Greek food is having its well-deserved blue-and-white-tinged moment in the sun in Sydney, thanks to a slew of recent big restaurant openings including Olympus, Ammos, Homer Rogue Taverna and Olympic Meats, joining staples like Corinthian Rotisserie Restaurant. Now, there’s a new addition to the olive oil-laced line-up, and, thanks to its beautiful beachside location, it may be the closest thing you can get to experiencing a taste of the Greek Islands right here.
Found inside Bondi Promenade, smack-bang on Bondi’s sand, Etheus is the latest venture from House Made Hospitality (also Island Radio, Apollonia, Grana). The sun-lit restaurant, which has taken over the former Promenade dining room, serves up Greek favourites, led by executive chef Chris Benedet (ex-Cirrus, Yellow, Monopole) and head chef Stav Stavrou.
Kick things off with warm oregano-flecked pita alongside nutty fava dip with zippy pickled onions, and creamy taramasalata with pops of Aperol-coloured roe. The saganaki sees kefalograviera – a type of Greek hard cheese – grilled, melted and perfumed with ouzo, honey and oregano. Sheftalies feature Cyprus-style pork sausages from Brighton-Le-Sands’ The Souvlaki Shop cooked over charcoal and served with cooling tzatziki. Other menu highlights include king prawns bathed in a rich tomato sauce with feta and orange; bronzed roast chicken lathered in a tomato butter balanced with a lemon herb yoghurt; and, of course, braised lamb shoulder flavoured with garlic, oregano and lemon, and best enjoyed with a holiday-like crunchy village salad.
“Etheus is really about sharpening the identity of the dining room,” says Justin Newton, director of House Made Hospitality. “Promenade always had a strong grill focus, and with Stav’s Greek heritage and Chris’ experience, this felt like a natural evolution – something more distinctive, more soulful and still very much at home by the sea.”
Alongside the food menu, the drinks feature small-scale Mediterranean wines, Greek digestives and smashable cocktails. Our picks are the Sunshine of Socrates (rum, watermelon, guava, sesame and lemon) and Zeno Zeno (house-made vodka, cucumber, dill, honey herbal liqueur and lemon). And the Frozen Daiquiris (hello, mango-coconut).
Promenade Beach Bar, the relaxed, beach-facing spot, remains at the front of Etheus for when you’re after a sandy-footed snack and drink. But when a long lunch is on the cards, we’re heading to Etheus.
Find out more here.
Address: Bondi Pavilion, Shop 4 Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.