Restaurant Review: Ela! Greek Taverna – Bayers Lake

Since I actually got out of the house yesterday and hit the “town” (Bayers Lake) with my friend Emily who spoiled me rotten, driving me to all sorts of cool places… I just had to share this phenomenal foodie meal with you.

We started our afternoon together with lunch at Ela! Greek Taverna. I have only heard good things about the food at this restaurant but knew the prices might be a little high. We walk in and the place is quite huge and very tall with large trees that keep the guests company as they eat.

There is even a long bar for people who just want to hang out and have a glass of wine in this beautifully natural light-lit environment.

We sat at the front of the restaurant in a circular configuration and still felt a part of the rest of the restaurant which was screened by enormous ceramic pots set into the wall’s openings.

Another giant tree sat beside us in the brilliant front room. Even though the tree is not real, I love this detail, it suits my sensibilities. The natural light also brought a lot of wonderful energy into the room.

I had heard this was a more expensive place to go for Greek food but I was enamoured with its rustic charm juxtaposed with elegance. I felt very comfortable since both were balanced so well.

Emily and I were both on a budget so we were happy to discover the lunch menu was not only available on the weekends, you can order from it until 4 pm.

We shared a plate of hummus which was meaty and delicious. Emily was worried about us getting full but I knew I was only beginning to feast.

She ordered the chicken breast riganato, a chicken breast which had been in a house marinade with oregano before being charbroiled. It came with a Greek salad and Emily ordered the potatoes.

I ordered the Spanakopita lunch plate with the potatoes as well. I was intrigued that their Spanakopita came with a feta dill cream sauce which sounded like a genius idea to me.

Was it ever! The pastry was perfectly baked, so crispy it shattered under my fork and then I scooped it up through the sauce and thought I had died and gone to heaven.

The potatoes were absolutely perfect, roasted until they were soft on the inside but brown on the outside. You could taste the fresh lemon juice in every bite of the potato and the salad was the quintessential Greek salad. Exactly what I wanted and so much more!

Not only was this one of the best Greek meals I have ever had, it may have also been one of the best meals of my life. I have eaten a lot of Spanakopita and made it myself but this was foodie bliss and those potatoes? Out of this world.

My only complaint? Although the staff was very cordial and professional, they were not super friendly. Also, I would highly recommend they start heating the washrooms. They were freezing and everyone in there complained about it!

We had a stunning lunch for just over $20 each and it was worth every cent. When we have a bigger budget I will be going back for dinner and dessert! I just know it will be worth the money.


I give this restaurant experience four and a half out of five wooden spoons.