Haywire - Domain
American · Austin · $$$
Austin, TX · $$$
Chris and Roxie Nikolakos are the dynamic duo behind Yamas Greek Kitchen and Bar, your beloved culinary destination nestled in the heart of Austin, Texas. Coming from families that have always placed immense value on communal dining and the binding power of food, Chris and Roxie sought to extend this ethos into their own establishment. They dreamt of creating a place that felt less like a restaurant and more like their own home. At the heart of their vision is the quintessential Greek concept of 'kefi' - an untranslatable word that essentially represents the spirit of joy, enthusiasm, high spirits, and positive vibes. Chris and Roxie's passion for kefi is reflected in every aspect of Yamas. From the passionate waitstaff and kitchen team, carefully selected ingredients, vibrant dishes, to the warm and inviting environment, it's evident that Yamas is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience steeped in Greek tradition.
“I’ve been here a few times and it is always amazing! True Greek food and the owners are delightful. You feel like you’re at the family restaurant in Greece. Vibes and ambience are always a plus too. You feel alive just like you would in Greece. Octopus not pictured, but 10/10. Crispy Feta is also a must. Pictures are of the Moussaka, Steak kabob, and dessert.”
“Yamas is such a beautiful restaurant—it truly reminded me of Santorini, Greece! We had a wonderful dinner and ordered the shrimp pasta, grilled sea bass fillet, and spanakopita as an appetizer. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was amazing. The sea bass was served a bit cold, but Leslie handled the situation exceptionally well. He was very attentive, took great care of us, and went above and beyond to make sure we were happy. She spoke with the manager, and they kindly removed the sea bass from our bill. What impressed us most was how much Leslie and the management genuinely cared about our experience and listened to our concerns. I highly recommend Yamas—not only for the delicious food and beautiful atmosphere, but also because you can expect excellent service and a team that truly takes care of its guests. A special thank-you to Leslie and the manager for their outstanding hospitality!”
“We had an excellent lunch here. First, the decor and ambiance immediately brought us back to Santorini. Very well done, and beautiful. Second, the service was very nice - checking in regularly and always making sure we had what needed. Third, the food was all delicious. The octopus was perfect - as good as the best we had in Greece. The moussaka was better than what I recall in Greece, and quite delicious. The shrimp ouzo was also very good. The steak and eggs was nice, but could have used a bit more char, and was a bit tough. Not the best cut, although the mushrooms and sauce were great. The Greek white wine we selected was also excellent. Prices are perhaps a tad high, but portions are generous. We left stuffed. We will definitely come back.”
“The moment we arrived the clean white washed building reminded me of my trip to Oia in Santorini. We were seated immediately which was early for our reservation. Our server Jade greeted us promptly an delivered us some waters. She then asked what we would like to start off with drinks. I explained to her that i wanted an experience in Greek food and drinks. She said well let’s start with some Ouzo. She brought it neat but provided us with some ice chips and juice. She said it is consumed several ways but allowed us the options. My wife ordered the Artemis spritz which she said was the exact drink she needed at that moment. Props to the bar staff on that one. We started our meal with several appetizers at the recommendation of some friends. Dolmadakia, Graviera Saganaki, and Seabass Carpaccio. I want to say the dolmas were my favorite but that was more nostalgia because the Seabass was incredible. It was so clean with just the right amount of citrus. I could have had just that and been satisfied. For our mains we ordered Filet minion Souvlaki and the Lamb chops. The lamb chops came with Greek fries which were extremely tasty and perfectly cooked. We got the rice with the filet mignon souvlaki and I dare say stole the show of that dish. We loved the mains as well but it is nice when the sides carry their weight. We finished the meal with Baklava, of course. By this point in pain from the amount of food but happy. Jade really took care of us. Her recommendations showed mastery of the menu. Her charisma was infectious. She really nailed that balance of attentive when needed and absent when not. It was after all date night. High marks. Thank you”
“I recently visited Yamas for dinner and had a pleasant overall experience. As a vegetarian, I was happy to see that the restaurant offered a decent selection of vegetarian dishes. While the number of vegetarian options wasn't extensive, the quality of the food more than made up for it. We started with the Spicy Feta, Crispy Feta, and Graveira Saganaki, and all three dishes were excellent. The Spicy Feta had a wonderful balance of creaminess and heat, while the Crispy Feta was perfectly textured with a delicious contrast between the crunchy exterior and soft interior. The Graveira Saganaki was rich, flavorful, and easily one of the highlights of the meal. The Greek Truffle Fries were another standout item. They were crispy, well-seasoned, and had just the right amount of truffle flavor without being overpowering. To finish the meal, we ordered dessert, which was equally impressive and provided a perfect ending to an enjoyable dining experience. The indoor seating area had a warm and inviting ambiance that made the dining experience comfortable and enjoyable. The décor and atmosphere felt relaxed yet upscale. However, the outdoor seating area was much less pleasant. It was quite hot and humid during our visit, and there were a lot of flies and mosquitoes, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the meal outside. One downside was the pricing. While the food quality was undoubtedly good, I felt that the overall cost was on the higher side for two people ($100). The experience and flavors were enjoyable, but the bill felt a bit steep compared to similar dining options. Overall, Yamas delivers tasty Greek cuisine with some good vegetarian dishes, a great indoor ambiance, and memorable appetizers and desserts. Despite the limited vegetarian selection, expensive pricing, and less comfortable outdoor seating area, I would still recommend it for those looking to enjoy quality Greek food in a pleasant setting.”
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