Costas Taverna builds its Christchurch dining room around a family cooking story that reaches back to Village Kiani near Greece's Evros River in 1904. Four generations later, the restaurant still presents recipes as something made from scratch rather than assembled for speed, using selected Greek herbs, olive oil and spices alongside Canterbury meat and fresh vegetables. The mood suits the generous food: warm, celebratory and designed for conversation, with platters, grilled dishes and an ouzo list encouraging the table to linger.
A meal can begin with toasted village pita and house spreads or with flaming saganaki, where Metaxa brandy is poured over Greek cheese at the table. Filo appears in cheese pastries and spanakopita, while dolmades bring rice and herbs wrapped in vine leaves. Lamb meatballs arrive in tomato and red-wine sauce, prawns carry tomato, garlic, feta and Metaxa, and hand-crumbed calamari is finished with Greek oregano. The large meze platter is the most direct route for groups wanting to sample across the opening courses.
Souvlaki platters pair beef patties, falafel, Canterbury lamb or herb-marinated chicken with pita, salad, hummus, sauces and a choice of rice, potatoes or fries. Traditional mains go deeper: lamb kleftiko is slow-cooked with vegetables in a clay pot, moussaka layers potato, eggplant, lamb mince and béchamel, and lemonato chicken brings chargrilled tenderloin with lemon-herb sauce. Market fish, spanakopita, calamari and lamb salad add lighter paths, while tea-smoked pork cutlets and aged ribeye come from the grill.
The drinks list gives the ouzo-bar part of the name real substance. Imported bottles include Metaxa, Cambas, Mini and Barbayianni, with Greek wines such as retsina, Ionos, Nemea Reserve and sweet Mavrodaphne alongside New Zealand selections. Dessert keeps the family-taverna spirit: baklava is layered with walnuts, almonds and honey syrup, cinnamon doughnut puffs come with several sauces, and house-made ice creams include baklava and Turkish delight flavours. Smaller dessert portions make it easy to add one even after a broad shared meal.
Address: Shop 3, 478 Cranford Street, Redwood, Christchurch 8051, New Zealand
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Costas Taverna Greek Restaurant and Ouzo Bar Menu
Starters
Garlic Pita Bread
Experience the unforgettable combination of toasted village pita bread filled with creamy garlic and herb butter
Village Pita Bread
Begin your evening with a basket of toasted pita bread, served with a savoury selection of homemade spreads
Grande Meze Platter
Bursting with intense flavours and alluring aromas, this delightful feast combines the finest entrées at Costas® on a classic wooden platter
Flaming Saganaki
Feel the heat of wild flames, as your server pours barrel-aged Metaxa® brandy over imported Greek cheese and immediately flambées it before your eyes
Entrées
Grandma’s Cheese Pastries
Just like Grandma used to make, enjoy three triangular pockets of flaky filo pastry filled with four types of scrumptious melted cheese, served with traditional tzatziki
Spanakopita Of Kiani
Homestyle baked filo pastry stuffed with melted feta cheese, steam-softened spinach leaves, fresh garden herbs and sautéed onions, served with traditional tzatziki
Dreaming Of Dolmades
Sticky Arborio rice and fine herbs, hand rolled in steam-softened grape vine leaves and dressed in extra virgin olive ‘n lemon oil, served with traditional tzatziki
Mediterranean Lamb Meatballs
Oven baked marinated lamb meatballs served with a rich tomato, onion, and red wine sauce, topped with grated Greek kefalograviera cheese served with toasted pita bread
Homestyle Mussels With Lemon Mayo
Ten plump half-shell mussels stuffed with an aromatic, dill-scented blend of red onion, crushed garlic, and Greek kefalograviera cheese, baked fresh in the oven and served with creamy lemon mayo
Drunken Tiger Prawns
Exotic flavours make each bite more satisfying than the last, delight in plump tiger prawns served with piquant tomato, fresh garlic, and Metaxa® brandy sauce, topped with crumbled feta cheese and served with toasted pita bread
Costas® Calamari
Homestyle calamari lovingly hand crumbed with Costas® secret family recipe, topped with imported Greek oregano flakes and cooked moments before serving with made-in-house sundried tomato ‘n herb mayo and tzatziki
Souvlaki Platters
Traditional or Grande option served with toasted village pita bread, fresh garden salad, hummus, sweet tomato sauce, roast capsicum mayo, tzatziki, and your choice of herb ‘n spice rice pilaf, rosemary ‘n oregano potatoes, or golden fries. Change to Gluten Free Pita add 5
Barbecued Greek Beef Patties
Thick ‘n juicy Canterbury Angus beef patties marinated with Costas® traditional herb ‘n spice blend and barbecued for a full flavoured finish
Golden Falafel Veggie Delight
Classic blend of puréed chickpeas and authentic herbs and spices, flash fried to make it crispy on the outside and moist on the inside
Canterbury Lamb
Export quality lamb leg marinated with traditional herbs ‘n spices and cooked to tender perfection
Evros ‘Sun-Kissed’ Chicken Fillet
Loaded with flavour, enjoy 100% chicken tenderloin marinated with Costas® classic family blend of fresh herbs and aromatic spices, chargrilled for a bold ‘n smoky flavour and delivered to your table searing hot
Traditional Mains
The Fisherman’s Catch
Fresh-off-the-boat fish of the day lightly pan-fried and served with fire roasted Mediterranean vegetables and garlic ‘n olive oil crushed potatoes, finished with a rich roasted lemon cream sauce Price: Market Price
Village Style Kleftiko
Masterpiece of slow cooked Canterbury lamb, Mediterranean vegetables, and thick cut agria potatoes, oven baked in Costas® secret herb sauce and topped with crumbled feta cheese, served the 200-year-old traditional way in a Greek clay pot
Spanakopita Of Kiani Main
Aromas of freshly baked pastry evoke memories from the mainland’s of Village Kiani, experience flaky layers of filo pastry filled with melted feta cheese, steam softened spinach leaves, fresh herbs, and sautéed onions, served with made-in-house tzatziki, golden fries and village style Greek salad
Costas Calamari Main
Homestyle calamari lovingly hand crumbed with Costas secret family recipe, topped with imported Greek oregano flakes. Served with traditional tzatziki, made-in-house sundried tomato ‘n herb mayo, golden fries and village style Greek salad
Lamb Salad
Canterbury lamb leg served with fire roasted Mediterranean vegetables, roasted pumpkin, kumara, mesclun, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinaigrette, finished with crumbled feta cheese and toasted sunflower seeds
Salata Costas
Chunks of chargrilled chicken tenderloin and streaky bacon tossed through fine salad, free range egg, Greek kefalograviera cheese and pita croutons, mixed with sundried tomato, green olive ‘n herb dressing
Mamma’s Moussaka
Made with love, enjoy thick layers of herb crusted agria potato, fresh eggplant, and rich lamb mince, topped with creamy béchamel and sprinkled with imported kefalograviera cheese, served with a side of Greek salad
Fresco Lemonato Chicken
Begins with succulent 100% chargrilled chicken tenderloin, enlivened with Costas® zesty lemon herb sauce, and served on a bed of baby spinach ‘n jasmine rice and fire roasted Mediterranean vegetables
Off The Grill
Mountain Tea Smoked Pork Cutlets
Tender pork cutlets smoked with Greek mountain tea and Manuka woodchips, chargrilled and glazed with red wine syrup, served with fire roasted Mediterranean vegetables on a bed of garlic ‘n olive oil crushed potatoes, topped with sweet chunky fruit chutney
Hercules Brizola (300g)
Aged Angus ribeye marinated with Costas® family recipe and chargrilled for a stunning bold flavour, served with fire roasted Mediterranean vegetables and baked rosemary ‘n garlic agria potatoes, topped with rich red pepper ‘n white wine cream sauce
Main Desserts
Doughnuts Of Olympia
Over 2700 years ago, ancient Greek Olympians were awarded doughnuts as gold tokens to celebrate their victories. Today, award yourself with Costas® golden doughnut puffs hand rolled in ground cinnamon sugar and served with honey syrup, velvety chocolate sauce, raspberry ‘n Metaxa® ouzo sauce and fresh whipped cream
Pure Indulgence Ice Cream Selection
Explore three of Costas® magical flavour creations: Blissful Baklava, Turkish Delight and Jack Daniels ‘n Chocolate, all lovingly handmade in-house
Blissful Baklava
End the night in bliss with this traditional favourite, made from crunchy walnuts, toasted almonds and delicate spices, layered between golden filo pastry and steeped in honey syrup, served with handmade vanilla bean ice cream
Olympus Double Chocolate Mousse Mountain
Remarkable mountain of velvety chocolate mousse, nestled on a toasted almond nut-biscuit base, encased in a decadent chocolate shell and topped with white chocolate ganache, served with handmade wild berry sorbet
Mini Desserts
Mini Blissful Baklava Ice Cream
If you love Baklava, then you’ll love Costas® single scoop ice cream edition handmade with real Baklava ingredients
Mini Doughnuts Of Olympia
Two golden doughnut puffs hand rolled in ground cinnamon sugar, served with honey syrup and fresh whipped cream
Mini Blissful Baklava
Mini version of the traditional favourite, made from crunchy walnuts, toasted almonds and delicate spices, layered between golden filo pastry and steeped in honey syrup
Mini Olympus Double Chocolate Mousse Mountain
Mini mountain of velvety chocolate mousse, encased in a decadent chocolate shell and topped with white chocolate ganache
Mini Rizogalo Caramelè
Creamy rice pudding touched with hints of natural vanilla essence and topped with a layer of flame hardened caramel
Kids Menu
All meals come with a FREE fruit juice or soft drink.
Barbecued Beef Souvlaki
Thick ‘n juicy Canterbury Angus beef pattie marinated with Costas traditional herb ‘n spice blend and barbecued for a full flavoured finish, served with golden fries, toasted village pita bread and a side of fresh garden salad.
Evros Chicken Souvlaki
Loaded with flavour, enjoy 100% chicken breast marinated with Costas® classic family blend of fresh herbs and aromatic spices, chargrilled and served with golden fries, toasted pita bread and a side of fresh garden salad.
Veggie Delight Souvlaki
Golden falafel pattie served with fries, toasted pita bread and a side of fresh garden salad.
Mighty Meatballs with Penne Pasta
Yummy marinated meatballs oven baked in rich tomato sauce, served with penne pasta and topped with grated cheese.
Chargrilled Chicken Salata
Chargrilled chicken pieces served with a fresh garden salad and Costas tasty dressing.
Grandma’s Cheese Pastries
Just like our Grandma used to make, flaky triangular pastries filled with four types of tasty melted cheese, served with a side of golden fries, and fresh garden salad.
Bacon and Cheese Pita Melt
Toasted pita bread filled with crispy bacon, melted cheese and Costas® sweet tomato sauce, served with a side of golden fries, and fresh garden salad.
Imported Ouzo Selection
Metaxa Ouzo
An enjoyable mix of anise, mastic, and badiane spices give this ouzo its unique aroma and full-bodied flavour.
Cambas Ouzo
Distinguished by its dry taste and rich aroma, the result of carefully selected fennel seeds.
Ouzo Mini
Beautifully smooth ouzo crafted in Mytilene, a beautiful and fertile land embraced by the blue colour of the Aegean ouzo town of Lesvos.
Barbayianni Ouzo
An Ouzo wiht a soft taste, made with meticulously selected wholesome ingredients and the special water of Plomari in Levos Greece.
Mini Ouzo Range
50mL bottles (serves two people) Ouzo Mitilini
Wine Selection
Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut (Reims)
Champagne & Sparkling
Allan Scott ‘Cecilia’ Reserve Brut NV 750mL (Marlborough)
Champagne & Sparkling
Henkell Trocken Dry-Sec 750mL (Germany)
Champagne & Sparkling
Henkell Trocken Dry-Sec 200mL (Germany)
Champagne & Sparkling
Jules Taylor (Marlborough)
Sauvignon Blanc
Loveblock (Marlborough)
Sauvignon Blanc
The Maker ‘Fleur de Lis’ (Marlborough)
Sauvignon Blanc
Matawhero ‘Church House’ BF (Gisborne)
Chardonnay
Waipara Hills (Waipara)
Chardonnay
The Maker ‘Knighthood’ (Gisborne)
Chardonnay
Jules Taylor Pinot Gris (Marlborough)
Aromatics
The Maker ‘Divinity Cross’ Pinot Gris (Marlborough)
Aromatics
Dusky Sounds Riesling (Waipara)
Aromatics
Allan Scott Pinot Rose (Marlborough)
Rosé
Madam Sass (Central Otago)
Pinot Noir
Devils Staircase (Central Otago)
Pinot Noir
The Maker ‘Fire Eagle’ (Gisborne)
Pinot Noir
Brookfield’s Hawke’s Bay Back Block Syrah (Hawke’s Bay)
Other Reds
Mr Mick Shiraz (Clare Valley)
Other Reds
Matawhero SV Merlot (Gisborne)
Other Reds
The Maker ‘Kings Key’ Merlot (Gisborne)
Other Reds
Greek Wines
Retsina (White)
Dry white wine made of pine resin, carries a unique flavour and pairs well with seafood – if you haven’t tried Retsina before, we recommend a taster first.
Ionos Dry (White)
Peach, citrus and white flowers in the nose. Balanced in the mouth with good acidity volume.
Nemea Reserve (red)
From the Mountains of Nemea comes this classic wine with vibrant red hues and aromatic notes of red fruit syrup., roasted fruits and fine spices.
Mavrodaphne (Sweet Red)
Perfect balance of raisin and ripe fig palate with a soft texture and a long finish.
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