Ithaka Greek Restaurant in Victoria

My Daughter and I visited with a friend. Its a lovely place. Ambiance, menu, service and food are great. Food : 5/5

Nice atmosphere and good service, but the lamb souvlaki, for $38, was very underwhelming. One small skewer of lamb (which was tasty), one piece of steamed cauliflower with zero seasoning, three small potatoes, and bland rice. Our other dishes were okay. I left hungry but with $200 less in my pocket. Maybe its more geared towards tourists that dont come back.

Tasty & authentic housemade food.

Amazing food. Just be careful with allergies.

Great food and atmosphere. Will be going back the next time we are on the island

Hands down, best Greek in town!!!!!

In reply to the owners response to my below review: Hey Dimitri. How predictably your response meanders much like the service I endured at your establishment through a litany of excuses, deflections, and the kind of sanctimonious self-pity that does little to disguise your incompetence. It is astonishing that you feel the need to trumpet your 5-star reviews and busy hours as though they somehow absolve you from the simple task of serving warm food in a reasonable time that you promised. The fact remains: you failed at that most basic of human exchanges a warm meal for money. Your quip about drive-thrus is as condescending as it is absurd. The irony, of course, is that even a fast-food chain is more capable of meeting customer expectations than your so-called family business. I find it remarkable that the irony is lost on you as you make this point against your own establishment! Yet here you stand, not in humble recognition of your shortcomings, but in petulant denial, as though a mountain of your excuses might somehow bury the facts of my experience. And to suggest that criticism be relegated to private whispers rather than aired in the open how quaint. Public failures demand public reckoning, Dimitri. No amount of defensive posturing or hollow appeals to pandemic hardships will shield you from the truth of your incompetence and failures to take accountability. Until you learn to accept that, Ithaka will continue to remain a monument to mediocrity, not mastery. The latest food safety inspection report confirms your poor management in different ways as documented here: https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/island-health/program-food/inspection/?inspectionID=23C64883-9077-4739-B113-94F256B4FC9A Sincerely, Newsha Makooi ____ Review Date is September 29 _____ One can scarcely imagine a more dismal encounter with the culinary arts than my recent foray into Ithaka Greek Restaurant. Arriving at the rather unremarkable hour of 7:10 p.m., I dared to order what one might consider a staple of Greek cuisine: the humble gyro sandwich, paired with a side of Greek salad. A simple request, one would think. How wrong I was. After placing my order, I was told, with the bland assurance of someone who has neither intention nor capacity to fulfill a promise, that my meal would be ready in 15 minutes. I waited, perhaps foolishly trusting in this establishment s ability to manage even the most rudimentary aspects of hospitality. By 7:30, it became clear that time operates on a different scale in this particular corner of Hellenic culture, one where 15 minutes can stretch into infinity without so much as a glance in the direction of the waiting customer. When I inquired about my order, they stumbled off to investigate, only to return with the same hollow promise: soon. Soon, in this case, meant nothing. At intervals of five minutes, I was subjected to the same charade feeble reassurances of imminent completion, like a tragic farce played out by individuals wholly untroubled by the concepts of urgency or basic decency. At around 7:45, my patience, now as cold as the meal I was yet to receive, wore thin. I made it clear that I was leaving, only to be implored to wait a few more minutes, a phrase now devoid of any meaning. At long last, they handed me my food, as though bestowing a great favor. Not a word of apology, not a gesture of recompense just the sterile exchange of money for what turned out to be a culinary abomination. Upon returning to my hotel, a mere block away, I opened the package to find that my gyro, this sorry excuse for nourishment, was cold. Cold, mind you, as though it had been languishing in some Arctic purgatory. That such a thing could occur in a place professing to serve Greek food is beyond comprehension. Ithaka Greek Restaurant is a testament to incompetence, both in customer service and the preparation of even the most basic of dishes. I could not, in good conscience, recommend this establishment to anyone, save for those seeking a masterclass in how not to run a restaurant.

I found the lamb shank a bit more salty than usual. I found Dimitris response to my first review is bit rude instead of addressing customer concern he is blaming the customer and for that reason I am changing my review from 4 stars to 2 stars.

Cozy and inviting place, great service, delicious food.

Great authentic Greek food and good choices of wine. Really loved the Dolmades and the sauce. The meat sharing platter was spot on. Food : 5/5

The Mousaka and Ekmek (grandmas recipe) were melt in my mouth divine. Everyone was friendly. Decor, music, flaming saganaki all added to the atmosphere. Ill definitely be back.

My husband and I are visiting Victoria. Our second time dining at Ithaka, both dinners were delicious. Last night our server was Peter. He was friendly and attentive. The spanakopita appetizer was excellent. Very flavorful! We had both had the special, Pastitsio. Just like Yia-yia makes. We love the house salad too. We look forward to our next dining experience at Ithaka.

A great Greek experience in Victoria. Dimitri, the owner really cares. The staff are amazing and the food is wonderful. Thanks so much.

Have been wanting to try this place for years. Finally got around to it tonight and I am kicking myself I haven t come here sooner. We had incredible service from our waiter Dimitri and amazing food to match. We will definitely be back!

Bus staff were like the wind, Servers, and Hostess were professional and friendly. The food was piping hot, and so tasty. All delivered in a very clean, warm and well run restaurant.

Chicken souvlaki. Tiny portion of potato and rice . Was hungry still after my meal what a disappointment. Served with a handful of carrots. Really makes me appreciate the greek restaurants I have back home. Staff was friendly and meal was ready for pick up very quickly. Chicken was delicious so I give it 2 stars.

Enjoyed it here we had the vegetarian platter and vegetarian dolmas and spanakopita . My overall favorite is the spanakopita . The atmosphere is very fun and festive vibe . I like that it is a greek family owned /operated restaurant here . on the mainland they dont have greek family owned restaurants nowadays like they had in the 90s and in the past . Its a treat to find a authentic greek restaurant . I love the greek decor . I added menu pictures too . I am impressed with the vegetarian options here . Its location is good its close to the Empress and other popular places in the city . They do dine ,take out ,delivery . Vegetarian options: They got a vegetarian platter for 2 . And vegetarian dolmas and spanakopita vegetarian

The service was exceptional. Everyone seemed so genuinely friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, and there were plenty of options for omnivores and vegetarians alike. Vegetarian options: The vegetarian platter is great. There are many options across menu sections, and they re clearly labeled.

Great restaurant

Excellent and I really recommend. All the food is so yummy

Loved the ambiance, the service, and the food. We will be back soon! Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating re my Celiac restrictions Food : 5/5 |

Great Greek food, prepared by Greeks im a restaurant owned by Greeks. Not inexpensive but worth every penny. Vegetarian options: Lots of salads, fish, cheese dishes. Parking: Weve always found metred parking within 1 block and paid hotel parking nearby. Kid-friendliness: Greeks love kids

Delicious food with a great atmosphere!

A charming Greek restaurant located in downtown Victoria offers plenty of seating and a pleasant ambiance. The service was friendly, adding to the overall experience. I tried the full rack of Greek ribs, which were well-cooked with a subtle flavor. A squeeze of lemon really brought out the taste. If youre in the mood for Greek cuisine, this spot is definitely worth a visit.

Roast lamb dinner tasted ok... Lamb shank, rice, potatoes, mixed vegetables. Small portions. Surprised that no Greek salad or pita bread was offered with entree. $36... Pricy! Once was enough. Owner is easily triggered and defensive (see responses to me and other critical reviewers). Thats fine - we can all choose how to do business and which businesses to support.

The food and atmosphere are absolutely amazing!!!

Hungry holiday makers came across this absolute gem of a Greek restaurant in Victoria. Friendly staff, great service and exceptional food made for an excellent night. Shared a saganaki cheese starter, then got the platter for 4 to share. So much food, and all delicious. Stand outs were the lamb and dolmades.

Food was great. Service was good. Atmosphere was also good. Only thing to note is that it is pricier than other Greek restaurants.

Perfect meal, beautiful atmosphere and wonderful service. Efcharisto!! :)

Moussaka

I recently dined at this fantastic Greek restaurant, and I have to say, it was an amazing experience! The variety of dishes on the menu is impressive, and every bite felt worth the price. The quality of the food is excellent, and Id highly recommend going for the full experience with a three-course meal. One must-try item is the flaming cheese it s a crowd-pleaser and adds a bit of excitement to the table. The customer service was outstanding, with friendly and attentive staff who really enhanced the overall experience. A heads-up: parking around this area can be a bit tricky, so plan ahead for that. But once youre inside, the food and atmosphere make it all worthwhile.

What a lovely little place. We really wanted some fresh food after a lot of eating junk. The food was delicious and hit the spot. My sons ordered two spaghettis (which was much better than I expected). One of them had a mixup and didn t come out until the rest of us were almost finished eating. They gave us a discount, brought out ring-pops and tattoos for the kids and were all just very sweet kind humans. The restaurant is very beautiful inside as well. I would recommend this place!!

Extremely friendly staff and tasty food. Dietary restrictions: Allergy friendly Food : 5/5 |

Incredible service from very knowledgeable staff Kaitlyn and everything we had was outstanding in flavor and quality.

Excellent! I have tried greek food from toronto to new york and this was one of the best. Fresh and flavored just right! Lemon potatoes, rice and vegetables awesome. Service was amazing. Just order a marias salad on the side to make it perfect. Went for a second visit and found outstanding service and amazing food. Drinks great! Didnt disappoint again!

Love this restaurant. Food is delicious, great service. Spanakopita is the best!

My favorite restaurant in Victoria. Try the spaghetti and meatballs. Best spaghetti of any Greek Restaurant

Family owned business with amazing food. We had calamari dinner which was delicious and Halibut for dinner with fresh focaccia bread it was all amazing. Service was great as your greeted by many happy hosts welcoming you in. There is always someone around to check on you and clear your table within seconds and top your drinks up.

Fabulous meal, as good as we had in Greece! Amazing service. We have no complaints at all. We will be back

Wonderful Greek Restaurant , the calamari dinner was superb as well as Greek ribs . We had an excellent waitress . I highly recommend this restaurant but make sure to make reservations , they are very busy . Wheelchair accessibility: I had a walker and there was a ramp , the manager was very helpful to make sure my son and I got seated comfortably . Great Birthday for me , my son brought me some beautiful earrings from his trip to Peru .

We went for our wedding anniversary to have a relaxing, romantic supper. We heard the food was amazing, the portions generous and the atmosphere great. None of that was true. The portions were mediocre, the food was just OK, actually lacked the zesty lemon flavor Greek food has, the atmosphere was mediocre too. Next to us was an older couple known by the entire staff. They all decided to come say hi to the elderly couple and without consideration for us, conversed continously and loudly with them. We also noticed when they received their portions, they were much more generous than ours. Nobody asked how our food was or if we needed more refreshments at all. They took the order, plopped the plates down and brought the bill at the end. My husband had the lamb and it was more bone than meat. Our vegetables were hardly any on the plate, the poatoes were way overcooked and the rice undercooked, they dont bring pita or salad with your meal as other greek places do (even Opa), they charge extra for tzatisky ( the lamb plate didnt come with it) and they dont do anything special for anniversary. We still left a tip but I dont know why. Not impressed.

The place is great, ambience is good and the staff is super friendly. Unfortunately, the food does not meet the same bar. It s not bad food, but I have had much better Greek food in the US, so no offense, but this doesn t cut it. I would love to go back for the staff, and our server John, but not for the food.

Lovely restaurant with outside an inside inspired in Greek architecture more typically seen in the Greek islands. The food was good and the service was great. We particularly enjoyed the Saganaki flambé and found many pleasant surprises in the Vegetarian platter for 2. There are only two preparations that I thought were below their authentic Greek counterparts: the hummus (too thick) and and the greek salad (had an inferior feta that looked and tasted like supermarket grated goat cheese). Those are just two minor comments to help the restaurant improve. Overall I think the meal was a delight and would recommend.

A lovely Greek restaurant with friendly staff and excellent meals.

This place is amazing, it really has the WOW factor when you walk in and the staff make you feel like royalty. Our server, Peter, was great, attentive and friendly Other staff also checked in with us to see that we had everything we wanted (it was a weekday and quiet time before the usual dinner rush but it was still 5* service) The lamb shank was delicious, the tender meat fell off the bone. Hubby had the pork shoulder which was also good This place is NOT cheap but you get what you pay for and I would certainly visit again for special occasions as it is a treat to eat somewhere so fine

I just had the most amazing Lamb Shank here! Absolute falling off the bone, perfectly dressed and cooked to perfection. Entire meal was just lovely, staff was awesome and super attentive. Drinks were good, but beware if you have never had Ouzo before. Its a liquorish flavored alcohol, and I know thats not for everyone.

Very good!!!!

I ve eaten here a couple times with my family and really enjoyed it. I was excited to take my friend, I had the spanakopita dinner and near the end of my meal I pulled a long hair out of my mouth that had been in the spanakopita. My friend and I both have short hair. Because I had eaten most of my food before I found the hair I was charged half price. Finding the hair was upsetting enough and I wasn t very impressed with how it was handled.

I would highly recommend this restaurant. It was right across the street in the hotel district of downtown Victoria. The food was cooked to perfection and everything was fresh.

Food was decent, service was bad. Wouldnt go here again.

The staff were amazing, so personable and great with our kids. They had nice kid menus and provided coloring supplies. The food was delicious. We had such a wonderful dining experience! Dietary restrictions: Nut allergy friendly

Gorgeous place, to die for food, felt like I was on the set of mamma Mia!

Amazing place. The service was prompt and friendly. The food was extremely full of flavor.

Great authentic Greek, excellent service and great atmosphere although a bit loud

Lovely place, marred by subsequent food poisoning. We had dinner at the Ithaka, which two Americans had recommended. It was a lovely place. The service was good. I had lamb chops, which were delicious, followed by ice cream. My wife had humous and pitta bread followed by Greek salad. Later that evening at our hotel, my wife was violently sick about midnight. We can only conclude that this was due to the food. We told the restaurant the next day, privately through the booking website, but had no response from them, hence this public review.

Really a lovely place and the service and atmosphere was outstanding. I felt like the rice and potatoes along with moussaka was a bit much, but every bit of food was so good. Calamari is a must, it was tender and the tzatziki was flavorful and delicious. We will definitely be back

Ordered the most expensive thing on the menu rack of Lamb after the Waiter told me it was absolutely amazing and they couldnt get Medium rare right and the waiter said to me well its got a little pink to it.lol When you charge fifty five dollars for a rack lamb you should know how to cook it. My parents had Wraps they were dry and blend, never again overpriced Mediocre add best food.

Have been a couple of times. Cant say any more than five stars across the board. Looking forward to going back many times in the future.

Kaitlyn was professional, very kind, and attentive. Best value for your money when thinking about excellent Greek cuisine.

Wonderful restaurant. Great service. The food was amazing. And everything was pretty quick. Main and dessert come to 60 dollars with tax and tips.

Excellent service and authentic tasting Greek food that had us reminiscing about holidays in Greece and time spent by the Mediterranean. I would heartily recommend the Kontosouvli, so delicious and bursting with flavour, it is a must try.

I cant begin to say all the thing thats wrong with this place flavorless tasteless food stuck us out in a room by ourselves forgot about us for a while salt pepper and passion is not there

We have been here plenty of times and cannot emphasize how nice the ambience, service and food is here. Since we usually come in a group if 3 or 4, we always go for the platter which can serve 4 ppl. It comes with an assortment of many things (which can be gleaned from the menu with the breakdown). Its probably the best way to try some of their items including the lamb shank, spanakopita, calamari, salad, mousaka, dolmades and more! I would recommend making a reservation online (which is quick and easy to do) as this place fills up quick and is a very long wait otherwise. Overall, I highly recommend checking it out, especially if youre in the mood for Greek!

I cannot emphasize enough how special this restaurant is. Incredible service, amazing food, excellent wine. The ambience is top notch; exudes the same vibe of being on vacation. Huge shout out to Dimitri our server for making our visit so spectacular. It is very clear that his heart is with the restaurant. I can t wait to go back!

Atmosphere and service was good. I got used to have pita bread came with Greek meals. Food is not as tasty as other Greek restaurants. Dessert bougatsa and baklava portion were big enough to share among 4 of us. Baklava with packed of nuts but would prefer have more phyllo pastry layers in between. Overall is ok.

Our family loves this restaurant. We come for all family celebrations. The kids menu is great. All the food is all delicious. It s family owned and authentic. They were keto friendly for me. The service was great and the ambience lovely. Amazing Greek wines. It s our favourite restaurant in the city. Thank you for making all our family celebrations special. Kid-friendliness: Has a kids menu, colouring, and booster seats

Food is mediocre and very small portion sizes. Excellent ambiance though.

Nice vibe, good service and great food

Greetings at the door by several people, including either the owners or managers? Service exceptional as usual. Food good and quick. Did notice the Greek salad wasnt typical (for us)...made with balsamic vinegar and very little lemon and oregano. Also the moussaka could have been creamier for my hubby. Highly recommend anyway.

Good food, good service.

Food is excellent service was good

We were there to celebrate my son-in-laws birthday and this is his favourite restaurant. It s ours too when we visit so it s a win/win. John was our server and he was a true professional: attentive , friendly, informative and checked in on us on a timely fashion. Food is fresh, flavourful and satisfying. We each had something different all of which was amazing. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience.

Cute little Greek joint in DT Victoria

My new fav spot. Cant stop recommending it. Love: chicken souvlaki, chicken lemon soup, saganaki, the butter beans the potatoes!!

My favorite Greek restaurant in Victoria. Amazing service every time we go here. Nice atmosphere with greek music and decor. Wish they were open on Sunday as we would go more often. The chicken souvlaki wrap and platter are delicious. Our friend had the lamb shank and loved it.

Clean, bright restaurant. Staff and service were top notch and the food was perfect. Highly recommend.

From the time I walked in I loved it. They were fairly busy, but everyone was lovely, the food was delicious and fast, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. Comfortable, clean, and warm. I was well taken care of, with a smile on every face. Thank you.

Make sure to stop at this wonderful Greek restaurant on your next Victoria visit. Fantastic food, great service, great location. Can t ask for more. Their halloumi cheese and the humus are to die for! Loved the black olive tapenade and the grilled chicken was perfect!

The food was tasty, atmosphere nice, we are big fans of Greece and we felt like we were there for a moment. Kid-friendliness: All staff members were very kind and friendly with our 7 years old. Talking to her, making jokes, just lovely! .

This was such an amazing experience, the food was to die for, such amazing service and we had such a good time! Would definitely recommend.

Beautiful restaurant, I was very impressed with the service he was very patient and respectful. I WILL be coming back happily. There was no wait, they accommodated our 5 top, overall Fantastic restaurant I recommend. Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options you will love. Kid-friendliness: Very patient with children and the kids menu is big with lots of options for any childs taste plain foods (no sauce spaghetti) is great to have on a menu. Wheelchair accessibility: Pretty accessible, there is stairs but they just go up to more seating area, wheelchair accessible bathroom. Pretty good overall!

Very nice place. Fabulous food.

We came here with our 6.5 months old and we were so happy we did. We were considering takeout, but other reviews convinced us that it was worth a try. The staff didnt disappoint. We got a nice table, further away from the crowd and noise. Staff was super kind and helpful, and the food was delicious. Vegetarian options: There are salads and appetizers Kid-friendliness: Staff is very nice and kind to families with small children

Our best night out while visiting Victoria! We loved our delicious Greek dinner. And our host, *Big Dimitri* took amazing care of us! He welcomed us like family, was so warm & professional, and shared all about the history of the restaurant. We loved our meals- lamb shank, Greek ribs, chicken souvlaki- and dessert! Great gluten free options- I had the chicken souvlaki meal, rice, potatoes, and veggies. And the dolmades for an appetizer. The menu was clearly labelled with lots of gluten free options. Kids menu as well, and our kids enjoyed it & were treated extra special by staff!

Had the saganaki and calamari to start both generous portions and delicious. My bf had the moussaka and i had the chicken souvlaki. Both generous portions, well seasoned and chicken wasn t overcooked. Service was incredible and nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back here again

We love this place so much! The staff is always so friendly and the food is amazing. We were so impressed with the service during our last visit - they went above and beyond to ensure we had a good experience :) The ekmek for dessert is a must!!

Food was delicious. Great service. Love it. % recommended

Turnips were fantastic! Wife loves turnips!

We came by on a Saturday afternoon just after 5 pm and the place was already packed! While we did not have a reservation, they were very accommodating and were able to seat us. We were a party of 8 and we were fine with splitting up so they can accommodate us for an early dinner. The food was very delicious. Every piece of the calamari was crispy. We really enjoyed the baklava for dessert as well. The restaurant can be a bit loud too but it was very happening. Kid-friendliness: The manager came by with magic tricks for the kids!

I ve dined in 3 times with my partner since November under his recommendation. The service has always been lovely (shout out to the male waiter always filling up our water with a smile, and the tall male waiter who tells jokes and remembers their guests) the atmosphere is beautiful and we re inviting our friends and family to join us as well. The food is AMAZING and one of the best places in town. On Friday March 29th around 8 pm, something went wrong in the restaurant (not sure what it was) and we waited a very long time for our food, similar to other patrons that evening. When we got our food, it was good, but not mouth watering delicious and the top standard of Ithaka like all the other times. As an apology for the wait, we were offered complimentary dessert, which was delicious when we ate it at home. I wanted to emphasize the amount of care and service from the restaurant staff even on a busy day when something wasn t right. It was greatly appreciated. We ll be coming back in the future for the quality of Ithaka that we ve experienced every other time.

Unfortunately, for a lack of better words, dining here was very mid. Like another reviewer Cheryl F. stated, I too ordered the garlic prawn dinner and the portion was very small. No greek salad or pita came with the meal like I m used to at other greek restaurants. I decided to order these missing pieces of my meal only to be disappointed. The pita bread tasted bland as all hell, and yes, yet again, they were in super tiny triangles. I ve had better prepackaged pita from Superstore, and that says a lot. The greek salad was okay, a bit bland as well for my liking. My brother s lamb souvlaki looked very mid as well. This restaurant really skimps on the protein, as there was not very much lamb on his plate. I ve never seen my brother eat a meal so fast, the portions are that small. The three stars of this review come from the great service. Despite how busy it was during the dinner rush on a Saturday night on Easter weekend, service was reasonably prompt, classy, and had great attention to detail. I often hear, people tend to go back to a restaurant with great service but poor/average food and I think that saying has a lot of merit. It makes me understand why tonight was so busy and why this restaurant is held at a pretty high calibre. But as far as the food goes, and the PRICE, skip this one out.

Ok this is not the Ithaka I was expecting, it s a really really posh restaurant now. Not like how it was on jhonson at cook. Amazing service and food, would recommend!

Great ambiance, super service from Peter and a hearty-delicious meal for my husband s birthday. I know I chose the best restaurant for the occasion. We will come back when sunroom is open again

Too loud for me in that big open space but lovely food and service.

Lovely place , lovely service , lovely ambiance! We did make a reservation to avoid any surprises. But they do have a big place. Loved our orders - zorba dinner, lamb shank, pita wrap - gyro, cocktails and the dessert. We stayed close to this place and hence didn t worry about parking. Definitely a must visit in my words.

Delicious food and very authentic! The service was friendly the atmosphere inviting! Oh, and you don t want to skip the dessert :-) Dietary restrictions: Gluten Allergy

Overpriced sausage appetizer that tastes like grocery store food, nothing special. My G&T was made with soda water, not tonic. Bland, lacking garlic, onions and oregano that youd expect in Greek food.

We had delicious food, served by amazing people. The night was incredible! Authentic Greek. Yianni was on top of it and there at any slight need! Our waiter John was very attentive and friendly . We will definitely return. Food : 5/5

I have been to Ithaka twice now with workmates. The food is always great, the atmosphere is lovely, and the spacing of the tables is fantastic. You are not sitting on a strangers lap. The staff are friendly and attentive. Love it.

Enjoyed our spanokopita and souvlaki meals at Ithika restaurant. Great food, good service, and reasonable prices in a lovely space. A Victoria treasure!

Having just visited Greek recently, Ithaka really brought me back. The ambience, the decor made me feel like I was in the small streets at Mykonos. It was a busy night but the host was able to get us a table pretty quickly, he said there was a big party and service may be slow and even apologized in advance. The servers werent slow at all and was attentive all night, but just saying that made me more patient. Book in advance if you go. Ordered the lambshank and it was so tender, so flavourful, it just melts in your mouth. Add that with the perfectly cooked rice and potatoes, it was one of the best Greek meals on the island.

Amazing food! Service was outstanding.

I d been to this restaurant about 3 years ago and really enjoyed it. My husband and I decided to have dinner here in our recent trip based on my past experience. Unfortunately things had changes. We were seated in a noisy area with a group of 6 men which wasn t ideal given there was lots of seating available. We ordered hummus and pita to start and it was good. We decided to split a prawn souvlaki dinner as portion sizes before were large. We were very disappointed. The meal had two prawn skewers but the portion of rice, potatoes and veggies were very small. The meal did not include Greek salad or pita which we have always had included. We shared with the waitress our disappointment and were told people had complained there used to be too much food so they cut back their portion sizes. In response we said you likely didn t reduce your price when you did that and she said no they hadn t. At $35 for the meal it wasn t worth the price and we wouldn t be going back. We appreciate your response Dimitri but there is no confusion on our part with regards to having been at this restaurant twice, once about 3 years ago and once last week. The food quality was good, the portion size in our opinion was underwhelming for the price. Thank you.

Shared a meal with friends last nite and the food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. Its been sometime since Ive enjoyed a meal so much and our waiter was wonderful! Looking forward to going back.

First time at the restaurant. Our server Kaitlyn was fantastic. She recommended the lamb chops, some of the best I ve ever had. Fabulous dessert, great service, beautiful restaurant. Manager came by to check on our meal. I recommend this restaurant to everyone who likes Greek food. Warm, comforting as if you re being invited into an old friends home for dinner. I ll be back for sure.

My new favourite restaurant! The staff are so friendly and the food is amazing. 10/10 would highly recommend to anyone looking for authentic Greek food in the city.

Wonderful dinner. Dimitri was exceptional. Thank you for the wonderful meal. Dietary restrictions: Told of a mushroom allergy. They checked to make sure no mushrooms. Food : 5/5 |

We have come to Ithaka many times, and this was the first time there was an issue with one of the meals. The staff were very understanding and helpful, and quickly replaced my meal with a very delicious Greek Ragu they had on special. As always, very delicious and we will be back! :)

Amazing friendly service, wonderful atmosphere, and food to die for. I will definitely be back, cant wait until my next chance to go. Im getting hungry right now just thinking about it...

Fantastic meal and amazing waitress. The atmosphere is lively and a great spot for a date night or outing with friends.

Really cute spot. Loved the vibe inside. The food was really good as well, albeit a bit pricey.

We had a sleeping baby in a stroller during our visit. The restaurant was so accommodating and the food was amazing. Highly recommend if you are in the area. I had the moussaka and it was

leaving an honest and fair review: Pros: -Great customer service and welcoming staff -Outstanding atmosphere and superb cleanliness Cons: -Didn t see any outstanding food -Small portions -Pricey considering the portions Not Recommended!

You just cant be this place, every visit is perfect. Well done Ithaka.

Had a great experience here from the food to the service for a special occasion this week. You will actually feel well taken care of when you dine here.

Great food, great service,fair prices. Really great service.

My partner and I came for Valentines Day. Our server was very kind, funny and attentive. Despite how busy it was, he took the time to make great recommendations and told us everything about the wine flight my partner has chosen. We had a great time and will definitely be back!

Amazing food, service and the look and feel of the restaurant is beautiful! Great place!

Good food, good service, Noisy environment.

I hate when the sign says Open but the restaurant is closed. Don t do that! The owner has commented on my review, so here is an update. WE DINED before in this restaurant. The food was good, the place was nice, the service was all right. But given the owners attitude towards customers, I will never dine there again. And I stand by my two stars.

Service was impeccable. Food was delicious. Wine was crisp. Their Ekmek is to die for. A little loud, but thats classic for a Greek Restaurant. Highly recommend.

I recently visited Ithaka and had a mixed experience. The food was fantastic, with appetizers that truly impressed. However, the service fell short of expectations. We encountered delays in receiving small plates, and despite requesting salt and pepper, it never made its way to our table. The real letdown came when we waited over 10 minutes for a dessert menu, ultimately deciding to skip it and settle the bill. While the culinary offerings are commendable, the service glitches need attention. I hope the restaurant addresses these issues for a more seamless dining experience in the future.

Super tasty, quick service despite being full and lovely staff!

Very good! Just a little sad .they took off the cream caramel dessert Food

We visited Ithaka during a vacation to Victoria after hearing about their recent award wins. After a visit, we can see why they won. We were welcomed in immediately upon our arrival by the hostess and the owner. Our server Kaitlyn was so friendly and professional, as were the rest of the staff. The food was delicious, with the chicken souvlaki, beef souvlaki, lemon potatoes and saganaki flambé being standouts. The atmosphere was warm and vibrant, with traditional Greek music playing throughout and beautiful decor everywhere you looked. I would highly recommend Ithaka to anyone in Victoria, whether living there or visiting!

This is a wonderful restaurant with the kindest people! Absolutely love Ithaka! Their food is delicious, eat in or take out. A gem.

Wheelchair accessibility: It has no wheelchair access at all. Food

What a wonderful dinning experience! From the warm greeting upon arriving, to lovely decor, great food and amazing service. Our waiter, Dave was so helpful, charming, experienced and graciously tolerated my attempts at humor! Thanks Dave!

My first visit at Ithaka and it was really great experience with Greek food. It s a beautiful restaurant with great service and food.

Amazing food and service! Best Greek food in Victoria.

Our first trip to Victoria, and we found this Greek restaurant across the street from our hotel. The building was intriguing, as it looks like a windmill. The staff was very efficient and helpful when we made our selections. The wine menu is extensive, including wines from Greece and California. Portions are generous as well offering 6 oz., 9 oz, or full bottle. In addition to wine, beer and cocktails are available. The food options ate what one might expect at a full service Greek restaurant. If you want authentic Greek food, this is your place.

Lamb shank melts in the mouth

Great atmosphere, great food. We had a wonderfull evening.

The best Greek food in B.C! When you first walk in place the smell of the food will make your mouth water. Every dish was fantastic and service was great! We saw the Greek ladies in the kitchen making the food this makes me so happy to know its true Greek recipes. Highly recommend! Make a reservation as it will be very busy. Some of the best Greek food in BC honestly! The Kalamari is true proper greek style so tender, so tasty full of flavor ,so delicious. Best Greek food ever in Canada.

We went here on a whim seeking some lighter fare after a few prior heavy meals and were completely blown away. The food was incredible throughout, but the highlights were the Lemon Drop and the Tiramisu.

We enjoyed fantastic food, great service from Dave and a most enjoyable evening dining at this restaurant. I would definitely recommend. Food

It was ok.

Had the lamb slovaki 3 little pieces of potatoes. Servings was so small. It was just like a food fair food

Was excited to try this place. But we waited 15-20 mins for our order to be taken after flagging down several workers to inform our server. Very slow service, even when waiting for our bill, he kept messing it up and it took way longer than it should have. Was not apologetic at all. Food was OK. Wasn t great - we all thought the lamb shank was very bland. Meatballs on the more dry side.

Our first time experience at Ithaka was fabulous. We will definitely be back to enjoy the ambience, service and food quality. George runs an excellent team of over 20 staff that were visible !!!

Food was good, the people here are nice

Amazing place to have a lunch or dinner. Space for large groups and they delivered excellent service. Food is as authentic as you can get. Unforgettable experience. Top quality Vegetarian options: Lots Kid-friendliness: Very friendly

Stopped for supper and was not disappointed. From the minute we arrived, the service was great. The food was delicious, and our waiter (Dave) was really good. For dessert you should try the Ekmek.

A special experience, great food, atmosphere, and staff. Highlight of our trip to Victoria. Will be a must visit from now on. They cook their lamb perfectly.

Delicious food. Recommended!

Highly recommend! Excellent food and very positive and attentive staff!

Staff were very friendly, helpful and attentive (Ryan and DK especially, who served us). Food was very tasty and felt home-cooked. Portion sizes were good! We ll be back for sure when visiting Victoria again :)

One of my favourite restaurants in Victoria.

I had to try this place after reading the entertaining reviews. Its much larger than it looks outside, very nice and clean nice decor. The service was amazing, not sure who complained about that, it was very fast and courteous. The food was good and portions were good size, I also dont know why people complained about that. It was a solid place to go for good Greek. Its a bit on the pricey side but honestly so is food in general. Definitely recommend.

Outstanding food, incredible service, and a beautiful environment! If I could give this restaurant more than five stars I would. Already looking forward to our next visit.

We had a delicious dinner here and I highly recommend Ithaka. The restaurant has elevated, quintessential white and blue Greek decor. I love Greek food to begin with but I was blown away by each course and the experience as a whole. We had the saganaki flambe and salad for starters, both of which were very satisfying. Moussaka and gyro for mains. The portions were generous and the moussaka was especially rich in flavor. I had never heard of ekmek, but we tried it for dessert and I havent stopped thinking about it since. Its seriously goooood. The servers were warm and took great care of us (especially Ryan, thank you!)

Came to Victoria for a spontaneous family weekend. Saw Ithaka across the street from our hotel. Looked at reviews and I was left excited to try the place. Ended up ordering food for pick up since we were still full from our Tea at the Empress. We ordered Chicken Pita (no onions and add feta) with Greek Fries, a bowl of Avgolemono, kids meat spaghetti, kids chicken alfredo, and the Ekmek for dessert. Went to restaurant early to check it out while I waited for the food. Service was excellent. The people at the bar and managers were super nice. Mind you it was close to their closing time when I got there. Had a glass of beer and was told of other great local breweries to try. Im in our hotel room now and literally just bites into my food and kids too, and i had to leave a review while its fresh in my mind. All of it are delicious! Havent tried the Ekmek yet but so far everything is good! So far our first visit in Victoria has been impressive. Will definitely come again!

We had a couple of drinks and shared a very large appetizer platter for two. It was all delicious!

Had a dinner with some relatives, both they and us were visiting from out of town. We had high expectations. I am only reviewing at it pertains to my own meal. I had the Kleftiko , the roast lamb shanks. I realize that it is a bit of a trick to serve something that is slow roasted and held to be able to serve a la minute, but the lamb was was very dry even with the gravy. I will not say it tasted bad, the tenderness was there, it was just ok, but nothing out of the ordinary. It be noted that for the cost I think I shouldnt feel picky for expecting more. The service was as expected, but typical for a restaurant. The interior is acceptable, but I didnt go expecting a once in a lifetime experience, the atmosphere in other words is much like many other restaurants. They did accomodate a group of 4 on fairly short notice. I am not sure If I would or wouldnt go back if I was visiting again.

Really nice experience. Really nice host and the rest of the staff, lots of vegan options. A good place to grab food with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Exceeded expectations in all regards. Pretty awesome.

Delicious food and good service! Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free adjustments possible

Great food, service and atmosphere. Definitely expensive compared to other Greek places but at least it is justified here. Portions were a tad small. Its the first time in my life Ive ever left a Greek restaurant still a bit hungry.

Ithaka is always incredible. The food is phenomenal, the atmosphere and experience are second to none. The service can at times be a little slow, but I will say that the servers are always extremely personable and that going here is an experience. So, if you expect them to rush, rush, rush, maybe this isnt the place for you. You are definitely well taken care of, but expect to sit, relax, and soak up the experience. I love this place and will be back again and again.

It was a really great evening. We went as a party of ten and the service was attentive and all our food was hot and perfectly timed. Food was really great, especially recommend the Saganaki Flambe.

Dinner 10/27 Hi, I wanted to like this restaurant and some aspects were good but for the most part it did not live up to it 4.5 star rating. I ordered the white sangria, listed on the menu as white wine, Cointreau, peach and mango. I got white wine with Cointreau and a bunch of oranges in a glass. I would have never gotten this drink knowing it would be filled with oranges, orange liqueur is ok but oranges are way to hard on me. My husband drank it but they need to explain what the drink actually is on the menu so you can make an informed decision. Our server did not seem concerned when I mentioned it so I just ordered another drink and moved on. We ordered 3 appetizers, olive tempanade and pita (excellent) Keftedes (excellent) and Kalamari (too oily we had to leave some behind as it was overwhelming oily) For our mains my husband got the lamb shank (not much seasoning so very little flavour) I had moussaka (top was very burnt, underneath was tasty) rice for both of our dinners was under cooked and tasteless with raw rice kernels mixed in. Potatoes were tasty but did not taste like Greek potatoes at all. We could have complained but the place was already having issues with a guest trying hard to get the bathroom before vomiting all over the floor but failing miserably and vomiting all over the floor. Dinner and a show lol, not the ambience I was hoping for. Maybe we hit a bad night or maybe it was because our reservations were at 7:45pm and they were closing at 9:30pm, I dont know. But we are not willing to go back and find out. Staff were great, restaurant was clean and please remember this was our experience and I am telling our story. I hope everyone else has a great experience with Ithaka.

Very Good restaurant.

We visited in early October for our wedding anniversary and were served by Kaitlyn. She was so friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurants menu, and we could not have had a better guide to Ithakas impressive variety of imported wine offerings. We got wine and an appetizer platter to share, and everything was just as great as we remembered from our last visit. Well be back for sure.

My wife and I make every effort to go to the restaurant as much as we can, and it is always a fantastic experience with the best food in town. Dimitri is always a pleasure to chat with which adds to the experience.!

A good place to taste Greek style food, very delicious chicken and rice, good music and atmosphere

Wow. I cant say enough kind works about this location. Stopped her for dinner before seeing a show at the Royal Theater which was definitely the right decision. The food was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the lamb shank. It was my first time having lamb and it was 100% the right call. Also I recommend trying the Greek Wine Flight if you are wanting to try more wine varieties.

Best restaurant ever!! Please go there if you can!!! The food, service, atmosphere were amazing!

Thank you Ryan and Dimitri! generous portions, lovely staff, excellent

Goodness, this place is memorable. The atmosphere was wonderful and every staff member friendly and welcoming. The lamb souvlaki was perfection.

Wheres the beef? No beef souvlaki on the menu. I was looking forward to a nice beef souvlaki - nope. I asked for if the beef/lamb pita could just be beef - nope. Chicken pita was pretty good as an alternative choice. Chicken souvlaki - only 1 skewer for the dinner plate. The chicken was moist and juicy in both meals. Authentic Greek salad - nice light dressing. The calamari was basic. No pita served to the table. After hearing how good this place was supposed to be, we were disappointed. Very expensive bottles of wine. $8.99 in the BCLD $40 there.

My husband and I had a hankering for Greek cuisine, so we booked a table at Ithaka. We received a warm personal welcome that immediately made us feel at home. Our server excelled in explaining the menu, recommending fan favorites. We savored crispy and fresh calamari, a standout dish. The trio of dips (olive tapenade, tzatziki, & houmous) impressed with their freshness and nuanced flavors. The houmous, in particular, had a delightful texture and lightly seasoned taste. The pitas complemented the dips well, offering a soft base. For our main course, we opted for chicken souvlaki and Zorbas Dinner with a substitution of lamb instead of chicken. The portions were spot-on, striking a perfect balance between protein, starch, and vegetables. Unlike relying on rice to fill up, the ample meat and vegetables left us satisfied. To cap off our delightful meal, we indulged in the baklava, which also proved to be a delicious finale. We will unquestionably return on our next visit to Victoria and enthusiastically recommend Ithaka to everyone. Our heartfelt thanks to Ithaka for the exceptional service this place truly exceeded our expectations!

We had a fabulous celebratory dinner here. The service was amazing - thanks Peter! Over the years Ithakas has been so consistently good.

What a great restaurant! Good food, nice staff, and nice atmosphere

Large party, and we had the large platter to share Everything excellent I had never had mousaka.It was one of the best things I have ever ate.Ive tried to replicate it twice. No luck! I obsess about it.it was .divine!

The best Greek restaurant ever hands down. I have been visiting this restaurant since 2015 (when they were at their old location) everytime I visit Victoria, I make a point to dine here at least once. Food is always amazing quality and the service is also very friendly

Had a very special birthday dinner here with my partner. The food, service, and atmosphere was all first class! Such a warm welcoming owner who greeted us at the door. Our server Caitlyn, was super knowledge and helped us go through the incredible selection of Greek wines, I ended up having Retsina, it was delicious. The vegetarian options were great and the saganaki was a perfect starter. Overall one of the best dining experiences we had on our Victoria trip. Will be back next time :) Vegetarian options: Vegetarian platter was delicious and filling!

I haven t been here since before the pandemic which is when it was located blocks away from the pandora McDonald s (sorry only way I can reference as I don t remember the old cross street. I m not from Victoria) The food quality is still as great as I remembered. Although I do miss seeing the brothers that owned it playing thier guitars and yelling OPA during the dininging experience, it was still a very enjoyable experience overall. The restaurant is well kept and comfortable to enjoy a long meal with friends and family Personally feel this is the best Greek restaurant you can find anywhere on the island

Food was kind of okay. Had better souvlaki in the past. Service and ambience was spot on.