- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Estia Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 10 pm
Thu-Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat 10 am - 11 pm
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Estia Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"...on the menu and you can't go wrong with Moussaka." In 3 reviews -
"For dessert, try the Ekmek." In 2 reviews -
"...is great, the decor is Mediterranean, and the food is just..." In 3 reviews
Loading...
26 reviews in English
-
Review from John B.
South End, NS
5/1/2012 ROTD 5/12/2012
Continuing my exposé on Halifax's 'Rock-Star Restos' with Estia, which is in one word, delightful.
Greek restos are pretty common in Hali but Estia tops the lot of 'em. Actually, the menu is more general 'Mediterranean' than exclusively Greek.
I eat here A LOT, I have tried many of the menu items and I can honestly say I have never been disappointed. You know a place is good when you can't get a meal out of your head and at Estia there are at least five things on the menu that I get pregnancy-level cravings for.
The menu is HUGE, so set aside some time to peruse, savour and drool. My go-to dish is the lamb burger with a side of lemon-roasted potatoes and tzatziki. The saganaki (kefalograviera cheese flambéed table side with Metaxa brandy) is TDF, as is the pastitsio, yemista... hell, it's all amazing. They do a pretty spectacular brunch and there are endless vegetarian options and a pretty extensive gluten-free menu to boot. Plus if you let the staff know of any dietary requirements the kitchen will readily oblige.
Man, the staff. Estia gets my five-star vote just for the food but when you add the staff to the mix you just want to give this place six stars. Maria and Peter, the owners, treat their staff like family and it truly shows. Every person here is knowledgeable, friendly, happy and accommodating and Maria is always doing the rounds, visiting with customers. If there was a 'Nicest Owners in Halifax' award, Estia would scoop it year after year.
Estia's mantra is 'Yiamas!' (cheers to our health!) and you can taste the sincerity of this sentiment in every bite. -
Review from Krista R.
Lower Sackville, NS
3/11/2012
I have been to this restaurant many times, mostly with my book club. It has a great feel to it, and has never been to, to busy when we have attended. We seem to get the (large corner table) as a regular spot, when we go, and it does make for good discussion place.
Food, wine, and service has been great every time we have been there, and I would recommend this place to anyone to try. A great spot to eat at in Halifax! -
Review from Robin S.
Halifax, NS
3/10/2012
Despite the fact that this is located right on Spring Garden, I feel like Estia is one of Halifax's hidden gems. I'm a big fan of Greek food (I used to live in a town that had four Greek restaurants within two blocks of each other. And I'm talkin' a town of 10,000) and this place does not disappoint.
My most recent visit was with around ten of my friends. The prices are super reasonable, the service was friendly and everything arrived quickly. Try the ekmek for dessert. The galaktoboureko is also very very tasty. (Although attempts at pronouncing it meant that we dubbed it the galactic burrito)
I hear the brunch is good, too! But any time is good! Don't forget about this fabulous gem of reasonably-priced Greek delight.
PS: sorry if I made you forever think of it as the galactic burrito. -
Review from Navoda S.
3/4/2012
I have been to this very pretty restaurant a couple of times for supper and have always really enjoyed my meal. Once when I casually mentioned it was my mother's birthday the owner brought us out an Ekmek dessert (just think phyllo pastry, honey and pistachio goodness) with a candle in it. When my mother, being somewhat of a pastry chef, attempted to grill one of the owners on how it was made she was more than happy to explain every detail.
The decor is nice - pretty standard blue and white (it is Greek) and the bar really is beautiful. Haven't checked out the washrooms yet, but some people I know have told me its a horror show in there. I've also never had bad service - sometimes one of the owners will come out and chat if its a slow day and everyone is happy as a clam to explain a pronunciation to you - which is nice cause I like to be able to say what I'm eating.
But honestly, the real star here is the brunch. On a whim my friend from away and I headed down on a Sat morning and boy were we surprised with the results! They do classic brunch items such as french toast, benedicts and omelettes which my friend thoroughly enjoyed but I opted for the twist on the bacon and eggs and ordered the Greek Loukaniko and eggs. Oh. Em. Gee. People. This is a must try! The eggs were cooked to perfection, sausage was slightly spicy and potatoes and grilled tomato were the highlight of my day. Add a little bellini or mimosa and you have a Tony the Tiger kind of start to your day!
Other awesome news: brunch is not just for brunch anymore! Estia serves it until 3pm so there's no need to wake up super early and wait in line like you do at other places. Now if only I could convince some coworkers to go there for lunch....Listed in: Food worthy of death row...
-
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
You know it's a good meal when, weeks later, you find yourself craving something specific. In my case, it is the Yemista. And I want one. RIGHT. NOW. One large green pepper and a beefsteak tomato brimming with rice, eggplant, zucchini, and oh yes, feta. In all, this meal made me feel deceptively healthy. For my second dose of feta, I relished in the Greek salad that accompanied. Another hit, especially sweet because my dining buddy, Ben B remembered to request no lettuce. Come on people - Greek salad with lettuce? That's just ruffage!
I wasn't especially feeling the atmosphere: it was sparsely seated with that all too commonplace look and feel of a Greek restaurant. However, it was a Sunday night and we were in for a slightly later dinner. But I do have to tip my hat to our server. I liked her bubbly personality and her help in pronunciation, respected her honesty about some of the dishes and drinks we were contemplating, and her generosity in bringing us a sample of their house wines while we hummed and hawed around our decision. (Note to anyone who really enjoys their wine - steer clear of the house Greek choice.)
All in all, a delicious feed. Bravo, Estia, Bravo!Listed in: Sprinkled With Haligonian…
-
Review from Charles T.
Halifax, NS
2/18/2012
I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Estia with my buddy John who is a regular and their biggest fan! To start the evening off, chatting with the delightful owner Maria was wonderful and made me feel very welcome and like they truly care that you have a great dining experience.
Our server was lovely, patient with the fact that we could not make up our mind. I am not a fan of big menus, I would rather go to a place and have a couple choices that a place can execute really well. So when I have pages looking at me, I always have a hard time deciding. I get that most people are the opposite and love options, and so I do not knock a restaurant for doing it.
We started with the Saganaki which is a wonderful Greek kefalograviera cheese flambéed table side with Metaxa brandy. I love anything with cheese and this was no exception, and who doesn't enjoy a table side flambe?
We also had the Grilled Octopus which was marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, wine and oregano, with capers. It was very tasty.
I decided to go with the Lamb Youvetsi which is a braised lamb with orzo pasta in an onion and rosemary tomato sauce, topped with kefalograviera cheese. I don't often order past when I am home, as it is generally something I feel I can cook as well at home. But this was delicious. The flavours were not strong or over done, just simple and wonderfully tasty. I enjoyed every bite and was sad when I looked at my empty plate.
Also got to try a bite of the lamb burger and lemon roasted potatoes. The lamb burger was excellent. The potatoes are really not my thing, and while they tasted good, I would opt for a salad over them given the option.
With the wonderful service, marvelous owner and great food, Estia will certainly be a spot I will be visiting again and again. -
Review from Ben B.
Finally, after far too much time spent walking by Estia and saying, "I need to go there," I'm happy to report that I went, I ate, and I loved. Honestly, this place seems to have a pretty understated reputation for how tasty and professional everything was.
The interior hasn't changed much since way back in the Deco days (hands up if you know what I'm talking about) but that's not a bad thing. They've added some Mediterranean flare and a big, gorgeous bar, but aside from that, it's still got that classy, clean feel. The only downside is the washrooms which are a stark contrast to the upscale dining room. The men's one looked right out of a Saw movie.
Our server was delightful. So friendly, so energetic, and so without a trace of any resentment that she had to serve us at 8:30pm on a Sunday. (Bonus points for being open late on a Sunday, by the way.) She let us sample a wine before committing to an order of it, she was more than capable of answering any questions from ingredients to menu favourites to pronunciation lessons ("The secret to Greek is to pronounce every syllable...just power through!), and she never stopped smiling.
We split the spanakopita to start which came topped with the love of my life, a feta cream sauce. I liked this one better than others I've had because the pastry wasn't quite as dry and crispy. That's probably a personal preference thing though. For my main, I talked myself down from the vegetarian platter (moussaka, spanakopita, AND a stuffed tomato or pepper with Greek salad and potatoes) and I'm glad I did. The vegetarian moussaka on its own was more than enough food seeing as how I took half of it home and actually can't wait to dig into later today.
Great first visit, looking forward to the next! -
Review from Kirk F.
10/16/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I credit/blame/thank Estia for my love of Halloumi cheese. If you've never had it before, it's goat (or sheep, depending) cheese that is amazing. They serve it as an appetizer but I could just as easily have two of it for my main.
But as for the rest of their menu: it's rock-solid. How many restaurants can you say that you've been to and you've never been once disappointed? That's been my Estia experience. (Or, if I ever was disappointed, it's been blanked out by delicious food.)
I've gone with groups and with just one or two friends and each time service has been great.
I haven't tried their brunch but it's a little less Greek and more North American.Listed in: 30-Day Challenge - October…, Veg-Friendly Food Places
-
Review from Sandra M.
11/11/2011
My first truly Greek meal was a birthday lunch treat and I was very pleased. The food was well made, hot, flavourful. The spanikopita was crispy and very enjoyable. The seasoned potatoes were also excellent. The Fresh orange juice was perfect.
The staff were attentive and the establishment was clean. The tables were a bit close together, but tolerable. I would gladly recommend this location and go back again.Listed in: Halifax Eats We Would Revisit
-
Review from Abby W.
Halifax, NS
7/20/2011
I visited on St. Patrick's Day, when every other place serving alcohol was swamped with people getting trashed but Estia was classy and quiet as always.
That bread they serve pre-dinner? Can I just eat that for dinner, please?
There were a fair number of vegetarian dishes that were clearly marked with a "V" on the menu, which was much appreciated! I liked the spanakopita way more than is healthy. Also tried the dolmades -- stuffed grape leaves -- and was pleasantly surprised. Finally, there was a martini with chocolate in it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I just found the spanakopita platter on the menu. Now I know what my next order will be when I visit again.
In summary, I really liked this place and will probably come back... if only for the bread! -
Review from Sarah H.
Alright, I was craving Greek like a fat kid craves cake. All afternoon I had been reading over the menu at Estia (because I saw it on Yelp). So, when I learnt that my friend wanted to go to dinner, and found out that she did not have an aversion to Greek food as I thought she had (I still stick to the thinking that ONE of our Vancouver friend hated Greek food and none of my Halifax friends really like it either) we were ready to go!
I had chosen the Greek platter (21$) because I wanted it all. The Greek
platter gives you the choice between moussaka or pastitsio, stuffed pepper or tomato and chicken, pork, lamb or scallop souvlaki, and is served with lemon roasted potatoes, rice and tzatziki. Comes with Greek salad too.
Before dinner they offered a basket of great seedy warm bread, with a lemony spiced oil to dip in. Was fantastic. I went with the pastitsio, stuffed pepper, chicken souvlaki and the rice,potato and salad. Everything was wonderful. I loved the fact that this was a sampler plate, but they still give you enough of everything to actually taste it - and everything tasted delish!
I will definitely going back. Probably soon as this review is making me want it again. -
Review from Michelle Y.
Halifax, NS
1/30/2011
I have to admit, I may be a little biased when it comes to this restaurant. At the time of this review, I am the mayor of Estia on Foursquare (It's OK to mention that, right?) and the owners are family of my bro-in-law. THAT SAID...the food is great, the service is very friendly and the atmosphere is pleasing. (the decor is somewhat the same as when it was Deco and Sebastian's, with a few pics a Greece added)
I have been here with different groups of people and everyone has enjoyed their meal. (once a member of my party had to wait a bit longer for their stuffed haddock because the chef wasn't happy with how the first one turned out...they were offered a salad while waiting and their meal came very soon after with a thumbs up for yumminess) The menu is extensive with offerings of Greek and non-Greek items. (admittedly, the only non-Greek meals I've had are brunch offerings). If you have a large group, they have a private dining room downstairs.
Today, at brunch, I decided to order off the regular menu and had a pork souvlaki pita which is served with Greek potatoes and Greek salad. At $11, you can't go wrong! It was delish and filling. I can also recommend the souvlaki dinner (perhaps not at lunch) and the lamb burger.
If you are there in the evening, they make a pretty good martini (I'm sure you could order one in the afternoon if you wanted to...who am I to judge?) I think I've sampled 3 or 4 of the martinis listed on the menu (on separate occasions, of course) and the wine list isn't bad either!
For dessert, try the Ekmek. Not only fun to say, it's yummy to eat! -
Review from Pouri B.
6/13/2011
I've been here so many times and I've never been disappointed. The menu is diverse, the portion sizes are just right and their olive oil sauce thingy is just out of this world! The caraway bread that they bring as appetizer is excellent, too!
I highly recommend that you go for "Greek Specialties" on the menu and you can't go wrong with Moussaka! Once I tried the Moussaka I've been reluctant to order anything else when I go there!
Service is great, they have a good wine collection and the place looks really nice and well decorated. It's perfect for a candle light dinner and it is very good for relatively large groups as well. -
Review from Crystal E.
Calgary, AB
I was brought here by a friend on a Sunday morning during my visit to Halifax last month. We were super hungry and I wanted brunch, so she suggested this restaurant. I had no idea what type of place it was, but I always trust her judgment when it comes to food.
When we arrived I was surprised that she brought me to a Greek restaurant for brunch, but I quickly learned why she loves this place. The atmosphere is fabulous and welcoming and I just love the decor - not too fancy, but nice enough inside to make it look special (great date place!).
Our server (I forget his name) was super friendly and attentive, I couldn't have asked for better service on this busy Sunday morning. We only ate the eggs benedict on this visit, which was delicious, but my friend did mention to me that some of the other foods are also quite good. Our server even brought my friend a delightful desert with a sparkler when she had mentioned it was her birthday the day before. The server and I sang happy birthday to her just to embarrass her a little bit and it was fun!
I really quite enjoyed this restaurant and wish I had had time to come back for the dinner menu during my trip. By the looks of the previous reviews, it looks like a great place to come back to on my next trip to Halifax - I might even have to try these tasty mojitos that Jill M. mentioned!Listed in: Adventures in Halifax
-
Review from B H.
Halifax, NS
11/2/2011
This little resturant is a hidden gem on Spring Garden Road. If you love Greek you'll love this spot.
The staff are always welcoming and professional.
The food is always fresh and tasty. Try their own creation of Greek Nachos!
We were there most recently on a Friday night and it was very quiet. I think this place could get more people in by spicing up the atmosphere
There's an amazing Greek Resturant chain and it's totally party atmospher with dancers who belly dance on table tops. Staff who dance around the resturant and yell OPA then instead of throwing plates they throw napkins. Sure it's noisey but it's a lot of fun. There's nothing like it Halifax. So Estia - let's PARTY!! OPA! -
Review from Leslie F.
10/30/2011
This particular restaurant location has seen a pretty high turnover rate, but I'm REALLY hoping that Estia stays put, because it is fantastic. Whatever time of day you choose to go, you'll get to select from delicious soups (try the lamb and vegetable), amazing sandwiches (the grilled chicken pesto panini is off the charts), and flavourful mains (I'm a meat-eater, but I loved the Yemista). They also offer some pretty tasty brunch options (that's a big 'YUM' for the Aegean Omelette). The service is great, the decor is Mediterranean, and the food is just delicious.
Listed in: Yelptober, Along the Garden Route
-
Review from Lacey H.
3/23/2010 4 photos
A Saturday night dinner treat turned out to be a delightful culinary surprise. After reading the menu online, I was anticipating a scrumptious meal, but the reality far surpassed any expectations I originally cultivated.
It turned out that my dining companions knew the owners of Estia from one of their other previously successfully restaurant ventures. Maria and Peter have been in the business for quite some time and their know-how is certainly palpable upon entering this Spring Garden Greek emporium.
We were greeted with enthusiastic salutations and seated at a lovely table in a nook at the back of the restaurant. Our server Joseph was not only friendly and energetic, he was professional and prompt. We ordered a bottle of chardonnay and Saganaki as an appetizer. I love flaming cheese, who doesn't? We were given such an ample serving, along with the complimentary fresh bread with garlic oil - it was all so delightful.
For our mains, I ordered the Vegetarian Platter, while Andrew ordered a Halloumi sandwich and my mother and step-dad ordered the large Greek platter. The servings were huge, ripe with fresh ingredients and as colourful as a summer garden. Andrew and I spent some time in Greece a couple of years ago and it was so refreshing to dine at a Greek restaurant in Halifax that maintained an authentic menu and a lively chic, yet still down-to-earth diner-type atmosphere. There were tons of Vegetarian options, marked by a little green 'V" on the menu, which I very much appreciated.
For the sweet-complete, I ordered the Ekmek - shredded phyllo, soaked in honey and topped with custard and cream and sprinkled with pistachios.
This was a lovely dining experience. We were treated like family, presented with an amazing feast, all in a fresh and comfortable space. This is the best Greek food in Halifax! You should go! -
Review from Jill M.
1/25/2011
I've been to Estia several times and each time had a great experience. This is a great place to go with a group - the menu is large and varied, the food is delicious, the service is excellent and the mojitos are tasty.
Estia provides a great alternative to Opa! if you're looking for Greek food in the downtown area. The prices are a little lower and it's not difficult to get in without a reservation.Listed in: Global Goodness, Good for Groups
-
Review from Laura P.
4/29/2010
My Estia experience came as a bit of a wild card, as friends and I opted for a spontaneous Saturday dine within reasonable vicinity. None of us had tried or even heard much about Estia, but Greek sounded good-- it was a go.
From start to finish, Estia was superb! My grouplette and i were warmly greeted and led to a table for four, and the provided atmosphere of gentle ambiance did not go unnoticed. Our server was experienced and well versed, as he offered off-the-tongue menu expertise and a bubbling personality.
The promptness and natural service was a highlight. Moments after being seated, our table was served warm bread with garlic oil. The fashion in which it was served was impressive-- our waiter set down the bread and drew artful swiggles upon a plate, mid-table, for everyone to see. This thoughtful little ritual set a nice tone.
The menu is extensive. Our table ordered the calamari appetizer, and it was more than enough for four people. Points! (And with substantial sauce servings as well.) For dinner, I ordered the Briam, which is a roasted eggplant dish with feta cheese, veggies, herbs. and tomato sauce. Need I say more? It was a treat!
After some oil soaked bread, calamari, and our main dishes, we were all busting at the seams. So delicious... must finish.... argh. As wonderful as the and service was, I would not suggest this spot for a date. Or at least a date in which you still care about what they think of you. This food is F U L L of garlic. My pals and I were collectively clearing our throats, as scents of garlic followed. Just sayin'.
I'd highly recommend Estia if you are in the mood for Greek. It boasts authentic flavour and stand out service. Estia is a pleasant spot to dine and packs a real punch. Yum. -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
10/28/2009 1 photo
After having tried Estia Restaurant last night I certainly hope they are able to avoid the curse of 5518 Spring Garden Rd. This location was previously home to: Deco Restaurant and Sebastien's Bistro all within the last 3 years. Now I judge people who open restaurants in this economy roughly the same way you would likely judge someone wearing flip flops in the snow. For this reason, I was curious to see how 'Estia' was going to distinguish itself on this particular bustling strip of Spring Garden.
Initially, upon walking into the restaurant I was a little disappointed with the greeting we received from the hostess as well as our server. Mark chalked this up as 'them being new' which may or may not be fair. I don't require a grin and a pat on the back but a smile goes a long way. After I engaged our server with a few questions about the place he warmed up and was very attentive throughout the meal. I felt bad when he inadvertently spilled tzatziki on himself clearing our dishes.
Overall, we were very impressed with the food! I had the Calamari with a side greek salad and Mark ordered the sauteed Haddock with lemon braised spinach, mushroom and lemon roasted potatoes. All of which was delicious! We both woke up in the middle of the night to 're brush' our teeth though so beware the garlic; it's pretty potent at Estia.
I was also impressed that my glass of Penfolds Merlot cost a mere $6. The wine list in general didn't appear to have been marked up the usual 100-150% that most restaurants tend towards.
Lots of variety at 'Estia' as well! The menu is huge. Definitely recommend this new Spring Garden locale, and wish them a longer business life than their predecessors. -
Review from Ajay R.
9/8/2011
Stopped in here for some appetizers and was not disappointed. Had the shrimp and scallops in tomato sauce, the mussels and the tzatziki. Only 3 stars because I didn't sample more.
-
Review from Patricia M.
Edmonton, AB
11/8/2009
In one word: Fantastic. This place is my favorite restaurant in Halifax. We arrived in Halifax (from the west coast) on a Friday night and we decided to wander around the city. We ended up by this place and it looked like one of the only restaurants in the area that would serve a wide selection of non seafood dishes (I am allergic). The place did in fact have a huge selection of wonderful dishes and the most delicious vegetarian feta sandwich I have ever eaten.
The menu is enormous, the selection is fantastic, the service is perfect, and the atmosphere is friendly. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
5/9/2010 3 photos
Estia offered a lot of treats from the Mediterranean I knew I had to check it out.
I can definitely say I'm glad I did.
Located on Spring Garden Road, Estia occupies a space that has seen a lot of restaurants come and go over the years. I can only hope that it doesn't suffer the same fate as the places that came before it.
The wait staff was great here. They were quick, not too intrusive and seemed to know the perfect time to approach the table. The appetizers arrived quickly and were very tasty and the main course (in my case, the stuffed chicken) was incredible. By the end I wished I had saved some room for desert, but I couldn't have had another bite. However, my friend ordered the Baklava and assured me it was just as delicious as it looked.
What can I say, I was a big fan of my experience here. The food is a little expensive so I certainly couldn't eat here every day, but I sure wish I could. The food was great, the staff was great, the location is great. It's a great place and I hope to visit again soon. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
5/15/2010
Estia is a fabulous restaurant is you like Greek, and we do.
The menu here is quiet diverse, so you should be able to find something to please everyone at the table.
We ordered the stuffed chicken (which was fantastic) and a fabulous Greek Salad.
We really enjoyed our meal here and the staff was very friendly. The prices are what you would expect for a restaurant with quality food. -
Review from Troy M.
Dartmouth, NS
3/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Estia is awesome! I love the menu. The Avgolemono soup is sooo good. The souvlaki plate is delicious. The prices are what you'd expect. I will definitely return... many times!
-
Review from Evan C.
Halifax, NS
12/21/2010
Awesome food awesome servers and owner. Comfortable environment.
