For beautiful and inexpensive Greek food in a chilled and welcoming atmosphere, Zorbas on Leece Street is hard to beat.

The Venue
Zorbas is on the corner of Berry and Leece Street, the cusp of the town centre and the student quarter. It is twilight-atmospheric, with candles on the tables and movie pictures on the walls.

The lighting is relaxing but not so subdued that you can’t see your meal, the hanging plants around the walls give a summer feel, and the restaurant is like a secret Greek glade. It's slightly surprising and a little disappointing after the meal to emerge not on some Mediterranean island, but in the slightly damp and chilly streets of Liverpool.

The People
The attentive owner treats all of his customers like good friends, and mingles, chatting, complimenting, recommending wine, making everyone feel their night is special.

This is a family-run business, and the waiters are keen to be professional, friendly and accommodating, and the wait for the food is rarely unreasonable. Diners can be large parties celebrating birthdays, an office night out, or intimate couples, and families are welcome here.

The Food
The lamb is wonderful, charcoal grilled and accompanied by very fresh vegetables and rice. The mezedes is nicely and quite widely varied, and every dish really begs to be sampled - the octopus is particularly to be recommended, soft and blissful, the sheftalia is aromatic and heavenly spiced, and the easy, busy atmosphere makes this an almost rustic night.

Starters are from £3 for a dish of olives to £4.50 for the lovely, tangy dolmades - mince in vine leaves. For main meals, the mezedes is £16.50 per person, Sheftalia is £10. Other dishes are around £11, although the fish dishes are slightly more, at £16 for the bass.

The Drink
At £2.50 a glass, the house wine is pleasant and inoffensive, and there are a range of bottles of red and white wine from £10 for a beaujolais or liebfraumilch to £16 for a chablis. A selection of spirits are £2 for a shot, and liquors at £2.50. Irish and liquor coffees are £3.

The Last Word
Zorbas really is a staple of Liverpool, one of the oldest Greek restaurant in the city and certainly the most well established. With excellent food, good prices and a warm atmosphere, it is a very enjoyable place to eat.

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