1821 - Sydney

I have been impressed with 1821 since my first visit. Hence I have returned several times since. It is well located in Sydney CBD close to public transport. The restaurant looks very modern with a full bar. It was a Saturday night and the place was full but surprisingly, you could actually hear your conversations. This Greek 'eatery' has Greek food cooked and presented with a modern twist. Do not be put off by the price because they are all sharing plates (at least for me and my friends). The menu is divided into small, medium and signature dishes followed by dessert. Depending on the number of people and their appetites, you could pick as many or as little as you like from it.The Greek coleslaw is very well put together. For someone who does not even like coleslaw, I couldn't get enough of this. The dips especially the smoked eggplant may look like any other dips but certainly they taste better than any other dips.The wild green and leek pie is really great, the pastry light and crisp and the inside just melting in your mouth. Try the pork belly baklava. On my first visit, I thought it was only mediocre but on my subsequent visits, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was! My favourite is always the BBQ lamb shoulder, meat falling off the bone with a lovely chargrilled flavour. The moussaka is like no other I have had...beautifully presented as well.I know a dish that is certainly NOT for sharing but to have it all on your own....Baklava ice cream!The service is impeccable, warm, friendly but not hovering. You pick the dishes you want and they will advise you on whether there is sufficient food for all. If anyone wants to know how service should be delivered...go to 1821. I cannot speak highly enough of the people who work there. It is by no means a cheap eatery but you do get value in every way for your money.

This was our second visit, we decide to have lunch with my family. The first time we went for dinner on a Saturday night with some friends, it was very busy and the food was amazing. We chose lunch this time and it was quieter, which was really lovely. The food was amazing again if not better than last time. Sorry David ( Tsirekas) you were great when we came for dinner but your crew today was amazing!!! Both staff in kitchen and wait staff were attentive and the food was brought out with lots of love. We had the Tarama dip with the wild greens pie, both were delicious.Followed by the Greek salad , BBQ lamb shoulder which melted in your mouth and the moussaka and famous yia yias chips which are too delicious. Good portions and very filling. We chose to have Greek beers on this visit, Vergina and Fix unlike the last visit where we had ouzo. Both go great with these dishes. We chose patsavoura and caramael ice cream baklava, I preferred the baklava but my family also loved the patsavoura. We would have liked to try the apple pie bougatsa but we did not have the 20 minutes of time up our sleeve to wait for it to be cooked. That is okay hopefully on our next visit we will try it. The environment is relaxing and classy. You can have a family boisterous occasssion or a catch up with friends or even a lovely dinner for two, or even a special celebration. There is a bar downstairs as well. I wanted to state that I read a few reviews that said people were charged for tap water this is not true, it did not happen to us and I think it's not nice to write something which is not true. A truly special Greek restaurant, it is now our favourite one that we know we can bring visitors to and be proud, a great tribute to the period of 1821.

The decor in the restaurant is beautiful. It gets very busy at this restaurant. We had booked a table for dinner and still had to stand around for 30 minutes to be seated. Food was lovely. We went in a group of 6 and ordered different plates so we could share.

Took my family of 4 who are seasoned restaurant goers both internationally and locally. We had the tapezi set menu $75 .Dips were flavoursome and authentic, fried zatour crusted halumie with spicy quince sauce a revelation but could be a bit tarter and the slow baked lamb moist and unctuous. The chips were tasty and crisp however a Greek style salad lacked dressing however it was excusable in light of the other dishes. The dessert of pistachio backlava icecream was the highlight. Service was very professional and friendly but then I suspect they they respond well to nice diners!Overall an 8/10.

Suggest you go in a group if you can so you get the chance to taste as many dishes as possible off this fabulous menu. The plates are designed to share and each dish delights and surprises. The Lamb Manti was a highlight. Service is friendly and efficient and the space comfortable and stylish. The only thing I would change is some of the music selections but that is purely personal. Highly recommended!