Vancouver’s post holiday reason to get out and eat out is back for its 24th year run. Running from January 21st to February 8th, 2026 Dine Out Vancouver invites diners to visit over 450 different participating restaurants. This is a great way to visit new restaurants and save, and/or try something you might not otherwise order because the deal is so good.
One such participating restaurant is The Greek with a 3 course $55 menu, that allows you to choose your appetizer, entree, and dessert between 2-3 options.
We were dining at the Gastown location, right at the threshold of Blood Alley. This two storey restaurant was romantically lit with string lights. They are known as modern Greek eatery with an elevated mezze style menu.
For our first course we had a choice between beef, pork, and rice meatballs; baked feta, or Greek Salad. We passed on the former most, although in hindsight, depending on which entree you choose you might get a side of Greek salad with it, (as was the case with us). Therefore in order to try more and the most, maybe we should have had the meatballs.
Although having said that, my guest has a dairy intolerance and would have been unable to enjoy a regular Greek salad, nor would I want a version without feta. My guest went vegan with her three courses, starting with the dairy-free, cheese-less version of their Greek Salad. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion, capers, olives, and a nut-based feta. It was a delicious start and a refreshing side below.
I ended up getting my guest’s side salad, after she finished this one all herself. I had plenty of excess feta to add into it, thanks to the baked feta and honey appetizer I started with. This was crumbly feta wrapped in filo, baked until golden brown and drizzled with greek honey and sesame seeds. I found it incredibly salty, despite all the honey that pooled at the bottom of the dish. I liked the crispy pastry and the fragrant taste of toasted sesame, so found myself eating around the cheese and then using it for the above mentioned salad instead. As a dish alone this was too much, it would have been nice with some bread or vegetable as a base to buffer out some of the salty cheese.
For her entree my guest got the vegan greek chorizo with gigante beans served with crispy vegan chorizo and the aforementioned vegan Greek salad. If you wanted to make this a meat-centred dish you can add on braised lamb for $5 more, which is a steal. As is, my guest loved the size of the beans and found this dish incredibly filling.
The server said that, despite the menu describing the chicken dish as being oven-baked chicken thigh, this entree would come as meatballs instead. Hearing that, I looked to the traditional roasted pork roulade instead. Two slices of pork stuffed with dried plums, and coated in a greek demi-glace; then served over mashed potatoes. I loved the mixed texture of the potato: chunky-smooth with harder bits that I enjoyed chewing through. They offered some contrast to the stewed pork feature that was so soft and tender like beef. This I found a little salty, and didn’t get any of the would be brightening and refreshing plum.
For dessert my guest had to opt out as both options included dairy and there were no alternatives. The first was a metaxa crème brûlée. “Metaxa” is “Greek amber spirit made by blending aged grape brandy, sweet Muscat wine from the Aegean Islands, and a secret blend of Mediterranean botanicals together. It is known for its smooth, floral, and fruity profile, often featuring notes of rose petals, apricots, and herbs.” (A per a quick AI google search). I thought this flavour translated incredibly well into the creamy custard-like dessert. Finished with a thick torched caramel layer that you get to gratifyingly break into. I loved how petite the portion was, this was the perfect single serving size, and just enough considering how decadent it is.
The second dessert is baklava fingers, which is basically crushed nuts and honey wrapped in crispy filo pastry like spring rolls. This format made them easy to eat and share. Although given the roll-shape I expected a dip to dunk them into.
In short, this was a lovely way to try something unexpected from a well known and familiar Greek restaurant chain.
The Greek Gastown
221 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4K7
(604) 423-3360
thegreekbyanatoli.com
