Restaurant REVIEW

Mr Nick’s Greek kitchen, leith, edinburgh

1 LOCATION

Within the large shopping centre and entertainment complex at Ocean Terminal on the waterfront where the shipyards once stood.

2 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The restaurant is one of a few lined up along the lower shopping level. The welcome is so warm, a big friendly smile and chat from the staff as we choose a table in the taverna-style setting.

3 SERVICE

Everything on the menu sounds delicious so it’s great to get some help from our cheery Greek waitress. She talks us through options advising on the best for sharing, the level of flavour for our young ones, etc. Her advice turns out to be spot on and her friendly, open approach is fantastic.

4 MENU

Whether you want a mid-shop seat-and-a-snack, a light lunch or a filling meal, Mr Nick’s ticks all the boxes. There are tasty meze sharing plates, olives, spicy cheese, feta and Greek fries just perfect for nibbles. Or souvlaki, skewers of meat served with lovely salad, pita and creamy tzatziki sauce or gyros – in a wrapped kebab-style. The traditional Greek-style dinners are very tempting, too.

5 TASTE

Faultless. We knew we were in for a treat when the beautiful cooking smells wafted over – this was the real deal. Perfectly-spiced grilled pieces of chicken and pork from our souvlaki skewers married beautifully with the light, fresh dip and sweet salad. The deep flavour of the styfado stew really transported us back to a summer in Zante.

6 PRICE

Very reasonable for the quality of food. Around £50 for four main courses, desserts and drinks.

7 AMBIENCE

Greek music, bustling staff and a stream of happy customers. We could have stayed all day!

8 SOMETHING SPECIAL

The desserts – huge shareable portions of baklava (filo pastry, nuts and honey) and ravani (soft and cool syrupy sponge) – were a piece of heaven.

9 TOILETS

The only negative. We had to go up the mall to the Centre’s own loos. Suffice to say we smelt them before we saw them. Not good.

10 VERDICT

Authentic, mouthwatering, moreish, delicious – or (nostimo) as they say in Greece! 18/20