Ahead of my trip to Greece later in the year (hopefully), I figured I would try Plaka to train my tatse buds as they usually are not cooperative. I am not a fan of greek salad so that didn't help either. I enjoyed my meal nonetheless.
The waiter made some good suggestions. The greatest hit was the pastry with feta and spinach. The other brown balls had cheese. Salty but delicious. I tried the falafel, I am not sure what they are meant to taste like but they didn't go down well. Are they meant to be that dry? Either way. I can confirm that I do not like them.
Besides the torn couch, the space is clean and airy. The service was good too and fair value for money.
Food: The food was well prepared. I had the Fillet Greco, I think I'm yet to taste a better fillet. The person I was with had the whole linefish it was also good. No complaints.
I had the Galaktabouriko, I am not a dessert person but I enjoyed it. Not too sweet at all. If you don't have a sweet tooth then give it a try.
Atmosphere: The waiter was welcoming. The ambiance was great as well.
Www.getinmybelly.co.za
+4
When it comes to authentic Greek food, you simply can’t go wrong with Plaka. A few months ago, I visited Plaka in Eastgate, shortly after I’d actually just returned from an amazing holiday in Santorini and Athens. Suffice to say, the experience was nothing short of a truly Greek one. The Plaka in Eastgate is situated in the newly revamped eating zone of the mall. The restaurant has a light and airy feel to it with touches of calming blue tones. My benedict and I decided to keep it simple and opted for the ‘Meze for Two’. This meal boasts a variety of typical Greek foods that are perfect for those who enjoy trying a little of everything (like me). The ‘Meze for Two’ started out with a simple pita and dip. It was soon followed by chicken souvlaki, shish kebab, calamari, haloumi, falafel, zucchini, tomato and onion salad and hand cut potato chips. The chicken souvlaki was beautifully cooked; it was tender, juicy and flavoursome. The calamari was also delicious with a subtle chargrill flavour and a squeeze of lemon. One of my favourite dishes was the haloumi – perfectly cooked and authentically served (without sweet chilli - unlike the ever so popular saffa version). I also thoroughly enjoyed the grilled zucchinis which brought an element of freshness to the meal.
Their full fish always tastes fresh and well made. Their chips too oily therefore a let down. Their pita bread also tastes so good.
Baby chicken lunch special great value for money takes a while to prep but that way you know it’s done from scratch was definitely a good lunch yes they are still open just enter through simply Asia
Langa Catering Business And Projects
+5
A fabulous lunch special with most of my favorites. R59 will get a jiro with chips and at half the price you get a baby chicken with mixed vegetables. The food hasn't changed and the staff is still amazing and very friendly.
ill be back week days 11am to 4pm for half price kkkkk
We were welcomed and seated. 3 people, fresh decor, good vibe, good seats.One of our party decide on the Kleftico, two remaining on the meze (sharing) menu. Kleftico was reportedly good, well-cooked and tender. Meze items selected were the Yiros, Veg Platter and Sardines. These were all delightful, served with hummus, tsatsika and little pita breads. A bottle of white wine and some Ouzo completed the meal.
At one stage we got adventurous and decided to try the Loukaniko sausage and another fatty meat dish, both raised our waitresses' eyebrows and she politely tried to explain that they required "an acquired taste", which was wasted on us, we insisted. Be warned, the Loukaniko sausage has a strong flavour that would appeal to those who enjoy tripe, as would the other fatty greek meat dish.
Dessert was amazing, Tiramisu, Galaktabouriko and Halva, accompanied by good brandy and coffee, all good as home made.
Well done Plaka Eastgate, will visit again!
Such an amazing evening. Great to get away from electricity problems. Joe our waiter was so accommodating and very pleasant. The food incredible as always. Thanx for the great experience
Well done plaka. We enjoyed our 1 year anniversary dinner with you guys and you blew our taste buds away. Tops our waitron was excellent and was most helpfull with the service and tequilas he suggested.
Good food and good service, they forgot about our fries but the chicken pita was delicious, definitely the best in the Bedfordview area and we will be back to try the dishes on their main menu
I had a luncheon with friends and we got lovely service from Lily, she was so polite and friendly. Will definitely be back for those sardines 😋😋😋
Phenomenal service. What a way to end my Birthday with a dinner at this restaurant. We were welcomed late this evening by the manager who showed us to our table. We received amazing professional, efficient and friendly service from Faith. She is just an amazing lady. Thank you for a great experience and you will see me again.
The orange slices with the honey and cinnamon was great to end the night and complimented the red wine so well.
Popped in for a quick lunch and cocktail. Was not disappointed. The service was appropriate and timely. The food was exceptional and the favors were on point. Will definitely return for the ambience.
Best chicken livers around also their fish & chips are a hit every time (big piece of perfectly cooked fish with awesome chips). Highly recommended.
What a wonderful experience with staff that are efficient and knowledgeable of the menu items. Ambiance is fantastic. Ordered the pickled octupus and Queen prawns. Done amazingly well. Tiramusu was fantastic
Our favorite restaurant in Bedfordview... food is always amazing but waiters are the best..!!! Only some to mention are Bashir, Tops , Martin, Thandi, Faith .... all the rest..! Winning recipe .... good service.... good service people = great experience
Great food, excellent staff and service. The meze is amazing and good variety. Mains are tasty and cooked well. Must try the rice pudding! Overall a wonderful place to enjoy with friends and family!
Made a reservation here for a birthday and when we arrived it wasn't anywhere to be found, and they still had to set up a table for us... Only reason why then rating is what it is...
The setting and the decor is very relaxing and created a good vibe...
Magnificent was our waiter and he was just that and more, so we'll done!
We had ordered the baby kingklip and the lamb kleftico, the lamb was amazing very tasty and very worth the price, the baby kingklip was pretty big for a baby but was done amazingly well and very tasty.
A place you should try, I will definitely be back!
Well done Plaka!
The chicken livers are delicious. Excellent service all round. We have not been here in months but are still recognized and welcomed. I recommend a tapas approach to dining here as opposed to ordering main meals.
Fantastic service, fantastic food. Waiters that go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable. Food is quick to get to the table. Friendly atmosphere. I've become a regular because it's just so pleasant to be there.
The dip platter is a winner. The pita's come out warm en tasty . The combo of beef yiro , dips and pita is a great starter , build your own flavours in each bite .
Best best best best , smart , clean food is awesome , I find no fault in Plaka. Sea food is awesome , waiters are attentive and always helping you with the menu . I would recommend the whole world to go there
Greek dining delight! Located at Eastgate shopping centre. Quite convenient that the restaurant is not inside of the mall, one gets to avoid the mall buzz.
Loved the clean decor with white featuring prominently from decor to waiter's clothing, creates a homely feel.
Hubby and I popped in for a meal before catching a movie.
Starters: peri peri chicken livers & calamari filled with feta, quite tasty. Onions in the calamari was a little over powering-but still enjoyable. The pita bread was heavenly and fresh, not heavy at all.
Service was great although the wait between the starter and mains was rather lengthy.
Mains: peri-peri baby chicken with grilled potatoes and baby kingklip with veggies.
All round pleasant dining experience.
I expected to be served with a regular basic service but this young man took over our stomach we all ate what he recommended and his English ascent was so American and he was well trained.Food was divine we had a variety of diffrent food n everything was tasty and definitely will go back to experience more of this Star waitron and the food
I came here for lunch with my daughter yesterday. The staff was really friendly and efficient. My order took a bit long, maybe I was just very hungry but the kingklip I ordered was really delicious and worth the wait. I never get disappointed here!
Such a perfect Sunday lunch spot! Especially the upstairs where you can hear the music in the little courtyard. Had the Chicken Souvlakia - desperately needed pita and tzatziki- like they serve souvlakia at all other Greek places, i should not have to order it separately. Tiramisu was so yummy!
Kelvin was our waiter and my 10 year old and 12 year old were so taken aback by his service, and manners that they asked me to call the manager to let him know! Excellent service, great food, lovely atmosphere. Well done. Will definitely be back soon.
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Not sure this is the same Plaka as the one in Eastgate? Nevertheless I will do my review as though it is 😜
This is really one of my favorite places to visit . Anything from business lunches to long boozy lunches with friends or a sneaky lunchtime rendezvous Plaka delivers every time.
Over the years I have sampled many of the tempting delights and have, to date, not been disappointed. I shall review those dishes at another time; today we had the Moussaka and it was perfect.
Served with a coleslaw salad on the side, the generous portion was fragrant and light. The mince well seasoned and layered between layers of baby marrow, aubergine and potato - a winning combination.
My dining companion, a self-confessed "dessert girl" had no hesitation ordering the halva ice cream and pronounced it good!
As for me, I had the warm rice pudding and was once again delighted at the subtle hints of cinnamon in a creamy, warm dish of rice - comfort food indeed.
Service at Plaka was impeccable as always and our meal was served timeously and efficiently by a friendly and knowledgable waitron wearing the trademark spotlessly white apron.
If you are looking for a fantastic plate of mezes, let this place be your go to place. Wide variety of dishes, classic selection of wines, very clean and fresh decor . With friends and family, great place to have an early lunch.
First time I've been to Plaka anyway the food was great, the service was good, the establishment was clean and tidy but the food took a while but that is understandable due to how many people were there. Overall it was a great experience.
From booking a table right here on Zomato to the delicious food, this was a great experience. The menu has the usual Greek options and some. Setting is simple and elegant. Would be great on a summers evening with the doors open. Food is fresh and delicious. With great service this makes for a good Greek experience.
We met a friend for dinner and felt like some tapas style food for supper. We hadn't ever tried Plaka and decided to try it out. We each ordered a variety of tapas from their extensive Meze menu to share. We really enjoyed the tapas and the atmosphere of the restaurant (with smashing plates).
Went for a dinner date with my boyfriend last night, and I have absolutely no complaints! Had an enjoyable evening, the staff is amazingly friendly and isn't in your face every 5 seconds. The prices are a little bit high, but being a student I can't really complain as it is a 'fancy' restaurant. I had the baby octopus starter and it was amazing! My boyfriend had the feta and calamari and he thoroughly enjoyed it, although I though it needed a bit more 'taste', like a spicy flavour. Overall a great evening and I was pleasantly surprised when we left I got a sms from plaka telling us 'thank-you for joining us'.
Lovely evening
Waitress was awesome. Pleasant atmosphere. Wine terrific.
Food even better. Definitely recommend. Will go back again and again
This restaurant is suitable for casual dining or for a bit of a formal meal. We love sitting outside, sipping wine in the sun. The food is well cooked with some good flavours but noting to really separate it from other Greek tapas restaurants.
The Plaka in Eastgate is a big restaurant with two stories and an outdoor section. Given the immensity of the restaurant, service isn't fantastic - I had a hard time calling waiters.
I ordered baby octopus for starters, sardines for mains, and had the galaktobouriko for dessert. The baby octopus came in the form of four tiny specimens drizzled in lemon-butter sauce, the sardines tasted wonderful (I recommend ordering the rice as a side), but the dessert wasn't too impressive - I'm more of a fan of the Portuguese pasteis de nata.
I refrained from ordering yiro and other traditional Greek meals, since I already had these last week, but if Plaka's sister restaurant Mezepoli is any sign, these meals here too should be very good.
Sat down keen on a Schwarma...waiter doing a good job explaining the difference between a Yiro, Souvlaki and Sheftalia... Food came quick without having time to make a dent into our Merlot.
After years of enjoying the Cresta Plaka branch, I finally went to the Bedford one, and it was outstanding! The service was quick, warm and professional, and the food was absolutely delicious!
I had the grilled baby squid starter, which was honestly the best squid I've ever had in my life. Then I had a lamb in pita, which was excellent. My boyfriend had the moussaka, and he said it was fantastic.
The service was excellent and the staff were so professional and well-mannered, yet warm and friendly at the same time. The food arrived quickly, so props to the kitchen staff as well. I'd definitely try it out if you're in the area! The outdoor, indoor and upstairs seating make it a large restaurant that caters for many different types of seating preferences.
A Must go for anyone that enjoys good food and wine.
When they know you by name at a Restaurant then you know, everything from service, food, cleanliness, all in all perfect place! Try the Lamb Shank with the Roasted Potatoes, Devine!
This place is awesome. Got to experience it first hand this evening. The waiters are very welcoming and of good assistance. My date loved the food, I did partially apart from my T-Bone wasn't as well cooked as requested. Nonetheless I'd recommend this place to anyone. #Plaka
We visited Plaka for a quick lunch and ordered the mussels, Souvlaki and Calamari along with some Pita and Houmous on the side. Everything was absolutely delicious and the service was both friendly and attentive.
Plaka has a great selection of Greek food. It is upstairs at east gate shopping Centre. It has a nice atmosphere and the service is good. I enjoyed my dish called giouvetsi which is lamb with pasta rice. Very tasty. Will be back for sure. Keep it up.
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It's a summer day and we felt relaxed & at peace with everything so we decided to try this relaxing & eye catching, 4.2 rated Greek restaurant.
We sat outside on the patio in the fresh air and under the large shady umbrellas with a trio of musicians playing soothing sounds in the bandstand. Very very pleasant. Just what we needed.
The service from was really good. Friendly, helpful & informative. The tables were laid with white linen table cloths and white plates to match and silver cutlery.
We ordered a whole lot of Meze dishes and filled the table with attractively presented bowls of various food options.
I loved every dish. The beetroot was unusual with vinegar & olive oil, the spicy meatballs were drenched in sauce, the Yiro a little dry & probably needed a dip on the side, the calamari was served with caramelised onions, the halloumi was grilled perfectly and the baby marrow was served with Gruyere. There wasn't a dish I didn't love. The food and the method was really really good. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. It was a fantastic.
The restaurant became very busy as the day went along and there was a pleasant buzz coming from all the patrons.
Overall the meal & experience was excellent. I absolutely enjoyed my meal & visit and will be back, soon.
I think this place deserves at least two reviews from my side. The vibe here with the open entertainment is refreshing. The sirloin steak (I had mine medium rare was amazing and just right. Great care was given for making this meal simple yet and delicious. The Greek salad was fresh and went down well.
Terrific food, great service, great ambience.The prawn saganaki and the Greek yoghurt dessert are a must! Very attentive staff and management. Highly recommended.
The most delicious Greek food you will find in gauteng. We loved ordering a few tapas to share, the calamari cubes was the most Delish! I literally could t walk to the car cause I stuffed my face so much! Defno recommend a food lover to got there... Only one down side- it's in a mall... So the scenery always gets me.
First time we tried out a Greek restaurant and I must say I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. Great, simplistic and modern decor. Service was good. Music in the courtyard on a Friday evening provided pleasant backround ambience. Menu is extensive, also on the vegetarian side. We shared a few of the meze options and everything tasted great. There was nothing we didn't love. I would definitely go back for the spicy meatballs. Would also be keen to try out their calamari. One of the few restaurants that serves whole fish - which we didn't try since we were so full - but this is one dish I will go back for. Dessert menu also looked great.
Wow I'm really blown. Service was abit low. Nonetheless the food was on point, in fact one of the best T-Bones I've had in a while. All the others seemed equally astonished with the food 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
It was the first time we went there and were pleasantly surprised. We had pita, tzatziki and chicken livers for starters. The peri peri livers were incredible! For the main I had the lamb chops- which were Okay and my husband had the whole line fish. It was beautifully presented. The waiter was attentive and kept checking on us. Will definitely be going there again.
I had a wonderful lunch here at Plaka and ordered a mojito and fillet linefish which was served with a side of roasted vegetables.
I must say everything about my dining experience was superb. My mother and I sat upstairs, it was quiet and quite empty as it was a Sunday afternoon. Waitrons were attentive and knowledgable which is always great.
The reason why I'm giving Plaka a 4.5 is because of how long you wait when ordering seafood. They usually take 45min to 1 hour, this can be a quite challenging wait when you're starving (but do not be disheartened, their seafood is so amazing! I could even wait longer for it.)
Love Greek fare and Plaka most certainly has the right vibe going but boy it is hot in that restaurant. Drinks was cold, food ok and the service not to bad. One of those not too wow experiences even though there was nothing wrong with anything really
Really nice atmosphere, amazing food, ideal location and friendly staff☺. We definitely will be visiting this place again! There's a large vegetarian menu which is exactly what I need!
We had a friends lunch here and it was an enjoyable afternoon. The waiters weren't very attentive but that was ok. We ordered meze and everyone had a bit of everything. The calamari stuffed with feta and peppers were absolutely delicious but a bit rich if you are planning on having a whole portion to yourself. The saganaki prawns were also great and had a bit of a bite.
Plaka is gorgeous- stepping inside takes you right into Greece. The food is more on the expensive side, but it is worth the cost. The service was good and the overall experience was great.
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We have our year end function here. Leaves me comatose every time! Great food, and service as well. The manager got us a few drinks on the house for our loyalty. Very sweet gesture.
Now, in terms of the food - I struggle to say what I enjoy the most. There is such a variety of fresh, delicious grub spread out (if you decide to go the sharing route with their meze options). That's the best, followed by a nap.
We started off with a fresh Greek salad, chicken livers, warmed pita bread and dips, calamari with feta, pikandiki and dolmades, as well as grilled halloumi. Slurp! They then brought out prawns, lamb shank with rice, and potato chips. I'm not crazy about lamb shank, but it was so tender. The way it fell off the bone, looked great to see everyone enjoying it so much. I particularly enjoyed the prawns, my word! The flavour, just that basic lemon butter did the trick and it was fantastic.
At this point, it was already man-down for me. As my eyes were greedy and I wanted to have a bit of everything. But I soldiered on and had a warm chocolate brownie with ice cream. It was nutty and very rich. I quite enjoyed it. My colleagues tried the tiramisu (that coffee liqueur flavour was quite strong), the galakti-something, and ice cream with chocolate sauce.
Overall, it was a great experience. Never disappoints! 😀
A big must when you feel like having a Greek feast. A regular at this gorgeous restaurant. Everytime I come here, reminds me of my time in Greece. Beautiful blue and white decor. Love ordering off the meze menu. Great service and food comes fast. ;)
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One of my top three Greek eateries in GP. Still impresses me time after time since being introduced here by a client.
Ambience = 4. The eatery is on the piazza plus the blue and white decor still inspires me to still reach the top of Santorini --- one day 😉.
Food = 5. Menu is Greek typical, with all the native country dishes. However, what keeps bringing me back to this place is their calamari main dish. Now that's how calamari should taste like. I've been reliably informed that Chapman's Peak hotel makes the best calamari this side of Equator - but until then, this is it for me!
Wine list = 4. Quite moderate and boast one or two award winning bottles - however all palates and price ranges are catered for.
Service = 2.5. I know the service to be quite sharp, but I experienced some lapse in the attention this time. I guess it's because the gent who normally attends me was nowhere in sight.
If Greek cuisine is your thing, try this place. Strongly recommend the calamari - ask for the pepper sauce - done!
Another great Greek restaurant. Love the different pita breads, thin ones and the traditional ones with the hummus. They also have delicious baby octopus which I loved. Delicious fresh whole fish and a lot more. Nice to go to on a the weekend as they have music playing in the courtyard. I did find the area very busy though as lots of people to through there to go to the shopping centre. Excellent food and service.
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Since the menu changed a long time ago I haven't visited this branch as I didn't enjoy it back then - until dinner during this week. The décor is beautiful and we were greeted by a very friendly and helpful waitress. There is an extremely wide variety of vegetarian and vegan meze available at Plaka.
The platter for one had a good variety of items to taste so we decided to add a few additional items from the meze menu which was not included in the platter to create our own platter for two. It would be better if the platter for two was actual thought out this way rather than just giving larger portions of the same meze.
However, all round I have no complaints at all. The main meal was prepared quickly and was extremely filling. Falafal, spankopita and croquettes are by far my favourite. The kolokithakia which we ordered could have been a better sized portion for the price. If you have never had a melitzanosalata dip I would recommend trying it here accommpanied by a thin pita.
Don't forget to make space for the tiramisu at the end of your meal...
Absolutely love this restaurant. It never disappoints. The food is always great quality and the service is always stellar. My recommendation is the dip platter with flat pita, falafels, dolmades, grilled halloumi, baby octopus and calamari stuffed with feta. Simply delicious!!!
A beautiful restaurant with amazing food and a view. I've never been disappointed and will definitely go back! They have a big selection of food and everything looks delicious. Disappointed with the service. We got served by different waiters as our waiter never came back after taking the drinks order.
A beautiful Resturant with great food! I highly recommend their thin pita bread with hummus, whole baby chicken, grilled line fish of the day, fillet steak, and prawns! They also have delicious cocktails and meze dishes to snack on or share. The desserts are great too!
The Resturant is beautifully decorated and really clean and the service is really good! It's a lovely Resturant to go to on a sunny day or for dinner - you really feel like you are somewhere in Greece!
Good Greek food, with all the favorites, great meze everything we had was fresh and tasty, they also have a good selection of cocktails, great ambience and service. Annabel Lina Aguiar
The Meze is excellent , the pita bread and dips are excellent. The grilled halloumi was tasty and perfectly grilled. The chicken livers and calamari was Devine. The chicken in pita and beef souvlaki was succulent and Devine. The Greek yoghurt and rice pudding is always superb
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I was invited to a Zomato meet up and I am really glad I braved it to the East for this dinner!
Eastgate has changed a lot since I was last there - and Plaka is a fantastic part of a new food emporium on the upper level.
The decor is classic Mediterranean with class. The cool whites and blues lull you into thinking you are on holiday exploring the greek isles .
If you know any greek people, you know they love to feed you!
The plates kept coming and we knew we were in for a treat.
Feta stuffed calamari (my absolute favourite starter) fried haloumi cheese, a selection of hummus, tzatziki and feta cheese & pepper dip served with pita, greek salad & dolmades (rice and herbs stuffed inside steamed vine leaves)
As we were tasting and sharing and laughing, the feast continued:
Chicken Souvlaki (chicken sosaties), Keftethes (meatballs), Kolokithakia (deep fried baby marrow) and Spanakopita (spinach and feta in phyllo pastry) The baby marrows and Spanakopita was my favourite of these selection. A fantastic way to get your veggies in and animal friendly as well!
Except, I am a huge meat eater and the absolute star of the night for me, was the Kleftiko - the slow cooked lamb shank was magnificent. The outer meat was slightly crisper, while the rest was so tender and tasty, I actually blocked out the conversation around me and enjoyed a moment with my food. The chips served with the lamb were really good and dipping them into the gravy was even better.
I was almost too full for dessert, but I had intentionally left space for 1 of my favourite desserts: Baklava. Served with halva shavings as well as a side of honeyed oranges.
The baklava was divine and the oranges were amazing.
I hope to come back soon, as Plaka is not a restaurant that can be fully enjoyed in just 1 visit.
The service was fantastic and I really recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a fun night out - sharing food and laughter.
Be sure to mention if you have a special occasion as the restaurant makes a big deal of it, which is a nice touch.
Thank you for spoiling us with the little extras Plaka - the Ouzo and little watermelon shooter (I cannot remember the name) were a wonderful end to the evening!
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We were hosted by Plaka the other evening for another lovely Zomato foodie meetup. I have been to many of the restaurants in eastgate over the years but missed this one. Its now located in the food emporium on the top section of the shopping centre so you dont even need to be near the rest of the mall.
The decor is light and casual and the place actually has a slight homely feel to it like a family owned restaurant in a suburb. The staff and management were very friendly and welcoming throughout the evening. Functions seems to be there thing and makes for a lovely light hearted vibey celebration venue. I was very impressed at how organised they were with the food and bringing each course out to us during the evening and explaining some of the items.
For starters we had •various dips to accompany the pita bread (which also tasted good) namely the tzatziki that was divine and the best ive had, hummus and tirosalata.
• village salad which went down very well
•Dolmades - rice and herb filling in steamed vine leaves
• haloumi - cypriot cheese grilled or deep fried
• kolokithakia - deep fried baby marrow eith grated gruyere
• spanakopita - spinach and feta phyllo pastry
• calamari stuffed with feta
• keftethes - meat balls. Which was my least favourite dish it was just too mushy for me.
• chicken souvalki - this chicken was tender juicy and so full of flavour
By now our tummies were so full and we still had more to taste (",)
For mains there were 2 options we had the famous lamb kleftico which my sister had told me was amazing. And true to form it was. Everyone who tasted it love it. Some felt the sauce made the meat taste good and that the meat itself lacked flavour but it was soft and fell off the bone and the chips were done right. Second was the Giouvetsi which is the lamb and pasta rice in a tomato base. This also wasnt to my liking as the kleftico did it for me.
Just before dessert they suprised us with a taste of ouzo.. it was fascinating watching people taste it as its not for everyone's palate. You can add more water to dilute the taste but if you not a liquorice fan this wont be for you.
Desserts... a sweet tale to end the evening. Baklava (crushed nuts layered between phyllo pastry and drenched in cinnamon syrup) and halva ice cream and sliced fruit.
While enjoying dessert we were offered 2 other drinks to taste. Mastika being one which isnt as harsh as the ouzo but also only suited to certain palets. I rather preferred the watermelon shots which i could have gladly had in a beer glass size (", )
All in all a lovely meetup, awesome foodies and bloggers old and new and a lovely venue with amazing food and wonderful service with a smile.
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I was fortunate enough to be invited to a Zomato Foodie meetup at this lovely spot this week.
Plaka, which started in 1993, has managed to really set the bar in terms of fresh and flavorful Greek food with their simple motto: "Eat, Love, Live".
Unpretentious, traditional Greek dishes and meze that encourage sharing (almost tapas) and family in a very contemporary and modern setting. We loved it and I left thinking that it was easy to see why this little spot has won a host of awards over the years..
For starters: fresh, warm pitas were served with a selection of traditional Greek dips: Tzatziki, Taramasalata, Hummus..
Then Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), haloumi (presented and served in a generous square), deep fried baby marrow sprinkled with Gruyere cheese, spinach and a fresh Greek salad made to perfection; and last but not least the feta-stuffed calamari (my favourite starter of the evening). What amazed me about all these starters was that in most cases, they needed only to be served with a wedge of lemon - that is when you know you have gotten the flavours perfect!
For mains: Keftethes (moist homemade meatballs - they managed to not allow them to taste dry at all), chicken Souvlaki, Giouvetsi (a tomato-based Greek lamb and pasta rice dish) and tender lamb shank.
For dessert: One cannot go to a Greek restaurant and not eat their Baklava and halva ice cream. It was melt-in-your-mouth!
*Recommendation: One thing, apart from their incredible quality of Greek food is that this little spot specialises in CELEBRATIONS of all kinds. If you want to feel special on your big day, then this is the spot for you!
Let me just say, I love Greek food – when I visited Greece last year my tummy was in heaven! It was an incredible gastronomical experience- from rich Greek yogurt with honey to souvlakis in pita to desserts like kataifi. I have been to the Plaka at Cresta Shopping Centre where I had a great experience during Restaurant Week last year, and my favourable opinion of Plaka was further reinforced last night at the Eastgate branch.
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We were treated to a smorgasbord of delicious Greek food at our recent Zomato Meetup at Plaka!
I have been to the Plaka at Cresta Shopping Centre where I had a great experience during Restaurant Week last year, and my favourable opinion of Plaka was further reinforced last night at the Eastgate branch.
We started off with pita breads and an assortment of dips (tzatziki, houmous and tirosalata) accompanied by a gorgeous greek salad.
Starter mezes were then served: dolmades (steamed vine leaves with a rice and herb filling, not really a fan), halloumi, kolokithakia (deep fried baby marrow – which I really enjoyed) and spanakopita (spinach and feta in phyllo pastry). All these dishes had such an array of textures, colours and flavours and were all veggie!
The stuffed calamari was a great dish – it was filled with peppers and a rich, creamy feta cheese that oozed out of the calamari tubes. Yum! Definitely my fave dish of the evening. A lovely La Motte Sauvignon Blanc complemented the meze selection perfectly.
The chicken souvlakia, giouvetsi (a lamb and pasta rice dish) and kleftico (slow roasted lamb shank) dishes then arrived. The giouvetsi dish had lovely soft and tender lamb pieces with a tomato based sauce and pasta rice. The Kleftico was also a winner!
The evening rounded off with a decadent dessert of baklava and halva ice-cream – divine! We were also treated to some Greek drinks: ouzo (a popular aperitif) and mastika (not for the faint-hearted!).
The hospitality of the staff and management was fantastic! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with music and festivity as birthdays were celebrated at tables around us.
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Wonderful Greek restaurant with attentive staff and delicious food.
*Disclaimer: we were hosted by Plaka and Zomato for a foodie meet up, this review is based on the experience of the night alone.
Plaka forms part of the Food Emporium in Eastgate Shopping Centre. Although they have a humble location, the deco is definitely 50 points higher than the surrounding restaurants. The tables are far apart, the furnitures are light-colored and I especially love the white and blue striped couches. It's a pity that Eastgate really isn't anyone's favorite shopping centre :(
We sampled a large variety of starters and main course. I'm usually not a fan of Taramosalata but I really enjoyed the one at Plaka. A couple of my favorites from the night:
- Deep fried baby marrow: so flavorful, I love it.
- Calamari stuffed with feta: the feta literally melts in your mouth and the calamari is amazingly soft
- Meat balls: it's moist, it has amazing flavours and it goes down so well with some pita and Tzatziki.
- Pasta rice: The rice has such interesting texture and the lamb is cooked beautifully soft. So filling too!
- Baklava: it's Baklava. Who doesn't love Baklava!
I'd definitely suggest ordering their meze to share, there are just too many amazing options to choose from! They are a little more pricey but given the quality it's definitely worth it! I would not hesitate to order that calamari!
One thing that stood out of the night is that the staff, manager and their PR all clearly loved their job. It's a fantastic feeling to come to a restaurant with such positive energy. I definitely came home with not only a full tummy but also lots of smiles.
Bottomline: I love Plaka.
Pros: delicious food, happy and passionate staff, lovely deco
Cons: location (but if you're ever in Eastgate you know where to go!
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We were invited to a Zomato foodie meet up at this gorgeous Greek restaurant and we had such an incredible evening.
The restaurant is beautiful and utilises a rather minimalist approach to the classic Greek colour palette to create a modern & elegant space yet still has a welcoming ambiance.
The menu features an array of classic and modern Greek cuisine and in true Greek fashion we were brought an amazing selection of dishes to share. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we were offered. For starters we had pita with a selection of dips - tirosalata was our favourite - dolmades, haloumi, deep fried baby marrow sprinkled with gruyere, spinach and feta spanakopita and a Greek salad topped with a generous portion of some of the smoothest feta in town. We also had the calamari stuffed with feta (our favourite dish of the night) & some really good homemade meatballs. For main course we once again shared and had four delicious dishes to taste: the keftethes, chicken souvlaki, giouvetsi (a flavourful Greek lamb and pasta rice dish) and an amazing tender lamb shank. For dessert we had the baklava and halva ice cream which was a big hit around the table. We ended off the wonderful evening with a few shots of traditional Greek spirits - fantastic. The service was exceptional and the staff are both friendly and professional and have a really good knowledge of the menu.
Thank you Zomato & Plaka for a truly superb evening.
Chantelle Le Roux Zara Abdulla Alexandra Du Plessis Alexa Duarte Merelda The Food Musketeer Lauras World Sebastian Kelly Eleni Saiyuri
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Came to Plaka for the first time last night. As a devout Parea patriot, I've never really explored other Greek options in Johannesburg. Well, I've clearly been missing out - because Plaka's food last night was exceptional.
Eastgate isn't exactly the creme de la creme of shopping centres, but Plaka's location in the rooftop Food Emporium section is really, really lovely. Decor is simple, clean and elegant.
Over the evening we tried a large number of items on their menu, which gave us a good idea of what's good. Which, as it turns out, is everything. Beginning with pita breads and dips (all were excellent, especially the tarama), and followed by greek salad, dolmades, grilled feta, spanakopita and fried zucchini. I'm not a huge fan of dolmades at the best of times, but theirs were very good. After that, we had their feta-stuffed calamari, meat balls (keftedes) and chicken souvlaki. I cannot tell you how tender and juicy that chicken was!
Next up (I was pretty full by now) was the lamb shank and lamb rice pasta (giouvetsi). I especially loved the latter, and even ordered a takeaway of it as I was too stuffed to enjoy it as much as I would have liked.
Last, but certainly not least, baklava with halva ice cream. My second stomach kicked in just in time for dessert, and it was soooo worth it. For the more health conscious, they also serve honey-drizzled orange slices with crushed nuts.
Let's not forget about the drinks. Tons and tons of wine (La Motte Sauv Blanc was a winner), with generous tots of ouzo and mastika for the brave of heart.
All in all - excellent ambience, excellent service and even better food. My evening at Plaka was one of my favourites in recent memory, and I hope to be back soon.
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First visit to Plaka last night and, as a lover of Greek food, I'm sorry that I haven't been here before. The ambience, service and food all get a thumbs up from me.
Plaka is situated on Eastgate's rooftop in the Food Emporium section, which was a surprisingly great location. The decor is understated and elegant, with the typical 'clean' Greek colour palette of white, blues and turquoise.
Tried many of their dishes - both vegetarian and meat - and everything was consistently good. The pitas to start were hot and fresh, and I really enjoyed the accompanying dips. The tirosalata was a bit 'pasty' for my liking, but the tzatziki was probably the best I've ever had.
Following that, we enjoyed their meze dishes. Grilled feta, dolmades, spanakopita, fried zucchini (kolokithakia), feta-stuffed calamari and chicken souvlaki. All of them were excellent, but I thoroughly recommend the chicken souvlaki. Super tender and juicy.
Next, we shared two of their mains: the lamb shank and the lamb giouvetsi (pasta rice). The lamb shank was delicious and fell off the bone, but I felt the flavour relied too much on the accompanying sauce. The portion is huge - so go hungry!
To round off the meal we had baklava with halva ice cream for dessert. I loved the baklava, and even though it was very sweet I managed to find room for a second helping! It went well with the ice-cream and the crumbled halva was just the cherry on top.
An excellent restaurant, as most of the other reviews have already indicated. If you love Greek cuisine, it will be well worth your while to give Plaka a visit.
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Despite being Greek and living within close proximity, I had never been to Plaka before (I have no excuse for it!). However, I was invited for a Zomato foodie meetup and could not turn down the opportunity. I am utterly thankful to have experienced the delectable meal I had last night.
Our dinner was an array of traditional Greek foods. We started our night with a glass of 2015 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc wine. This was accompanied with pita bread, a traditional Greek salad and an assortment of dips (Tzatziki, Houmous and Tirosalata). The feta cheese in the salad was of great quality. Not only did it have a solid consistency, but it was not overly salty like the vast majority of store bought feta are.
I can definitely say that the Tzatziki is by far one of the best Tzatziki's I have had in my life.
The mess continued with some dolmades, haloumi,kolokithakia and spanakopita.
Being vegetarian, I chose not to eat any of the meaty dishes which included calamari with feta, keftethes, chicken souvlakia, giouvetsi and kleftico. But based on the reviews of other foodies there, it was nothing short of incredible.
While waiting for dessert, we were given Ouzo which was diluted with some ice or water. When we were done cleaning our pallets for the final course of the meal, we were given baklava with halva ice cream as well as some freshly cut orange slices.
Once again, like with all the previous meals- it was nothing short of incredible.
Finally, we were each given a shot of mastika- a traditional Mediterranean liqueur.
All in all, the night was incredible. Plaka surely showed us what Greeks do best: how to enjoy good food and enjoy great company. The service was also incredible. :)
I have always said that Mezepoli in Melrose Arch is the BEST Greek restaurant in Joburg, but little did I know that Plaka is a part of the same brand and this one is amazing. The service is impeccable, and the food is outstanding, as always. In true Greek fashion, we had meze portions of Haloumi, Kolokithakia, Spanakopita, Calamari with Feta, and Falafel. We also had some Houmous, Tzatziki, and Tirosalata dips with the freshest, most delicious Pita Bread. We enjoyed absolutely everything, but the Spanakopita and Calamari with Feta were my favourites. For dessert, we had Baklava & Halva Ice Cream - it was ideal after a rather large meal, as it is light, refreshing and delicious. Thanks to Plaka for a wonderful evening!
A very professionally run restaurant. The waiter was exceptionally well trained. Very impressed by the ambience and service. The food was great - tasty and well presented.
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I have been wanting to come to this restaurant for a while now and have been procrastinating for ever. So as I had some business to attend to at Eastgate and decided to stop over for a little snack. Their cappuccino does not disappoint, the standards of their service is top class. The waitors are very attentive, managers keep close tabs on the patrons and their comfort. Everything in this place is top end, cutlery nicely cleaned and meticulously plaved. The look is a nice modern Greek-Island style. I am seriously impressed. I ordered pickled octopus and some meatballs just to try it out. The octupus was very good but a bit too oily for me personally (but I understand that is the Greek Food style). I would have liked a little more vinaigrette to balamce the flavour out. The meatballs are seriously delicious, soft, light and fried just to perfection. I certainly will be back for dinner with P to try their other stuff. Well done guys, Seriously one of the top (if not the top) restaurant in Eastgate. CONGRATULATIONS....
Well located in the mall and perfect in Summer to sit outside and sip on a cocktail. Their simple, clean decor gives off a relaxed airy feel. I love their sardines. Absolutely tasty and well prepared.
I am crazy about Greek Food! I eat at least once a week! The food is insane! Best Tzatziki and Keftes I have ever tasted! Can't get enough of there food! Even there Greek salad is better than everyone elses.
Plaka was a great visit, with their sleek and clean design restaurant and cocktail menu that can get you a bit carried away, this restaurant has much to offer, not only with good service but also good food.
If I only had one criticism it would be the limited selection of main course meals if you chose to steer away from the meze platters. That being said, any main dish you do order you can bet on it being done perfectly.
The Meze platters are however the way to go if you're out for drinks with friends and diving into the cocktail menu. It's a great experience with helpful staff and a diligent manager. It's always great to have a clean table when dining and a waiter only a head turn away.
We had a lunch here on a Thursday, the Restuarant was empty but we had very good service and other than the taramasalata which was quite bland the rest of our Meze was very good. Friendly management. They have a great outside kids play area so would recommend if you had children also with you.
Great tasting concept with the mezepoli. Best fillet steak I've tasted in Gauteng. I always go for the baby octopus and calamari. The serene decor is calming. My Australian friends love the place and the seafood served there. Never disappoints.
Perfect Johannesburg evening to be enjoying meze. Food delicious and doesn't leave you wanting. Service was personal and attentive. Nicole is a waitress par excellence, ask for her.
Decor is clean, fresh and upmarket
Service is good.
There are certain things on their menu that are really not good and others that are amazing.
Ambiance was relaxing and intimate.
I love this place!!!!!!!
The food is ALWAYS exceptional! It is pricey ... But I don't mind because I get GREAT food and EXCELLENT service!!
I was so pleasantly surprised by the food. Decided on a quick bite after shopping. I ordered the grilled calamari with veggies, and it was great. Some places over cook the calamari and it becomes rubbery, this is one that does not. Everyone else was also quite please with their meals.
Atmosphere: light, almost ethereal during the day
Seating: averagely comfortable, adequately spaced out
Service: friendly, sometimes slow, sometimes adequate
Food: quite tasty - but pricey on the small portions, desserts are superb
One of our local favorites! It's the food, service, music and ambiance rolled into one that makes this a gem of a spot!! Personally love a bit of everything on a platter together with the delicious dips!! Service is out of this world!!
Excellent food, service is outstanding and the wine selection is impressive
This Plaka is nicely situated and is good for a long weekend lunch - that is exactly what we did. Four of us and a whole assortment of dishes came out during the course of the afternoon.
The were various meze dishes such as: Sardines (was great with the Sauvignon Blanc), Greek Meatballs, grilled prawns in lemon butter, calamari and souvlaki. The lamb chops were also very good. All of the meze dishes were tasty and it was a very pleasant lunch.
Oh and we did have a couple of desserts: Baklava and halva - both were also good.
Ivan Quitowitz-Broad
+4.5
The ideal sunny afternoon setting for a delicious Meze, some awesome wine and decent service.
I always enjoy Plaka. Their food is great and they always go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Their consistently outstanding service is unrivaled and it's evident that it's a deliberate and intentional part of who they are.
Well done and I hope many others get to experience your great food and inviting atmosphere.
Very pleasant setting to have a good lunch, the open air environment on the plaza at Eastgate makes for a good atmosphere. The service was fine and friendly, nothing mind-blowing (positive or negative) but they did the job. My brother and I ordered the beef Yiro whilst my girlfriend ordered the haloumi yiro. Both were delicious though I found they used more of the vegetables to fill the wrap than the actual meat. Other than that it was all in all a good dining experience. I'd recommend Plaka if you're feeling for a good Greek meal, though there are better alternatives.
Yummy! Had a lovely dinner at Plaka. Great service, good wine and food. The set up is so pretty that you forget that you are in a mall. The Chicken was so tender, roast potatoes could have been cooked more! Will definitely visit again.
Nice ambience, decent service and wonderfully delicious Greek food. I would recommend ordering a meze selection and sharing.
What an tasty experience. The food were prepared to perfection and the staff was great and very friendly as you walk in. Plenty space to sit and not over crowded. Food is a bit pricey, but for the taste.....it’s worth it👍for this one
Beautiful restaurant 😍😍😍
The waiters and waitresses are just welcoming warm and kind.
The atmosphere is beautiful.
My sister and I organised a baby shower here, the restaurant was kind enough to allow it to happen.
The FOOD
The seafood category if I may put it that way loved it, for village girls that never had prawns they were prepared to perfection. From the starter to to main course it was so nice. We didn't need to wait for our waitress she was always here.
Beautiful place would love to come back again
Wonderfully, relaxed family lunch at Plaka, Eastgate. Staff were very friendly and attentive. Food was good. We had the grilled Halloumi starter, Greek salad for the table, calamari, prawns, chicken slouvaki and whole peri baby chicken.
Love this place. I went back for lunch as i had recently won a voucher from them. Everything was absolutely delicious. Completely forgotten our waiters name, sorry but he was amazing. Actually all the staff are friendly welcoming and a pleasure to chat to. Food was cooked perfectly, my Cosmopolitan was just right. I ordered the Lamb Shank, the Chips cooked lekker crispy and the meat was proper fall off the bone - tender. My sister had the Prawn Saganaki, and my friend had the fish and chips. Even our starters (Dolmades, Kolokithakia, Spanakopita and Falafels) that we shared, could not be faulted. The Pictures are enough to tell you it tastes just as good.
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What a great restuarant. The food is always tasty and fresh.They have lunch specials from 12 to 4.Jack black lager on tag for the craft beer lovers.
Easily one of the best Greek restaurants I've been to. The staff are delightful and well-trained. I highly recommend their Musaka dish for mains. In general the food was outstanding. The kebabs, despite being fantastically cooked, were slightly pricey for the portion size. The restaurant is also ideal for kids, as there's a big jungle gym in the centre of the piazza.
The food was delicious and you can tell it is prepared with great care. The service is excellent and this restaurant certainly does deserve the 5 star rating I have given it. The atmosphere was very fresh and relaxing with smooth music (tho I would have enjoyed more Greek sounding music). They have very nice lunchtime specials. Thank you to the staff at plaka for making it a wonderful experience.
Great place to enjoy a bit of Greek culture, order meze and and cocktail and you wont be disappointed.
Makes the Best Yiros around! They were fresh, with great tasting filling and the rosemary chips were to die for. Ordered it, pretty much because it was the only cheaper thing on the menu, and because I am not Greek and don't understand what the other food is.
This restaurant has amazingly well trained staff and the waiting skills are incomparable! (Like the good old days) had a lot of fun in this beautiful, trendy restaurant!
The food and service at Plaka is impeccable! There is so much love that goes into the preparation and presentation of the food as well as kindness that goes into serving it. My husband and I love this place! We feel like family every time we visit :)
How amazing to have your food again. We thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful. The takeaway packaging is wonderful,. So glad you're back, even if it's only for collections. Literally cannot wait to eat in again
Service was good. Food was excellent. Cooked to your request. Flexible with side dishes.
Be prepared to pay for quality.
The experience is magnificent
It was my first time. I'll visit again soon
The restaurant is nearly finished being renovated. The decor is elegant and aesthetically pleasing. The food was good, the service was quick and professional and the manager was lovely.
If they keep it up, it will be a great place to spend a friday evening with friends.
Fantastic food. I've gone with Greek friends who say that there are a few errors with the translation of dishes on the menu but I was quite happy. Quality was great, authentic flavours. Prices are a bit steep but well worth it
Excellent food. Great ambiance. A bit pricey, but I suppose you pay for that these days, right??? Great service and good food should be expected and a standard for every restaurant, so why does a decent experience have to cost you theses days?
Soraya Aziz Souleymane (Soraziz)
+5
Lovely place. The waiters are helpful and will "translate" all the nice greek names into something that helps you make your choice. They're very patient and work with a smile. Baby seats available, disable friendly, plenty of vegerarian options. The food was awesome (adult portions 😊)
Gorgeous interior design, coupled with great service made enjoying an afternoon out at Plaka thoroughly enjoyable. The food is absolutely delicious and I'm hungry just thinking about the mouth watering food. This restaurant is delightful and the food is reasonably priced.
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