Marika's Restaurant

Marika's Restaurant

This little gem is a family run Greek restaurant which has just relocated. Many people may recognise as the place in Bakoven, Camps Bay but has just moved to Gardens 1 month ago. Situated above the Seven Eleven on Upper Buitenkant Street near Garden Centre. Here you will find authentic Greek food prepared by the Mother of the family with the husband and sons managing the floor.

When you walk into Marika's visually you see the decor which whisks you away to a little place in Greece, just what you would imagine, white walls and blue artwork with glass tables, little trinkets and a warm welcoming greeting at the door but this is all erased when you are hit in the nose by the amazing aroma's of garlic, slow roasting meats, rosemary, oregano and lemon making my tummy rumble with a need for some mezze immediately.

Our waiter was very friendly and possibly too attentive in the beginning of our visit but as the place got full he eased off and was great. There is a large variety of starters or mezze to choose from, calamari tentacles fried or pickled, livers, prawns, keftedes, spanakopita's, mussels and fried aubergine to name a few, along with all the dips your heart desires. You can make up your own platter or choose one your favorites. I would have had the spanakopita's but since I make them often at work we went with the prawns wrapped in phyllo with a sweet chilli mayonnaise and Beef keftedes (Meatballs) but what stole the show for me was a really great, really big bowl of hummus, tangy from the lemon juice and tahini, balanced perfectly which we mopped up with the freshest warm and gooey Pita bread I have ever had. I could easily just keep eating mezze for the entire evening.

After this I was already almost full but it being my Partners birthday we were there to feast and that we did, so for mains I had the special which was soft, tender, melting pieces of lamb wrapped in phyllo with a light cream sauce which comes with a choice of Roast potatoes, Greek salad or rice pasta. I had the roast potatoes which are my weakness and satisfied my addiction, crisp on the outside and fluffy in the middle. Claudio had, if its even possible, an even more tender, sticky slow roasted piece of lemon and Oregano Lamb with cabbage and a Greek salad. Both dishes were great, I am happy the special was the perfect size for a lady and the roast lamb was a really large man portion, we shared the accompaniments and happily tucked into our meals with no food envy. We washed all this down with a Marika's Sauvignon Blanc which was crisp and light, so good with all the rich tasty food. Some of the other mains on offer are Souvlaki's, Kingklip, Prawns in a tomato sauce with feta and Mousakka.

The bill came to R450 for 2 people. Well worth it and affordable for a big Greek Feast you could easily eat for R120 per person. We will definitely be back soon however I suggest you book as it fills up fast.

Marika's Restaurant

176 Corner of Buitenkant and Vredekloof rd

021 - 465 27 27

Picture's and Review Copyright by Tamsyn Wells