Amongst the hustle and bustle of Botanic Avenue you’ll find Tzatziki, squeezed in between the latest trendy Asian places and newest student fast food trends, the humble facade hides the delights within.
The interior has an authentic, rustic feel about it which is all part of the family-run appeal. Basic wooden chairs and tables with exposed brickwork and a stripped-back feel.
The kofta at Tzatziki
As we settled in among students and couples on date night, my partner and I began perusing the menu which offers everything from tzatziki, of course, to kofta, souvlaki, mixed grill, moussaka and more.
The range of dishes, flavours and textures is typical of Mediterranean cuisine and a delight to have on our doorstep here in Belfast, Greek food being a partial blindspot in the city’s stellar culinary contemporary landscape in my opinion.
We decided to go for a chicken souvlaki, lamb kofta and a mixed grill for one plus a side order of chips. When my partner and I go out we often get a little side portion of chips because, you know, sometimes you need a little side of chips.
The portion which was brought to our table on a lovely wooden serving platter was huge and came with a sprinkling of feta cheese. Honestly the most massive portion of chips I think I’ve ever been confronted with.
Freshly cooked, crispy outside and fluffy inside, the chips were perfect and the unusual accompaniment of feta cheese sprinkled on top worked remarkably well.
Side portion of chips with feta
Next up we had the souvlaki which to the untrained eye is effectively a chicken shish kebab with grilled chicken meat and vegetables.
Simple though it may sound, it was delicious — wonderful tender pieces of chicken complemented beautifully by softened, chargrilled veg, all lightly dressed in an aromatic seasoning.
Next up it was the lamb kofta, a dish I have long admired since growing up in north London’s Turkish heartland of Green Lanes, formerly a Greek space and an Indian one before that.
It was here I first tasted and fell in love with the minced, herbed and beautifully cooked sensation of kofta, so I was intrigued to try the Belfast version.
Souvlaki at Tzatziki
Tender, well-cooked and well-seasoned, the dish did not disappoint and came with an abundance of wonderfully cooked rice and steamed veg, of course.
Alongside this meaty majesty came the mixed grill, a selection of white and dark meat served straight off the grill, hot and fresh with a further portion of beautifully cooked rice and steamed veg.
Each portion of food was served on what seemed to be unique circular wooden platters with handles on either side, I’d not seen anything quite like these before, a nice quirky little feature of the dining experience.
My partner, son and I left the restaurant with full bellies, full hearts and only slightly less full wallets.
The food
Total £48
The rating
Tzatziki 35 Botanic Avenue, Belfast Tel: 028 9508 2272