Yanni's Greek Restaurant Reviews

I have been a devoted Yanni's patron for nearly 30 years. In all this time, every meal has been consistently delicious. Owners Peter and Karen welcome guests to their family restaurant with true Greek hospitality, fresh hand-crafted cuisine, and a friendly, comfy atmosphere. If you know the Phinney-Greenwood communities, you'll appreciate the fact that, aside from one cozy Starbucks, there are virtually no chain stores here. Businesses are independent, and even the two franchises are locally owned and operated. Yanni's is, indeed, a family business. Fresh, real, authentic slow food "made from scratch" takes time to prepare. So, if you're looking for a fast meal, go somewhere else. Plan to make your dinner at Yanni's an evening in itself. From appetizers (try the Keftedes, and if you don't see them on the menu, ask) and generous salads to the best-ever avgolemono soup, you can ease your way into your entree in culinary bliss. I often go with friends, and we've been known to make a meal of shared appetizers, soups and salads, and traded tastes of shared entrees. And you're likely to need a take-home container for the leftovers. Be sure to save a wee bit of room for the awe-inspiring baklava ice cream. And if there are any food scientists out there who can tell me how baked filo stays crunchy when blended in ice cream, please do so...though you may need to sample several scoops as part of your research. I keep studying, but the mystery remains. In summary, Phinney Ridge is a genuine Seattle community, and Yanni's is the best place to enjoy it.

good greek.

The food was so good, I had the swordfish and prawn special, and my friends had chicken soulvaki. All dishes were cooked to perfection

From the very firm welcome when we entered to the equally pleasant adieu it was clear that good service was an asset to this eatery. The menu is extensive but manageable and the food was nicely presented. There is an interesting wine list featuring some Greek labels. This restaurant serves supper only.

My husband and I loved our Sunday brunch. I had an omelet and he had a Greek Benedict. Both were delicious, and servings were huge. Do yourself a favor and spend an extra $1 to upgrade the hash browns to their lemon diced roasted potatoes with peppers, onions, and feta! Can't go wrong here!

Its a nice place and clean. They prepare the food from fresh after we order and we can smell the cooking and its very mice smell. Couldn't wait to taste the food. And turn out the food is taste great and rich of spices.

We stopped and got some calamari, and then feta on fire. Wow. Some really delicious up in here. My friend who brought me is a regular, and we were coming back on monday, but you were closed. Next visit. I do know great wine, and great appetizers that filled me up fast. The staff is accomodating and had a 12 top while we were there, and no one missed a hitch here. very family, very friendly, very fun.

Despite living within walking distance of Yanni's my wife and I had never eaten there before but a Groupon coupon seemed the perfect opportunity. The restaurant is comfortably cozy with two seating areas divided by a partial wall. For drinks I chose a pint of draft Bad Jimmy's Porter (a brew from nearby Ballard, where I live) which I have to say was exceptional with its slightly fruity undertones and a nice and very tasty vanilla finish. Loved it so much I had a second. My wife had a glass of the Kourtakis Apelia White which she enjoyed, although it was a wee bit pricey at $9. My wife had the Chicken Yannis from the main menu while I chose the Chicken Picanti special. Both entrees were served hot, in good portions with a Greek salad and were delicious. For dessert we split a Kataifi ala mode and a Baklava Ice Cream both of which were very tasty without being too filling. Service was friendly and efficient.

The new menu was disappointing. Some of the favorites were missing. The portions seemed smaller too . I love this family owned restaurant and the food for years. I want my mousaka back !!

This place is the bomb. We had just gotten into town and dropped our bags off before searching for something to eat in the Phinney Ridge area of Seattle and came across this little gem. A small simply appointed space that had a constant line towards the door. I settled in for the Homemade Gyro with a Greek side salad and my lovely dining companion had the Lamb & Feta Burger Wrap with the same salad. Lots of food and top notch taste. The next time we're in the area we know where to stop!!!

my family and I had dinner here last night and the lamb was the best I have had in years my son and wife had different styles of chicken and said there food was also great, very good selection of Greek wine and the service was fantastic even though the place was very busy when we got there would suggest anyone who likes Greek food to try this restaurant

The service was quick and it was some of the best Greek cuisine I have tasted since I moved from Greece to the U.S.A. 10/10 will be going back as soon as I can.

We ordere red pepper hummus dip to start. Nice. We shared a nice house (greek) salad. dressing was a wee nut too spicy. My Fried eggplant dish was excellent. Suzanna's spanakopita was lacking in the feta department. At $9 per glass i thought the Chardonnay was too expensive.

We walked up to the window and ordered take-out on a Sunday night at around 6:45 pm: beef mousaka and Orektika. Both dishes were excellent. We were told that it would take about 25 min and that was about how long it took. The mousaka was heat hot and well-spiced. The Orektika offered a wide variety: hummus, tzatziki, falafel, spanakopita, tyropita, dolmathes, feta and olives, and pita bread. The portions were very generous. We plan to order from Yanni's again.

My husband and ate here twice while we were staying in Seattle. I would travel from TX back to Seattle just to eat at this restaurant! The food was delicious, the service was great, and the cost was set at reasonable rates for everything on the menu. By far the Greek food at this restaurant is the BEST that my husband & I have EVER eaten. My salivary glands work overtime, just thinking about it ... And, by the way, the portions were great, as well‼️

We are formerly from Seattle and returned for a quick visit this week - we have always enjoyed Yanni's and were not disappointed - the souvlaki and mousakka were outstanding. We enjoyed the meal with friends - love the "makeover"

Their appetizers were pretty good, but the main dish was little too salty. Probably good entree would be getting something like grilled meat dishes. I got seafood dish and was not really impressed.

A nice variety of Greek dishes and everything we had was good but the kitchen cannot keep up with the number of tables. It took an hour and 15 minutes to get our food. Also, when a customer points out that you forgot to charge them for something? Getting them their correct change as quickly as you can rather than doing other things is best. Bottom line, go.Chicken entree is wonderful. If dining alone, pick up a book at Santoro's a few doors down first.

I moved to Seattle from New York two years ago and this place is as good as the best Greek place in NYC, but cheaper - and maybe in some ways even a little better. I had the mousaka, my husband had the kalamari plika. Our appetizer was the fried cheese thing that is served on fire. Everything was SO good! Even the pita was exceptional. I have been inspired to have greek salad more often, as theirs was just awesome. Perfect. The service was wonderful, too. I'm looking forward to going back and getting something more basic. Plus, there was this wine from a 300 year old vineyard in Santorini that I wanted to try, but it was on backorder. I will be going back here - likely often. I suggest you go as well. Ohmygod I want to go back right now just for a greek salad. I'm going to ask my husband if we can go get a salad for lunch before we go to the japanese garden. I love not having a job and doing whatever I want on a sunny weekday! But I don't like not having money. *sigh*

Huge menu! Specialty Plates are very rich. If you like Gyros this is the place to go! Be sure and get a plate of Greek garlic fries on the side. They also have Raki (spelling?)! Sip it slowly, but truly a not to miss traditional Greek spirit.

We moved from Seattle 15 years ago but try to go to Yanni's whenever we return for a visit. After reading some terrible reviews on other sites we were nervous about returning. Our fears were unfounded - though the menu is not as extensive as it used to be, the food is still wonderful - the interior had been updated and our server was friendly and informative. If you haven't been in awhile, give them a try - you won't be disappointed!

Genuine long standing family-owned ethnic restaurant that serves a wide variety of Greek dishes for a reasonable price. Service seemed slow although people were very friendly once they came to our table. I would recommend the calamari and baklava along with an IPA. Arrive early as they fill up quickly.

We have been completely spoiled by decades of dining at Yannis. Your calamari? So far, no contest -- you're still the best. While you don't have the advantage of a Parthenon view, we've come to realize that not is your taste completely authentic, your cooking is superb. Thank you for teaching us what great Greek cooking is like. You could teach some of these Athenians a thing or two.

I had a restaurant.com offer I wanted to make use of and was meeting up with a girlfriend who lives in North Seattle. Yanni's came up as a hit when I searched for local places. It was pretty easy to locate and each of us found parking; one of us up the street and one across the street. We were warmly welcomed and asked promptly whether we'd like to order something to drink. After getting our wine, the owner took the time to talk to us about the Gordon Ramsey makeover, the process, and that the program featuring their restaurant should air soon. I would imagine they will be even busier then. My friend and I sat for 2+ hours catching up and saw several tables come, eat, go, and others take their place. It was never packed, but there was a steady dinner crowd. Our wine was good, a little pricey at $9.00 per glass, but we enjoyed. We shared the flaming feta appetizer, which was tasty. I might have liked some seasoning in addition to the bandy; not sure how to season when you flambé. We both had chicken entrees, which were generous in portion. Each came on a large platter that included a side Greek salad and veggies. More feta, yum. My friend ate as much as she could and I took my leftover chicken home with me. I would most definitely return again. Loved the blue walls with while trim - reminds me of vacation photos of Greece. The rows of planters on the walls were appealing as we're the candles all around the dining room.

We had a large group of about 20 people here for a pre Thanksgiving feast, the food was preordered and it was delicious and bountiful. I have to take my hat off to the staff who handled our large crowd with smiles and excellent service. Every course was delicious including a special vegetarian mousaka. Wonderful neighborhood place. Great greek food by a talented Sicilian Chef.

Loved the food, loved the price, loved the location, loved the service. So then why four stars... I personally cannot stand that old wet smell that a lot of places have in Seattle. It turns me off but we stayed because I really wanted Greek food. Parking is questionable/hard to find(not their fault) but it is still something I consider when I go out. Did I mention the food was amazing. I would go again for take out.

This neighborhood spot is easy to overlook as it is tucked into the west side of Greenwood's jumble of shops, cafes and coffee shops. The evening we visited, we had been tempted inside by daily specials posted on the door. Inside is a surprisingly elegant but low- key setting. We just needed a quick, light meal and ordered the salad with marinated chicken. It was fantastic! However, several tables were celebrating special occasions, and we watched dish after dish go by that smelled soooooo gooooood. The staff was exceptionally friendly but never intrusive. If you are in north Seattle, this is a great spot for dinner. No lunch service, closed on Monday.

Our daughter lives in Seattle and had dinner at Yanni's before, so she recommended it on our visit to Seattle. Neighborhood eatery that had many open tables when we stopped by without reservations. The staff was friendly and attentive. We started with the tzatziki and pita appetizer. The pita was hot and delicious and the tzatziki was very good. I order the Beef Mousaka. Also very good. Made to order in a separate dish, served with a Greek salad and Greek potatoes. Takes about 20-30 minutes - made to order! I would order this dish again. The problem dish: my wife order the lamb shush kabob. The lamb chunks were under cooked and "chewy." She asked for them to be cooked more and the staff was accommodating. When the dish returned, they had provided a new fresh salad and fresh Greek potatoes. Better, but not great. Our daughter ordered the vegetable Mousaka and enjoyed it. French fries come with feta cheese and seasonings. Maybe a 3.5/4. Good, not great. But nice, friendly staff. With a 10% discount for paying in cash.

With delectable treats like Gyro Benedict, Baileys with Coffee and a fresh Greek salad allows anyone in your group to find something they would love! Family friendly and in the heart of the historic Phinney downtown area this is a great stop for even large groups to enjoy a meal together. Tip: Get the Meza plate - delicious!

My wife and I have had dinner at Yanni's a handful of times now and not only is the food fantastic the service is even better...genuine interest in making your dining experience special. As an example, it had been about six weeks since our last visit to Yanni's and I jokingly asked the waitress what was the wine I had last time as it was really good...she said she remembered us and pointed to the table where we sat and said it was a unique/special wine. She brought out a glass and was right! This is a family owned and run restaurant who takes a special interest in each table of guests, interacts with you and provides some great specials...it is our favorite place to bring friends for a welcoming and tasty dining experience.

This place is unmatched. You must visit here and thank me later in your praises. The prices are cheap the meals are top class. The cook is serving the meals himself, one mans shop. This was our daily routine during our trip, we used to suffer the mid-summer heat just to eat at this place, it was that good. Nothing we had in Cyprus could compare to these home made, love filled meals. We used to eat at other tourist trap locations, but the prices were unfriendly. When we found this place, this was the place we stuck with for the rest of our days. You can have a full belly for 5 euros here, that's insane, if you feeling your pockets weighing you down though, you can get a restaurant class stake, my mouth waters just remembering that perfectly prepared meal! On our last day, we came around to find that our usual table was reserved, imagine our surprise when the chef said he reserved it for us. Wish I could eat here every day for the rest of my life! May you live long and prosper Yanni! <3

What a neighborhood gem. Located in the Phinney Ridge area of Seattle this cozy restaurant is quite the spot to dine in. We were really tired from a long day's drive and had thrown our bags into the room and then went on our search for food. Tripadvisor pointed us there and we were not disappointed. This is traditional Greek fare and they hit all of the high notes. I had the classic Gyro with a Greek side salad and my lovely traveling companion had the same salad but paired up with a lamb and beef wrap. One clue I always look for when dining in a new place is the facial expressions and body language of my fellow diners. This is an easy tell for me and it has been highly accurate over the years. Well, everyone was smiling as they were eating. By the time we left we were owners of very large smiles. An A+ visit.

Amazing very welcoming we all loved it, food and service was great we had no complaint’s, we’ll priced definitely coming back here :)

Yanni's is a wonderfully warm and welcoming neighborhood restaurant that we visit regularly. Food is always delicious, imaginative specials, excellent service. Highly recommended!

I have been to Yanni's many times. It is always wonderful. On a recent trip to Seattle it was one of the highlights. A great family to support.

We used to live in this neighborhood and frequented this restaurant a lot. Unfortunately, upon returning last weekend, we were disappointed. The service was very slow, even though the place was not that busy for a Saturday evening. We had to wait a very long time for our food to be served. The quality of the food was average. I am not sure if the ownership has changed since we lived here or what is the issue, but I would strongly recommend that the owner revisit the overall management of the restaurant from the client perspective, from entering the place to exiting.

Staying at a local AirBNB, we were in the mood for Greek and decided to stop in at Yanni's. It was a good decision. Good welcoming service, good food at a reasonable price. Maybe a little light on portion size but we left sated and enjoyed enough to go back a second time and had another good experience. Don't let the lack of superlatives mislead you. "Good" is high praise for me. Enjoy!

We decided to head to Yanni's for Sunday brunch and we are so glad we did. The ambiance is great, people are super friendly and the food is delicious!!! We will definitely be back to try it for dinner!

I’ve been half a dozen times but not for five years. I have very good memories of it being an unpretentious nourishing family run restaurant. It looks the same. The waitress was friendly. The prices not so. The Kalamari appetizer was delicious as was the vegetable mousaka. The “tender braised pork steak” was dry and not tender. The accompanying roast potatoes were tasty, but stone cold. Prices were a bit steep. I was especially surprised at $9 for a glass of retsina - normally the cheapest of wines. So some food was very good. Some not so. I’ll look for other Greek alternatives in the future. A shame, as I previously always enjoyed the place.

we've been patronizing Yannis for <10yrs and just went back recently to find many new changes. menu has shrunk and most of the real Greek dishes n seafood are gone. food has morphed into some kind of Greek-fusion. Bread, salad, soup used to be part of the meal; now you must buy separately. seems they're trying to push "small plates" (I.e. price gouging). The decor has changes into an anonymous, boring walls n cheap wicker. Gone are the lovely murals n any indication of Greek heritage. Now that Costas has closed and Yannis has changed, it's. time to look for a new Greek spot.:(

While visiting family in seattle, they brought us to yanni's for a very enjoyable dinner. The place is family owned and operated, so everybody had a vested interest in ensuring we had a great time, and they did not disappoint. We started off with the small meze platter and drinks: great wine and a crisp house beer (!). Plenty of sampling for the four of us. Our meals arrived in a timely manner, and ample portions; we needed doggie-bags. In addition to the regular menu, they have nightly specials and of course, our server was knowledgeable and helpful in explaining what was what. Salads were fresh, meat was tasty and tender, and having the windows open during dinner was a nice added touch- one of the perks of living in seattle, just like the restaurant itself!

I had an amazing meal last night at this cute little place in Seattle. The food is great and the atmosphere is good, however there is something missing. I am originally Greek and I am used to experiencing the warmth of Greek hospitality. That part was missing given that the waiter took a really long time and take my order, and was not really attentive, while the place was not that busy. Also, he was quick to bring me my bill before asking if I wanted dessert and that left a really bad taste. Overall good good, but the service could improve a great deal.

This restaurant is off the beaten track but it is so worth a trip. A large group of us met for dinner on a Friday night. There were several other patrons but we had no problem getting a table. They offered a nice selection of beers, wine and cocktails. I didn't sample the beer but we ordered a very nice dry red cab from Greece (first on the list of the wine menu) that was excellent. No appetizers were ordered so I cannot comment on that but I saw that they offer many different hot and cold ones. They apparently have a regular menu and a changing special menu. One special of the day was lamb shank. It was melt in your mouth tender and the seasonings were so delicate and savory. Three in our group ordered various chicken dishes. They were also seasoned and cooked to perfection. The pita that was served on the side was coveted and used to help sop up all the wonderful sauces on the plates. A traditional gyro was sampled and the meat was so flavorful. They also managed to lightly brown the meat without it drying out one smidge. I wish I could do that at home. Dinner was so satisfying and very reasonably priced. Overall, the meal was a two-hour affair. Perfect for our group of family and friends who were wanting to chat and enjoy ourselves. The service was wonderful. The family that owns Yanni's were very personable. The young woman who served us (the owner's daughter) shared a few stories about life within a Greek family at the end of our meal. Overall, we loved the food, the atmosphere, and the service. We will definitely will be eating there again and again. (edit to add: I saw that Families with children was a rating option in the review options. I really think that families with smaller children might find that a restaurant with quicker service might be a better idea.)

I took my nephew here on his last day in Seattle. The place looks very unique and somewhat homey. For the starter we had the fried calamari(nice and fresh), Pellion Evvoo oil(pita bread,goat cheese, very salty olives, olive oil, slice tomatoes and cucumber), we really enjoyed this starter. Main course, I had the special of the day (chicken on the stick - marinated chicken on a skewer, pita bread, slice tomatoes & cucumber, chopped lettuces under everything and a dip. I love this dish, everything tasted fresh fresh fresh; you could the nice herb used on the chicken(oregano,thyme,rosemary - presume) I couldn't stop eating and wanted some more. We end up trying their baklava dessert - not very sweet, very nutty , nice to end dinner. Cons: I original asked for the beef moussaka but they said they didn't have it. The appetizer took awhile to arrive. Overall, this place is great, a little gem of Greek in Seattle and I wouldn't mind coming back here again with my family. Kudos to the chief and staff.