Support Us Button Widget

Have a meal at Yamas for a trip to Greece without leaving Austin

New Allandale restaurant Yamas invites you to experience its ‘filoxenia’ hospitality, the Greek tradition of making a stranger into a friend.

An overhead view of blue dishes filled with a marouli salad, grilled octopus, and Greek meatballs.

We enjoyed a taste of the Greek meatballs, grilled octopus, a marouli salad.

Photo by ATXtoday

Did you know “yamas” is the Greek word for “cheers?” If you didn’t, you do now.

Located in Allandale at 5308 Balcones Dr., Yamas Greek Kitchen and Bar is built on a few core staples of Hellenic hospitality: “kefi,” which loosely translates to “good vibes,” and “yamas,” a toast to good health.

Husband-and-wife owners Chris and Roxie Nikolakos want the coastal spot to invoke “filoxenia,” the Greek concept of making a stranger a friend.

The restaurant officially opened Saturday, June 10. Here’s what we recommend:

  • A Medusa margarita, which is fruity and a little spicy
  • The marouli salad, with dill and feta crumbles
  • Some spring roll moussaka, which is served with a feta bechamel
  • The keftedakia, or meatballs in a cumin tomato sauce
  • The grilled octopus, which is served with black lentils

Don’t forget to say “yamas,” while you’re there.

More from ATXtoday
The Sunday dinner service from Aaron Franklin harkens back to Midwestern dinners and family-style meal traditions that began back in the early 1900s.
A new study from real estate firm Franklin Street states that 14.8 million sqft of commercial space in Downtown Austin is empty.
Join us in being thankful for Austin’s foodie community, which has shared some of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes to make your table a little more local.
A new wine styles selector tool can help you find your new favorite wine made from Texas Hill Country-grown grapes.
The new Shine On campaign will bring major changes to the tune of $65 million to both historic theaters starting this summer.
Austin Public Library will begin to sell its retired material out of its branches instead of the one central used bookstore.
Did you know the city and county provide interactive GIS maps of Austin to connect you to resources and help you get to know your communities?
This list of volunteer opportunities in Austin, TX includes everything from building homes for people in need to fostering shelter animals.
Austin is home to some ancient history, including gigantic aquatic lizards, prehistoric humans, and dinosaur tracks uncovered by flooding.
The 2025 celebration of gooey, golden goodness is this weekend in Bee Cave, and we’re ready to chow down to this year’s tropical-themed bites.