A Greek Spin on the Sunday Roast at Simply Greek
There are Sundays when you want tradition, the comforting pull of a roast dinner, the ritual of gathering, the familiar flavours of gravy and potatoes. And then there are Sundays when you want something different, something that takes you out of Edinburgh’s drizzle and drops you straight into the sunshine of the Mediterranean. Last Sunday, myself and my bestie found exactly that at Simply Greek, a hidden gem tucked opposite the Edinburgh Playhouse.
It’s the kind of place that makes you stop in your tracks. The interior is dressed in blue and white, with bright pink bougainvillea tumbling across the ceiling and walls, instantly evoking the dreamy streets of Plaka in Athens. As a mega lover of all things Greek, and someone who has taken Athens firmly into my heart, walking into Simply Greek felt like stepping back into those winding lanes, where tavernas spill onto cobbled streets and every corner hums with life.
Pre- or Post-Theatre Scran
Location matters, and Simply Greek has nailed it. Sitting directly opposite the Playhouse, it’s the perfect spot for pre-theatre dining in Edinburgh or a post-show feast. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, with staff who greet you like old friends. There’s a sense of hospitality here that feels authentically Greek - warm, generous, and unpretentious.
A Greek Spin on the Sunday Roast
The concept is clever: take the British institution of the Sunday roast and give it a Greek makeover. Instead of heavy gravy and Yorkshire puddings, you’re treated to mezze, dips, and a dish of the day, all designed for sharing and savouring. It’s hearty enough to satisfy, but lighter, fresher, and bursting with flavour.
Simply Greek’s Sunday Table is made for sharing. £28 per person, you choose a dip and a mezze which is served with pita and then there is a main dish of the day.
The Dips: Four Ways to Begin
Every Greek meal begins with dips, and Simply Greek offers four classics, each served with warm pita:
• Tzatziki – cooling yoghurt with cucumber and garlic, fresh and zingy, the perfect palate cleanser.
• Tirokafteri – a fiery feta dip blended with chilli, creamy with a kick that wakes up your taste buds.
• Fava – silky smooth yellow split pea purée, earthy and comforting, a staple of Santorini.
• Melitzanosalata – smoky aubergine dip with olive oil and lemon, rich, velvety, and deeply satisfying.
We opted for the tzatziki and the fava, and it was everything you want from this classic: bright, garlicky, and refreshing, with just the right balance of tang and creaminess. The fava dip was silky-smooth and gently flavoured with olive oil and lemon, offering a warm, earthy comfort that felt both rustic and refined.
Mezze Magic
The mezze menu is a parade of temptation. Choices include:
• Piperia me feta – roasted peppers with feta, sweet and salty in perfect harmony.
• Halloumi fries – golden, squeaky bites of indulgence.
• Keftedakia – juicy Greek meatballs, herby and tender.
• Gigantes plaki – butter beans in tomato sauce, rustic and hearty.
• Dakos – Cretan bruschetta with tomato and feta, crunchy and fresh.
• Courgette chips – crisp, light, and addictive.
• Saganaki – fried cheese heaven, golden and gooey.
We chose keftedakia and dakos, and they were spot on. The meatballs were tender, packed with herbs, and comforting in that way only Greek food can be. The dakos was a burst of freshness, crunchy bread topped with ripe tomato and creamy feta, a bite that transported me straight back to a sunny square in Crete.
Dish of the Day
The final flourish was the dish of the day: chicken and chips. Simple, yes, but elevated with Greek seasoning and crisp golden fries. It tied the whole meal together, comfort food with a Mediterranean soul.
Drinks to Match the Feast
No Greek meal is complete without something delicious to sip, and Simply Greek’s drinks menu is a joy in itself. Wine lovers will be delighted by bottles like the Dafnios Liatiko from Crete, a red that bursts with sun-dried cherries, a whisper of cinnamon, and dried herbs; complex yet easy-drinking, the kind of glass that instantly transports you to a vineyard basking in Mediterranean sunshine. If you’re keeping it soft, go for a Loux Cherry, a fizzy Greek favourite that’s sweet, refreshing, and nostalgic for anyone who’s wandered through Athens’ kiosks. And for those chasing something truly authentic, order a cocktail built around mastiha, the resin spirit unique to Chios. Their Metaxa Apple Sour is a standout - fruity, aromatic, and unmistakably Greek, the perfect way to round off your Sunday feast.
Dining at Simply Greek isn’t just about the food. It’s about the feeling. The décor, with its blue and white palette and bougainvillea blooms, creates a dreamy escape in the heart of Edinburgh. It’s authentic without being kitsch, stylish without being sterile. For me, it was incredibly moving, like being transported back to Athens, to the bustling streets of Plaka, where every meal feels like a celebration.
Simply Greek’s Sunday roast isn’t about replacing the British classic, it’s about celebrating it through a Greek lens. For those who love the ritual of a roast but crave something different, this is a refreshing, flavour-packed alternative. It’s a clever way of bridging cultures, and it makes Sunday in Edinburgh feel just a little sunnier.
As someone who adores Greece, this meal was more than food, it was a memory, a connection, a reminder of why I fell in love with Athens in the first place. Dining here felt authentic, heartfelt, and joyous.
So next time you’re heading to the Playhouse, skip the predictable pub grub and let Simply Greek whisk you away. Order the dips, share the mezze, savour the dish of the day, and let yourself be transported. Edinburgh may be home, but for a few hours on a Sunday, you’ll find yourself in Monastiraki.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT SIMPLY GREEK
They cater for vegans and vegetarians
They are disabled accessible with a ramp at the front door
They are not dog friendly
There is ample paid for parking
Sunday Table costs £28pp
Simply Greek, 8 Union Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LU www.simplygreekedinburgh.com
My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10
I was invited by Simply Greek to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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