YOTS is located at the upmarket Cullen Bay Marina shopping and dining precinct, just five minutes from the central business district.
Visitors can dine out on the boardwalk, overlooking the marina where many of Darwin’s fishing and sunset cruise charter boats are based. The marina is also surrounded by some of Darwin’s most exclusive private homes and self serviced holiday apartments.
The gregarious owner of YOTS Greek Taverna, Evan Papadonakis, is all about food and family. Growing up with his mother’s cooking, he learnt about food from a young age and now passes on his passion for traditional and modern Greek fare to his patrons via his warm Greek hospitality. Seafood is a specialty here: South Australian oysters are flown in twice a week and shucked to order, served natural, kilpatrick or Greco (topped with green olive, anchovy and spicy tomato salsa and grilled with goat’s cheese). The two most popular dishes on the menu are the chilli mud crab and the Greco barramundi (served on spinach with baked lemon potatoes and drizzled with caper sauce). If meat is more your thing, go for the Greek rissoles or lamb souvlaki (skewers).
Vegetarians are also catered for with a few options for both entree and main course, and the separate children’s menu makes this an ideal family dining destination. The waterside location is primo, overlooking the bobbing yachts and waterside mansions of Cullen Bay Marina. If you’re visiting during the dry season, take advantage of the traditional Greek-style barbecues with charcoal grill octopus and spit-roasted meats which are held on weekends. Enjoy your meal with a glass of wine from the small but well-chosen wine list.
Shelley Hepworth, February 2007
