The Mediterranean has made itself at home on the Gold Coast with the opening of Meltemi Mediterrania, a new 120-seat restaurant in Broadbeach led by a hatted chef and inspired by the flavours of coastal Europe and beyond.
Opened on October 24, the restaurant takes its name from the warm summer winds that sweep across the Aegean and channels that same energy into its menu, which stretches from Spain and Morocco to Sardinia, Lebanon and Turkey, with a few family recipes from the Greek island of Kastellorizo woven in.
Vibe: Modern Mediterranean with the warmth and ease of a golden coastal evening.
Menu Highlights: Kefalograviera Saganaki, Tasmanian Spanish Oysters, Turkish Wagyu Kofte, Tajine Maazi and Nick the Greek (Cocktail)
Cost: $65 – $150pp for a full meal + a drink.
Dietary Considerations: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options available.
The Team
Behind the project are Dino and Kate Georgakopoulos, the husband-and-wife team behind Xenia Grill at Main Beach and Coolangatta. Designed by Space Cubed Design Studio, the space nods to its namesake with soft curves, layered textures and a calm, coastal palette.
A wraparound bar, flowing curtains and rounded light fittings set the tone inside, while the alfresco area – dotted with an olive tree and citrus plants – is sheltered year-round by a frosted roof.
Dino, who was an engineer before retraining as a chef, says the restaurant will take diners on a journey from downtown Broadbeach to Europe. “We want people to feel like they’re sitting overlooking the Mediterranean, as a gentle breeze blows over them,” he says.
In the kitchen, hatted chef Tapos Singha (ex-Miss Moneypenny’s, est, Gowings Bar & Grill) has put together a Mediterranean-inspired menu centred on the rotisserie. Diners can watch skewers of New England lamb and Queensland lobster turn slowly on the traditional Cypriot grill through a window that looks straight into the kitchen.
Dino says the team wanted to celebrate the shared traditions of Mediterranean cultures through food. “Each of the cultures we’ve brought together all have something in common: connection through food,” he says. “By having the flavours of these countries on the table at the same time, we’re redefining share-style dining and showing that they can all be enjoyed side by side.”
Flavours of the Mediterranean
Each section of the menu, from the crudo and breads to the mezze and mains, features a dish from a different corner of the Mediterranean. Familiar favourites like saganaki and hummus appear alongside Sardinian coral trout crudo served on dry ice, Spanish octopus skewers and a whole yellow belly flounder with tomato, capers, saffron and olive salsa.
Singha has also revived his popular shawarma, a dish that became a cult favourite at his previous Sydney restaurant, Bang. “We couldn’t take it off the menu as people would come in especially, so it’s great to be able to share it once more,” he says.
The drinks list runs with the theme, offering Mediterranean-style cocktails like the rosemary-infused Negroni Scalas and the Nick the Greek with ouzo and star anise, along with a wine list that leans coastal and classic.
Meltemi Mediterrania sits on the former Ti Amo site at 17 Albert St, Broadbeach and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 12 pm until late.
Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.
