Zorba The Greek Taverna

Zorba The Greek Taverna is a Greek restaurant on the Singapore River at Clarke Quay. It is a concept by 1-Group, the team behind The Riverhouse, and it serves Greek and wider Mediterranean food made for sharing.

The place changes with the day. On weekdays the taverna is open from lunch until late. On weekend daytimes it runs as Zorba Kafenio, a relaxed café for brunch and coffee. In the evening the taverna takes over, with grills, seafood and wine by the water. The team says it sources many of its ingredients straight from Greece.

What to order

Most tables start with dips and pita bread. The dips platter brings together tzatziki, hummus, tirokafteri (a spicy feta spread) and taramasalata, which is made with cured cod roe. Baked feta with honey and filo is another good starter.

For mains, the menu leans on the grill and the oven:

• Htapothi sti skhara: a grilled, marinated octopus leg with roast potatoes and lemon.
• Lamb kleftiko: slow-cooked Australian lamb shank with potatoes, carrots and kefalotyri cheese.
• Lamb gyros: lamb slow-roasted for 12 hours, served with grilled pita and lemon and dill yoghurt.
• Moussaka: layers of zucchini, potato and eggplant under béchamel, with minced beef or chicken, or in a vegetarian version.
• Psari: a whole grilled fish with salad, potatoes and taramasalata.

Groups can order the mixed grilled platter of lamb rack, chicken souvlaki, bifteki and beef sirloin. There is also a seafood platter for three to four people. A set communal menu feeds the whole table, and it comes in a vegetarian version too. For dessert, try galatopita, an egg custard baked in filo, or a classic baklava.

The setting

Zorba sits on the riverside walk at Clarke Quay, with open-air tables looking over the river. The look is blue and white, a nod to the Greek islands. The team describes the daytime café as inspired by Mykonos and the evening taverna as Santorini in style.

The restaurant is pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog along.

Good to know before you go

• You can book online through the restaurant's website, by email or on WhatsApp.
• The menu has a vegetarian section, plus the vegetarian set menu for groups. Tell staff about any allergies when you order.
• A kids menu offers simple dishes such as fish and chips and mac and cheese.
• Some dishes, including the moussaka and galatopita, take around 20 minutes to prepare.
• Zorba also delivers across Singapore under the name Go Greek.

Getting there

Zorba is in Block A of Clarke Quay, at 3A River Valley Road. The nearest MRT stations are Clarke Quay and Fort Canning, and both are under ten minutes away on foot. From Clarke Quay station, walk to Read Bridge, cross the river and follow the riverside path for a few minutes. Taxis can drop you at Tan Tye Place on River Valley Road.

Nearby

The restaurant is part of Clarke Quay, with bars and other restaurants all around. Fort Canning Park is close by, where you can visit the wartime bunker at the Battlebox. For more ideas, see our guide to restaurants in City Hall and Clarke Quay, or browse more international restaurants across Singapore. If you need a room, look through hotels in City Hall and Clarke Quay.