Capers: A High Street Hideaway with Greek Soul

Tucked into Northcote’s High Street strip, Capers is part neighbourhood bar, part homage to yiayia’s kitchen table—a place where Greek-Cypriot comfort food, nostalgic interiors, and a laid-back energy come together like old friends.

Food That Feels Like a Hug

Opened by cousins Christian Evripidou and Anastasios Konnari in 2019, the menu draws from family recipes and Mediterranean staples. There’s pickled calamari, dolmades, and vegan moussaka with silky layers of roast veg and dairy-free béchamel. You’ll also find pastitsio—a baked Greek pasta with cinnamon-laced pork bolognese—and spanakorizo, a simple spinach rice dish that comes with tangy pickles and crusty bread.

Cocktails and Courtyards

Drinks lean playful and Greek-leaning: a Greek Salad Martini with olive brine and tomato shrub, or a Mastic Sour that brings a piney twist to a classic. Add a few Greek beers and a tight, curated wine list—rosé, chilled reds, and a syrupy Cypriot dessert wine—and you’ve got a bar that knows how to balance familiarity with charm. Herbal tea and coffee flow late into the night.

A Space Built with Love

The interiors are as nostalgic as the food: think mismatched vinyl chairs, vintage umbrellas, and mid-century sofas handed down from family homes or donated by friends. The bamboo-framed courtyard out back is a quiet pocket to share a bottle, read a book, or play a slow game of cards. Capers doesn’t aim to impress—it just wants to welcome you in, feed you well, and make you feel like you belong. And it does exactly that.