Late review from last year: This place is across from where I live. I like this place for dinner. Very authentic. Food: Order carviar spread , flaming cheese, lamb - kleftiko .. The appetizers were pretty good. However, I found the spread to be too salty. Loved the flaming cheese. The lamb was cooked to perfection with a great texture sauce. 3.5/5 Service: Service was great, atmosphere is nice and I just want to come back to see if this can be consistent. It is half full. the waiter was very attentive. 4/5 Atmosphere: extremely well decorated and very mediterrenan style. It is pretty lively. the owners are always greeting the customer. 4/5 I will definitely comeback to try some other food when i have money. However, their prices is a bit on the higher end for greek food. I do not suggest to come here for lunch because it is a bit expensive. They do have some happy hours time too.
(4)
Carla D.
I visited Taverna Yamas on Friday after having dinner at another restaurant. It has been a little over a year since I've been back to one of the only Greek restaurants in Jacksonville. If you've picked up on a tone of disappointment, well I am, since Jacksonville isn't home to many Greek restaurants. Anyways, I digress, we were on our way home from dinner when I noticed hookahs and a patio area at Taverna Yamas and I proceeded to excitingly say "They have hookahs." My husband made a legal u-turn and we decided to head there for a hookah and some after dinner drinks. There weren't too many people there, so we had the opportunity to decide where we wanted to sit: inside or outside. Since it was a nice night, we opted to sit outside on the patio. The indoor lounge area is dimly lit and has lots of bench/booth seating. The waiter was pleasant and attentive. My hubby got a draft beer and I got a glass of Riesling. I looked at the hookah menu and got a bit overwhelmed. There were dozens upon dozens of hookah flavors to choose from. I opted to choose from the Al Fakher Hookah menu and got a cinnamon apple mix. Our drinks came out shortly after we ordered our hookah and my Riesling was cold and crisp and I was happy to see that the bartender gave me a generous serving of wine. My husband had no complaints about his Bud Light (it was cold and tasted like Bud Light). The hookah came out in no time and it smelled fantastic. Even better, it tasted great. The waiter came by a few times to check on the coals and check on us. The only complaint I have is, because it became chillier than I anticipated, I was hoping Taverna Yamas would have used the three heat lamps they had in the back of the patio area, but no such luck. Pros: Quick service, pleasant staff, wide variety of hookahs, generous servings of wine. Cons: Not using the heat lamps, cooler weather (Ok, I can't fault Taverna Yamas for the weather), no specials menu. Tips: Go onto their website prior to checking out the hookah lounge. After checking out their website, it appears they have some great specials and a great happy hour ($2.50 house wines, $2.50 bottle and draft import beers, $2.00 bottle and draft domestic beers, $3 well drinks) and apparently they have belly dancing (or at least that's what their website says), but I didn't see any of that outside on the patio.
(4)
Ruby A.
I always get the gyro platter... my bf had the lamb shank before and he can still remember the taste of it (this is why I'm giving it a 4)! I think it's a lil overpriced compared to the same food you can get at places like Hala Cafe, etc.
(4)
Brad M.
BEWARE YOUR CREDIT CARD. Had my friends Card number stolen and linked back to this establishment. Do not use your credit card here. i would definitely use cash. Other then that Fantastic Food and great entertainment. JUST USE CASH!
(2)
Morgan M.
Horrible experience. Came here on a Saturday night. It was extremely slow. It took our waiter over 20 minutes just to come take our drink order. Our hookah came out and the shisha was already burnt and harsh. We had to ask our waiter several times to "blow out" our bowl because it was so harsh. While waiting I noticed he was sitting smoking from a friends hookah. Besides the service and the hookah being horrible, the music was incredibly loud. I couldn't even hear my boyfriend talking to me. All in all... We tried the place and will never be back.
(1)
Rosemarie T.
I have been to this restaurant many times and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We went last night (Sunday ) and I was so disappointed in the food. We had a group of 5 who got the Hermes shared dinner. In the past, they gave you one of each appetizer for the number ordering. Last night you got 2 of each. Also the meat was so over cooked and dry it wasn't worth eating. Overall, a very disappointing food experience.
(1)
Michelle F.
Came here with a group of friends who have come went several times before and loved it. Sadly I did not though. And they ended up having a terrible time too. We had the rudest server who just kept throwingn up his "I've been a server for four years so I know best" card. He was awful. Rude and we never saw him after we ordered because he wouldn't give us what we wanted to order. He was just too awful and was so rude when we asked about why we had gratuity added when there was only seven of us. He did not deserve that tip. I've worked retail for five years and I know that if a customer wants something, you do what you can. Never going back.
(1)
Elizabeth M.
This place is disgusting! Please do not waste your time going here. I went in with my husband and brother because they were open late and I saw the good reviews on here. First we were stopped before entering the restaurant through the main entrance and were told to go in through where the patio seating is. Okay.... Then we get seated and I felt like I was going to catch a disease just sitting in the booth. The booths were dirty and just filthy all over. Even with the dim lighting we could see the filth. My brother and husband said lets just get a dessert and go. So we waited 15 minutes for a server that never came. We ended up leaving. If the main dining room was filthy I can only imagine what the kitchen looks like. Yuck!
(1)
Marsi R.
Love the place love the atmosphere. We went there on a Thursday night and it wasn't busy. Enjoyed the food and had a great time.
(4)
Martha H.
Honestly, how can you mess up Hummus??? This place is not worth the drive. The people are nice, but the food is terrible!!!! My friend and I went for lunch and I ordered the cold sampler appetizer to get a feel for the food. The only edible thing on my plate was the Tadzhik. The baby ganoush was like baby food with a gelled consistency, the grape leaves had hard, under cooked rice and the "caviar" was a bright pink. I am still not even sure what it was. My friend ordered the hummus and when I tasted it, you can tell they use the fake lemon juice out of the plastic lemon. And I don't think there was even any garlic in it. She also ordered the spanakopita which was greasy and she literally had to spit it out it was so bad. The manger came out to apologize for our bad food and did not charge us for anything, which was very nice, but I will not be back. I LOVE Greek food and decided to try this place based on the Yelp rating, but I think people go for the drinks and Hooka, not the food.
(1)
Jay J.
Great service from a first time server. As a solo traveler dining out can be awkward, but I was at peace outside, and the "Greek-ness" of the food was top notch. Sweet family atmosphere, no rush, no pressure. I didn't delve into hookahs or any of the other things people are moaning about, but a good meal and a peaceful spot in a crazy city is well worth the 5 stars.
(5)
Barron M.
Went there for lunch on Friday to try a new place. Walked in and thought it was closed because no one was around. Finally, we were seated and then the real problems began. Our waitress could not have cared less. She had no idea about the menu, what drinks they had, etc. The atmosphere was really dark and seemed like a good place to get kidnapped and wake up in an ice bath. Probably should have left on that note, but decided to eat the gyro I ordered because I am a huge fan. Unfortunately, this gyro tasted like Miley Cyrus fixed it, or maybe that's just because that was the music that was playing for 20 minutes. Anyways, just adds to the list of reasons I hate Southside.
(1)
MikeAndTey V.
Empty restaurant when we ate there. Not surprised though... We ordered Saganaki and they charged us extra for the bread. The food was ok... Because of the extra charges, we will probably not return.
(2)
Pamela D.
Very cool, comfortable atmosphere. Love the outdoor seating on a breezy warm night. It's a little pricey, however the food is always yummy. My favorite things include the flaming cheese (mostly because I love cheese....and fire ;) ), grape leaves and the steak kabobs! They have a variety of hookah flavors if you're into that, but be forewarned: If you sit in the "hookah area", which is separate from the main dining room, they will only serve you bottled water. This is not something to get upset over, it's just a fact and honestly if you're from Europe it's the norm! I cannot praise the belly dancers and servers enough: The belly dancers are beautiful, talented women who engage the singers and put on a classy, fun show. Smile, clap and enjoy the show as napkins are flying and plates are breaking! In the midst of all this, the servers are organized and attentive. My only advice is to steer clear from the mixed martinis; they are watered down quite a bit. If you like a martini, get it dirty. This is a great place to hang out in a large group, check out some place different for once and spend a Saturday night watching the belly dancers, eating Mediterranean good and enjoying upbeat music with great service. Why not add a hookah in the mix; one time won't kill ya, right?
(4)
Megan P.
Gross!!! Food was tasteless! We ordered dolmades, pastistio, and the gyro platter. All, nothing to talk about again. My boyfriend ordered 4 crown and sprites...all watered down drinks and $9.00 a drink, for singles, that tasted like water. Our total bill, tip included because our large group, was $94.00. I had sprite to drink. Talk about a waste!!! Someone needs to go in and intervene asap or this place will be history. Should've known when we walked in and it was dead on a Saturday night. We WILL NOT BE BACK!!!
(1)
Mai N.
The concept of Greek Traditions is on point! The waitress was great. Giving it a 2 star due to the fact that our chicken kabob was not cooked throughly TWICE. Manager did apologize and comped 50% of our meal.
(3)
Stephanie T.
So, while I was reading some of the reviews I agree with a few. The decor is outdated, a lot of the servers would benefit from being a little more professional. I think they are trying to put a front of being a nice, classy restaurant, but sometimes the atmosphere and reality is that it's a little nightclub-ish. The menu for me is way overpriced, but I go there for happy hour and then I'm not so disappointed. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars. I wouldn't pay the normal prices, but with 1/2 off drinks, hookah and most apps from 4-7; I will gladly pay $2.50 for hummus. I go there with friends after work and we all order a bunch of appetizers and a hookah and the drinks flow and we always have a good AND affordable time. A lot of my friends go late at night on the weekends and have a lot of fun. It's just not my crowd/scene around that time, but all in all it's a decent place if you know ahead of time what you're in for.
(4)
Marie F.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Great food, great drinks, and a great hookah spot that doesn't look like a psycho's basement. Date didn't double check movie times so we had over an hour to spare. We decide to have a few drinks before the movie. We are greeted warmly by several servers who give us great recommendations on drinks, food, and hookah flavors. And we've tried them all. -Variety of martinis ... perfect -Lamb ribs ... delicious (gotta come back for a full menu only gone through appetizers) -UFO hookah (we were told it was a 50/50 hit or miss.. the taste reminded us of detergent... was then give a free reup of PASSION something? ... and it was a 100% hit!) Such a pleasant experience, can't wait to go back. Night and weekend staff are so much fun and knowledgeable. If you smoke Hookah and have not been here you are missing out!
(5)
Beverly H.
Absolutely delicious food! Great happy hour prices. The only reason it has 4 and not 5 stars is because the credit card we paid our food with had charges on it that weren't ours once we got our bill in the mail. The cc company linked the breach to this place. I would go back but pay cash!!! Cash is KING here!! Also the staff was a bit odd.
(4)
Tim M.
It is sad to see a good restaurant go bad. I love to go here for lunch and dinner, but the restaurant is going downhill. The tables are sticky, the decor is outdated, and the quality of the food has declined. The only saving grace is the staff.
(2)
Kristen E.
This place is open late and although the dining room closes, kitchen stays open and you can order from the hookah lounge. More of a club vibe, but still decent enough to enjoy a meal amongst the billowy aromas of fake cherry smoke and interesting mix of clientele.
(4)
Mark H.
It is hard to find food in the burbs of JAX past 10 PM, and after exhausting all leads, we ended up at Yamas, and that wasn't really a bad thing. If you've ever been to Acropolis in Ybor city, then you will find this place very reminiscent of your memories there. Loud music, napkins being thrown all over the place and belly dancers. Only difference is that the food isn't as good as Acropolis. We ordered 3 appetizers; hot pikilia, hummus and filet tips. All three were pretty good. The utilization of lemon on everything was a little abusive though, in my opinion. For this reason, I found the hummus to be the best of the three. We also ordered some white sangria, but they brought us RED. Not wanting to complain, we just took the red. It was decent, but nothing to write home about. Side note, I was going to order a Greek salad, but when I asked if it came with Greek potato salad, the waiter looked at me like I owed him money. He went back to ask the kitchen staff, and they said they had no idea what I was talking about and that "salad does not come with the salad." I felt like maybe they were making fun of me a little for asking. Either way, if you're used to eating Greek fare in the Tarpon Springs/Tampa Bay area, just note that Greek potato salad only seems to come with Greeks salads in THAT area, and not up in Jax.
(3)
Misty S.
HHhhmm...okay, I was kind of excited to go here for a friend's birthday because it was some place I'd never been and it seemed like a fun idea. I ordered a martini slightly dry. What I received was a martini with Orange Vodka and olives. GROSS! I went to the bar and asked the bartender what she made and she said she made it with orange vodka, I told her I wanted a slightly dirty martini, those are made with regular vodka. She made it over and yelled at the waiter that he put in the order wrong. Fast forward to the food...it was ok. However, as I started eating, 6,000 napkins were being thrown in the air and landing all over everyone and into our food. Kinda gross actually. Then the belly dancer started prancing around and that was kind of fun to watch and see the people get up on the tables and dance. I liked that part. However, wait for it....the bill came, holy crapballs! TOTALLY not worth the price AND the fact that they slyly add the 20% gratuity, that you can barely read. In any case, I don't think I'll be back...but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)
Bryan S.
Amazing food, service and value. Started with complementary fresh baked pitas and fresh hummus. We then had an awesome spanakopita (baked phyllo shell with spinach and feta). My wife had the filet kabob and I had the gyro platter. Rarely have I been to a restaurant where everything I eat is simply delicious, fresh and tastes like it was all made from scratch. Great Greek music, belly dancing, good Greek wines, awesome staff. I wish we would have found this place sooner. Oh yeah, just finished an amazing baklava to top it all off.
(4)
Chris M.
I went here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday party with a group of about 20 people. The tables were setup nicely and the server did not appear to have any problems keeping up with such a large group, in fact the server was very responsive considering people in the party showed up at different times. The lack of beer selection was a little disappointing and even more disappointing was having to describe what a Black & Tan was. The bartender didn't pour it correctly and it ended up as a Tan with some Black. My wife ordered a Reisling and was unable to finish it. She loves Reisling and questioned whether or not she was actually provided with one. The food, however, was amazing! I had the snapper fillet (after having to send back the salmon fillet due to the server's error) and it was delicious! A little heavy on the sauce, but delicious nonetheless. I did appreciate the server owning up to his mistake and handling the situation professionally. I attributed some of the confusion to the size of our group. The hummus was really good and the pita bread was cut into several pieces which would be perfect for sharing. I heard that the grape leaves were amazing as well. I did not expect all of the dancing and all of the napkins being thrown around the restaurant so be prepared for that. The staff did a great job of getting patrons to get up and have a good time though. At the other end of the restaurant you will find the hookahs. Many people were enjoying them at both inside and outside tables. It was nice to have the separation though because you wouldn't have been able to tell that they were even there since you couldn't see them from the main restaurant. There was a DJ and some (mostly) fun lighting that made it feel like it COULD be a dance club at some point in the night. The laser lights could probably be aimed a little different to avoid shining in the patron's eyes from time to time though.
(3)
Michael G.
I don't know why I bother coming back. First of all, the hookah is disgusting. They use old pipes and the coals are instant light, so they have a chemical taste about them. The guy was nice and attentive at first, but after thirty minutes we didn't see him until we paid. Then came time to pay the bill... Figuring out the payments is ALWAYS impossible here. Always. The server charged the table for a beer we never had. The server swiped my card for another person's ticket and I had to pay more for something I didn't have. They insisted it was irreversible. They include 20% gratuity, which is because the severs aren't worth tipping in the first place. I'm usually a very generous tipper, as I know it's difficult to be a server on a busy night. A tip is a tip, not part of the bill. I didn't get 20% worth of service. Aside from the absolute abomination of handling payments and their sub-par hookah. The food is outrageously priced and it cost $5 for a domestic draft beer. I could go to any of the surrounding bars and have two for that price. Plus, water comes in bottles for $2.50 and you don't get refills. That's a 1200% mark-up on Zephyr Hills. Never coming back.
(1)
Colby S.
I really wanted to like this place because I LOVE Greek food, but it was kindof disappointing. The good was pretty good, but our dishes cost something like $20 a plate. I would say the taste and quality was equivalent to an $8-10 plate. We could have made better dishes just whipping them up at home. We'll probably go back to try it again, but our first impressions weren't great.
(2)
Gigi S.
I guess this is what Jax calls late night eats? Being the only place open at the ungodly hour of 10:05pm we stopped in a tried a bunch of stuff. The crispy lamb ribs and hummus that sported garbanzo skins were notable. Also notable: no one outside of Tampa expects a dollop of potato salad hidden in the middle of their Greek Salad which is simply a let down to big American appetites. I would certainly skip the spinach pie (spinakopita) since the phyllo layers are not light and crispy, and I'd skip the thick cut, soggy calamari as well. The meatballs were aight, as well as the wings. I'd certainly be back for the texture of that hummus alone, perhaps during their show hours.
(3)
Monica S.
This brand new (as of Dec) Baklava infused hot-spot is by far one of the best restaurants in Jax! This far exceeds a five star rating. Virtually everything is house-made here. Even the yogurt is cured in house! So the Tzatziki is crazy cucumber fresh! I was able to sample a multitude of dishes on my visit: Lamb chops (marinated for 10 hours) were seasoned with fresh rosemary and perfectly cooked. Tender and DELISH! Char broiled Chicken, pork tenderloin medallions and Filet kabobs were all incredibly seasoned, smoky and tender as well. Accompanying veggies; onions, red and green peppers were also palate pleasers!! This set on a beautiful bed of spinach rice with spears of tangy lemon potatoes. I sampled the Mousaka and Pastitsio both dishes were lightly swimming in a pool of freshly pureed tomato sauce and topped with a uber creamy bechamel sauce -- all baked beautifully! The Executive Chef here is Greek and has been cooking for 42 years within this genre --- and he makes one beautiful Baklava...... Aces in my book! Portions here are huge, the service was absolutely phenomenal and prices are lower than Zaitoon's Greek Restaurant at the Beaches. And while I truly enjoy Zaitoon's, Taverna Yamas truly 'Ouzo's' with fresh tasting, authentic Greek fare.
(5)
Adam H.
I was just thinking that I was missing some good Greek food since moving to JAX. Thanks to Yelp I discovered the awesomeness of Taverna Yamas. The food has been awesome and there is a wide variety of familiar and unique menu options. I loved the bone-in lamb shank which is a huge portion and the lemon potatoes go nice with just about anything. The free hummus and pita for the table makes the perfect started for a delicious meal. So far my weeknight visits have missed the crowds others have described. It has been mostly quit with friendly and helpful service from the staff and owner. This is definitely a regular place for my wife and I from now on.
(4)
Amey R.
I have been there many times with friends in group for dinner and with office team for lunch. Each time I went there , I had great time. This is one of the best place for hukka in town. I would recommend this place for group hang out or if you wish to just relax with your couple of friends. Servers are very nice and offer quick service. Don't miss the servers dance around 8PM each day.
(4)
Brian D.
I've been here on 3 separate occasions but only ate here twice. Unfortunately for us, the other time we were there they experienced a power outage in the area. All of the local shops lost power. I would recommend going here for a late dinner with a group of diners. It is a fun place with good food. Eating earlier in the day, the place loses some of its' ambiance. At night, the staff is making it fun by throwing around napkins as a belly dancer makes here way through the place. And yes, the tables are strong enough to dance on! Go and enjoy.
(4)
E F.
Moussaka, pistachio, grilled octa
(4)
Eldred M.
I went to Yamas with a group of 6 (2 of those friends have been here multiple times and loved it). Upon arrival I was fairly impressed because the atmosphere looked very comfortable for a hookah lounge. But the minute we get our waiter, the entire experience flipped. His name was Daniel. I had to check my receipt to get his name because he never introduced himself. I asked him for a cider and he told me that they didn't serve ciders. I then continued to look because the menu is very confusing and isn't laid out very well. Instead of suggesting other products to me, Daniel stared and waited. A few of us decided to get water while we continued looking through the menu. Daniel never told us that they charged for water. When he came back, my friends who have been here numerous times, ordered their usual Mac and cheese. Daniel said that they couldn't sell that to them because it was on the kids menu. I've never heard of a hookah lounge having a kids menu but regardless, my 2 friends come here twice a week and get the Mac and cheese each time. Daniel made sure to mention that he has worked here for 4 years and has never served Mac and cheese to an adult. So we order our hookah and then the two friends who have been here before asked Daniel for a little more time with the menu. We received our hookah within 5 minute and the food that the rest of us ordered. Another friend of mine ordered a dish that never mentioned having meat in on the menu. To his surprise it was filled with beef. He didn't want to complain because we felt that the server was already "tired" of our table so he kept it and got another friend to eat it. The 2 girls who were denied Mac and cheese still sat without their food. Daniel never came back to our table. It had been 15 minutes and they were still waiting. Finally one of the girls stopped him while he was walking by and asked for her food. He brought it out in 5 minutes and we never heard from him again until after we were ready to go. We got the bill and one of my friends was very confused as to why her gratuity was so high. I looked in the menu and read that gratuity was only for a party of 10 and more. That notice was on every page in the menu. My friend flagged down Daniel and asked about the gratuity. Daniel was very defensive and asked us to show him where it said that in the menu. Another friend of ours asked him politely to not be rude and that we weren't looking for a fight. We were just looking for clarification. Daniel proceeded to give attitude and point out the a notice in tiny print that says gratuity was for 6 or more people on certain days. My friend thanked him then apologized but Daniel continued to show her the menu and gratuity notice. When we left there was no one, not even Daniel to thank us for coming. It was terrible service from the start. Although I ordered a dessert and was satisfied with it, my friends were not satisfied with their food. The scallops that were served were too soft, the fries were too cold, and the dish that another one of my friends got contained meat unbeknownst to him. My 2 friends who've been there twice a week were so put off by Daniel's service that they promised to never return. Most of us, being our first time there, was completely put off by this first experience that we don't even have a good experience to compare it to. If anyone does decide to return here after reading this review, request not to get Daniel as your server. Maybe your service will be a bit better.
(1)
Brittany O.
If you like dancing on tables and having fun, I suggest going here for your birthday or special event! The food is pretty decent...a little oily, but okay.
(4)
Jennifer G.
I am in LOVE with Yama's! If you are reading this review you should stop and get in you vehicles and go go go to Yama's and try it for yourself! The food is always spectacular, the staff is the best, they make you feel like family when you come here. There's always music playing that just makes you want to get up and dance, they have a full bar, and even have belly dancers. They also have nights where they have everyone get up and do Greek dancing and toss napkins around! The hookah bar is one of my favorite parts of coming to Yama's and every day until 6:00pm is happy hour!, sometimes even later. They also have a new room in between the dining room and the hookah lounge that has a full bar and a large flat screen t.v. for those who want to watch sports eat, drink, and enjoy a hookah at the same time! This room can also be rented out for private parties as well! They also have outside seating on the dining side as well as the hookah lounge side. So what's not to love about Yama's! Opa!!
(5)
Ryan D.
When my friends mentioned about Taverna Yamas I immediately said, lets go! Always wanted to try out the place for awhile now. We went on a Sunday night, so the place was deserted. Doesn't help either that it was Labor Day Weekend. Anyways, there are two sections to the place.. One is the hookah lounge, and one is the restaurant. We went and sat outside in the hookah lounge patio. It was a cute little outdoor area. I liked what they have offered in their menu, while prices are a little high it is well worth it because you do get a large portion! I went with the Chicken Souvlaki and it was delicious! Highly recommend it! Waiters were also very nice, and was very attentive.. Overall, It was a pleasurable dining experience, and I will definitely return. Oh, one thing that I didn't like was the fact that they charge for water.. They do not have tap water, only bottled water... Who does that?! I thought only fancy restaurants does that!!
(4)
Chris P.
Great food that is made fresh, they have Gyros and other dishes on the Menu too. Try the Chicken and Artichoke and same room for Baklava treat.
(4)
Sherry T.
SERVICE: Fantastic! Waiter was very attentive, patient, and personable. ATMOSPHERE: For a Tuesday night at 6pm, we were one of 3 tables in the large dining area. Extremely happy that I could not smell the smoke from the hookah lounge, which is separate from the dining area. Belly dancer started working the tables around 7:30. My girlfriend and I were trying to catch up on our girl's night out when the dancer targeted our table while we were in mid-conversation. It was obvious we were totally not interested in her performance, but she kept dancing for us until she finally moved on. Slightly awkward! HAPPY HOUR: Great specials on drinks and 1/2 price apps. When you order a glass of wine, they fill it almost to the top. Me likey. ;) FOOD: Ugh. Disappointed. Only great dish was saganaki (flaming cheese) app with pita wedges. Serves two people. We were told fried zucchini was breaded. Instead, they were thin zucchini chips soaked in what appeared to be eggs, then fried and burned until they had no flavor. Soggy and gross. The tzatziki dip it came with was clumpy and bland instead of smooth and tangy. The fillet tips were chewy with a weird marinade. The spanakopita had a great filling but was room temp. This was tough. Happy hour specials and service were great, but the food will not bring me back here. Make sure to check out their menu before you try them during regular hours. Pretty pricey, especially considering the taste and quality.
(2)
Denny S.
Great service. Our service guy was great! However... Overpriced! Drinks were not that good. They used orange vodka for a dirty martini which was especially not good with olives in it. Terrible beer selection. Food was bland, just no flavor on the chicken, rice, hummus,... I have had better. Throwing the napkins in the air while you are eating was a bit annoying. Not that it was not fun, just wrong timing. If you go with a party, they add 20% automatic gratuity. Doubt I will return. Make sure you wear clothes that you can wash, because you come out of there stinking of fried food.
(2)
Debbi C.
We go often on the weekends and always take out of town guests for the fun atmosphere. The food is always good- love the gyro platter and the appetizers are to die for. Greek sausage, steak tips, roasted peppers, hummus.... Mmmmmm! I've had the best moussaka in years there. Love the seasonings. The staff is always friendly and we have fun dancing around the restaurant and on the tables. If you want a fun night out with good food to boot- try it!!!
(5)
Tim V.
Great food for lunch! I had the gyro on a pita wrap it came with a great Greek salad and a couple tasty potatoes. The atmosphere is nice. It's really interesting way the have napkins all over the ceiling... (You have to see it!) The waitress stated that they have belly dancers in there in the evenings.
(5)
Buddy S.
The food was great ! plus happy hour was half price apps that was a pleasant surprise .
(5)
Craig E.
I really like this place, have eaten either lunch or dinner here many many times. Portions are generous, most dishes are very authentic and executed well. I can see from other reviews that they have a problem delivering consistently excellent results, but I have never had a bad meal here or bad service. Its a rare restaurant that doesn't experience an "off" night, when the primary chef is sick or the best wait staff are not there. Most recently, I had dinner and tried the salmon dish for the first time. It was exactly what I had hoped for, a generous salmon fillet cooked perfectly, with a creamy - lemony greek sauce with lots of capers. Rice and asparagus on the side. I inhaled it! Very satisfying and the sauce was especially delicious. Out of all my visits, I have only I minor irritation. I love the traditional Avgolemono soup (egg-lemon for those who don't know). This involves whisking egg yolks with lemon juice, then whisking that mixture into a soup or broth (usually chicken). Some restaurants add rice, but the basic concept is a thick, creamy, and very lemony soup that is just outstanding when done correctly. I seem to recall that Yamas did this fairly well when they first opened, but the last couple of times I have ordered I got what was basically chicken-rice soup, not creamy, no discernable lemon. A minor irritation since everything else has always pleased me, but I wish they would get this back on track.........
(4)
Ayesha A.
Food was Delish!! I ordered Lamb w/ potatoes and green beans. I went mid-week so there were no belly dancers and only a few other patrons having dinner at the time. It was my first time trying Lamb so I think I didn't order properly, should have ordered med instead of med well, but everything still tasted great!
(4)
Renda H.
I have only been once so far for lunch and it was very good. We had the chicken gyro and the regular gyro both came with salad and lemon potatoes...wow those lemon potatoes were fantastic! I could eat a whole plate of them LOL...anyway I will say the menu prices seemed kinda high but from what I understand there is quite a party there at night with wild napkin throwing and shouting of "Opa", etc. and so you must be paying extra for the atmosphere...I will go back and try more dishes I'm sure... but I have to say there must have been a recent issue in the ladies room because the smell was so bad I had to get out of there...maybe they had a plumbing problem. oh well go check it out if you like Greek and Mediterranean fare!
(4)
Kerri-Leigh G.
Despite the very friendly waitress, i will not return to this restaurant. The food was awful. Unseasoned, overcooked, and didn't have the flavors I'm accustomed to in Greek or Mediterranean food. The hummus had no tahini or lemon juice, for example. And the meal was NOT cheap. I will not return.
(1)
William R.
Lots of OPPPPA. Great drinks and club Music. Music hits the dance floor. Yeah Opppppa.
(5)
Kelly C.
I have to say that my review will be a little biased because I went there as an actual reviewer for the Folio Weekly Bite Club so I'm sure the service we received was biased as well. I'll definitely come back here again and write a non-biased review next time... but for now, the biased review. I have to say first and foremost that the atmosphere here is fantastic. There was belly dancing and they threw napkins in the air and we all danced (some of us on tables)... it was very festive. I believe this is how it is on Friday and Saturday nights (so I was told by the waitress) so that's the time to go. The food was good although I found things to be a bit on the over-salted side. Now, I love salt so for me to say that it was too salty is pretty big. The pita was delicious and I loved the taramosalata. The flaming goat milk cheese was impressive but a bit disappointing (again, too salty). The mousaka and pastitsio... I think it's hard to go wrong on these... they were delish. Had some skewers too... the beef was pretty tender but the pork and chicken were almost overdone. The baklava... yummy! Had a great time there. Will def be back!
(4)
Brad S.
always been good. enjoy entertainment friday and saturday if you eat a bit later 8ish
(4)
Loreena S.
I usually love this place! We arrived with several large parties and were given terrible service. Our appetizers came only a minute before the main course. My pork chops were burnt and very tough. I had trouble sawing through them for the first bite. The topping lacked any mushrooms and had half raw and burnt onions on top. I had to send the entire dish back in sad disgust. FYI- get a drink because the water tasted like it was from a sewer...even with the addition of several lemons. All things considered...I'm super disappointed, I feel bad for our waitress and left still hungry, yet tipsy from the sangria.
(2)
Bob S.
Oh. My. Goodness. What a find. Taverna Yamas exceeed my expectations tonight. A friend and I were looking for a place to have a catch-up-with-you dinner, and had sort of settled on the Tinseltown area. I remembered seeing Taverna Yamas, and since neither of us had been there, we decided to try it. We agreed to meet there at six. Good choice. First, during happy hour (until 7pm), most of the appetizers are half-price, as are well drinks, beer, and wine. From the appetizer list we ordered taramosalata, a spread made from caviar and yogurt, dolmades, the classic stuffed grape leaves, Greek sausage char-grilled and served with grilled peppers, and lemon potatoes, along with our drinks. Our server Stacy brought the drinks right out, and the appetizers followed shortly. We told her we'd dive in, and see where we wanted to go from there. Stacy was very attentive, and shortly we ordered the asparagus appetizer, as well as the fillet tips. It was all wonderful. The appetizer course at happy hour prices was $19, and could easily have served as a meal for both of us. This place is loud, but it's a happy loud. On weekends, there are belly dancers, and the staff dance on the tables. There was a large party in tonight that was also celebrating, and many shouts of "Opa!" were heard, followed by the throwing of paper napkins into the air. I -thought- I had ordered their handmade yogurt and honey for dessert, but by a happy mistake, I was served the galaktoboureko, a phyllo crust filled with warm custard, and drizzled with a yummy sauce. Wow. Just wow. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. I'm sorta stingy with stars, but I have no problem giving five to Taverna Yamas. --- Recent experiences at Yamas have caused me to re-evaluate, and pull back that 5th star. They're still good, well above average, but not out-of-this-world stellar.
(4)
Mike B.
If you like lemon on everything in your food, this is the place for you! I had the chicken gyro, it came with potatoes and some pita bread, the meal itself was good, but the chicken and everything just tasted like they got lemon happy in the kitchen.
We went their Saturday night, the food was below average. I ordered the Hot Pikilia (lamb ribs spanakopita,calamari,keftedes and wings) The lamb ribs were burnt black and I asked for another order. I was there for over an hour and I never received it. The waitress apologized and she said she told the manager twice. The calamari was tough and chewy. The restaurant did not have enough hp and the service was poor, never got my second glass of water. We also waited a longtime for our food. My friends liked their Mousaka , Lamb Chops and Patitsio. If I return, I will try one of the dishes my friends had. The restaurant really needs to work on their level of service.
(2)
Natalie B.
Finally. A place to get tasty Greek eats in Jacksonville! I know there are places to get Gyros. But I was wishing and hoping for a place to get Saganaki (flaming cheese), Mousaka and Pastichio. I was spoiled by living in Chicago--Greektown was at my disposal! My friend and I arrived for an early dinner. Lucky for us as Happy Hour was still in progress! Aside from cheap drinks, they offered half-priced appetizers! We ordered the saganaki and hummus. Yes, the cheese was lit up tableside! It was hot and salty--just the way I like it! The hummus was very smooth and garlickly. For my entree, I ended up ordering the gyros platter as I was pretty full from the apps. The lamb was sliced thin and flavored great. It was served with pita, potato wedges and a greek salad. The potato wedges were a delightful surprise. Soft with a hint of lemon. Yum!! The portion was very generous. I convince my friend to order the pastichio, just so I could try it! I'm lucky she is such a good sport. The portion was generous. It was delicious!! It is a macaroni and beef dish, a Greek casserole, if you will. The sauce had hints of allspice. We were stuffed, but could not resist splitting a baklava. Perfectly sweeted with honey--crispy filo--just lovely. Service is good. Ambiance was a little quiet on our particular night. It is a big restaurant and there were only a handful of tables. I did notice a large amount of tables that could seat 8-12 people. Looks like it would be great for large groups. Looking forward to a return visit to get my Mousaka on!
(4)
Angie T.
Service attentive although our server brought out the drinks, appetizers, and meals in one sitting! Desserts not fresh microwaved! Not a true Greek Restaurant ! I guess I should not have looking for a Greek Restaurant in Fl.
(3)
Ann M.
I frequent this place because I love their tzatziki and pita bread, and also always get the same entree -- the original greek salad with gyro meat. They also have a nice comfortable outdoor seating section. I guess the salad would be sort of hard to mess up, just have fresh ingredients and we're good. However, each time I go, my boyfriend gets something different, and it seems like the meat is always over-cooked. He order filet mignon kebobs, medium, and it came out well done with chewy fatty pieces. Not so sure it was actually filet mignon.
(4)
Carlyne M.
Decor is nice. Service sucks. Came here just to get some baklava. Waited over half an hour on the patio and got no service. The server just stopped by to say hello and that was it...didn't even bother to get our drink order. After waiting for over half an hour, we went inside and sat at the bar. The baklava was tasty, but we're not likely to come back again.
(2)
David D.
Wow!!!! Just visited this restaurant with my sister and wife this evening Before entering my current profession I had worked for years in the restaurant industry as a waiter, and bartender. My sister who was eating with us visiting from Atlanta is actually a waitress currently. That having been said, i have never had such a poor dining experience.. The waiter could barely communicate to us and was extremely inattentive. He could literally have been "fresh of the boat" The table next to us got up to leave but the manager talked them into staying. We never received one water refill in 45 minutes and he was just plain rude. The food was not great. We tried to order the grilled octopus appetizer, which they had apparently run out of. My wife ordered the house salad, I ordered the gyro platter, and my sister ordered the lamb shank. They were all sub par. If you want really good mediterranean food, don't waste your time here and go to The Casbah in Avondale.
(1)
Alexia K.
I hate to only rate this place 2 stars as I have had some pretty good meals here in the past, but I have to after the meal I had today. I haven't eaten at taverna yamas in awhile, and this was my first time coming here for lunch. The hummus was good, but the chicken in my pita sandwich was spongy and looked like the weird chicken you find in a lot of frozen meals, not to mention that it was undercooked and still pink in some areas. That's really dangerous, so I just can't overlook it. I advised the waitress of this, but still paid full price for the meal. At least the hummus and salad were good. Just beware of the chicken. Also, one other time I ate here there were flies everywhere inside and my friend and I were advised by the manager that this is normal because people open the door to come in and out. Funny that in the other restaurants I go to, there are doors and no flies. Interesting.
(2)
Teagues C.
Went there for lunch and got the daily special of chicken, rice, and artichokes. The other person with me got the gyro and both dishes were awesome!! Definitely going to make this a regular on my list!
(5)
Rob A.
I went here on Monday night and there were only a few customers in the restaurant. Food was not the best. We ordered the Hot Pikilia , lamb ribs and Caviar spread. We were here before on a Friday night and I have to say the quality of food greatly differs. The lamb ribs were chewy and slight burnt and so was the fried calamari that came with the Hot Pikilia. The caviar spread was so thinned out that it did not have good flavor at all. I ordered the kids Chicken tenders and I thought they were the best among the rest we ordered. I wont be back during a week night here because of food quality but I will try this restaurant again on a Friday . . . Although that there were only a few customers the night we visited the belly dancer came out and did a routine for us.
(2)
Sebastian C.
The food tastes great. However, it is really heavy! You will feel full after eating at this place. Almost too full! The people are really friendly and the it was really fun. They threw napkins in the air and smashed plates in accordance with the greek style. Cool place to check out-
(2)
M W.
This place is cool. They have family style Greek tables so you're sure to be cozy with whomever you're dining with and even those you didn't come with. As for the food I had hummus and pita which was good and not overly garlicky and the pita was pillowy and not too chewy. My entree was a gyro greek salad which had a good oil dressing. The only thing different I would have wished for would be for the olives to not have pits. Overall good experience and food.
(4)
Heavi K.
It was ok. Too salty for my tastes.
(3)
Gary W.
Not good at all. 1) From the instant we sat down we were rushed to decide on drinks and dinner. We decided on the Poseidon and ordered this for each person 2) The appetizers were lackluster. The eggplant was tasteless. 3) We expected to receive the Saganki next, it this was not served until after the main courses were on the table. It was salty and small in portion. 4) We specifically asked to not be rushed but all the food was served immediately after we asked not to be rushed. 5) The fish, pork and chicken were all over done. I thought I was eating a brick for the chicken. 6) The wine was poor in quality. Don't waste your time, I will not darken the doorway at this place again.
(1)
Michelle S.
A good time, as always! The atmosphere on a Friday nite is electric and loads of fun! Food is wonderful, especially the lamb shank! YUM!!
(5)
Kimber L.
fantastic! We got there a bit early for the belly dancers and our waitress encouraged us to stay for it which we did. We tried spanikopita(VERY good), filet medallions (melt in your mouth), Salmon (delishious!) and lamb chops (done well but Lamb isn't my fav_others at our table liked it). The hummus was tastey. We also ordered the dessert sampler..the ek mek was fabulous and the baklava was moist as it should be! Overall I loved it and will definately be back!!!!
(5)
Katherine M.
I went here for a dietetic social so I got a deal and can't really rate for the price. All I had to do was pay $5 and I had access to a delicious buffet of Greek salad, spanakopita, hummus, tzatziki, keftethes, and chicken wings. It's hard to find good Greek cuisine but Yamas definitely has it. I was not a fan of the wings but the drinks were worthy of my attention. Most importantly, the staff was fun and our server got our group giggling when he'd randomly grab stacks of napkins and threw them up in the air to shower over us. By the end of the night, me and a friend joined in a chain of Greek dancing around the restaurant and joined in a quick dance on the table. Definitely try it. They'll have you yelling 'opa!' in no time.
(4)
Erin B.
This place is awesome. We tried it after it was open for two weeks. Hubby and I popped in there to give it a try after work Friday. The place is the old Chop House and has been transformed on the inside with a great patio outside. We started with Greek salad which has awesome tomatoes and produce,a rarity for jax. We got the hot and cold app samplers to split. Lamb shanks were amazing, hummus, taziki, and grape leaves all standouts. The staff was great, dancing and tossing napkins while belly dancer was making her way around the room. The owner was great, jovial and passing out free shots. They also have family style which combined with the fun atmosphere would be great for a bday or occasion. Plus, the prices are great! House Greek red wine is 4 per glass and is great table wine. We need to support this restaurant in a location that has been numerous names, make sure it stays open! Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Janel S.
I visted Taverna Yamas while vacationing in Jacksonville, after reading several extremely positive reviews. I must assume that these reviewers have never eaten real Greek food before, or that I just went on a really bad night. The food wasn't TERRIBLE, but for the prices we paid, I expected much, much more. Pretty much everything we ate was bland. The hummus and other appetizers were what I'd expect to get from a generic supermarket brand, not what's supposed to be a great Greek restaurant. Luckily they were half price, or they really would not have been worth it. On the other hand, the seafood dishes were quite good, likely because the fish tasted very fresh. The service also wasn't great, which was surprising, considering there were only a few parties in the huge space. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Greek experience. I have eaten at many much less expensive restaurants with much higher quality food... but if you're going with a bunch of people and looking to have a good time rather than a fine dining experience, you could do worse.
(2)
Robin O.
Based on reviews of places within a 5 minute drive of where I work (Southpoint area) I suggested this place to a co-worker and out-of-town colleagues, with the disclaimer that I hadn't been myself! Thanks to all of you for such a find! Our server was friendly and helpful, there when we needed him but not hovering. The four of us shared appetizers of spanakopita and dolmades, and it was very apparent they were made in house and not canned/frozen. We were all jonesing for gyros. I was expecting a pita sandwich with maybe some fries that I wouldn't eat on the side. I got the sandwich part right... Warm, juicy, with plenty of tangy tzatziki and crisp onion, lettuce, and fresh tomato. The surprises were the generously portioned and exceptionally fresh Greek salad and the delicious lemony roasted potato wedges! I plan to organize an after-work Happy Hour here, as the half-price drinks and appetizers offer a cheap opportunity to sample more of the menu and atmosphere.
(4)
Ryan D.
When my friends mentioned about Taverna Yamas I immediately said, lets go! Always wanted to try out the place for awhile now. We went on a Sunday night, so the place was deserted. Doesn't help either that it was Labor Day Weekend. Anyways, there are two sections to the place.. One is the hookah lounge, and one is the restaurant. We went and sat outside in the hookah lounge patio. It was a cute little outdoor area. I liked what they have offered in their menu, while prices are a little high it is well worth it because you do get a large portion! I went with the Chicken Souvlaki and it was delicious! Highly recommend it! Waiters were also very nice, and was very attentive.. Overall, It was a pleasurable dining experience, and I will definitely return. Oh, one thing that I didn't like was the fact that they charge for water.. They do not have tap water, only bottled water... Who does that?! I thought only fancy restaurants does that!!
(4)
Megan P.
Gross!!! Food was tasteless! We ordered dolmades, pastistio, and the gyro platter. All, nothing to talk about again. My boyfriend ordered 4 crown and sprites...all watered down drinks and $9.00 a drink, for singles, that tasted like water. Our total bill, tip included because our large group, was $94.00. I had sprite to drink. Talk about a waste!!! Someone needs to go in and intervene asap or this place will be history. Should've known when we walked in and it was dead on a Saturday night. We WILL NOT BE BACK!!!
(1)
Mai N.
The concept of Greek Traditions is on point! The waitress was great. Giving it a 2 star due to the fact that our chicken kabob was not cooked throughly TWICE. Manager did apologize and comped 50% of our meal.
(3)
Renda H.
I have only been once so far for lunch and it was very good. We had the chicken gyro and the regular gyro both came with salad and lemon potatoes...wow those lemon potatoes were fantastic! I could eat a whole plate of them LOL...anyway I will say the menu prices seemed kinda high but from what I understand there is quite a party there at night with wild napkin throwing and shouting of "Opa", etc. and so you must be paying extra for the atmosphere...I will go back and try more dishes I'm sure... but I have to say there must have been a recent issue in the ladies room because the smell was so bad I had to get out of there...maybe they had a plumbing problem. oh well go check it out if you like Greek and Mediterranean fare!
(4)
Barron M.
Went there for lunch on Friday to try a new place. Walked in and thought it was closed because no one was around. Finally, we were seated and then the real problems began. Our waitress could not have cared less. She had no idea about the menu, what drinks they had, etc. The atmosphere was really dark and seemed like a good place to get kidnapped and wake up in an ice bath. Probably should have left on that note, but decided to eat the gyro I ordered because I am a huge fan. Unfortunately, this gyro tasted like Miley Cyrus fixed it, or maybe that's just because that was the music that was playing for 20 minutes. Anyways, just adds to the list of reasons I hate Southside.
(1)
MikeAndTey V.
Empty restaurant when we ate there. Not surprised though... We ordered Saganaki and they charged us extra for the bread. The food was ok... Because of the extra charges, we will probably not return.
(2)
Marsi R.
Love the place love the atmosphere. We went there on a Thursday night and it wasn't busy. Enjoyed the food and had a great time.
(4)
Bryan S.
Amazing food, service and value. Started with complementary fresh baked pitas and fresh hummus. We then had an awesome spanakopita (baked phyllo shell with spinach and feta). My wife had the filet kabob and I had the gyro platter. Rarely have I been to a restaurant where everything I eat is simply delicious, fresh and tastes like it was all made from scratch. Great Greek music, belly dancing, good Greek wines, awesome staff. I wish we would have found this place sooner. Oh yeah, just finished an amazing baklava to top it all off.
(4)
Pamela D.
Very cool, comfortable atmosphere. Love the outdoor seating on a breezy warm night. It's a little pricey, however the food is always yummy. My favorite things include the flaming cheese (mostly because I love cheese....and fire ;) ), grape leaves and the steak kabobs! They have a variety of hookah flavors if you're into that, but be forewarned: If you sit in the "hookah area", which is separate from the main dining room, they will only serve you bottled water. This is not something to get upset over, it's just a fact and honestly if you're from Europe it's the norm! I cannot praise the belly dancers and servers enough: The belly dancers are beautiful, talented women who engage the singers and put on a classy, fun show. Smile, clap and enjoy the show as napkins are flying and plates are breaking! In the midst of all this, the servers are organized and attentive. My only advice is to steer clear from the mixed martinis; they are watered down quite a bit. If you like a martini, get it dirty. This is a great place to hang out in a large group, check out some place different for once and spend a Saturday night watching the belly dancers, eating Mediterranean good and enjoying upbeat music with great service. Why not add a hookah in the mix; one time won't kill ya, right?
(4)
Rosemarie T.
I have been to this restaurant many times and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We went last night (Sunday ) and I was so disappointed in the food. We had a group of 5 who got the Hermes shared dinner. In the past, they gave you one of each appetizer for the number ordering. Last night you got 2 of each. Also the meat was so over cooked and dry it wasn't worth eating. Overall, a very disappointing food experience.
(1)
Michelle F.
Came here with a group of friends who have come went several times before and loved it. Sadly I did not though. And they ended up having a terrible time too. We had the rudest server who just kept throwingn up his "I've been a server for four years so I know best" card. He was awful. Rude and we never saw him after we ordered because he wouldn't give us what we wanted to order. He was just too awful and was so rude when we asked about why we had gratuity added when there was only seven of us. He did not deserve that tip. I've worked retail for five years and I know that if a customer wants something, you do what you can. Never going back.
(1)
Elizabeth M.
This place is disgusting! Please do not waste your time going here. I went in with my husband and brother because they were open late and I saw the good reviews on here. First we were stopped before entering the restaurant through the main entrance and were told to go in through where the patio seating is. Okay.... Then we get seated and I felt like I was going to catch a disease just sitting in the booth. The booths were dirty and just filthy all over. Even with the dim lighting we could see the filth. My brother and husband said lets just get a dessert and go. So we waited 15 minutes for a server that never came. We ended up leaving. If the main dining room was filthy I can only imagine what the kitchen looks like. Yuck!
(1)
Chris M.
I went here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday party with a group of about 20 people. The tables were setup nicely and the server did not appear to have any problems keeping up with such a large group, in fact the server was very responsive considering people in the party showed up at different times. The lack of beer selection was a little disappointing and even more disappointing was having to describe what a Black & Tan was. The bartender didn't pour it correctly and it ended up as a Tan with some Black. My wife ordered a Reisling and was unable to finish it. She loves Reisling and questioned whether or not she was actually provided with one. The food, however, was amazing! I had the snapper fillet (after having to send back the salmon fillet due to the server's error) and it was delicious! A little heavy on the sauce, but delicious nonetheless. I did appreciate the server owning up to his mistake and handling the situation professionally. I attributed some of the confusion to the size of our group. The hummus was really good and the pita bread was cut into several pieces which would be perfect for sharing. I heard that the grape leaves were amazing as well. I did not expect all of the dancing and all of the napkins being thrown around the restaurant so be prepared for that. The staff did a great job of getting patrons to get up and have a good time though. At the other end of the restaurant you will find the hookahs. Many people were enjoying them at both inside and outside tables. It was nice to have the separation though because you wouldn't have been able to tell that they were even there since you couldn't see them from the main restaurant. There was a DJ and some (mostly) fun lighting that made it feel like it COULD be a dance club at some point in the night. The laser lights could probably be aimed a little different to avoid shining in the patron's eyes from time to time though.
(3)
Tim M.
It is sad to see a good restaurant go bad. I love to go here for lunch and dinner, but the restaurant is going downhill. The tables are sticky, the decor is outdated, and the quality of the food has declined. The only saving grace is the staff.
(2)
Kristen E.
This place is open late and although the dining room closes, kitchen stays open and you can order from the hookah lounge. More of a club vibe, but still decent enough to enjoy a meal amongst the billowy aromas of fake cherry smoke and interesting mix of clientele.
(4)
Michael G.
I don't know why I bother coming back. First of all, the hookah is disgusting. They use old pipes and the coals are instant light, so they have a chemical taste about them. The guy was nice and attentive at first, but after thirty minutes we didn't see him until we paid. Then came time to pay the bill... Figuring out the payments is ALWAYS impossible here. Always. The server charged the table for a beer we never had. The server swiped my card for another person's ticket and I had to pay more for something I didn't have. They insisted it was irreversible. They include 20% gratuity, which is because the severs aren't worth tipping in the first place. I'm usually a very generous tipper, as I know it's difficult to be a server on a busy night. A tip is a tip, not part of the bill. I didn't get 20% worth of service. Aside from the absolute abomination of handling payments and their sub-par hookah. The food is outrageously priced and it cost $5 for a domestic draft beer. I could go to any of the surrounding bars and have two for that price. Plus, water comes in bottles for $2.50 and you don't get refills. That's a 1200% mark-up on Zephyr Hills. Never coming back.
(1)
Stephanie T.
So, while I was reading some of the reviews I agree with a few. The decor is outdated, a lot of the servers would benefit from being a little more professional. I think they are trying to put a front of being a nice, classy restaurant, but sometimes the atmosphere and reality is that it's a little nightclub-ish. The menu for me is way overpriced, but I go there for happy hour and then I'm not so disappointed. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars. I wouldn't pay the normal prices, but with 1/2 off drinks, hookah and most apps from 4-7; I will gladly pay $2.50 for hummus. I go there with friends after work and we all order a bunch of appetizers and a hookah and the drinks flow and we always have a good AND affordable time. A lot of my friends go late at night on the weekends and have a lot of fun. It's just not my crowd/scene around that time, but all in all it's a decent place if you know ahead of time what you're in for.
(4)
Marie F.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Great food, great drinks, and a great hookah spot that doesn't look like a psycho's basement. Date didn't double check movie times so we had over an hour to spare. We decide to have a few drinks before the movie. We are greeted warmly by several servers who give us great recommendations on drinks, food, and hookah flavors. And we've tried them all. -Variety of martinis ... perfect -Lamb ribs ... delicious (gotta come back for a full menu only gone through appetizers) -UFO hookah (we were told it was a 50/50 hit or miss.. the taste reminded us of detergent... was then give a free reup of PASSION something? ... and it was a 100% hit!) Such a pleasant experience, can't wait to go back. Night and weekend staff are so much fun and knowledgeable. If you smoke Hookah and have not been here you are missing out!
(5)
Beverly H.
Absolutely delicious food! Great happy hour prices. The only reason it has 4 and not 5 stars is because the credit card we paid our food with had charges on it that weren't ours once we got our bill in the mail. The cc company linked the breach to this place. I would go back but pay cash!!! Cash is KING here!! Also the staff was a bit odd.
(4)
Mark H.
It is hard to find food in the burbs of JAX past 10 PM, and after exhausting all leads, we ended up at Yamas, and that wasn't really a bad thing. If you've ever been to Acropolis in Ybor city, then you will find this place very reminiscent of your memories there. Loud music, napkins being thrown all over the place and belly dancers. Only difference is that the food isn't as good as Acropolis. We ordered 3 appetizers; hot pikilia, hummus and filet tips. All three were pretty good. The utilization of lemon on everything was a little abusive though, in my opinion. For this reason, I found the hummus to be the best of the three. We also ordered some white sangria, but they brought us RED. Not wanting to complain, we just took the red. It was decent, but nothing to write home about. Side note, I was going to order a Greek salad, but when I asked if it came with Greek potato salad, the waiter looked at me like I owed him money. He went back to ask the kitchen staff, and they said they had no idea what I was talking about and that "salad does not come with the salad." I felt like maybe they were making fun of me a little for asking. Either way, if you're used to eating Greek fare in the Tarpon Springs/Tampa Bay area, just note that Greek potato salad only seems to come with Greeks salads in THAT area, and not up in Jax.
(3)
Martha H.
Honestly, how can you mess up Hummus??? This place is not worth the drive. The people are nice, but the food is terrible!!!! My friend and I went for lunch and I ordered the cold sampler appetizer to get a feel for the food. The only edible thing on my plate was the Tadzhik. The baby ganoush was like baby food with a gelled consistency, the grape leaves had hard, under cooked rice and the "caviar" was a bright pink. I am still not even sure what it was. My friend ordered the hummus and when I tasted it, you can tell they use the fake lemon juice out of the plastic lemon. And I don't think there was even any garlic in it. She also ordered the spanakopita which was greasy and she literally had to spit it out it was so bad. The manger came out to apologize for our bad food and did not charge us for anything, which was very nice, but I will not be back. I LOVE Greek food and decided to try this place based on the Yelp rating, but I think people go for the drinks and Hooka, not the food.
(1)
Misty S.
HHhhmm...okay, I was kind of excited to go here for a friend's birthday because it was some place I'd never been and it seemed like a fun idea. I ordered a martini slightly dry. What I received was a martini with Orange Vodka and olives. GROSS! I went to the bar and asked the bartender what she made and she said she made it with orange vodka, I told her I wanted a slightly dirty martini, those are made with regular vodka. She made it over and yelled at the waiter that he put in the order wrong. Fast forward to the food...it was ok. However, as I started eating, 6,000 napkins were being thrown in the air and landing all over everyone and into our food. Kinda gross actually. Then the belly dancer started prancing around and that was kind of fun to watch and see the people get up on the tables and dance. I liked that part. However, wait for it....the bill came, holy crapballs! TOTALLY not worth the price AND the fact that they slyly add the 20% gratuity, that you can barely read. In any case, I don't think I'll be back...but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)
Eldred M.
I went to Yamas with a group of 6 (2 of those friends have been here multiple times and loved it). Upon arrival I was fairly impressed because the atmosphere looked very comfortable for a hookah lounge. But the minute we get our waiter, the entire experience flipped. His name was Daniel. I had to check my receipt to get his name because he never introduced himself. I asked him for a cider and he told me that they didn't serve ciders. I then continued to look because the menu is very confusing and isn't laid out very well. Instead of suggesting other products to me, Daniel stared and waited. A few of us decided to get water while we continued looking through the menu. Daniel never told us that they charged for water. When he came back, my friends who have been here numerous times, ordered their usual Mac and cheese. Daniel said that they couldn't sell that to them because it was on the kids menu. I've never heard of a hookah lounge having a kids menu but regardless, my 2 friends come here twice a week and get the Mac and cheese each time. Daniel made sure to mention that he has worked here for 4 years and has never served Mac and cheese to an adult. So we order our hookah and then the two friends who have been here before asked Daniel for a little more time with the menu. We received our hookah within 5 minute and the food that the rest of us ordered. Another friend of mine ordered a dish that never mentioned having meat in on the menu. To his surprise it was filled with beef. He didn't want to complain because we felt that the server was already "tired" of our table so he kept it and got another friend to eat it. The 2 girls who were denied Mac and cheese still sat without their food. Daniel never came back to our table. It had been 15 minutes and they were still waiting. Finally one of the girls stopped him while he was walking by and asked for her food. He brought it out in 5 minutes and we never heard from him again until after we were ready to go. We got the bill and one of my friends was very confused as to why her gratuity was so high. I looked in the menu and read that gratuity was only for a party of 10 and more. That notice was on every page in the menu. My friend flagged down Daniel and asked about the gratuity. Daniel was very defensive and asked us to show him where it said that in the menu. Another friend of ours asked him politely to not be rude and that we weren't looking for a fight. We were just looking for clarification. Daniel proceeded to give attitude and point out the a notice in tiny print that says gratuity was for 6 or more people on certain days. My friend thanked him then apologized but Daniel continued to show her the menu and gratuity notice. When we left there was no one, not even Daniel to thank us for coming. It was terrible service from the start. Although I ordered a dessert and was satisfied with it, my friends were not satisfied with their food. The scallops that were served were too soft, the fries were too cold, and the dish that another one of my friends got contained meat unbeknownst to him. My 2 friends who've been there twice a week were so put off by Daniel's service that they promised to never return. Most of us, being our first time there, was completely put off by this first experience that we don't even have a good experience to compare it to. If anyone does decide to return here after reading this review, request not to get Daniel as your server. Maybe your service will be a bit better.
(1)
Brittany O.
If you like dancing on tables and having fun, I suggest going here for your birthday or special event! The food is pretty decent...a little oily, but okay.
(4)
Sherry T.
SERVICE: Fantastic! Waiter was very attentive, patient, and personable. ATMOSPHERE: For a Tuesday night at 6pm, we were one of 3 tables in the large dining area. Extremely happy that I could not smell the smoke from the hookah lounge, which is separate from the dining area. Belly dancer started working the tables around 7:30. My girlfriend and I were trying to catch up on our girl's night out when the dancer targeted our table while we were in mid-conversation. It was obvious we were totally not interested in her performance, but she kept dancing for us until she finally moved on. Slightly awkward! HAPPY HOUR: Great specials on drinks and 1/2 price apps. When you order a glass of wine, they fill it almost to the top. Me likey. ;) FOOD: Ugh. Disappointed. Only great dish was saganaki (flaming cheese) app with pita wedges. Serves two people. We were told fried zucchini was breaded. Instead, they were thin zucchini chips soaked in what appeared to be eggs, then fried and burned until they had no flavor. Soggy and gross. The tzatziki dip it came with was clumpy and bland instead of smooth and tangy. The fillet tips were chewy with a weird marinade. The spanakopita had a great filling but was room temp. This was tough. Happy hour specials and service were great, but the food will not bring me back here. Make sure to check out their menu before you try them during regular hours. Pretty pricey, especially considering the taste and quality.
(2)
Denny S.
Great service. Our service guy was great! However... Overpriced! Drinks were not that good. They used orange vodka for a dirty martini which was especially not good with olives in it. Terrible beer selection. Food was bland, just no flavor on the chicken, rice, hummus,... I have had better. Throwing the napkins in the air while you are eating was a bit annoying. Not that it was not fun, just wrong timing. If you go with a party, they add 20% automatic gratuity. Doubt I will return. Make sure you wear clothes that you can wash, because you come out of there stinking of fried food.
(2)
Debbi C.
We go often on the weekends and always take out of town guests for the fun atmosphere. The food is always good- love the gyro platter and the appetizers are to die for. Greek sausage, steak tips, roasted peppers, hummus.... Mmmmmm! I've had the best moussaka in years there. Love the seasonings. The staff is always friendly and we have fun dancing around the restaurant and on the tables. If you want a fun night out with good food to boot- try it!!!
(5)
Tim V.
Great food for lunch! I had the gyro on a pita wrap it came with a great Greek salad and a couple tasty potatoes. The atmosphere is nice. It's really interesting way the have napkins all over the ceiling... (You have to see it!) The waitress stated that they have belly dancers in there in the evenings.
(5)
Jay J.
Great service from a first time server. As a solo traveler dining out can be awkward, but I was at peace outside, and the "Greek-ness" of the food was top notch. Sweet family atmosphere, no rush, no pressure. I didn't delve into hookahs or any of the other things people are moaning about, but a good meal and a peaceful spot in a crazy city is well worth the 5 stars.
(5)
Michael W.
Late review from last year: This place is across from where I live. I like this place for dinner. Very authentic. Food: Order carviar spread , flaming cheese, lamb - kleftiko .. The appetizers were pretty good. However, I found the spread to be too salty. Loved the flaming cheese. The lamb was cooked to perfection with a great texture sauce. 3.5/5 Service: Service was great, atmosphere is nice and I just want to come back to see if this can be consistent. It is half full. the waiter was very attentive. 4/5 Atmosphere: extremely well decorated and very mediterrenan style. It is pretty lively. the owners are always greeting the customer. 4/5 I will definitely comeback to try some other food when i have money. However, their prices is a bit on the higher end for greek food. I do not suggest to come here for lunch because it is a bit expensive. They do have some happy hours time too.
(4)
Colby S.
I really wanted to like this place because I LOVE Greek food, but it was kindof disappointing. The good was pretty good, but our dishes cost something like $20 a plate. I would say the taste and quality was equivalent to an $8-10 plate. We could have made better dishes just whipping them up at home. We'll probably go back to try it again, but our first impressions weren't great.
(2)
Gigi S.
I guess this is what Jax calls late night eats? Being the only place open at the ungodly hour of 10:05pm we stopped in a tried a bunch of stuff. The crispy lamb ribs and hummus that sported garbanzo skins were notable. Also notable: no one outside of Tampa expects a dollop of potato salad hidden in the middle of their Greek Salad which is simply a let down to big American appetites. I would certainly skip the spinach pie (spinakopita) since the phyllo layers are not light and crispy, and I'd skip the thick cut, soggy calamari as well. The meatballs were aight, as well as the wings. I'd certainly be back for the texture of that hummus alone, perhaps during their show hours.
(3)
Jennifer G.
I am in LOVE with Yama's! If you are reading this review you should stop and get in you vehicles and go go go to Yama's and try it for yourself! The food is always spectacular, the staff is the best, they make you feel like family when you come here. There's always music playing that just makes you want to get up and dance, they have a full bar, and even have belly dancers. They also have nights where they have everyone get up and do Greek dancing and toss napkins around! The hookah bar is one of my favorite parts of coming to Yama's and every day until 6:00pm is happy hour!, sometimes even later. They also have a new room in between the dining room and the hookah lounge that has a full bar and a large flat screen t.v. for those who want to watch sports eat, drink, and enjoy a hookah at the same time! This room can also be rented out for private parties as well! They also have outside seating on the dining side as well as the hookah lounge side. So what's not to love about Yama's! Opa!!
(5)
Ayesha A.
Food was Delish!! I ordered Lamb w/ potatoes and green beans. I went mid-week so there were no belly dancers and only a few other patrons having dinner at the time. It was my first time trying Lamb so I think I didn't order properly, should have ordered med instead of med well, but everything still tasted great!
(4)
Monica S.
This brand new (as of Dec) Baklava infused hot-spot is by far one of the best restaurants in Jax! This far exceeds a five star rating. Virtually everything is house-made here. Even the yogurt is cured in house! So the Tzatziki is crazy cucumber fresh! I was able to sample a multitude of dishes on my visit: Lamb chops (marinated for 10 hours) were seasoned with fresh rosemary and perfectly cooked. Tender and DELISH! Char broiled Chicken, pork tenderloin medallions and Filet kabobs were all incredibly seasoned, smoky and tender as well. Accompanying veggies; onions, red and green peppers were also palate pleasers!! This set on a beautiful bed of spinach rice with spears of tangy lemon potatoes. I sampled the Mousaka and Pastitsio both dishes were lightly swimming in a pool of freshly pureed tomato sauce and topped with a uber creamy bechamel sauce -- all baked beautifully! The Executive Chef here is Greek and has been cooking for 42 years within this genre --- and he makes one beautiful Baklava...... Aces in my book! Portions here are huge, the service was absolutely phenomenal and prices are lower than Zaitoon's Greek Restaurant at the Beaches. And while I truly enjoy Zaitoon's, Taverna Yamas truly 'Ouzo's' with fresh tasting, authentic Greek fare.
(5)
Adam H.
I was just thinking that I was missing some good Greek food since moving to JAX. Thanks to Yelp I discovered the awesomeness of Taverna Yamas. The food has been awesome and there is a wide variety of familiar and unique menu options. I loved the bone-in lamb shank which is a huge portion and the lemon potatoes go nice with just about anything. The free hummus and pita for the table makes the perfect started for a delicious meal. So far my weeknight visits have missed the crowds others have described. It has been mostly quit with friendly and helpful service from the staff and owner. This is definitely a regular place for my wife and I from now on.
(4)
Amey R.
I have been there many times with friends in group for dinner and with office team for lunch. Each time I went there , I had great time. This is one of the best place for hukka in town. I would recommend this place for group hang out or if you wish to just relax with your couple of friends. Servers are very nice and offer quick service. Don't miss the servers dance around 8PM each day.
(4)
Brian D.
I've been here on 3 separate occasions but only ate here twice. Unfortunately for us, the other time we were there they experienced a power outage in the area. All of the local shops lost power. I would recommend going here for a late dinner with a group of diners. It is a fun place with good food. Eating earlier in the day, the place loses some of its' ambiance. At night, the staff is making it fun by throwing around napkins as a belly dancer makes here way through the place. And yes, the tables are strong enough to dance on! Go and enjoy.
(4)
E F.
Moussaka, pistachio, grilled octa
(4)
Buddy S.
The food was great ! plus happy hour was half price apps that was a pleasant surprise .
(5)
Craig E.
I really like this place, have eaten either lunch or dinner here many many times. Portions are generous, most dishes are very authentic and executed well. I can see from other reviews that they have a problem delivering consistently excellent results, but I have never had a bad meal here or bad service. Its a rare restaurant that doesn't experience an "off" night, when the primary chef is sick or the best wait staff are not there. Most recently, I had dinner and tried the salmon dish for the first time. It was exactly what I had hoped for, a generous salmon fillet cooked perfectly, with a creamy - lemony greek sauce with lots of capers. Rice and asparagus on the side. I inhaled it! Very satisfying and the sauce was especially delicious. Out of all my visits, I have only I minor irritation. I love the traditional Avgolemono soup (egg-lemon for those who don't know). This involves whisking egg yolks with lemon juice, then whisking that mixture into a soup or broth (usually chicken). Some restaurants add rice, but the basic concept is a thick, creamy, and very lemony soup that is just outstanding when done correctly. I seem to recall that Yamas did this fairly well when they first opened, but the last couple of times I have ordered I got what was basically chicken-rice soup, not creamy, no discernable lemon. A minor irritation since everything else has always pleased me, but I wish they would get this back on track.........
(4)
Carla D.
I visited Taverna Yamas on Friday after having dinner at another restaurant. It has been a little over a year since I've been back to one of the only Greek restaurants in Jacksonville. If you've picked up on a tone of disappointment, well I am, since Jacksonville isn't home to many Greek restaurants. Anyways, I digress, we were on our way home from dinner when I noticed hookahs and a patio area at Taverna Yamas and I proceeded to excitingly say "They have hookahs." My husband made a legal u-turn and we decided to head there for a hookah and some after dinner drinks. There weren't too many people there, so we had the opportunity to decide where we wanted to sit: inside or outside. Since it was a nice night, we opted to sit outside on the patio. The indoor lounge area is dimly lit and has lots of bench/booth seating. The waiter was pleasant and attentive. My hubby got a draft beer and I got a glass of Riesling. I looked at the hookah menu and got a bit overwhelmed. There were dozens upon dozens of hookah flavors to choose from. I opted to choose from the Al Fakher Hookah menu and got a cinnamon apple mix. Our drinks came out shortly after we ordered our hookah and my Riesling was cold and crisp and I was happy to see that the bartender gave me a generous serving of wine. My husband had no complaints about his Bud Light (it was cold and tasted like Bud Light). The hookah came out in no time and it smelled fantastic. Even better, it tasted great. The waiter came by a few times to check on the coals and check on us. The only complaint I have is, because it became chillier than I anticipated, I was hoping Taverna Yamas would have used the three heat lamps they had in the back of the patio area, but no such luck. Pros: Quick service, pleasant staff, wide variety of hookahs, generous servings of wine. Cons: Not using the heat lamps, cooler weather (Ok, I can't fault Taverna Yamas for the weather), no specials menu. Tips: Go onto their website prior to checking out the hookah lounge. After checking out their website, it appears they have some great specials and a great happy hour ($2.50 house wines, $2.50 bottle and draft import beers, $2.00 bottle and draft domestic beers, $3 well drinks) and apparently they have belly dancing (or at least that's what their website says), but I didn't see any of that outside on the patio.
(4)
Ruby A.
I always get the gyro platter... my bf had the lamb shank before and he can still remember the taste of it (this is why I'm giving it a 4)! I think it's a lil overpriced compared to the same food you can get at places like Hala Cafe, etc.
(4)
Brad M.
BEWARE YOUR CREDIT CARD. Had my friends Card number stolen and linked back to this establishment. Do not use your credit card here. i would definitely use cash. Other then that Fantastic Food and great entertainment. JUST USE CASH!
(2)
Morgan M.
Horrible experience. Came here on a Saturday night. It was extremely slow. It took our waiter over 20 minutes just to come take our drink order. Our hookah came out and the shisha was already burnt and harsh. We had to ask our waiter several times to "blow out" our bowl because it was so harsh. While waiting I noticed he was sitting smoking from a friends hookah. Besides the service and the hookah being horrible, the music was incredibly loud. I couldn't even hear my boyfriend talking to me. All in all... We tried the place and will never be back.
(1)
Kerri-Leigh G.
Despite the very friendly waitress, i will not return to this restaurant. The food was awful. Unseasoned, overcooked, and didn't have the flavors I'm accustomed to in Greek or Mediterranean food. The hummus had no tahini or lemon juice, for example. And the meal was NOT cheap. I will not return.
(1)
Kelly C.
I have to say that my review will be a little biased because I went there as an actual reviewer for the Folio Weekly Bite Club so I'm sure the service we received was biased as well. I'll definitely come back here again and write a non-biased review next time... but for now, the biased review. I have to say first and foremost that the atmosphere here is fantastic. There was belly dancing and they threw napkins in the air and we all danced (some of us on tables)... it was very festive. I believe this is how it is on Friday and Saturday nights (so I was told by the waitress) so that's the time to go. The food was good although I found things to be a bit on the over-salted side. Now, I love salt so for me to say that it was too salty is pretty big. The pita was delicious and I loved the taramosalata. The flaming goat milk cheese was impressive but a bit disappointing (again, too salty). The mousaka and pastitsio... I think it's hard to go wrong on these... they were delish. Had some skewers too... the beef was pretty tender but the pork and chicken were almost overdone. The baklava... yummy! Had a great time there. Will def be back!
(4)
Brad S.
always been good. enjoy entertainment friday and saturday if you eat a bit later 8ish
(4)
Loreena S.
I usually love this place! We arrived with several large parties and were given terrible service. Our appetizers came only a minute before the main course. My pork chops were burnt and very tough. I had trouble sawing through them for the first bite. The topping lacked any mushrooms and had half raw and burnt onions on top. I had to send the entire dish back in sad disgust. FYI- get a drink because the water tasted like it was from a sewer...even with the addition of several lemons. All things considered...I'm super disappointed, I feel bad for our waitress and left still hungry, yet tipsy from the sangria.
(2)
William R.
Lots of OPPPPA. Great drinks and club Music. Music hits the dance floor. Yeah Opppppa.
(5)
Bob S.
Oh. My. Goodness. What a find. Taverna Yamas exceeed my expectations tonight. A friend and I were looking for a place to have a catch-up-with-you dinner, and had sort of settled on the Tinseltown area. I remembered seeing Taverna Yamas, and since neither of us had been there, we decided to try it. We agreed to meet there at six. Good choice. First, during happy hour (until 7pm), most of the appetizers are half-price, as are well drinks, beer, and wine. From the appetizer list we ordered taramosalata, a spread made from caviar and yogurt, dolmades, the classic stuffed grape leaves, Greek sausage char-grilled and served with grilled peppers, and lemon potatoes, along with our drinks. Our server Stacy brought the drinks right out, and the appetizers followed shortly. We told her we'd dive in, and see where we wanted to go from there. Stacy was very attentive, and shortly we ordered the asparagus appetizer, as well as the fillet tips. It was all wonderful. The appetizer course at happy hour prices was $19, and could easily have served as a meal for both of us. This place is loud, but it's a happy loud. On weekends, there are belly dancers, and the staff dance on the tables. There was a large party in tonight that was also celebrating, and many shouts of "Opa!" were heard, followed by the throwing of paper napkins into the air. I -thought- I had ordered their handmade yogurt and honey for dessert, but by a happy mistake, I was served the galaktoboureko, a phyllo crust filled with warm custard, and drizzled with a yummy sauce. Wow. Just wow. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. I'm sorta stingy with stars, but I have no problem giving five to Taverna Yamas. --- Recent experiences at Yamas have caused me to re-evaluate, and pull back that 5th star. They're still good, well above average, but not out-of-this-world stellar.
(4)
Mike B.
If you like lemon on everything in your food, this is the place for you! I had the chicken gyro, it came with potatoes and some pita bread, the meal itself was good, but the chicken and everything just tasted like they got lemon happy in the kitchen.
(3)
Carlyne M.
Decor is nice. Service sucks. Came here just to get some baklava. Waited over half an hour on the patio and got no service. The server just stopped by to say hello and that was it...didn't even bother to get our drink order. After waiting for over half an hour, we went inside and sat at the bar. The baklava was tasty, but we're not likely to come back again.
(2)
Chris P.
Great food that is made fresh, they have Gyros and other dishes on the Menu too. Try the Chicken and Artichoke and same room for Baklava treat.
(4)
Natalie B.
Finally. A place to get tasty Greek eats in Jacksonville! I know there are places to get Gyros. But I was wishing and hoping for a place to get Saganaki (flaming cheese), Mousaka and Pastichio. I was spoiled by living in Chicago--Greektown was at my disposal! My friend and I arrived for an early dinner. Lucky for us as Happy Hour was still in progress! Aside from cheap drinks, they offered half-priced appetizers! We ordered the saganaki and hummus. Yes, the cheese was lit up tableside! It was hot and salty--just the way I like it! The hummus was very smooth and garlickly. For my entree, I ended up ordering the gyros platter as I was pretty full from the apps. The lamb was sliced thin and flavored great. It was served with pita, potato wedges and a greek salad. The potato wedges were a delightful surprise. Soft with a hint of lemon. Yum!! The portion was very generous. I convince my friend to order the pastichio, just so I could try it! I'm lucky she is such a good sport. The portion was generous. It was delicious!! It is a macaroni and beef dish, a Greek casserole, if you will. The sauce had hints of allspice. We were stuffed, but could not resist splitting a baklava. Perfectly sweeted with honey--crispy filo--just lovely. Service is good. Ambiance was a little quiet on our particular night. It is a big restaurant and there were only a handful of tables. I did notice a large amount of tables that could seat 8-12 people. Looks like it would be great for large groups. Looking forward to a return visit to get my Mousaka on!
(4)
Angie T.
Service attentive although our server brought out the drinks, appetizers, and meals in one sitting! Desserts not fresh microwaved! Not a true Greek Restaurant ! I guess I should not have looking for a Greek Restaurant in Fl.
(3)
Ann M.
I frequent this place because I love their tzatziki and pita bread, and also always get the same entree -- the original greek salad with gyro meat. They also have a nice comfortable outdoor seating section. I guess the salad would be sort of hard to mess up, just have fresh ingredients and we're good. However, each time I go, my boyfriend gets something different, and it seems like the meat is always over-cooked. He order filet mignon kebobs, medium, and it came out well done with chewy fatty pieces. Not so sure it was actually filet mignon.
We went their Saturday night, the food was below average. I ordered the Hot Pikilia (lamb ribs spanakopita,calamari,keftedes and wings) The lamb ribs were burnt black and I asked for another order. I was there for over an hour and I never received it. The waitress apologized and she said she told the manager twice. The calamari was tough and chewy. The restaurant did not have enough hp and the service was poor, never got my second glass of water. We also waited a longtime for our food. My friends liked their Mousaka , Lamb Chops and Patitsio. If I return, I will try one of the dishes my friends had. The restaurant really needs to work on their level of service.
(2)
David D.
Wow!!!! Just visited this restaurant with my sister and wife this evening Before entering my current profession I had worked for years in the restaurant industry as a waiter, and bartender. My sister who was eating with us visiting from Atlanta is actually a waitress currently. That having been said, i have never had such a poor dining experience.. The waiter could barely communicate to us and was extremely inattentive. He could literally have been "fresh of the boat" The table next to us got up to leave but the manager talked them into staying. We never received one water refill in 45 minutes and he was just plain rude. The food was not great. We tried to order the grilled octopus appetizer, which they had apparently run out of. My wife ordered the house salad, I ordered the gyro platter, and my sister ordered the lamb shank. They were all sub par. If you want really good mediterranean food, don't waste your time here and go to The Casbah in Avondale.
(1)
Gary W.
Not good at all. 1) From the instant we sat down we were rushed to decide on drinks and dinner. We decided on the Poseidon and ordered this for each person 2) The appetizers were lackluster. The eggplant was tasteless. 3) We expected to receive the Saganki next, it this was not served until after the main courses were on the table. It was salty and small in portion. 4) We specifically asked to not be rushed but all the food was served immediately after we asked not to be rushed. 5) The fish, pork and chicken were all over done. I thought I was eating a brick for the chicken. 6) The wine was poor in quality. Don't waste your time, I will not darken the doorway at this place again.
(1)
Michelle S.
A good time, as always! The atmosphere on a Friday nite is electric and loads of fun! Food is wonderful, especially the lamb shank! YUM!!
(5)
Kimber L.
fantastic! We got there a bit early for the belly dancers and our waitress encouraged us to stay for it which we did. We tried spanikopita(VERY good), filet medallions (melt in your mouth), Salmon (delishious!) and lamb chops (done well but Lamb isn't my fav_others at our table liked it). The hummus was tastey. We also ordered the dessert sampler..the ek mek was fabulous and the baklava was moist as it should be! Overall I loved it and will definately be back!!!!
(5)
Katherine M.
I went here for a dietetic social so I got a deal and can't really rate for the price. All I had to do was pay $5 and I had access to a delicious buffet of Greek salad, spanakopita, hummus, tzatziki, keftethes, and chicken wings. It's hard to find good Greek cuisine but Yamas definitely has it. I was not a fan of the wings but the drinks were worthy of my attention. Most importantly, the staff was fun and our server got our group giggling when he'd randomly grab stacks of napkins and threw them up in the air to shower over us. By the end of the night, me and a friend joined in a chain of Greek dancing around the restaurant and joined in a quick dance on the table. Definitely try it. They'll have you yelling 'opa!' in no time.
(4)
Alexia K.
I hate to only rate this place 2 stars as I have had some pretty good meals here in the past, but I have to after the meal I had today. I haven't eaten at taverna yamas in awhile, and this was my first time coming here for lunch. The hummus was good, but the chicken in my pita sandwich was spongy and looked like the weird chicken you find in a lot of frozen meals, not to mention that it was undercooked and still pink in some areas. That's really dangerous, so I just can't overlook it. I advised the waitress of this, but still paid full price for the meal. At least the hummus and salad were good. Just beware of the chicken. Also, one other time I ate here there were flies everywhere inside and my friend and I were advised by the manager that this is normal because people open the door to come in and out. Funny that in the other restaurants I go to, there are doors and no flies. Interesting.
(2)
M W.
This place is cool. They have family style Greek tables so you're sure to be cozy with whomever you're dining with and even those you didn't come with. As for the food I had hummus and pita which was good and not overly garlicky and the pita was pillowy and not too chewy. My entree was a gyro greek salad which had a good oil dressing. The only thing different I would have wished for would be for the olives to not have pits. Overall good experience and food.
(4)
Heavi K.
It was ok. Too salty for my tastes.
(3)
Teagues C.
Went there for lunch and got the daily special of chicken, rice, and artichokes. The other person with me got the gyro and both dishes were awesome!! Definitely going to make this a regular on my list!
(5)
Rob A.
I went here on Monday night and there were only a few customers in the restaurant. Food was not the best. We ordered the Hot Pikilia , lamb ribs and Caviar spread. We were here before on a Friday night and I have to say the quality of food greatly differs. The lamb ribs were chewy and slight burnt and so was the fried calamari that came with the Hot Pikilia. The caviar spread was so thinned out that it did not have good flavor at all. I ordered the kids Chicken tenders and I thought they were the best among the rest we ordered. I wont be back during a week night here because of food quality but I will try this restaurant again on a Friday . . . Although that there were only a few customers the night we visited the belly dancer came out and did a routine for us.
(2)
Sebastian C.
The food tastes great. However, it is really heavy! You will feel full after eating at this place. Almost too full! The people are really friendly and the it was really fun. They threw napkins in the air and smashed plates in accordance with the greek style. Cool place to check out-
(2)
Erin B.
This place is awesome. We tried it after it was open for two weeks. Hubby and I popped in there to give it a try after work Friday. The place is the old Chop House and has been transformed on the inside with a great patio outside. We started with Greek salad which has awesome tomatoes and produce,a rarity for jax. We got the hot and cold app samplers to split. Lamb shanks were amazing, hummus, taziki, and grape leaves all standouts. The staff was great, dancing and tossing napkins while belly dancer was making her way around the room. The owner was great, jovial and passing out free shots. They also have family style which combined with the fun atmosphere would be great for a bday or occasion. Plus, the prices are great! House Greek red wine is 4 per glass and is great table wine. We need to support this restaurant in a location that has been numerous names, make sure it stays open! Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Janel S.
I visted Taverna Yamas while vacationing in Jacksonville, after reading several extremely positive reviews. I must assume that these reviewers have never eaten real Greek food before, or that I just went on a really bad night. The food wasn't TERRIBLE, but for the prices we paid, I expected much, much more. Pretty much everything we ate was bland. The hummus and other appetizers were what I'd expect to get from a generic supermarket brand, not what's supposed to be a great Greek restaurant. Luckily they were half price, or they really would not have been worth it. On the other hand, the seafood dishes were quite good, likely because the fish tasted very fresh. The service also wasn't great, which was surprising, considering there were only a few parties in the huge space. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Greek experience. I have eaten at many much less expensive restaurants with much higher quality food... but if you're going with a bunch of people and looking to have a good time rather than a fine dining experience, you could do worse.
(2)
Robin O.
Based on reviews of places within a 5 minute drive of where I work (Southpoint area) I suggested this place to a co-worker and out-of-town colleagues, with the disclaimer that I hadn't been myself! Thanks to all of you for such a find! Our server was friendly and helpful, there when we needed him but not hovering. The four of us shared appetizers of spanakopita and dolmades, and it was very apparent they were made in house and not canned/frozen. We were all jonesing for gyros. I was expecting a pita sandwich with maybe some fries that I wouldn't eat on the side. I got the sandwich part right... Warm, juicy, with plenty of tangy tzatziki and crisp onion, lettuce, and fresh tomato. The surprises were the generously portioned and exceptionally fresh Greek salad and the delicious lemony roasted potato wedges! I plan to organize an after-work Happy Hour here, as the half-price drinks and appetizers offer a cheap opportunity to sample more of the menu and atmosphere.
(4)
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Address :9753 Deer Lake Ct
Jacksonville, FL, 32246
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes 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 : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Michael W.
Late review from last year: This place is across from where I live. I like this place for dinner. Very authentic. Food: Order carviar spread , flaming cheese, lamb - kleftiko .. The appetizers were pretty good. However, I found the spread to be too salty. Loved the flaming cheese. The lamb was cooked to perfection with a great texture sauce. 3.5/5 Service: Service was great, atmosphere is nice and I just want to come back to see if this can be consistent. It is half full. the waiter was very attentive. 4/5 Atmosphere: extremely well decorated and very mediterrenan style. It is pretty lively. the owners are always greeting the customer. 4/5 I will definitely comeback to try some other food when i have money. However, their prices is a bit on the higher end for greek food. I do not suggest to come here for lunch because it is a bit expensive. They do have some happy hours time too.
(4)Carla D.
I visited Taverna Yamas on Friday after having dinner at another restaurant. It has been a little over a year since I've been back to one of the only Greek restaurants in Jacksonville. If you've picked up on a tone of disappointment, well I am, since Jacksonville isn't home to many Greek restaurants. Anyways, I digress, we were on our way home from dinner when I noticed hookahs and a patio area at Taverna Yamas and I proceeded to excitingly say "They have hookahs." My husband made a legal u-turn and we decided to head there for a hookah and some after dinner drinks. There weren't too many people there, so we had the opportunity to decide where we wanted to sit: inside or outside. Since it was a nice night, we opted to sit outside on the patio. The indoor lounge area is dimly lit and has lots of bench/booth seating. The waiter was pleasant and attentive. My hubby got a draft beer and I got a glass of Riesling. I looked at the hookah menu and got a bit overwhelmed. There were dozens upon dozens of hookah flavors to choose from. I opted to choose from the Al Fakher Hookah menu and got a cinnamon apple mix. Our drinks came out shortly after we ordered our hookah and my Riesling was cold and crisp and I was happy to see that the bartender gave me a generous serving of wine. My husband had no complaints about his Bud Light (it was cold and tasted like Bud Light). The hookah came out in no time and it smelled fantastic. Even better, it tasted great. The waiter came by a few times to check on the coals and check on us. The only complaint I have is, because it became chillier than I anticipated, I was hoping Taverna Yamas would have used the three heat lamps they had in the back of the patio area, but no such luck. Pros: Quick service, pleasant staff, wide variety of hookahs, generous servings of wine. Cons: Not using the heat lamps, cooler weather (Ok, I can't fault Taverna Yamas for the weather), no specials menu. Tips: Go onto their website prior to checking out the hookah lounge. After checking out their website, it appears they have some great specials and a great happy hour ($2.50 house wines, $2.50 bottle and draft import beers, $2.00 bottle and draft domestic beers, $3 well drinks) and apparently they have belly dancing (or at least that's what their website says), but I didn't see any of that outside on the patio.
(4)Ruby A.
I always get the gyro platter... my bf had the lamb shank before and he can still remember the taste of it (this is why I'm giving it a 4)! I think it's a lil overpriced compared to the same food you can get at places like Hala Cafe, etc.
(4)Brad M.
BEWARE YOUR CREDIT CARD. Had my friends Card number stolen and linked back to this establishment. Do not use your credit card here. i would definitely use cash. Other then that Fantastic Food and great entertainment. JUST USE CASH!
(2)Morgan M.
Horrible experience. Came here on a Saturday night. It was extremely slow. It took our waiter over 20 minutes just to come take our drink order. Our hookah came out and the shisha was already burnt and harsh. We had to ask our waiter several times to "blow out" our bowl because it was so harsh. While waiting I noticed he was sitting smoking from a friends hookah. Besides the service and the hookah being horrible, the music was incredibly loud. I couldn't even hear my boyfriend talking to me. All in all... We tried the place and will never be back.
(1)Rosemarie T.
I have been to this restaurant many times and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We went last night (Sunday ) and I was so disappointed in the food. We had a group of 5 who got the Hermes shared dinner. In the past, they gave you one of each appetizer for the number ordering. Last night you got 2 of each. Also the meat was so over cooked and dry it wasn't worth eating. Overall, a very disappointing food experience.
(1)Michelle F.
Came here with a group of friends who have come went several times before and loved it. Sadly I did not though. And they ended up having a terrible time too. We had the rudest server who just kept throwingn up his "I've been a server for four years so I know best" card. He was awful. Rude and we never saw him after we ordered because he wouldn't give us what we wanted to order. He was just too awful and was so rude when we asked about why we had gratuity added when there was only seven of us. He did not deserve that tip. I've worked retail for five years and I know that if a customer wants something, you do what you can. Never going back.
(1)Elizabeth M.
This place is disgusting! Please do not waste your time going here. I went in with my husband and brother because they were open late and I saw the good reviews on here. First we were stopped before entering the restaurant through the main entrance and were told to go in through where the patio seating is. Okay.... Then we get seated and I felt like I was going to catch a disease just sitting in the booth. The booths were dirty and just filthy all over. Even with the dim lighting we could see the filth. My brother and husband said lets just get a dessert and go. So we waited 15 minutes for a server that never came. We ended up leaving. If the main dining room was filthy I can only imagine what the kitchen looks like. Yuck!
(1)Marsi R.
Love the place love the atmosphere. We went there on a Thursday night and it wasn't busy. Enjoyed the food and had a great time.
(4)Martha H.
Honestly, how can you mess up Hummus??? This place is not worth the drive. The people are nice, but the food is terrible!!!! My friend and I went for lunch and I ordered the cold sampler appetizer to get a feel for the food. The only edible thing on my plate was the Tadzhik. The baby ganoush was like baby food with a gelled consistency, the grape leaves had hard, under cooked rice and the "caviar" was a bright pink. I am still not even sure what it was. My friend ordered the hummus and when I tasted it, you can tell they use the fake lemon juice out of the plastic lemon. And I don't think there was even any garlic in it. She also ordered the spanakopita which was greasy and she literally had to spit it out it was so bad. The manger came out to apologize for our bad food and did not charge us for anything, which was very nice, but I will not be back. I LOVE Greek food and decided to try this place based on the Yelp rating, but I think people go for the drinks and Hooka, not the food.
(1)Jay J.
Great service from a first time server. As a solo traveler dining out can be awkward, but I was at peace outside, and the "Greek-ness" of the food was top notch. Sweet family atmosphere, no rush, no pressure. I didn't delve into hookahs or any of the other things people are moaning about, but a good meal and a peaceful spot in a crazy city is well worth the 5 stars.
(5)Barron M.
Went there for lunch on Friday to try a new place. Walked in and thought it was closed because no one was around. Finally, we were seated and then the real problems began. Our waitress could not have cared less. She had no idea about the menu, what drinks they had, etc. The atmosphere was really dark and seemed like a good place to get kidnapped and wake up in an ice bath. Probably should have left on that note, but decided to eat the gyro I ordered because I am a huge fan. Unfortunately, this gyro tasted like Miley Cyrus fixed it, or maybe that's just because that was the music that was playing for 20 minutes. Anyways, just adds to the list of reasons I hate Southside.
(1)MikeAndTey V.
Empty restaurant when we ate there. Not surprised though... We ordered Saganaki and they charged us extra for the bread. The food was ok... Because of the extra charges, we will probably not return.
(2)Pamela D.
Very cool, comfortable atmosphere. Love the outdoor seating on a breezy warm night. It's a little pricey, however the food is always yummy. My favorite things include the flaming cheese (mostly because I love cheese....and fire ;) ), grape leaves and the steak kabobs! They have a variety of hookah flavors if you're into that, but be forewarned: If you sit in the "hookah area", which is separate from the main dining room, they will only serve you bottled water. This is not something to get upset over, it's just a fact and honestly if you're from Europe it's the norm! I cannot praise the belly dancers and servers enough: The belly dancers are beautiful, talented women who engage the singers and put on a classy, fun show. Smile, clap and enjoy the show as napkins are flying and plates are breaking! In the midst of all this, the servers are organized and attentive. My only advice is to steer clear from the mixed martinis; they are watered down quite a bit. If you like a martini, get it dirty. This is a great place to hang out in a large group, check out some place different for once and spend a Saturday night watching the belly dancers, eating Mediterranean good and enjoying upbeat music with great service. Why not add a hookah in the mix; one time won't kill ya, right?
(4)Megan P.
Gross!!! Food was tasteless! We ordered dolmades, pastistio, and the gyro platter. All, nothing to talk about again. My boyfriend ordered 4 crown and sprites...all watered down drinks and $9.00 a drink, for singles, that tasted like water. Our total bill, tip included because our large group, was $94.00. I had sprite to drink. Talk about a waste!!! Someone needs to go in and intervene asap or this place will be history. Should've known when we walked in and it was dead on a Saturday night. We WILL NOT BE BACK!!!
(1)Mai N.
The concept of Greek Traditions is on point! The waitress was great. Giving it a 2 star due to the fact that our chicken kabob was not cooked throughly TWICE. Manager did apologize and comped 50% of our meal.
(3)Stephanie T.
So, while I was reading some of the reviews I agree with a few. The decor is outdated, a lot of the servers would benefit from being a little more professional. I think they are trying to put a front of being a nice, classy restaurant, but sometimes the atmosphere and reality is that it's a little nightclub-ish. The menu for me is way overpriced, but I go there for happy hour and then I'm not so disappointed. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars. I wouldn't pay the normal prices, but with 1/2 off drinks, hookah and most apps from 4-7; I will gladly pay $2.50 for hummus. I go there with friends after work and we all order a bunch of appetizers and a hookah and the drinks flow and we always have a good AND affordable time. A lot of my friends go late at night on the weekends and have a lot of fun. It's just not my crowd/scene around that time, but all in all it's a decent place if you know ahead of time what you're in for.
(4)Marie F.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Great food, great drinks, and a great hookah spot that doesn't look like a psycho's basement. Date didn't double check movie times so we had over an hour to spare. We decide to have a few drinks before the movie. We are greeted warmly by several servers who give us great recommendations on drinks, food, and hookah flavors. And we've tried them all. -Variety of martinis ... perfect -Lamb ribs ... delicious (gotta come back for a full menu only gone through appetizers) -UFO hookah (we were told it was a 50/50 hit or miss.. the taste reminded us of detergent... was then give a free reup of PASSION something? ... and it was a 100% hit!) Such a pleasant experience, can't wait to go back. Night and weekend staff are so much fun and knowledgeable. If you smoke Hookah and have not been here you are missing out!
(5)Beverly H.
Absolutely delicious food! Great happy hour prices. The only reason it has 4 and not 5 stars is because the credit card we paid our food with had charges on it that weren't ours once we got our bill in the mail. The cc company linked the breach to this place. I would go back but pay cash!!! Cash is KING here!! Also the staff was a bit odd.
(4)Tim M.
It is sad to see a good restaurant go bad. I love to go here for lunch and dinner, but the restaurant is going downhill. The tables are sticky, the decor is outdated, and the quality of the food has declined. The only saving grace is the staff.
(2)Kristen E.
This place is open late and although the dining room closes, kitchen stays open and you can order from the hookah lounge. More of a club vibe, but still decent enough to enjoy a meal amongst the billowy aromas of fake cherry smoke and interesting mix of clientele.
(4)Mark H.
It is hard to find food in the burbs of JAX past 10 PM, and after exhausting all leads, we ended up at Yamas, and that wasn't really a bad thing. If you've ever been to Acropolis in Ybor city, then you will find this place very reminiscent of your memories there. Loud music, napkins being thrown all over the place and belly dancers. Only difference is that the food isn't as good as Acropolis. We ordered 3 appetizers; hot pikilia, hummus and filet tips. All three were pretty good. The utilization of lemon on everything was a little abusive though, in my opinion. For this reason, I found the hummus to be the best of the three. We also ordered some white sangria, but they brought us RED. Not wanting to complain, we just took the red. It was decent, but nothing to write home about. Side note, I was going to order a Greek salad, but when I asked if it came with Greek potato salad, the waiter looked at me like I owed him money. He went back to ask the kitchen staff, and they said they had no idea what I was talking about and that "salad does not come with the salad." I felt like maybe they were making fun of me a little for asking. Either way, if you're used to eating Greek fare in the Tarpon Springs/Tampa Bay area, just note that Greek potato salad only seems to come with Greeks salads in THAT area, and not up in Jax.
(3)Misty S.
HHhhmm...okay, I was kind of excited to go here for a friend's birthday because it was some place I'd never been and it seemed like a fun idea. I ordered a martini slightly dry. What I received was a martini with Orange Vodka and olives. GROSS! I went to the bar and asked the bartender what she made and she said she made it with orange vodka, I told her I wanted a slightly dirty martini, those are made with regular vodka. She made it over and yelled at the waiter that he put in the order wrong. Fast forward to the food...it was ok. However, as I started eating, 6,000 napkins were being thrown in the air and landing all over everyone and into our food. Kinda gross actually. Then the belly dancer started prancing around and that was kind of fun to watch and see the people get up on the tables and dance. I liked that part. However, wait for it....the bill came, holy crapballs! TOTALLY not worth the price AND the fact that they slyly add the 20% gratuity, that you can barely read. In any case, I don't think I'll be back...but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)Bryan S.
Amazing food, service and value. Started with complementary fresh baked pitas and fresh hummus. We then had an awesome spanakopita (baked phyllo shell with spinach and feta). My wife had the filet kabob and I had the gyro platter. Rarely have I been to a restaurant where everything I eat is simply delicious, fresh and tastes like it was all made from scratch. Great Greek music, belly dancing, good Greek wines, awesome staff. I wish we would have found this place sooner. Oh yeah, just finished an amazing baklava to top it all off.
(4)Chris M.
I went here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday party with a group of about 20 people. The tables were setup nicely and the server did not appear to have any problems keeping up with such a large group, in fact the server was very responsive considering people in the party showed up at different times. The lack of beer selection was a little disappointing and even more disappointing was having to describe what a Black & Tan was. The bartender didn't pour it correctly and it ended up as a Tan with some Black. My wife ordered a Reisling and was unable to finish it. She loves Reisling and questioned whether or not she was actually provided with one. The food, however, was amazing! I had the snapper fillet (after having to send back the salmon fillet due to the server's error) and it was delicious! A little heavy on the sauce, but delicious nonetheless. I did appreciate the server owning up to his mistake and handling the situation professionally. I attributed some of the confusion to the size of our group. The hummus was really good and the pita bread was cut into several pieces which would be perfect for sharing. I heard that the grape leaves were amazing as well. I did not expect all of the dancing and all of the napkins being thrown around the restaurant so be prepared for that. The staff did a great job of getting patrons to get up and have a good time though. At the other end of the restaurant you will find the hookahs. Many people were enjoying them at both inside and outside tables. It was nice to have the separation though because you wouldn't have been able to tell that they were even there since you couldn't see them from the main restaurant. There was a DJ and some (mostly) fun lighting that made it feel like it COULD be a dance club at some point in the night. The laser lights could probably be aimed a little different to avoid shining in the patron's eyes from time to time though.
(3)Michael G.
I don't know why I bother coming back. First of all, the hookah is disgusting. They use old pipes and the coals are instant light, so they have a chemical taste about them. The guy was nice and attentive at first, but after thirty minutes we didn't see him until we paid. Then came time to pay the bill... Figuring out the payments is ALWAYS impossible here. Always. The server charged the table for a beer we never had. The server swiped my card for another person's ticket and I had to pay more for something I didn't have. They insisted it was irreversible. They include 20% gratuity, which is because the severs aren't worth tipping in the first place. I'm usually a very generous tipper, as I know it's difficult to be a server on a busy night. A tip is a tip, not part of the bill. I didn't get 20% worth of service. Aside from the absolute abomination of handling payments and their sub-par hookah. The food is outrageously priced and it cost $5 for a domestic draft beer. I could go to any of the surrounding bars and have two for that price. Plus, water comes in bottles for $2.50 and you don't get refills. That's a 1200% mark-up on Zephyr Hills. Never coming back.
(1)Colby S.
I really wanted to like this place because I LOVE Greek food, but it was kindof disappointing. The good was pretty good, but our dishes cost something like $20 a plate. I would say the taste and quality was equivalent to an $8-10 plate. We could have made better dishes just whipping them up at home. We'll probably go back to try it again, but our first impressions weren't great.
(2)Gigi S.
I guess this is what Jax calls late night eats? Being the only place open at the ungodly hour of 10:05pm we stopped in a tried a bunch of stuff. The crispy lamb ribs and hummus that sported garbanzo skins were notable. Also notable: no one outside of Tampa expects a dollop of potato salad hidden in the middle of their Greek Salad which is simply a let down to big American appetites. I would certainly skip the spinach pie (spinakopita) since the phyllo layers are not light and crispy, and I'd skip the thick cut, soggy calamari as well. The meatballs were aight, as well as the wings. I'd certainly be back for the texture of that hummus alone, perhaps during their show hours.
(3)Monica S.
This brand new (as of Dec) Baklava infused hot-spot is by far one of the best restaurants in Jax! This far exceeds a five star rating. Virtually everything is house-made here. Even the yogurt is cured in house! So the Tzatziki is crazy cucumber fresh! I was able to sample a multitude of dishes on my visit: Lamb chops (marinated for 10 hours) were seasoned with fresh rosemary and perfectly cooked. Tender and DELISH! Char broiled Chicken, pork tenderloin medallions and Filet kabobs were all incredibly seasoned, smoky and tender as well. Accompanying veggies; onions, red and green peppers were also palate pleasers!! This set on a beautiful bed of spinach rice with spears of tangy lemon potatoes. I sampled the Mousaka and Pastitsio both dishes were lightly swimming in a pool of freshly pureed tomato sauce and topped with a uber creamy bechamel sauce -- all baked beautifully! The Executive Chef here is Greek and has been cooking for 42 years within this genre --- and he makes one beautiful Baklava...... Aces in my book! Portions here are huge, the service was absolutely phenomenal and prices are lower than Zaitoon's Greek Restaurant at the Beaches. And while I truly enjoy Zaitoon's, Taverna Yamas truly 'Ouzo's' with fresh tasting, authentic Greek fare.
(5)Adam H.
I was just thinking that I was missing some good Greek food since moving to JAX. Thanks to Yelp I discovered the awesomeness of Taverna Yamas. The food has been awesome and there is a wide variety of familiar and unique menu options. I loved the bone-in lamb shank which is a huge portion and the lemon potatoes go nice with just about anything. The free hummus and pita for the table makes the perfect started for a delicious meal. So far my weeknight visits have missed the crowds others have described. It has been mostly quit with friendly and helpful service from the staff and owner. This is definitely a regular place for my wife and I from now on.
(4)Amey R.
I have been there many times with friends in group for dinner and with office team for lunch. Each time I went there , I had great time. This is one of the best place for hukka in town. I would recommend this place for group hang out or if you wish to just relax with your couple of friends. Servers are very nice and offer quick service. Don't miss the servers dance around 8PM each day.
(4)Brian D.
I've been here on 3 separate occasions but only ate here twice. Unfortunately for us, the other time we were there they experienced a power outage in the area. All of the local shops lost power. I would recommend going here for a late dinner with a group of diners. It is a fun place with good food. Eating earlier in the day, the place loses some of its' ambiance. At night, the staff is making it fun by throwing around napkins as a belly dancer makes here way through the place. And yes, the tables are strong enough to dance on! Go and enjoy.
(4)E F.
Moussaka, pistachio, grilled octa
(4)Eldred M.
I went to Yamas with a group of 6 (2 of those friends have been here multiple times and loved it). Upon arrival I was fairly impressed because the atmosphere looked very comfortable for a hookah lounge. But the minute we get our waiter, the entire experience flipped. His name was Daniel. I had to check my receipt to get his name because he never introduced himself. I asked him for a cider and he told me that they didn't serve ciders. I then continued to look because the menu is very confusing and isn't laid out very well. Instead of suggesting other products to me, Daniel stared and waited. A few of us decided to get water while we continued looking through the menu. Daniel never told us that they charged for water. When he came back, my friends who have been here numerous times, ordered their usual Mac and cheese. Daniel said that they couldn't sell that to them because it was on the kids menu. I've never heard of a hookah lounge having a kids menu but regardless, my 2 friends come here twice a week and get the Mac and cheese each time. Daniel made sure to mention that he has worked here for 4 years and has never served Mac and cheese to an adult. So we order our hookah and then the two friends who have been here before asked Daniel for a little more time with the menu. We received our hookah within 5 minute and the food that the rest of us ordered. Another friend of mine ordered a dish that never mentioned having meat in on the menu. To his surprise it was filled with beef. He didn't want to complain because we felt that the server was already "tired" of our table so he kept it and got another friend to eat it. The 2 girls who were denied Mac and cheese still sat without their food. Daniel never came back to our table. It had been 15 minutes and they were still waiting. Finally one of the girls stopped him while he was walking by and asked for her food. He brought it out in 5 minutes and we never heard from him again until after we were ready to go. We got the bill and one of my friends was very confused as to why her gratuity was so high. I looked in the menu and read that gratuity was only for a party of 10 and more. That notice was on every page in the menu. My friend flagged down Daniel and asked about the gratuity. Daniel was very defensive and asked us to show him where it said that in the menu. Another friend of ours asked him politely to not be rude and that we weren't looking for a fight. We were just looking for clarification. Daniel proceeded to give attitude and point out the a notice in tiny print that says gratuity was for 6 or more people on certain days. My friend thanked him then apologized but Daniel continued to show her the menu and gratuity notice. When we left there was no one, not even Daniel to thank us for coming. It was terrible service from the start. Although I ordered a dessert and was satisfied with it, my friends were not satisfied with their food. The scallops that were served were too soft, the fries were too cold, and the dish that another one of my friends got contained meat unbeknownst to him. My 2 friends who've been there twice a week were so put off by Daniel's service that they promised to never return. Most of us, being our first time there, was completely put off by this first experience that we don't even have a good experience to compare it to. If anyone does decide to return here after reading this review, request not to get Daniel as your server. Maybe your service will be a bit better.
(1)Brittany O.
If you like dancing on tables and having fun, I suggest going here for your birthday or special event! The food is pretty decent...a little oily, but okay.
(4)Jennifer G.
I am in LOVE with Yama's! If you are reading this review you should stop and get in you vehicles and go go go to Yama's and try it for yourself! The food is always spectacular, the staff is the best, they make you feel like family when you come here. There's always music playing that just makes you want to get up and dance, they have a full bar, and even have belly dancers. They also have nights where they have everyone get up and do Greek dancing and toss napkins around! The hookah bar is one of my favorite parts of coming to Yama's and every day until 6:00pm is happy hour!, sometimes even later. They also have a new room in between the dining room and the hookah lounge that has a full bar and a large flat screen t.v. for those who want to watch sports eat, drink, and enjoy a hookah at the same time! This room can also be rented out for private parties as well! They also have outside seating on the dining side as well as the hookah lounge side. So what's not to love about Yama's! Opa!!
(5)Ryan D.
When my friends mentioned about Taverna Yamas I immediately said, lets go! Always wanted to try out the place for awhile now. We went on a Sunday night, so the place was deserted. Doesn't help either that it was Labor Day Weekend. Anyways, there are two sections to the place.. One is the hookah lounge, and one is the restaurant. We went and sat outside in the hookah lounge patio. It was a cute little outdoor area. I liked what they have offered in their menu, while prices are a little high it is well worth it because you do get a large portion! I went with the Chicken Souvlaki and it was delicious! Highly recommend it! Waiters were also very nice, and was very attentive.. Overall, It was a pleasurable dining experience, and I will definitely return. Oh, one thing that I didn't like was the fact that they charge for water.. They do not have tap water, only bottled water... Who does that?! I thought only fancy restaurants does that!!
(4)Chris P.
Great food that is made fresh, they have Gyros and other dishes on the Menu too. Try the Chicken and Artichoke and same room for Baklava treat.
(4)Sherry T.
SERVICE: Fantastic! Waiter was very attentive, patient, and personable. ATMOSPHERE: For a Tuesday night at 6pm, we were one of 3 tables in the large dining area. Extremely happy that I could not smell the smoke from the hookah lounge, which is separate from the dining area. Belly dancer started working the tables around 7:30. My girlfriend and I were trying to catch up on our girl's night out when the dancer targeted our table while we were in mid-conversation. It was obvious we were totally not interested in her performance, but she kept dancing for us until she finally moved on. Slightly awkward! HAPPY HOUR: Great specials on drinks and 1/2 price apps. When you order a glass of wine, they fill it almost to the top. Me likey. ;) FOOD: Ugh. Disappointed. Only great dish was saganaki (flaming cheese) app with pita wedges. Serves two people. We were told fried zucchini was breaded. Instead, they were thin zucchini chips soaked in what appeared to be eggs, then fried and burned until they had no flavor. Soggy and gross. The tzatziki dip it came with was clumpy and bland instead of smooth and tangy. The fillet tips were chewy with a weird marinade. The spanakopita had a great filling but was room temp. This was tough. Happy hour specials and service were great, but the food will not bring me back here. Make sure to check out their menu before you try them during regular hours. Pretty pricey, especially considering the taste and quality.
(2)Denny S.
Great service. Our service guy was great! However... Overpriced! Drinks were not that good. They used orange vodka for a dirty martini which was especially not good with olives in it. Terrible beer selection. Food was bland, just no flavor on the chicken, rice, hummus,... I have had better. Throwing the napkins in the air while you are eating was a bit annoying. Not that it was not fun, just wrong timing. If you go with a party, they add 20% automatic gratuity. Doubt I will return. Make sure you wear clothes that you can wash, because you come out of there stinking of fried food.
(2)Debbi C.
We go often on the weekends and always take out of town guests for the fun atmosphere. The food is always good- love the gyro platter and the appetizers are to die for. Greek sausage, steak tips, roasted peppers, hummus.... Mmmmmm! I've had the best moussaka in years there. Love the seasonings. The staff is always friendly and we have fun dancing around the restaurant and on the tables. If you want a fun night out with good food to boot- try it!!!
(5)Tim V.
Great food for lunch! I had the gyro on a pita wrap it came with a great Greek salad and a couple tasty potatoes. The atmosphere is nice. It's really interesting way the have napkins all over the ceiling... (You have to see it!) The waitress stated that they have belly dancers in there in the evenings.
(5)Buddy S.
The food was great ! plus happy hour was half price apps that was a pleasant surprise .
(5)Craig E.
I really like this place, have eaten either lunch or dinner here many many times. Portions are generous, most dishes are very authentic and executed well. I can see from other reviews that they have a problem delivering consistently excellent results, but I have never had a bad meal here or bad service. Its a rare restaurant that doesn't experience an "off" night, when the primary chef is sick or the best wait staff are not there. Most recently, I had dinner and tried the salmon dish for the first time. It was exactly what I had hoped for, a generous salmon fillet cooked perfectly, with a creamy - lemony greek sauce with lots of capers. Rice and asparagus on the side. I inhaled it! Very satisfying and the sauce was especially delicious. Out of all my visits, I have only I minor irritation. I love the traditional Avgolemono soup (egg-lemon for those who don't know). This involves whisking egg yolks with lemon juice, then whisking that mixture into a soup or broth (usually chicken). Some restaurants add rice, but the basic concept is a thick, creamy, and very lemony soup that is just outstanding when done correctly. I seem to recall that Yamas did this fairly well when they first opened, but the last couple of times I have ordered I got what was basically chicken-rice soup, not creamy, no discernable lemon. A minor irritation since everything else has always pleased me, but I wish they would get this back on track.........
(4)Ayesha A.
Food was Delish!! I ordered Lamb w/ potatoes and green beans. I went mid-week so there were no belly dancers and only a few other patrons having dinner at the time. It was my first time trying Lamb so I think I didn't order properly, should have ordered med instead of med well, but everything still tasted great!
(4)Renda H.
I have only been once so far for lunch and it was very good. We had the chicken gyro and the regular gyro both came with salad and lemon potatoes...wow those lemon potatoes were fantastic! I could eat a whole plate of them LOL...anyway I will say the menu prices seemed kinda high but from what I understand there is quite a party there at night with wild napkin throwing and shouting of "Opa", etc. and so you must be paying extra for the atmosphere...I will go back and try more dishes I'm sure... but I have to say there must have been a recent issue in the ladies room because the smell was so bad I had to get out of there...maybe they had a plumbing problem. oh well go check it out if you like Greek and Mediterranean fare!
(4)Kerri-Leigh G.
Despite the very friendly waitress, i will not return to this restaurant. The food was awful. Unseasoned, overcooked, and didn't have the flavors I'm accustomed to in Greek or Mediterranean food. The hummus had no tahini or lemon juice, for example. And the meal was NOT cheap. I will not return.
(1)William R.
Lots of OPPPPA. Great drinks and club Music. Music hits the dance floor. Yeah Opppppa.
(5)Kelly C.
I have to say that my review will be a little biased because I went there as an actual reviewer for the Folio Weekly Bite Club so I'm sure the service we received was biased as well. I'll definitely come back here again and write a non-biased review next time... but for now, the biased review. I have to say first and foremost that the atmosphere here is fantastic. There was belly dancing and they threw napkins in the air and we all danced (some of us on tables)... it was very festive. I believe this is how it is on Friday and Saturday nights (so I was told by the waitress) so that's the time to go. The food was good although I found things to be a bit on the over-salted side. Now, I love salt so for me to say that it was too salty is pretty big. The pita was delicious and I loved the taramosalata. The flaming goat milk cheese was impressive but a bit disappointing (again, too salty). The mousaka and pastitsio... I think it's hard to go wrong on these... they were delish. Had some skewers too... the beef was pretty tender but the pork and chicken were almost overdone. The baklava... yummy! Had a great time there. Will def be back!
(4)Brad S.
always been good. enjoy entertainment friday and saturday if you eat a bit later 8ish
(4)Loreena S.
I usually love this place! We arrived with several large parties and were given terrible service. Our appetizers came only a minute before the main course. My pork chops were burnt and very tough. I had trouble sawing through them for the first bite. The topping lacked any mushrooms and had half raw and burnt onions on top. I had to send the entire dish back in sad disgust. FYI- get a drink because the water tasted like it was from a sewer...even with the addition of several lemons. All things considered...I'm super disappointed, I feel bad for our waitress and left still hungry, yet tipsy from the sangria.
(2)Bob S.
Oh. My. Goodness. What a find. Taverna Yamas exceeed my expectations tonight. A friend and I were looking for a place to have a catch-up-with-you dinner, and had sort of settled on the Tinseltown area. I remembered seeing Taverna Yamas, and since neither of us had been there, we decided to try it. We agreed to meet there at six. Good choice. First, during happy hour (until 7pm), most of the appetizers are half-price, as are well drinks, beer, and wine. From the appetizer list we ordered taramosalata, a spread made from caviar and yogurt, dolmades, the classic stuffed grape leaves, Greek sausage char-grilled and served with grilled peppers, and lemon potatoes, along with our drinks. Our server Stacy brought the drinks right out, and the appetizers followed shortly. We told her we'd dive in, and see where we wanted to go from there. Stacy was very attentive, and shortly we ordered the asparagus appetizer, as well as the fillet tips. It was all wonderful. The appetizer course at happy hour prices was $19, and could easily have served as a meal for both of us. This place is loud, but it's a happy loud. On weekends, there are belly dancers, and the staff dance on the tables. There was a large party in tonight that was also celebrating, and many shouts of "Opa!" were heard, followed by the throwing of paper napkins into the air. I -thought- I had ordered their handmade yogurt and honey for dessert, but by a happy mistake, I was served the galaktoboureko, a phyllo crust filled with warm custard, and drizzled with a yummy sauce. Wow. Just wow. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. I'm sorta stingy with stars, but I have no problem giving five to Taverna Yamas. --- Recent experiences at Yamas have caused me to re-evaluate, and pull back that 5th star. They're still good, well above average, but not out-of-this-world stellar.
(4)Mike B.
If you like lemon on everything in your food, this is the place for you! I had the chicken gyro, it came with potatoes and some pita bread, the meal itself was good, but the chicken and everything just tasted like they got lemon happy in the kitchen.
(3)Tia W.
2/7/12 This was my third Bite Club dinner and in my opinion, the best so far! When we entered, happy hour was offered for the first half hour, which meant open bar. So I started the night with a signature martini that was light and fruity. After we were seated, they served a Cold Pikilia (plate). This included various spreads, hummus, warm pita bread and stuffed grape leaves. I really enjoyed the Taramosalata (caviar spread) and the stuffed grape leaves were so tender. Next up was the Greek village salad and generous samples of greek white and red wine with a side of belly dancing. The no-lettuce salad was quite hearty with green and red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives and chunk of feta cheese. *Napkin shower* Bonus plate...flaming cheese! This was part of the food entertainment because they displayed three skillets in front of our party to show flambée table-side. It was a nice added touch to the tasty melted cheese. On to the Hot Pikilia (plate), with spanakopita (layered spinach and phyllo), keftedes (meatballs), calamari and lamb ribs. I love lamb, so tried that first. It was a little overcooked but still tasty. The spanakopita and keftedes were pretty good, but the calamari was dead on. It was crispy and not chewy at all, which I was surprised considering our large group. *Napkin shower* Bonus plate...pastitsio (Greek lasagne) and mousaka (eggplant and ground beef bake)! Both were equally mouthwatering, one topped with a creamy cheese, the other with mashed potatoes. The main entree showed up not long after with chicken and filet mignon kebabs, pork loin with spinach leek rice and lemon potatoes. The chicken was dry, but I had an end piece so that could explain it. The filet, pork and potatoes were delightful. Dessert, my favorite! I LOVE baklava, but I think I'm partial to ek mek and galaktoboureko now. They were like Greek style pie. I will definitely order one of those for my next visit. This was followed by a round of Ouzo shots and more belly dancing that included our party, specifically me and my three friends getting pulled up to dance on tabletops. Blame it on the Oo, Oo, Oo, Oo, Oo, Ouzo! The only thing that was questionable was the age of the belly dancer. She was very talented and a cute girl, but exactly that, a girl that looked very young for her age. I heard a couple of guys say they felt uncomfortable. All in all this is a great place for a night out. Taverna Yamas did an amazing job! Not only was the food delicious and the entertainment interactive, but the service was outstanding. They were on the ball the entire time and really made you feel welcome into their "home". It seemed like a Greek family event and I will be returning. The hardest part will be what to order next time. Thank you Bite Club, Caron and Taverna Yamas for your hospitality!
(4)Cali D.
We went their Saturday night, the food was below average. I ordered the Hot Pikilia (lamb ribs spanakopita,calamari,keftedes and wings) The lamb ribs were burnt black and I asked for another order. I was there for over an hour and I never received it. The waitress apologized and she said she told the manager twice. The calamari was tough and chewy. The restaurant did not have enough hp and the service was poor, never got my second glass of water. We also waited a longtime for our food. My friends liked their Mousaka , Lamb Chops and Patitsio. If I return, I will try one of the dishes my friends had. The restaurant really needs to work on their level of service.
(2)Natalie B.
Finally. A place to get tasty Greek eats in Jacksonville! I know there are places to get Gyros. But I was wishing and hoping for a place to get Saganaki (flaming cheese), Mousaka and Pastichio. I was spoiled by living in Chicago--Greektown was at my disposal! My friend and I arrived for an early dinner. Lucky for us as Happy Hour was still in progress! Aside from cheap drinks, they offered half-priced appetizers! We ordered the saganaki and hummus. Yes, the cheese was lit up tableside! It was hot and salty--just the way I like it! The hummus was very smooth and garlickly. For my entree, I ended up ordering the gyros platter as I was pretty full from the apps. The lamb was sliced thin and flavored great. It was served with pita, potato wedges and a greek salad. The potato wedges were a delightful surprise. Soft with a hint of lemon. Yum!! The portion was very generous. I convince my friend to order the pastichio, just so I could try it! I'm lucky she is such a good sport. The portion was generous. It was delicious!! It is a macaroni and beef dish, a Greek casserole, if you will. The sauce had hints of allspice. We were stuffed, but could not resist splitting a baklava. Perfectly sweeted with honey--crispy filo--just lovely. Service is good. Ambiance was a little quiet on our particular night. It is a big restaurant and there were only a handful of tables. I did notice a large amount of tables that could seat 8-12 people. Looks like it would be great for large groups. Looking forward to a return visit to get my Mousaka on!
(4)Angie T.
Service attentive although our server brought out the drinks, appetizers, and meals in one sitting! Desserts not fresh microwaved! Not a true Greek Restaurant ! I guess I should not have looking for a Greek Restaurant in Fl.
(3)Ann M.
I frequent this place because I love their tzatziki and pita bread, and also always get the same entree -- the original greek salad with gyro meat. They also have a nice comfortable outdoor seating section. I guess the salad would be sort of hard to mess up, just have fresh ingredients and we're good. However, each time I go, my boyfriend gets something different, and it seems like the meat is always over-cooked. He order filet mignon kebobs, medium, and it came out well done with chewy fatty pieces. Not so sure it was actually filet mignon.
(4)Carlyne M.
Decor is nice. Service sucks. Came here just to get some baklava. Waited over half an hour on the patio and got no service. The server just stopped by to say hello and that was it...didn't even bother to get our drink order. After waiting for over half an hour, we went inside and sat at the bar. The baklava was tasty, but we're not likely to come back again.
(2)David D.
Wow!!!! Just visited this restaurant with my sister and wife this evening Before entering my current profession I had worked for years in the restaurant industry as a waiter, and bartender. My sister who was eating with us visiting from Atlanta is actually a waitress currently. That having been said, i have never had such a poor dining experience.. The waiter could barely communicate to us and was extremely inattentive. He could literally have been "fresh of the boat" The table next to us got up to leave but the manager talked them into staying. We never received one water refill in 45 minutes and he was just plain rude. The food was not great. We tried to order the grilled octopus appetizer, which they had apparently run out of. My wife ordered the house salad, I ordered the gyro platter, and my sister ordered the lamb shank. They were all sub par. If you want really good mediterranean food, don't waste your time here and go to The Casbah in Avondale.
(1)Alexia K.
I hate to only rate this place 2 stars as I have had some pretty good meals here in the past, but I have to after the meal I had today. I haven't eaten at taverna yamas in awhile, and this was my first time coming here for lunch. The hummus was good, but the chicken in my pita sandwich was spongy and looked like the weird chicken you find in a lot of frozen meals, not to mention that it was undercooked and still pink in some areas. That's really dangerous, so I just can't overlook it. I advised the waitress of this, but still paid full price for the meal. At least the hummus and salad were good. Just beware of the chicken. Also, one other time I ate here there were flies everywhere inside and my friend and I were advised by the manager that this is normal because people open the door to come in and out. Funny that in the other restaurants I go to, there are doors and no flies. Interesting.
(2)Teagues C.
Went there for lunch and got the daily special of chicken, rice, and artichokes. The other person with me got the gyro and both dishes were awesome!! Definitely going to make this a regular on my list!
(5)Rob A.
I went here on Monday night and there were only a few customers in the restaurant. Food was not the best. We ordered the Hot Pikilia , lamb ribs and Caviar spread. We were here before on a Friday night and I have to say the quality of food greatly differs. The lamb ribs were chewy and slight burnt and so was the fried calamari that came with the Hot Pikilia. The caviar spread was so thinned out that it did not have good flavor at all. I ordered the kids Chicken tenders and I thought they were the best among the rest we ordered. I wont be back during a week night here because of food quality but I will try this restaurant again on a Friday . . . Although that there were only a few customers the night we visited the belly dancer came out and did a routine for us.
(2)Sebastian C.
The food tastes great. However, it is really heavy! You will feel full after eating at this place. Almost too full! The people are really friendly and the it was really fun. They threw napkins in the air and smashed plates in accordance with the greek style. Cool place to check out-
(2)M W.
This place is cool. They have family style Greek tables so you're sure to be cozy with whomever you're dining with and even those you didn't come with. As for the food I had hummus and pita which was good and not overly garlicky and the pita was pillowy and not too chewy. My entree was a gyro greek salad which had a good oil dressing. The only thing different I would have wished for would be for the olives to not have pits. Overall good experience and food.
(4)Heavi K.
It was ok. Too salty for my tastes.
(3)Gary W.
Not good at all. 1) From the instant we sat down we were rushed to decide on drinks and dinner. We decided on the Poseidon and ordered this for each person 2) The appetizers were lackluster. The eggplant was tasteless. 3) We expected to receive the Saganki next, it this was not served until after the main courses were on the table. It was salty and small in portion. 4) We specifically asked to not be rushed but all the food was served immediately after we asked not to be rushed. 5) The fish, pork and chicken were all over done. I thought I was eating a brick for the chicken. 6) The wine was poor in quality. Don't waste your time, I will not darken the doorway at this place again.
(1)Michelle S.
A good time, as always! The atmosphere on a Friday nite is electric and loads of fun! Food is wonderful, especially the lamb shank! YUM!!
(5)Kimber L.
fantastic! We got there a bit early for the belly dancers and our waitress encouraged us to stay for it which we did. We tried spanikopita(VERY good), filet medallions (melt in your mouth), Salmon (delishious!) and lamb chops (done well but Lamb isn't my fav_others at our table liked it). The hummus was tastey. We also ordered the dessert sampler..the ek mek was fabulous and the baklava was moist as it should be! Overall I loved it and will definately be back!!!!
(5)Katherine M.
I went here for a dietetic social so I got a deal and can't really rate for the price. All I had to do was pay $5 and I had access to a delicious buffet of Greek salad, spanakopita, hummus, tzatziki, keftethes, and chicken wings. It's hard to find good Greek cuisine but Yamas definitely has it. I was not a fan of the wings but the drinks were worthy of my attention. Most importantly, the staff was fun and our server got our group giggling when he'd randomly grab stacks of napkins and threw them up in the air to shower over us. By the end of the night, me and a friend joined in a chain of Greek dancing around the restaurant and joined in a quick dance on the table. Definitely try it. They'll have you yelling 'opa!' in no time.
(4)Erin B.
This place is awesome. We tried it after it was open for two weeks. Hubby and I popped in there to give it a try after work Friday. The place is the old Chop House and has been transformed on the inside with a great patio outside. We started with Greek salad which has awesome tomatoes and produce,a rarity for jax. We got the hot and cold app samplers to split. Lamb shanks were amazing, hummus, taziki, and grape leaves all standouts. The staff was great, dancing and tossing napkins while belly dancer was making her way around the room. The owner was great, jovial and passing out free shots. They also have family style which combined with the fun atmosphere would be great for a bday or occasion. Plus, the prices are great! House Greek red wine is 4 per glass and is great table wine. We need to support this restaurant in a location that has been numerous names, make sure it stays open! Highly recommend this place!
(5)Janel S.
I visted Taverna Yamas while vacationing in Jacksonville, after reading several extremely positive reviews. I must assume that these reviewers have never eaten real Greek food before, or that I just went on a really bad night. The food wasn't TERRIBLE, but for the prices we paid, I expected much, much more. Pretty much everything we ate was bland. The hummus and other appetizers were what I'd expect to get from a generic supermarket brand, not what's supposed to be a great Greek restaurant. Luckily they were half price, or they really would not have been worth it. On the other hand, the seafood dishes were quite good, likely because the fish tasted very fresh. The service also wasn't great, which was surprising, considering there were only a few parties in the huge space. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Greek experience. I have eaten at many much less expensive restaurants with much higher quality food... but if you're going with a bunch of people and looking to have a good time rather than a fine dining experience, you could do worse.
(2)Robin O.
Based on reviews of places within a 5 minute drive of where I work (Southpoint area) I suggested this place to a co-worker and out-of-town colleagues, with the disclaimer that I hadn't been myself! Thanks to all of you for such a find! Our server was friendly and helpful, there when we needed him but not hovering. The four of us shared appetizers of spanakopita and dolmades, and it was very apparent they were made in house and not canned/frozen. We were all jonesing for gyros. I was expecting a pita sandwich with maybe some fries that I wouldn't eat on the side. I got the sandwich part right... Warm, juicy, with plenty of tangy tzatziki and crisp onion, lettuce, and fresh tomato. The surprises were the generously portioned and exceptionally fresh Greek salad and the delicious lemony roasted potato wedges! I plan to organize an after-work Happy Hour here, as the half-price drinks and appetizers offer a cheap opportunity to sample more of the menu and atmosphere.
(4)Ryan D.
When my friends mentioned about Taverna Yamas I immediately said, lets go! Always wanted to try out the place for awhile now. We went on a Sunday night, so the place was deserted. Doesn't help either that it was Labor Day Weekend. Anyways, there are two sections to the place.. One is the hookah lounge, and one is the restaurant. We went and sat outside in the hookah lounge patio. It was a cute little outdoor area. I liked what they have offered in their menu, while prices are a little high it is well worth it because you do get a large portion! I went with the Chicken Souvlaki and it was delicious! Highly recommend it! Waiters were also very nice, and was very attentive.. Overall, It was a pleasurable dining experience, and I will definitely return. Oh, one thing that I didn't like was the fact that they charge for water.. They do not have tap water, only bottled water... Who does that?! I thought only fancy restaurants does that!!
(4)Megan P.
Gross!!! Food was tasteless! We ordered dolmades, pastistio, and the gyro platter. All, nothing to talk about again. My boyfriend ordered 4 crown and sprites...all watered down drinks and $9.00 a drink, for singles, that tasted like water. Our total bill, tip included because our large group, was $94.00. I had sprite to drink. Talk about a waste!!! Someone needs to go in and intervene asap or this place will be history. Should've known when we walked in and it was dead on a Saturday night. We WILL NOT BE BACK!!!
(1)Mai N.
The concept of Greek Traditions is on point! The waitress was great. Giving it a 2 star due to the fact that our chicken kabob was not cooked throughly TWICE. Manager did apologize and comped 50% of our meal.
(3)Renda H.
I have only been once so far for lunch and it was very good. We had the chicken gyro and the regular gyro both came with salad and lemon potatoes...wow those lemon potatoes were fantastic! I could eat a whole plate of them LOL...anyway I will say the menu prices seemed kinda high but from what I understand there is quite a party there at night with wild napkin throwing and shouting of "Opa", etc. and so you must be paying extra for the atmosphere...I will go back and try more dishes I'm sure... but I have to say there must have been a recent issue in the ladies room because the smell was so bad I had to get out of there...maybe they had a plumbing problem. oh well go check it out if you like Greek and Mediterranean fare!
(4)Barron M.
Went there for lunch on Friday to try a new place. Walked in and thought it was closed because no one was around. Finally, we were seated and then the real problems began. Our waitress could not have cared less. She had no idea about the menu, what drinks they had, etc. The atmosphere was really dark and seemed like a good place to get kidnapped and wake up in an ice bath. Probably should have left on that note, but decided to eat the gyro I ordered because I am a huge fan. Unfortunately, this gyro tasted like Miley Cyrus fixed it, or maybe that's just because that was the music that was playing for 20 minutes. Anyways, just adds to the list of reasons I hate Southside.
(1)MikeAndTey V.
Empty restaurant when we ate there. Not surprised though... We ordered Saganaki and they charged us extra for the bread. The food was ok... Because of the extra charges, we will probably not return.
(2)Marsi R.
Love the place love the atmosphere. We went there on a Thursday night and it wasn't busy. Enjoyed the food and had a great time.
(4)Bryan S.
Amazing food, service and value. Started with complementary fresh baked pitas and fresh hummus. We then had an awesome spanakopita (baked phyllo shell with spinach and feta). My wife had the filet kabob and I had the gyro platter. Rarely have I been to a restaurant where everything I eat is simply delicious, fresh and tastes like it was all made from scratch. Great Greek music, belly dancing, good Greek wines, awesome staff. I wish we would have found this place sooner. Oh yeah, just finished an amazing baklava to top it all off.
(4)Pamela D.
Very cool, comfortable atmosphere. Love the outdoor seating on a breezy warm night. It's a little pricey, however the food is always yummy. My favorite things include the flaming cheese (mostly because I love cheese....and fire ;) ), grape leaves and the steak kabobs! They have a variety of hookah flavors if you're into that, but be forewarned: If you sit in the "hookah area", which is separate from the main dining room, they will only serve you bottled water. This is not something to get upset over, it's just a fact and honestly if you're from Europe it's the norm! I cannot praise the belly dancers and servers enough: The belly dancers are beautiful, talented women who engage the singers and put on a classy, fun show. Smile, clap and enjoy the show as napkins are flying and plates are breaking! In the midst of all this, the servers are organized and attentive. My only advice is to steer clear from the mixed martinis; they are watered down quite a bit. If you like a martini, get it dirty. This is a great place to hang out in a large group, check out some place different for once and spend a Saturday night watching the belly dancers, eating Mediterranean good and enjoying upbeat music with great service. Why not add a hookah in the mix; one time won't kill ya, right?
(4)Rosemarie T.
I have been to this restaurant many times and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We went last night (Sunday ) and I was so disappointed in the food. We had a group of 5 who got the Hermes shared dinner. In the past, they gave you one of each appetizer for the number ordering. Last night you got 2 of each. Also the meat was so over cooked and dry it wasn't worth eating. Overall, a very disappointing food experience.
(1)Michelle F.
Came here with a group of friends who have come went several times before and loved it. Sadly I did not though. And they ended up having a terrible time too. We had the rudest server who just kept throwingn up his "I've been a server for four years so I know best" card. He was awful. Rude and we never saw him after we ordered because he wouldn't give us what we wanted to order. He was just too awful and was so rude when we asked about why we had gratuity added when there was only seven of us. He did not deserve that tip. I've worked retail for five years and I know that if a customer wants something, you do what you can. Never going back.
(1)Elizabeth M.
This place is disgusting! Please do not waste your time going here. I went in with my husband and brother because they were open late and I saw the good reviews on here. First we were stopped before entering the restaurant through the main entrance and were told to go in through where the patio seating is. Okay.... Then we get seated and I felt like I was going to catch a disease just sitting in the booth. The booths were dirty and just filthy all over. Even with the dim lighting we could see the filth. My brother and husband said lets just get a dessert and go. So we waited 15 minutes for a server that never came. We ended up leaving. If the main dining room was filthy I can only imagine what the kitchen looks like. Yuck!
(1)Chris M.
I went here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday party with a group of about 20 people. The tables were setup nicely and the server did not appear to have any problems keeping up with such a large group, in fact the server was very responsive considering people in the party showed up at different times. The lack of beer selection was a little disappointing and even more disappointing was having to describe what a Black & Tan was. The bartender didn't pour it correctly and it ended up as a Tan with some Black. My wife ordered a Reisling and was unable to finish it. She loves Reisling and questioned whether or not she was actually provided with one. The food, however, was amazing! I had the snapper fillet (after having to send back the salmon fillet due to the server's error) and it was delicious! A little heavy on the sauce, but delicious nonetheless. I did appreciate the server owning up to his mistake and handling the situation professionally. I attributed some of the confusion to the size of our group. The hummus was really good and the pita bread was cut into several pieces which would be perfect for sharing. I heard that the grape leaves were amazing as well. I did not expect all of the dancing and all of the napkins being thrown around the restaurant so be prepared for that. The staff did a great job of getting patrons to get up and have a good time though. At the other end of the restaurant you will find the hookahs. Many people were enjoying them at both inside and outside tables. It was nice to have the separation though because you wouldn't have been able to tell that they were even there since you couldn't see them from the main restaurant. There was a DJ and some (mostly) fun lighting that made it feel like it COULD be a dance club at some point in the night. The laser lights could probably be aimed a little different to avoid shining in the patron's eyes from time to time though.
(3)Tim M.
It is sad to see a good restaurant go bad. I love to go here for lunch and dinner, but the restaurant is going downhill. The tables are sticky, the decor is outdated, and the quality of the food has declined. The only saving grace is the staff.
(2)Kristen E.
This place is open late and although the dining room closes, kitchen stays open and you can order from the hookah lounge. More of a club vibe, but still decent enough to enjoy a meal amongst the billowy aromas of fake cherry smoke and interesting mix of clientele.
(4)Michael G.
I don't know why I bother coming back. First of all, the hookah is disgusting. They use old pipes and the coals are instant light, so they have a chemical taste about them. The guy was nice and attentive at first, but after thirty minutes we didn't see him until we paid. Then came time to pay the bill... Figuring out the payments is ALWAYS impossible here. Always. The server charged the table for a beer we never had. The server swiped my card for another person's ticket and I had to pay more for something I didn't have. They insisted it was irreversible. They include 20% gratuity, which is because the severs aren't worth tipping in the first place. I'm usually a very generous tipper, as I know it's difficult to be a server on a busy night. A tip is a tip, not part of the bill. I didn't get 20% worth of service. Aside from the absolute abomination of handling payments and their sub-par hookah. The food is outrageously priced and it cost $5 for a domestic draft beer. I could go to any of the surrounding bars and have two for that price. Plus, water comes in bottles for $2.50 and you don't get refills. That's a 1200% mark-up on Zephyr Hills. Never coming back.
(1)Stephanie T.
So, while I was reading some of the reviews I agree with a few. The decor is outdated, a lot of the servers would benefit from being a little more professional. I think they are trying to put a front of being a nice, classy restaurant, but sometimes the atmosphere and reality is that it's a little nightclub-ish. The menu for me is way overpriced, but I go there for happy hour and then I'm not so disappointed. That's why I'm giving it 4 stars. I wouldn't pay the normal prices, but with 1/2 off drinks, hookah and most apps from 4-7; I will gladly pay $2.50 for hummus. I go there with friends after work and we all order a bunch of appetizers and a hookah and the drinks flow and we always have a good AND affordable time. A lot of my friends go late at night on the weekends and have a lot of fun. It's just not my crowd/scene around that time, but all in all it's a decent place if you know ahead of time what you're in for.
(4)Marie F.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Great food, great drinks, and a great hookah spot that doesn't look like a psycho's basement. Date didn't double check movie times so we had over an hour to spare. We decide to have a few drinks before the movie. We are greeted warmly by several servers who give us great recommendations on drinks, food, and hookah flavors. And we've tried them all. -Variety of martinis ... perfect -Lamb ribs ... delicious (gotta come back for a full menu only gone through appetizers) -UFO hookah (we were told it was a 50/50 hit or miss.. the taste reminded us of detergent... was then give a free reup of PASSION something? ... and it was a 100% hit!) Such a pleasant experience, can't wait to go back. Night and weekend staff are so much fun and knowledgeable. If you smoke Hookah and have not been here you are missing out!
(5)Beverly H.
Absolutely delicious food! Great happy hour prices. The only reason it has 4 and not 5 stars is because the credit card we paid our food with had charges on it that weren't ours once we got our bill in the mail. The cc company linked the breach to this place. I would go back but pay cash!!! Cash is KING here!! Also the staff was a bit odd.
(4)Mark H.
It is hard to find food in the burbs of JAX past 10 PM, and after exhausting all leads, we ended up at Yamas, and that wasn't really a bad thing. If you've ever been to Acropolis in Ybor city, then you will find this place very reminiscent of your memories there. Loud music, napkins being thrown all over the place and belly dancers. Only difference is that the food isn't as good as Acropolis. We ordered 3 appetizers; hot pikilia, hummus and filet tips. All three were pretty good. The utilization of lemon on everything was a little abusive though, in my opinion. For this reason, I found the hummus to be the best of the three. We also ordered some white sangria, but they brought us RED. Not wanting to complain, we just took the red. It was decent, but nothing to write home about. Side note, I was going to order a Greek salad, but when I asked if it came with Greek potato salad, the waiter looked at me like I owed him money. He went back to ask the kitchen staff, and they said they had no idea what I was talking about and that "salad does not come with the salad." I felt like maybe they were making fun of me a little for asking. Either way, if you're used to eating Greek fare in the Tarpon Springs/Tampa Bay area, just note that Greek potato salad only seems to come with Greeks salads in THAT area, and not up in Jax.
(3)Martha H.
Honestly, how can you mess up Hummus??? This place is not worth the drive. The people are nice, but the food is terrible!!!! My friend and I went for lunch and I ordered the cold sampler appetizer to get a feel for the food. The only edible thing on my plate was the Tadzhik. The baby ganoush was like baby food with a gelled consistency, the grape leaves had hard, under cooked rice and the "caviar" was a bright pink. I am still not even sure what it was. My friend ordered the hummus and when I tasted it, you can tell they use the fake lemon juice out of the plastic lemon. And I don't think there was even any garlic in it. She also ordered the spanakopita which was greasy and she literally had to spit it out it was so bad. The manger came out to apologize for our bad food and did not charge us for anything, which was very nice, but I will not be back. I LOVE Greek food and decided to try this place based on the Yelp rating, but I think people go for the drinks and Hooka, not the food.
(1)Misty S.
HHhhmm...okay, I was kind of excited to go here for a friend's birthday because it was some place I'd never been and it seemed like a fun idea. I ordered a martini slightly dry. What I received was a martini with Orange Vodka and olives. GROSS! I went to the bar and asked the bartender what she made and she said she made it with orange vodka, I told her I wanted a slightly dirty martini, those are made with regular vodka. She made it over and yelled at the waiter that he put in the order wrong. Fast forward to the food...it was ok. However, as I started eating, 6,000 napkins were being thrown in the air and landing all over everyone and into our food. Kinda gross actually. Then the belly dancer started prancing around and that was kind of fun to watch and see the people get up on the tables and dance. I liked that part. However, wait for it....the bill came, holy crapballs! TOTALLY not worth the price AND the fact that they slyly add the 20% gratuity, that you can barely read. In any case, I don't think I'll be back...but I'm glad we tried it.
(3)Eldred M.
I went to Yamas with a group of 6 (2 of those friends have been here multiple times and loved it). Upon arrival I was fairly impressed because the atmosphere looked very comfortable for a hookah lounge. But the minute we get our waiter, the entire experience flipped. His name was Daniel. I had to check my receipt to get his name because he never introduced himself. I asked him for a cider and he told me that they didn't serve ciders. I then continued to look because the menu is very confusing and isn't laid out very well. Instead of suggesting other products to me, Daniel stared and waited. A few of us decided to get water while we continued looking through the menu. Daniel never told us that they charged for water. When he came back, my friends who have been here numerous times, ordered their usual Mac and cheese. Daniel said that they couldn't sell that to them because it was on the kids menu. I've never heard of a hookah lounge having a kids menu but regardless, my 2 friends come here twice a week and get the Mac and cheese each time. Daniel made sure to mention that he has worked here for 4 years and has never served Mac and cheese to an adult. So we order our hookah and then the two friends who have been here before asked Daniel for a little more time with the menu. We received our hookah within 5 minute and the food that the rest of us ordered. Another friend of mine ordered a dish that never mentioned having meat in on the menu. To his surprise it was filled with beef. He didn't want to complain because we felt that the server was already "tired" of our table so he kept it and got another friend to eat it. The 2 girls who were denied Mac and cheese still sat without their food. Daniel never came back to our table. It had been 15 minutes and they were still waiting. Finally one of the girls stopped him while he was walking by and asked for her food. He brought it out in 5 minutes and we never heard from him again until after we were ready to go. We got the bill and one of my friends was very confused as to why her gratuity was so high. I looked in the menu and read that gratuity was only for a party of 10 and more. That notice was on every page in the menu. My friend flagged down Daniel and asked about the gratuity. Daniel was very defensive and asked us to show him where it said that in the menu. Another friend of ours asked him politely to not be rude and that we weren't looking for a fight. We were just looking for clarification. Daniel proceeded to give attitude and point out the a notice in tiny print that says gratuity was for 6 or more people on certain days. My friend thanked him then apologized but Daniel continued to show her the menu and gratuity notice. When we left there was no one, not even Daniel to thank us for coming. It was terrible service from the start. Although I ordered a dessert and was satisfied with it, my friends were not satisfied with their food. The scallops that were served were too soft, the fries were too cold, and the dish that another one of my friends got contained meat unbeknownst to him. My 2 friends who've been there twice a week were so put off by Daniel's service that they promised to never return. Most of us, being our first time there, was completely put off by this first experience that we don't even have a good experience to compare it to. If anyone does decide to return here after reading this review, request not to get Daniel as your server. Maybe your service will be a bit better.
(1)Brittany O.
If you like dancing on tables and having fun, I suggest going here for your birthday or special event! The food is pretty decent...a little oily, but okay.
(4)Sherry T.
SERVICE: Fantastic! Waiter was very attentive, patient, and personable. ATMOSPHERE: For a Tuesday night at 6pm, we were one of 3 tables in the large dining area. Extremely happy that I could not smell the smoke from the hookah lounge, which is separate from the dining area. Belly dancer started working the tables around 7:30. My girlfriend and I were trying to catch up on our girl's night out when the dancer targeted our table while we were in mid-conversation. It was obvious we were totally not interested in her performance, but she kept dancing for us until she finally moved on. Slightly awkward! HAPPY HOUR: Great specials on drinks and 1/2 price apps. When you order a glass of wine, they fill it almost to the top. Me likey. ;) FOOD: Ugh. Disappointed. Only great dish was saganaki (flaming cheese) app with pita wedges. Serves two people. We were told fried zucchini was breaded. Instead, they were thin zucchini chips soaked in what appeared to be eggs, then fried and burned until they had no flavor. Soggy and gross. The tzatziki dip it came with was clumpy and bland instead of smooth and tangy. The fillet tips were chewy with a weird marinade. The spanakopita had a great filling but was room temp. This was tough. Happy hour specials and service were great, but the food will not bring me back here. Make sure to check out their menu before you try them during regular hours. Pretty pricey, especially considering the taste and quality.
(2)Denny S.
Great service. Our service guy was great! However... Overpriced! Drinks were not that good. They used orange vodka for a dirty martini which was especially not good with olives in it. Terrible beer selection. Food was bland, just no flavor on the chicken, rice, hummus,... I have had better. Throwing the napkins in the air while you are eating was a bit annoying. Not that it was not fun, just wrong timing. If you go with a party, they add 20% automatic gratuity. Doubt I will return. Make sure you wear clothes that you can wash, because you come out of there stinking of fried food.
(2)Debbi C.
We go often on the weekends and always take out of town guests for the fun atmosphere. The food is always good- love the gyro platter and the appetizers are to die for. Greek sausage, steak tips, roasted peppers, hummus.... Mmmmmm! I've had the best moussaka in years there. Love the seasonings. The staff is always friendly and we have fun dancing around the restaurant and on the tables. If you want a fun night out with good food to boot- try it!!!
(5)Tim V.
Great food for lunch! I had the gyro on a pita wrap it came with a great Greek salad and a couple tasty potatoes. The atmosphere is nice. It's really interesting way the have napkins all over the ceiling... (You have to see it!) The waitress stated that they have belly dancers in there in the evenings.
(5)Jay J.
Great service from a first time server. As a solo traveler dining out can be awkward, but I was at peace outside, and the "Greek-ness" of the food was top notch. Sweet family atmosphere, no rush, no pressure. I didn't delve into hookahs or any of the other things people are moaning about, but a good meal and a peaceful spot in a crazy city is well worth the 5 stars.
(5)Michael W.
Late review from last year: This place is across from where I live. I like this place for dinner. Very authentic. Food: Order carviar spread , flaming cheese, lamb - kleftiko .. The appetizers were pretty good. However, I found the spread to be too salty. Loved the flaming cheese. The lamb was cooked to perfection with a great texture sauce. 3.5/5 Service: Service was great, atmosphere is nice and I just want to come back to see if this can be consistent. It is half full. the waiter was very attentive. 4/5 Atmosphere: extremely well decorated and very mediterrenan style. It is pretty lively. the owners are always greeting the customer. 4/5 I will definitely comeback to try some other food when i have money. However, their prices is a bit on the higher end for greek food. I do not suggest to come here for lunch because it is a bit expensive. They do have some happy hours time too.
(4)Colby S.
I really wanted to like this place because I LOVE Greek food, but it was kindof disappointing. The good was pretty good, but our dishes cost something like $20 a plate. I would say the taste and quality was equivalent to an $8-10 plate. We could have made better dishes just whipping them up at home. We'll probably go back to try it again, but our first impressions weren't great.
(2)Gigi S.
I guess this is what Jax calls late night eats? Being the only place open at the ungodly hour of 10:05pm we stopped in a tried a bunch of stuff. The crispy lamb ribs and hummus that sported garbanzo skins were notable. Also notable: no one outside of Tampa expects a dollop of potato salad hidden in the middle of their Greek Salad which is simply a let down to big American appetites. I would certainly skip the spinach pie (spinakopita) since the phyllo layers are not light and crispy, and I'd skip the thick cut, soggy calamari as well. The meatballs were aight, as well as the wings. I'd certainly be back for the texture of that hummus alone, perhaps during their show hours.
(3)Jennifer G.
I am in LOVE with Yama's! If you are reading this review you should stop and get in you vehicles and go go go to Yama's and try it for yourself! The food is always spectacular, the staff is the best, they make you feel like family when you come here. There's always music playing that just makes you want to get up and dance, they have a full bar, and even have belly dancers. They also have nights where they have everyone get up and do Greek dancing and toss napkins around! The hookah bar is one of my favorite parts of coming to Yama's and every day until 6:00pm is happy hour!, sometimes even later. They also have a new room in between the dining room and the hookah lounge that has a full bar and a large flat screen t.v. for those who want to watch sports eat, drink, and enjoy a hookah at the same time! This room can also be rented out for private parties as well! They also have outside seating on the dining side as well as the hookah lounge side. So what's not to love about Yama's! Opa!!
(5)Ayesha A.
Food was Delish!! I ordered Lamb w/ potatoes and green beans. I went mid-week so there were no belly dancers and only a few other patrons having dinner at the time. It was my first time trying Lamb so I think I didn't order properly, should have ordered med instead of med well, but everything still tasted great!
(4)Monica S.
This brand new (as of Dec) Baklava infused hot-spot is by far one of the best restaurants in Jax! This far exceeds a five star rating. Virtually everything is house-made here. Even the yogurt is cured in house! So the Tzatziki is crazy cucumber fresh! I was able to sample a multitude of dishes on my visit: Lamb chops (marinated for 10 hours) were seasoned with fresh rosemary and perfectly cooked. Tender and DELISH! Char broiled Chicken, pork tenderloin medallions and Filet kabobs were all incredibly seasoned, smoky and tender as well. Accompanying veggies; onions, red and green peppers were also palate pleasers!! This set on a beautiful bed of spinach rice with spears of tangy lemon potatoes. I sampled the Mousaka and Pastitsio both dishes were lightly swimming in a pool of freshly pureed tomato sauce and topped with a uber creamy bechamel sauce -- all baked beautifully! The Executive Chef here is Greek and has been cooking for 42 years within this genre --- and he makes one beautiful Baklava...... Aces in my book! Portions here are huge, the service was absolutely phenomenal and prices are lower than Zaitoon's Greek Restaurant at the Beaches. And while I truly enjoy Zaitoon's, Taverna Yamas truly 'Ouzo's' with fresh tasting, authentic Greek fare.
(5)Adam H.
I was just thinking that I was missing some good Greek food since moving to JAX. Thanks to Yelp I discovered the awesomeness of Taverna Yamas. The food has been awesome and there is a wide variety of familiar and unique menu options. I loved the bone-in lamb shank which is a huge portion and the lemon potatoes go nice with just about anything. The free hummus and pita for the table makes the perfect started for a delicious meal. So far my weeknight visits have missed the crowds others have described. It has been mostly quit with friendly and helpful service from the staff and owner. This is definitely a regular place for my wife and I from now on.
(4)Amey R.
I have been there many times with friends in group for dinner and with office team for lunch. Each time I went there , I had great time. This is one of the best place for hukka in town. I would recommend this place for group hang out or if you wish to just relax with your couple of friends. Servers are very nice and offer quick service. Don't miss the servers dance around 8PM each day.
(4)Brian D.
I've been here on 3 separate occasions but only ate here twice. Unfortunately for us, the other time we were there they experienced a power outage in the area. All of the local shops lost power. I would recommend going here for a late dinner with a group of diners. It is a fun place with good food. Eating earlier in the day, the place loses some of its' ambiance. At night, the staff is making it fun by throwing around napkins as a belly dancer makes here way through the place. And yes, the tables are strong enough to dance on! Go and enjoy.
(4)E F.
Moussaka, pistachio, grilled octa
(4)Buddy S.
The food was great ! plus happy hour was half price apps that was a pleasant surprise .
(5)Craig E.
I really like this place, have eaten either lunch or dinner here many many times. Portions are generous, most dishes are very authentic and executed well. I can see from other reviews that they have a problem delivering consistently excellent results, but I have never had a bad meal here or bad service. Its a rare restaurant that doesn't experience an "off" night, when the primary chef is sick or the best wait staff are not there. Most recently, I had dinner and tried the salmon dish for the first time. It was exactly what I had hoped for, a generous salmon fillet cooked perfectly, with a creamy - lemony greek sauce with lots of capers. Rice and asparagus on the side. I inhaled it! Very satisfying and the sauce was especially delicious. Out of all my visits, I have only I minor irritation. I love the traditional Avgolemono soup (egg-lemon for those who don't know). This involves whisking egg yolks with lemon juice, then whisking that mixture into a soup or broth (usually chicken). Some restaurants add rice, but the basic concept is a thick, creamy, and very lemony soup that is just outstanding when done correctly. I seem to recall that Yamas did this fairly well when they first opened, but the last couple of times I have ordered I got what was basically chicken-rice soup, not creamy, no discernable lemon. A minor irritation since everything else has always pleased me, but I wish they would get this back on track.........
(4)Carla D.
I visited Taverna Yamas on Friday after having dinner at another restaurant. It has been a little over a year since I've been back to one of the only Greek restaurants in Jacksonville. If you've picked up on a tone of disappointment, well I am, since Jacksonville isn't home to many Greek restaurants. Anyways, I digress, we were on our way home from dinner when I noticed hookahs and a patio area at Taverna Yamas and I proceeded to excitingly say "They have hookahs." My husband made a legal u-turn and we decided to head there for a hookah and some after dinner drinks. There weren't too many people there, so we had the opportunity to decide where we wanted to sit: inside or outside. Since it was a nice night, we opted to sit outside on the patio. The indoor lounge area is dimly lit and has lots of bench/booth seating. The waiter was pleasant and attentive. My hubby got a draft beer and I got a glass of Riesling. I looked at the hookah menu and got a bit overwhelmed. There were dozens upon dozens of hookah flavors to choose from. I opted to choose from the Al Fakher Hookah menu and got a cinnamon apple mix. Our drinks came out shortly after we ordered our hookah and my Riesling was cold and crisp and I was happy to see that the bartender gave me a generous serving of wine. My husband had no complaints about his Bud Light (it was cold and tasted like Bud Light). The hookah came out in no time and it smelled fantastic. Even better, it tasted great. The waiter came by a few times to check on the coals and check on us. The only complaint I have is, because it became chillier than I anticipated, I was hoping Taverna Yamas would have used the three heat lamps they had in the back of the patio area, but no such luck. Pros: Quick service, pleasant staff, wide variety of hookahs, generous servings of wine. Cons: Not using the heat lamps, cooler weather (Ok, I can't fault Taverna Yamas for the weather), no specials menu. Tips: Go onto their website prior to checking out the hookah lounge. After checking out their website, it appears they have some great specials and a great happy hour ($2.50 house wines, $2.50 bottle and draft import beers, $2.00 bottle and draft domestic beers, $3 well drinks) and apparently they have belly dancing (or at least that's what their website says), but I didn't see any of that outside on the patio.
(4)Ruby A.
I always get the gyro platter... my bf had the lamb shank before and he can still remember the taste of it (this is why I'm giving it a 4)! I think it's a lil overpriced compared to the same food you can get at places like Hala Cafe, etc.
(4)Brad M.
BEWARE YOUR CREDIT CARD. Had my friends Card number stolen and linked back to this establishment. Do not use your credit card here. i would definitely use cash. Other then that Fantastic Food and great entertainment. JUST USE CASH!
(2)Morgan M.
Horrible experience. Came here on a Saturday night. It was extremely slow. It took our waiter over 20 minutes just to come take our drink order. Our hookah came out and the shisha was already burnt and harsh. We had to ask our waiter several times to "blow out" our bowl because it was so harsh. While waiting I noticed he was sitting smoking from a friends hookah. Besides the service and the hookah being horrible, the music was incredibly loud. I couldn't even hear my boyfriend talking to me. All in all... We tried the place and will never be back.
(1)Kerri-Leigh G.
Despite the very friendly waitress, i will not return to this restaurant. The food was awful. Unseasoned, overcooked, and didn't have the flavors I'm accustomed to in Greek or Mediterranean food. The hummus had no tahini or lemon juice, for example. And the meal was NOT cheap. I will not return.
(1)Kelly C.
I have to say that my review will be a little biased because I went there as an actual reviewer for the Folio Weekly Bite Club so I'm sure the service we received was biased as well. I'll definitely come back here again and write a non-biased review next time... but for now, the biased review. I have to say first and foremost that the atmosphere here is fantastic. There was belly dancing and they threw napkins in the air and we all danced (some of us on tables)... it was very festive. I believe this is how it is on Friday and Saturday nights (so I was told by the waitress) so that's the time to go. The food was good although I found things to be a bit on the over-salted side. Now, I love salt so for me to say that it was too salty is pretty big. The pita was delicious and I loved the taramosalata. The flaming goat milk cheese was impressive but a bit disappointing (again, too salty). The mousaka and pastitsio... I think it's hard to go wrong on these... they were delish. Had some skewers too... the beef was pretty tender but the pork and chicken were almost overdone. The baklava... yummy! Had a great time there. Will def be back!
(4)Brad S.
always been good. enjoy entertainment friday and saturday if you eat a bit later 8ish
(4)Loreena S.
I usually love this place! We arrived with several large parties and were given terrible service. Our appetizers came only a minute before the main course. My pork chops were burnt and very tough. I had trouble sawing through them for the first bite. The topping lacked any mushrooms and had half raw and burnt onions on top. I had to send the entire dish back in sad disgust. FYI- get a drink because the water tasted like it was from a sewer...even with the addition of several lemons. All things considered...I'm super disappointed, I feel bad for our waitress and left still hungry, yet tipsy from the sangria.
(2)William R.
Lots of OPPPPA. Great drinks and club Music. Music hits the dance floor. Yeah Opppppa.
(5)Bob S.
Oh. My. Goodness. What a find. Taverna Yamas exceeed my expectations tonight. A friend and I were looking for a place to have a catch-up-with-you dinner, and had sort of settled on the Tinseltown area. I remembered seeing Taverna Yamas, and since neither of us had been there, we decided to try it. We agreed to meet there at six. Good choice. First, during happy hour (until 7pm), most of the appetizers are half-price, as are well drinks, beer, and wine. From the appetizer list we ordered taramosalata, a spread made from caviar and yogurt, dolmades, the classic stuffed grape leaves, Greek sausage char-grilled and served with grilled peppers, and lemon potatoes, along with our drinks. Our server Stacy brought the drinks right out, and the appetizers followed shortly. We told her we'd dive in, and see where we wanted to go from there. Stacy was very attentive, and shortly we ordered the asparagus appetizer, as well as the fillet tips. It was all wonderful. The appetizer course at happy hour prices was $19, and could easily have served as a meal for both of us. This place is loud, but it's a happy loud. On weekends, there are belly dancers, and the staff dance on the tables. There was a large party in tonight that was also celebrating, and many shouts of "Opa!" were heard, followed by the throwing of paper napkins into the air. I -thought- I had ordered their handmade yogurt and honey for dessert, but by a happy mistake, I was served the galaktoboureko, a phyllo crust filled with warm custard, and drizzled with a yummy sauce. Wow. Just wow. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. I'm sorta stingy with stars, but I have no problem giving five to Taverna Yamas. --- Recent experiences at Yamas have caused me to re-evaluate, and pull back that 5th star. They're still good, well above average, but not out-of-this-world stellar.
(4)Mike B.
If you like lemon on everything in your food, this is the place for you! I had the chicken gyro, it came with potatoes and some pita bread, the meal itself was good, but the chicken and everything just tasted like they got lemon happy in the kitchen.
(3)Carlyne M.
Decor is nice. Service sucks. Came here just to get some baklava. Waited over half an hour on the patio and got no service. The server just stopped by to say hello and that was it...didn't even bother to get our drink order. After waiting for over half an hour, we went inside and sat at the bar. The baklava was tasty, but we're not likely to come back again.
(2)Chris P.
Great food that is made fresh, they have Gyros and other dishes on the Menu too. Try the Chicken and Artichoke and same room for Baklava treat.
(4)Natalie B.
Finally. A place to get tasty Greek eats in Jacksonville! I know there are places to get Gyros. But I was wishing and hoping for a place to get Saganaki (flaming cheese), Mousaka and Pastichio. I was spoiled by living in Chicago--Greektown was at my disposal! My friend and I arrived for an early dinner. Lucky for us as Happy Hour was still in progress! Aside from cheap drinks, they offered half-priced appetizers! We ordered the saganaki and hummus. Yes, the cheese was lit up tableside! It was hot and salty--just the way I like it! The hummus was very smooth and garlickly. For my entree, I ended up ordering the gyros platter as I was pretty full from the apps. The lamb was sliced thin and flavored great. It was served with pita, potato wedges and a greek salad. The potato wedges were a delightful surprise. Soft with a hint of lemon. Yum!! The portion was very generous. I convince my friend to order the pastichio, just so I could try it! I'm lucky she is such a good sport. The portion was generous. It was delicious!! It is a macaroni and beef dish, a Greek casserole, if you will. The sauce had hints of allspice. We were stuffed, but could not resist splitting a baklava. Perfectly sweeted with honey--crispy filo--just lovely. Service is good. Ambiance was a little quiet on our particular night. It is a big restaurant and there were only a handful of tables. I did notice a large amount of tables that could seat 8-12 people. Looks like it would be great for large groups. Looking forward to a return visit to get my Mousaka on!
(4)Angie T.
Service attentive although our server brought out the drinks, appetizers, and meals in one sitting! Desserts not fresh microwaved! Not a true Greek Restaurant ! I guess I should not have looking for a Greek Restaurant in Fl.
(3)Ann M.
I frequent this place because I love their tzatziki and pita bread, and also always get the same entree -- the original greek salad with gyro meat. They also have a nice comfortable outdoor seating section. I guess the salad would be sort of hard to mess up, just have fresh ingredients and we're good. However, each time I go, my boyfriend gets something different, and it seems like the meat is always over-cooked. He order filet mignon kebobs, medium, and it came out well done with chewy fatty pieces. Not so sure it was actually filet mignon.
(4)Tia W.
2/7/12 This was my third Bite Club dinner and in my opinion, the best so far! When we entered, happy hour was offered for the first half hour, which meant open bar. So I started the night with a signature martini that was light and fruity. After we were seated, they served a Cold Pikilia (plate). This included various spreads, hummus, warm pita bread and stuffed grape leaves. I really enjoyed the Taramosalata (caviar spread) and the stuffed grape leaves were so tender. Next up was the Greek village salad and generous samples of greek white and red wine with a side of belly dancing. The no-lettuce salad was quite hearty with green and red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives and chunk of feta cheese. *Napkin shower* Bonus plate...flaming cheese! This was part of the food entertainment because they displayed three skillets in front of our party to show flambée table-side. It was a nice added touch to the tasty melted cheese. On to the Hot Pikilia (plate), with spanakopita (layered spinach and phyllo), keftedes (meatballs), calamari and lamb ribs. I love lamb, so tried that first. It was a little overcooked but still tasty. The spanakopita and keftedes were pretty good, but the calamari was dead on. It was crispy and not chewy at all, which I was surprised considering our large group. *Napkin shower* Bonus plate...pastitsio (Greek lasagne) and mousaka (eggplant and ground beef bake)! Both were equally mouthwatering, one topped with a creamy cheese, the other with mashed potatoes. The main entree showed up not long after with chicken and filet mignon kebabs, pork loin with spinach leek rice and lemon potatoes. The chicken was dry, but I had an end piece so that could explain it. The filet, pork and potatoes were delightful. Dessert, my favorite! I LOVE baklava, but I think I'm partial to ek mek and galaktoboureko now. They were like Greek style pie. I will definitely order one of those for my next visit. This was followed by a round of Ouzo shots and more belly dancing that included our party, specifically me and my three friends getting pulled up to dance on tabletops. Blame it on the Oo, Oo, Oo, Oo, Oo, Ouzo! The only thing that was questionable was the age of the belly dancer. She was very talented and a cute girl, but exactly that, a girl that looked very young for her age. I heard a couple of guys say they felt uncomfortable. All in all this is a great place for a night out. Taverna Yamas did an amazing job! Not only was the food delicious and the entertainment interactive, but the service was outstanding. They were on the ball the entire time and really made you feel welcome into their "home". It seemed like a Greek family event and I will be returning. The hardest part will be what to order next time. Thank you Bite Club, Caron and Taverna Yamas for your hospitality!
(4)Cali D.
We went their Saturday night, the food was below average. I ordered the Hot Pikilia (lamb ribs spanakopita,calamari,keftedes and wings) The lamb ribs were burnt black and I asked for another order. I was there for over an hour and I never received it. The waitress apologized and she said she told the manager twice. The calamari was tough and chewy. The restaurant did not have enough hp and the service was poor, never got my second glass of water. We also waited a longtime for our food. My friends liked their Mousaka , Lamb Chops and Patitsio. If I return, I will try one of the dishes my friends had. The restaurant really needs to work on their level of service.
(2)David D.
Wow!!!! Just visited this restaurant with my sister and wife this evening Before entering my current profession I had worked for years in the restaurant industry as a waiter, and bartender. My sister who was eating with us visiting from Atlanta is actually a waitress currently. That having been said, i have never had such a poor dining experience.. The waiter could barely communicate to us and was extremely inattentive. He could literally have been "fresh of the boat" The table next to us got up to leave but the manager talked them into staying. We never received one water refill in 45 minutes and he was just plain rude. The food was not great. We tried to order the grilled octopus appetizer, which they had apparently run out of. My wife ordered the house salad, I ordered the gyro platter, and my sister ordered the lamb shank. They were all sub par. If you want really good mediterranean food, don't waste your time here and go to The Casbah in Avondale.
(1)Gary W.
Not good at all. 1) From the instant we sat down we were rushed to decide on drinks and dinner. We decided on the Poseidon and ordered this for each person 2) The appetizers were lackluster. The eggplant was tasteless. 3) We expected to receive the Saganki next, it this was not served until after the main courses were on the table. It was salty and small in portion. 4) We specifically asked to not be rushed but all the food was served immediately after we asked not to be rushed. 5) The fish, pork and chicken were all over done. I thought I was eating a brick for the chicken. 6) The wine was poor in quality. Don't waste your time, I will not darken the doorway at this place again.
(1)Michelle S.
A good time, as always! The atmosphere on a Friday nite is electric and loads of fun! Food is wonderful, especially the lamb shank! YUM!!
(5)Kimber L.
fantastic! We got there a bit early for the belly dancers and our waitress encouraged us to stay for it which we did. We tried spanikopita(VERY good), filet medallions (melt in your mouth), Salmon (delishious!) and lamb chops (done well but Lamb isn't my fav_others at our table liked it). The hummus was tastey. We also ordered the dessert sampler..the ek mek was fabulous and the baklava was moist as it should be! Overall I loved it and will definately be back!!!!
(5)Katherine M.
I went here for a dietetic social so I got a deal and can't really rate for the price. All I had to do was pay $5 and I had access to a delicious buffet of Greek salad, spanakopita, hummus, tzatziki, keftethes, and chicken wings. It's hard to find good Greek cuisine but Yamas definitely has it. I was not a fan of the wings but the drinks were worthy of my attention. Most importantly, the staff was fun and our server got our group giggling when he'd randomly grab stacks of napkins and threw them up in the air to shower over us. By the end of the night, me and a friend joined in a chain of Greek dancing around the restaurant and joined in a quick dance on the table. Definitely try it. They'll have you yelling 'opa!' in no time.
(4)Alexia K.
I hate to only rate this place 2 stars as I have had some pretty good meals here in the past, but I have to after the meal I had today. I haven't eaten at taverna yamas in awhile, and this was my first time coming here for lunch. The hummus was good, but the chicken in my pita sandwich was spongy and looked like the weird chicken you find in a lot of frozen meals, not to mention that it was undercooked and still pink in some areas. That's really dangerous, so I just can't overlook it. I advised the waitress of this, but still paid full price for the meal. At least the hummus and salad were good. Just beware of the chicken. Also, one other time I ate here there were flies everywhere inside and my friend and I were advised by the manager that this is normal because people open the door to come in and out. Funny that in the other restaurants I go to, there are doors and no flies. Interesting.
(2)M W.
This place is cool. They have family style Greek tables so you're sure to be cozy with whomever you're dining with and even those you didn't come with. As for the food I had hummus and pita which was good and not overly garlicky and the pita was pillowy and not too chewy. My entree was a gyro greek salad which had a good oil dressing. The only thing different I would have wished for would be for the olives to not have pits. Overall good experience and food.
(4)Heavi K.
It was ok. Too salty for my tastes.
(3)Teagues C.
Went there for lunch and got the daily special of chicken, rice, and artichokes. The other person with me got the gyro and both dishes were awesome!! Definitely going to make this a regular on my list!
(5)Rob A.
I went here on Monday night and there were only a few customers in the restaurant. Food was not the best. We ordered the Hot Pikilia , lamb ribs and Caviar spread. We were here before on a Friday night and I have to say the quality of food greatly differs. The lamb ribs were chewy and slight burnt and so was the fried calamari that came with the Hot Pikilia. The caviar spread was so thinned out that it did not have good flavor at all. I ordered the kids Chicken tenders and I thought they were the best among the rest we ordered. I wont be back during a week night here because of food quality but I will try this restaurant again on a Friday . . . Although that there were only a few customers the night we visited the belly dancer came out and did a routine for us.
(2)Sebastian C.
The food tastes great. However, it is really heavy! You will feel full after eating at this place. Almost too full! The people are really friendly and the it was really fun. They threw napkins in the air and smashed plates in accordance with the greek style. Cool place to check out-
(2)Erin B.
This place is awesome. We tried it after it was open for two weeks. Hubby and I popped in there to give it a try after work Friday. The place is the old Chop House and has been transformed on the inside with a great patio outside. We started with Greek salad which has awesome tomatoes and produce,a rarity for jax. We got the hot and cold app samplers to split. Lamb shanks were amazing, hummus, taziki, and grape leaves all standouts. The staff was great, dancing and tossing napkins while belly dancer was making her way around the room. The owner was great, jovial and passing out free shots. They also have family style which combined with the fun atmosphere would be great for a bday or occasion. Plus, the prices are great! House Greek red wine is 4 per glass and is great table wine. We need to support this restaurant in a location that has been numerous names, make sure it stays open! Highly recommend this place!
(5)Janel S.
I visted Taverna Yamas while vacationing in Jacksonville, after reading several extremely positive reviews. I must assume that these reviewers have never eaten real Greek food before, or that I just went on a really bad night. The food wasn't TERRIBLE, but for the prices we paid, I expected much, much more. Pretty much everything we ate was bland. The hummus and other appetizers were what I'd expect to get from a generic supermarket brand, not what's supposed to be a great Greek restaurant. Luckily they were half price, or they really would not have been worth it. On the other hand, the seafood dishes were quite good, likely because the fish tasted very fresh. The service also wasn't great, which was surprising, considering there were only a few parties in the huge space. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a great Greek experience. I have eaten at many much less expensive restaurants with much higher quality food... but if you're going with a bunch of people and looking to have a good time rather than a fine dining experience, you could do worse.
(2)Robin O.
Based on reviews of places within a 5 minute drive of where I work (Southpoint area) I suggested this place to a co-worker and out-of-town colleagues, with the disclaimer that I hadn't been myself! Thanks to all of you for such a find! Our server was friendly and helpful, there when we needed him but not hovering. The four of us shared appetizers of spanakopita and dolmades, and it was very apparent they were made in house and not canned/frozen. We were all jonesing for gyros. I was expecting a pita sandwich with maybe some fries that I wouldn't eat on the side. I got the sandwich part right... Warm, juicy, with plenty of tangy tzatziki and crisp onion, lettuce, and fresh tomato. The surprises were the generously portioned and exceptionally fresh Greek salad and the delicious lemony roasted potato wedges! I plan to organize an after-work Happy Hour here, as the half-price drinks and appetizers offer a cheap opportunity to sample more of the menu and atmosphere.
(4)