specific dishes so not to overeat.

Written 30 January 2024

JTan1983

Melbourne54 contributions

Poor Service

Mar 2021 • family

Avoid this place the service is awful! The food is ok but can be better it's quite overpriced for the amount and quality. The old man was cold and bitter like we were bothering him. There's no menu you don't really know what you're getting until it's in front of you. If you have allergies be careful!