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Name: Greek Islands Taverna
Address: 3300 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308
Telephone: (954) 565-5505
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.31

Greek Islands Taverna

3300 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308

(954) 565-5505
Store is closed

Greek Islands Taverna Menu

Soups

Soup Of The Day

Avgolemono
Salates

Horiatiki

Prasini
Traditional Meze

Pikilia

Tyrokafteri

Melitzanosalata

Tzatziki

Taramosalata
Sotiri's Meze

Baby Back Ribs

Chicken Wing Drumettes

Garides Tou Sotiri

Octopus

Smelts
Thalassina - From The Sea

Garides Tou Sotiri

Whole Florida Yellowtail Snapper

Fresh Grouper Ladoregano

Fresh Swordfish Ladoregano

Fresh Filet Of Grouper Plaki
House Specialties And Meats

Lamb Chops

Baby Back Ribs Ladoregano

Roast Leg Of Lamb

Veal Chop

Steak
Desserts

Rizogalo

Galaktoboureko

Baklava

Yaourti Me Meli & Karidi

Karidopita

Chocolate Cake

Healthy Meal suggestions for Greek Islands Taverna

Soups

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avgolemono [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salates

Horiatiki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prasini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Traditional Meze

Pikilia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tyrokafteri [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melitzanosalata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tzatziki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taramosalata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sotiri's Meze

Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Wing Drumettes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garides Tou Sotiri [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Octopus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smelts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Thalassina - From The Sea

Garides Tou Sotiri [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Florida Yellowtail Snapper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Grouper Ladoregano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Swordfish Ladoregano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Filet Of Grouper Plaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
House Specialties And Meats

Lamb Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Back Ribs Ladoregano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Leg Of Lamb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Rizogalo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Galaktoboureko [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baklava [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yaourti Me Meli & Karidi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Karidopita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

David A.

This is my favorite restaurant in Fort Lauderdale and I have a few that I go to regularly. I'm picky and can cook a better steak and chicken on the BBQ than a lot of restaurants. But here we have a place that I don't have to cook and the food is outstanding wine selection is good and the service is outstanding. I love the Chicken Drumettes and Greek Salad and Taziki. It's so good I don't want to order anything else. Pitiful I know (grin). Go before 5pm or after 9pm if you don't want to wait in line. Especially in season! Good lord. Anyhow they are that good. This is my favorite restaurant locally.
(5)
Tracey K.

We decided to mix things up and try something different for date night, the result of which was Greek Islands Taverna. The only parking we could find was valet and going in it was difficult to figure out who to talk to in order to get seated. However, once all that got sorted out it was smooth sailing. I had to coerce my bf into trying the octopus since he's never been a huge fan of eating things that squirm, but lucky for him he ended up loving it (as did I). I've tried octopus at other restaurants around the area and none have been able to compare. It was cooked perfectly and never got boring - the more we ate it, the more we loved it. For entrees, I got the lamb chops, while he got the chicken ladoregano. Both were cooked to perfection, very tender and juicy, and were so full of flavor. For dessert, we wanted something that wasn't the typical baklava, so we went for the galaktoboureko. It was light, crisp, and not overly sweet. It didn't stay on the plate for long. Overall, the fantastic food is more than enough reason to keep us coming back.
(5)
Navene S.

My coworkers and I decided to come here to celebrate one of our coworker's going away dinner. It was the Sunday before Labor Day and the place was PACKED! And unfortunately they didnt take reservations over the phone you had to come in and wait for a table. Not only that but your whole party has to be there in order to be seated. So, I got there first and had to wait at the bar (I dont drink so it was uneventful) while they come from all sides of SoFlo. Finally when everyone showed up we waited in the long line for a table (probably 15 mins) and then we were seated. Our waiter, Steve, took our drink orders and brought us out some bread and hummus to start. It was very good! There was white and wheat bread to eat with the hummus and it was nice and warm, yummy! When it came to take our orders, I had to go with the lamb chops medium well. But when my friend tried to order something other than the lamb chops and asked Steve, our waiter, for the second best thing after the lamb chops thats when things got weird. He answered her with "lamb chops". She laughed it off and asked "ok, besides the lamb chops?" And he said "lamb chops". She said "no, but I dont want the lamb chops what else do you recommend?" And he goes, "lamb chops" she askes one more time and he says the same thing! She finally got frustrated and said "fine ill get the lamb chops". Very weird and quite annoying. The food however, was amazing! The lamb was cooked to perfection! Super juicy, not gamey at all, and very flavorful! The sides were string beens in a light tomato sauce and lemon potatoes. Both were very delicious! The dish was very filling which looked like it wouldnt have been (Just writing this review is making my mouth water for them right now). We were too stuffed with dessert, so we asked for the check which Steve brought us without splitting. We asked him to split it for us and he grabbed tbe check and stormed off, seeming very annoyed. Overall, amazing food but we got unlucky with the service which accounts for the 4 stars. Maybe next time we will have better luck!
(4)
Ivan B.

Without question my favorite restaurant. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and any reason to go there. Let's start with Chris, general manager, Owners son and an all around great guy. A true family owned and run business. The food: greatest Greek food anywhere. There were seven of us. Five had the house special lamb chops. One had the steak kabobs. Everyone made all gone I started with an incredible lemon soup. My main coarse were stuffed peppers they were perfect. To start we shared two orders of chicken wings. We finished with chocolate cake. I think I have had everything on the menu Shrimp scampi, lamb ribs, salmon, several other fish, baklava a spectacular rice pudding. But be warned, during the season you will have a wait. They line can go around the building and they wait. The service is quick, friendly and efficient. Do yourself a favor make the trip. You will thank me
(5)
Sam K.

I came here for dinner with my girlfriend and a friend of hers last weekend. I thought that it was kind of bizarre that there is litterally a line that you have to wait in outdoors to get into the restaurant, there is no waiting area and no possiblility of making a reservation. With that being said.... the food was great. I don't really know what makes Greek food authentic to be honest, but this restaurant definitely gave the feel of authenticity. The wait staff and managers were very friendly and concerned with our enjoyment of the meal. I had the Souvlaki for my main dish. I was expecting it to be served on pita bread, as this is how I'm accustomed to eating it. I was surprised to see that it was served on yellow orzo style rice. Usually rice is not my thing, but this was something special. It was mixed with some good olive oil and seasoning. The pork was a little bit on the dry side, but other than that, the dish was excellent. For dessert I had to test their standard Baklava. I was happy to see $5 listed as the price on the menu, but when I got the dish I saw why. Very, very small portion. It was fairly good, not better or worse than any I've tried (probably not worth $5 to be honest). Overall it was a good experience. I haven't had much better Greek food in South Florida, so I will go with 4/5 stars. I may come back some day to try the Avgolmeno and see how it measures up!
(4)
Chris U.

In the great Greek restaurant war between Greek Islands and Thasos across the street, I'm not ready to declare a winner, but am happy to say that there are two great greek restaurants so close to me. We arrived to Greek Islands on a busy Saturday night (I think it's always busy there) and elected to sit at the bar rather than wait for a table. The ladies behind the bar were friendly and helpful and did me right by starting off with a great cold Greek beer. The Greek salad is always a good test of the quality of Greek joint and they certainly passed with flying colors. For mains, we had their BBQ ribs in a delicious garlic sauce and the lamb chops, which were just awesome. The potato size dish that came with both was also amazing. We finished with some desert that I won't even begin to pronounce, but it was great. Overall, I would say that Greek Islands is more authentic, which Thasos is more modern. No need to pick one over the other - try both.
(5)
Michael S.

Authentic, classy - home style Greek deliciousness! This place is a model for other Greek restaurants to follow! Yum!
(5)
Sue B.

This has been our go-to place for Greek lamb chops and grilled octopus for more than a decade. Tucked in a small lot on AIA off of Oakland Park Blvd, it caters to residents of L'Hermitage and other tony buildings nearby. Those residents have their pick of where to eat and they eat here. Hubby and I came here when we were dating. While swirling complimentary warm bread in creamy hummus, we'd glance at the menu and stare at one another. We still do that, except now it's because we know the menu so well that we don't need to look at it so we look at each other! LOL We've enjoyed weekend lunches on the fly and family dinners too. It's common to see multi-generational families, couples, and small parties fill the dining room and additional room they built, years ago. You can't go wrong by ordering the jumbo shrimp in mustard sauce, saganaki (a thick slice of Greek cheese on a sizzle pan - that used to be served flaming to burn off ouzo or brandy, and finished with a squeeze of lemon), or spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese in phyllo dough). But you should order the grilled octopus, marinated in oregano-infused olive oil and garnished with lemon wedges. And, I think the best thing on their menu, the lamb chops. These double (2 bones) cut lamb chops are treated similarly - olive oil and oregano marinated and grilled to perfect temp. If you order mid-rare that's how you'll get them. It's amazing how many restaurants over/under-cook lamb chops. But this place gets plenty of practice! The other night it seemed that every table on our side of the restaurant ordered the chops! We were seated near a party of about 20 people and even the kids ordered the chops! The servers are great - they slip in and out of our dining space without interrupting the conversation. And we never have to flag one down to get a beverage refill. The other night, we had a server who actually remembered us from months ago - down to where we sat when she waited on us! She was so caring and hospitable - I'm sorry I don't recall her name because she was stellar. (Maybe I should just call her Stella...) We enjoy ordering and eating family-style and she delivered the food accordingly. Before we knew it, there were several dishes dotting the table, and she brought us new plates without being asked. Even though we shared the food we didn't want to eat lamb chops on top of salad dressing! The only miss for me is the dessert. Their galaktoboureko (a custard type pudding in phyllo dough, drizzled with honey and cinnamon) is a baklava-sized miss. The custard is dense and the honey (I think it's corn syrup) is excessive. We took it to go because we were full but wanted to have it with coffee later on that night. We wound up having coffee by itself and actually threw out the dessert. Besides that, this is a great restaurant, decorated in traditional blue and white, with a full bar and tenured staff. They have valet parking in case you don't see a parking spot. And when you're done, you're not far from the beach or local bars if you want the night to continue!
(4)
Natali A.

Excellent service. The food is delicious! We tried baby pork ribs and musaka. They brought the whole baby pork ribs which is more than enough for 1 person. The musaka is very good! Wish we would have space so we could try their deserts. But ughhh we are soo full. Most probably we will come tonight for the deserts!
(5)
Philip H.

Can't get enough of this place and I live in San Francisco. I've been visiting family in Florida for several years now. Doesn't matter if they're in Miami, Boynton, Bocca, West Palm, or just across the street in Fort Lauderdale, this place is a stop we include in every trip. You can see some photos and read about a recent experience on our food website at the link below: eatsporkjew.com/recipes/â€¦
(5)
Robert A.

This place is outstanding! So many people have told us about Greek Islands Taverna and how amazing the food is and now after trying it for myself and my wife we can agree with what we have been told. The food is so delicious, the portions are very good and the wine selection us also top notch. I honestly can't wait to come back! Highly recommend this place!
(5)
anita c.

The best Greek food ! I can't bring myself to enjoy Greek anywhere else. Tip go early or you will be on a long line especially In season. My faves are their lunch grilled chicken w Greek salad . Their scordalia their chicken or filet mug on kabobs, Greek potatoes , their ribs and chicken wings too! I could go on ! All our family rant visits from NY race about it when I check in they're jealous !
(4)
Jen D.

No wonder this place has over 400 reviews. It is well worth it. From the moment we walked in on a Friday night, the place was packed and there was a wait, but we opted for the bar and sat down right away. The bartenders were very friendly, and seemed to know the locals well. Food: amazing. They start you out with plenty of bread and a very flavorful hummus spread. The consistency is like no other hummus that I've ever tried before. We ordered the lamp chops, (small) Greek salad, and octupus. The lamp was cooked to perfection and the portion was huge; there were 5 big lollipops along with a side of potatoes and green beans. The green beans were OK, nothing to rave about. The salad dressing was unlike any Greek dressing I've had. It was so good! The only thing I wish that I would've known was that it didn't come with lettuce: red onions, red bell pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, and wedge feta cheese. Next time, I will ask for lettuce. But it was very fresh and the small size was plenty to share amongst two people, I even had leftovers for later. The octopus was very good and tender. It had more of a charred flavor that I would have preferred, but that's just my preference, and my boyfriend who doesn't typically like octopus was very pleased. The environment, price, food quality, and quantity make this place a must return and repetitive visit.
(5)
Robo P.

We eat here several times a year and it's always good. Even in the summer it was crowded by 6:30 on Friday. I shared my faves, the Saganaki cheese app plus the grilled octopus meze. It's almost enough for a meal but I never miss the lamb chops or the Garides Greek style marinated shrimp. The shrimp this time were very good. They never miss, always constant good quality.
(5)
Jessi T.

Amazing greek food! This place has all around, amazing greek dishes. My favorite being the grilled octopus. No place can hold a candle to their grilled octopus. Whatever restaurant I go, if there's grilled octopus, I will order it to see how it compares to Greek Islands. So far, no one comes close to how delicious they do it. It's so sad that the best grilled octopus is now over a thousand miles away from me. Anyhoo, all around, a very solid and delicious place. Try anything and you will be pleased. There hasn't been a dish I've tried where I've been disappointed.
(5)
Sophie N.

If you are reading this, and you're in Fort Lauderdale, you must try this place! I've been coming here for almost 10 years now, as it was a favorite of my Greek grandfather. Funny enough, a friend of mine has a Greek grandparent as well and tells me it's her favorite place in Fort Lauderdale as well. What to get: Standouts are the saganaki appetizer, tzatziki, lamb chop entree and shrimp entree. You really can't go wrong with anything else either.
(5)
Barbie S.

This is my FAVORITE restaurant of all time thus far. EVERY time I visit Fort Lauderdale I come here almost DAILY. PROS: Ribs - in lemon, oregano and oil Grilled octopus Greek Yogurt dessert Mousakka Avgolemono - chicken and lemon soup Skordalia - potato and garlic dip Lunch specials Mon-Friday CONS: Long long lines for dinner (but it moves) No reservations Gyro wasn't anything special but it was good.
(5)
Wayne R.

This is my 3rd or 4th time here and always good. The lollipop pork chops are just the greatest, and I get them every time. Also had real good grape leaves, and a couple of Negroni's but had to ask for them up and not on ice. I thought "up" was standard for a negroni. This is a successful business as a cool-looking red Ferrari parked just outside door at my window. I asked my waiter kiddingly why they didn't let me park my Toyota there and he said it was the boss' spot.
(4)
Jackie V.

A great hit for the whole family! my girls loved the lamb chops. it was juicy and the meat was tender. not at all gamey. we also had the grilled octopus appetizer...so tender and smoky yet the lemon, garlic, and olive oil herb drizzle added a nice zest on top, it's the best we've had and soon delicious. we also had the ribs and fried zucchini for the kiddos...although good as well, they preferred the lamb chops. authentic as I can tell (we ate regularly in Astoria, NY)...just go! it's awesome
(5)
Jacki G.

out of this world! my husband and I are very particular when it comes to greek food - and this restaurant really knows how to do it. The lamb was cooked to perfection, just the right amount of herbs and salt - without overpowering the flavor of the meat. Saganaki was delicious - perfectly crispy edges. The vegetables on the side were fantastic! 5 stars all the way for this place. We are looking forward to coming back and testing out more of the tempting items on the menu.
(5)
Erin K.

Greek Islands is the best Greek food I've ever had including all the food I ate while in Greece for 3 weeks (sorry, Greece). The owners are friendly and accommodating, the service is warm and impeccable, the lamb chops will make you cry tears of joy, the lemon chicken and orzo soup will cure you of literally anything, and free hummus should be a thing everywhere and would make strides toward world peace. Also, thank you Greek Islands for not putting stupid ass lettuce in your Greek salads because we all know that's a cop out to jip people out of their right to more feta and olives. GREEK ISLANDS IS THE BEST! NO LETTUCE IN SIGHT AND IM LOVING IT. When you go (because you will go, the sirens of fried cheese will call you there with their cheesy siren song) get the Greek white wine that starts with an A (I believe the name is something like Agikotciejslnc83jsos could be wrong though), and at least 17 saganakis because you will need to keep eating it to make sure you're actually tasting the best thing to ever hit your lips. You are. It's cheese from unicorn milk I think? Only explanation for its deliciousness. I was at Greek Islands a few days ago and realized I've been here like 1,000 times in my life and have never written a review- the review it deserves. So let me just say this: Boris, you beautiful bitch, you are an amazing server thank you for recommending the octopus it was 2 DIE 4. If the octopus drove a Porsche down Fort Lauderdale beach 2 DIE 4 would be its vanity license plate, with saganaki in the front seat and lamb chops living it up in the back. The fact that there's another Greek restaurant on the next corner makes me laugh, nay, SCOFF, because I can't believe they would deign to even think they could touch the mystical heaven that is Greek Islands Taverna. I will never go there because my loyalty to Greek Islands knows no bounds. GREEK ISLANDS, I LOVE U BABY! P.S. Anywhere I can valet my Honda makes me feel like a fancy princess and Greek Islands is one of those places. It's just Icing on the baklava cheesecake! YAS QUEEN! See you guys there, I'll be the one on my 8th plate of lamb chops!
(5)
David D.

Credit where credit is due. I come from a Greek family in metro Detroit. We were in Pompano Beach on vacation and stumbled upon this little gem of a restaurant. Everything was excellent. We ordered tons of stuff, from octopus, keftedes, pastichio, and lamb chops. It was all great. The service was great too. Highly recommend.
(5)
Shea P.

We had a wonderful family lunch here! Our server Alex was a pleasure, she was attentive without being overbearing, and pleasant without being fake, all the things a good server should be. The atmosphere was quiet and clean with good lighting, and the fresh flowers on every table was a pleasant touch. And most importantly, the food was delicious! I recommend the Greek style burger (lunch only), it was expertly seasoned. The grilled octopus was also tasty, very juicy and charred just right. A last note, this restaurant had amazing feta cheese, moist and not too salty. A small detail, but a make or break when it comes to eating Greek. !
(5)
Nancy M.

BEST OF THE BEST! I had a gyro platter dad had the chicken I got rice dad got the green beans and potatoes we had rice pudding for desert DELICIOUS...only one thing...where i sat next to the door closest to A!A and Oakland park blvd the air conditioning leaked droplets of water and one fell in my greek wine I didnt finish it..but i was offered a new glass EXCELLENT FOOD EXCELLENT SERVICE love this restaurant!!
(5)
brian w.

Best. Lamb chops. Ever. (and i've been to many MANY places) Greek salad (horiatiki) with delicious traingular chunks of legit feta, tender octopus, Toyko-demolishing-sized prawns, lemon-soaked potatoes. Get there by 6ish or prepare to grab a glass of wine and hang, they get slammed.
(5)
Vincent V.

This place is one of my top picks in the area. Authentic Greek cuisine. Still not the top which is Opa in Hollywood, but a close second I put their Octopus at the top of the charts. They not only prepare it to perfection, but pick the highest quality seafood. It is grilled and served in a perfectly balanced lemon sauce. You can't go wrong with most menu items. The only critique is the complimentary hummus. It is just ok, I tend to add extra olive oil, lemon and pepper to jazz it up. Otherwise the bread served alongside is fresh and tasty. I highly recommend you come and sample the cuisine. Start by ordering several appetizers (octopus, shrimp, chicken wings etc...) you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Steven T.

Very good place in terms of quality of food, price, and location. I would return and try other items on the menu. The three of us hit this place up early around 6pm because it can get crowded, parking becomes an issue and the wait just gets outrageous. I can see why it gets crazy in terms of crowd. It's a great quality place. The spanakopita is on point, tasty and fresh. The tzatziki (cucumber sauce) was fresh and had a strong dill taste. My Greek salad with grilled chicken was large and in charge. There was a healthy amount of chicken, tomatoes and feta. It was a beautiful freshly made salad. Pros: -The food is fresh and of good quality. -The staff is diligent and friendly. -The establishment is clean. -There is a good amount of seating. -The location is in North Beach which is pleasant. Cons: -Since this place is so popular it can get very busy and the wait can be very long. I won't even bother giving the time of the wait. Just crazy! lol
(4)
Beth B.

Amazing. I Really don't need to elaborate, but if you insist...Lamb Chops, and the side of potatoes & legumes braised with a light tomato & lemon sauce, are perfectly seasoned and hit the spot. What spot? THE SPOT-you know the one! If you like Pita, it comes warmed when ordered to accompany the complimentary crusted bread with wonderfully thick, (chock full of chickpeas smashed instead of liquified) freshly prepared hummus. Greek salad=amazing, like everything else. No wasted filler lettuce! Enough said. Truly.
(5)
Katie F.

The lamb chops at this place were recommended to me before I even moved here. They did not disappoint at all...worth every penny.
(5)
Viviane M.

Hmmmm never again.... Servers don't communicate with each other... Food is so so.. Not a place to take a date... Going to check thasos next..
(3)
Holly S.

5 stars hands down. Called on a Sunday night to see if the could sit 16 people at 8:45 pm. They said "come on in" and a table was ready. Amazing staff that really went out of their way to make sure we all had what we needed. i tried the octopus, wings, sausage and greek salad. All were fresh, delicious and great portions. Others had the Gyro, Chicken, Lambs and some other dishes. Everyone at our table was happy (and very full) when we left. We even ordered extra octopus as it really was that good. Unfortunately we were way too full for dessert. the ambiance is really nice too. We sat outside and had a nice breeze.
(5)
Tairyn A.

I've only come to Greek Islands for lunch. I love the bread and hummus you get to munch on while you wait for your food. They have a good selection in the lunch menu and portions are adequate. Service is quick and efficient and you feel you get your money's worth. My only complain, and this is just me and my personal preference, it's that I find the food a tad too oily. Nevertheless, I will keep coming back to grab lunch when I'm in the area.
(4)
Claudia C.

Best Greek food EVER! Started off with the octopus.... YUM. I don't care if you have a texture issue, this is a must try. Then the hummus, ohhhhhh the hummus so light and fluffy, but yet full of flavor. I didn't want it to end! Now, let's bring on the entrees... My friends and I are foodies so we did it family style. From the shrimp, to the roasted chicken, and then the lamb chops (OMG SUCCULENT) it was a surely a dinner to remember. The sides were delicious, with the fried zucchini being my absolute favorite. It came with something that looked like mashed potatoes but wasn't... The flavor thought!!? lemon, olive oily, garlic, yumminess! Yup, I'm a true fan of this place and hope to be back asap!
(5)
Keila G.

The best Greek food! The hummus is to die for!! Lamb chops were excellent, and the chicken was so juicy, falling off the bone!! Definitely worth a visit.
(5)
Mark A.

Went here because we love Greek food and it seemed to be a local favorite. So disappointed to find the service was terrible AND had a bug in my food. Then, not only were they not attentive from the beginning, but when I let them know about the bug, all they did was say it was probably because of the doors being opened so frequently. Won't be recommending this place to anyone.
(1)
Falon V.

The scallops were delicious and so was the snapper. The service was great and staff was friendly. This place is great for a nice lunch, especially if you're in the mood for some Greek food! The food took a little long, but worth the wait.
(4)
Steven S.

Worst ever! sangria made from cheap wine give me headache and food was way way way over priced! Terrible service !
(1)
Andrew K.

Weird experience. Visiting from San Francisco. Took a while to get service and some weird drugged out woman came up to us to sell us her gift card. However, the food was outstanding - the gigantes were too tomatoey but the gyros and saganaki were stellar. Good stuff!
(5)
Stacey F.

On a recent trip down to Ft Lauderdale, we ordered take out from here and was so delicious. The tzatziki sauce was thick and garlicky - so good! The chicken kabobs were juicy and a very generous portion. Spanakopita was nice and flaky and tasty. Was the perfect food for dining on the terrace, overlooking the ocean along with a bottle of Greek red wine.
(4)
Laura S.

I love this place! Went with a friend and shared a few appetizers: spanakopita, gyro, octopus and Greek salad. Everything was really good, and the octopus was particularly incredible. Can't wait to go back and try more of their menu.
(5)
Marc F.

so, i. Can't rate food because it was over an hour wait. We decided not to invest the time. I called in a party for tomorrow. They said that they would accommodate me. We were told to go to the back of the line. I said that the manager said that he would accommodate us. The manager came out and said I am accommodating you go to the back of the line. What an asshole. The told everybody that they would accommodate them. So if you are told you will be accommodated, just go somewhere else.
(1)
Ernest D.

Food was awesome,and at a reasonable price. Customer service at this establishment is through the roof. Food only took five minutes to make after ordering. Food quality was above average for the price. The manager and staff at this establishment knows how to run a great restaurant.I recommend this restaurant to anyone who is a Greek food lover.
(4)
Evan Q.

Went tonight with my brother and his new born baby. Everyone was amazing and the food was great as usual.
(5)
Sherri S.

This restaurant has been 1 of our favorites for many many years. Very casual & relaxed dining. The place is always mobbed. The waiters are clearly well trained & skilled servers. The food... mouth watering, delicious, juicy, tender , seasoned to perfection... they know what they're doing! We always start with fried zucchini, tzatziki, Horiatiki, & sometimes chicken wings, & of course yummy hummus on the table. Each delicious, and flavorful. I love going with big groups, so we can order more appetizers, & try something new! I usually order the Breast of Chicken Ladoregano or the Lamb Chops, both made with a delicious greek style olive oil/lemon juicy sauce. My husband orders the Roast Chicken Ladoregano, or the whole Yellowtail Snapper. Always a difficult choice, because they are all excellent! This is truly a favorite, great food, prices are really great here.. especially for the quality & tasty food you are getting! This is really my 'go to' restaurant, with friends, out of towners, or a regular night out! what can I say..YUMMMM
(5)
stephanie f.

I don't have too much to say about Greek Islands. It was alright - but nothing spectacular. The food was OK in my eyes. If you want and really like authentic Greek food I would recommend this place. It just wasn't for me. The service was interesting - our waiter was nice but a bit odd. It was like he was trying to be our buddy rather than a waiter which made for a few awkward moments.
(3)
Jessica S.

Exceptional service and food was a amazing. Was here on vacation and went with family. We had the pork chops and shrimp. Everything was so good!!!
(5)
Mariam D.

The BEST BEST BEST in Broward! The ambiance is perfect whether you dine in or al fresco. An authentic neighborhood spot with an open kitchen and consistently friendly, attentive servers which makes this a great place to unwind and enjoy a fantastic lunch or dinner. Nice wine list too. The hummus and bread plate they start you off with is excellent. We loved our selection of appetizers: 1) tzatziki: cucumber dip of yogurt and dillweed and 2)melitzanosalato: eggplant blended with garlic and lemon into a tasty dip. Both were served with warm, delicious pita bread. We also enjoyed the gigantes plake: giant white beans oven-roasted with a light herb tomato sauce and carrots, and then, the main course: shish kabob of filet mignon served over rice- perfectly tender and delicious. Dessert here is a must, and I opted for one of my all-time favorites: baklava on a plate of honey. Overall a fantastic evening with delicious food and the best of friends. It's a busy spot, but you can usually self-park in their lot or valet. There's also a metered lot just around the block.
(5)
Linda T.

Better than any time before. Outside dining really noisy but still.nice. Menu 's improved. Excellent service. Go back? Absolutely.
(4)
Michael C.

I married into a Greek family over 20 years ago and love Greek food. Have been going to Greek Islands Taverna for many years. The best Greek food in South Florida. Yes, the lines are long sometimes, but that is a sign that the place and the food is excellent. The service always has been very good. I am originally from New York and was reading a few reviews about New Yorkers saying the food in Astoria (Greek Neightborhood) is much better. This is the real deal. The best Saganaki (Flamming cheese with lemon and brandy) The asmosphere is very relax and and family oriented. This is the place that Greeks in South Florida go to eat. The staff is very friendly and helpful. If you don't know much about Greek food, I recommend to start with a few appetizers before you get into the real deal. The parking is small for the amount of people that visits the restaurant but the food and service is worth it I rather go to a restaurant that's very busy and wait for good food, than go to a place that is empty. When the place is that busy you always get fresh food
(5)
Diane M.

Yummy! We were seated immediately and were served some very tasty hummus and pita bread. We ordered the octopus and it was the best I have ever had in south Florida so be sure to give it a try. I ordered the baked shrimp with special house sauce and it was wonderful. Service was fast and friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Andrew B.

Great food! Great atmosphere! Great people working here They start you off with something unusual for Americans but delicious - bread with hummus. The hummus was thick and very flavorful. The appetizers were the best part of the meal in my opinion. The fried cheese and grilled octopus (a little pricy but well worth it) are absolute musts if you come here. I had the chicken kebab (not the original menu title). It was very tasty and hit the right spots, but it was hard to overshadow the appetizers. I highly recommend this place for some authentic Greek food.
(5)
Amy S.

I went to Greek Islands with two friends Friday evening and the place was packed. I knew it must be a great place just by the crowd and was pleasantly surprised when we were seated quickly. The food was devine and that is not easy to find in Fort Lauderdale. I have never enjoyed a spinach pie more than the ones that they served. We also had the jumbo shrimp which was baked with a light bread crumb topping and a hint of lemon and it was delicious. The side dishes we were served were rice and than a potatoe vegetable medley which was also very good. I love this place and can't wait to bring my boyfriend to try other menu items and have a romantic evening there together.
(5)
Summer R.

This is hands down the best Greek food in the states! We routinely enjoy the Bell & Evans chicken & the Avgolemeno soup is divine! We have treated several friends to the wonderful diversity of flavors The Greek Islands offers and all have raved and wanted to return. The wait can be long, but it is worth every minute! Enjoy!!!
(5)
Anthony G.

Best Greek place in Florida. Lamb chops Medium are outstanding. We always start with the octopus and spicy feta with peta bread. Honestly though, i have never had a bad meal here no matter what i order.
(5)
Aline T.

FABULOUS Greek restaurant to dine at if you're in the Ft. Lauderdale area. I have traveled an hour plus to eat at this restaurant and then waited half an hour in a line outside and it was STILL worth it. Everything is amazing, but if you're a meat lover, get the lamb chops. It comes with Horta (Greek veggies) and Greek potatoes. The lamb chops are so delicious, and grilled to perfection. Their homemade hommus that's brought out with bread once you are seated is also very good. This restaurant is never a disappointment.
(5)
Joshua M.

Good if you love Greek food, bad for your wallet. Came here with three friends on a Sunday evening, place was packed, but we got right in. It was raining earlier, but we sat outside, which is actually in an inclosed area, yet you still get the outside air and breeze, which is nice. Our waitress came right over, got our drinks at took our orders. Fact is, she was on point the entire night, I was very impressed with the service despite how crowded with customers it was. The food came out very quickly. First was just some bread and hummus, which was spicy yet delicious, while the bread itself was a bit bland. Soon after came our first course which consisted of a Greek Salad, Fried Cheese, and Fried Octopus. The salad was very rustic, as everything came in big chunks, yet still tasted fresh. The Fried Cheese is basically a big mozzarella stick, but Greek style. It had a very unique sweet flavor, and the outside was very crunchy. The fried octopus was interesting to say the least and a bit chewy and fishy. The second course came out right away after we were finished the first and had lamb-chops, shrimp, vegetables, potatoes, and rice. The vegetables, potatoes, and rice were nothing at all special. While they were decent quality, they all seemed like things I could have made at home, not very unique at all. The shrimp were huge, and also came in a delicious and very strong lemon sauce. My only major qualm with the shrimp was it came with the shells on, so it's kinda gross pulling off the shell with its legs. Normally I'm not a huge fan of lamb-chops, but these were excellent. The meat was perfectly seasoned, and not over flavored at all, while the meat was perfectly cooked. The lamb-chops are a must at Greek Islands Taverna. For four of us, not including tip was around $160, not to mention that if you want to eat here you have to valet your car which costs $3 not including tip. The food was good, but not even close to worth that price, although we did get a good amount of food, so maybe there is something to that. Overall I enjoyed Greek Islands Taverna. It is a fun atmosphere to come with a group of people and have some Greek food. If your on a budget, stay away from here, but if you have money to splurge and like Greek, I'd imagine this would be a good place to come. Food (C+), Pricing (D+), Atmosphere (B), Service (B)
(3)
Michael H.

Greek Islands is the ultimate Greek dining spot. It's always packed - and for good reason. The souvlaki is perfection. Tender, juicy, flavorful. The rice is spot on. The shrimp are my favorite. Secret sauce blows my mind. Service is effecient, friendly. Always will come here. My girlfriend's mom's favorite place. One of mine too.
(5)
Anthony B.

Great Greek place in south Florida , brought a customer here for lunch, had the gyro pita which was excellent. No wait for lunch, service was quick and attentive Would recommend this place
(4)
Olga K.

Just had dinner with my friends there. It was 11 of us, we've got nice table, food was delicious, service was fast and excellent! Our favorites were Greek salad, shrimps, yellow tail fish and Baklava cheese cake. Reasonable prices
(5)
Deb C.

The grilled octopus is 5+ stars, salad my hubby got was yummy plenty to share, but I was disappointed there were no greens. Dressing delicious and he loves the chicken on top! Will be back, best grilled octopus ever..., my favorite!!!
(4)
Eryn M.

Greek Islands Taverna is a little pricey for me, but I was meeting some friend's friends from out of town here. It's a beautiful restaurant, and the food didn't disappoint. I had never had Chilean sea bass, but one of the guys at the table insisted it would be the best thing on the menu. He wasn't joking (thankfully, because I think it was $26). It was moist and flaky without a yucky fishy taste. It came with squash "pasta." So. Good. It was definitely worth the splurge. My only complaint was when we asked for the checks to be split, the waiter gave us the full check and handed us a pen, so we could designate how to split it, and then walked away. I found that to be incredibly rude. But other than that, the service was impeccable and so was the food. i would go back for sure.
(5)
Parker G.

We started out with tzataki which was PERFECT. The pita bread that came out with the tzataki( I think that's how you spell it) was warm and fluffy! The grilled octopus was tasty also! It was blackened on the outside and the most tender octopus I have ever had on the inside. The sauce that came on it was the perfect touch to the octopus. The entrees were amazing also! The gyro pita was stuffed full of amazing goodness and the salmon salad came with a HUGE amount of salmon in a bowl of delicious fresh salad. This was a good find!!
(5)
Christina M.

I have passed this place on several occasions, subtly reminding myself that I should check it out. I came here with a few friends a few months ago, and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Parking is a pain in the neck, I literally had to stalk someone for their spot. We were seated almost immediately, which was rare considering it was a Saturday night and it was packed. The service was okay, nothing that I remember being outstanding. We tried their hummus and we all really didn't like it. They put an abnormal amount of garlic in their hummus, sort of ruins the flavor. I got the gyro sandwich, a pure disappointment. The gyro meat was sort of dry and the tzatziki sauce wasn't thick so it just fell onto my plate. My friends didn't really enjoy their meals, either. The atmosphere was pretty upbeat. Overall, I'm pretty disappointed in this restaurant. The flavor of the food was below average and the service was not too far behind it. I don't think I would ever come back here.
(2)
Edward H.

The birthday boy chose this spot to celebrate. Turned out to be the right choice for all!! Table favorites were grilled octopus, flaky spinach pastry app and cucumber spread. The whole roasted snapper and marinated lamb chops I would order again and again. Sampling of desserts and a few bottles of Greek wines suggested by our server Boris.Turned out to be fun celebration!!
(5)
David R.

Went in for a carry out order and was promptly created and taken care of with great service. The food was fantastic, the pork kabobs was on point, juicy and fresh!
(5)
Frank B.

Every once in a while, you come across a restaurant that exceeds your expectations so, you go back. If they are the real deal, it happens again and again. This place is one of those restaurants. The Greek Islands Taverna is my favorite restaurant by far. It all starts from the moment you walk in the door. The aroma gets your mouth watering. Everything is clean and white. The tables are very close together but nobody cares. I think everyone is enjoying the food and atmosphere so much that it's like we're all dining together. I would recommend the lamb chops and the shrimp. They also have a very nice bar area so if you have to wait, you can have a drink. This place is a must. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Marissa B.

I've had every dessert, the lamb chops, greek salad, octopus, and the kabobs. Everything is absolutely amazing and authentic! The owners are always there and tending to people like they were family coming over for dinner!
(5)
Humam S.

Best lamb chops ever, tender filled with flavor, we did wait for about 30 minutes out side in the cold weather, but totally worth it
(5)
John O.

This place is is pricey, food quality is excellent! Greek reviewed and enjoyed.. I filled my tummy and it cost $34 to do so. I eat a lot so the price might be lower for you.. I took a date here and it cost $65 she loved the place but she didn't like me.. Saw here there again with someone else and I was with my current girlfriend XD
(5)
B D.

The food is outstanding. The wait staff can be inattentive at times and rude. The lunch specials should be on the menu at all times. Not quite sure why it's so hard to make a chicken pita at all times of the day. They always have chicken.... And always have pita... Hrmmm. Anyways, the food prices are reasonable for the quality of the food. The restaurant moves quickly and you generally aren't left waiting for food very long. Most dishes are authentic and well spiced; however, the dishes are a little inconsistent at times...meaning sometimes a dish is drenched in oil and other times the dish is fine. Regardless, great food, great environment with a diverse menu. Would highly recommend coming here as it is One of Florida's finest restaurants in my opinion.
(4)
Emily B.

Best Greek food in Fort Lauderdale. The lemon potatoes & green beans with tomatoes were excellent. The lamb chops were great as well. I wish they would renovate as it feels like I'm eating in my uncle's basement; but perhaps they don't want to fix what's not broken. There is a definite reason why there's always a wait 20 people deep every weekend.
(5)
Hope P.

Located on busy A1A and Oakland lies the Greek Islands Taverna. I have been here for some birthday celebrations(Dinner and Lunch) and casual Lunches as well, Im guessing the reason they choose this spot is simply consistency of service and food quality. The newly renovated patio is beautiful and they have remote-control panels for the rain, but I still wish the location would have something nicer to look at than the highway with all those loud cars .. Maybe bigger shrubs? The waiter takes your orders efficiently and checks up on you, there's Hummus and Pita served to the table, the Hummus really isn't something special, just bland chickpeas. The Horiatiki (14$)- house salad made of A lot of Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, Red Onion, Feta Cheese and Olive Oil was fantastic. The Octopus (14$)- Grilled and Immersed in Oregano-Olive Oil dressing, its yummy, perfectly cooked slightly crunchy on the outside and soft inside, one of the best Octopus around! The Gyros (8$)- comes on a small plate with Pita Bread underneath and piled Gyro meat with Tzitiki Sauce on the side of the small Plate. This was not that good if you're a Gyro Fan. I ordered the Chicken Shish-Ke-Bob (14$) this time after seeing it on a table walking by, it looked really appetizing. Its Marinated Chicken Breast with Veggies over rice. I asked for double Veggie no Rice. I didn't know it would be the Stewed Green Beans in that tomato sauce you sometimes find in Greek Restaurants, it was tasty but not that good and more of that Oregano-Olive oil dressing on the Chicken. Overall I found it a little bit Greasy with too much Olive oil in the dishes. I have had the Snapper (25$) here for dinner and it was one of the best you can order! This Place will be around as long as you see the owners Ferrari out Front..Enjoy
(4)
Nick P.

Excellent food. We were only in the area for a night and we found this place through Yelp, so going off the great reviews we walked from our resort and had a beautiful dinner. The service here is on point, friendly, and down to earth. Our waiter was Rogerio who was personable and lead us in the right direction with wine, appetizers, and our entrees. Everything he recommended was on point, and you don't get that kind of experience service around anymore. Get the Lamb Chops! Huge portions and cooked perfectly. Save room for dessert!
(5)
Marqus R.

I've been dinning here for years and have always found the food to be authentic Greek as well as delicious. When I finally got around to Yelping about it I was surprised to see that the Yelp Robots had already keyed in and picked out phrases for "Review Highlights" containing my favorites: lamb chops, grilled octopus, bread and humus. They also have the best smelt and serve up some really terrific tasting lamb shank, roast leg of lamb and to my surprise some really good baby back ribs. It is, as others have said, the best Greek food in Broward and maybe the best Greek food outside of Greece. What really seems to set them apart is their ability perfect blend the lemon and oregano seasonings and to consistently serve as ordered; never overdone or underdone. The place packs early and quickly, so getting a table seat "on season" during peak hours can prove to be difficult but such serves as a testament to the quality and taste of their food.
(5)
Stella K.

One of my favorite places to eat in Fort Lauderdale! Love the garlic shrimp app and the green beans and potatoes!
(5)
Mark S.

Decided to try it again after a horrible experience 3 years ago . I tried my standard choice a gyro pita. The service was slow. The meat was ok but nothing to write home about. The pita itself was dry and crumbly. It was ok but I think Ferdo's on Rt.1 is vastly superior with better service.
(3)
Francis P.

Order The Lamb!!!! It is awesome!!! The Shrimp was succulent!! Be prepared because it's in the shell! Fast service though very busy! We love It HERE!
(5)
Valerie H.

Very good!!! Not a huge selection but very good! The lemon sauce on the roasted chicken is so delicious. Service is a bit cold, but attentive. Their hummus is different than the usual, and is fresh and absolutely delicious!!! I hear they have an excellent breakfast as well.
(3)
Gregory H.

I went for lunch, referred by yelp, and really enjoyed myself. It's clean and friendly atmosphere was really nice. I had the Greek salad and pastitsio. My friend had a chicken kebab with rice. We tried the dolamades and the hummus for appetizers. We both loved it so much that we decided this is our new Greek go to place. I think we were the only two people that weren't Greek.. I definitely recommend this place for freshness and flavor. And if you have to wait, well, it will be worth it.
(5)
Andy T.

I love this place and have been there several times. The food is fresh, plentiful and very tasty. They start you out with a plate of Hummus and two cut baguettes of french bread. My goodness the Hummus is so wonderful. I could make a meal just of it. I usually have the roasted chicken and my friend has the lamb chops with a side of potatoes, tomato salad and green beans prepared greek style. The chicken was juicy, tender, and the skin pan seared to perfection with an amazing and decadent sauce on it. The tomato salad was in a refreshing, tangy seasoned vinegrette. The potatoes were cooked perfectly. I don't care for green beans, but that's just me. My friend says they are wonderful. He is a lamb chop addict and said they are some of the best he's had. He also said they have the best coffee he's tasted of all the restaurants we've been to in Fort Lauderdale. They have a very inexpensive lunch special from 11 am to 3 pm which is a great deal. The atmosphere is on the upper end of casual. It is open and airy with lots of windows and a great outside seating area I'm looking forward to trying out when there's some real warm weather. The staff are fun, very friendly and attentive. I can't say enough nice things about this place.
(5)
Dominika B.

Great food, service ok but the hostes could use some smile on her face... That's why 3 stars.... Sorry
(3)
Venus V.

Phenomenal food! We go here a lot, always consistent, prompt service, friendly staff. Try the octopus,it is great!
(5)
Valentina F.

The restaurant is so nice, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is very good too. The most important thing though is that the food is AMAZING! Everything we ordered was delicious, highly recommend this place!
(5)
Jessica P.

The grilled prawns are amazing! so is the grilled octopus and the chicken soup!
(5)
Peter W.

Notwithstanding all the prior reviews, we had an awesome dinner. Though I must say that we needed to bring to the attention of the chef that the lamb chops tonight were wonderfully tasty but somewhat chewy. The waiter offered to make an adjustment but they were so tasty and we ate every piece down to the bone. So we declined. The baby back ribs were equally awesome. Regarding the prior reviews, not to repeat everyone's comments but this place is definitely the place to go. But please go before 5pm. We just left and within the past half hour there are now twenty people waiting outside. Free parking is limited to maybe 15 spaces. Valet is 4 dollars, what a rip! I am sure there is somewhere to park nearby but we are from out of town, hence our arriving early.
(5)
Dan K.

Our favorite Greek restaurant in S Florida! We always go here as a respite after landing at Fort Lauderdale. After traveling, you've got to refuel with fried cheese and delicious spanakopita -- am I right?!? Definitely get the fried / flaming cheese and Greek salad. I really like the lamb chops, breaded shrimp and spanakopita. I wanted to try the octopus but my crew isn't as adventurous as I. Oh -- the hummus is super fresh and rustic. You know it was made with care and love. Their Sangria was super nice and refreshing and they don't mess it up. Keep it simple -- that's what I say. They get /very/ busy as you would expect so be prepared to wait. The valet service is reasonable ($3) and the outside seating is nice. The service was great! Come hungry, early and order a pitcher of Sangria; you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jessica Y.

Always such a great experience. From the service to the good you can't go wrong when dining here. I live how fresh the good is, all homemade and just tastes so natural. I was just here for lunch and had a Greek salad with grilled chicken I can't get the fresh grilled amazing taste of chicken out of my mouth so delicious. We also sat outside which I enjoyed decor is minimal but just enough. Highly recommended for family dinners or lunch with the girls.
(5)
Kari G.

Amazing!!! You must try the octopus and lamb chops. I've had octopus at many restaurants and I have to say this is by far the best I've had!! Ambiance is very nice I feel like I'm back in Greece. Servers and hosts are more than hospitable. Definitely recommend anyone to come try this place.
(5)
Jason S.

Food was good and fresh. We sat outside for a business meeting and it was a good atmosphere. I had never tasted ribs with a sauce like that. If you like ribs order it as an appetizer.
(4)
Joseph W.

The best greek around. Octopus, shrimp, lamb are all great. Love the dip medley appetizer as well.
(5)
Darren B.

Greek Islands Taverna is without doubt one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. It is a family-owned business with high-quality traditional Greek fare that is consistently beautifully cooked and seasoned. The atmosphere, with pictures of the rugged Greek coast adorning the white walls, blue-checked table cloths, and fresh cut flower stems in crystal vases, imaginatively transports me to a Greek isle, even though the restaurant is conveniently located on the corner of A1A and Oakland Park Blvd. The staff here are consummate professionals: friendly, efficient, and generous of spirit in a way that you just don't find in restaurant staff in larger cities. Even when there is a line out the door (which happens often during the high season of tourist/snowbird winter months), the restaurant is so well-managed and well-staffed that the wait seems to zip by. Once you are seated, the staff takes excellent care of you without making you ever feel rushed... that said, once you order, you rarely have to wait for more than a few minutes to be satisfied: you are given bread and hummus on being seated, and drinks usually arrive within moments. The owners are extremely friendly and loyal to their repeat local customers. They make me feel like I am right at home, greeting me with a smile and a hello or a friendly nod every time I see them. My favorite dish is probably the chicken shish kebab, a succulent and straightforward chicken dish. The skewered chicken breast chunks are grilled to perfection with onions and peppers, and served over a yellow rice. This dish goes perfectly with the rich creamy tzatziki on the side (the tzatziki is flavored fabulously with garlic and dill.) The octopus appetizer and shrimp with lemon-butter sauce (hints of tarragon?) are out of this world, flavorful and always braised to perfection: they could melt in your mouth! The moussaka and Greek salad are two of my other favorites (the salad consists of generous portions of sliced tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and peppers garnished with feta, olive oil, vinegar, and oregano... simple, healthy, and delicious.) Of course the grilled lamb chops are one of the restaurant's most popular/divine signature dishes: a special treat, as is the filet mignon shish kebob. Wonderful, homey, welcoming, healthy, and superbly flavorful are the adjectives that come to mind when trying to describe the dining experience I've consistently enjoyed at Greek Islands Taverna. It is the kind of place where you might feel equally happy sharing a romantic intimate evening with your significant other, catching up with old friends from out of town, or celebrate a family member's birthday at a larger table.
(5)
Denyse O.

When Greek Islands opened for business, their lamb chops & other lamb entrees were consistently the best in So Florida. The chicken oregano breasts were tender and succulent. However, for the past 2 years, the quality of the prepared lamb and chicken is inconsistent. The wait staff is friendly and attentive with service; place is usually busy; food quality is average. If you have an experienced palate, this is not the place.
(2)
Melissa H.

While I was in Ft. Lauderdale we found a place to take a memory trip back to Greece. The staff at Greek Islands Taverna were friendly, attentive, and the food was superb. i had a shrimp dish that was dee-lish, the Greek salad was good, a little too much olive oil and oregano though, and the feta was not as fresh but all of these are tough to get as fresh as they are in Greece. I would definitely go back though.
(4)
Jim M.

Last night we decided to go to dinner. A friend of mine lives on Galt Ocean Drive so it's an easy walk to the restaurant. Something to note when you're dinning here is the wait. It's not a typical "take your name have a drink at the bar and we'll call you when I tables is ready". You basically stand in line until they can fit you into something. This seem to be a little strange to me. Two reasons why I don't like this. 1. Standing in line means you really can't hang out at the bar before hand to have a cocktail and socialize with your friends. 2. It seems like somewhat of a cattle-call. We did decide to grab a glass of wine at the bar prior to getting into line but it was awkward. Everyone at the bar wasn't drinking, they were eating a full on meal. So people trying to get a drink had to try and squeeze in somewhere to get the bartender. This is the strangest set up I've seen in a long time. It's not like it's a diner! Once we are seated our waitress came over and she was really nice. She was attentive, friendly and gave consistent service. Our table decided to start with a cucumber and tomato Greek salad. Normally I'm not big on tomatoes but the salad was so delicious I kept diving in for more! Onto the main course I decided to go with a New York strip steak. This today is probably one of the best steaks I've had in town. It was cooked perfectly and the flavoring was out of this world. It was a juicy steak and pretty large at that. The price is a little higher than you'll see at some other comparable restaurants however the food made up for it. Food: A+ Drink offerings: B- Service: A Ambiance: B- Comfortability: C- (because of the bar situation) All-in-all I was pretty please with our choice to come here.
(4)
Tracey P.

The food and service were amazing! The best Greek food I've ever eaten. The lamb chops are delish!!!! I highly recommend going for lunch because there's no crowd.
(5)
Seamus B.

Everything here is good basic Mediterranean food. The Greek Salad is authentic (no lettuce!) And everything is always fresh. The place is family- owned and the family is on premises rarely missing even a small detail. The wait staff is thoroughly versed in the menu. Couple of things: I think the scallops are a bit heavy on the oil (butter?) And the kebab meats are sometimes a tad overcooked although the veggies on the kebab are cooked perfectly. The meats like the pork and veal chops are always good and fall right off the bone.
(3)
Marek P.

Wow!!! Their door was amazing. The appetizers were to die for. And for someone who does not care for lamb, I could not get enough of it. I hope to be back there on our next visit to Fort Lauderdale.
(5)
Craig W.

Hands down the best lamb chops, EVER. And the octopus is amazing, grilled to perfection.been many times and It's very consistant and always busy. Well worth the wait. The grilled chicken salad is another good one. It's huge. And I like to eat!!!! Go go go. You will not be dissapointed
(5)
Armine B.

I was here with my family, and by unanimous accord this place sucks. It does not deserve the high ranking and I feel compelled to warn my fellow yelpers. If you go there anticipate paying inflated prices for minuscule portions. We got the following items from the menu: Pikilia $14 assortment of 5 flavorless dips from salty to pure sodium Spanakopita $6 good but small Greek Salad $14 ok Octopus $14 very good, but for only two shy tentacles, c'mON! Garides Tou Sotiri baked shrimp in some secret sauce... sounds good, but essentially you get 5 shrimps in a dijon for $25 wh-wut?!? Swordfish $26 for a deck of cards Lamb Chops $27 quoting my brother-in-law quoting previous yelpers "it was to to die for" Pasticio $13 nothing special Pita freshly made $1 for two Overall the food wasn't bad, but the size of the entrÃ©es was ludicrous. This is a family-style greek restaurant, for god's sake, not molecular gastronomy! Oh, did i mention the portion size?
(2)
Justin P.

I've been to this restaurant on three different occasions over the years, but my review will be based upon my most recent visit to GIT during the first week of January in 2008. And, unlike Sue H., I won't give you a presumptuous "order these dishes" list since hardly anyone like to be told what one (must) order at a restaurant: Ambiance: I really liked the color scheme utilized for GIT's exterior. The blue and white colors really seem to promote an inviting atmosphere when one looks at the exterior. As for GIT's interior, there are tiled floors and the walls are lined with mirrors. While the place certainly gets packed on most nights, there's definitely enough space between most tables. There are two dining areas: the main space and the outdoor seating area with a tarp that hangs over most patrons. Since it was a nice night outside, we decided to eat in the outdoor seating area. While the chairs aren't overly comfortable, that doesn't adversely affect the overall dining experience. While there were a lot of people dining outside, it didn't get too loud where our conversation was stifled at all. Waiter service: While waiter service sometimes suffers when people are eating outside, I didn't get that feeling at GIT. The waiter who tended to our table was professional and friendly. Our dishes were brought out promptly, and the waiter didn't take too long to bring the check. Food: Despite the less than extensive menu options, I am confident that one will not have trouble finding a dish that "looks" appetizing. If one likes eating lamb, for example, I definitely recommend the lamb shank, which was succulent, flavorful and filling. Overall, if I happen to be in Ft. Lauderdale again, I would certainly consider going back to GIT for authentic Greek cuisine.
(3)
The Truth S.

Good food, good service... should work better with the octopus, it was like a chewing gum. General was good!!!
(4)
Susie B.

Avoid being killed in the parking lot and expect to wait a million years for a table; this place is always mobbed. It is uncomfortably loud and close here, with an indifferent, chaotic wait staff. The food was not good. ( It was twice-tried because of rave reviews.) First-tried was an assortment of drab starters and second-tried was the lamb chops and "Greek chicken," both bathed in lemon juice and way overcooked. The meals came with a substandard "basket" of rubbery bread (thrown on the table) and a "house salad" of iceberg lettuce, a slice of tomato, a slice of cucumber, an olive, and again, a very lemony dressing.
(1)
victoria r.

I was dating a Greek guy that took me here. Pretty casual atmosphere and decor but good food and service. We ate at the bar. I ordered a fav; Greek salad and it was by far one of the best I've ever had. The restaurant had a mixed crowd of elderly people, families, and young couples. A nice touch to the end of the meal was to find out my date had previously dated the bartender/server... interesting. Anyways, I would return : )
(3)
Helene S.

Best Greek food in Broward County! Greek salad is the best and the lamb chops are to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They don't take reservations but it's worth the wait!
(5)
Brooke P.

I spent some time reading the other reviews for this restaurant, and I must say I feel like I went somewhere completely different! Ive been to many Greek restaurants, and yes the hummus and bread were very good. Everything after that, however, was sub par at best. Our server came to the table three times-once to greet us, once to take our order, and once to drop the check. The octopus tasted like what cat food smells like. The chicken entree was good, the green beans on the side were strange and not of anything Ive ever tasted-not in a good way. I asked for a side of feta cheese for my entree, and when I received the bill, it was $7 extra. I have worked in food and bev for a very long time, and when a patron orders something I feel might be more than they expected, I have always pointed it out, to avoid situations like my experience. At the end of the dinner, before we had even finished our drinks, the hostess walked to the table and asked if we were done. She then grabbed the check book from my hands as I was setting it down on the table. I would not reccommend this restaurant to anyone. The food is below mediocre, and the vibe from the staff and service given leaves much to be desired.
(1)
Steven D.

Amazing service and great food. Try this place and you will love it. The decor is bright and clean and the service was very friendly. I like the bar area best.
(4)
Johnny D.

I have been here three times and each time the food was absolutely spectacular. The greek salad was really fresh. The tomatoes had that deep, rich tomato flavor. After a winter of hothouse whiffle balls for tomatoes, whatta nice change! The octopus was tender and tasty. I also got the chicken wings. I don't know why I got chicken wings- I think I might have a wing issue-- anyway, they were great too. I like the atmosphere. People are generally pretty friendly. Some reviewers didn't like being squeezed in, etc. I dunno- set your expectations to the right star alignment andyou won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jenn C.

Stumbled upon this place while driving back up to Orlando. I have been wanting Greek food and this place was AMAZING! I would definitely recommend it.
(5)
Brad F.

I have been here a couple times, and everytime I come its perfect timing before a big rush, so i have been blessed. The food here is unbeliveable. I always start with some saganaki, and then move onto the greek salad, and then finish with the filet kabob. Its one of the best Ive ever had. If you come to florida, come check this place out!
(5)
Jennifer C.

I've been to this restaurant a few times and I am always pleased with the quality of the food. They have a lunch menu that is very reasonable, although even their dinners don't run much more than $20. Their hummus is pretty good, but not the best that I've had, and they serve it with regular bread. Where is the pita, I ask you?! The horiatiki is excellent, their dressing is some of the best around. I always get the chicken wing drumettes, which are char-broiled and seasoned with lemon, oregano, and olive oil. They are worth the trip alone. Also, we've had they gyros, souvlaki, and roast chicken ladoregano, all of which has been very good.
(4)
Kingpin X.

Karma was definitely on our side when we landed upon the Greek Islands. There is little or nothing to be found for a vegetarian in the many eateries along the coast highway, the majority based on the surf-and-turf principle, but this was just the ticket. This is a family-run restaurant for all the family, serving traditional Greek cuisine - and plenty of it! Good chunky hummus with bread is complimentary and delicious. The "small" feta salad was plenty enough - light and fresh with tomatoes and cucumber. The spanokopita was good enough and the giant beans in tomato sauce was almost as good as you will get. What I really liked was the don to earth homey atmosphere, complimented by a singalong soundtrack of live passioante, heoic Greek folk music - if I had not been driving, I would have sampled a little ouzo!
(4)
Matt D.

We had a nice meal here. The complimentary hummus was quite nice. The only negative was the calamari, which was overly breaded. Our young girls enjoyed the ribs and I enjoyed my souvlaki. The baklava was large and quite good.
(4)
Scott S.

Excellent food and reliable service. The lamb chops, kabobs, fish, Greek salad and baklava are perfect. Bread and hummus that come for free are good as well. Been here many times and it's consistently good but gets crowded after about 6:30. Very nice restaurant.
(5)
Brian S.

Ok, bad report coming. First let me begin by saying the food at Greek Isles is 99.99% amazing. The lamb chops are worth committing a felony for. The grilled chicken is delicious, the greek salad amazing, and the make a really good cappuccino after the main meal (or in my case, just to kick things off). Here is the bad: I was a regular customer for a long time, at in, ordered out, did the menu. On my last visit, and I emphasize LAST, I had the misfortune of ordering my the whole snapper. For those that have never eaten a whole snapper in Florida, it is supposed to be big and shared by two people (my girlfriend ordered a salad and we were planning to share both). The fish that came made my gold fish look like the whale from Free Willy. It was tiny, all bones, and frankly pathetic looking. When I voice a reasonable and respectful complaint, the owner was called over and he could not have been nastier. He made it seem like it was my fault for ordering it. Then, he didn't want to comp me for it even though he was taking it back and bringing me lamb chops. He ultimately caved in and didn't charge me, but I hahd to fight for it (something I did not appreciate). Then, when the chops came, he brought me someone else's chops. How did I know this you ask? Well, my girlfriend's mother had sent her chops back to be cooked a bit further after taking one bite... sure enough, the one bite chop was there on the plate. Disgusting. Even though the food tastes good, I won't go back because of the awful taste this experience has left in my mouth. Fortunately, greek restaurants are plentiful in South Florida and I am not stuck dealing with nonsense like this.
(1)
Laurie L.

My Husband and I ate here last night. We were able to get seated right away around 6:00. Our Hostess tried to seat us right smack in between two other small tables with couples on each side of us--you literally could not walk between each table! It was noisy and stuffy, and we didn't want to have people breathing down our necks as we tried to have a nice dinner. We asked to be put outside instead, and she agreed. First con: They have WAY too many tables inside, and not enough privacy/breathing room for the tables in the middle of the room. Outside was nice, and our server was pleasant. The hummus and bread were brought right away. The hummus was probably my least favorite of all the Greek restaurants in the area. It was chunky, a little too bitter, and had WAY too much pepper in it. They would do well to smooth it out and add a bit more garlic. Definitely something missing. The bread was so average, and did not taste fresh-baked either. How about some fresh-baked pitas here?? My entree--Souvlaki--was $15.00. For this, I only got ONE skewer with some rice and no presentation. I recall a year ago getting two skewers. They have definitely cut down on their portion size. The rice and sauce were delicious. The few veggies on the skewer were crispy on the outside, and yummy on the inside. The pork , although tasty, was very dry. :o( My Husband got the Lamb shank for $15.00 as well. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the orzo excellent as well. But for these prices, couldn't they at least include a small Greek salad? We had no leftovers whatsoever. That hurts after spending over $40 on a meal. For dessert, we split a piece of walnut cake which was delish! I think for the portion sizes, we'll stick with Athena by the Sea for our Greek food from now on. You pay about the same, but as least you get the BEST hummus EVER, with real pitas, and leftovers to take home. PS: for those who are Handicapped and in wheelchairs, this place can be a bit embarassing for you. As you enter from the outside, they have these heavy, tall, stand-up metal heaters for those cool nights to warm the outside guests. They moved them RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the walkway around 6:15. We witnessed two guests in wheelchairs trying to get through--one had to get his wife to move this big heater out of the way so his wheelchair could get by. My Husband got up and helped her as well. The next guest in a wheelchair was also trying to get through, but his wheelchair was wider. I saw an embarrased look on his face, and felt very badly for him. The host told him "here you can have this table right over here (outside, right at the entrance)--it may be better for your circumstances." So he was basically forced to eat outside because he couldn't enter the restaurant. I think that's a big no-no. Why not move the heaters away from the middle of the walkway? Anyway, good info to keep in mind.
(3)
A. P.

Excellent place. Good choice of dishes, fish dishes are especially amazing. Great sangria. Good quality service. It does help, if you make a reservation.
(5)
Marge J.

Excellent fresh food, very efficient service, festive atmosphere. Speedy take out. Cannot go wrong here. Changed my previous review which was based on one take out meal.
(4)
Jim M.

The best Greek food I have ever had. Better than YiaYia used to make.
(5)
Chris C.

I find myself at this restaurant easily twice a year. When you consider I live in New York, that's a pretty good ratio. And why not? Really good Greek food here. If you're after reliably tasty, simply satisfying food this is your place. I've had their paidakia, chicken ladoregano and their fish among many others. They make me horta the way I like it. I cannot get enough. Never had a bad meal here. The other plusses: Warm bread on the table when you sit down with a bowl of bean dip. Honest no-lettuce Horiatiki. A good bartender who makes a strong, never-watery drink. Like I said, I've never had a bad meal at the Greek Islands. It has become a perennial favorite!
(4)
Janice W.

So rude!! Went in on a weekend - party of 2. We waited for over an hour. When we finally got near the front of the line we kept getting passed over for tables of 3 or 4. When we tried to ask why this was, the owner, who was doing the seating, brushed us off with a 'you're next, don't worry'. But we kept getting passed over. By now, there were 2 other parties of 2 right behind us and we were all bordering on irate. So we all spoke up and he finally explained he was waiting for a party of 6 to leave so he could separate the tables and sit us all there. I wanted to leave on principal but it was my husbands favorite place when he lived there so we stayed. Needless to say I didn't enjoy my meal as i was so put out by our close to 2 hour wait - for a party of 2!!!! Update: I returned a second time, as it's my husband's favorite place in Lauderdale. This time the seating wasn't as horrific and the food was good. But they are still just so utterly indifferent despite the fact that they have got to be making a fortune there!!!! Packed on a Monday night. And not even a friendly smile or a 'hello' or 'thanks for coming'. Ungrateful "fill in the blank". I hope I never go back.
(1)
Rob H.

This place is great. I've been to a couple of Greek restaurants and this place is by far the best. The lamb chops are crazy, best hummus I've ever had in my life, walnut & honey cake for dessert is delicious, and the hostess is fucking smoking hot. My God, I love Greek chicks all of a sudden.
(4)
Brian S.

after a bad experience at this restaurant a year ago, i decided to give them another try. in all fairness, i have to say things were really good. the food is delicious and consistent. the wait staff is very friendly and very attentive. if u plan on going for dinner, i suggest you either get there early or late, otherwise u will wait in line forever. if u want to eat at a normal hour, i suggest the take out... call ahead so it is ready when u get there.
(4)
simon K.

food was just that OK. Being from the Balkans, I expected better from Greeks with access to fresher fish being on Florida's coast. The lamb was OK. the place gets super super busy so be ready to wait. should be 3.5 stars but is fair enough.
(3)
Laura S.

This place is a MUST if you are in the area. We've been here on several occasions and never been disappointed. The only complaint is that everyone else seems to be just as impressed as we are because you can be waiting at least an hour on most weekend nights. The parking (or lack thereof) can also be horrendous and it's definitely discouraging which is why I did not give a full 5 stars! BUT if you can get passed these few details than you will be pleased you did because the food makes it all worth it! The hummus served before the meal is addicting and we always split a small greek salad which is just right for two people to share. We've had the calamari (good but not served with a dipping sauce) and the shrimp appetizer (unique flavor and one of our favorites) as well as the chicken and steak kabobs, salmon and lamb chops. The menu is very extensive, with something for everyone. This is true authentic Greek dining that you must try for yourself!
(4)
Sasha A.

Every time I come to visit my Mom in Ft. Lauderdale, we eat at Greek Islands. The outside patio is very pleasant, and the lighting creates a great ambiance outdoors. Parking is very limited, but once your are seated, it's well worth the wait. In response to some other comments on the "hummus" - Its actually supposed to be a chick pea garlic spread, hence the fact that it tastes nothing like traditional hummus. I prefer good ol' butter for my bread to this hummus concoction. The traditional greek dishes such as pastisio and mousakka are amazing, and the chicken daredongo (spelling questionable on my part) is so flavorful and tender! The green beans, which are served as a side dish are delicious and comforting, and the greek salad (a medley of veggies, lettuce free) is always very fresh, crips, and tasty. They also got a few more brownie points because I noticed they have one of my fav. sauvignon blancs (Kim Crawford; New Zealand) which paired beautifully with the savory chicken dish. For those who are skeptics, I highly recommend the chicken dish or mousakka to redeem this wonderful restaurant.
(4)
Orion S.

Stopped into this place because the French restaurant across the street was closed for renovation or something for a couple weeks. Wasn't really sure what to expect from this place but since I love Greek food we had to try. Hehe well first of all i guess there are two entrances to the place. One for regular dinning and another for the bar. Having gone through the bar entrance i was already lost but played it off like a champ. Navigating to the front i noticed that most of the dinners here were a little older. like 40-50ish but i've gone to far to stop now. Promply seated next to fake grapes on plastic vines that were covered in month old dust i was beginning to regret my previous decision of not turning around. We ordered and received our food in about an average time. They gave us an appetizer with consisted of garlic bread and this hummus looking thing which didn't taste like hummus but still good being something different. Ordered the chicken breast with looked really good. It was really moist but not the good kind of moist. A little to much olive oil on everything with made me feel greasy and chunky. Also the veggies were not that good actually. I thought it was a combination of fresh and canned stuff for some reason. I duno just didn't like it because of a weird veggie taste. Decent place with nothing to bad. I'm sure there is better around the area thou. oh no gratuity include stuff :-)
(3)
Denise P.

This place is delicious. The hummus, if you like garlic, is amazing.. It actually tastes like real hummus, not the ones you can buy at Publix, which are way too processed. The octopus is amazing... their lemon, oregano and olive sauce is exquisite. Even if you think you don't like octopus, you have to try it bc it's cooked to perfection. The lamb chops are delicious and very tender. I live in Aventura so it's kind of a far drive, but I DEFINITELY recommend this. The baklava was also very good, but I would like to try their other desserts.
(5)
anita m.

of all the greek places...and i have been to them all...Greek Isles is the shining star....drop dead great chicken breast grilled in lemon, garlic and olive oil with fresh herbs....giant portion, no skimpy little dish where you need a hamburger on the way home.......everything i have ever had here is not just good, it is exceptional.......think of all the empty places around....this one has a line to get in....there is a reason for that......
(5)
Gary C.

I won't say that I have purposely flown to Fort Lauderdale just to eat at Greek Islands Taverna, but it definitely is one of the reasons I like to go there. At the suggestion of one of the customers waiting with us in line (the food is so good there is usually a line during the tourist season, off season I usually don't have to wait. If you don't like lines, go early or go for lunch is my suggestion), I tried the Grilled Octopus appetizer. It is so good I have tried (and failed) to make it at home. It is addicting. As are the lamb chops and the baked shrimp and, well everything is done to perfection. The waiters are great and for free they serve you humus and bread, watch out because they keep bringing it. They somehow make the lightest humus, like it's whipped or something. Spectacular. Don't miss this place and go in the first few days of your visit (if you are a tourist like me) because you will want to go back. If you are lucky enough to live within driving distance, I am soooooooooo jealous!!!
(5)
TAmi S.

Everything about this Resturant is 5 stars. I can not find anthying negative- our server was exceptional good. We tried many different dishes- every dish was yum yum!!
(5)
Analisa S.

After a long flight from Los Angeles, my mother took me here. Walked in at 950pm and the wait staff said the kitchen was closed and they couldn't serve us. The hours of operation on the window said they were open till 1030pm and yelp said 1030pm. When I pointed to the hours in the window, the waiter shrugged his shoulders and said they were closed. They clearly don't care about customer service.
(1)
Brian M.

Great authentic Greek: freshest bread and garlic hummus for each table; Greek Salad; grilled octopus, leg of lamb all top shelf. Ambience, quick service; value prices quality wine list. Oppa!
(4)
David M.

Pastitio was very nicely done with a very good beshemel sauce with an intriguing hint of cinnamon (my first)!
(4)
Kay P.

Amazing experience. Got here at 5 on a sunny, breezy Friday in March, parked with no trouble and got a table for four outside in the patio immediately. Service was very friendly and attentive. Octopus and eggplant were some of best I've had. If ever we visit Ft. Lauderdale again, I am going back!
(5)
Ribert I.

I've eaten here several times The food is good but the experience is horrible The wait can be endless and the owners are incredibly rude. The one owner drives a $450000 Ferrari and orders the customers to stand and wait or leave he doesn't care. Seriously that is what he said to me standing with my mother with a walker. As I said the food is good though with way too much garlic. These guys should realize the reason why he has his Ferrari is because of the customers and treat them better. There are numerous options into FLauderdale. AVOID THIS ONE !!! Thasos just across the street can't be nicer to their customers. Give them a try.
(1)
Stephanie P.

I prefer Thassos restaurant for greek food. This place is a duplicate of any cheap greek diner one can find in New Jersey or Chicago. This place is not an authentic greek taverna.
(1)
Anna M.

Well.. Coming from NY where there are lots of fantastic inexpensive Greek restaurants this place reaches so-so on my scale of sucksbutt-awesomeness. The food is tasty I had the octopus (which is good but would be better just simply grilled - personal preference) for my entree I had the chicken shich ka bob.. Again tasty.. But again I would have preferred a simple grilled ka-bob. All and all.. Service is great.. Waiter was wonderful.. If I could give half stars it would get 3.5 stars. :)
(3)
Mike M.

Its my second visit since 2007, its a significant change as far as the lay out , they built nice patio, approximately 20 tables fit in there , nice crowd on a Friday nite, started with Greek salad , calamari and keftades . The olive oil on greek salad was spectacular, calamari was tender however beside few slices of lemon , it needs a sauce for dipping . I was craving their keftades since first visit , so I ordered that , its definitely not the taste I was looking for , it was over cooked, all the juice of the,meat dried out. As a main course our server mentioned lamb chops is the best lamb option , so we ordered it. it was good , I mean any lamb chops good , but i prefer a domestic lamb chops instead of New Zeland , its my opinion of course... it came with orzo and zesty baked potato which was really good but I cant say the same thing for orzo, its obviously over cooked , in other word if you leave orzo in a hot pan, you will see the change of orzo, if it stays more in there it gets bigger and softer till it disrupt every pieces in your mouth. Overall experience was ok , couple notes before I finish. First the glasses are too small, you need to get 3-4 rounds of water or soda refills , even though I don't drink a lot. Also I got a beer , mythos, the bottle was cold but not enough for a hot day in Florida, in 5 minutes it taste like piss:(. Second, the way how servers cleans the table , bussers throw pretty much all food leftovers under the table ,wipe the table and put the new set ups. Its not good at all guys come on. I understand you want to turn over your tables fast but trust me its not worth to sit someone on a dirty table. Before I left I wanted to stop by at the restroom to wash my hand , guys restrooms are the reflect of the kitchen , please pay attention about restroom checks!!!! One last think , some items prices are not matching online& what you pay at the place , such as keftades which $5 online , in the restaurant its $6. Even though I had negative feedback's(they are the best for sure) I will visit there next time I go to Ft Lauderdale.
(3)
T M.

Fantastic Lamb Chops. Really great to find a nice non-takeout style Greek restaurant.
(5)
Aileen G.

My husband, daughter and I came to this restaurant during our vacation in July 2014. We were NOT disappointed... authentic Greek food, friendly staff and family friendly restaurant. The spanakopita was to die for! Hummus and freshly baked pita bread delectable! Lamb shank tender and tasty... roasted chicken deliciously bathed in sauce that I could not get enough of! Chicken shish kebab with rice our daughter devoured! Highly recommended and will definitely go back!
(5)
Nancy H.

One of my favorites. Whatever you order here is wonderful. The lamb chops, grilled octopus, and shrimp are to die for but everything is good. I think I have tried the entire menu Never disappoints
(5)
Alan S.

Outstanding food! Worth any wait, I promise.
(5)
Tony B.

Get the Lamb chops! Yet everything else on the menu is still wonderful. Even when the line is out the door it moves fast and it's worth the wait. The prices are as expected not cheap but not to bad, it's fair. For the person who is afraid of trying the Lamb chops get the grouper or try the inexpensive gyro and their chicken wings you will be surprise how good it taste .
(5)
Bart S.

Been coming here for years, it's always pretty good, some improvements to the place include a cleaned up and better outdoor patio. They now have valet parking, the current price was 3 dollars. I asked why the valet parking, the server said because people were coming and not being able to find a place to park and would leave,,,ok, whatever, if you are smart enough there is parking across the street..also by the library which is nearby...but the older crowd isn't going to want to walk, I get it. Instead of having people wait for a table, inside in the front dining room, if the weather is nice, the crowd now waits outside, which is nice for everyone that is inside seated, not having people standing over you while you eat. (there were at least 20 people waiting outside when we left at 7:30) Food is great as usual, as was the service. We had lamb chops and snapper with a Greek Salad, for dessert I had the Galaktoboureko (semolina-based custard in phyllo) Yum. it was good. Get there early, or you will wait for a table, not so bad in the summer ..but during the "season"..early is better,
(4)
Cynthia S.

Highly recommend this restaurant, we had an Amazing good dinner & service, great atmosphere.
(5)
Christian P.

No reservations, but it's worth the wait. The long line of luxury cars show that even the rich love a bargain. Best Greek food I've had in years and nice strong drinks. Make sure you get the gyro appetizer and ask about their specials which were, well, special.
(5)
Reb H.

Lovely! Had a beautiful gyro lunch, served with a choice of side. I had the tomato salad, hubby chose green beans. Both were excellent. Price very reasonable! Staff was efficient, attentive without intrusion, and courteous. Would love to do dinner there next time.
(5)
Michael B.

I drove past this place every night for a week and it was packed at all hours so i finally decided to give it a shot based on that and of course the positive Yelp reviews. First things first, valet parking for $3 (i think) not bad considering you can't park anywhere in south Florida without paying a parking meter. Not gonna go into too much detail about the decor but it's fine. Nothing super fancy but it's nice and the ambiance is very lively. Also, i sort of feel like it's one of those places you could probably get away with wearing whatever you want. but just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Of course i guess that's an argument for a different day. I dined on a Sunday night, pretty late, and the place was still packed and there was a line at the hostess stand. I gave my name and they told me to wait in that line. They DO NOT accept reservations. But they didn't write my name down or anything. I told them i would wait in the small bar area and they just said they would find me. Seemed a little haphazard considering how busy they were, but to their credit they remembered me and found me a short time later to be seated. While waiting for my table I was able to grab a seat at the bar to order a drink. As i was sitting there the bartender, a brunette female, asked "would you mind giving up your seat" so a couple could eat at the bar. maybe I'm in the minority on this but i thought it was a rude request. I'm waiting for a table. I ordered two drinks at the bar. I had just as much right to that space as anyone else. I think it's just standard practice that if you wanna eat the bar...wait for the space to open up. Just like I waited for the seat to open up that i was able to get. anyway. moving on. Complimentary hummus is very good. a little more pepper ( i believe) than in most hummus i have had and probably a little less tahini paste than i like. but still VERY good. comes with sort of a french baguette but you can get warm pita with it; which i would suggest. I ordered the tomato and onion salad (not sure of the name) and it was average. to be honest it was good but nothing more than you could get off the salad bar at your local grocery store. Also had the Kyrotafteri; which is goat cheese blended with olive oil and hot peppers. very good with the warm pita. And the grilled octopus. The octopus is hands down the best I have ever had. admittedly, i haven't had a TON, but it's usually very chewy. This octopus is VERY tender and just delicious. Highly recommend it. I chose the lamb chops as my entree and they were as advertised. Far and away the best lamb chops I have ever eaten. Cooked perfectly medium-rare and still a great crusty sear on the outside. If you aren't sure if you like lamb chops, do yourself a favor and just go out on a limb and give this a shot. you'll be a converted fan. granted, you might never get it this good again, but at least you will know just how good lamb chops, when done right, can be. I tried the baklava for dessert. It was OK. I'm not a giant baklava fan to begin with and I thought this version was a bit dry to be honest. My server was excellent. The atmosphere is great fun and would be a great place for groups to enjoy a night out. all in all it was the best dinning experience i had after dining out in south Florida almost every night for 2 weeks.
(4)
Rick F.

It really is, as Yelp says, "As good as it gets!" The lamb is off-the-chain good here, and the service has been impeccable. I can see why there is a line here very often. I was taken here by a friend who found it hard to believe that I hadn't been before, and now I've taken friends and make it a point to take out of town guests here for a memorable dinner.
(5)
Felisa H.

My favorite Greek food!! The lamb chops are to die for!! So yummy I crave them and must get my fix as often as I can. The Greek salad is also very nice. Love the octopus and chicken wings. My husband loves the fried feta. The lines are around the building. Like the old Rascal House in Miami Beach. May be my favorite restaurant in Florida.
(5)
skot s.

Secret shrimp sauce is worth the visit. So great we travel from Coconut Grove to Ft. Lauderdale. Service is ok, and restaurant parking could be tough when they are busy. But all is all is worth the trip, should be on the short list for restaurants in Lauderdale. Great Food, and interesting crowd.
(4)
Gabe F.

Everything was outstanding. Would note that chicken is hard to make impressive and easy to over-cook. These folks managed to get it just right. The lamb was cooked to perfect with a delicious sauce. Orzo was way over-cooked. All of the spreads were 5/5 stars. Overall, delicious lunch done very well with very adept service albeit a tiny bit slow. Would highly recommend this place.
(4)
Alex P.

This is one of my favorite restaurants, the food is consistently good, a bit pricey, however, is very tasty. Service is always very good. I would very much recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(5)
Luis P.

We've eaten at every Greek restaurant possible and this is by far the best in my opinion. To start, you can't go wrong with the Saganaki (flaming cheese), Loukaniko (sausage), or Greek salad. For your meal I'd suggest the Lamb Chops hands down. They're perfectly seasoned and have an incredible rosemary flavor. Is also suggest the Grilled Octopus. If you glance across the restaurant you'll notice almost every table has ordered one of these dishes. Parking can be a hassle and they get extremely busy in the evenings. Don't be deterred, just prepared.
(5)
Dawn B.

If your looking for Greek food this is the ONLY PLACE TO GO in town!!! They get Greek right. It's fast paced and busy at night. Sitting outside with a Greek salad,Tzatziki and lamb chops that are to die for makes for a perfect evening. Take some spanokopita and baklava home too!!! Yum!
(5)
Danny H.

I have to give major props for the lamb chops. The chops were prepared at the temperature that I requested and were cooked to make my taste buds oh so happy. I highly recommend this place, but be prepared to wait in line for a table - even though the line moves pretty fast.
(5)
Casey M.

Outstanding food!!! My very Greek family will only eat out at this Greek restaurant.... Otherwise we are cooking it at home! The lamb shank is delicious, awesome saganaki, great octopus and amazing rice pudding.
(5)
Kim P.

Let me preface this review by saying that I've followed Yelp for years and years and have valued the advice of many a Yelper in my day--I thought I'd give writing my own reviews a whirl. My experience at Greek Islands Taverna was a delectable and satisfying one. The night started when 2 of my friends and I arrived this past Friday at around 8:45pm. We found ample parking spots and upon entry, were seated promptly. The atmosphere was unpretentious and was akin to family and friends sitting around the dinner table having a great meal with great conversation. Our waiter greeted us and was very helpful with the menu; he was very attentive but not overbearing. Now onto the food... As any self proclaimed foodie would do, I did a little research before arriving to the restaurant. It seemed like the lamb chops and octopus were no brainers. We got complimentary bread and hummus, which was good, but we had to keep our eyes on the prize. My friends and I split the saganaki and octopus, and I had the lamb chops. -The saganaki is a "kefalotiri cheese flamed in brandy." Whatever they do during the flaming process is magical. The exterior was crispy and the inside was ooey and gooey. This came with a wedge of lemon, and it was recommended to squeeze the lemon on the cheese. We forgot to try the cheese pre-squeeze, but the post-squeeze cheese was very tasty. This cheesy goodness is not for those on a stringent diet, but I imagine you might break your diet for this. I would recommend eating this right when it comes to the table because the cheese will start to congeal after sitting out for a while (still delicious)... -The octopus is "grilled and immersed in lemon-oregano olive oil." My two friends who aren't big fans of calamari or any tentacled sea creature for that matter actually enjoyed this dish. The octopus was not overly chewy, and the char gave a great depth of flavor while the lemon-oregano lightened the dish a bit. This also had a wedge of lemon that I squeezed over the octopus. -The lamb chops are "char-broiled and seasoned with lemon, oregano, and olive oil with patates ladoregano and vegetables." These were definitely the star of the night for me. I ordered the lamb medium and it came out perfect. The chops were tender, succulent and flavorful. The sides included some boiled (?), seasoned potato wedges and some green beans. The green beans were a little more cooked than I prefer, but I still finished everything (typical fat kid maneuver). My friends and I didn't make room for dessert this go-around, but I will definitely be back and even recommended the restaurant to a friend already (and may have invited myself to her dining experience...) I thought this was a solid 4.5 stars so I rounded up. Will be back again! Ps: this review was brought to you from my iPad...if it accidentally autocorrected to something funky, please use your context clues :)
(5)
Leela B.

I love this place. It has wonderful tzatziki and moussaka. The lamb shank is also great, not too strong. It has the great colors of the Greek Isles and lots of artwork plus great patio seating.
(4)
Dave R.

Excellent service with excellent food. First they give you fresh bread with homemade hummus. I recommend the Greek salad that was fresh and full of flavor. I also had the smelts as an appetizer which was good but could have had a little more flavor. My main entree was the half roasted chicken which came with string beans and peas with a slight hint of tomatoes and a oven roasted potato with a olive oil drizzle. I highly recommend this restaurant you will not be disappointed. :-)
(5)
Mary Ellen H.

A very good friend of mine has eaten here once a week for 10+ years, so we tried it a second time after being underwhelmed the first time. UGH. Even with his intro to the staff, they treated my mother like GARBAGE (and she's the sweetest lady ever!), the food was so so, the service terrible. I think of 4 entrees, we liked one of them - the lamb - but honestly it couldn't compare to the Lamb just up the street at Athena. I will never go back.
(1)
Ana B.

Really good food! Good Service Feels like home in there. Lamb - Delicious Octopus - Delicious Kaftah - Good Grape leaves - Good but served cold
(4)
Jason G.

Came here for a party over the weekend and left very satisfied. Some minor things to get out of the way; the parking. It's not good, like at all. You can self park but there is a better chance you'll sit next to Zach Galifianakis at Greek Island than find a spot. Which means you have to valet for $3 and then tip, so that should be known. It's not a deal breaker but having had a few bad experiences with valet parking I prefer not to. The service at first was real spotty but once the entire party arrived it got gradually better as the night when on. Their hummus was really good. It came with sliced French bread, not pita but was one of the highlights for me. For me, hummus can makes or break a Greek Restaurant. Nobody would eat at an Italian restaurant if their sauce was bad, same thing applies here. We then were served with the calamari, that too very good but I'm traditional and would have preferred it to come with a sauce. I know it's a Greek place, but I couldn't help think just how much better it would have been with some kind of dipping sauce. For dinner they served lamb and marinated chicken breast. I'm not the biggest lamb lover but this was real succulent and grilled to perfection. For a Saturday night, the place was pretty busy. A mixed crowd of very very casual to mildly conservation. Their prices were a bit high, but for A1A Fort Lauderdale they are pretty much par for the course.
(4)
Rob K.

I love this place. The Octopus, WOW! I usually turn down Octopus because the thought of eating it turns my stomach. Waiter talked me into it. I'm glad he did. It was amazing. I also had lamb chops (go figure) this was just like the Octopus, Amazing! I would not hesitate to go back again and again. Food was great, service was great, what more could you ask for
(5)
Christopher S.

We bought a condo in walking distance to t his place earlier this year. We come down from NYC periodically and always pass this place on our bikes or while walking to beach. It always seems busy and has a great restaurant sound coming from it because the tables are full. We finally went last night and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere was just a what a restaurant should be. The food was amazing. The wait staff was a little chilly to us as new comers but warm to those that they knew. They have great outdoor seating and a nice indoor room. The prices were fair for the area. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Bonnie D.

We joined with two other couples to dine here last night. Two of us ordered the scallops and were delighted. Prepared to perfection. I sampled a bite of my friend's chicken and it was marvelous. Decisions were hard and I may opt to order the steak shisk e bob next time because it looked amazing and it is made with filet mignon. Our friend devoured his. My hubby loved his salmon and our other friend raved over his leg of lamb. The hummus was fresh and the hot cheese appetizer was an unexpected treat. An excellent ending was the rice pudding which will definitely be ordered again. There were so many delightful choices another visit will be mandatory and soon. The host and the waitress were warm and welcoming to make the evening all around perfect !!
(5)
Saul I.

The best ever greek food in Florida!!!!
(5)
Ed W.

All four gay men are we! We went to the restaurant on the recommendation of the front desk at the resort we were staying. The octopus was amazing! My friend ordered the lamb, and it was also amazing! We ordered chicken which was way over cooked and rubbery. The waiter was, and all four of us agree, very homo phobic and rude. We gave it such a low rating because of how we were treated. While I am almost POSITIVE, this is not the norm, it was our experience.
(2)
Lindsay D.

Food was very good, I had the lamb chops very tender & tasty. Problem was we were seated at the worst table in the restaurant. Closet table to the kitchen, entrance to patio & the waiting area. At times I wanted to ask the staff or other patrons waiting to be seated if they would care to join us as they stood so close to us. At one point staff using the back of my chair to rest his hand on while he chatted away to the customers waiting to be seated. Not impressed. Will return but will insist on a better table next time.
(3)
Jonathon C.

I love greek islands! I regularly come here for the lunch. The Hummus is the best hummus I have ever had. The olive oil/lemon sauce they put everything in is phenomenal. I regularly get the Gyro or the lamb chops, however everything is great.
(5)
Alan H.

Really not great at all. Came here to treat myself on vacation. It all started with the entrance. They have ! doors (confusing), I went in one door and had to track down the host stand which was not actually by the second door, but located in the middle of the restaurant.... horrible!!. The food was just ok. It started off ok... bland hummus and wheat bread. Next I had the shrimp appetizer which looked good, but then I realized that I just paid $4 per shrimp of mediocre size that were swimming a pool of sauce. My entree looked like something from a can of chef boyardee. Leg of lamb which was actually really tender. It was smothered in a bland tomato sauce and came with a heaping portion of overcooked orzo. I decided to cut my loses and skip dinner. The service could have added value, but it only took away from the experience. If you have to call a server over multiple times its a sign of mediocrity. I love greek food and have had many great experiences. I will try one of the other places in town when I'm back.
(2)
Marc M.

Either the workers are truly from Mount Olympus or else they can fake a good accent. Either way, this place is as Authentic Greek as I've ever had (and yes, I have been to Greece.) From the outside, this place looks like a typical east-coast-florida-50's style restaurant. There is nothing special about the decor or location. I would say that 75% of the patrons walk here from the nearby towers of condos. The menu is big and varied. Around the table, I will highlight what my lunch party liked: -The Lentil Soup. I had this to start - it was so yummy I wanted to eat the bay leaves in it. Is it safe to do so?? -The baked octopus appetizer. It was served in some oil and lemon sauce -probably the second best thing I tasted. -The Gyro. I order this as my entry and I was a bit unhappy. I think I got the end of the lamb, because it was dry and burnt. I think it was a fluke, because I can't believe a place like this could serve a bad gyro. The wine list was pretty big - their house wine was not as cheap as I would have thought. Oh well, I only had one glass. Is it me or does all Greek wine have a hint of pine??
(4)
Heather V.

SORRY I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING about this restaurant! I have a true service dog and they won't let me bring him there...NO THANKS!!!
(1)
M K.

Simply the best food! Anything you take is something. Expect to wait to be seated if come 7-8pm
(5)
David M.

Food is phenomenal - maybe my favorite. Chicken and filet kebabs are my favorite. Service is not great.
(4)
Kristin N.

We came here for a quick bite to eat. The gyro platter was pretty good, however we ordered the grilled octopus and it was a bit too charred. The greek cheese that comes out with a flame was full of oil that my fiancÃ© felt sick while we were still at the restaurant. I don't think we will go back any time soon.
(2)
Steve C.

I live in Broward and have driven by this place many times. Picture this: my friend and I leave the house at 2:30P on New Years Day, famished and hung over, in need of tasty and substantial food. We drove around looking for something open, appropriate, and fitting... We could tell right away we happened on the right place because we both had driven by and wanted to try many times. The food was fab. She had chicken and rice soup (called something much cooler in Greek), along with stuffed peppers entree. I had shish kebob with sirloin. It was all a home run. The food was fantastic. The soup has a hint of lemon at the end. I suspect to cover any corn syrup, but that matters not. The soup is addicting. Lots of delicious hummus and bread kept coming to the table. The only downside is the wait stuff is a little self important, and I think they think that customers are supposed to get out of their way! Ha, isn't' that funny? Seriously, I found that the servers do think that. Um, customer is always right, and get out of the CUSTOMER'S WAY! I will be going back, the food is fantastic.
(4)
Chris C.

My wife and I had dinner at Greek Islands while vacationing in Ft. Lauderdale. I was initially concerned there would be a wait because parking was scarce and we saw a number of people standing outside the restaurant. However, there was a seating hostess and an older gentleman (who I'm guessing was one of the owners) who took a head count of each dinner party. We were seated within minutes of our arrival. For a Thursday night in January, this place was packed! I took that as a good indication the food would be enjoyable. We started off with an order of tzatziki and pita bread. For our entrees, my wife ordered the roast chicken ladoregano and I had the pastitsio. Both dishes were amazing...very fresh and flavorful. Even the portions felt like just the right amount of food; not too small or large. For dessert, we shared an order of baklava, which was a great finisher to the meal. The service was also very good; evenly paced. All of our dishes came to the table in a fair amount of time. Overall, a great dining experience from start to finish and a definite highlight to our vacation.
(5)
Melissa S.

Everything was okay, and that's it. Octopus was overly salty and charred so it tasted bitter; lamb was overcooked and the side beans were swimming in oil and could have used the extra salt from the octopus. The best thing was the saganaki cheese, but considering we sampled almost the entire menu, that isn't a compliment. I don't see the point in coming to have okay food here when you can go across the street to Thasos and have food of a far superior caliber and quality there -- at the same price point.
(2)
Alex G.

Came back with my wife to give it another shot. The place was packed yet the service was top notch. The waitress was quick, sweet and attentive. Decor is clean and "Greek modern," and sitting outside was pleasant and relaxing. Huge points in their favor. Started with a tasty horiatiki salad, and an incredible grilled octopus. Chicken kabob had perfectly grilled chicken and veggies over a generous serving of yellow rice. Tzatziki was creamy and fresh tasting. I'm a fan! Will absolutely be back!
(4)
Sal G.

This is your standard Greek restaurant. Many items are made with oil, lemon and oregano, they have the typical appetizers and accompaniments (ex. hummus, grape leaves, etc.), and they have a full compliment of desserts. The pizzaz appears to be missing from the entire experience, though. After fighting for a parking space and then squeezing into my table I really did expect something that would just knock my socks off. Be it chicken or lamb, the flavors never really helped me transcend to a higher state of being. The hummus and grape leaves were good, but again they were just lacking that certain something that would bring them above all of the other Greek restaurants in the area. The only thing going for them is the fact that the food didn't taste bad. Would I return? Of course I would; but only if another, better option, wasn't possible.
(3)
N M.

Best Greek restaurant I have been to. Chicken shish kabob was nicely prepared - tender, perfectly cooked, and flavorful. My brother, who is a chef, liked the lamb chops he ordered. If he liked it that means it was really well prepared! Service was friendly and prices were reasonable.
(5)
RM K.

Pros:Great food! Cons: small parking lot Old granny chic interior If you want to eat great greek food I def recommand this place.. But if you want trendy, hip place and you want to hook up with good lookin people? Forget about this place!
(4)
Ruwan S.

In this order: traditional meze and fresh pita bread, octopus, then the filet mignon kebob... One of the best meals in Fort Lauderdale. No reservations taken and it fills up, but worth the wait. This is the best Greek spot in town and they know it. $$$
(5)
Adam R.

My friends, wife and myself went there the other night for supper as we have never had Greek before, and we were told this was the place to go. They did not let down! The food was absolutely amazing and the waiter we had did an awesome job explaining the menu to us and ensured we had a great experience!
(5)
Ash R.

One word: Awesome!! Started with salad, then moved on to the fried cheese in Brandy. The service was excellent. The lamb chops were some of the best I've ever had. Also tried the chicken wings which were also great. It's crazy to read some of the reviews. Not a bad option hit our table. The sides were very tasty. Love this place will be back again soon!
(5)
Bonnie G.

Worth the trip! Some of the best greek food I have ever had. Compares to Astoria, NY which is still a favorite. Very crowed and long wait on a Friday night. I could not decide what to order, everything looked so good! For appetizers we had the dips combination, saganaki, and calamari. All were exceptional. The calamari was fried crispy and the dips all had a kick of garlic and spice. I ended up ordering the chicken kabobs which I order frequently at other greek and middle eastern restaurants. The chicken was in large chunks and perfectly grilled. It was topped with a light lemon tasting sauce which is a nice change and add on. It did not come with tzaziki, I did add with some from our starter. My friend ordered the chicken greek salad, which was a big serving. The chicken was good, as well as delicious large pieces of home made feta. The lamb also looked delicious. I will have to try in the future!
(5)
Bread Man S.

One heck of a restaurant. No wonder why it's so busy. Great environment and the food is simply awesome. Also, order anything Lamb and you will never be disappointed. Great job.
(5)
Tara D.

First of all, ask for Roya...she gave us the best recommendations and the best service! The experience starts outside, you can delight your nose even in the parking lot as the aromas from the grill waft through the air... We started with Real homemade garlic hummus and the lemon herb octopus-right off the grill. Greek salad was perfectly seasoned, and the Greek wine Roya recommended was a perfect pairing with the aromatic and flavorful family style entrees. Avgolemono soup was traditionally made, no short cuts there. The ambiance was comfortable and there is patio seating available. You know you're in the right place when you can smell the grill, and you're welcomed with a smile:) we will be back again! Another sign of good food is seeing seniors (older Greek people know where to find real Greek food) and the comfort of a family owned restaurant. Roya, our server, made sure we were happy the entire meal, while making us feel like we were guests at her own home. Although they were busy, we didn't wait for a table (3:30p). Such a nice experience, we will make it back from Kendall soon and often!
(5)
Lisa M.

We always get dragged here when we visit relatives but I still am not a fan. My three year old is not super picky but we are vegan/vegetarian and there is nothing here that the kiddo will eat but the bread. There are very few options if you are vegan/vegetarian and I always leave hungry. The one positive thing I can say is that the service is always stellar (perhaps it is because the in-laws come about once a week). ;) I really want to like Greek Islands Taverna but....not yet. I am sure I will be back. sigh.
(2)
Daniela P.

By far the best greek food in ft lauderdale. Amazing. We come here every year for spring break and its a must!
(5)
Roger H.

One of the best meals I had in the Miami region and the best I had in Ft. Lauderdale. Great, authentic greek food that is apparently worth waiting for given the line around the building...but it moves quickly. There are no reservations...you just line up. Great greek fish dishes...lamb chops...and very traditional greek great baba ghanoush and the octopus is good!
(5)
Meagan M.

Food is great!! The lamb chops are the very best. Octopus is fabulous. Fast service and don't worry about the line it moves fast.
(5)
Sala W.

Do not miss this place!!! This is the real deal as far as Greek food goes...no stale pita bread or dry feta here. My dining companion and I split everything - greek salad to start with (the large would be a delicious meal in itself), shrimp appetizer (we licked the plate clean), and lamb chop entree (we sucked the bones dry). Everything was cooked perfectly, this is the first place I recommended to a friend visiting the area. Our server provided excellent service as well, from start to finish a great meal.
(5)
Andy B.

The food and service was great! Great value as well. I had the broad bean appetizer and grape leaves.....delicious. I only wish the parking situation was a little easier. This restaurant was packed on a Monday night, but the food still came out quickly and our service was attentive.
(4)
Tricia S.

Excellent food. The hummus, tzatziki sauce, dolmades, gyros and soup are very delicious and freshly made!!! The food is the best Greek cuisine that I have had in both miami and ft lauderdale. The restaurant is cute w oily th a nice patio. I did nit give 5 stars because the server was not very nice. The food came out quickly and the order was perfect. She just did not check on us at all and seemed annoyed when I even asked for water. Maybe she was having a bad day??? Everything else was so great! We will definitely go back. I highly recommend this restaurant!!
(4)
Assi L.

I travel to Florida frequently, and this is one of the better restaurants in SF. Great food, great staff and super atmosphere!
(4)
Mark M.

Everyone's recommendation about the lamb chops was right on. One of the best I've ever had. The 4 double baby chops is a great value at $27. Service was excellent, friendly, and spot on. We were there early on Sunday so no problem getting a table but it was starting to fill up as we were leaving at 7pm. I highly recommend whether you like Greek food or not.
(5)
Tomas G.

My wife and I were introduced to this greek restaurant a couple years ago, we have such good memories of that experience, that we decided to try it once again this Fall. What an awesome cuisine...! We tried the fig leaves, the grilled octopus, a greek salad and the lamb chops... everything delicious and attentive service. Highly recommended....
(4)
EJ L.

Octopus was fantastic!
(4)
Carlos L.

This place is consistently packed, and I have avoided it thinking it was due to tourists. Boy I was wrong, it is packed regardless of season so when some friends asked us to join the for dinner we accepted. Place is crowded despite the several tables they have (its big inside, they maximize interior space). We had: Hummus with bread; cant go wrong with hummus, was great. Octopus; cooked to perfection, super tender, crispy-charred. Some of the best octopus i have ever had, for its simplicity. Salad for 2; enough to share, very good and simple. 1/2 chicken roasted; it was great, it came with potatoes and green beens. We were beyond full by the time we left. We already know what we will do next time; share 1 salad and have 1 octopus each.
(4)
Remi D.

Food is ok but does not make up for the bad management. Was told the wait would be 20 min but ended up waiting 1h 15 min. Hostess does not take names but people have to wait in line outside (some way longer than others). Many people that came later than us got sat within minutes (large parties of 10+ people, or friends with the manager?). The other couple in front of us was just as confounded as we were. Complained to the manager but he couldn't care less. Hostess told us we were free to leave after 1h waiting (I wish she would have said that 15 min in). The food was ok but not worth the wait and the attitude. You can go there if you're a large party or good friends with the manager. Otherwise, I can't recommend it.
(1)
Taryn E.

I have been here 2x and I've only lived in south Florida for 2 months. My husband and I took the kids to an early Friday dinner one night and we enjoyed everything. The octopus, the salad, the kabob and especially the lamb chops were prepared authentically. Did I mention I'm half Greek? Ha The service and experience was so good I brought my parents back when they came to visit on our second trip there. The staff was so pleasant and the patrons equally as fun! They even have Mavro Daphne Port Wine from my moms home town, Patras. I'll be frequenting this place for sure and highly recommend it!
(5)
Jaquline M.

This place is very very good. The Greek cuisine is very tasty and the prices are very moderate. I ordered literally half the menu including lemon drop soup, Greek Caviar, Opa Cheese, feta cheese, pita bread everything, and it is very good. The chicken was perfectly baked and the veggies where excellent. The service was really good but the only reason I'm not rateing 5 stars is because they forgot to bring out my Greek salad but charged me for it anyway, until I of course told them about it. Perfect place for family!!
(4)
SB S.

Fail safe for a great meal in Fort Lauderdale. Their chicken, filet, fish, lamb... Everything I've tried was so fresh, and wonderful. Grape leaves are great. Hummus is not. It's the only thing they do there that I don't understand. It gets packed at times with a line out the door. I never wait because there's plenty of other times during the week where you can easily get a table. I prefer to sit outside. I also don't understand the parking. Valet is very unnecessary. They do need to expand their parking horizons because it just cannot accommodate they amount of people who frequent there. Oh! Rice pudding. Their rice pudding is great. Ask for them to heat it up. Youre welcome.
(4)
Anon F.

My favorite restaurant in S. Florida - hands down! I've had almost everything on the menu and each meal was outstanding. Service is great and friendly. Meals are reasonably priced for the high quality. When I used to eat meat, the lamb chops (cooked medium) was my favorite thing on the menu. In fact, everyone I've taken there say the same thing after eating them - they're the best they've ever had. Also delicious are the baby back ribs! Their mousakka and souvlaki are also very tasty. Now, I only eat seafood dishes there. And I love the calamari, the grouper filet, and the whole Florida yellow snapper - delicious. For starters, the free hummus is great, and I also recommend the stuffed grape leaves (with just a dash of fresh lemon). Drinks were a little pricey, but sufficiently stiff. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jacob Y.

Great flavors, fast and friendly service, there's good reasons why it's been the King for years. The lamb is supreme, tasty salads, always quality. I've never had a problem parking, or there are lots of spots across the street and a huge garage near Oakland Park Bridge.
(5)
Suzanne B.

BEST RIBS ANYWHERE! We buy 2 orders, have them carefully wrapped and take them back to Michigan. Fantastic!!!
(5)
Hector C.

Excellent taverna! We did a selection of appetizers and they were as good as what I was used to getting when I lived in Greece.
(5)
Kerry M.

WoW! This place was AMAZING. There was a line of 20 people outside of the door, so we knew it had to be good. While we stood in line, the locals told us to order the lamb chops without even glancing at the menu because they are THAT good, but we took a peak and they are $27! We decided to go with a more traditional order of tzatziki ($5), pita bread ($1), and we each ordered a gyro ($8 each). Every table gets bread and garlic hummus. Everything was sooooo delicious, but they definitely don't skimp on the garlic. :) We have been burping garlic all night, but it was the best Greek restaurant I've been to, so it is worth it! :) Make sure you order the tzatziki when you go if you're a fan - 5 stars!
(5)
Michelle S.

Great food, friendly, excellent service and great food, what more could you ask for? Baba Ganoush, and they did not serve it. The only missing star, please put it on your menu. My husband loves the lamb chops here and he tries them everywhere. He dreams about coming here to get them and they are really reasonably priced. We will be back for sure, worth the trip!
(4)
Wade M.

BAD EXPERIENCE. We've been going here weekly for a couple of years. Read my review from 2011. I love the baby back ribs and Greek salad. 5pm on a Friday night, the place was half full, and they would seat us at a 4-top inside, but not on the patio. Annoying. Almost the entire parking lot is now valet. I thought valet was for cases where the parking is too far or too tricky, not to make a few extra bucks for driving a car 15 feet into the spot. Come on. OK, I was a bit annoyed before we ordered, but I was still focused on the important thing: the ribs. Then the food came. It was not fresh. Our ribs were room temperature and dry. These ribs were re-heated lunch leftovers. I ate them anyway. When the check came, I mentioned it to the waiter, and he was indifferent. I'm partly to blame because I didn't have the time to send them back, but here's what I propose: you take care of me, and I'll take care of you.
(1)
Phil S.

greek hamburger for lunch. good flavor but maybe 4oz .very small for $8.00. I usually have a greek salad which is good. Lunch specials are not available on weekends.
(3)
Christina L.

If you are looking for the best Greek food in Broward County then this is the restaurant you need to check out! I am a huge Greek food fan and Greek Islands does not disappoint. Keep in mind if you do decide to check this place out you will not be able to make reservations or simply add your name to a waiting list. If you come during prime dining hours you will be standing in line for a table but don't fret because the line usually moves pretty quickly and its definitely worth the wait. Top item selections are the Saganaki, if you love cheese this is the appetizer you must try. The lamb chops are a claim to fame here and are cooked to perfection as well as the lemon, olive oil potato wedges. The Souvalki entree and Mousaka are both quite delicious as well. You must also try out their traditional Greek wines, they compliment your meal quite nicely. And the Greek salad is veggie fresh with amazing feta to boot. Save room for dessert because the choices of Greek pastry will be sure to put your sweet tooth on a tasty ride. And if you need a very strong caffeine fix their Greek coffee will satisfy. Price points are very reseaonable with most entrees being under $15. The atmosphere is casual and there are no belly dancers or plate breakers here, just honest great Greek food and wine to satisfy a good food lovers palate.
(5)
E P.

The staff was very hospitable. We found this casual restaurant to be a good choice if you are looking for rustic, Greek taverna fare. The whole fish special was very good and the hummus gets high marks.
(3)
T T.

I love the food here. I've been here many times and it's always consistently great food. The chicken kabobs are my favorite. The hummus is excellent which is free and brought to you before your meal. The downside of this is that I actually start to fill up on it before my meal even comes to the table. I try to get in here on weekdays for early dinner or late lunch. It gets quite busy and sometimes impossible to find a parking spot otherwise.
(4)
Carmen Z.

Love the food, some waitress need to be original & nice .....
(4)
Jeremy A.

Love this restaurant! It's always packed here which I like to see in restaurants. It means they are good and doing something right. I am constantly craving their grape leave rolls and gyro platter. I will definitely keep returning to get them. If your looking for a great Greek restaurant you've found it here!!
(5)
Darryl S.

Super popular; packed to the rafters! Really comforting food, but on the expensive side. (What do you expect from being on the A1A?) Gonna have to go back soon, as I can't remember what I ordered and ate -- it seems like a long time ago...! I do remember that our entire party had a great time!
(4)
Robert C.

First visit. Food was excellent but the waiter (Steve) was a complete ass. Never once asked how the food was nor did he refill our drinks. I will go back but will make sure that I do not get stuck with the same waiter.
(4)
Jessell P.

The restaurant is super cute and the outdoor area is very pleasant. My friend and I ordered the grilled octopus which was delicious as well as a grilled chicken Greek salad and tzatziki. Our waitress was not impressed by us wanting to share our dishes and wasn't as attentive. We had to ask someone for a to go box for our leftovers and our check after we realized she has abandoned us. She came with the box but not the check and proceeded to go hang out with her friends (pictured here). Then came back and we asked again for our check, she brought it after a while and we were ready with our payment and asked her not to leave without it but she left anyway. Finally we were able to go and a perfectly beautiful restaurant and meal experience was tainted by bad service. Management, take notice - we yelp.
(3)
Drew D.

The reviews are right! This place is worth the wait. When you park and see the daunting line to get in, just realize its a sign of how delicious this place is-it's not a fluke! For appetizers, we ordered the octopus, our friends ordered the shrimp and we shared a Greek salad. Our friends devoured their shrimp. Our octopus was grilled well and the sauce it was served with was citrus based and complemented the octopus nicely. The Greek salad was standard, albeit heavy on the tomatoes. I had the lamb chops and they definitely lived up to the hype! Cooked just perfectly to the temperature I requested and seasoned to perfection! I took the bones home for my dog (yes, we are those dog owners), and got laughed at by my husband for sneaking a few late night nibbles off the leftovers- they were that good! My husband was between the whole snapper and the grouper. He ordered the whole snapper and the waitress ended up bringing him the grouper because she honestly felt that the snapper didn't look up to par. We truly appreciated her sparing him the experience of a less than fresh fish, and his grouper was flaky, fresh and scrumptious to boot. The service was wonderful and we will most definitely be returning, even if we have to wait in line!
(4)
Dominick B.

I absolutely love this restaurant. The food is authentic, outstanding, and all with a great atmosphere. Being a discriminating fan of octopus, I must say it's the best I have ever had. If you like Greek food, and love octopus, I highly recommend this place.
(5)
jed k.

Was staying with my sister and she recommended this Greek restaurant. This place does not take reservations. We arrived at about 7:30 pm and had to wait about a 1/2 hour. The wait was worth it. Our server Scott was great. Hummus and bread is brought to the table. The hummus was excellent. We ordered the Greek salad which was excellent. We ordered lamb chops , shrimp and filet mignon shiskabob. They were all perfectly cooked and well seasoned. This will become a regular stop for us.
(4)
William L.

Staying true to my history, I found my favorite restaurant of the trip my last night in town. I had dinner here solo on a gorgeous evening, dining on their large and accommodating patio. To start, I had the avgolemono soup. I had never had anything even close to my Yia Yia's version...until last night. It wasn't as good, but is was awfully close. Just the right amount of lemon in the broth to make it tart, but not sour. For the main course, I chose the souvlaki. The pork was very tender and juicy, doused in lemon-herb goodness, with a hearty portion of rice to soak up any spillage. The grilled vegetables...well, I didn't even notice them because the pork was so delicious. Service was fine, although I can see the parking and seating situation might get difficult when it's very busy. There are two entrances to the parking lot, so if you go in the first one and it's full, exit and go right in to the second entrance.
(5)
Miami S.

Do Not Miss. A Florida Tradition - worth the wait and really fabulous food. Love the Ribs- the Swordfish was superlative...and the outstanding Greek Salad can be shared with 4 diners... We cant wait to return. Dessert? The Rice pudding is divine...who knew?
(5)
Paul C.

My family has been to this place maybe 5 times and the food and service has always been excellent. The grilled octopus appetizer and the lamb chops entree are staples for us. The yellowtail and sword fish were tasty too. The only thing on the menu I wouldn't personally recommend is the rice pudding. 2 appetizers, 3 entrees and 3 desserts came out to a reasonable $130 before tip. Other than the long waiting time there's not much to complain about this place.
(5)
L. C.

This place is AMAZING. My family and I tend to be a little hesitant on trying new foods. EVERYTHING we tried was great. From the octopus to our mail meal. We will defiantly have to go back here when visiting the area again.
(5)
Pasquale L.

It's solid Greek food you can't go wrong. Why not 5 stars?? Good question it is almost there; Greek Islands Chicago would be 5 star (not accociated with this restaurant) if you have eaten at both you would get where I am coming from.
(4)
Deborah D.

We had a wonderful dinner at the Taverna. We decided at last minute to get away from cold and spent 5 days in Hollywood Beach. We loved the outdoor dining with heaters right on the water. The staff was very friendly and the food was amazing. Dan had lemon whole fish, and I had steak kebob. We loved the hummus, yogurt dip, and grape leaves. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Anne Marie G.

I discovered this place while at a martial arts seminar held on Galt Ocean Mile. I love Greek food and can cook a mean spanikopita. I took some friends and we tried the sampler platter with various Greek dips (Skorthalia [Greek Garlic Spread], Tzatziki [Greek Yogurt Dip], Taramasalata [Greek Caviar], and Htipiti [Feta Spread]) and pita bread. If you are new to Greek food this appetizer platter is great to get, and if you're not, its great to get. I, of course, tried the spanikopita (Spinach Pie) and the dolmathes (Stuffed Grape Leaves). They were both de-lish. If you are there for lunch, get the Gyro or Chick Gyro lunch special with the Greek style potatoes (homemade potato wedges baked with lemon and pepper seasoning). I also recommend the souvlaki, which is the Greek version of kabobs, but it's usually pork, but you can get chicken souvlaki. They offer two types of Greek Salads. The first is what you commonly think of Greek Salad with lettuce and feta. The second is the traditional style without lettuce, but with tomatoes and cucumbers. Coming from a Greek background via my Step-Father of over 25 years, I can attest that the food is authentic Greek and great. If you're in the area stop on by. Just watch out to the crowd size while our northern visitors are here. There will be a wait to sit, but it's well worth it.
(5)
N W.

The best Greek Restaurant in South Florida! The best Lamb Chops and Shrimp Dinner! Very busy, but absolutely delicious Greek food!
(5)
Shaan A.

And this place my friends is the best place to get great authentic Greek food. They have some of the best grill menu options I've had. They also are very friendly (owners) and have some of the best meals I've had. Parking is a little hard but they have valet now which is awesome!
(5)
Sharon M.

Ok... just ok. Not the greatest Greek food I have had. Fish was decent. Everything else just OK. Service was a bit too fast to my taste, almost like they are rushing you out. Busy and loud place. Don't come here looking for a relaxing experience!
(4)
Dennis R.

Craving Greek food and decided on Greek Islands Taverna. This place is perfect for Floridians who have no idea what to expect from Greek food. Maybe coming from New York my expectation for Greek fare is impossible for south Florida. Screwing up Greek food had got to be pretty hard. Usually even when it's bad it's still pretty good. Seems greek Taverna is more new generational greek somehow forgetting ya ya's old recipe sort of speak. The Greek salad had no lettuce, there was no gyro to be found, loaf whole wheat bread served in place of pita. The souvlaki was overdone and my waitress insisted it was supposed to be that way. There was no tzaziki sauce served with the meat, that is like no ketchup with your fries. They charged us extra for a side. Was not to upset though when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Expecting good greek good in Florida is like expecting good Italian on a cruise, usually you end up with spaghetti with ketchup. I did however like the Ferrari parked outside!
(2)
Robert G.

I've been to many Greek restaurants in different parts of the country and this one is as good as it gets. It is owned by a Greek family and many of the items on the menu are from family recipes. I know this because I frequently sit at the bar and talk to the owner. The best things on the menu are probably the lamb chops or the fresh fish, but I've had almost everything on the menu and you can't go wrong with any choice. If you're on a budget, try the small Greek salad and an appetizer. Why the small? The large Greek salad will feed at least two people. The salads are traditional, Greek salads with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, red onions, black olives, oregano and spices. No lettuce. All meals come with bread and homemade hummus. The hummus is excellent but you must like garlic because it has plenty! The calamari appetizer is better than most Italian restaurants but there is no red sauce. The grilled octopus is tender and amazing. This place gets very, very crowded on weekends. I've read a couple of reviews about long waits and unfriendly staff. I think the staff does an exceptional job dealing with the chaos that ensues on any given weekend. You certainly will have a long wait if you go during dinner time on a Friday or Saturday night. Either plan to wait, go later in the evening, or try this place for lunch. If you are a party of one or two, you can try sitting at the bar. I always meet interesting people there.
(5)
Adam R.

I had to wait until I spoke with my grandfather again before I reviewed this place, as I totally forgot the name. Greek Islands eh? Very catchy. ;P Anyway, this place is a classic example of a place that does some things very well, and other things kind of poorly. But if you get the right things, then it's awesome. And what is awesome? The lamb chops. And by awesome, I mean turbo awesome. Perfectly cooked. Crazy tender. A little bit of char on the outside. And several chops per order. Aww yeah! What's not awesome? Well, I didn't sample everything from the menu, but the chicken wings were greasy and unimpressive. And the gyros tasted like they were the kind that are served in fast food establishments. And I guess that would make the ratio of awesome to not awesome 1:3, which isn't great. But see, that's why you read Yelp reviews (or at least I hope). Because if you have a cheat sheet going in, and order just the awesome stuff, you'll do just fine here.
(4)
Greg T.

You simply must have the Grouper. It is consistently out of this world fresh and tasty. And you can't miss the lovely Greek staff...don't know what is better the beautiful blondes or food....I'll take BOTH! Seriously, a bit difficult to get to when there's beach traffic but well worth the trouble. My friends tell me the evenings and Fridays are a treat for the eyes and taste buds. Greg T -
(4)
Dawn R.

The food is good in general. We had octopus which was great. Pikilia was good, and smelts were good. Horiatiki was okay, tomatoes were smushy. They should have more Greek wines by the glass. The pastitsio was very dry and disappointing for the price. The only homemade dessert is the rice pudding which was excellent but would have liked to have homemade galaktoboureko.
(3)
Mike P.

I may the only person of Greek descent in the world who doesn't really like lamb, (or octopus for that matter). BUT, I do like good lamb chops. And, I must say the lamb chops here are the best I've ever eaten. Period. Better than those I've eaten in Athens, Thessaloniki or Kastoria. Better than those in Astoria, Chicago or Detroit. (Never been to Melbourne, however.) Even better than my Grandma's. Most of the other things I've eaten there, such as the pastitsio, are of a high quality also. Other than my Grandma's, this may possibly be the best, most flavorful, pastitsio I've eaten. (I know that Greek food isn't supposed to be spicy, per se, but it is supposed to be flavorful). Way better than the Chicago place with the same name. Solid choice any night of the week. Not as much fun as Taverna Opa in Hollywood, but the food at Greek Islands blows TO's food away. (Only go to TO for the T&A!) Maybe not the best Greek cuisine I've EVER experienced, but not too far off. Certainly, in my opinion, the best in South Florida. Strongly recommended.
(5)
Nick A.

Solid option if you want to try some Greek food, and I can see why its always busy because the ambiance is good and so is the location and to most people that's enough, but the food is nothing great and to me I left without much reason to go back. The outside dining area is nice and just as busy as the inside, and the bar was packed to where it was tough to grab a drink while waiting for a table. Outside the restaurant is lined with some super fancy cars which seemed a little unusual because I didn't think this was a very fancy restaurant. I was happy to hear our host/waiter/busboys were Greek fully equipped with the accent and all. My neighbor sold me on the lamb here, and it was flavorful and cooked very well and met the expectations, but for 26 bucks it better. The veggies it was served with were a letdown because they were drowned in grease. The potatoes on the side were also greasy and painfully average, there's just not much effort or pride put into the side dishes here. A lot of restaurants can make a good piece of lamb, chicken or steak, but really the little things like sides separate the men from the boys and this place just sticks to their easy way out greasy formula when it comes to side dishes, weak. The hummus was free just like most Greek joints, and it was a bit of a letdown. It wasn't bad at all but sadly not even close to as flavorful as those Sabra's you can buy at Publix. They should spice up this dish just to separate themselves from the other Greek restaurants that all offer free hummus, that being said we asked for seconds and they didn't hesitate to bring more. The Greek salad was a fair portion for its price and everything in it tasted fresh and its seems they've mastered the Greek salad recipe which must have been a daunting task. You'll get real good vibes here because it's packed with people that seem to be enjoying themselves and the little lamb is good for sure but that's not enough of a reason to recommend this place highly to anyone. This place seems to be ran by Greeks and I would think they would want this to be the very best representation of their country's cuisine and maybe it's their best effort but the outcome is just average.
(3)
Millary M.

One of my favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale! Have to eat here whenever I come down from the NE! Love going for lunch which is very reasonably priced - especially the luncheon specialties! The hummus and warm bread served upon arrival (small white baguette plus slices of grain variety, the latter being much tastier) are delicious; just the right amount of garlic in the hummus! I usually order the lunch special gyro in the pita, which comes with one side. I like the tomato salad which also has sliced cucumber, green peppers and red onions in a tasty vinaigrette dressing. Wish it came with some feta but that's the "Greek salad" which isn't offered as one of the sides! An extra order of tzatziki makes the gyro great - so flavorful! The Greek style burger was another good choice; great flavor but a little over-cooked, making it a little tough! The service is quite speedy and attentive - an all round great dining experience! I highly recommend this restaurant for authentic Greek dining.
(4)
Sarah E.

Busy place with a laid back atmosphere.. Best Greek I've had in South FL thus far. Can't go wrong with the grilled octopus app and the lamb chops for entree. Delish!
(5)
Tommy H.

BRUNCH!! Wow the brunch is incredible. Amazing food and to top it off, $15 bottomless drinks. The place is beautiful. Try it and see why I've fallen in love.
(5)
Tracy A.

Another little gem in my neighborhood that I have overlooked for years. Amazing Greek food. The lamb chop was to die for. Don't be frightened by the line. It moves quickly. The place is runs like a well oiled machine. Looking forward to going back soon and making my way through the menu. Decisions. Decisions.
(5)
Korinne J.

The cat is out of the bag in regards to the quality food this place serves up. The Octopus is the best in Florida The Grouper is amazing. Snapper is divine. Service is great. The place is clean and staff super friendly. I have been to many Greek restaurants in Florida and this is a definate favorite! An older couple that sat next to me has been driving down from Delray for 8 years to have dinner twice a month here. Season can be a bit crowded. Tekanis.....
(5)
Serge B.

we go there since 1999 and the place is consistently good. Pork ribs, octopus, lamb chops, all to die for and not to miss. There is only ONE draw back - you can't bring your own wine. If it wasn't for that, I'd eat there once a week.
(5)
John N.

This is my 2nd time coming here and I have to say the food here were pretty dam delicious. The place is always crowed and the last time when I came here(10 yrs ago), they expanded the whole place out. We order the octopus, gypos and couple other dishes that I forgot and order the lamb chop and pork for dinner. Everything came out fast and the highlight has to be their octopus which was super tender and they didn't cook the sh$t out of it like most other places.If you are ever in the neighborhood, this is a place to check out. There might be a little waiting time but well worth it. OPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
(4)
M F.

I have been eating here for over 10 years, since I used to live in Weston...now that I live in the beach, I am a frequent...excellent food, attentive servers, it is just great! I wished they delivered...for those rainy nights I don't feel like walking! Thy should offer self-parking for those who do not want to use valet...luckily I can now come walking!
(5)
David H.

I've only tasted better lamb in Baku...octopus is off and on and George needs to do something about the desserts. Baklava is consistently dry....
(4)
Sue P.

My friends and decided to come here after the original restaurant we picked was closed. But boy were we happily surprised! Food was amazing !!!! I am not a big fan of hummus but I literally ate the whole bowl! We order the pikilia, it was 4 different type of dips with warm pita bread, MUST order. It was fresh and so delicious, we got full from that but there was more!!! I ordered the gyro, it tasted really fresh. Could of been because the kitchen was like 5 ft from us and we could smell all the food and watch them cook it :) The only thing I didn't like was the baklava, it was dry and not good at all. But we didn't care since our meal was soooooooooo good.
(4)
Bob R.

All aspects of the meal were excellent including the Eggplant dip appetizer ! Wow, really delicious as was my grilled swordfish .
(4)
Janine K.

Best.Lamb.Chops.Ever. Actually everything here is quite good... but the lamb chops are to die for! Every time I've been to Greek Islands, it's extremely busy. If that doesn't tell you its good, I don't know what would. :P
(5)
Sofia P.

Great location, good food and very nice atmosphere. Lamb chops were excellent. So why three stars? Owner/host is very rude, he should not be greeting and seating customers before attending some hospitality classes. Other than that it would be a great place to eat!
(3)
Great S.

This is where you come when you want authentic Greek food, cooked properly, and yummy as all get-out. For the price, you can't beat it, and if you drive by the place 8:00ish in the a.m., you can smell them starting to cook for that night, I think that's why it's always packed; but they handle the "packed" perfectly, the wait is always quick and easy.
(5)
rachel u.

I'd heard good things from many people, so was pretty excited to check it out. I'd say the food was good to awesome. -The pikilia (assortment of 4 traditional dips) was very generous, we took most of it home. The eggplant dip, like really garlicy baba ghanoush, and tzatziki, which was creamy, not too think and with nice chunks of cucumber, were my fav's. -Octopus was good, but not amazing. It was cooked perfectly, but the sauce was lacking. I got home with the left-overs, and put a dash of hot sauce with it, and I think that's what it needed. -Filet of grouper "plaki" was great. The fish was cooked perfectly and a generous helping. The sauce was flavorful with onions, tomatoes, garlic and dill. It seemed like a pretty healthy dish, the sauce had nice chunky veggies. The sad part was that even though the green beans were yummy, they were not hot (but not cold enough to send them back). I would definitely recommend this dish! -The chocolate cake was (almost) good, but nothing to write home about. Our server was really nice, very cute personality. I was not impressed with her answers to my questions, not sure if it was language issue. When asked about the only red Greek wine by the glass, she said "like merlot". It was kinda like a cheap merlot... that had been opened for 3 days :\ I give it 3.5 stars
(4)
James S.

Good place to go for Greek!
(4)
Chich S.

The octopus is to die for. It is seriously one of the best things I've eaten in my life. The rest of the dishes our table ordered were delicious too. The service was a bit off but our server was nice. Seriously, get the octopus.
(4)
Robbyn Z.

Great food, great server, recommended a very nice Greek wine...yummm.or op
(5)
Tough C.

Consistently good service and food. The Greek Salad is delicious and fresh. Their Lamb Chops are juicy, tender and absolutely flavorful. It can be hard to get a table during the winter months, lines may form out the door. But trust me, it is worth the wait. Get the Greek salad and the lamb chops, you will be happy.
(5)
Victoria P.

This place has overall good service and good food. I always wonder if they didn't have this location, if this restaurant would have been the same success, but I guess it doesn't matter because it does have a prime spot and serves tasty dishes, which is what matters most. This place is #2 in my list of best Greek restaurants in South Florida.
(4)
Greg R.

One of the best Greek restaurants in town. The hummus is excellent, you will enjoy a lot of it with the bread. Specialties are the lamb chops and some of the other meats. Prices are also reasonable. Service can be harried when the restaurant is busy.
(4)
Tom L.

Wow. Great place. Delicious food. We got there around 6:00pm on a weeknight, so the wait was only 5 minutes for a table. When we left around 7:30pm, the line was 50 deep out the door. It's a big place, and they don't take reservations. Grilled calamari delicious... slightly charred, in the best way. I had the roast chicken... really moist. My partner had the lamb chops... he loved them. Roast potatoes fantastic as well as the side vegetable with tomato sauce. Get here early, and enjoy.
(4)
Vanessa P.

Came here for lunch on Sunday afternoon and I wasn't too impressed. From the minute we sat down I felt the waiter was having a bad day because he was a bit short and not very friendly. But at least the service was quick. The menu is more diverse than other greek places I've been to. They have all the "typical" Greek fare on the first page and the menu expands to more unique seafood and meat dishes. Both my boyfriend and I ordered the gyro. I guess they give what one could consider a modest portion, but what restaurant does that nowadays? For the same amount we paid I could have gone to Christine's Cafe (also Greek) a few streets north and had triple the food, for the same price. But I wasn't so much bothered by the portion as the actual meat itself. Some of it was completely dry and hard which lead me to believe it wasn't fresh at all. At least our appetizer the Loukanika (country sausage) and the hummus was good. Sure the location is great and the restaurant itself has a quaint and homey feel to it, but I don't think I'd be going out of my way to come back.
(2)
Andrea M.

I'm home in MA from ft Lauderdale right now and I wish I could go to Greek Islands tonight. So authentic and delicious. I've been going here for as long as I can remember. The gyros of course are decadent and perfect, the meat is seasoned just right and tzasiki sauce is prepared amazing. We also got the grilled octopus which was best I've had. Lamb kabobs are clearly a must get... You have to try. Spinach pie, spanakopita, everything you'll order comes out great. I go back all the time.
(5)
Richard A.

We arrived about 6:30 pm and were seated immediately. Our server did an excellent job. We all shared the large Greek Salad. It was fresh and crisp. The best tomatoes ever. The dressing was excellent. The bread and hummus that was placed before us was wonderful. Nice crisp bread. Two of us had the Yellowtail and declared it to be wonderful. Two of us had the Filet Mignonette Shish ka Bob. The meat was very tender and flavorful. This restaurant is consistently a winner.
(5)
D M.

New favorite lunch spot for Greek salad with chicken breast. We always have hummus and pita. Yum! Service is good, food always fresh.
(5)
Marcos F.

I have nothing new to offer that hasn't already been said here. Love the char grilled octopus as a starter and the lamb chops were cooked to perfection. Service is exceptional. Lot of regulars here. Bit of an older crowd, but maybe that's what's kind of charming about the place.
(4)
Leonardo D.

Every time I visit Ft. Lauderdale I make sure I stop here at least twice. Always start with a horiatiki salad and the baked shrimp with the secret sauce for appetizer. I don't know how they make the secret sauce for the baked shrimp, but I lick the plate every time. For dinner I always go for the lamb chops. You cannot go wrong with it. It is always well seasoned and grilled to perfection.
(5)
Svitlana P.

I am in love with this place. I haven't been able to find Greek food just as good. I mean unlimited complimentary hummus and bread? It doesn't get any better than that. Great food, good sangria, attentive service. During the 5 day vacation, we dined here two days in a row, we were that impressed. I want to go back to FL just to eat at Greek Islands!
(5)
Mary Ann C.

Greek Islands Taverna deserves to wear the crown for best Greek Restaurant in South Florida. After living in Tarpon Springs where they have a Greek fishing village, I am very picky about Greek food. They are truly authentic. The octopus appetizer was outstanding. They grill the octopus and serve it over olive oil, lemon and spices. The lamb shank was tender and falling off the bone. The orzo was delicious as well. I do have to agree with many other reviewers that the lamb chops are amazing. They are definitely the best I have ever had.
(5)
Matt R.

We ate here on the evening of April 19. The restaurant was crowded and our waiter was somewhat rushed. Our party of four ordered appetizers - Greek salad, eggplant dip, and grilled octopus. The Greek salad came with thick slices of fresh, sweet tomato and feta cheese, with sliced onions and cucumbers. The dressing was a balsamic vinegar with olive oil, oregano and a hint of rosemary. The eggplant dip (Melitzanosalata) was creamy, a hint of garlic, and had a roasted, slightly smoky eggplant taste. The waiter, who did not write anything down when taking our order, forgot the octopus. He brought the octopus with the dinner. The octopus was in chunks, in a lemon olive oil sauce and was cooked so it was still slightly juicy. The octopus had a clearly grilled taste. We ordered gyros, lamb shanks, filet mignon shish kebab, and souvlaki (pork). All orders were generous. The gyros were thick slices of finely ground well-seasoned lamb/beef(?) with tatziki sauce, onions and tomatoes. The lamb shanks came in what appeared to be a brown sauce, and was our friend thought it very good. The beef shish kebab was a large portion of steak served on rice. It was slightly under seasoned and slightly undercooked (ordered medium rare (according to the waiter, the only way to order it), but was closer to rare.) The souvlaki was slightly overcooked, and it too, could have used more seasoning(oregano, cumin, lemon) We had baklava for dessert. It was a large serving, and came in a honey cinnamon sauce. This is good place to eat outside. Although somewhat noisy from road traffic, it is still pleasant. We ate here about a year ago, and the food was slightly better before. It is still very good.
(4)
Robert L.

Best Greek Restaurant in Florida. I gave it a 4 star due to the fact that I am Greek and go to Greece every year. My moms cooking and Greece is 5 star. Greek Islands is 4 for effort but still excellent greek food outside of Greece. Service is good but sometimes line-ups get a little to much.
(4)
Donna C.

I'm not sure what we did to piss off our waiter because he seemed ok with everybody else but for some reason, he did not like our party of 3 women on a girls weekend. this was my only knock on the restaurant. We started out with the house roditis which was good. Enjoyed saganaki minus the lighting and OPA! It was very good and had a nice crust on it. The Greek salad was the best I ever had, good variety of lettuces and the dressing was well balanced. The tzaziki was flavorful and tangy. We enjoyed the chicken drummettes which were out of this world good, such a great mix of flavors. The ribs, potatoes and shrimp were all good. The chocolate cake was moist.
(4)
A N.

On a Friday night this restaurant was buzzing along with the efficiency of a well run machine. From the valet parking, to the host, to the bus staff and our excellent waiter each played their part well to deliver a positive experience. We shared some apps, all delicious then a lamb shank, swordfish and shrimp entrees all perfectly prepared and expertly served were thoroughly enjoyed. The restaurant is populated by experienced guests who know a good thing. Check it out and ask for recommendations if you aren't familiar with Greek fare,they do not disappoint.
(5)
Meredith J.

Absolutely delicious. Authentic Greek food, the best you can find in Fort Lauderdale...and all of Florida for that matter. My grandmother and I went for lunch (no reservation needed for lunch, although I would strongly suggest making a reservation for dinner as I have heard they get very busy--everyday of the week) and they have very good lunch specials from 11-3. Prices are extremely reasonable. Homey and cozey atmosphere, great service, felt like part of the family while dining. What we ate: -(Complimentary) Bread w/ Hummus--yummy hummus, made in house it seemed. -Stuffed Grape Leaves--the best I've had, highly recommended, a must have app if you go. -Gyros with pita, side of rice--delicious, fresh ingredients. -Spinach Pie--oh. my. lordy. Unexpected gem, creamy and flaky. -Baklava--a Must for dessert. Seemed like infinite layers of phyllo dough, delectable honey and cinammon drizzled on top. YUM. Moral of my review: if you are looking for an authentic Greek experience with authentic Greek food and very reasonable prices... GO TO GREEK ISLANDS! I imagine that there isn't an item on the menu that I wouldn't like.
(5)
Susan C.

Went to this place for the first time last night after hearing about it for months from numerous people. My friend wasn't kidding when he said that there would be a long line, so just expect to wait for a table. The line moves fast and it's worth the wait. The complimentary homemade hummus served with bread was a welcome start to the meal. Then I ordered the Moussaka which came with grilled vegetables. The portion size was perfect for me and the blend of eggplant, ground beef, potatoes and bechamel sauce was nice. I also really enjoyed the vegetables (mostly green beans and peas), which were cooked perfectly. My husband was happy with his big Greek salad with grilled chicken and our friend completely finished his chicken kabob over rice. I enjoyed my meal at Greek Islands Taverna and would definitely go back. However, I hesitate to give it 5 stars because I have had several amazing dining experiences at the Taverna Opa in Hollywood and am very partial to it. I know many people would not agree with me on this, but maybe I just need to try the lamb chops at Greek Islands next time!
(4)
Erin H.

Best Greek food in Florida! The lamb chops and salads are amazing!!! Super casual spot with the best food!
(5)
Nicole B.

The best Greek food I've ever had! (I haven't been to Greece, yet) The parking sucks, and the way you are picked out of a line to be seated kind of baffles me, but it all works out in the end and is totally worth it. You must start with the feta cheese spread. Oh Em Gee!!! They give you warm pita bread and you spread feta cheese on the pita, and it's so heavenly. Lamb chops are awesome!! The service is always good, and everything on the menu is reasonably priced.
(5)
Maria V.

Great food. Decent service. Sometimes you will get lucky and get a server that's really personable. My fav is the flamed cheese and lemon chicken. My bf loves the pork chops here. This is also my fav hummus. Its perfectly lemony and yummy! Good size portion.
(4)
Aboud Y.

Was totally surprised to find this place in this part of Fort L. The food here was really outsanding...better than any Greek restaurants in Boston and even stacks up well against my Chicago Greektown favorites. I would definitely recommend it if you are in the area (its not too far from the airport).
(4)
Steve B.

OPA! Food was great pleasant atmosphere and our waiter, Flavio, was great. We were celebrating sisters birthday. Parents are Greek and we still thought the food was great
(4)
Tiffany K.

what a great find on Yelp! throughout my stay in FL, it seemed like Greek restaurants were pretty abundant in the area. throughout the week, i constantly wanted Greek but wasn't in the mood for it. however, our last day in FL the craving striked and we came to Greek Islands Taverna based on great reviews. first off, i really enjoyed the food here. between 4 people, we ordered Prasini - Greek Salad, Dolmas, Kalamari, Roast Chicken Ladoregano - chicken breast, and also chicken skewers. the hummus they serve here with bread pre-meal is really good here. the greek salad was very good and traditional; dolmas were good - everything tasted fresh and very tasty; the kalamari was made very well - good filet part of the squid and the batter was fried lightly and perfectly. funny thing because originally, my cousin was going to copy me and order the roast chicken also. but being me and liking to try a variety, i told him to order the chicken skewers instead so we could both share each. i'm glad i told him to order the chicken skewers because i ended up liking that dish more. the roast chicken was good, but there's a lot of sauce to it and i preferred it sans sauce and with more of a bbq flavor. overall, we had a great experience here. my mom and sister had never tried any sort of Greek food so it was nice to see them confused over the menu then enjoying the food. the only complaint i have about this place is the service. usually if i receive poor service from just one staff member, then i wont complain as much, but the entire staff that day was not necessarily rude, but very aloof. granted we did go to the restaurant the minute they opened, but come on! perk up. our server was very aloof and just seemed like he didn't want to be there or answer any of our questions, and the hostess the same.
(4)
Daniel H.

Great place for lunch right on Ocean Blvd. had some pita, zucchini, a tomato salad and a gyro. All very fresh. Fair prices and friendly staff. Parking was a bit iffy and location is a bit hectic (expected).
(4)
Eat V.

Best Greek food EVAH! I dislike pretty much every Greek restaurant in Chicago. All the food tastes like the warmers they sit in. GI tastes like Greece. Apps must:Pikilia & Calamari Dinner must:lamb chops
(4)
Wen B.

best avgolomono soup, octopus, humus, and salads were amazing. My friend doesn't like lamb but got the lamb chops after reading the reviews on yelp, she said it was delicious. This place is very good, and authentic. Loved it!
(5)
Alex F.

We went to Greek Islands for lunch, and I can say it's one of the best spots in town. Food was fabulous, octopus is a special recommendation! Drinks are delicious and strong! Our server Boris was amazing, very friendly and attentive! Service was super prompt! So, if you feel like good Greek food, you can not go wrong with Greek Islands!
(5)
Marc Aka Max H.

My friend Bill who lives about a mile south in a $1 million ocean front condo raves about this place, I guess b/c the food is good (not great), and it is relatively inexpensive. The server we had was efficient, but almost robot-like, without much of a smile. While she replied to our questions in an authoritative voice, she actually gave inaccurate information about the vegetables. Yes, they serve white linen napkins (which gets all over your black pants if you happen to a man who wears them!), and the ambience, well, it just does't have any. The restaurant apparently gets packed nightly, it was jammed when we left at 7:20 on a summer Wednesday, and I can see why they have a following, but it sure isn't my type of place to drive to for broiled fish and a Greek salad. Bill can continue to go there cause he likes "deals" at dinners, doesn't care if crowded and noisy, with lots of unattractive fat people dining around you. Note, some of the Greek male waiters are a sight for sore eyes, but I don't think they were on the menu, just in my fantasy thoughts of lust...
(2)
Vanessa C.

Two words: Potatoes Ladoregano! Order a side of these delicious lemon potatoes, you won't be sorry. They are so savory, makes my mouth water. Their regular food is pretty good too. The chicken souvlaki was great. My friend had the ribs and apparently the sauce on the ribs was delicious, plus "the meat just came right off." I also had their Greek salad, which is good almost everywhere but was prepared perfect here. And you can wash down your dinner with yummy Greek beer (Mythos). Having been to Greece, and loving its fare, I was very satisfied. Friends of mine swear this is the "best Greek food in all of South Florida." I have to say, I think I agree.
(5)
H C.

I have been going to this place for years and their baby back ribs have been my favorite. My Greek friend even recommended this place. However, my experience tonight was very disappointing. The ribs were a little dry, the side dishes were not warm, and the potatoes were not freshly made. I could taste that the potatoes were sitting there for a long time. Some pieces of Pastitsio? (pasta dish, like Moussaka) were so dry that I have to spit them out. What happened to them? Were they slacking off or did they change the chef? The service was good like any other times, but the quality went bad. I will give them another chance. I hope they will start paying more attention to what they are serving.
(3)
Bernardo A.

Fresh food. Generous portions. Great atmosphere. The food here is always great. Simple flavors. They always manage to seat me, even if the place is packed and the service is always efficient, if not necessarily the friendliest. I'll take efficient over friendly any day. I avoid this place during season because it's too crowded; however, off season, I have my fill. Over the past couple of years, I've learned how to cook Greek Isles style; but that hasn't stopped me from returning to the restaurant. This place is a guaranteed people pleaser.
(4)
David B.

Excellent food and drink- would highly recommend as a hole in the wall type place!
(4)
Marc R.

If you want to eat authentic Greek this is the place for you. The lamb shank and octopus were especially delicious. Service was on point. Overall delightful experience.
(4)
Robert C.

The food was very well made with a good presentation. We had a few different plates that included a small greek salad, gyro, spanakopita, and chicken kabob. The salads were great; the gyro was good but I've had a little better; spanakopita was outstanding, and the chicken kabob and rice had a great flavor.
(4)
Lisa W.

I have one word: "SERIOUSLY???" I mean, really, fellow Yelpers...have you lost all sense of reality? Or am I just biased, being from New Jersey??? Yes, I had the misfortune of dining here last night. I can't even begin to describe how pissed off I am that I actually selected this restaurant for one of only two nights we'll be spending in Ft Lauderdale pre-cruise. So, we show up around 7:15 to find that the parking lot consists of what....15 spots, which of course were all full, leaving us no choice but to valet. Granted, it was only $3, but give me a break....you're in the north end of Ft Lauderdale, not exactly situated in the heart of the action...$3 for valet parking? Really? We then join the herd lined up outside waiting for a table (yes, on a Thursday night). After waiting about 35 minutes, the "host" escorts us to a pathetic table right in front of the exit door. Expressing our dissatisfaction, he moved us to another table directly outside the entrance to the kitchen, where I heard nothing but "clang, cling, clang" for the 5 minutes we sat there. My nerves were jumping out of my skin my this point, so we moved again. He had soup, I had salad, we shared babaghanoush, he had leg of lamb and I had chicken kebob. The salad sucked...the vinaigrette dressing was really salty, & I HATE SALT. BF said the soup was just OK. The babaghanoush didn't have much flavor to speak of. The pita bread (oh, for which they charged $1...ridic) was decent. My chicken kebob consisted of about 5 small cubes of chicken, a few veggies & some rice, all of which was served lukewarm. I'll spare you the details, but I eat chicken more than any human should, so suffice it to say that I KNOW MY CHICKEN. This was by far the driest chicken I've ever eaten. My BF said his lamb was just OK...nothing special at all. To sum it up, this is the analogy I gave my BF: "This place is to Greek food what Olive Garden is to Italian food." He felt it was about on par with cruise food, which I would never pay for on land, much less seek it out. Really debated giving it 1 star, but I reserve my 1 star reviews for true, undeniable nightmares...this place was just more of a bad dream. Suffice it to say that I would not recommend this place under any circumstances...
(2)
Pouya R.

This restaurant came highly recommended. Great service, and fantastic food. Retsina wine is highly recommended with any food, specially if it's a hot night. Saganaki (flaming cheese), Keftedes, and Tzatziki makes for great starters. For the main course, lamb shanks, or the chicken Kebob is a great meal to try. For desserts, Baklava and Greek coffee. Expect a small wait time as this place is always jamming. Expect a friendly staff, friendly owner, and prompt service. The food takes a while, and that's because it's made when you order.
(5)
Kevin F.

I've been here many times and I can not give this place high enough praise. Best food in Fort Lauderdale... hands down. Whenever friends visit from out of town I take them here, and my family and friends are always asking to meet us there. The grilled octopus and baked shrimp are the best I've ever had. The lamb chops are cooked perfectly every time. And the baby back ribs, an unexpected addition to your typical Greek menu, are a personal favorite. The desserts are also fantastic... rice pudding or baklava always end the meal just right. 5 out of 5 stars every time I'm there.
(5)
Michael S.

My wife and I stopped in for a late lunch during an antiquing run to Fort Lauderdale. There were not a lot of people left in the restaurant but the bar area was still crowded. We joined them at the bar and it was an interesting group of people, almost all from the Northeast US with the corresponding accents. I couldn't tell if I was in Boston or Brooklyn. We ordered a couple of appetizers trying for a light lunch, a Horiatiki (Greek salad without lettuce), Smelts, Octopus and Gigantes Plaki, (giant beans). The salad was incredible, a little short on cucumber but the quality of the tomatoes was amazing. The best I have had in South Florida in 20 years. The Smelt order was very large, probably about 15 smelts. they were good, nice and light and not oily. The octopus was very good, grilled perfectly and the giant beans were OK. We had a bottle of Santorini white. Between the wine and the seafood we were transported to a little whitewashed taverna on the shores of the Mediterranean. I had the galactoburicos for dessert, it was OK but not nearly as good as Maria's in Miami. Most of the people at the bar were eating the lamb chops, they looked excellent and all the people looked happy. This is a good solid choice for Greek food.
(4)
Flor H.

OMG!!! It was sooooo good, everything was fresh...I mean fresh...we ordered the souvlaki, ladoregano ribs,Spanakopita, and among other things..the huge table salad was so fresh and the feta cheese was so good, the humus and bread too, the wine selection is good too. What can I say everything is woohoo...lol Be prepared to wait in line to get in...
(5)
Naty K.

I went here for Valentine's as pretty much every other restaurant was booked on Valentine's day, and I am still wondering why this place was not fully booked on such an important date, considering the food was great. It can get pricey though, as the tasty food as addictive. Their lamb chops are to die for. I recommend this place, it's one of the best Greek restaurants in South Florida!
(5)
Andrea W.

What can I say about the place with THE best shrimp sauteed in garlic and THE best lamb chops (not the emphasis on "THE"). I'll say this... take this recommendation and go try it. Greek Islands Taverna has a homey environment and an inviting staff. It's right on A1A, so it's very easy to find. The food is delicious, delicious, delicious. The only thing the place lacks is the "Opa" ambiance of dinner and dancing. But then again, there's a time and place for everything. If you know me.. call me up and invite me!
(4)
Craig B.

One of the few good restaurants on Ft. Lauderdale beach. Most other restaurants around the beach are just poor tourist food. Greek Islands has been here for about 10 years and only gets more and more popular. Inside and outside seating. With a variety of Greek dishes to choose from, you should easily be able to find something you like. It can get a little crowded in the evenings. The staff is a little snooty, but I think that might just be a Greek thing.
(5)
Steve V.

We love their food, especially the incredible greek specialties. Each time we come to Fort Lauderdale we dine at this restaurant. We also tell people about it. The only thing that we are disappointed with is how much Styrofoam and plastic bags they use for left overs and take out foods. We feel strongly the restaurants we patronize should be more considerate of the effects on the environment they have on a daily basis. Styrofoam and plastics are made from oil products and clutter landfills as well as kill marine life and collect in oceans. Enjoy the incredible food here and ask the owners to come up with a biodegradable packaging alternative for left overs and take out foods to plastic and Styrofoam. Thank you, Steve and Marilyn
(4)
Pam M.

Wonderful, fun, somewhat upscale atmosphere with really wonderful Greek food and vino. We had a very helpful (& attractive!) server who was friendly, upbeat & fun. The Greek salad was sooooo delicious, especially if you love fresh tomatoes. The highlight of our visit was the octopus, which was just amazing! Very tender and flavorful. The retsina was nice as well. Ft. Lauderdale had many excellent restaurants, & I'd rate this among the top. Will go back when in town again.....for sure!
(5)
John R.

Excellent food - and good service. Well worth the wait for a table on busy nights. The salads - particularly the Greek Salad - were very fresh and flavorful. We had snapper and grouper and both were about as good as I have had in Fort Lauderdale.
(5)
Colleen R.

Wow! What a surprise this place was. My buddy and I just happened to stumble upon it while driving. It comes across as wonderfully authentic. The menu is not QUITE as diverse as it could be (if you are a vegetarian, your options are limited), but what they do serve comes in generous portions and a great flavor. We had the pork tenderloins and the 1/4 roast chicken. Both were quite tasty. OH! The bread and hummus they give you is great too! The staff is also attentive, cheery, and welcoming!
(4)
Kirsten L.

In my search for good Greek food without all the belly dancing craziness, I convinced my man to try this place. We went for dinner on a Saturday evening. We waited outside the restaurant in line for maybe 15 minutes. Casual atmosphere with friendly service. We were brought complimentary hummus with bread. Then we ordered the Pikilia for an appetizer, which comes with four different dips. It was a lot so we took most of it home. Our favorite was the Tzatziki, with the Tyrokafteri coming in second. Then I heeded everyone's advice and ordered the lamb chops. I never eat lamb, but I thought I would make an exception here. I was not disappointed! Tender and perfectly seasoned! The side veggies and potatoes were also delicious. My man had the stuffed tomato and pepper. I tried both. The tomato was tastier, both were good, but my dish won the prize! For dessert we shared a baklava. I don't eat it often so I cannot compare, but I wasn't crazy about it. I like my coffee strong, and the coffee was perfectly strong and delicious. Love this place. We'll definitely eat here again!
(5)
Elise L.

When we walked up to this restaurant there was a long line to get in. That's always a good indication of a great restaurant! We thought we would need to wait a while, but the line moved fast and our party of 5 was seated within 20 minutes. They start you off with crusty bread and hummus. The hummus was really good. I had the souvlaki which came out with grilled vegetables and rice. It was great and the rice was yummy! My husband had the gyro appetizer for dinner, and it was definitely plenty for a dinner portion. I highly recommend Greek Islands Great food, great service and good times.
(4)
JR D.

OK, this is on my very short list of places to go when I'm in town. And I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Best greek salad. Simple. Best lamb shops. Simple and sublime. Better than the five Greek restaurants I tried in Greece! Yum! And Boris, my server, was cute like John Stamos, and all over it with service; he detected a hairline crack in my glass. Now that is attentive! Yum!
(5)
Tram H.

Yum! Super cute place with very friendly staff. I would definitely come here again.
(4)
Talisha M.

Real Greek Food! This place has real Greek food & a variety. They have these incredible potatoes yeah potatoes but they were Greek. The chicken was moist & so flavorful. Hummus was yummy. Can't wait to go back & try everyone's suggestions.
(4)
GhostFish Z.

OH MY F@#$%NG LORD! The food at Greek Islands is so good! Recently celebrated my birthday over there and everything was perfect! Homemade hummus! The BEST octopus salad in AMERICA! (and i come from a family of fishermen) Every fish dish simply perfect! The staff was very friendly and most of the patrons are Greek so it must be good. Dress up so leave the t-shirts, board shorts, and flipflops in the hotel. Also....you must order for dessert the Galaktoboureko! Think...Flan wrapped in Filo dough drizzled with honey.
(5)
Joshua R.

Love the Lamb Chops and the Gyros. Quality food and great location and always busy atmosphere. Lunch and Dinner are great there.
(4)
Jeff M.

Best Greek food outside of Greece!
(5)
JACOB B.

The Taverna has some 5 star dishes such as the lamb chops and the baked shrimp in a wonderful mustard sauce ( garides tou sotiri).The mossaka was okay .but didn't blow me away.The meze choices are plentiful....the baked eggplant with garlic and onion & maybe admixed with mashed potatoes was worthy of 3-4 stars. The bread and humus presented gratis as you first sit down is only 3 stars ..humus was too coarse and not very flavorful. The octopus was a clear winner worthy of at least 4 stars.The baklava and greek coffee was a 4 star finish.... Unfortunately ,we haven't sampled enough dishes to come up with totally fair review , but we will return. If you order the right dishes you will come away realizing you've had some of the best greek cuisine in southern Florida...but choose carefully using some of the previous more critcal reviewers suggestions. The ambience was a pleasent 4 stars,but out door seating is marred by the Ocean Blvd traffic., The service was friendly and informative , meriting 5 stars.Expect long lines in season for dinner.....best bet would be a late lunch at 2pm.
(4)
Pat S.

After driving by many times and admiring the pretty foliage and outdoor seating area, I finally got a chance to try this out when a friend came to visit me and we wanted something light to eat after a day on the beach. I LOVE greek food so was excited to check it out. We dressed upscale casual, which made me feel dressy once inside the restaurant. It's very casual. Not in a bad way, afterall it's on the beach! We were seated outside, which was perfect. The weather was great, and the plants blocked most of the traffic view and noise. We ordered several appetizers and small plates and that was plenty filling! Everything was delicious. I'd like to go back when I'm hungrier, though! The funniest part was how every young guy who worked at the restaurant came out to the patio area where we were seated to stare at us, whisper, and smile in our direction. Yes, we were two young females and apparently that's rare at this place. Or in south florida in general. (Hello, land of retired old folks!) Our waitress was super friendly and we had a wonderful experience. I'm holding back one star because they could really make this place beautiful with a little updating. There's definitely nothing wrong with the aesthetic, but it could be pretty spectacular if they invested in some upgrades. Overall, great location, great food!
(4)
Tuff G.

So you like Greek style, eh? . . . This is the place to go I love greek food, and while in Fort Lauderdale we went to Greek Islands Taverna. Man, the place was just packed with local Greeks! That right there should tell you it's cool. The servers look like models (you know a good Greek man right?), the service was great, the food excellent, and the cost, not all that bad. . . I would head back here in a heartbeat if it were closer (not 3000 miles away). They have indoor and outdoor dining. I would suggest the outdoor seating if the weather permits. Just a really nice nice place to be. HINT: They do not take reservations. And, when you arrive, there is no "put your name in". . . you park, go inside, and stand in line with everyone else. Some may find it annoying, . . I personally loved getting to chat with the locals and watch the servers.
(4)
Charlie T.

Get the Lamb shank with orzo!
(4)
Nina C.

Ok!!! Where do I begin??? The food? The staff? HMMMM......... FOOD!! Omg to die for!! The most amazing Greek food I've had in a very very long time!! The ribs were outstanding!! Greek salad Devine!!! Lamb shank fell right off the bone! I'm just getting hungry writing this!!!! Try everything!! The staff rocks!! Super super nice and on top of your every need!! I think since I found this little piece of heaven I have eatin there maybe 20 times!!! Love love love!!
(5)
Amy S.

Best spinach pie I have ever had it was so cheesy and more creamy than any I have ever tried. The shrimp dish is awesome and I get it every time although I have had the lamb which was good but a tiny bit dry and the chicken was also good. The side dishes are very good, I love the lemon potatoes, yellow rice, and the peas which are cooked in a tomotoe sauce. Its always crowded becuase it is such a good place but you always have pretty good service.
(4)
Arlene B.

WE go to Florida at least twice a year from NYC. This place is a must stop ! Th efood is so goooood! Fresh , full of flavor and love the ambiance. Graet wine list . The caviar spread and the lambchops are my favorite !
(5)
donald a.

I had been here for an inexpensive lunch over a year ago and been impressed with the great Pikilia app of 4 Greek spreads.They did a nice job ,we ate inside which was a little cramped but well done with the blue and white theme so common in the Myconos-Santorini Greek island part of the world.Returning to dine on the new patio with white Doric columns and high end patio furniture and high ceiling was a pleasure.It creates a dramatic setting for a great evening(There is a line at times to get at times).Everyone enjoyed their food( chicken ladoregano) ,it seems hard to go wrong.Unfortunately they were out of the Lamb shank which i shall return to have.Atmosphere is something that is generally lacking in the area with low ceilings and garish interiors.The new look for me puts them on the Acropolis overlooking most others.
(4)
J R.

This place is that good to stop by a check out. I was there for lunch and the chicken gyro with tomato salad is top notch. Probably one of the best greek restuarants I have been to in a very long time. I didn't need a reservation at lunch time, but I see this place getting PACKED at night. Keep up the great food!
(5)
Mark K.

I can't say one thing bad about this place. I go on off hours so I never wait. Try the Greek salad, butterfly shrimp, lamb chops, actually everything I have ever had there was great. Reasonable prices too
(5)
Jan S.

First time in the Ft Lauderdale area and starving we stopped at the first place that looked decent on the way to the condo. As you drive around the ft lauderdale area you notice that there seem to be a lot of Greek restaurants. Not familiar with the area but hungry for a late lunch we ventured to this place and we left satisfied. A fairly sized place they also have a decent patio if you don't mind the traffic along A1. They've got a big menu with standard greek fare and you probably won't be disappointed with the basics. Prices are a little high but portions are big. All in all would return to try out some other items.
(3)
Denise R.

Best Greek food I've ever had.
(5)
Michael C.

By and far the best Greek food in South Florida. I have ordered almost everything on the menu and NOTHING has ever dissapointed me, which is really saying something. You really can't go wrong here no matter what you order. Atmosphere is loud and cramped and a tad run down, but adequate, and service is A-OK, if sometimes slow.
(5)
Eric K.

Agree with Janine K, best lamb chops ever. Also great fish (a great greek restaurant will have excellent fish). The place is always packed and the wait staff is incredibly friendly and good. Went for the first time with my parents last night (they have been talking about it). Phenomenal meal, I declared one of the top picks in south florida. Even the bread was excellent and the homemade hummus to die for. Consistent from the first bite to the last.
(5)
S F.

If this is the best Greek restaurant in South Florida (as others here have claimed), then too bad for South Florida. Fairly pleasant atmosphere - light and clean. We were seated in a crowded area by the surly hostess. The waitress was nice enough, though. She brought us gloppy, tasteless hummus and a half loaf of Italian bread. You have to pay extra for a very small portion of soft, spongy pita bread. The iced tea is definitely from a mix and not brewed, which is surprising at these prices. Our main entrees - pork kabob and grilled chicken - looked good and were large, but seasoned with more MSG than spices and herbs. The grand finale came a few hours later when we all got as sick as Hera's dog.
(1)
Carol R.

Ate at Greek Islands TWICE in the week we were visiting Ft. Lauderdale and loved it, especially the Greek salad and lamb chops! Spanikopita was great as well. First waiter was really great even though very busy. Second night okay but not nearly as nice but food still great.
(5)
Harry A. M.

The men's room should be cleaner and cleaning it more often is what is needed. This is a very successful place and the owner has no excuse for anything not being clean. If the men's room isn't clean what do you think the kitchen is like? How successful? Well, the owner has a Rolls parked in front and today I saw an McLaren. -- He could afford to have a man assigned to clean up. Service is OK. When the place is busy there is a line out to the street. This is good Greek cooking with a heavy hand on the garlic. There is a typical Greek salad, tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, Onions, Feta Cheese. It's plenty. They don't scrimp on portions here. I eat here often as it is very close to my home. My favorite is shish-ke-bob (that's how it is spelled here) made with filet-mignon--with vegetables served over rice. the rice is cooked with oil and garlic, and maybe some onions too. ($20.00) Yesterday, I didn't get any vegetables--but I didn't really care because vegetables are very, very overcooked here. Maybe they come from number 10 can. This is one of the few restaurants that serves smelt, The Salmon Ladoregano($18.00) is good, snapper for two is pricey but always good.. Everyone raves about the Lamb Chops.($25.00) Rightly so. They are really good. Baby Back Ribs ($19.00)are delightful, and too much to eat at one sitting. Pass on the roast leg of lamb.($18.00) It's just a few scraps of overcooked meat. why can they do so well with the Lamb chops, and so poorly with the roast leg of lamb? I'm not sure. There's a very long list of Greek Specialities--I'll just list my favorites: Tyrokafteri, Melitanosalta, Tzatsiki, Dolmathakia. They are appetizers and range from $5.00-$8.00. I can't skip telling you about Avgolemono--chicken soup made with lemon, egg and rice. Really good and different! This is enough for lunch--and it's only $4.00. -- After Madoff, it may have to do for dinner. Now look at my first review from 2-7-09
(3)
Vanessa P.

This is the best Greek restaurant I was able to find after heavy duty searching in the entire Miami. Moved here from Chicago where around every corner you could find a great Greek restaurant but Miami being limited as it is in the restaurants department, I was very happy to finally find a Greek restaurant that serves authentic Greek cuisine that tastes the same as the one I've had on the Greek Islands and in Athens. I highly recommend the grilled octopus - my favorite Greek island dish and do not skip the tzatziki!
(5)
Steve P.

My wife was in FLL on business--I decided to surprise her for our 24th anniversary. I chose Greek Islands due to a couple reasons; yelp and it was where we went on our honeymoon! We arrived around 7PM--very busy place for a Sunday night. Our waitress was from Romania and was excellent. The hummus was incredible but I agree with another review--why not serve it with pita???? Ordered a bottle of Greek wine along with dinner including; lamb chops and the whole yellow tail--both were fabulous! Food is incredible, atmosphere so-so but typical for greek style restaurants. Cannot wait to come back to try more!
(4)
Stratos A.

As authentic as you can get! Definitely has the real-deal Greek salad. It's a cozy place, not too fancy. The price is incredibly reasonable for the quality. The waiters are all imported and do their jobs well. I've tried every Greek restaurant in South Florida, and this one is the closest to Mom's cooking that you'll find. Order the Greek way; have 5 appetizers and a main dish, drinking and talking the whole time. Must haves: Greek salad, saganaki, tzatsiki, grilled lemon chicken-wings, grilled peppers, octopus (if your a fan)
(5)
Deven B.

If you like good Greek food, look no further. This place rocks traditional music in the background and entrees are labeled under their REAL names. The shish kebab - chicken/lamb/fillet Mignon - are always a solid bet. Their Greek salad is out of this world (be sure to get the small as the large would likely feed a zoo)! Always pleasant, friendly staff where the owner is never far and eager to seat you as you walk in. Dining inside and covered dining outside. Open till 10 on the weekdays - plenty of parking - easy to find. I'm a tried and true faithful regular.
(4)
Paul A.

The best lamb chops I have ever had. Every time we visit Florida this place is a must see. There are long waits during dinner on Friday and Saturday, but worth the wait. Everyone that I have brought to this place loves it. I have tried allot of different things on the menu and never was disappointed.
(4)
Harold Z.

Wow! Great food and great time! Went to Greek Islands with family the first night in Florida while there for my brother's Pd (phd) for PT. so we were all excited and after all I had read and heard about this place I was ready for some great Greek food. The Greek Islands did not disappoint! While crowded, the staff was welcoming and the atmosphere homy and festive. When we arrived, (early on Thursday evening) a line was already forming, but we were promptly seated and bread was quickly brought to our table. We ordered their Horiatiki, (Greek salad) and it was good. Not too oily, with lots of flavor! The tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and feta cheese were nicely proportioned giving the salad great texture and complimenting flavors! Then, on the the main course - I ordered the LAMB CHOPS!!! WOW!!! cooked perfectly! and seasoned to perfection!! I could have eaten a few more!!! We regularly eat lamb chops and I can honestly say these were some of the best I have EVER HAD!!!! A MUST!!!
(5)
Del M.

This is the type of place I would recommend to the Greek Gods themselves. The food here is excellent but above all homemade and fresh. Your experience begins with some of the best Hummus you have ever tasted. Their appetizers such as Spanakopita and Taramosalata are incredible, even their chicken wings are some of the best in town; nevertheless, their Octopus transcends reason and dwells into the realm of perfection. Entrees such as their Lemon and Herbs Chicken or Pastitsio are a staple, and your meal can be capped by some sweet Baklava and traditional Greek Coffee. If you have not yet visited this place, then you have not yet tried one of the best places in South Florida to eat traditional and amazing food period.
(5)
Lourdes P.

Me and my family went to eat here on July 4th weekend and it was amazing. We were 18 people. We all ordered things from lamb, pork, fish, and chicken and everyone was amazed at how delicious it was. The waiter was great and super attentive (and attractive) but the food was definetly the thing I miss the most. The lamb was juice and delicious and I tasted the fish dish and it was great too. The tzatziki (cant spell that for my life) was delicious with every meat dish on the table. Great place to eat. I live in Miami, but will drive the 45 minutes just to eat there again!
(5)
Eric S.

Food was good. I don't like lamb but lamb chops were a standout. Greek salad was also very good. I had the snapper filet and while it tasted good it was definitely NOT filleted. I have never had fish with more bones in my life. Practically inedible. Humus was also very good. Good fun vibe too.
(3)
Natalie S.

Locals--BEWARE--STAY AWAY during season!!!! Love this place, and even though during season there is a line all around the block, they still do a good job getting you to your table. Im giving the place only 4 stars because I hate the parking situation, and I feel at times they are pushing you out to turn your table. The lamb chops are by far the BEST....the oil, the spices--you must eat these RARE....the chicken wings are Divine, and a great app is the octopus! Great Place!
(4)
Eric T.

Everything on the menu is excellent. Very authentic Greek. The quality of the food and service is always top notch and ALWAYS consistent. I dine here several times per week. The baby back ribs appetizer is phenomenal. Highly reccomend this fabulous Ft Lauderdale mainstay.
(5)
Mark P.

Great, Great, Great! Can I get another star? Great local Greek family manages this place and I have never had better Greek Food and Service. For the price, you can't beat it with a stick!
(5)
Joyce S.

The best Greek anywhere in South Florida!! Most servers are really helpful and very efficient. My fav is the garlic shrimp dish, really unique and super tasty! My aunt and uncle own a Greek restaurant in Maryland, and they love coming here with us when visiting South Florida!
(5)
PaulSEGAL ..

Great Greek food. Thus us what Greek food SHOULD taste like. I lived my Lemon soup, tatamasalata(fish row dip) & the best Tzazeeki in the us
(5)
No W.

This place is just what the doctor ordered, after all of the boozing you can do in South Florida! The portions are generous, the "baby back ribs" and chicken wings are nothing like you ever imagined. The lamb chops SO DELICIOUS. I recommend going and ordering a bunch appetizers, both hot and cold. Also, hot greek men, serving delicious food. That is all.
(4)
sri n.

This place is indeed awesome. I come here once a year when I visit Lauderdale. Service is usually pleasant, but can be slow. I have only tried the vegetarian stuff. Cant comment on the meats. Greek Salad is always superb. They use large chunks of feta cheese, which I love!! Also tried Baked Eggplant dip, baked potatoes, spanakopita. All excellent. The baked potatoes were drowning in Vinegar. This was weird at first, but I got used to the taste. Avoid it if you dont like vinegar. Decaf capuccino was very good as well, but could have been hotter in temperature. Tried a walnut cake...that was way too sweet.
(4)
B E.

Went here on the recommendation of our chiropractor (a foodie) and several other friends who also raved.. and for good reason. While we were surprised to actually have to wait in line outside, once we started feasting, we understood why. PHENOMENAL! Best Mediterranean food in South Florida!
(5)
Leila H.

The octopus here is fantastic! Not to mention the spanakopitayumyum (as my best friend and I like to call it.) The staff and owners are wonderful and always make you feel at home. I especially love to sit in Roya's section. She is such a delight to be served by. I go often and think it is hands down the best Greek I've ever had!
(5)
Ellen J.

When we come to Pompano Beach, we often land at this restaurant - my dad lives year 'round in Pompano. The main dishes are always well done (although the sides that come with are often overcooked-catering to the toothless crowd?) and tasteful. It's been very consistent over many years - a testament to the management. The service is generally efficient and the owner is usually around. A smile from him once in a while might be helpful - particularly in the off season, making people feel welcomed would make this a more endearing stop that one 'must' frequent rather than just 'on the list'....and endearing those who are full timers seems like it would be a worthwhile goal for the off season. None-the-less, it's not so off-putting we wouldn't go...we just know it will be an in/out place where we'll get a good meal.
(4)
Sue H.

This place is a ridiculous, unspeakable gem. If you happen to hail from NE or CA, don't take the low # of reviews as any indication. Yelp just isn't huge in FL yet. But this restaurant is a must. Drive a long way to get here like a lot of people do . It's splendid. Here's what you order: Saganaki app Grilled octopus app (doesn't matter if you don't like octopus. you'll like this) Lamb chops (doesn't matter if you don't like lamb chops. not kidding) Shrimp entree Glasses of the greek white wine they pour Also, don't be intimidated by the line out the door. If the weather's good, who cares, and it moves VERY quickly. But, bring quarters. There's not enough parking here at all, so park on the west side if US 1 at a meter. It won't be hard at all to park. This is the main event of this neighborhood, so plenty of street parking.
(5)
Ana n J.

The food here is delicious, service is outstanding. I would definitely recommend this place. Ribs are finger licking good.. I am definitely coming back..
(5)
Emily R.

I am reluctant to write an honest review because my new favorite restaurant will only get more crowded. They don't take reservations. There is always a line. Sometimes this line is around the building. This is the best kept secret in South Florida. The Greek food is out of this world. I started with the blackened chicken drumettes which were amazing. We also had the most fresh and flavorful Greek salad you could ever imagine. I don't know how to spell the Greek word for this but we had a decadent melted cheese small plate that was simply divine. For my entrÃ©e I had the stuff Bellpepper's filled with ground beef and rice and they were delicious served with lemony perfectly cooked roasted potatoes. My husband have six of the most beautiful charcoal grilled lamb chops you have ever seen. My friend have the chicken shish kebab over rice. Another guest had the veal chop which was grilled and just delicious. The portions for each small plate and appetizer and entrÃ©e are big enough to share between two people. I think the best way to go at a restaurant like this is to order several plates and just put them in the middle of the table and let everyone share. The server was very businesslike, not so friendly but very efficient and very attentive. The restaurant is packed but I never felt rushed to give up my table. I was too full and so are the rest of our guest for dessert but my husband did have the baklava and he said it was so-so. I highly recommend this restaurant. It is life-changing as any restaurant can be.
(5)
Christopher C.

Legit. Looks like everyone who works here is Greek. Like from Greece not five generations ago. Then a group of three sat down behind me for their first time here..the waiter realized they were Greek and a long Greek convo ensued. The Greek guests loved the food and so did I. I ordered the shrimp, the gyro, the kefetka, and yogurt with honey (I was hungry!). All three were right on point. Heck, even the bread was outstanding. My favorite meal in the Ft Lauderdale area.
(5)
David K.

Pretty darn good! Can get crowded in the evenings but the line outside moves fairly quickly so don't despair. Service is prompt and businesslike. Casual atmosphere though some patrons were smartly dressed. Kid-friendly (if they can sit still). The "baked large shrimps" are particularly special and the grilled lamp chops true to style (tender, lemony). A weakness is the standard side veggie of green beans plaki. They're good but lack freshness. The roast potatoes could also stand a boost of effort and imagination. Portions are generous. No draft beer. Still, I recommend and would definitely return.
(4)
Peter M.

I was disappointed. I'm Greek and felt the saganaki was average to weak, octopothy (grilled octopus) was weak, and te
(2)
Alexis O.

I went here quickly for lunch one day at the suggestion of my boss. I love greek food and being an avid Yelper, I had already heard great things about this place. I order the greek salad with chicken, which I must say is HUGE for $12. Its delicious with tons of veggies and an entire grilled boneless chicken breast. I would absolutely go here again and again just for this salad. Another thing I love about Greek Taverna is the hummus that comes out with the bread. My favorite food is hummus and I must say they do an absolute excellent job- its neither too oily nor too dry. I really am looking forward to going back and trying all of their delicious and authentic Greek food. I love gyros!!!
(4)
Susan T.

Got food to go once. Greek salad(not the best produce, but okay), chicken kebab(plain), green beans(very oily), grilled octopus(good). I really did not enjoy the food, found the quality to be subpar and have not ordered from this place since. I do eat at Thasos quite often and do enjoy it. Today, we decided to try it out again. My husband called to see if they had high chairs for the kids and if they were busy. We decided to order in, my child was in the background and the lady on the phone was very impatient trying to dismiss me and get off the phone, when I asked about menu items she spoke to me like a child and was astonished that I didn't know how to pronounce everything and what everything was made from. I have not received this level of humiliating service since moving to Florida in my 3 years here. Later to find out my husband also received an awful attitude from her. I called back to speak to a manager, Chris. That did not make things better. After I explained this situation, he was unapologetic "I will discipline my employees as I see fit" was his response, he did not seem upset by the situation and was ready to get off the phone. Which have prompted me to write this review. After I complained again as I was shocked from the manager's (Chris) response, he gave me a fake apology( we all know when someone doesn't mean they are sorry, and this was too obvious), he just wanted to get me off the phone. They get good business and are one of the most successful restaurants in Ft Lauderdale. I wish I could have enjoyed this restaurant, but the level of service I received is appalling. Just because you are a busy restaurant, doesn't mean you can treat customers how you thing is 'fit'.
(1)
Kim P.

Best Greek food in South Florida! To start, they give you bread with house made hummus, which is very flavorful. The grilled octopus appetizer is amazing. The horiatiki greek salad is fantastic and a large salad is perfect for 4 people as an appetizer. The spanikopita is flaky and savory. For entrees, you can't go wrong with the lamb chops, chicken kebabs, roasted half chicken, or baked shrimp. They have an awesome baklava. Not a lot of vegetarian options, but there usually isn't with Greek food. I never had a problem with the service. They are not the nicest, but they're definitely not rude either. They have both inside and outside dining. They don't take reservations, but the excellent food is worth the wait. There is a tiny bar in the back dining room you can hang out at while waiting for a table. I've tried going at all different times in the evening...on a weekday in summertime is the shortest wait, as with many beachside South Florida restaurants. It is mandatory valet unless you want to park across the street at the metered spots. The valet is free, but bring cash for a tip.
(5)
Javier S.

Amazing, no other words to describe. I got the ribs and the grilled octopus and boy was it delicious. My girlfriend got the lamb chops, pure joy on a plate! this is a must try, dinner for two with an appetizer and a few drinks will run you about $80-$90 worth every dollar.
(5)
Jeff L.

Love this place, very simple, basically a Greek diner, food is fabulous, try the grilled octopus!
(5)
Lisa B.

Excellent Greek food for the money...you will not be disappointed. Best pilaf I've had and super moist pork kabobs.
(5)
Sean R.

As far as Greek food goes, it's ok. You have to wait in line outdoors to get seated for about 20 minutes on a Friday night. No host/hostess to give your name to, no waiting at the bar. I liked the hummus they brought for the table, it was authentic and homemade. Someone definitely put the effort in to make it. Its good! The appetizers I got were the fried zucchinis and Greek sausage. Sausage was a bit bland, so I used the hummus and table bread to make a sandwich. Better. Fried Zucchini was mushy, previously frozen crap. Chicken Kabob was dry, but the veggies and rice were good. The service was bad too. Our waiter ignored us, and spent all his time at the other table he had which was a party of 10. He knew I was waiting for him and still ignored me. Flavio was his name. I wont be back.
(2)
Alexandra K.

I live in Astoria, NY which is a glorified Greek town near NYC. I have a very biased palate when it comes to quality Greek cuisine, but the fare served up at Greek Islands Taverna was better than any Greek food I've had to-date. We had the dips to start (swapping out the taramasalata for the skordalia), as well as an order of saganaki and calamari. The saganaki was spot-on, and the dips were fantastic. The skordalia was perfectly potato-y, and the tzatziki had such a strong garlic flavor. For my main, I simply went for the gigantes. They were fantastic and had a very deep tomato flavor. The other people in my party seemed to enjoy everything they had, especially the lamb, which literally fell off the bone. We finished our meal with the rice pudding, and no regrets. Affordable, delicious Greek food. In Fort Lauderdale? You must try.
(5)
Ryan M.

Pros: The lamb chops were fantastic and all the other dishes I saw on other tables looked good. Cons: They were out of the octopus at 7pm on a Sunday, which was very disappointing. They said on the phone that there was no wait yet suspiciously after arriving shortly thereafter we had to wait 30 min for a table. Overall, I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to try this place.
(3)
Shawn M.

As you know I very rarely hand out 5 stars to a restaurant...For an establishment to qualify for this they must get the overall ambiance, service, food, portions and pretty much anything else important to a diner, right and 100% of the time! Well I am anxious to say that after being taken to this fine restaurant last night by a friend in Fort Lauderdale it is now my favorite Greek Tavern to go to and possibly one of my top 5 favorite restaurants. From the second we walked in (thanks to our friend( the owner immediately took us out of the back of the line and personally seated us at his private table. Our friend bragged about the Greek Salad and also the Lamb Chops....For the starter we ordered a large greek salad for the table and again the portion, quality and taste was great! For dinner I had the baked shrimp which is served with rice and in a garlic based sauce and I can simply just say it tasted phenomenal. My husband ordered the Lamb Chops and I was quick to accept an invitation to sample his entree....and they turned out to be mouth watering....Our waiter would absolutely not allow an empty dish, or beverages get below 1/2 a cup without replenishing. We decided to withhold ordering dessert because we were all so full from the great food! I can't wait to be back in Fort Lauderdale and I definitely can't wait to be back at Greek Islands Taverna! Keep up the Great Food and Service Sam!!! You won a few fans here!
(5)
Tyler S.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place because I absolutely love it. Since moving to Fort Lauderdale this has been one of my staple places to go for a quick , easy, quality meal. The place is always busy but it's well run with fast service , great food , and good prices. The best thing on the menu is the octopus. I've also tried their shrimp scampi which was pretty good and the gyro platter is an amazing deal. I've always known that a restaurant filled with young people and retirees is a good sign , old people know their life is too short to eat bad food and young people know where to go for a good vibe. I've been dying to try their competing restaurant Thasos but I just can't resist coming here whenever I crave Greek.
(5)
Andy K.

Had dinner their last night. The lamb chops are Fantastic and the grilled shrimp are superb "
(5)
Steve R.

Now we've been here a couple of times and can confidently highly recommend this place. Our favorite dish is the lamb chops. They are perfectly seasoned and charred on the outside and cooked to your liking on the inside. The shrimp dish which they offer in a starter size is also wonderfully tasty. Some other favorites include the horiatiki salad, the octopus and the rice pudding. We've always found the service excellent. The ambiance kind of feels like you're eating at somebody's cookout. They have a nice outdoor patio but the layout of the inside seating seems a bit cramped. They also have reasonably priced wines on the menu. This place definitely make you feel like they want you to enjoy your meal. They take food and service seriously and we have a blast every time! Enjoy!
(5)
Danielle R.

So I had high hopes based on reviews on this place, but found it to be just 'ok' or 'average' for me. They also charge $3 for valet which I think is kind of cheesy. We parked across the street in one of the meters for free. We went on a Sunday night, and it looked like there was a retirement home party going on outside on the patio, tons of a 'much older' crowd. And of course the patio was unavailable, so they put us inside, by a door...which sucked b/c people were walking behind my chair in and out all night. I got up at one point to help open the door for a father pushing a stroller with another baby in arm [he was having a difficult time]. Anyhow, not optimal for me to relax. We ordered a bottle of La Crema [priced at $49] and they brought over hummus and bread. Hummus needed more garlic for me and probably more olive oil it reminded me of really grainy peanut butter-sticky and about the same color. Didn't knock my socks off. We shared a cucumber, feta, onion, tomato salad--- this was very good. I'm trying to eat healthy so asked the water what chicken dish he thought was the healthiest on the menu, he suggested the Oregano Chicken my friend got the Chicken Shish Kabob. Mine came w/ some green bean, carrot, really bright orange oil side dish [there was a good amount of oil on the plate], rice, and chicken. It was pretty good, there was a lot of it {I took 1/2 home} I landed up eating the other half for lunch the next day and made some low fat Tzatziki to put on it, it was much better, in my opinion with some flavor. Bill with wine was ~$50/ person Would I go back- maybe, but I don't think I will crave this place, if you know what I mean.
(3)
Richard T F.

I've never been to Greece, but I will venture to say this place is as close as it gets. Everything was excellent, from the service (Alex) to the ambiance to the exquisite cuisine! Greek Islands Taverna came as a suggestion from my boss, and what a suggestion it was! Gotta try the Tzatziki! If you order the gyro app, it comes with a nice portion of tzatziki. Ribs, spinach pie, baklava cheese cake. Can't wait to go back and try more.
(5)
Kimberly H.

Always pass by this restaurant every year when my family comes down to fort lauderdale. We finally decided to visit after reading all the great reviews on yelp. We came in late on Wednesday night and the place was still busy. I think they had valet but we came in thru the other street and just parked. After we sat down we got some bread and hummus. I usually don't like hummus but this was so gooood. We ended up getting seconds on bread to finish it up. When the waiter came to take our order he memorized the whole thing and did not make a mistake. We ordered octopus, avgolemono soup, Greek salad, shelt fish , and BBQ ribs for appetizers. The octopus was so good and crispy. I wish we ordered another plate. The soup was not as lemony as I expected even though the portion was big. I didn't try the BBQ ribs so I can't comment on it but the shelt fish was ok. For entrees we ordered lamb shank, gyro and lamb chops. The lamb chops were so good!! It was so charred but each bite was so flavorful. By that time I was almost full but had just enough room for dessert. I tried the rice pudding and it was yummy! I had no complaints and look forward to eating here next time I'm in Florida.
(5)
Edward H.

Best greek food in Florida. The only problem is I can't eat greek food anywhere else... Appetizers to try are the octopus and ribs. Entrees try the filet kebabs and lamb chops.
(5)
Hair b.

Fresh bread Homemade hummus Shrimp is absolutely amazing!! I make it a point every time, I visit Fort Lauderdale to come here!
(4)
Richard R.

Beware of small portions and surly waiters! While the grilled octopus was very good and well-portioned, the Patates Ladoregano were burnt and overpriced: Just 1 potato cut into 4 quarters. We had ordered the Melitzanosalata, but what arrived was another potato dish (Scordalia?) which we ate. When we asked our waiter what happened to the eggplant, he brusquely said he had brought it already. The Moussaka was also undersized and under-seasoned. To top it off, I overheard another waiter tell our waiter that "Some people tip bad" - not the best thing to say out loud, purposely or not.
(3)
Caryn B.

There aren't enough positive things I can say about Greek Islands! I have been coming here for years and has ruined me for liking any other Greek places in the area. It gets crazy busy during "the season", so plan accordingly, no reservations are offered. Now to the food... The hummus and bread is delish while perusing the menu. It is garlicky good and you can tell they make it there each day. I love their fried zucchini, it comes with a side of skordalia, which is a cold potato spread with uber amounts of garlic. Their salads are great, with fresh feta cheese. Tzatziki with pita is amazing too. If there is room left at the end of your meal, try the Galaktoboureka, an amazing dessert made of phyllo dough, honey, custard, and cinnamon. Walk it off when you leave...this restaurant is just a few steps from the beach.
(5)
Rachel S.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in galt mile. Amazing homemade hummus and I love the lunch special salmon salad - I get it at least once a week. Everything is so flavorful and fresh
(5)
Jeff T.

Excellent food and excellent service. The word is out about this place so it's almost always busy.
(5)
Cathy H.

This was the best meal we had while in Ft.Lauderdale. The service was excellent, food was great and it was reasonably priced. Hummus was delicious! I saw our neighbor's greek salads and instantly changed my mind and ordered one with grilled chicken. They use quality chunks of feta not crumbles, which was a nice plus. I could only eat half, they truly give you a full chicken breast on your salad. My husband ordered the Moussaka and raved about it. We were too stuffed for dessert but my husband did try the greek coffee which he liked. Wish we would have found this place at the beginning of our trip instead of at the end.
(5)
Beth B.

Horiatiki salad and lamb chops... Worth the wait. Just the best Greek in an area that is filled with Greek restaurants. The lamb chops are to die for. Hummus is fabulous and the line goes fast. Great service.
(5)
Diana C.

I always make an effort to stop here if I'm the area, truly always fantastic food and service!
(4)
Nicole C.

One of the best meals I've had in a while. We ordered the ribs, octopus and lamb chops. All three were delicious and grilled to perfection. I'll definitely be coming back here again. We arrived early and the place was already swamped, so be sure to make a reservation if you're showing up with a large group.
(5)
Tara F.

Food was so good and fresh. Greek salad was the best I've had, grilled octopus was good, horta was good as well and the mousaka was really good. Will definitely be back to try more dishes. Had the galaktoboureko dessert which I will not other w again-disappointing. Also love that they have outdoor seating. Service was slow but the waitress was friendly, she just needed to come to our table more often to fill our water and check in on us which did not happen. This was on a quieter after lunch hour Sunday. Would have given five stars if the service was better and desserts were better. They have a small parking lot if you're lucky enough to get a space.
(4)
Justin H.

Every spring beak I look forward to my trip to Ft Lauderdale for three main reasons: 1. The beach 2. Golfing 3. The baby back ribs at Greek Islands Taverna Yes, they really are that good. I'm not even a ribs guy. I prefer to eat lighter dishes like fish, but I cannot refuse the ribs here. These are not your typical baby back ribs smothered in bbq sauce. They are ladoregano style, char broiled and seasoned with lemon, oregano, and olive oil. You get a full rack of meaty ribs that are incredibly juicy and packed with flavor. Try and just have one.... The other food here is great as well. It's hard for me to get anything besides the ribs for an entree, but the greek salads are delicious starters. Next time I definitely need to try the grilled octopus that everyone is raving about on here. Try not to fill up on their tasty bread and hummus at the start! Like any popular place, there will be a wait. Make sure you let the host know your party size before you wait in line so they will come to you first if a table for your size opens up. The line forms in single file inside but it goes pretty quickly. Take advantage of their outside covered eating area for a nice breeze on a warm night!
(5)
Omar S.

Not great not bad. Octopus dressing tasted like Publix's. So the lamb chops oil. Octopus had a butane gas aftertaste, no charcoal broiled. $$$.
(3)
Tricia J.

I LOVE the food here & I would eat here every day. First, I love they bring you multi-grain bread & hummus before you even order. The food is spiced to perfection, has a variety of healthy options & I've always had astounding service. Their babaganoush equivalent is to die for, but not if you're on a date b/c it is garlic-heaven. The Greek Grilled Chicken Salad is my favorite! Opa!!
(5)
Leomaris M.

OMG!!! The octopus is to die for! I loooove this place, no wonder they have line at the door even on a Wednesday. The white wine Agiokitikos goes with everything in the Menu. Simply amazing!
(5)
Beatriz A.

Tonight was my first time here and I'm in love with this restaurant. It was a busy Friday night and we were seated immediately. Seconds after sitting our complementary bread and hummus came out and it was very good. The waiter was very nice, attentive and looked like a taller George Clooney which never hurts. We had the octopus, lamb, Greek salad and the custard with phylo dough dessert. Everything was amazing and this is one of my favorite restaurants now.
(5)
Susan S.

The best Greek food - and we were just in Greece! We had Greek salad small - plenty for 2. Saganaki. Excellent. Smelts and octopus. Well done. Lamb chops, whole yellow tail snapper, and shrimp. Everything was prepared perfectly. Nice presentation, waiter was very helpful with suggestions. Love, Love the place.
(5)
Laura Z.

Everything we had here was amazing! We had the lemon chicken soup, the octopus, sausage, and cheese appetizers.
(5)
David A.

We chose this place because of all the Yelpers out there that gave this place 5 stars. I was in the mood for Greek food since my last name is Greek to me. I suggested this place for couples night out so the pressure was on me to deliver the goods. The first thing I noticed is that they don't take reservations. We got there at 7pm on a Saturday night and it was the best decision we made. We dressed nice casual and we sat outside. Even in the summer the outside is pleasant. Our waiter was authentic Greek and very helpful with the menus and our questions. The waiters wore crisp white shirt. Very professional. Our waiter had the Greek accent. The food was delicious. So many people have talked about the food that I will skip that part. Even with a lot of people there you were still able to carry on a conversation at your table. The tables are spread out enough for that balanced space. Not too crowded, not to spaced out. When we were walking out of the restaurant the line was 20 deep. They were organized in keeping the line moving and that was nice to see. It seems this place is across the street from Galt Ocean Drive and all the condo people come over to eat here. If you get here at 8:00pm on a Saturday night expect to wait in line. I can't even imagine the line in the winter time with all the snowbirds. I recommend 7pm. They have valet parking for $3.00. You can't beat that. Self parking looked like a hassle and I don't like hassles. Between the 4 of us with 3 appetizers and 4 meals and 4 wines and tip our bill came out to $165.
(5)
Zachary K.

From top to bottom a 5 star dining experience. I showed up on a Thursday night around 8:30 with my girlfriend and the place was slam packed. They have very limited free self parking so you most likely have to pay the $3 for valet. We got lucky and right when we walked in we got 2 seats at the bar so we didn't have to wait. We got a very friendly welcome from sunny the Bar tender. She quickly took our drink order and then brought us hummus and bread. The house made hummus was delicious and a great way to start the dinner. After reading yelp and talking it over with the server we ordered the grilled octopus appetizer ($16), baby back ribs appetizer ($14), and lamb chops ($27). The grilled octopus was out of this world: juicy, tender, crispy, and it just melts in your mouth leaving you wanting more (by far the best I've ever had). The baby back ribs were a little bit of a disappointment. Although the sauce on the ribs was amazing the ribs were not meaty enough and mostly bones. Decent appetizer but would not order again. Lastly the lamb chops were phenomenal. It came with 4 nice size chops that were seasoned and cooked perfectly. Another must order and would definitely have it again. Next time I go back I will try the shrimp as that seems to be another house favorite dish. All in all 5 stars from service to food to ambience. A must try!
(5)
Alexander N.

Great fish directly imported from Greece. All other food was tasty. Nice atmospheres. Prices pretty reasonable for what you are getting.
(5)
Taheisha L.

The chicken is to die for! It's smokey marinated goodness. Got the chicken pita for lunch the bread was warm and crispy but soft in the middle. Excellent! Hummus very good, the eggplant dip was ok I've had better but overall excellent place to eat. I've heard it's crazy for dinner your best bet is going for lunch if you don't like crowds and enjoy lunch prices.
(5)
Courtney C.

Great authentic Greek food. Get the shrimp or the lamb chops and you won't be disappointed. The spanakopita is to die for too! Prices are a bit high for the portion sizes, but the food is delicious and good quality. Service is fabulous too, despite the often long wait times. A must try.
(4)
Tania P.

Outside patio - check, cool inside - check, attentive server - check, delicious wine and food - check! Truly, truly amazing fresh food! We had greek salad, octopus and the whole yellowtail - all excellent! We had a waiter who's name is Spiro - very sweet, fun and attentive. Gave us great recommendations! Even the vegetables that come with fish are good!!! I definitely recommend this place to anybody :) they have a lot of fun things on their menu!
(5)
Cee G.

Great food, LOVE the filet mignon kabobs.
(4)
Rachel M.

The wait was crazy long, and there was a system for the line. Locals knew this line. The valet is a scam! Park somewhere else, they charge for valet! The food was excellent and so was the staff! We had lamp chops and shrimp. Appetizers of octopus it was all tasty! My shrimp did not come with vegetable with did surprise me because I wanted some, but no big deal!
(4)
Doris L.

Returned after a long time away. Had a great lunch - not sure why the reviews are mixed. The prices are a little high but I find the quality of the food very good, fresh and the place is bigger now - and even more comfortable.
(4)
Sherry W.

This is a great place for a weekday lunch. For $9, I got a Gyro with a tomato/red onion salad and bread/hummus. Everything tasted great and the service was perfect. Parking lot gets busy so in the evening they have valet. My friend had the 1/4 chicken with lemony sautÃ©ed potatoes and the tomato/red onion salad. They also have salads for $12. Lunch is a great way to have their excellent food for a great price! I will definitely return for lunch.
(5)
Ronen S.

I'm very enjoy from the food,the service was great and the dessert was good, I be happy to be back soon
(5)
Zafeiris Z.

Great food excellent service by our server Ari!! Lamb chops to die for!!! All the appetizers where great!! Bravo!!
(5)
Megan K.

THE BEST GREEK FOOD!! I'm in shock that I haven't written a review for here because it is by far one of the best restaurants in South Florida! From the beginning to end this is a place you go to for a 5 STAR EXPERIENCE. I usually get the Octopus (my favorite) as a starter and Filet Mignon for my entree but everything is amazing! I am going to keep it short and sweet because you just need to go in and let the food speak for itself! Sooooooo yummyyyy!
(5)
Jacob M.

Never had Greek food before and I must say this was an amazing first experience! Had a Gyro and potato noodle dish. Service was so quick that we got our main course before we had even finished our appetizers! The atmosphere wasn't perfect but it fit in with the "home cooked meal" feel you get from there. If I'm ever in Ft. Lauderdale again I will definitely return.
(5)
Jonathan M.

Fantastic food and great atmosphere. This place is always packed, even on a Monday night. Plus, everything is DELICIOUS. The lamb is divine. The wait staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.
(5)
Allison K.

The food was amazing! Appetizers: vegetable soup (delicious), chicken wings are a must they're in the best olive oil herb vinaigrette, and fried zucchini which was amazing. For dinner the Greek salad with chicken was amazing but the real deal is the lamb chops. People wait in line for them. Line is long for a table but worth it!
(5)
Jose T.

Possibly the best Greek restaurant I've ever been to in south Florida. The octopus, Greek salad, and lamb chops were amazing. Great dessert too. The service was excellent. Our waiter not only recommended the best items on the menu for us to try but also brought us some ouzo to drink. The waiter also spoke to us about Greek culinary traditions as well as the differences in cuisine through different parts of Greece and other Mediterranean countries. This is not a place to go and order Greek fast food, such as a gyro sandwich on pita bread that you can get at your local Miami Subs, it's a place to enjoy authentic Greek cuisine. Even if you are a novice to Greek cooking, the staff helps you in making decisions as to what delicious platters best fit your palate. It's a popular restaurant on the beach which is adequately priced and the wait may be a little long at times but it's definitely worth it. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Kevin H.

I went back alone and had the lamb chops. A-MAZ-ING! Sat at the bar and chatted with the servers and patrons and a great time. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Uri E.

the food was great and the service was very warm and carrying. we had the octopus which was amazing and I had the Floridian yellow tail snapper that was well prepared. I hope I get to come back.
(5)
Genesis T.

All I have to say was Wow. The grilled octopus... drool. The lamb chops and ribs. OMG the food is great and Authentic.
(5)
Melanie M.

If you want to find the best Greek food in South Florida, look no further! Greek Islands Taverna is the ONLY place my family and I will head to for traditional Greek food. We order an abundance of food and never fail to finish it off. Their Greek salad is absolutely wonderful, and the flaming cheese is unlike anything I have ever had before. We usually allow the waiter or waitress to order for us, so I recommend you do so too! On Friday and Saturday nights, the line usually trickles out the door -but just wait! I promise it'll be worth it and you too will see why all of Pompano Beach waits to get to the front of that line!
(5)
Jean-Luc F.

The food was amazing. The service was great. Will be back! Staff were all amazing. Also, as a plus, there hummus is the best I've had in Florida. Only giving it 4/5 because I didn't exactly have the best seat in the house.
(4)
Gili G.

Excellent spanikopita, tatziki and grilled octspus. I tried getting in on a sat. Night.. forget it! Lines around the building. So i came back for lunch during the week. Loved the food and no wait.
(5)
Aldo P.

Awesome Dinner, delicious food (amazing lamb chops and steak shish kabobs) with extremely attentive friendly staff!
(4)
Tiffany B.

They have the best Greek food in Fort Lauderdale. To top it off, the service is fast and always delicious. If I lived closer, I'd definitely be a regular here. My favorite food there is the wings and the spicy cheese dip with the pita bread. Also the lamb is esquisite as well. If you're near the area, definitely give this place a try! You will not be disappointed. :)
(5)
Sarah K.

Appetizers were good lamb chops were good fish had no taste it was very bland. The desserts were ok but you can get better. Flies kept landing everywhere. I had to return my wine glass bc it had a lipstick stain. Too pricey for what it was. Lets say i wouldn't return.
(3)
Brian G.

Greeks Islands Taverna is my favorite place to eat in Ft. Lauderdale!! it is a big restaurant, with ample covered outside seating, good service and it is extremely popular. their food is veery good. they are one of the few restaurants that knows how to cook chicken that is not dried out, and the Greek flavor is to die for. The only dish which is not good is the taramasalata!! their Greek salad, octopus, fish, Greek style vegetables, etc etc are all really good. the inside is a Greek tavern style restaurant, with a very tranquil feel to it, and an active bar. They have valet parking at night, when it is always Crowded. by the way my Greek friends from Chicago love it, and Chicago has or had the largest Greek community in the USA!!
(5)
Ron L.

Reliable good quality Greek food. Salmon is generally bland. Overall a good place for lunch. Attentive wait staff.
(4)
Missy H.

My friend and I went to Greek Islands on August 13th. It was our first visit. We arrived at 5:30PM which turned out well because we weren't forced to valet park. I had the Baby Back Ribs Ladoregano which came with potatoes and vegetables. My friend had the Souvlaki which came with rice. The ribs, potatoes, souvlaki, and rice were flavorful and well prepared; however, the vegetables were oily and overcooked. The baklava was a disappointment for a Greek restaurant - it was just average, but the coffee was good. I'd go back to Greek Islands Taverna and I'd recommend it to my family and friends with a caveat - skip the veggies.
(4)
Robert H.

We were both very happy with our meals and the sides. The place was busy being Memorial Day, the service was excellent. Definitely worth another try.
(5)
FoodChick F.

I have been coming here for years. I actually come to this area to eat here...lol. In 3 to 4 days I will have 5-6 meals here--lunches and dinners. No matter what you order from salads to sandwiches to dinner entrees to fantastic sides all is fresh, highly seasoned, and incredibly delcious. #IAMADDICTED
(5)
Anwar M.

Great authentic Greek food . Reminds me of Cyprus ! Their Greek salad is REAL Greek salad ( no lettuce ) . Kalamata's and olive oil are top notch . The mezza's are delicious and flavorful( see down ) . The Calamari is ok but could be better . Meats including the lamb chops are perfect! Reason for 4 stars is both the Calamari and tarmosalata !
(4)
Dustin P.

This is quite possibly my favorite place to eat in the world. The lamb chops were sent down from heaven, they are the best meat you will ever eat. Everything is fantastic, atmosphere is great and the wait staff is very professional.
(5)
Adam B.

I can't say enough good things about this place everything we had was phenomenal! From the gyro appetizer which has one of the most delicious tzatziki sauce I've ever had! The lamb chops were cooked perfectly! The chicken kabobs were marinated in their homemade dressing which was to die for we will defiantly be back!
(5)
Alina A.

Was invited to a friend's graduation luncheon last week and was excited to go since I absolutely love greek food. The restaurant was lovely and felt open w/ a pretty outdoor patio. We had greek salads, dip platter & I ordered the Moussaka & Baklava cheesecake (not on menu). Everything was delicious but the baklava cheesecake was a showstopper! Wish they would put it on their regular dessert menu! Yummmm!
(4)
Angela M.

Why have i never been here before!?! My husband and i had a random reason to be in the area and decided to give this place a shot based on reviews of our friends. When we arrived, the line looked kind of long. I asked the woman who to give my name to- and i learned about their slightly unorthodox, yet strangely efficient way. You stand in line, and they call party sizes they're looking for. Within 2 minutes, i was seated at the bar. I was a little nervous to not have a table, but quickly became settled in. We got a bottle of red wine from greece. It was quite pleasant and reasonably priced. The first thing we ordered was the charred octopus. I'm not a huge octopus eater, so naturally i was a little apprehensive. But soon enough, i was fighting my husband off for more and trying to lick the plate. We then split a greek salad, which was fresh and crisp. Their dressing is heavenly and the feta they use is tastes great. We also ordered tzatkiki with pita which was super delicious! The star of the night was the lamb chops. Honestly, the best piece of meat i might have ever eaten- and my husband agreed. The seasoning and olive oil on the chops were indescribably amazing- lemony, oregano, and salty goodness. I wanted to lick this plate too. Aside from the food, the service was great too. At the bar, Stella took care of us and we really enjoyed her. We cannot wait to come back...
(4)
Greg O.

I think the food is quite delicious and fresh here at the Greek Islands. I love the whole grilled fish, octopus, greek salad, chicken ladoregano, lamb chops, eggplant, tzatziki, and the shrimp appetizer. There are also amazing lunch specials if you dine before three pm. During the season, your best bet is to eat after 9pm. I'm not a fan of valet parking when I can park my car in 30 seconds. Instead, I have to wait to pay $3 to valet. When I want my car I have to wait up to 15 mins for them to get my car. I can walk and pick up my car without any waiting. Not a good system at all. Try to dine outdoors as the newly renovated dining area is great. I've eaten here hundreds of times over the past ten years. I'm currently the mayor here on Yelp! I've been to Greece numerous times and eat in Astoria once a month. This food is great and compares to some of the best Greek food I've had stateside.
(4)
LoveNLight K.

This clearly a 5 STAR restaurant- I LOVE AND MISS this food! OCTOPUS APP- EVERYTHING HERE- AMAZING!!! What they are known for and if you eat LAMB- This is where you go without question! this restaurant and no other greek restaurants has a special white wine sauce they put on most of their meats. ITS SIMPLY F**KING AMAZING!!!! consistant food, great service, waiters have been there for years.. a good sign when you into great restaurants like this one.. people fly into florida.. where do they go?? RUSTIC INN AND GREEK ISLANDS BEST TRADITIONAL GREEK FOOD IN THE USA!! NOT KIDDING!
(5)
James F.

You can tell how good this place is from the parking lot. The aroma of lamb...then we park, go in..open kitchen...beautiful hostess and staff...then great bread and freshly made hummus arrive at the table. We had grilled octopus. It was done perfectly. The dining area is simple, bright, and clean. The bar looked perfect for socializing. The menu is extensive, all the way to authentic Greek desserts. Will go again. Often.
(5)
Chelsea C.

Shrimp, chicken Greek salad, and gyros wow! Octopus was okay. Service was attentive. I loved the greenery that created a barrier to the street, making it not even there. It was very relaxing. I even enjoyed the fact that they didn't have any music, the chatter of the surrounding guests gave the place a comfortable, homey feeling. I'll be back because the menu had great options.
(4)
DJ B.

Okay, I have to say everything was awesome. The spareribs, the saganaki, the eggplant, the baklava, you name it it was all great. The issue I have with this place is that it is extremely pricey. Now don't get me wrong I would give it five stars if it was less expensive... But I get it somebody has to pay the rent in the area, valet parking etc.... So the bill adds up. If you don't mind paying a few extra bucks then by all means have a ball. Still for five people we ate Tappas style, and had just one bottle of wine... With tip the bill was $285. Not an every day affair... But truly while the place is cute and warm it does not have the ambience of an expensive place. I am quite glad actually that our friends took us there and paid the bill. Quite nice of them... I have to say I wouYou have a email from Let's Party! DJs - kindly check your email at this time, including spam folders we don't want you to miss a thing!ld not have opted to pay that much dough for a similar meal. I recommend you go to Ethos in Coconut Creek or the Greek bistro in Delray... Food is just as good and about half the price
(3)
Athena P.

I am first generation Greek and grew up eating authentic Greek food made by all of my older family members. This place reminds me of home and is one of the only places in South Florida that serves authentic meals in my opinion. Their grilled meats and seafood are the real treat. I've truly enjoyed the lamp chops and veal chop in the red meat category and love the whole fish snapper in the seafood section. Also, their Greek salad and Avgelemeno soup are authentic and served in large portions. The atmosphere here is busy and loud and it is definitely a family place. I will say it's heavy on the garlic, olive oil and oregano in all their dishes but it is that way in Greece too so I enjoy my food that way. Bring gum for afterwards. If you want authentic Mediterranean food in a casual atmosphere, try this out.
(5)

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Address : 3300 N Ocean Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308
Phone (954) 565-5505
Website https://greekislandstaverna.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Greek Cuisine

Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.

Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.

For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.

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Greek Islands Taverna

3300 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308

Greek Islands Taverna Menu

Soups

Salates

Traditional Meze

Sotiri's Meze

Thalassina - From The Sea

House Specialties And Meats

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Greek Islands Taverna

Soups

Salates

Traditional Meze

Sotiri's Meze

Thalassina - From The Sea

House Specialties And Meats

Desserts

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