Hellenika at The Calile
Three of us had lunch and it was the first time that any of the trio had been to Hellenika. The setting was outstanding and we found it not difficult to fathom why this restaurant had recently been named at the best in dining in Brisbane. We did not want to work through trying to make decisions on all of the individual dishes in the various courses and opted for the Banquet, Classic style, priced at $85 per person. The lovely waitress informed us that it was a great deal and that we would leave with zero room, basically, left for any more food. After a cocktail and then into the wine from an unbelievably comprehensive list, the dishes started coming out. Yes, the place is expensive, but the tastes experienced more than make up for any wondering about value for money. If you want the best, from the most amazingly creative chefs in the city, Hellenika provides the absolute best and the share plates are prepared with class and just utter desirability. It was true about the amounts given; they did not disappoint. When the second last dish came out, the three of us looked at it knowing full well that we could not even begin to partake. No problem. Hellenika provides takeaway containers and places all leftover into microwavable containers. So on the day after, we did partake! The leftovers were wonderful. Tender lamb, potatoes to die for, and staff even packaged the uneaten salad to make it a total hit. Can't say enough about this fabulous restaurant.
We had our staff party at Hellenika this week. After reading many negative reviews, we were a bit hesitant to book this restaurant, but thought we'd give a go and make up our own minds. The food was great, the wait staff (in particular Lizzy) were on point, the whole place had a lovely vibe and the actual decor of the restaurant was beautiful. When we arrived, we were seated at one of the outside tables. As nice as it was near the pool, it was a bit hot (35 deg heat), so we asked if there were any tables inside in the airconditioning. Not a problem at all ... we were quickly seated in the cool. Our lovely waitress, Lizzy, approached us promptly, introduced herself and really looked after us for the duration of our stay (approximately 3.5 hours). I would gladly recommend this restaurant for a casual day gathering. It was absolutely perfect for us and I can't wait to dine there at night with just my husband :) Well done guys!!
Very slow on initial drinks service - 30 minutes for group of 7 all to have a drink... but remainder of meal was good.
It is the ambiance that wins.. The food is very good but not exceptional but i would still recommend and return
This was our third visit to Hellenika and took some international visitors for a weekend brunch - friends who love good food and beautiful places. We were so disappointed about the overall experience. Compared to our dinner and lunch visits, the service was terrible - we were practically forgotten or over-serviced, never anywhere in-between. The food was overpriced although delicious and beautifully presented - $36 for a breakfast dish of sardines?!! Even getting the bill paid took an age. I'd hoped our guests - who travel widely - would come away raving about the experience, but alas no. We have loved the food on every visit but consistency across service needs to be addressed - there always seem to be plenty of staff but no-one who seems to be able to serve you.
The food was fabulous and staff wonderful
Poor understanding of gluten free, too noisy, overpriced food
Just too hot. No A/c
Scollop Mains overpriced at$24 for eight.
Dip was great.
In all portions were too small.
Noisy venue inside
Beautiful outlook
Amazing ambience
Friendly & helpful staff
Our favorite xx
Enjoyed the Classic banquet with 2 friends. Food was very good, nice mix of dishes and lots of it! Wine list excellent and great advice from the Sommelier.
The food was excellent and just kept coming out! Exceptional value for money with a set menu that let us explore a number of different flavours. Lovely service as well.
Hellenika is an outstanding restaurant. The food is wonderful and the service matches it. The wine list is excellent and the overall mood and feel is great. I highly recommend it.
Hellenika in Brisbane ticked all the boxes when it comes to fine dining. The food was spectacular, timely, and generous. Our service was second to none. We were never left wanting for anything. We cant wait to go back.
Best table. Lamb that cut like butter. A balmy night with a table by the pool. Couldn’t get any better!
Loved the ambience, neutral design tones and attentive wait staff. Can't wait to go back.
Celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary and had a very pleasant and friendly experience. I much appreciated out waitress suggestion of share platters and portion sizes as it allowed us to experience more dishes and the great food.
We had a wonderful lunch. Love the zucchini chips, dips and roast lamb. We tried wine by the glass. Everybody enjoyed their selected wine. Definitely be back.
Faultless.
From the moment you step out of the lift to when you step back in the lift to leave it was amazing. The service and friendliness of the staff was outstanding. The waiters certainly know their stuff about the restaurant and happy to engage in conversation, making you feel like you’ve been there before. The food sensational, great wine. We’ve already booked to bring some close friends to share the experience. Thank you so much for a great afternoon. Natalie & Mike 😎
We loved it but will not do the 'big group' again, because you cannot appreciate the food experience when you are 'effectively tasting only' because we decided to share everything!
Beautiful lunch, great food, service and atmosphere
I would not return at lunchtime on a summer weekend.
The noise level was through the roof and we could hardly have a conversation.
Food came extremely quickly but not spaced out enough to fully enjoy each dish.
Waiter asked for a tip which put us off -would have got more had he not asked!
The venue is amazing, on balance the food, cocktails and wine list are great but the service has been a let down every time we have visited. The staff appear to be inexperienced, lack initiative and awareness of their surroundings, don’t communicate with each other, don’t have hospitable personalities and need to learn how to be fluid and think outside the box. I’ll still return as I love it there and love Hellenika as a restaurant both on the GC and Brisbane. I just hope reviews like this will help in the recruitment, training and education of the staff. Examples include, not making eye contact with guests, guests having to call out for assistance, guests having to walk into the main bar to ask for service, staff openly criticising each other, walking past things on the ground like towels and napkins, not ensuring our table was cleaned and we had enough water glasses, cutlery, plates etc. The staff seemed to fumble their way through rather than running like a well oiled machine. Happy to come back anonymously and give a manager live feedback on the spot. There’s so much potential for this beautiful place.
We really enjoyed our experience at Hellenika. The food was outstanding the staff were very attentive and the restaurant is incredible beautiful. I’m looking forward to going again and will definitely recommend Hellenika to everyone.
Super attentive & helpful staff. Great recommendations on both food and wine. The inside table was perfect to catch up with a group of friends for a relaxed dinner.
Organised a dinner to take out a client. The food and venue was great. The staff were courteous and helpful.
Great, friendly staff, excellent food, great wine list, funky modern venue. We love Hellenika!
The waiter that served us was a bit disheveled in appearance. His pink jacket was quite dirty and seemed a bit aloof. Also one of our meals didn’t come out and we had finished everything else so we told him to leave it as we had eaten everything else but he then arrived with it. He had obviously forgotten it and he also didn’t check in with us to see if we had our whole order.
Apart from that the restaurant is amazing. We are locals and come often and have on the other occasions had no complaints. The girls at the front desk took extra time and effort to make sure we had a great photo which was also very nice of them.
Very friendly service. Delicious food. Sat inside so ambience wasn’t great (pool side would’ve been better). Ordered the Superior Banquet which was more than enough food and came out at a good pace, but had to wait more than 30 min for dessert to come out after the main. Definitely recommended.
On my arrival at the frondesk I needed to wait for the receptionist to finish speaking on the phone. She did not signal me or acknowledgement my existence in any way. After awhile I left to find my friends. Enroute I was hurriedly passed by the same receptionist who did not stop to apologise or acknowledge me. I found my friends and met our table waitress. She was lovely. She was very helpful and we were very very happy withn her service. Unfortunately her shift ended before our meal did and we were given another waiter who was very inattentive. We ordered a salad with our meal. It didn't come. Our waitress acknowledged that and apologised and said it wouldn't be on the bill and it wasn't. It would have been nice to have had the salad though. After the meal my friend ordered a cocktail. It took ages to come and when it did our waiter hovered waiting for her to finsih because he wanted us to leave. We may have left earlier but we for the late arrival of the cocktail. After hovering a few times I suggested he could bring the account. I paid the account and shortly after we prepared to leave. As we were standing at our table collecting bags etc and saying farewell to each other this waiter was hovering with his chux superwipe ready to clean the table. This was a very unpleasant end and really quite tacky for this calibre of restaurant. We won't be returning.
Lovely service and beautiful restaurant, the food was ok but we weren't wowed as much to warrant a return visit.
Great service - our table had another booking but the waitstaff moved them so we could stay longer and enjoy our lunch. Very much appreciated.
I loved the food but was not impressed with our waitresses jacket which was dirty....food or something stains on the front which I didn't think was a good look and ours would have been one of the first sittings for lunch. I don't particularly like the pink jackets, not sure why?
Good fun place. Excellent food. Some quite different dishes. We had the $30 prawn :-) We passed on the $380 lobster though :-)
The food and service was amazing. We couldn't stop eating!
It’s our second time to Hellenika
This time in a booth by pool what a delightful evening we had with friends
Seemed not as noisy as other areas and cooler by the pool, lovely ambience
We had good service although our first drinks took a bit of time to come
Food is still fabulously fresh and delicious and very enjoyable to eat
Good selection for a variety of tastes
Loved the grilled calamari & the Spanakopita and lamb shoulder
Our wait staff we’re friendly and on the ball
My new favourite restaurant
When you’re asking about wine and the waiter says: “I don’t know... wine’s wine.”
Yep, that happened.
The banquet food was amazing and the very good value for money. The staff were very attentive and polite but the time between banquet courses was a little too long.
Great food, however not the service we have come to enjoy at Hellenika as regular patrons. We booked a large table for 7 to celebrate a special occasion. Whilst the food was great and the main waiter was attentive, the ladies who served the food did so with a sullen expression and showed no emotion when asking for basic things like a candle to light up the table in the dark. Not sure I want to dine here again, especially with large groups.
Beautiful restaurant, overall the food was a let down on this occasion, which was disappointing as it hadn’t been previously when I’d dined there. Service was very good when we received it but we did wait 20 minutes to have our drink order taken after we flagged the waiter and ask him to take the order. Good atmosphere, lovely decor but a bit on he noisy side.
Lovely lunch with my Mother and Brother, perfect location, helpful staff who added to the overall experience.
Excellent food excellent service. The venue is a tad to noisy given the outdoor bar located so close to the restaurant. Great tapas menu