Zorba’s Bar & Grill Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • Specialties
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Zorba’s Bar & Grill

  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • Specialties
  • Desserts

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  • bb k.

    In the mood for authentic Greek food, we listened to Sun food critic Richard Gorelick and made a reservation at Zorba's (totally unfaithful to our HIghlandtown standard, Ikaros). WHAT A MISTAKE. The restaurant was out of chicken and three of the fish selections of the day. And the traditional dishes were absolutely awful -- from the spanikopita, to the dolmades, to the moussaa --- all just awful. What a disappointment. Sorry Zorba, you are one and done.

    (1)
  • Karen H.

    Dinner here with friends from the area recently was a blast. Crowded with locals, you know as soon as you enter that it's going to be a fun night. The waitress was great - personable, funny and knowledgeable. A previous review mentioned $27 for lamb chops but this is a plate to share or take half home for the next day's lunch. We wanted to try some of the sides, having heard how good they are, but be warned: they are huge also. Order a couple to share with the table. I had the pork and it was ravishingly delicious. We could watch the chefs preparing sides of pork and lamb in the kitchen and knew it would be a good as it was. The tzatziki sauce with the lamb was almost the best part of the meal. Small wine list with some good Greek wines. Downside? Too much food to even consider dessert, but with food this good, who cares? Go. Eat.

    (4)
  • Marc H.

    This is my first experience with "Greektown" in Baltimore and it did not disappoint. I went this past Sunday night for dinner and overall had a very tasty meal. We started off with the eggplant salad app and the grilled octopus app. The eggplant was very tasty, with a nice garlicky kick to it, but I wish they served it with fresh pita or something instead of the bread basket they give you when youre seated. The grilled octopus was FANATASTIC! I highly recommend you order this if you go... wow. For my entree I had the grilled lamb chops, which were extremely delicious. The side dishes (green beans and potatoes) were just average but not bad. The two other people I was with got the chargrilled sea bass and the grilled shrimp, both of which were very good. Overall, I had a great meal and would definitely return. The decor is craptacular, so if you care about things like that then maybe this isnt the place for you. Apps and entrees were great and the side dishes were meh. Bottom line, go.

    (4)
  • Bethshan M.

    Food was not typical Greek cuisine....Wish we had tried something different - octopus was chewy and tough, snapper was ok - but over cooked...charred to much...

    (2)
  • Andrew K.

    My favorite greek restaurant was a 45 minute wait on Saturday night so I decided to try out Zorba's. The outside looks like it's a tiny place but there is a bar and some tables on the first floor when you enter and the second floor has several tables. We started off with the eggplant salad which you dip with bread and it was really good. The second appetizer we got was octopus and it was amazing. It was grilled and covered in olive oil and it wasn't too crunchy or chewy but had the right texture and tasted great. I got the beef on skewer for my entree and it was good but what was even better were the lambchops. For $20, you get 8 lamb chops! I've never been to a restaurant that gives so many lamb chops and it tasted really good. I would come back to order this again. It comes with tzakis white sauce and you get a choice of 2 huge sides. I'd go with the french fries, oven roasted potatoes or the string beans. The peas weren't that good. Anyways, I was stuffed and really happy after eating here and I'm going to order those lamb chops and octopus again the next time I come here.

    (5)
  • Mitchell N.

    Walking around and exploring Greektown for the first time, I decided to choose Zorba's for a nice authentic Greek dinner and it definitely did not disappoint. Food was top notch and it was a very nice homey restaurant. Would absolutely recommend to anybody who is around the area looking for quality Greek food!

    (5)
  • Alex B.

    Great food and great service. Family owned and operated. Fish was fresh and delicious. Lamb chops were good not great. Tazaki sauce was one of the best I ever had. Will be back!

    (5)
  • Paul P.

    I came here during a late shift at work (~7:30pm), and the place was empty aside from one other table (however, it WAS a Monday, so it makes sense). The place is darkish (it's a bar) with a few TV's around. They just had the news on, but I'd assume that come a big sports game, they'd play it on the projector they have at the front. Service was prompt. The waitress brought over a menu and quickly got my order down; I got the Pork Gyro. After taking my order, she went back to the bar area with the other waitress, and they were fiddling on their phones. I have no qualms with this AT ALL (just wanted to point it out in case some of you guys do care), because they got my order in, got my food out, and refilled my water any time it was close to empty. There was a good amount of food for $9. Fries were tasting a bit fishy (do they fry their taters in the same oil as fish here?), but after asking for some Old Bay, the flavors popped out. The tzatziki sauce is already inside of the Gyro and not on the side, so if you want to choose your amount, ask for it on the side. Too bad it tastes AMAZING, so I would've dumped the whole glob inside anyways. There was a huge amount of pork inside, and it was cooked great! Solid place - I'll come back again once I make my full rounds around Greektown!

    (4)
  • Ky T.

    Like Sheila S. I am EXTREMELY surprised this place has 4.5 stars. Our server spent most of her time sitting at a table adjacent from but facing us staring at me and playing on her cell phone, not refilling my ever empty glass of water. The tzatski dip while tasty, came with sliced hard white bread as opposed to pita and veggies and if you want fresh pita bread there is a high up charge. We also ordered another $9 dip made with fish roe, I've enjoyed at Ouzo Bay at the inner harbor but this one tasted like fishy mayonnaise. Their grilled octopus, I'd hoped would be as delicious as the way they make it at Samos, but it was served blackened and was tough as nails to chew with no flavor aside from char. Lemon juice or anything else could not save it but I wish I'd gotten a picture of it for you all to see what appeared to be a crime scene on a plate the way it was served. Hubby said his grilled Bronzino fish was not bad but I found it bad and also burnt, which brings me to the lamb chops. I asked for mine to be cooked medium. They were cooked well done which solidifies my notion that no matter where you may find 7 lamb chops on a plate for the low cost of 30 bucks, if it seems too good to be true, it probably will be. It's obvious the cooks here cook things on too high heat degree for too long as our dining experience was like something out of a shoddy diner and it was not until I was getting ready to leave and needed to use the restroom that I discovered their ladies room was disgusting. I barely wanted to touch a faucet handle AND was bid farewell by a mouse. This is like the overpriced Taco Bell of Greek eats in Baltimore with a mice problem.

    (1)
  • Kendrah R.

    The food is a solid 4-stars. The environment and service make this place a 5-star. Gigantic portions. Fresh flavors. Good prices. Extremely friendly waitress. Down to earth environment. This place had the best taramasalata I have ever had. So lemony and smooth. I got a gigantic serving of swordfish that was good. The dolma were great. My husband had a huge plate of pork. It was good but not over the top excellent. We will be back next time we are in Baltimore.

    (5)
  • George T.

    5 star, that's right. Every one is deserved. I was told by a Greek friend (actual FOB greek) that this was the place to go for MEAT, of all the other choices in greektown, baltimore. The venue is small although there might have been an upstairs. There is bar as first walk in followed by some dinner tables at the end. In the very back, you can see pork being roasted on large rotisserie sticks behind a glass window that looks into kitchen. The smell is immediately intoxicating. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive (greek hospitality?). I'm a big ice water drinker, and she kept my glass full the entire time w/o me noticing. Bravo. Now for the food. - Grilled Octopus: plz plz plz get this. everyone deserves to try this at least once in their life. Incredibly tender, LARGE chunks of octopus. The outside had great char, the inside was juicy and flavorful. BEST i've ever eaten. - Lamb chops: some of the best tasting rack of lamb i've had. the same quality you'd find at a fancy steakhouse but for only 25$ you get 8, EIGHT, 8 pieces. This comes with a side of taziki which is a great compliment to the meaty tasty of the lamb. - Pork: the pork was wonderful flavor, not too salty either which is a danger with roast pork. The portions were ENORMOUS. my only criticism was it was a bit dry (just a bit). - Side: greek potatoes, endives, rice pilaf, string beans: these were ok, nothing to look forward too but they have an

    (5)
  • Anna D.

    Normally I would give this place 5 stars, but I went back this week after a year and it just wasn't the same! The meat was overcooked and dry and my favorite thing on the menu, the octopus, was just not the same. I really hope it isn't going downhill!

    (3)
  • Evangelia S.

    I went there for kontosouvli but it was really different from the original greek kontosouvli. So, i was disappointed by that but I highly recommend the lamb chops. Just excellent! Tzatziki was really good but greek salad was not good as the tomatos were not done! Grilled octopus was also delicious!

    (3)
  • Tasya B.

    So glad we stopped in here tonight! Waitress was great, never had an empty glass and the food was AMAZING!! $5 for spanakopita, $16 for pork souvlaki platter (huge salad, pita bread, zorba fries and three skewers of pork). In all honesty my husband and I could have shared the platter since we brought food home. We sat at the bar so we could watch the World Cup but they had several tables set up with blue table clothes. Honesty wasn't sure what to expect after walking in but we have put this place on our list of go-to's! Neighborhood is safe but parking can be a pain at certain times and watch out for the two trucks at 3:30.

    (5)
  • Naoum A.

    I wish this was in closer to Arlington! It was a very friendly and casual restaurant with terrific food. The grilled octopus was phenomenal. The dolmathes were thickkk and the spaganaki perfect! Had the pork gyro too and it was some great pork, cooked on a spit. Can't wait to return!

    (5)
  • Nick B.

    No bad at all. I got the octopus like everyone has recommended. I really liked it however if you eat a lot of sushi like I do you may feel as though this is a little dry since it is grilled over coals. Still pretty good. Also got the pork that was really crazy amount of delicious charred pork. Check out the pic. My wife got the chicken gyro. Also delicious but what you would expect. The cucumber sauce was better then most. Nice servers. Would recommend.

    (4)
  • Sunshine G.

    Three days after my meal, I'm still dreaming about the food we had. This place has absolutely blown me away. We walked in around 3.30 pm on a Saturday afternoon, while driving from Boston to DC. We were exhausted and looking for a quick meal...we stayed for almost 3 hours. The service was amazing- they served us food even though they were not officially open, my drinks were refilled even before I finished them and everyone was super friendly. We ate: Grilled Octopus: The best I've tasted in my life, fresh and charcoal grilled for that crispy outside/tender inside taste Roast pork: You can see them roasting it through the glass window in the kitchen. Lambchops: Perfectly seasoned, melt in your mouth morsels of heaven. Complemented by the fresh dollop of tzatziki served with it. I wanted to lick the plate! Grape Leaves: I'm usually not a fan but these were so tasty and delicate Spanakopitas: Layers of flaky pastry oozing spinach and cheese Potato chips: Greek style, deep fried Greek salad: It came with slabs of feta cheese...slabs I tell you! Flan: Not too sweet and perfectly caramelized Some Greek dessert similar to baklava but much, much yummier. Yes, we were a couple. Yes, you can call us gluttons. We ate it all! I cannot wait to be back!

    (5)
  • Christina P.

    Amazing food. Wonderful service. Owner had us sample things for free to make sure we has the best stuff from the restaurant (since we had never been there before). Bartender and owner were both from Greece (different parts) and taught us so much about the area. Wonderful time!!! The dining room could be bigger.

    (4)
  • Megan F.

    My all time favorite restaurant in the entire world. Amazing food and my god father, my father and I have been going for years.

    (5)
  • Jo F.

    Best tzatziki in town - check Best Greek salad in town - check Best Greek potatoes in town - check Bomb ass grilled octopus - check Good ambiance, chill vibe, fastest darn Latino chef in town - check, check, check

    (5)
  • Robin R.

    Ahhhh.....now THAT hit the spot!! I have been jonzin' for real Greek food for sometime so when a good friend flew in from TX it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get my fill. At her suggestion (her old haunt) we met at Zorbas. We started with a sampler platter including taramasalata (fish roe), melitzanosalata (eggplant salad), and marinaded cold octopus served with slices of grilled bread. If you haven't had it before....fish roe is a bit on the salty side (to me) with a creamy texture/slight fish flavor, the eggplant has a strong garlic flavor and creamy texture. Good as any I have had over the years and worth getting if you are dining with a group to share. I read a few reviews and noted the grilled octopus seem to be a favorite with many people so of course I got it. It was FABULOUS!!! In fact, I am currently eating it for breakfast. :) I was an octopus virgin so I wasn't sure what to expect. It's a wee bit chewy....not rubbery just chewy and the meat is dense. My guess is it's marinaded with spices and olive oil and then grilled on the special Zorbas grill. **YUMMY** My main course was the Lamb Chops.....pricey but damn worth it! The delicate chops were grilled to perfection with a hint of the grill and spices. The portion is a good size for sharing but I am greedy.....hehehehe **YUMMY** My friend had kontosouvli which is a roasted pork piled high. I didn't sample it but she raved about how tasty it was and since she is Greek (technically 1/2 but Greeks don't claim anything but Greek, so THERE) she should know. Both of us had the roasted potatoes and green beans as our veggies and they are a standard in Greek restaurants.....good stuff. Two people joined us.... one got the XL Greek village salad and it's big enough to feed a village. NO JOKE it came out in what looked like a serving bowl. The other person ordered stuffed grape leaves and something else......don't remember :( he did say it was delicious so that should help. We finished off with Greek custard....it was wrapped in phyllo dough and drizzled with syrup served warm. A few things to know: The restaurant is between Macon and Ponca on the right side headed in town. It is small and no wider than the average townhouse...if I am not mistaken it was a strip bar years back. The main dining area is upstairs..Yes there are steps involved. HA! and the first floor is a little cramped. I have read a lot of reviews calling it dumpy...I am a Baltimore gal who grew up getting coddies at the neighborhood bar so the decor felt homey to me. If you are the high brow sort, maybe you would prefer aesthetics over taste/price this might not be the place for you. *shrug* I liked it just fine.

    (4)
  • Helen T.

    Love love love the Greek food here! Def one of my go-to Greek places. My favorites are the lamb chops entree (with tomatoey-string beans and potatoes sides) and the pork gyros. Both are absolutely delicious!! If you're debating about the lamb because of the price ...just do it! Well worth it imho :). The portions are ample and the taziki sauce is soooo yummyy. The decor is a bit interesting and the ambiance is really loud but not in an obnoxious way :). Highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Rachel S.

    Zorba's embodies the term "diamond in the rough". This place is by no means a glitzy dining venue, but what they lack in elegance, they more than redeem in culinary magic. Carnivorous nourishment seems to be a recurring theme in these reviews, and for good reason. Zorba's crafts meat the way a sculptor works a block of alabaster: with expertise, dedication, and lots of love. And beyond their porcine, ovine, bovine bliss, they offer some of the freshest seafood in town. Like most places in Greektown, Zorba's has a heart of old-world charm beneath it's Charm City surface. Each dish is prepared with meticulous methodology, ingrained in the culture, and passed down by the owner. My boyfriend, being fairly FOB Greek, couldn't wait to share this well-kept Baltimore secret with me. He and his father frequent Zorba's several times a week, and I was antsy to taste some of the dishes they'd raved about. We arrived around 8 pm on a weeknight, and grabbed a table on the first floor near the bar. I let him order for us, trusting his authentic experience over my foodie instincts. We started with what I can say confidently was the best Grilled Octopus I've had: a huge portion of tenderly grilled sea-steak, marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and pepper. Typically grilled octopus contains a few choice pieces that are either overdone or underdone (understandable due to the varying thickness of the cuts), but in this case, each piece was cooked perfectly We cleared the entire plate. I've always adored the delicious crispy charred bits of tentacle, and veered away from the thicker body-cuts, but every bite was mouth-watering. For our entree, we split the lamb (8 chops!!!), served with tzatziki, roasted potatoes, and green beans in a savory tomato sauce. I've never tasted lamb quite this tender before, and I've had lamb in some top notch places. Typically restaurants overcook parts of the chops, and the result is a layer of gristle on each piece. Zorba's cooks the meat to perfection, and the limited fat is soft and melts into the meat, and on-point seasoning. Wonderful. Their tzatziki blows others I've tried clean out of the water as well: thick and creamy, with perfectly balanced spices and crunch. Use it sparingly on the lamb: the meat is delightfully seasoned on its own. However, spread some of that creamy heaven on the potatoes, and you've got yourself a mouthgasm. As for the green beans: I rarely get excited about this veggie, but their flavorful marinara was a game-changer. Magnificent meat. Sensational seafood. Truly heartfelt dishes. Make a bee-line for this place the next time you're downtown. Well worth the visit.

    (5)
  • Joseph G.

    If you're looking for the new, hip, trendy Greek spot in town with fancy and amazing food - Go to Ouzo Bay at Harbor East. If you want the best damn Greek food in Baltimore (or DC... VA... DE.), Zorba's is your place. Start with the grilled octopus (even if you don't like octopus - YES, it's that freaking good). Next go with the pork, lamb chops, any fish they put on the grill that night, and round it off with the best greek salad you'll ever have. The spot is outdated and a lil dark to say the least - but who cares, it's all about the food, people - THE FOOD INCREDIBALLS!

    (5)
  • Supriya M.

    We really had mixed feelings on this place. We went here with my husbands parents on a Monday night, surprised that they asked us to make a reservation for 4 people at 6:15p, but we learned when we got there that there are only a few tables. This is truly a locals place and had a many Greek-speaking or Greek-appearing people sitting at the bar or other tables chatting. We were seated right next to the window where you watch themeat roasting over the hot coals, a plus. The menu was as appeared online and offered a nice variety of authentic Greek dishes. Fresh grilled bread (complemetary) got the meal off to a good start. Not knowing what to expect from "fish roe mixed with olive oil and lemon," we tried the taramosalata which was a huge portion of a pink salty fishy spread.Intensely flavorful, but a few bites was enough. The Greek salad was the real deal, and came with feta blocks sizes that we hadn't had since being in Santorini. The Zorba salad was shreds of lettuce with olive oil and lemon, merely satisfied the need for greens. Entrees were humongous. Each one could have fed two people. The pork souvlaki platter was tasty although the pork was drier than expected. The kontosouvli (another entity we had never seen on a menu) was exactly what the menu said: chunks of pork piled high on a plate; must have been at least 1lb of meat with nothing else on the same plate. There were bites of it that were memorable but it proved to be too much pork and again a bit too dry on average. Ordering the lamb chops got us 7 whole chops that were tasty but inconsistent on tenderness. Truly the best item of the night was the gyro which was literally perfect. The sides also were generous and excellent. The tzatziki, pita, rice, french fries all exactly what they should have been. Ultimately with such an incredible amount of food already, we couldn't bring ourselves to order dessert. The service was attentive and pleasant. Our waitress made a few mistakes and broke a plate but that more of an endearing thing than a drawback. I think if we gave this place another shot, maybe tried different menu items, it might live up to the 5 stars it has here, but for us it was the fact that the meat was not as tender or flavorful as we would expect, and honestly the portions so large that we would have happily paid less (since it's not a cheap place) to get less food (none of us liked the food so much that we were anxious to take it home and have it for leftovers), that left us in no hurry to return. Zorba's is a fairly unique culinary experience with a charming local-feel and you should probably try it, however for us Samos remains the best Greek food we've had in Baltimore.

    (3)
  • Annie G.

    Authentic and classic Greek food for a very good price! We ordered the spanikopita for an appetizer (big portion) which was very tasty. I had the gyro with pork, which was excellent! My sister had the chicken souvlaki and said it was the best she's eaten anywhere. The bill was less than $40 for both of us and we walked out with leftovers. Two thumbs up; people should know that Samos isn't the only good Greek restaurant in Baltimore!

    (5)
  • Em D.

    Not great - in fact, fairly disappointing overall. Service was lacking (e.g. no water refill, slow and a bit rude). Will not return.

    (1)
  • Ben B.

    When you think of Baltimore, a few things come to mind. Crabs. Old Bay. Crime. What doesn't come to mind is Greek food. And it should. Zorba's is definitely not as dirty as some other reviews seem to say. It's small, it's chandelier-free, but it's definitely a nice place to bring together a bunch of friends to have some beers and pig out. The octopus, as everyone else has been saying, is incredible. And there's a lot of it. It may seem pricey, but when they bring out a plate that's essentially a whole octopus cut up, you'll say it's worth it. The lamb chops were the best I've ever had, and that includes the $30 entree places I've been to in NYC. The fat was creamy and tasty and the meat was excellently cooked. I also recommend the pile 'o pork (I forgot the Greek name, just ask for the pile of pork), which you'll see slow-roasting through the window in the back of the restaurant. It was kind of like a Greek pulled pork and all kinds of delicious. Though the prices look high on first glance, a pack of hungry men ate very well for $15 a piece (tip included). So don't be frightened. Indulge, drink some Greek beer and stuff yourself with tasty meats. OH! P.S., roasted potatoes. Any other side order is a wasted opportunity.

    (5)
  • Beee K.

    I only had grilled octopus there. It was plenty and good for first several bites, and then I realized that it might have been over marinated a little too much. A lot of pieces were little over grilled, too. My husband liked his chicken gyro, but originally he wanted to get lamb gyro and they didn't have one. Chicken gyro tasted real good, it was like chicken souvlaki. Service was fine. I guess I was little disappointed at their grilled octopus, which I heard they were excellent. I might have to come back and find out more.

    (3)
  • Deborah G.

    Zorba's is a part of the Greektown establishments that provide good food at a good price. The atmosphere is laid back and very simple and there are only white walls and some black and white photographs to decorate the long first floor. And yes there is a photo of Anthony Quinn as Zorba theGreek in the 1964 movie by the same name. When you walk in there is a long bar with the usual drinks and some Greek specialties. After that there are a few tables and a wall with a picture window to view the flaming pit where the grilled meats and fish are prepared. I watched the "griller" prepare flaming pork, huge steaks, chicken and seafood (fish, scallops and shrimp) with splashes of olive oil and plenty of flames. I had a front row seat and watched him manage one order after another like an orchestra conductor guiding the musicians. The others in the kitchen were prepping food, making salads and other orders for the waiting diners. We had a great meal starting with a large Greek farmer's salad that also has romaine lettuce per our request. Otherwise you are served luscious red tomatoes, red onion, green pepper, crispy cucumbers and Greek olives with huge pieces of fresh tasty Feta cheese. The house dressing is a tangy red vinegar and olive oil mixture with some herbs on the top. Our main orders - we all had the grilled Bronzino- beautiful whole fish (with its head off so we don't have to see the eyes) with crispy skin. The insides were perfectly cooked and retained the moistness that grilled fish should have. The sides included average Greek oven baked potatoes (not that tasty in my opinion), Hand sliced Greek circle fries fresh from the fryer (these were delicious till they became cold and somewhat oily), huge servings of broccoli, peas and string beans in a tomato sauce.The waitress also provided a huge serving of fresh tzatziki sauce for the potatoes and our veggies. It was filled with cucumbers and dill and made a perfect topping for the plain veggies on the plates. There was so much on the plate that we took some home for another meal. In closing, the bread is ordinary and so are most of the vegetables but everything on the table is fresh and the portions are large. The fish and the salad are the clear winners. This is some of the best grilled fish in town. I've had the Bronzino at Samos but it is never as tasty or as plump as the fish we had at Zorba's. Our server was great as she was attentive and informative. She provided water and iced tea throughout the meal and served the food as it came from the kitchen - hot and just plated. I plan to return when I need my pescaterean fix as this is as good as if I made it myself on my own grill. The restrooms are upstairs and the women's room looks as if it came directly from Greece. It is actually dirty but it did have paper and soap products for my use. You might want to avoid this if you can or Purell your hands after using. Why not a five star? Well the place needs a good cleaning. it's a third world type restaurant with good food. If they could paint, get some new carpeting and fix the restrooms - this could be a five for sure. And yes get rid of the old Christmas decorations. ,

    (4)
  • Collin M.

    First of all, I love the idea of Greektown. With its many Greek eateries offering nearly identical menus, each establishment is in direct competition with its neighboring restaurants. Therefore, in order to survive, each restaurant is forced to consistently provide high-quality food and friendly customer service. I plan on raising my children in a similar environment. Each of my children will compete for their father's affection based on the quality of their grilled octopus. Failure to provide tender and flavorful octopod will result in receiving no hugs for a month or two. Anyhow, It is clear that Zorba's Bar and Grill welcomes the competition and thrives in Greektown. I love this place. I first sampled the fare at Zorba's via carry-out. I was alone, disheveled and in need of meat cooked over an open flame. I ordered the chicken souvlaki platter and Zorba's did not disappoint. When I returned home with my food, the aroma of the dish quickly filled the my apartment. Before eating, I smartly identified a suitable table-corner in order to assist in performing the Heimlich on myself if need be. You should always be prepared because eating alone can be both depressing and dangerous. The chicken platter is served with rice, a salad and a heaping portion of tzatziki. Although the $14.95 price tag may seem steep, the portion size accurately reflects the price. The chicken was 'kebab-style' and the flavor was great. It was smoky, herbaceous and tender, just as I had hoped. The tzatziki was excellent too. It was cool and tangy and I managed to incorporate it into every bite. The rice wasn't overcooked and was dressed with a nice red sauce. Finally, the pita was delightful. I used it, combined with the chicken and veggies, to make little pita sandwiches. It made me feel domestically exotic. Also, the inside of the restaurant is quant and endearing. It's a pleasant atmosphere and I'd recommend dining-in . Per the trend in today's restaurants, there is a plexiglass window that allows you to peer into the kitchen. You can see a spit brimming with assorted meats and a small man covered in coal. The man was so fully covered in coal it was comical. I had the urge point and smugly exclaim, "Who invited coal man?!" Of course, resisting that urge easy because that statement was unfunny and made no sense. Check this place out, guys. Oh and tell them Collin sent you. The employees won't know what that means, but they will smile awkwardly nonetheless.

    (5)
  • Angela L.

    Hands down the best Greek food I had outside Queens, NY! My hubby and I shared grilled octopus and lamb chops. Generous portions, everything just melted in my mouth, friendly staff, lovely Greek music, really laid back atmosphere. I just loved everything about this place. I did my happy food dance even after 2 days later. It's THAT good! I'm going to work at Bayview soon and will frequent this place during lunch! Definitely something to look forward to!!!

    (5)
  • Kelly S.

    To start, this is a hole in the wall. I disagree with the reviewer that said some might consider this a scary neighborhood, not at all. Of note, the side streets are incredibly clean (even the allies) which says a lot for the neighborhood and puts it ahead of many places in Baltimore. It's a very plain little place and the tables downstairs are a little jammed. We were seated at the table closest to the bar and that is a difficult spot, as I spent the entire meal being bumped and brushed by the waitresses transiting from the bar area to the table area and that end of the bar is where the staff hangs out so we had a hard time hearing ourselves talk over the conversations they were having. This is a neighborhood place, as described and was definitely a "everybody knows your name" kinda joint with the staff recognizing and addressing the majority of patrons by name; very cozy on that front. On to the food: The tzatziki was as incredible as indicated in other reviews and the pita bread was really good. I liked the tzatziki and pita enough that I could have called them my meal without having anything else. My husband had the lamb chops and his comment was that they were phenomenal and better than he'd expected even after reading the rave reviews by others, and that is a strong statement as he is somewhat of a lamb connoisseur. The vegetable sides (beans and potatoes) were good but not outstanding. The grilled octopus was very good but, while I would have it again, it wasn't amazing. My dish, the chicken souvlaki platter, was very moist and well seasoned. The flavor of the open pit grill suffused the meat and was very tasty, but the rest of the "platter" was lacking. For dessert we had flan and galaktoboureko and they were very good, especially the galaktoboureko. There were no specialty desserts for the weekend as mentioned by another reviewer. The service was very good and out waitress honest. She told us not to have the rotisserie chicken on our first visit, not because it was bad, but because it wasn't special. She also steered us from the baklava because it isn't made in the store and thus drier than it should be. It was refreshing to have her honesty. Bottom line: Very good but a little pricey for what you get. We will go back.

    (4)
  • Brian Y.

    Great food and great value. The upstairs is a nice dining room. For the food, it seems pricey at first but you get a large large portion for your money. The servers are friendly, conversational and attentive. The kababs, chicken and saganaki are great dishes to try to start. Have heard wonderful things about the lamb

    (5)
  • Benjamin F.

    One of my best friends and I visited Zorba's on a whim. We were both craving Greek food, and I noticed that this had good reviews; we both thought we would give it a try. We sat at the bar with the idea of getting food to go and having a drink or two in the mean time. Our visit started out that way: we ordered food and we each got a drink. She and I were catching up, having a good time and one of the bar tenders comes over with two more drinks, on the house, from the owner of Zorba's (who was sitting right next to us). He introduced himself as John, and he began conversing with us and teaching my friend and me all about his home country of Greece. He was so excited to share with us his background and culture which then led to him raving about his restaurant and the flavorful food it produces. He insisted that we try a few of his favorites: octopus, pork, and lamb. Some of the most delicious pieces of meat I've ever had (it also didn't help that these were also on the house). By the time my friend and I returned to her house, we were too full to eat the food we initially bought. An estimated one hour visit turned into three hours of socializing and sampling new, delicious food. It was probably one of the best nights I've had in awhile. If you love Greek food, you must try Zorba's Bar & Grill! The staff, and of course the owner, were very friendly and made you feel welcomed to both their restaurant and culture.

    (5)
  • Frank G.

    A perfect dive serving grilled meat so good it will make you cry.

    (5)
  • James C.

    The food here is amazing, I can't get enough. I always seem to overeat and wish the downstairs had more seating. Grilled Greek food, the way it's done in Greece, with portions and flavor to die for. The lamb chops and pork are the best in town!

    (5)
  • Laura B.

    All I can say is wow... its like getting cooked for by the Greek grandmother you never had who always thinks your too skinny and need to eat more! This place is great. Huge portions all nicely cooked with simple spices but delicious. I highly recommend the whole fish specials. I got the sea bass, it was charcoal grilled and it was awesome. My husband got scallops. He received a huge portions of scallops. Plan to bring some home leftovers including baklava... made with pistachios. YUM! Great service, decent prices for the size of the portions. We'll definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Ali M.

    I absolutely love this place. I have dreams about the lamb chops, and my husband constantly craves the grilled fish. Servings are enormous, but you will happily eat these lamb chops for breakfast and lunch the next day. Can be noisy when crowded, but the food is still worth it. We stop here whenever we drive from Philly to DC. Kitchen is open late. wait staff is very nice and accommodating for small children.

    (5)
  • Alexander D.

    Went to Zorba's for Greek cuisine based on all the wonderful reviews but we're unfortunately disappointed and our stomachs are still paying the price next day. Some of the food came out cold. But more importantly the food was either overly season or not season that all. The lamb which is her claim to fame is cooked unevenly and season disproportionately. I'm not from the area but I have no idea how this place has 4 1/2 stars. Also this is not a cheap restaurant the overall bill without alcohol came to $65 with tip for two people. The only reason for two stars is the fried zucchini which was wonderful. And as far as our stomachs we are still feeling the effects of the unevenly cooked meats. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to a friend, family member or stranger asking if there's a place to eat because he has eaten in three days....

    (2)
  • Frankie J.

    QUICK LOOK: Bring a first date: NO Bring a foodie: Oh, so YES Bring a hoidy-toidy fancy pants foodie: HELL, NO. Service: Hey, can't you see she's hustling? REAL NEIGHBORHOOD Simple, perfectly prepared food in a real Baltimore neighborhood. When I say neighborhood, I mean like "people who have lived there all their lives and work for a living and it just so happens they have this crown jewel in their midst" neighborhood. And for some reason, many people do not understand what that means, from all the prior reviews I've read. If you're from a pristine suburb or from a family that has never financially struggled or THINK you're rich, this is your "scary" neighborhood. Nothing is really new, there isn't a Starbucks in this neighborhood, and people hang out on their stoop. When someone on the street says hi to you, you just keep walking - either due to fear or you don't want them to ask you for money or to get to know you (all of which is unfounded). If you're from a neighborhood like it, or you've lived in one like it, or you know people who do, and understand that not everyone can afford an iPad or iPhone, let alone a place, a car and a family, you realize this is just a working class neighborhood. When someone on the street says hi to you, you say hello back, and say, 'how are YOU doing' - because either your parents taught you give respect when you get respect - or your neighborhood did. NOW, ABOUT THE FOOD Zorba's is a local REAL Greek restaurant that has spectacular, authentic food. I swear if I were not in Baltimore, they were cooking the food in the Grecian countryside, with dried grapevines, and using extra virgin Greek olive oil. I would say TRY EVERYTHING. If you don't like lamb but love beef - TRY the lambchops. Tender, perfect, and plentiful, in one order. Homemade tsatziki sauce. I go there just for that. Fish - bronzini, broiled, on wood, need I say more? It was like it was plucked from the sea, and grilled today. So simple, so tasty with a little sea salt and lemon. Grilled octopus - tender, plentiful and perfect. FINALLY Given all of that, I would always go back - but its not for everyone. The prices reflect the real cost of the food, but it is a neighborhood joint, in a neighborhood, with neighbors. In this case, its a very talented neighbor sharing a talent with the culinary world. Enjoy it.

    (5)
  • Keith W.

    I went to Zorba's on a whim and boy was I not disappointed. We sat at the back table where you literally watch your food being cooked through a window. The scallops looked the best and got great reviews.The grilled octopus and spanikopita was excellent and the lamb was outstanding. I can't wait to go back!!!!!

    (5)
  • Sarah L.

    I have gotten takeout from Zorba's multiple times and have eaten at the restaurant once. The food is really fantastic. If you like real Greek food, you will like this place. The octopus "appetizer" (it's basically a whole meal) is one of my favorite dishes I've ever had. I also love the calamari. They cook both dishes perfectly, not rubbery at all, and the calamari is lightly fried so it's not too greasy. My dad and boyfriend both loved the pork entree, which is cooked on a rotisserie (you can see it in the window to the kitchen area). The lamb chop entree is also amazing. They have a good selection of side dishes as well, and the portions of everything are very generous. I have tried some other restaurants in Greek Town and this by far is the best. It can be a little on the pricey side, but I think it's reasonable for the amount of food you get (and of course, the quality). I do agree with the other reviews that say the restaurant is basically a hole in the wall, but we were seated in the upstairs dining area and it didn't feel over-crowded.

    (5)
  • Charlie E.

    Best Greek food in Maryland, hands down. Best grilled octopus I've eaten in America. Get the Zorba Fries, extra crispy.

    (5)
  • Giancarlo B.

    My favorite Greek in Baltimore. It is just awesome. The grilled meats are amazing. The branzino is perfection. The sides are delicious and the Greek village salad the best in Greek town. Value for you money is also the best in town. My favorite place in Baltimore!

    (5)
  • Alexis S.

    I have been going to Zorba's since I was a very young child. My father is from Greece and Zorba's hits as close to our home cooking as you can get. I have never left Zorba's hungry or unfulfilled. The food is top notch and the service is typically pretty decent. If you are looking for authentic Greek food, I would highly recommend a trip to Zorba's and you will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • David A.

    I've been eating here for at least five years. I have never had anything but great meals! Sit by the kitchen and watch them grill your food! Lamb chops are amazing and plentiful! The kontosouvli is really two meals for the price of one. The Zorba fries are a must. The dolmades are homemade and wonderful as is the taramasalata.(which is great on the Zorba fries). The fish specials are excellent. The grilled octopus is unbelievably tasty and worth a trip to B'more to get it. You can eat at the bar and the kitchen is open late. Altogether one of my favorite restaurants in the Baltimore metro area. Do yourself a favor, eat at Zorba's!

    (5)
  • Arielle D.

    The food is really good and well seasoned. The best lamb and tziki sauce I've had from a Greek restaurant. Definitely not a good first date option. 4 stars for food and 2 for decor and ambiance.

    (4)
  • Sheila S.

    I am actually surprised that this restaurant has 4.5 stars. It makes me think that friends and family must be writing the reviews for this restaurant? I came here last night with a small group of friends around 6:30 PM. Our friend who lives in Baltimore recommended it and mentioned they had the best lamb chops and greek salad. We ordered an XL greek salad and the grilled octopus to begin with. Our entrees ranged from a chicken gyro with green beans on the side, potatoes, the lamb chops and the moussaka. Here is where the problem lies: The server had an attitude. We were seated upstairs and the waitress was by herself. We told her we are understanding of the fact that she is busy and that she can take her time. She was still really rude, stressed out, frazzled and downright rude to customers. We could hear customers complaining about the service and how they were treated. We were in no rush so we wouldn't mind if she was a little nicer but told us that she was just busy. We didn't get water refills, they messed up our orders in several ways and we were scared to let her know because it was unpredictable as to how she would react. The Good: The food was actually decent, the tzatziki sauce, the gyro, the lamb chops and the octopus. I probably would not go back to this restaurant though just due to the fact that the service was just not what I would expect when I am a paying customer.

    (2)
  • True.foodie B.

    Fantastic. Enough said. I don't give many places 5 stars, but this is a must. Food is top-notch quality and fresh as can be. There has never been a time when the food wasn't on par. Very authentic and satisfying meal. Come!

    (5)
  • Eric C.

    I love Greek food. Their food is I believe the best in Baltimore. They have wonderful grilled meats, fish and seafood. The octopus is the best I've ever had. Their portions are take home size. The prices are excellent and encourage trying everything. The waiters always keep things moving, The environment is very relaxed. Everything combined makes for a great time. I plan on returning, very soon. Try the deserts, they're really excellent.

    (5)
  • Lina M.

    This is one of my favorite places in Baltimore! The food is amazing, so is the owner! The best octopus i have ever had, traditional Greek salad, grape leaves, tzatziki, lamb chops, oh and the creme caramel is just out of the world... i can probably write down the entire menu! Love this place and can not wait to visit it again!

    (5)
  • Parry B.

    DOLMADES, LAMB CHOPS, FLAN...YUM YUM YUM YUMMY! DECOR: This place is kind of a secret enclosure! From outside it is very small and as you enter, you will come across the bar counter that sits 10 people and you may think that there is hardly any place to sit. But the restaurant has another level upstairs that is quite spacious. The interior is simple but clean. FOOD: We ordered the dolmades (appetizer), lamb chops (entree) and cream caramel and baklava (desserts). The dolmades were the best grape leaf recipe I have evers. The lamb chops were very very tasty and was accompanied with rice pilaf and tzatziki sauce. The rice pilaf was not great and I did not like it at all. The Baklava was horrible- it was like a big piece of dry, hard, fried bread with sugar syrup on it that was forcing it to become soft. Contrast to it was the creme caramel that was super delicious with the perfect amount of sweetness. The portions are very good and whatever we had in total was more than enough for 2 people. PRICE: An affordable place depending upon what all you order. The lamb chops were expensive. Avg price is $20-25 per person. SERVICE: The atmosphere is very laid back. There is only one waitress serving all the guests on the top floor. Although she keeps enquiring about the food and tries her best to be quick, she is slow in attending (each glass of water and silverware arrives after 15 mins). My 4 out of 5 ratings are only for the dolmades, lamb chops and the flan.

    (4)
  • Wendy S.

    I have been to this restaurant twice in the last 2 weeks with friends - already have plans to go back with more friends in a few weeks - no complaints. We sat at the bar both times - the place was clean, the staff very nice making us feel like regulars from the first visit. I had the chicken kabobs - very taste. My friend Sharon got the scallops - I will order that next time - they were the best scallops I had ever tried. Skip the 40 minute wait at Samoas and try this spot - you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Matthew L.

    The restaurant itself is somewhat of a hole in the wall. Think of "the Greek" in the WIRE. (who ironically wasn't Greek). It's two stories. The down stairs is a local bar/restaurant where you may get an outsiders eye on the way in. Go up to the dining room. My rating would be a 4 for the food, but they happen to have a dish I'm crazy about. Zorba's gets the five star rating on one dish alone, the octopus appetizer. I'm not sure I could even do it justice with a description. It changes every preconception of what cold octopus should taste like. OUTRAGEOUS. I've had some other things, most of the dips, the lamb, the gyro, and salad. They were all good, but whatever else you order, make sure to get the octopus. The bottom line is if you are looking for ambiance, go somewhere else, but if you're adventurous, try the octopus.

    (5)
  • Anthony W.

    I love Zorba's. The Lamb Chops were off the hook and the Cucumber sauce was just as outstanding. The green beans with tomato sauce and potatoes were filling and still delicious even as left overs the next morning. My wife is what I consider to be a simple eater and enjoyed the chicken gyro but was upset that the owner doesn't allow lamb gyros as he finds them to be to fast-foodish. Overall a great place to eat.

    (4)
  • Erica M.

    My boyfriend and I went on a date here, and I was excited because I'd heard good things (mainly from yelp). All the sides I got were delicious! But when my main course arrived, I was seriously disappointed. I don't even remember what it was. But the vegetables were raw, the beef was dry and chewy, and the service was abominable. The waiter had to be tracked down for anything we needed, and seemed to disappear altogether for a half hour. It took ages to get the check, and get it back after being charged. The interior was unattractive as well. There was no ambience whatsoever. I remember telling my boyfriend I didn't like the way it looked and wanted to go somewhere else, but he was excited--so I caved. Big mistake. And it was so pricey! Maybe it was a bad day? I don't know. But I won't waste my money here when I know of better places in Greektown.

    (2)
  • Chaka H.

    I would give this place 5 stars if the price of the lamb chops didn't go up drastically! The lamb chop meal is amazingly delicious... you get appoximately 5/6 lamb chops that are succulent and perfectly cooked. The potatoes, green beans, broccoli, etc are all excellent sides... but I'm not sure I'll ever pay $27.00 for a lamb chop meal at this place... actually, I probably won't.

    (4)
  • Brad W.

    Lamb chops yes! Weird Greek mafia people sitting by the bar and giving you the eye... yes! Waitress caring more about gossip than tables... Yes. Food outweighing any drawbacks.. YES!

    (4)
  • Megan H.

    Delicious food. The eggplant salad was tangy and refreshing. The free bread had been briefly warmed on the charcoal grill and was slightly meat-juice flavored (I approve). The grilled octopus was perfect- so flavorful and crispy on the outside, yet still tender. A squeeze of lemon, you're in heaven. And you get a huge pile of octopus, so you don't feel deprived. Went with previous yelp recommendations & ordered the lamb. One of the tastiest restaurant items I've had in a while. Cooked perfectly, so flavorful. 8 grilled lamb chops- an amazing deal. The sides were "eh," (potatoes were tasty, green beans frozen, canned, or overcooked...not good when you can't tell). But who cares about that- you will be so full of grilled yumminess you probably won't have room to finish the sides, anyway. We split all of this (eggplant salad, octopus appetizer, and lamb entree) between 2 people and were still very full. So happy with this restaurant. Can't wait to go back, or take visitors who are sure to love the food. Free street parking after 6pm.

    (5)
  • Dennis K.

    At Zorba's, it's all about the food! If you are looking for fancy decor and what not, then this isn't your place. If you want quiet, head to the upstairs dining room. If you like it loud, then stay downstairs. The grilled octopus, the lamb, the pork, the endives, the Greek village salad, the rockfish (any type of fish, really), these are the stars. If you like authentic Greek food that is charbroiled, then this is the place for you. Generous portions, nice staff, and food to die for!

    (5)
  • Bill B.

    Quite possibly better than Samos, definitely more bang for the buck. It looks like a dungeon from the outside , but the food is superb. The kouvtosouvli and octopus are unmatched anywhere in Baltimore. Next time you goto Samos and have to wait an hour, give this place a try.

    (5)
  • Dave A.

    The food is as good as all the reviews say. The meats are perfectly marinated and grilled and the tzakziki is chock full of garlic. Even our server Christine was great. But I had to knock off two stars because of the decor and the price. My wife had the shishkebab and I had the chicken souvlaki. We didn't have anything but the entrées and the final bill came to $43 which is far too high given the type of food and the plastic tablecloths. Sorry Zorba's, you were great but brutal on the wallet.

    (3)
  • Mike D.

    I think this should be a 4.5 star review, because there are a couple of things about this place that bother me, but overall this is as authentic of a Greek experience as you'll find anywhere that's not Greece. So as not to end on a sour note, I'll start with the bad. First, the prices. What the heck Zorbas? 1) I am eating on a plastic table cloth. 2) The decor ain't much better considering this place probably hasn't changed in decades. 3) This is Baltimore. I don't care if what you're serving me compares to manna from heaven, you simply cannot charge almost $30 for lamb chops or almost $20 for an octopus appetizer (more on those later) with this level of ambiance in this location. Second problem. The sides. They're not bad, they're just everywhere in Greektown. I swear all of the restaurants buy their sides from the same place. Canned greenbeans with chunks of tomatoes, roasted potatoes, rice pliaf. They're the same here as at Acropolis, Ikaros, and even Samos. They're not inedible, they're just, well, cheap. There are a lot of things that I like about this place but first and foremost is THE GRILL. The charcoal-fired grill turns this place from just another Greektown restaurant to something fantastic. You can watch your meal being prepared by an extremely industrious cook trough the giant plate-glass window in the back of the first floor of this place. That grill has magical qualities that imbue anything it touches it with deliciousness. For example, any kind of fish. I have had both the red snapper fillet and last night the whole sea bass off the grill. I have a tough time making grilled fish right. Most restaurant chefs can't get it right either. It's to the point where I don't even bother ordering fish at restaurants, because it's never better than something I could do myself. Not here though. It's flaky, tender, and kissed with smoke. I don't know what it is about this place but they do fish right. And unusually for this place, the whole sea bass was a good value at $21. (But fish that are generally less expensive were also $21, and thus did not constitute such a bargain) Octopus. Best I've ever had in the US. Also gets the grill treatment, along with olive oil and some light herbs. Some pieces are a little too crispy, but the thicker medallions are tender and delicious. Be sure to squeeze the provided lemon on it. It is expensive as I said, but it's a pretty large portion too. Easily shared between two or three people. Lamb chops are juicy and delicious, although I'm not sure the price justifies ordering them. Everyone you talk to about this place loves them, and they are good and cooked perfectly, but I don't think they do anything particularly outstanding to them to justify the rave reviews. Quail. Ordered it because I was there having some ouzo one night, and it was one of the cheapest entrees on the menu. Surprisingly good. It too comes off the grill. It tastes something like unsauced buffalo wings, but, I would imagine, is much healthier. Downside to eating this tiny bird is its tiny bones are kind of distracting. Finally, what sets this place apart from the other Greektown restaurants is the atmosphere. Actual Greeks eat here. Make your Saturday night dinner a late one. After 10 or so, the lights are dimmed and the music is turned up, and if the planets align and the crowd is just right, the ouzo starts flowing like water (goes down like it too) and a good old-fashioned bouzoukia will break out, complete with raining cocktail napkins and shouts of "opa!" You will be dragged into the aisle by a Greek woman and shown how to dance as in the old country. So, all told, Zorbas has a lot going for it. I just wish they'd invest some money in renovations, or lower the prices, and move away from the same tacky, tired sides that everyone else serves. That said, even with the high prices, it's still cheaper than a plane ticket to Greece, and I don't think you'll find a more authentic experience without buying one of those.

    (5)
  • Maria M.

    What a great find! It doesn't look much from the outside, but they have a second floor which makes everything better =). So.. the bread and butter is free. The bread is soft, and so is the butter -so it spreads nicely to the bread. We started off with the eggplant salad which is this light grayish mush that doesn't look much, but tastes great. It's for dipping - for your bread, just in case you don't like butter =). The other appetizer we got was the grilled octopus in olive oil. Just squeeze some lemon on top and it's perfectly amazing. It's chewy, but not rubbery chewy so it's very easy to eat, without feeling like you have to chew it 500 times before you can swallow it. For the entree I ordered the lamb chops... best ones I've ever tasted. It's $20.00... but there's 8 pieces!.... I don't know many places that have 8 pieces of lamb chops for that price... plus, it tasted delicious. Very juicy and cooked just right. The boy got beef on skewer and though it didn't taste as great as the lamb, it was definitely pretty decent. Along with the entrees, you get two pretty sizable sides... the peas, I can live without, but the fries and the green string beans w/ tomatoes were excellent. The people are nice and they try to make sure you have a wonderful meal. Bottom line: I would definitely put my money on it that you will like this restaurant if you like greek food =).

    (4)
  • Kendrah R.

    The food is a solid 4-stars. The environment and service make this place a 5-star. Gigantic portions. Fresh flavors. Good prices. Extremely friendly waitress. Down to earth environment. This place had the best taramasalata I have ever had. So lemony and smooth. I got a gigantic serving of swordfish that was good. The dolma were great. My husband had a huge plate of pork. It was good but not over the top excellent. We will be back next time we are in Baltimore.

    (5)
  • Paul P.

    I came here during a late shift at work (~7:30pm), and the place was empty aside from one other table (however, it WAS a Monday, so it makes sense). The place is darkish (it's a bar) with a few TV's around. They just had the news on, but I'd assume that come a big sports game, they'd play it on the projector they have at the front. Service was prompt. The waitress brought over a menu and quickly got my order down; I got the Pork Gyro. After taking my order, she went back to the bar area with the other waitress, and they were fiddling on their phones. I have no qualms with this AT ALL (just wanted to point it out in case some of you guys do care), because they got my order in, got my food out, and refilled my water any time it was close to empty. There was a good amount of food for $9. Fries were tasting a bit fishy (do they fry their taters in the same oil as fish here?), but after asking for some Old Bay, the flavors popped out. The tzatziki sauce is already inside of the Gyro and not on the side, so if you want to choose your amount, ask for it on the side. Too bad it tastes AMAZING, so I would've dumped the whole glob inside anyways. There was a huge amount of pork inside, and it was cooked great! Solid place - I'll come back again once I make my full rounds around Greektown!

    (4)
  • Ky T.

    Like Sheila S. I am EXTREMELY surprised this place has 4.5 stars. Our server spent most of her time sitting at a table adjacent from but facing us staring at me and playing on her cell phone, not refilling my ever empty glass of water. The tzatski dip while tasty, came with sliced hard white bread as opposed to pita and veggies and if you want fresh pita bread there is a high up charge. We also ordered another $9 dip made with fish roe, I've enjoyed at Ouzo Bay at the inner harbor but this one tasted like fishy mayonnaise. Their grilled octopus, I'd hoped would be as delicious as the way they make it at Samos, but it was served blackened and was tough as nails to chew with no flavor aside from char. Lemon juice or anything else could not save it but I wish I'd gotten a picture of it for you all to see what appeared to be a crime scene on a plate the way it was served. Hubby said his grilled Bronzino fish was not bad but I found it bad and also burnt, which brings me to the lamb chops. I asked for mine to be cooked medium. They were cooked well done which solidifies my notion that no matter where you may find 7 lamb chops on a plate for the low cost of 30 bucks, if it seems too good to be true, it probably will be. It's obvious the cooks here cook things on too high heat degree for too long as our dining experience was like something out of a shoddy diner and it was not until I was getting ready to leave and needed to use the restroom that I discovered their ladies room was disgusting. I barely wanted to touch a faucet handle AND was bid farewell by a mouse. This is like the overpriced Taco Bell of Greek eats in Baltimore with a mice problem.

    (1)
  • Sheila S.

    I am actually surprised that this restaurant has 4.5 stars. It makes me think that friends and family must be writing the reviews for this restaurant? I came here last night with a small group of friends around 6:30 PM. Our friend who lives in Baltimore recommended it and mentioned they had the best lamb chops and greek salad. We ordered an XL greek salad and the grilled octopus to begin with. Our entrees ranged from a chicken gyro with green beans on the side, potatoes, the lamb chops and the moussaka. Here is where the problem lies: The server had an attitude. We were seated upstairs and the waitress was by herself. We told her we are understanding of the fact that she is busy and that she can take her time. She was still really rude, stressed out, frazzled and downright rude to customers. We could hear customers complaining about the service and how they were treated. We were in no rush so we wouldn't mind if she was a little nicer but told us that she was just busy. We didn't get water refills, they messed up our orders in several ways and we were scared to let her know because it was unpredictable as to how she would react. The Good: The food was actually decent, the tzatziki sauce, the gyro, the lamb chops and the octopus. I probably would not go back to this restaurant though just due to the fact that the service was just not what I would expect when I am a paying customer.

    (2)
  • David A.

    I've been eating here for at least five years. I have never had anything but great meals! Sit by the kitchen and watch them grill your food! Lamb chops are amazing and plentiful! The kontosouvli is really two meals for the price of one. The Zorba fries are a must. The dolmades are homemade and wonderful as is the taramasalata.(which is great on the Zorba fries). The fish specials are excellent. The grilled octopus is unbelievably tasty and worth a trip to B'more to get it. You can eat at the bar and the kitchen is open late. Altogether one of my favorite restaurants in the Baltimore metro area. Do yourself a favor, eat at Zorba's!

    (5)
  • Giancarlo B.

    My favorite Greek in Baltimore. It is just awesome. The grilled meats are amazing. The branzino is perfection. The sides are delicious and the Greek village salad the best in Greek town. Value for you money is also the best in town. My favorite place in Baltimore!

    (5)
  • Alexis S.

    I have been going to Zorba's since I was a very young child. My father is from Greece and Zorba's hits as close to our home cooking as you can get. I have never left Zorba's hungry or unfulfilled. The food is top notch and the service is typically pretty decent. If you are looking for authentic Greek food, I would highly recommend a trip to Zorba's and you will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Mitchell N.

    Walking around and exploring Greektown for the first time, I decided to choose Zorba's for a nice authentic Greek dinner and it definitely did not disappoint. Food was top notch and it was a very nice homey restaurant. Would absolutely recommend to anybody who is around the area looking for quality Greek food!

    (5)
  • Alex B.

    Great food and great service. Family owned and operated. Fish was fresh and delicious. Lamb chops were good not great. Tazaki sauce was one of the best I ever had. Will be back!

    (5)
  • True.foodie B.

    Fantastic. Enough said. I don't give many places 5 stars, but this is a must. Food is top-notch quality and fresh as can be. There has never been a time when the food wasn't on par. Very authentic and satisfying meal. Come!

    (5)
  • Jo F.

    Best tzatziki in town - check Best Greek salad in town - check Best Greek potatoes in town - check Bomb ass grilled octopus - check Good ambiance, chill vibe, fastest darn Latino chef in town - check, check, check

    (5)
  • Eric C.

    I love Greek food. Their food is I believe the best in Baltimore. They have wonderful grilled meats, fish and seafood. The octopus is the best I've ever had. Their portions are take home size. The prices are excellent and encourage trying everything. The waiters always keep things moving, The environment is very relaxed. Everything combined makes for a great time. I plan on returning, very soon. Try the deserts, they're really excellent.

    (5)
  • Lina M.

    This is one of my favorite places in Baltimore! The food is amazing, so is the owner! The best octopus i have ever had, traditional Greek salad, grape leaves, tzatziki, lamb chops, oh and the creme caramel is just out of the world... i can probably write down the entire menu! Love this place and can not wait to visit it again!

    (5)
  • Arielle D.

    The food is really good and well seasoned. The best lamb and tziki sauce I've had from a Greek restaurant. Definitely not a good first date option. 4 stars for food and 2 for decor and ambiance.

    (4)
  • Frankie J.

    QUICK LOOK: Bring a first date: NO Bring a foodie: Oh, so YES Bring a hoidy-toidy fancy pants foodie: HELL, NO. Service: Hey, can't you see she's hustling? REAL NEIGHBORHOOD Simple, perfectly prepared food in a real Baltimore neighborhood. When I say neighborhood, I mean like "people who have lived there all their lives and work for a living and it just so happens they have this crown jewel in their midst" neighborhood. And for some reason, many people do not understand what that means, from all the prior reviews I've read. If you're from a pristine suburb or from a family that has never financially struggled or THINK you're rich, this is your "scary" neighborhood. Nothing is really new, there isn't a Starbucks in this neighborhood, and people hang out on their stoop. When someone on the street says hi to you, you just keep walking - either due to fear or you don't want them to ask you for money or to get to know you (all of which is unfounded). If you're from a neighborhood like it, or you've lived in one like it, or you know people who do, and understand that not everyone can afford an iPad or iPhone, let alone a place, a car and a family, you realize this is just a working class neighborhood. When someone on the street says hi to you, you say hello back, and say, 'how are YOU doing' - because either your parents taught you give respect when you get respect - or your neighborhood did. NOW, ABOUT THE FOOD Zorba's is a local REAL Greek restaurant that has spectacular, authentic food. I swear if I were not in Baltimore, they were cooking the food in the Grecian countryside, with dried grapevines, and using extra virgin Greek olive oil. I would say TRY EVERYTHING. If you don't like lamb but love beef - TRY the lambchops. Tender, perfect, and plentiful, in one order. Homemade tsatziki sauce. I go there just for that. Fish - bronzini, broiled, on wood, need I say more? It was like it was plucked from the sea, and grilled today. So simple, so tasty with a little sea salt and lemon. Grilled octopus - tender, plentiful and perfect. FINALLY Given all of that, I would always go back - but its not for everyone. The prices reflect the real cost of the food, but it is a neighborhood joint, in a neighborhood, with neighbors. In this case, its a very talented neighbor sharing a talent with the culinary world. Enjoy it.

    (5)
  • Keith W.

    I went to Zorba's on a whim and boy was I not disappointed. We sat at the back table where you literally watch your food being cooked through a window. The scallops looked the best and got great reviews.The grilled octopus and spanikopita was excellent and the lamb was outstanding. I can't wait to go back!!!!!

    (5)
  • Beee K.

    I only had grilled octopus there. It was plenty and good for first several bites, and then I realized that it might have been over marinated a little too much. A lot of pieces were little over grilled, too. My husband liked his chicken gyro, but originally he wanted to get lamb gyro and they didn't have one. Chicken gyro tasted real good, it was like chicken souvlaki. Service was fine. I guess I was little disappointed at their grilled octopus, which I heard they were excellent. I might have to come back and find out more.

    (3)
  • George T.

    5 star, that's right. Every one is deserved. I was told by a Greek friend (actual FOB greek) that this was the place to go for MEAT, of all the other choices in greektown, baltimore. The venue is small although there might have been an upstairs. There is bar as first walk in followed by some dinner tables at the end. In the very back, you can see pork being roasted on large rotisserie sticks behind a glass window that looks into kitchen. The smell is immediately intoxicating. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive (greek hospitality?). I'm a big ice water drinker, and she kept my glass full the entire time w/o me noticing. Bravo. Now for the food. - Grilled Octopus: plz plz plz get this. everyone deserves to try this at least once in their life. Incredibly tender, LARGE chunks of octopus. The outside had great char, the inside was juicy and flavorful. BEST i've ever eaten. - Lamb chops: some of the best tasting rack of lamb i've had. the same quality you'd find at a fancy steakhouse but for only 25$ you get 8, EIGHT, 8 pieces. This comes with a side of taziki which is a great compliment to the meaty tasty of the lamb. - Pork: the pork was wonderful flavor, not too salty either which is a danger with roast pork. The portions were ENORMOUS. my only criticism was it was a bit dry (just a bit). - Side: greek potatoes, endives, rice pilaf, string beans: these were ok, nothing to look forward too but they have an

    (5)
  • Anna D.

    Normally I would give this place 5 stars, but I went back this week after a year and it just wasn't the same! The meat was overcooked and dry and my favorite thing on the menu, the octopus, was just not the same. I really hope it isn't going downhill!

    (3)
  • Evangelia S.

    I went there for kontosouvli but it was really different from the original greek kontosouvli. So, i was disappointed by that but I highly recommend the lamb chops. Just excellent! Tzatziki was really good but greek salad was not good as the tomatos were not done! Grilled octopus was also delicious!

    (3)
  • Tasya B.

    So glad we stopped in here tonight! Waitress was great, never had an empty glass and the food was AMAZING!! $5 for spanakopita, $16 for pork souvlaki platter (huge salad, pita bread, zorba fries and three skewers of pork). In all honesty my husband and I could have shared the platter since we brought food home. We sat at the bar so we could watch the World Cup but they had several tables set up with blue table clothes. Honesty wasn't sure what to expect after walking in but we have put this place on our list of go-to's! Neighborhood is safe but parking can be a pain at certain times and watch out for the two trucks at 3:30.

    (5)
  • Naoum A.

    I wish this was in closer to Arlington! It was a very friendly and casual restaurant with terrific food. The grilled octopus was phenomenal. The dolmathes were thickkk and the spaganaki perfect! Had the pork gyro too and it was some great pork, cooked on a spit. Can't wait to return!

    (5)
  • Ben B.

    When you think of Baltimore, a few things come to mind. Crabs. Old Bay. Crime. What doesn't come to mind is Greek food. And it should. Zorba's is definitely not as dirty as some other reviews seem to say. It's small, it's chandelier-free, but it's definitely a nice place to bring together a bunch of friends to have some beers and pig out. The octopus, as everyone else has been saying, is incredible. And there's a lot of it. It may seem pricey, but when they bring out a plate that's essentially a whole octopus cut up, you'll say it's worth it. The lamb chops were the best I've ever had, and that includes the $30 entree places I've been to in NYC. The fat was creamy and tasty and the meat was excellently cooked. I also recommend the pile 'o pork (I forgot the Greek name, just ask for the pile of pork), which you'll see slow-roasting through the window in the back of the restaurant. It was kind of like a Greek pulled pork and all kinds of delicious. Though the prices look high on first glance, a pack of hungry men ate very well for $15 a piece (tip included). So don't be frightened. Indulge, drink some Greek beer and stuff yourself with tasty meats. OH! P.S., roasted potatoes. Any other side order is a wasted opportunity.

    (5)
  • Nick B.

    No bad at all. I got the octopus like everyone has recommended. I really liked it however if you eat a lot of sushi like I do you may feel as though this is a little dry since it is grilled over coals. Still pretty good. Also got the pork that was really crazy amount of delicious charred pork. Check out the pic. My wife got the chicken gyro. Also delicious but what you would expect. The cucumber sauce was better then most. Nice servers. Would recommend.

    (4)
  • Robin R.

    Ahhhh.....now THAT hit the spot!! I have been jonzin' for real Greek food for sometime so when a good friend flew in from TX it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get my fill. At her suggestion (her old haunt) we met at Zorbas. We started with a sampler platter including taramasalata (fish roe), melitzanosalata (eggplant salad), and marinaded cold octopus served with slices of grilled bread. If you haven't had it before....fish roe is a bit on the salty side (to me) with a creamy texture/slight fish flavor, the eggplant has a strong garlic flavor and creamy texture. Good as any I have had over the years and worth getting if you are dining with a group to share. I read a few reviews and noted the grilled octopus seem to be a favorite with many people so of course I got it. It was FABULOUS!!! In fact, I am currently eating it for breakfast. :) I was an octopus virgin so I wasn't sure what to expect. It's a wee bit chewy....not rubbery just chewy and the meat is dense. My guess is it's marinaded with spices and olive oil and then grilled on the special Zorbas grill. **YUMMY** My main course was the Lamb Chops.....pricey but damn worth it! The delicate chops were grilled to perfection with a hint of the grill and spices. The portion is a good size for sharing but I am greedy.....hehehehe **YUMMY** My friend had kontosouvli which is a roasted pork piled high. I didn't sample it but she raved about how tasty it was and since she is Greek (technically 1/2 but Greeks don't claim anything but Greek, so THERE) she should know. Both of us had the roasted potatoes and green beans as our veggies and they are a standard in Greek restaurants.....good stuff. Two people joined us.... one got the XL Greek village salad and it's big enough to feed a village. NO JOKE it came out in what looked like a serving bowl. The other person ordered stuffed grape leaves and something else......don't remember :( he did say it was delicious so that should help. We finished off with Greek custard....it was wrapped in phyllo dough and drizzled with syrup served warm. A few things to know: The restaurant is between Macon and Ponca on the right side headed in town. It is small and no wider than the average townhouse...if I am not mistaken it was a strip bar years back. The main dining area is upstairs..Yes there are steps involved. HA! and the first floor is a little cramped. I have read a lot of reviews calling it dumpy...I am a Baltimore gal who grew up getting coddies at the neighborhood bar so the decor felt homey to me. If you are the high brow sort, maybe you would prefer aesthetics over taste/price this might not be the place for you. *shrug* I liked it just fine.

    (4)
  • Helen T.

    Love love love the Greek food here! Def one of my go-to Greek places. My favorites are the lamb chops entree (with tomatoey-string beans and potatoes sides) and the pork gyros. Both are absolutely delicious!! If you're debating about the lamb because of the price ...just do it! Well worth it imho :). The portions are ample and the taziki sauce is soooo yummyy. The decor is a bit interesting and the ambiance is really loud but not in an obnoxious way :). Highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Rachel S.

    Zorba's embodies the term "diamond in the rough". This place is by no means a glitzy dining venue, but what they lack in elegance, they more than redeem in culinary magic. Carnivorous nourishment seems to be a recurring theme in these reviews, and for good reason. Zorba's crafts meat the way a sculptor works a block of alabaster: with expertise, dedication, and lots of love. And beyond their porcine, ovine, bovine bliss, they offer some of the freshest seafood in town. Like most places in Greektown, Zorba's has a heart of old-world charm beneath it's Charm City surface. Each dish is prepared with meticulous methodology, ingrained in the culture, and passed down by the owner. My boyfriend, being fairly FOB Greek, couldn't wait to share this well-kept Baltimore secret with me. He and his father frequent Zorba's several times a week, and I was antsy to taste some of the dishes they'd raved about. We arrived around 8 pm on a weeknight, and grabbed a table on the first floor near the bar. I let him order for us, trusting his authentic experience over my foodie instincts. We started with what I can say confidently was the best Grilled Octopus I've had: a huge portion of tenderly grilled sea-steak, marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and pepper. Typically grilled octopus contains a few choice pieces that are either overdone or underdone (understandable due to the varying thickness of the cuts), but in this case, each piece was cooked perfectly We cleared the entire plate. I've always adored the delicious crispy charred bits of tentacle, and veered away from the thicker body-cuts, but every bite was mouth-watering. For our entree, we split the lamb (8 chops!!!), served with tzatziki, roasted potatoes, and green beans in a savory tomato sauce. I've never tasted lamb quite this tender before, and I've had lamb in some top notch places. Typically restaurants overcook parts of the chops, and the result is a layer of gristle on each piece. Zorba's cooks the meat to perfection, and the limited fat is soft and melts into the meat, and on-point seasoning. Wonderful. Their tzatziki blows others I've tried clean out of the water as well: thick and creamy, with perfectly balanced spices and crunch. Use it sparingly on the lamb: the meat is delightfully seasoned on its own. However, spread some of that creamy heaven on the potatoes, and you've got yourself a mouthgasm. As for the green beans: I rarely get excited about this veggie, but their flavorful marinara was a game-changer. Magnificent meat. Sensational seafood. Truly heartfelt dishes. Make a bee-line for this place the next time you're downtown. Well worth the visit.

    (5)
  • Joseph G.

    If you're looking for the new, hip, trendy Greek spot in town with fancy and amazing food - Go to Ouzo Bay at Harbor East. If you want the best damn Greek food in Baltimore (or DC... VA... DE.), Zorba's is your place. Start with the grilled octopus (even if you don't like octopus - YES, it's that freaking good). Next go with the pork, lamb chops, any fish they put on the grill that night, and round it off with the best greek salad you'll ever have. The spot is outdated and a lil dark to say the least - but who cares, it's all about the food, people - THE FOOD INCREDIBALLS!

    (5)
  • Supriya M.

    We really had mixed feelings on this place. We went here with my husbands parents on a Monday night, surprised that they asked us to make a reservation for 4 people at 6:15p, but we learned when we got there that there are only a few tables. This is truly a locals place and had a many Greek-speaking or Greek-appearing people sitting at the bar or other tables chatting. We were seated right next to the window where you watch themeat roasting over the hot coals, a plus. The menu was as appeared online and offered a nice variety of authentic Greek dishes. Fresh grilled bread (complemetary) got the meal off to a good start. Not knowing what to expect from "fish roe mixed with olive oil and lemon," we tried the taramosalata which was a huge portion of a pink salty fishy spread.Intensely flavorful, but a few bites was enough. The Greek salad was the real deal, and came with feta blocks sizes that we hadn't had since being in Santorini. The Zorba salad was shreds of lettuce with olive oil and lemon, merely satisfied the need for greens. Entrees were humongous. Each one could have fed two people. The pork souvlaki platter was tasty although the pork was drier than expected. The kontosouvli (another entity we had never seen on a menu) was exactly what the menu said: chunks of pork piled high on a plate; must have been at least 1lb of meat with nothing else on the same plate. There were bites of it that were memorable but it proved to be too much pork and again a bit too dry on average. Ordering the lamb chops got us 7 whole chops that were tasty but inconsistent on tenderness. Truly the best item of the night was the gyro which was literally perfect. The sides also were generous and excellent. The tzatziki, pita, rice, french fries all exactly what they should have been. Ultimately with such an incredible amount of food already, we couldn't bring ourselves to order dessert. The service was attentive and pleasant. Our waitress made a few mistakes and broke a plate but that more of an endearing thing than a drawback. I think if we gave this place another shot, maybe tried different menu items, it might live up to the 5 stars it has here, but for us it was the fact that the meat was not as tender or flavorful as we would expect, and honestly the portions so large that we would have happily paid less (since it's not a cheap place) to get less food (none of us liked the food so much that we were anxious to take it home and have it for leftovers), that left us in no hurry to return. Zorba's is a fairly unique culinary experience with a charming local-feel and you should probably try it, however for us Samos remains the best Greek food we've had in Baltimore.

    (3)
  • Annie G.

    Authentic and classic Greek food for a very good price! We ordered the spanikopita for an appetizer (big portion) which was very tasty. I had the gyro with pork, which was excellent! My sister had the chicken souvlaki and said it was the best she's eaten anywhere. The bill was less than $40 for both of us and we walked out with leftovers. Two thumbs up; people should know that Samos isn't the only good Greek restaurant in Baltimore!

    (5)
  • Em D.

    Not great - in fact, fairly disappointing overall. Service was lacking (e.g. no water refill, slow and a bit rude). Will not return.

    (1)
  • Sunshine G.

    Three days after my meal, I'm still dreaming about the food we had. This place has absolutely blown me away. We walked in around 3.30 pm on a Saturday afternoon, while driving from Boston to DC. We were exhausted and looking for a quick meal...we stayed for almost 3 hours. The service was amazing- they served us food even though they were not officially open, my drinks were refilled even before I finished them and everyone was super friendly. We ate: Grilled Octopus: The best I've tasted in my life, fresh and charcoal grilled for that crispy outside/tender inside taste Roast pork: You can see them roasting it through the glass window in the kitchen. Lambchops: Perfectly seasoned, melt in your mouth morsels of heaven. Complemented by the fresh dollop of tzatziki served with it. I wanted to lick the plate! Grape Leaves: I'm usually not a fan but these were so tasty and delicate Spanakopitas: Layers of flaky pastry oozing spinach and cheese Potato chips: Greek style, deep fried Greek salad: It came with slabs of feta cheese...slabs I tell you! Flan: Not too sweet and perfectly caramelized Some Greek dessert similar to baklava but much, much yummier. Yes, we were a couple. Yes, you can call us gluttons. We ate it all! I cannot wait to be back!

    (5)
  • Christina P.

    Amazing food. Wonderful service. Owner had us sample things for free to make sure we has the best stuff from the restaurant (since we had never been there before). Bartender and owner were both from Greece (different parts) and taught us so much about the area. Wonderful time!!! The dining room could be bigger.

    (4)
  • Megan F.

    My all time favorite restaurant in the entire world. Amazing food and my god father, my father and I have been going for years.

    (5)
  • Deborah G.

    Zorba's is a part of the Greektown establishments that provide good food at a good price. The atmosphere is laid back and very simple and there are only white walls and some black and white photographs to decorate the long first floor. And yes there is a photo of Anthony Quinn as Zorba theGreek in the 1964 movie by the same name. When you walk in there is a long bar with the usual drinks and some Greek specialties. After that there are a few tables and a wall with a picture window to view the flaming pit where the grilled meats and fish are prepared. I watched the "griller" prepare flaming pork, huge steaks, chicken and seafood (fish, scallops and shrimp) with splashes of olive oil and plenty of flames. I had a front row seat and watched him manage one order after another like an orchestra conductor guiding the musicians. The others in the kitchen were prepping food, making salads and other orders for the waiting diners. We had a great meal starting with a large Greek farmer's salad that also has romaine lettuce per our request. Otherwise you are served luscious red tomatoes, red onion, green pepper, crispy cucumbers and Greek olives with huge pieces of fresh tasty Feta cheese. The house dressing is a tangy red vinegar and olive oil mixture with some herbs on the top. Our main orders - we all had the grilled Bronzino- beautiful whole fish (with its head off so we don't have to see the eyes) with crispy skin. The insides were perfectly cooked and retained the moistness that grilled fish should have. The sides included average Greek oven baked potatoes (not that tasty in my opinion), Hand sliced Greek circle fries fresh from the fryer (these were delicious till they became cold and somewhat oily), huge servings of broccoli, peas and string beans in a tomato sauce.The waitress also provided a huge serving of fresh tzatziki sauce for the potatoes and our veggies. It was filled with cucumbers and dill and made a perfect topping for the plain veggies on the plates. There was so much on the plate that we took some home for another meal. In closing, the bread is ordinary and so are most of the vegetables but everything on the table is fresh and the portions are large. The fish and the salad are the clear winners. This is some of the best grilled fish in town. I've had the Bronzino at Samos but it is never as tasty or as plump as the fish we had at Zorba's. Our server was great as she was attentive and informative. She provided water and iced tea throughout the meal and served the food as it came from the kitchen - hot and just plated. I plan to return when I need my pescaterean fix as this is as good as if I made it myself on my own grill. The restrooms are upstairs and the women's room looks as if it came directly from Greece. It is actually dirty but it did have paper and soap products for my use. You might want to avoid this if you can or Purell your hands after using. Why not a five star? Well the place needs a good cleaning. it's a third world type restaurant with good food. If they could paint, get some new carpeting and fix the restrooms - this could be a five for sure. And yes get rid of the old Christmas decorations. ,

    (4)
  • Collin M.

    First of all, I love the idea of Greektown. With its many Greek eateries offering nearly identical menus, each establishment is in direct competition with its neighboring restaurants. Therefore, in order to survive, each restaurant is forced to consistently provide high-quality food and friendly customer service. I plan on raising my children in a similar environment. Each of my children will compete for their father's affection based on the quality of their grilled octopus. Failure to provide tender and flavorful octopod will result in receiving no hugs for a month or two. Anyhow, It is clear that Zorba's Bar and Grill welcomes the competition and thrives in Greektown. I love this place. I first sampled the fare at Zorba's via carry-out. I was alone, disheveled and in need of meat cooked over an open flame. I ordered the chicken souvlaki platter and Zorba's did not disappoint. When I returned home with my food, the aroma of the dish quickly filled the my apartment. Before eating, I smartly identified a suitable table-corner in order to assist in performing the Heimlich on myself if need be. You should always be prepared because eating alone can be both depressing and dangerous. The chicken platter is served with rice, a salad and a heaping portion of tzatziki. Although the $14.95 price tag may seem steep, the portion size accurately reflects the price. The chicken was 'kebab-style' and the flavor was great. It was smoky, herbaceous and tender, just as I had hoped. The tzatziki was excellent too. It was cool and tangy and I managed to incorporate it into every bite. The rice wasn't overcooked and was dressed with a nice red sauce. Finally, the pita was delightful. I used it, combined with the chicken and veggies, to make little pita sandwiches. It made me feel domestically exotic. Also, the inside of the restaurant is quant and endearing. It's a pleasant atmosphere and I'd recommend dining-in . Per the trend in today's restaurants, there is a plexiglass window that allows you to peer into the kitchen. You can see a spit brimming with assorted meats and a small man covered in coal. The man was so fully covered in coal it was comical. I had the urge point and smugly exclaim, "Who invited coal man?!" Of course, resisting that urge easy because that statement was unfunny and made no sense. Check this place out, guys. Oh and tell them Collin sent you. The employees won't know what that means, but they will smile awkwardly nonetheless.

    (5)
  • Angela L.

    Hands down the best Greek food I had outside Queens, NY! My hubby and I shared grilled octopus and lamb chops. Generous portions, everything just melted in my mouth, friendly staff, lovely Greek music, really laid back atmosphere. I just loved everything about this place. I did my happy food dance even after 2 days later. It's THAT good! I'm going to work at Bayview soon and will frequent this place during lunch! Definitely something to look forward to!!!

    (5)
  • Kelly S.

    To start, this is a hole in the wall. I disagree with the reviewer that said some might consider this a scary neighborhood, not at all. Of note, the side streets are incredibly clean (even the allies) which says a lot for the neighborhood and puts it ahead of many places in Baltimore. It's a very plain little place and the tables downstairs are a little jammed. We were seated at the table closest to the bar and that is a difficult spot, as I spent the entire meal being bumped and brushed by the waitresses transiting from the bar area to the table area and that end of the bar is where the staff hangs out so we had a hard time hearing ourselves talk over the conversations they were having. This is a neighborhood place, as described and was definitely a "everybody knows your name" kinda joint with the staff recognizing and addressing the majority of patrons by name; very cozy on that front. On to the food: The tzatziki was as incredible as indicated in other reviews and the pita bread was really good. I liked the tzatziki and pita enough that I could have called them my meal without having anything else. My husband had the lamb chops and his comment was that they were phenomenal and better than he'd expected even after reading the rave reviews by others, and that is a strong statement as he is somewhat of a lamb connoisseur. The vegetable sides (beans and potatoes) were good but not outstanding. The grilled octopus was very good but, while I would have it again, it wasn't amazing. My dish, the chicken souvlaki platter, was very moist and well seasoned. The flavor of the open pit grill suffused the meat and was very tasty, but the rest of the "platter" was lacking. For dessert we had flan and galaktoboureko and they were very good, especially the galaktoboureko. There were no specialty desserts for the weekend as mentioned by another reviewer. The service was very good and out waitress honest. She told us not to have the rotisserie chicken on our first visit, not because it was bad, but because it wasn't special. She also steered us from the baklava because it isn't made in the store and thus drier than it should be. It was refreshing to have her honesty. Bottom line: Very good but a little pricey for what you get. We will go back.

    (4)
  • Alexander D.

    Went to Zorba's for Greek cuisine based on all the wonderful reviews but we're unfortunately disappointed and our stomachs are still paying the price next day. Some of the food came out cold. But more importantly the food was either overly season or not season that all. The lamb which is her claim to fame is cooked unevenly and season disproportionately. I'm not from the area but I have no idea how this place has 4 1/2 stars. Also this is not a cheap restaurant the overall bill without alcohol came to $65 with tip for two people. The only reason for two stars is the fried zucchini which was wonderful. And as far as our stomachs we are still feeling the effects of the unevenly cooked meats. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to a friend, family member or stranger asking if there's a place to eat because he has eaten in three days....

    (2)
  • Parry B.

    DOLMADES, LAMB CHOPS, FLAN...YUM YUM YUM YUMMY! DECOR: This place is kind of a secret enclosure! From outside it is very small and as you enter, you will come across the bar counter that sits 10 people and you may think that there is hardly any place to sit. But the restaurant has another level upstairs that is quite spacious. The interior is simple but clean. FOOD: We ordered the dolmades (appetizer), lamb chops (entree) and cream caramel and baklava (desserts). The dolmades were the best grape leaf recipe I have evers. The lamb chops were very very tasty and was accompanied with rice pilaf and tzatziki sauce. The rice pilaf was not great and I did not like it at all. The Baklava was horrible- it was like a big piece of dry, hard, fried bread with sugar syrup on it that was forcing it to become soft. Contrast to it was the creme caramel that was super delicious with the perfect amount of sweetness. The portions are very good and whatever we had in total was more than enough for 2 people. PRICE: An affordable place depending upon what all you order. The lamb chops were expensive. Avg price is $20-25 per person. SERVICE: The atmosphere is very laid back. There is only one waitress serving all the guests on the top floor. Although she keeps enquiring about the food and tries her best to be quick, she is slow in attending (each glass of water and silverware arrives after 15 mins). My 4 out of 5 ratings are only for the dolmades, lamb chops and the flan.

    (4)
  • Wendy S.

    I have been to this restaurant twice in the last 2 weeks with friends - already have plans to go back with more friends in a few weeks - no complaints. We sat at the bar both times - the place was clean, the staff very nice making us feel like regulars from the first visit. I had the chicken kabobs - very taste. My friend Sharon got the scallops - I will order that next time - they were the best scallops I had ever tried. Skip the 40 minute wait at Samoas and try this spot - you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Anthony W.

    I love Zorba's. The Lamb Chops were off the hook and the Cucumber sauce was just as outstanding. The green beans with tomato sauce and potatoes were filling and still delicious even as left overs the next morning. My wife is what I consider to be a simple eater and enjoyed the chicken gyro but was upset that the owner doesn't allow lamb gyros as he finds them to be to fast-foodish. Overall a great place to eat.

    (4)
  • Matthew L.

    The restaurant itself is somewhat of a hole in the wall. Think of "the Greek" in the WIRE. (who ironically wasn't Greek). It's two stories. The down stairs is a local bar/restaurant where you may get an outsiders eye on the way in. Go up to the dining room. My rating would be a 4 for the food, but they happen to have a dish I'm crazy about. Zorba's gets the five star rating on one dish alone, the octopus appetizer. I'm not sure I could even do it justice with a description. It changes every preconception of what cold octopus should taste like. OUTRAGEOUS. I've had some other things, most of the dips, the lamb, the gyro, and salad. They were all good, but whatever else you order, make sure to get the octopus. The bottom line is if you are looking for ambiance, go somewhere else, but if you're adventurous, try the octopus.

    (5)
  • Erica M.

    My boyfriend and I went on a date here, and I was excited because I'd heard good things (mainly from yelp). All the sides I got were delicious! But when my main course arrived, I was seriously disappointed. I don't even remember what it was. But the vegetables were raw, the beef was dry and chewy, and the service was abominable. The waiter had to be tracked down for anything we needed, and seemed to disappear altogether for a half hour. It took ages to get the check, and get it back after being charged. The interior was unattractive as well. There was no ambience whatsoever. I remember telling my boyfriend I didn't like the way it looked and wanted to go somewhere else, but he was excited--so I caved. Big mistake. And it was so pricey! Maybe it was a bad day? I don't know. But I won't waste my money here when I know of better places in Greektown.

    (2)
  • Chaka H.

    I would give this place 5 stars if the price of the lamb chops didn't go up drastically! The lamb chop meal is amazingly delicious... you get appoximately 5/6 lamb chops that are succulent and perfectly cooked. The potatoes, green beans, broccoli, etc are all excellent sides... but I'm not sure I'll ever pay $27.00 for a lamb chop meal at this place... actually, I probably won't.

    (4)
  • Brad W.

    Lamb chops yes! Weird Greek mafia people sitting by the bar and giving you the eye... yes! Waitress caring more about gossip than tables... Yes. Food outweighing any drawbacks.. YES!

    (4)
  • Sarah L.

    I have gotten takeout from Zorba's multiple times and have eaten at the restaurant once. The food is really fantastic. If you like real Greek food, you will like this place. The octopus "appetizer" (it's basically a whole meal) is one of my favorite dishes I've ever had. I also love the calamari. They cook both dishes perfectly, not rubbery at all, and the calamari is lightly fried so it's not too greasy. My dad and boyfriend both loved the pork entree, which is cooked on a rotisserie (you can see it in the window to the kitchen area). The lamb chop entree is also amazing. They have a good selection of side dishes as well, and the portions of everything are very generous. I have tried some other restaurants in Greek Town and this by far is the best. It can be a little on the pricey side, but I think it's reasonable for the amount of food you get (and of course, the quality). I do agree with the other reviews that say the restaurant is basically a hole in the wall, but we were seated in the upstairs dining area and it didn't feel over-crowded.

    (5)
  • Charlie E.

    Best Greek food in Maryland, hands down. Best grilled octopus I've eaten in America. Get the Zorba Fries, extra crispy.

    (5)
  • Brian Y.

    Great food and great value. The upstairs is a nice dining room. For the food, it seems pricey at first but you get a large large portion for your money. The servers are friendly, conversational and attentive. The kababs, chicken and saganaki are great dishes to try to start. Have heard wonderful things about the lamb

    (5)
  • Benjamin F.

    One of my best friends and I visited Zorba's on a whim. We were both craving Greek food, and I noticed that this had good reviews; we both thought we would give it a try. We sat at the bar with the idea of getting food to go and having a drink or two in the mean time. Our visit started out that way: we ordered food and we each got a drink. She and I were catching up, having a good time and one of the bar tenders comes over with two more drinks, on the house, from the owner of Zorba's (who was sitting right next to us). He introduced himself as John, and he began conversing with us and teaching my friend and me all about his home country of Greece. He was so excited to share with us his background and culture which then led to him raving about his restaurant and the flavorful food it produces. He insisted that we try a few of his favorites: octopus, pork, and lamb. Some of the most delicious pieces of meat I've ever had (it also didn't help that these were also on the house). By the time my friend and I returned to her house, we were too full to eat the food we initially bought. An estimated one hour visit turned into three hours of socializing and sampling new, delicious food. It was probably one of the best nights I've had in awhile. If you love Greek food, you must try Zorba's Bar & Grill! The staff, and of course the owner, were very friendly and made you feel welcomed to both their restaurant and culture.

    (5)
  • Frank G.

    A perfect dive serving grilled meat so good it will make you cry.

    (5)
  • James C.

    The food here is amazing, I can't get enough. I always seem to overeat and wish the downstairs had more seating. Grilled Greek food, the way it's done in Greece, with portions and flavor to die for. The lamb chops and pork are the best in town!

    (5)
  • Laura B.

    All I can say is wow... its like getting cooked for by the Greek grandmother you never had who always thinks your too skinny and need to eat more! This place is great. Huge portions all nicely cooked with simple spices but delicious. I highly recommend the whole fish specials. I got the sea bass, it was charcoal grilled and it was awesome. My husband got scallops. He received a huge portions of scallops. Plan to bring some home leftovers including baklava... made with pistachios. YUM! Great service, decent prices for the size of the portions. We'll definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Ali M.

    I absolutely love this place. I have dreams about the lamb chops, and my husband constantly craves the grilled fish. Servings are enormous, but you will happily eat these lamb chops for breakfast and lunch the next day. Can be noisy when crowded, but the food is still worth it. We stop here whenever we drive from Philly to DC. Kitchen is open late. wait staff is very nice and accommodating for small children.

    (5)
  • Megan H.

    Delicious food. The eggplant salad was tangy and refreshing. The free bread had been briefly warmed on the charcoal grill and was slightly meat-juice flavored (I approve). The grilled octopus was perfect- so flavorful and crispy on the outside, yet still tender. A squeeze of lemon, you're in heaven. And you get a huge pile of octopus, so you don't feel deprived. Went with previous yelp recommendations & ordered the lamb. One of the tastiest restaurant items I've had in a while. Cooked perfectly, so flavorful. 8 grilled lamb chops- an amazing deal. The sides were "eh," (potatoes were tasty, green beans frozen, canned, or overcooked...not good when you can't tell). But who cares about that- you will be so full of grilled yumminess you probably won't have room to finish the sides, anyway. We split all of this (eggplant salad, octopus appetizer, and lamb entree) between 2 people and were still very full. So happy with this restaurant. Can't wait to go back, or take visitors who are sure to love the food. Free street parking after 6pm.

    (5)
  • Dennis K.

    At Zorba's, it's all about the food! If you are looking for fancy decor and what not, then this isn't your place. If you want quiet, head to the upstairs dining room. If you like it loud, then stay downstairs. The grilled octopus, the lamb, the pork, the endives, the Greek village salad, the rockfish (any type of fish, really), these are the stars. If you like authentic Greek food that is charbroiled, then this is the place for you. Generous portions, nice staff, and food to die for!

    (5)
  • Bill B.

    Quite possibly better than Samos, definitely more bang for the buck. It looks like a dungeon from the outside , but the food is superb. The kouvtosouvli and octopus are unmatched anywhere in Baltimore. Next time you goto Samos and have to wait an hour, give this place a try.

    (5)
  • Dave A.

    The food is as good as all the reviews say. The meats are perfectly marinated and grilled and the tzakziki is chock full of garlic. Even our server Christine was great. But I had to knock off two stars because of the decor and the price. My wife had the shishkebab and I had the chicken souvlaki. We didn't have anything but the entrées and the final bill came to $43 which is far too high given the type of food and the plastic tablecloths. Sorry Zorba's, you were great but brutal on the wallet.

    (3)
  • Mike D.

    I think this should be a 4.5 star review, because there are a couple of things about this place that bother me, but overall this is as authentic of a Greek experience as you'll find anywhere that's not Greece. So as not to end on a sour note, I'll start with the bad. First, the prices. What the heck Zorbas? 1) I am eating on a plastic table cloth. 2) The decor ain't much better considering this place probably hasn't changed in decades. 3) This is Baltimore. I don't care if what you're serving me compares to manna from heaven, you simply cannot charge almost $30 for lamb chops or almost $20 for an octopus appetizer (more on those later) with this level of ambiance in this location. Second problem. The sides. They're not bad, they're just everywhere in Greektown. I swear all of the restaurants buy their sides from the same place. Canned greenbeans with chunks of tomatoes, roasted potatoes, rice pliaf. They're the same here as at Acropolis, Ikaros, and even Samos. They're not inedible, they're just, well, cheap. There are a lot of things that I like about this place but first and foremost is THE GRILL. The charcoal-fired grill turns this place from just another Greektown restaurant to something fantastic. You can watch your meal being prepared by an extremely industrious cook trough the giant plate-glass window in the back of the first floor of this place. That grill has magical qualities that imbue anything it touches it with deliciousness. For example, any kind of fish. I have had both the red snapper fillet and last night the whole sea bass off the grill. I have a tough time making grilled fish right. Most restaurant chefs can't get it right either. It's to the point where I don't even bother ordering fish at restaurants, because it's never better than something I could do myself. Not here though. It's flaky, tender, and kissed with smoke. I don't know what it is about this place but they do fish right. And unusually for this place, the whole sea bass was a good value at $21. (But fish that are generally less expensive were also $21, and thus did not constitute such a bargain) Octopus. Best I've ever had in the US. Also gets the grill treatment, along with olive oil and some light herbs. Some pieces are a little too crispy, but the thicker medallions are tender and delicious. Be sure to squeeze the provided lemon on it. It is expensive as I said, but it's a pretty large portion too. Easily shared between two or three people. Lamb chops are juicy and delicious, although I'm not sure the price justifies ordering them. Everyone you talk to about this place loves them, and they are good and cooked perfectly, but I don't think they do anything particularly outstanding to them to justify the rave reviews. Quail. Ordered it because I was there having some ouzo one night, and it was one of the cheapest entrees on the menu. Surprisingly good. It too comes off the grill. It tastes something like unsauced buffalo wings, but, I would imagine, is much healthier. Downside to eating this tiny bird is its tiny bones are kind of distracting. Finally, what sets this place apart from the other Greektown restaurants is the atmosphere. Actual Greeks eat here. Make your Saturday night dinner a late one. After 10 or so, the lights are dimmed and the music is turned up, and if the planets align and the crowd is just right, the ouzo starts flowing like water (goes down like it too) and a good old-fashioned bouzoukia will break out, complete with raining cocktail napkins and shouts of "opa!" You will be dragged into the aisle by a Greek woman and shown how to dance as in the old country. So, all told, Zorbas has a lot going for it. I just wish they'd invest some money in renovations, or lower the prices, and move away from the same tacky, tired sides that everyone else serves. That said, even with the high prices, it's still cheaper than a plane ticket to Greece, and I don't think you'll find a more authentic experience without buying one of those.

    (5)
  • Maria M.

    What a great find! It doesn't look much from the outside, but they have a second floor which makes everything better =). So.. the bread and butter is free. The bread is soft, and so is the butter -so it spreads nicely to the bread. We started off with the eggplant salad which is this light grayish mush that doesn't look much, but tastes great. It's for dipping - for your bread, just in case you don't like butter =). The other appetizer we got was the grilled octopus in olive oil. Just squeeze some lemon on top and it's perfectly amazing. It's chewy, but not rubbery chewy so it's very easy to eat, without feeling like you have to chew it 500 times before you can swallow it. For the entree I ordered the lamb chops... best ones I've ever tasted. It's $20.00... but there's 8 pieces!.... I don't know many places that have 8 pieces of lamb chops for that price... plus, it tasted delicious. Very juicy and cooked just right. The boy got beef on skewer and though it didn't taste as great as the lamb, it was definitely pretty decent. Along with the entrees, you get two pretty sizable sides... the peas, I can live without, but the fries and the green string beans w/ tomatoes were excellent. The people are nice and they try to make sure you have a wonderful meal. Bottom line: I would definitely put my money on it that you will like this restaurant if you like greek food =).

    (4)
  • Karen H.

    Dinner here with friends from the area recently was a blast. Crowded with locals, you know as soon as you enter that it's going to be a fun night. The waitress was great - personable, funny and knowledgeable. A previous review mentioned $27 for lamb chops but this is a plate to share or take half home for the next day's lunch. We wanted to try some of the sides, having heard how good they are, but be warned: they are huge also. Order a couple to share with the table. I had the pork and it was ravishingly delicious. We could watch the chefs preparing sides of pork and lamb in the kitchen and knew it would be a good as it was. The tzatziki sauce with the lamb was almost the best part of the meal. Small wine list with some good Greek wines. Downside? Too much food to even consider dessert, but with food this good, who cares? Go. Eat.

    (4)
  • Marc H.

    This is my first experience with "Greektown" in Baltimore and it did not disappoint. I went this past Sunday night for dinner and overall had a very tasty meal. We started off with the eggplant salad app and the grilled octopus app. The eggplant was very tasty, with a nice garlicky kick to it, but I wish they served it with fresh pita or something instead of the bread basket they give you when youre seated. The grilled octopus was FANATASTIC! I highly recommend you order this if you go... wow. For my entree I had the grilled lamb chops, which were extremely delicious. The side dishes (green beans and potatoes) were just average but not bad. The two other people I was with got the chargrilled sea bass and the grilled shrimp, both of which were very good. Overall, I had a great meal and would definitely return. The decor is craptacular, so if you care about things like that then maybe this isnt the place for you. Apps and entrees were great and the side dishes were meh. Bottom line, go.

    (4)
  • Bethshan M.

    Food was not typical Greek cuisine....Wish we had tried something different - octopus was chewy and tough, snapper was ok - but over cooked...charred to much...

    (2)
  • Andrew K.

    My favorite greek restaurant was a 45 minute wait on Saturday night so I decided to try out Zorba's. The outside looks like it's a tiny place but there is a bar and some tables on the first floor when you enter and the second floor has several tables. We started off with the eggplant salad which you dip with bread and it was really good. The second appetizer we got was octopus and it was amazing. It was grilled and covered in olive oil and it wasn't too crunchy or chewy but had the right texture and tasted great. I got the beef on skewer for my entree and it was good but what was even better were the lambchops. For $20, you get 8 lamb chops! I've never been to a restaurant that gives so many lamb chops and it tasted really good. I would come back to order this again. It comes with tzakis white sauce and you get a choice of 2 huge sides. I'd go with the french fries, oven roasted potatoes or the string beans. The peas weren't that good. Anyways, I was stuffed and really happy after eating here and I'm going to order those lamb chops and octopus again the next time I come here.

    (5)
  • bb k.

    In the mood for authentic Greek food, we listened to Sun food critic Richard Gorelick and made a reservation at Zorba's (totally unfaithful to our HIghlandtown standard, Ikaros). WHAT A MISTAKE. The restaurant was out of chicken and three of the fish selections of the day. And the traditional dishes were absolutely awful -- from the spanikopita, to the dolmades, to the moussaa --- all just awful. What a disappointment. Sorry Zorba, you are one and done.

    (1)
  • David A.

    I've been eating here for at least five years. I have never had anything but great meals! Sit by the kitchen and watch them grill your food! Lamb chops are amazing and plentiful! The kontosouvli is really two meals for the price of one. The Zorba fries are a must. The dolmades are homemade and wonderful as is the taramasalata.(which is great on the Zorba fries). The fish specials are excellent. The grilled octopus is unbelievably tasty and worth a trip to B'more to get it. You can eat at the bar and the kitchen is open late. Altogether one of my favorite restaurants in the Baltimore metro area. Do yourself a favor, eat at Zorba's!

    (5)
  • Mitchell N.

    Walking around and exploring Greektown for the first time, I decided to choose Zorba's for a nice authentic Greek dinner and it definitely did not disappoint. Food was top notch and it was a very nice homey restaurant. Would absolutely recommend to anybody who is around the area looking for quality Greek food!

    (5)
  • Alex B.

    Great food and great service. Family owned and operated. Fish was fresh and delicious. Lamb chops were good not great. Tazaki sauce was one of the best I ever had. Will be back!

    (5)
  • Kendrah R.

    The food is a solid 4-stars. The environment and service make this place a 5-star. Gigantic portions. Fresh flavors. Good prices. Extremely friendly waitress. Down to earth environment. This place had the best taramasalata I have ever had. So lemony and smooth. I got a gigantic serving of swordfish that was good. The dolma were great. My husband had a huge plate of pork. It was good but not over the top excellent. We will be back next time we are in Baltimore.

    (5)
  • Paul P.

    I came here during a late shift at work (~7:30pm), and the place was empty aside from one other table (however, it WAS a Monday, so it makes sense). The place is darkish (it's a bar) with a few TV's around. They just had the news on, but I'd assume that come a big sports game, they'd play it on the projector they have at the front. Service was prompt. The waitress brought over a menu and quickly got my order down; I got the Pork Gyro. After taking my order, she went back to the bar area with the other waitress, and they were fiddling on their phones. I have no qualms with this AT ALL (just wanted to point it out in case some of you guys do care), because they got my order in, got my food out, and refilled my water any time it was close to empty. There was a good amount of food for $9. Fries were tasting a bit fishy (do they fry their taters in the same oil as fish here?), but after asking for some Old Bay, the flavors popped out. The tzatziki sauce is already inside of the Gyro and not on the side, so if you want to choose your amount, ask for it on the side. Too bad it tastes AMAZING, so I would've dumped the whole glob inside anyways. There was a huge amount of pork inside, and it was cooked great! Solid place - I'll come back again once I make my full rounds around Greektown!

    (4)
  • Ky T.

    Like Sheila S. I am EXTREMELY surprised this place has 4.5 stars. Our server spent most of her time sitting at a table adjacent from but facing us staring at me and playing on her cell phone, not refilling my ever empty glass of water. The tzatski dip while tasty, came with sliced hard white bread as opposed to pita and veggies and if you want fresh pita bread there is a high up charge. We also ordered another $9 dip made with fish roe, I've enjoyed at Ouzo Bay at the inner harbor but this one tasted like fishy mayonnaise. Their grilled octopus, I'd hoped would be as delicious as the way they make it at Samos, but it was served blackened and was tough as nails to chew with no flavor aside from char. Lemon juice or anything else could not save it but I wish I'd gotten a picture of it for you all to see what appeared to be a crime scene on a plate the way it was served. Hubby said his grilled Bronzino fish was not bad but I found it bad and also burnt, which brings me to the lamb chops. I asked for mine to be cooked medium. They were cooked well done which solidifies my notion that no matter where you may find 7 lamb chops on a plate for the low cost of 30 bucks, if it seems too good to be true, it probably will be. It's obvious the cooks here cook things on too high heat degree for too long as our dining experience was like something out of a shoddy diner and it was not until I was getting ready to leave and needed to use the restroom that I discovered their ladies room was disgusting. I barely wanted to touch a faucet handle AND was bid farewell by a mouse. This is like the overpriced Taco Bell of Greek eats in Baltimore with a mice problem.

    (1)
  • Alexis S.

    I have been going to Zorba's since I was a very young child. My father is from Greece and Zorba's hits as close to our home cooking as you can get. I have never left Zorba's hungry or unfulfilled. The food is top notch and the service is typically pretty decent. If you are looking for authentic Greek food, I would highly recommend a trip to Zorba's and you will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Sheila S.

    I am actually surprised that this restaurant has 4.5 stars. It makes me think that friends and family must be writing the reviews for this restaurant? I came here last night with a small group of friends around 6:30 PM. Our friend who lives in Baltimore recommended it and mentioned they had the best lamb chops and greek salad. We ordered an XL greek salad and the grilled octopus to begin with. Our entrees ranged from a chicken gyro with green beans on the side, potatoes, the lamb chops and the moussaka. Here is where the problem lies: The server had an attitude. We were seated upstairs and the waitress was by herself. We told her we are understanding of the fact that she is busy and that she can take her time. She was still really rude, stressed out, frazzled and downright rude to customers. We could hear customers complaining about the service and how they were treated. We were in no rush so we wouldn't mind if she was a little nicer but told us that she was just busy. We didn't get water refills, they messed up our orders in several ways and we were scared to let her know because it was unpredictable as to how she would react. The Good: The food was actually decent, the tzatziki sauce, the gyro, the lamb chops and the octopus. I probably would not go back to this restaurant though just due to the fact that the service was just not what I would expect when I am a paying customer.

    (2)
  • True.foodie B.

    Fantastic. Enough said. I don't give many places 5 stars, but this is a must. Food is top-notch quality and fresh as can be. There has never been a time when the food wasn't on par. Very authentic and satisfying meal. Come!

    (5)
  • Jo F.

    Best tzatziki in town - check Best Greek salad in town - check Best Greek potatoes in town - check Bomb ass grilled octopus - check Good ambiance, chill vibe, fastest darn Latino chef in town - check, check, check

    (5)
  • Eric C.

    I love Greek food. Their food is I believe the best in Baltimore. They have wonderful grilled meats, fish and seafood. The octopus is the best I've ever had. Their portions are take home size. The prices are excellent and encourage trying everything. The waiters always keep things moving, The environment is very relaxed. Everything combined makes for a great time. I plan on returning, very soon. Try the deserts, they're really excellent.

    (5)
  • Lina M.

    This is one of my favorite places in Baltimore! The food is amazing, so is the owner! The best octopus i have ever had, traditional Greek salad, grape leaves, tzatziki, lamb chops, oh and the creme caramel is just out of the world... i can probably write down the entire menu! Love this place and can not wait to visit it again!

    (5)
  • Arielle D.

    The food is really good and well seasoned. The best lamb and tziki sauce I've had from a Greek restaurant. Definitely not a good first date option. 4 stars for food and 2 for decor and ambiance.

    (4)
  • Giancarlo B.

    My favorite Greek in Baltimore. It is just awesome. The grilled meats are amazing. The branzino is perfection. The sides are delicious and the Greek village salad the best in Greek town. Value for you money is also the best in town. My favorite place in Baltimore!

    (5)
  • George T.

    5 star, that's right. Every one is deserved. I was told by a Greek friend (actual FOB greek) that this was the place to go for MEAT, of all the other choices in greektown, baltimore. The venue is small although there might have been an upstairs. There is bar as first walk in followed by some dinner tables at the end. In the very back, you can see pork being roasted on large rotisserie sticks behind a glass window that looks into kitchen. The smell is immediately intoxicating. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive (greek hospitality?). I'm a big ice water drinker, and she kept my glass full the entire time w/o me noticing. Bravo. Now for the food. - Grilled Octopus: plz plz plz get this. everyone deserves to try this at least once in their life. Incredibly tender, LARGE chunks of octopus. The outside had great char, the inside was juicy and flavorful. BEST i've ever eaten. - Lamb chops: some of the best tasting rack of lamb i've had. the same quality you'd find at a fancy steakhouse but for only 25$ you get 8, EIGHT, 8 pieces. This comes with a side of taziki which is a great compliment to the meaty tasty of the lamb. - Pork: the pork was wonderful flavor, not too salty either which is a danger with roast pork. The portions were ENORMOUS. my only criticism was it was a bit dry (just a bit). - Side: greek potatoes, endives, rice pilaf, string beans: these were ok, nothing to look forward too but they have an

    (5)
  • Anna D.

    Normally I would give this place 5 stars, but I went back this week after a year and it just wasn't the same! The meat was overcooked and dry and my favorite thing on the menu, the octopus, was just not the same. I really hope it isn't going downhill!

    (3)
  • Evangelia S.

    I went there for kontosouvli but it was really different from the original greek kontosouvli. So, i was disappointed by that but I highly recommend the lamb chops. Just excellent! Tzatziki was really good but greek salad was not good as the tomatos were not done! Grilled octopus was also delicious!

    (3)
  • Tasya B.

    So glad we stopped in here tonight! Waitress was great, never had an empty glass and the food was AMAZING!! $5 for spanakopita, $16 for pork souvlaki platter (huge salad, pita bread, zorba fries and three skewers of pork). In all honesty my husband and I could have shared the platter since we brought food home. We sat at the bar so we could watch the World Cup but they had several tables set up with blue table clothes. Honesty wasn't sure what to expect after walking in but we have put this place on our list of go-to's! Neighborhood is safe but parking can be a pain at certain times and watch out for the two trucks at 3:30.

    (5)
  • Naoum A.

    I wish this was in closer to Arlington! It was a very friendly and casual restaurant with terrific food. The grilled octopus was phenomenal. The dolmathes were thickkk and the spaganaki perfect! Had the pork gyro too and it was some great pork, cooked on a spit. Can't wait to return!

    (5)
  • Robin R.

    Ahhhh.....now THAT hit the spot!! I have been jonzin' for real Greek food for sometime so when a good friend flew in from TX it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get my fill. At her suggestion (her old haunt) we met at Zorbas. We started with a sampler platter including taramasalata (fish roe), melitzanosalata (eggplant salad), and marinaded cold octopus served with slices of grilled bread. If you haven't had it before....fish roe is a bit on the salty side (to me) with a creamy texture/slight fish flavor, the eggplant has a strong garlic flavor and creamy texture. Good as any I have had over the years and worth getting if you are dining with a group to share. I read a few reviews and noted the grilled octopus seem to be a favorite with many people so of course I got it. It was FABULOUS!!! In fact, I am currently eating it for breakfast. :) I was an octopus virgin so I wasn't sure what to expect. It's a wee bit chewy....not rubbery just chewy and the meat is dense. My guess is it's marinaded with spices and olive oil and then grilled on the special Zorbas grill. **YUMMY** My main course was the Lamb Chops.....pricey but damn worth it! The delicate chops were grilled to perfection with a hint of the grill and spices. The portion is a good size for sharing but I am greedy.....hehehehe **YUMMY** My friend had kontosouvli which is a roasted pork piled high. I didn't sample it but she raved about how tasty it was and since she is Greek (technically 1/2 but Greeks don't claim anything but Greek, so THERE) she should know. Both of us had the roasted potatoes and green beans as our veggies and they are a standard in Greek restaurants.....good stuff. Two people joined us.... one got the XL Greek village salad and it's big enough to feed a village. NO JOKE it came out in what looked like a serving bowl. The other person ordered stuffed grape leaves and something else......don't remember :( he did say it was delicious so that should help. We finished off with Greek custard....it was wrapped in phyllo dough and drizzled with syrup served warm. A few things to know: The restaurant is between Macon and Ponca on the right side headed in town. It is small and no wider than the average townhouse...if I am not mistaken it was a strip bar years back. The main dining area is upstairs..Yes there are steps involved. HA! and the first floor is a little cramped. I have read a lot of reviews calling it dumpy...I am a Baltimore gal who grew up getting coddies at the neighborhood bar so the decor felt homey to me. If you are the high brow sort, maybe you would prefer aesthetics over taste/price this might not be the place for you. *shrug* I liked it just fine.

    (4)
  • Helen T.

    Love love love the Greek food here! Def one of my go-to Greek places. My favorites are the lamb chops entree (with tomatoey-string beans and potatoes sides) and the pork gyros. Both are absolutely delicious!! If you're debating about the lamb because of the price ...just do it! Well worth it imho :). The portions are ample and the taziki sauce is soooo yummyy. The decor is a bit interesting and the ambiance is really loud but not in an obnoxious way :). Highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Rachel S.

    Zorba's embodies the term "diamond in the rough". This place is by no means a glitzy dining venue, but what they lack in elegance, they more than redeem in culinary magic. Carnivorous nourishment seems to be a recurring theme in these reviews, and for good reason. Zorba's crafts meat the way a sculptor works a block of alabaster: with expertise, dedication, and lots of love. And beyond their porcine, ovine, bovine bliss, they offer some of the freshest seafood in town. Like most places in Greektown, Zorba's has a heart of old-world charm beneath it's Charm City surface. Each dish is prepared with meticulous methodology, ingrained in the culture, and passed down by the owner. My boyfriend, being fairly FOB Greek, couldn't wait to share this well-kept Baltimore secret with me. He and his father frequent Zorba's several times a week, and I was antsy to taste some of the dishes they'd raved about. We arrived around 8 pm on a weeknight, and grabbed a table on the first floor near the bar. I let him order for us, trusting his authentic experience over my foodie instincts. We started with what I can say confidently was the best Grilled Octopus I've had: a huge portion of tenderly grilled sea-steak, marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and pepper. Typically grilled octopus contains a few choice pieces that are either overdone or underdone (understandable due to the varying thickness of the cuts), but in this case, each piece was cooked perfectly We cleared the entire plate. I've always adored the delicious crispy charred bits of tentacle, and veered away from the thicker body-cuts, but every bite was mouth-watering. For our entree, we split the lamb (8 chops!!!), served with tzatziki, roasted potatoes, and green beans in a savory tomato sauce. I've never tasted lamb quite this tender before, and I've had lamb in some top notch places. Typically restaurants overcook parts of the chops, and the result is a layer of gristle on each piece. Zorba's cooks the meat to perfection, and the limited fat is soft and melts into the meat, and on-point seasoning. Wonderful. Their tzatziki blows others I've tried clean out of the water as well: thick and creamy, with perfectly balanced spices and crunch. Use it sparingly on the lamb: the meat is delightfully seasoned on its own. However, spread some of that creamy heaven on the potatoes, and you've got yourself a mouthgasm. As for the green beans: I rarely get excited about this veggie, but their flavorful marinara was a game-changer. Magnificent meat. Sensational seafood. Truly heartfelt dishes. Make a bee-line for this place the next time you're downtown. Well worth the visit.

    (5)
  • Supriya M.

    We really had mixed feelings on this place. We went here with my husbands parents on a Monday night, surprised that they asked us to make a reservation for 4 people at 6:15p, but we learned when we got there that there are only a few tables. This is truly a locals place and had a many Greek-speaking or Greek-appearing people sitting at the bar or other tables chatting. We were seated right next to the window where you watch themeat roasting over the hot coals, a plus. The menu was as appeared online and offered a nice variety of authentic Greek dishes. Fresh grilled bread (complemetary) got the meal off to a good start. Not knowing what to expect from "fish roe mixed with olive oil and lemon," we tried the taramosalata which was a huge portion of a pink salty fishy spread.Intensely flavorful, but a few bites was enough. The Greek salad was the real deal, and came with feta blocks sizes that we hadn't had since being in Santorini. The Zorba salad was shreds of lettuce with olive oil and lemon, merely satisfied the need for greens. Entrees were humongous. Each one could have fed two people. The pork souvlaki platter was tasty although the pork was drier than expected. The kontosouvli (another entity we had never seen on a menu) was exactly what the menu said: chunks of pork piled high on a plate; must have been at least 1lb of meat with nothing else on the same plate. There were bites of it that were memorable but it proved to be too much pork and again a bit too dry on average. Ordering the lamb chops got us 7 whole chops that were tasty but inconsistent on tenderness. Truly the best item of the night was the gyro which was literally perfect. The sides also were generous and excellent. The tzatziki, pita, rice, french fries all exactly what they should have been. Ultimately with such an incredible amount of food already, we couldn't bring ourselves to order dessert. The service was attentive and pleasant. Our waitress made a few mistakes and broke a plate but that more of an endearing thing than a drawback. I think if we gave this place another shot, maybe tried different menu items, it might live up to the 5 stars it has here, but for us it was the fact that the meat was not as tender or flavorful as we would expect, and honestly the portions so large that we would have happily paid less (since it's not a cheap place) to get less food (none of us liked the food so much that we were anxious to take it home and have it for leftovers), that left us in no hurry to return. Zorba's is a fairly unique culinary experience with a charming local-feel and you should probably try it, however for us Samos remains the best Greek food we've had in Baltimore.

    (3)
  • Annie G.

    Authentic and classic Greek food for a very good price! We ordered the spanikopita for an appetizer (big portion) which was very tasty. I had the gyro with pork, which was excellent! My sister had the chicken souvlaki and said it was the best she's eaten anywhere. The bill was less than $40 for both of us and we walked out with leftovers. Two thumbs up; people should know that Samos isn't the only good Greek restaurant in Baltimore!

    (5)
  • Em D.

    Not great - in fact, fairly disappointing overall. Service was lacking (e.g. no water refill, slow and a bit rude). Will not return.

    (1)
  • Ben B.

    When you think of Baltimore, a few things come to mind. Crabs. Old Bay. Crime. What doesn't come to mind is Greek food. And it should. Zorba's is definitely not as dirty as some other reviews seem to say. It's small, it's chandelier-free, but it's definitely a nice place to bring together a bunch of friends to have some beers and pig out. The octopus, as everyone else has been saying, is incredible. And there's a lot of it. It may seem pricey, but when they bring out a plate that's essentially a whole octopus cut up, you'll say it's worth it. The lamb chops were the best I've ever had, and that includes the $30 entree places I've been to in NYC. The fat was creamy and tasty and the meat was excellently cooked. I also recommend the pile 'o pork (I forgot the Greek name, just ask for the pile of pork), which you'll see slow-roasting through the window in the back of the restaurant. It was kind of like a Greek pulled pork and all kinds of delicious. Though the prices look high on first glance, a pack of hungry men ate very well for $15 a piece (tip included). So don't be frightened. Indulge, drink some Greek beer and stuff yourself with tasty meats. OH! P.S., roasted potatoes. Any other side order is a wasted opportunity.

    (5)
  • Nick B.

    No bad at all. I got the octopus like everyone has recommended. I really liked it however if you eat a lot of sushi like I do you may feel as though this is a little dry since it is grilled over coals. Still pretty good. Also got the pork that was really crazy amount of delicious charred pork. Check out the pic. My wife got the chicken gyro. Also delicious but what you would expect. The cucumber sauce was better then most. Nice servers. Would recommend.

    (4)
  • Joseph G.

    If you're looking for the new, hip, trendy Greek spot in town with fancy and amazing food - Go to Ouzo Bay at Harbor East. If you want the best damn Greek food in Baltimore (or DC... VA... DE.), Zorba's is your place. Start with the grilled octopus (even if you don't like octopus - YES, it's that freaking good). Next go with the pork, lamb chops, any fish they put on the grill that night, and round it off with the best greek salad you'll ever have. The spot is outdated and a lil dark to say the least - but who cares, it's all about the food, people - THE FOOD INCREDIBALLS!

    (5)
  • Angela L.

    Hands down the best Greek food I had outside Queens, NY! My hubby and I shared grilled octopus and lamb chops. Generous portions, everything just melted in my mouth, friendly staff, lovely Greek music, really laid back atmosphere. I just loved everything about this place. I did my happy food dance even after 2 days later. It's THAT good! I'm going to work at Bayview soon and will frequent this place during lunch! Definitely something to look forward to!!!

    (5)
  • Deborah G.

    Zorba's is a part of the Greektown establishments that provide good food at a good price. The atmosphere is laid back and very simple and there are only white walls and some black and white photographs to decorate the long first floor. And yes there is a photo of Anthony Quinn as Zorba theGreek in the 1964 movie by the same name. When you walk in there is a long bar with the usual drinks and some Greek specialties. After that there are a few tables and a wall with a picture window to view the flaming pit where the grilled meats and fish are prepared. I watched the "griller" prepare flaming pork, huge steaks, chicken and seafood (fish, scallops and shrimp) with splashes of olive oil and plenty of flames. I had a front row seat and watched him manage one order after another like an orchestra conductor guiding the musicians. The others in the kitchen were prepping food, making salads and other orders for the waiting diners. We had a great meal starting with a large Greek farmer's salad that also has romaine lettuce per our request. Otherwise you are served luscious red tomatoes, red onion, green pepper, crispy cucumbers and Greek olives with huge pieces of fresh tasty Feta cheese. The house dressing is a tangy red vinegar and olive oil mixture with some herbs on the top. Our main orders - we all had the grilled Bronzino- beautiful whole fish (with its head off so we don't have to see the eyes) with crispy skin. The insides were perfectly cooked and retained the moistness that grilled fish should have. The sides included average Greek oven baked potatoes (not that tasty in my opinion), Hand sliced Greek circle fries fresh from the fryer (these were delicious till they became cold and somewhat oily), huge servings of broccoli, peas and string beans in a tomato sauce.The waitress also provided a huge serving of fresh tzatziki sauce for the potatoes and our veggies. It was filled with cucumbers and dill and made a perfect topping for the plain veggies on the plates. There was so much on the plate that we took some home for another meal. In closing, the bread is ordinary and so are most of the vegetables but everything on the table is fresh and the portions are large. The fish and the salad are the clear winners. This is some of the best grilled fish in town. I've had the Bronzino at Samos but it is never as tasty or as plump as the fish we had at Zorba's. Our server was great as she was attentive and informative. She provided water and iced tea throughout the meal and served the food as it came from the kitchen - hot and just plated. I plan to return when I need my pescaterean fix as this is as good as if I made it myself on my own grill. The restrooms are upstairs and the women's room looks as if it came directly from Greece. It is actually dirty but it did have paper and soap products for my use. You might want to avoid this if you can or Purell your hands after using. Why not a five star? Well the place needs a good cleaning. it's a third world type restaurant with good food. If they could paint, get some new carpeting and fix the restrooms - this could be a five for sure. And yes get rid of the old Christmas decorations. ,

    (4)
  • Collin M.

    First of all, I love the idea of Greektown. With its many Greek eateries offering nearly identical menus, each establishment is in direct competition with its neighboring restaurants. Therefore, in order to survive, each restaurant is forced to consistently provide high-quality food and friendly customer service. I plan on raising my children in a similar environment. Each of my children will compete for their father's affection based on the quality of their grilled octopus. Failure to provide tender and flavorful octopod will result in receiving no hugs for a month or two. Anyhow, It is clear that Zorba's Bar and Grill welcomes the competition and thrives in Greektown. I love this place. I first sampled the fare at Zorba's via carry-out. I was alone, disheveled and in need of meat cooked over an open flame. I ordered the chicken souvlaki platter and Zorba's did not disappoint. When I returned home with my food, the aroma of the dish quickly filled the my apartment. Before eating, I smartly identified a suitable table-corner in order to assist in performing the Heimlich on myself if need be. You should always be prepared because eating alone can be both depressing and dangerous. The chicken platter is served with rice, a salad and a heaping portion of tzatziki. Although the $14.95 price tag may seem steep, the portion size accurately reflects the price. The chicken was 'kebab-style' and the flavor was great. It was smoky, herbaceous and tender, just as I had hoped. The tzatziki was excellent too. It was cool and tangy and I managed to incorporate it into every bite. The rice wasn't overcooked and was dressed with a nice red sauce. Finally, the pita was delightful. I used it, combined with the chicken and veggies, to make little pita sandwiches. It made me feel domestically exotic. Also, the inside of the restaurant is quant and endearing. It's a pleasant atmosphere and I'd recommend dining-in . Per the trend in today's restaurants, there is a plexiglass window that allows you to peer into the kitchen. You can see a spit brimming with assorted meats and a small man covered in coal. The man was so fully covered in coal it was comical. I had the urge point and smugly exclaim, "Who invited coal man?!" Of course, resisting that urge easy because that statement was unfunny and made no sense. Check this place out, guys. Oh and tell them Collin sent you. The employees won't know what that means, but they will smile awkwardly nonetheless.

    (5)
  • Wendy S.

    I have been to this restaurant twice in the last 2 weeks with friends - already have plans to go back with more friends in a few weeks - no complaints. We sat at the bar both times - the place was clean, the staff very nice making us feel like regulars from the first visit. I had the chicken kabobs - very taste. My friend Sharon got the scallops - I will order that next time - they were the best scallops I had ever tried. Skip the 40 minute wait at Samoas and try this spot - you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Anthony W.

    I love Zorba's. The Lamb Chops were off the hook and the Cucumber sauce was just as outstanding. The green beans with tomato sauce and potatoes were filling and still delicious even as left overs the next morning. My wife is what I consider to be a simple eater and enjoyed the chicken gyro but was upset that the owner doesn't allow lamb gyros as he finds them to be to fast-foodish. Overall a great place to eat.

    (4)
  • Kelly S.

    To start, this is a hole in the wall. I disagree with the reviewer that said some might consider this a scary neighborhood, not at all. Of note, the side streets are incredibly clean (even the allies) which says a lot for the neighborhood and puts it ahead of many places in Baltimore. It's a very plain little place and the tables downstairs are a little jammed. We were seated at the table closest to the bar and that is a difficult spot, as I spent the entire meal being bumped and brushed by the waitresses transiting from the bar area to the table area and that end of the bar is where the staff hangs out so we had a hard time hearing ourselves talk over the conversations they were having. This is a neighborhood place, as described and was definitely a "everybody knows your name" kinda joint with the staff recognizing and addressing the majority of patrons by name; very cozy on that front. On to the food: The tzatziki was as incredible as indicated in other reviews and the pita bread was really good. I liked the tzatziki and pita enough that I could have called them my meal without having anything else. My husband had the lamb chops and his comment was that they were phenomenal and better than he'd expected even after reading the rave reviews by others, and that is a strong statement as he is somewhat of a lamb connoisseur. The vegetable sides (beans and potatoes) were good but not outstanding. The grilled octopus was very good but, while I would have it again, it wasn't amazing. My dish, the chicken souvlaki platter, was very moist and well seasoned. The flavor of the open pit grill suffused the meat and was very tasty, but the rest of the "platter" was lacking. For dessert we had flan and galaktoboureko and they were very good, especially the galaktoboureko. There were no specialty desserts for the weekend as mentioned by another reviewer. The service was very good and out waitress honest. She told us not to have the rotisserie chicken on our first visit, not because it was bad, but because it wasn't special. She also steered us from the baklava because it isn't made in the store and thus drier than it should be. It was refreshing to have her honesty. Bottom line: Very good but a little pricey for what you get. We will go back.

    (4)
  • Alexander D.

    Went to Zorba's for Greek cuisine based on all the wonderful reviews but we're unfortunately disappointed and our stomachs are still paying the price next day. Some of the food came out cold. But more importantly the food was either overly season or not season that all. The lamb which is her claim to fame is cooked unevenly and season disproportionately. I'm not from the area but I have no idea how this place has 4 1/2 stars. Also this is not a cheap restaurant the overall bill without alcohol came to $65 with tip for two people. The only reason for two stars is the fried zucchini which was wonderful. And as far as our stomachs we are still feeling the effects of the unevenly cooked meats. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to a friend, family member or stranger asking if there's a place to eat because he has eaten in three days....

    (2)
  • Frankie J.

    QUICK LOOK: Bring a first date: NO Bring a foodie: Oh, so YES Bring a hoidy-toidy fancy pants foodie: HELL, NO. Service: Hey, can't you see she's hustling? REAL NEIGHBORHOOD Simple, perfectly prepared food in a real Baltimore neighborhood. When I say neighborhood, I mean like "people who have lived there all their lives and work for a living and it just so happens they have this crown jewel in their midst" neighborhood. And for some reason, many people do not understand what that means, from all the prior reviews I've read. If you're from a pristine suburb or from a family that has never financially struggled or THINK you're rich, this is your "scary" neighborhood. Nothing is really new, there isn't a Starbucks in this neighborhood, and people hang out on their stoop. When someone on the street says hi to you, you just keep walking - either due to fear or you don't want them to ask you for money or to get to know you (all of which is unfounded). If you're from a neighborhood like it, or you've lived in one like it, or you know people who do, and understand that not everyone can afford an iPad or iPhone, let alone a place, a car and a family, you realize this is just a working class neighborhood. When someone on the street says hi to you, you say hello back, and say, 'how are YOU doing' - because either your parents taught you give respect when you get respect - or your neighborhood did. NOW, ABOUT THE FOOD Zorba's is a local REAL Greek restaurant that has spectacular, authentic food. I swear if I were not in Baltimore, they were cooking the food in the Grecian countryside, with dried grapevines, and using extra virgin Greek olive oil. I would say TRY EVERYTHING. If you don't like lamb but love beef - TRY the lambchops. Tender, perfect, and plentiful, in one order. Homemade tsatziki sauce. I go there just for that. Fish - bronzini, broiled, on wood, need I say more? It was like it was plucked from the sea, and grilled today. So simple, so tasty with a little sea salt and lemon. Grilled octopus - tender, plentiful and perfect. FINALLY Given all of that, I would always go back - but its not for everyone. The prices reflect the real cost of the food, but it is a neighborhood joint, in a neighborhood, with neighbors. In this case, its a very talented neighbor sharing a talent with the culinary world. Enjoy it.

    (5)
  • Keith W.

    I went to Zorba's on a whim and boy was I not disappointed. We sat at the back table where you literally watch your food being cooked through a window. The scallops looked the best and got great reviews.The grilled octopus and spanikopita was excellent and the lamb was outstanding. I can't wait to go back!!!!!

    (5)
  • Beee K.

    I only had grilled octopus there. It was plenty and good for first several bites, and then I realized that it might have been over marinated a little too much. A lot of pieces were little over grilled, too. My husband liked his chicken gyro, but originally he wanted to get lamb gyro and they didn't have one. Chicken gyro tasted real good, it was like chicken souvlaki. Service was fine. I guess I was little disappointed at their grilled octopus, which I heard they were excellent. I might have to come back and find out more.

    (3)
  • Sunshine G.

    Three days after my meal, I'm still dreaming about the food we had. This place has absolutely blown me away. We walked in around 3.30 pm on a Saturday afternoon, while driving from Boston to DC. We were exhausted and looking for a quick meal...we stayed for almost 3 hours. The service was amazing- they served us food even though they were not officially open, my drinks were refilled even before I finished them and everyone was super friendly. We ate: Grilled Octopus: The best I've tasted in my life, fresh and charcoal grilled for that crispy outside/tender inside taste Roast pork: You can see them roasting it through the glass window in the kitchen. Lambchops: Perfectly seasoned, melt in your mouth morsels of heaven. Complemented by the fresh dollop of tzatziki served with it. I wanted to lick the plate! Grape Leaves: I'm usually not a fan but these were so tasty and delicate Spanakopitas: Layers of flaky pastry oozing spinach and cheese Potato chips: Greek style, deep fried Greek salad: It came with slabs of feta cheese...slabs I tell you! Flan: Not too sweet and perfectly caramelized Some Greek dessert similar to baklava but much, much yummier. Yes, we were a couple. Yes, you can call us gluttons. We ate it all! I cannot wait to be back!

    (5)
  • Christina P.

    Amazing food. Wonderful service. Owner had us sample things for free to make sure we has the best stuff from the restaurant (since we had never been there before). Bartender and owner were both from Greece (different parts) and taught us so much about the area. Wonderful time!!! The dining room could be bigger.

    (4)
  • Megan F.

    My all time favorite restaurant in the entire world. Amazing food and my god father, my father and I have been going for years.

    (5)
  • Parry B.

    DOLMADES, LAMB CHOPS, FLAN...YUM YUM YUM YUMMY! DECOR: This place is kind of a secret enclosure! From outside it is very small and as you enter, you will come across the bar counter that sits 10 people and you may think that there is hardly any place to sit. But the restaurant has another level upstairs that is quite spacious. The interior is simple but clean. FOOD: We ordered the dolmades (appetizer), lamb chops (entree) and cream caramel and baklava (desserts). The dolmades were the best grape leaf recipe I have evers. The lamb chops were very very tasty and was accompanied with rice pilaf and tzatziki sauce. The rice pilaf was not great and I did not like it at all. The Baklava was horrible- it was like a big piece of dry, hard, fried bread with sugar syrup on it that was forcing it to become soft. Contrast to it was the creme caramel that was super delicious with the perfect amount of sweetness. The portions are very good and whatever we had in total was more than enough for 2 people. PRICE: An affordable place depending upon what all you order. The lamb chops were expensive. Avg price is $20-25 per person. SERVICE: The atmosphere is very laid back. There is only one waitress serving all the guests on the top floor. Although she keeps enquiring about the food and tries her best to be quick, she is slow in attending (each glass of water and silverware arrives after 15 mins). My 4 out of 5 ratings are only for the dolmades, lamb chops and the flan.

    (4)
  • Matthew L.

    The restaurant itself is somewhat of a hole in the wall. Think of "the Greek" in the WIRE. (who ironically wasn't Greek). It's two stories. The down stairs is a local bar/restaurant where you may get an outsiders eye on the way in. Go up to the dining room. My rating would be a 4 for the food, but they happen to have a dish I'm crazy about. Zorba's gets the five star rating on one dish alone, the octopus appetizer. I'm not sure I could even do it justice with a description. It changes every preconception of what cold octopus should taste like. OUTRAGEOUS. I've had some other things, most of the dips, the lamb, the gyro, and salad. They were all good, but whatever else you order, make sure to get the octopus. The bottom line is if you are looking for ambiance, go somewhere else, but if you're adventurous, try the octopus.

    (5)
  • Erica M.

    My boyfriend and I went on a date here, and I was excited because I'd heard good things (mainly from yelp). All the sides I got were delicious! But when my main course arrived, I was seriously disappointed. I don't even remember what it was. But the vegetables were raw, the beef was dry and chewy, and the service was abominable. The waiter had to be tracked down for anything we needed, and seemed to disappear altogether for a half hour. It took ages to get the check, and get it back after being charged. The interior was unattractive as well. There was no ambience whatsoever. I remember telling my boyfriend I didn't like the way it looked and wanted to go somewhere else, but he was excited--so I caved. Big mistake. And it was so pricey! Maybe it was a bad day? I don't know. But I won't waste my money here when I know of better places in Greektown.

    (2)
  • Chaka H.

    I would give this place 5 stars if the price of the lamb chops didn't go up drastically! The lamb chop meal is amazingly delicious... you get appoximately 5/6 lamb chops that are succulent and perfectly cooked. The potatoes, green beans, broccoli, etc are all excellent sides... but I'm not sure I'll ever pay $27.00 for a lamb chop meal at this place... actually, I probably won't.

    (4)
  • Brad W.

    Lamb chops yes! Weird Greek mafia people sitting by the bar and giving you the eye... yes! Waitress caring more about gossip than tables... Yes. Food outweighing any drawbacks.. YES!

    (4)
  • Sarah L.

    I have gotten takeout from Zorba's multiple times and have eaten at the restaurant once. The food is really fantastic. If you like real Greek food, you will like this place. The octopus "appetizer" (it's basically a whole meal) is one of my favorite dishes I've ever had. I also love the calamari. They cook both dishes perfectly, not rubbery at all, and the calamari is lightly fried so it's not too greasy. My dad and boyfriend both loved the pork entree, which is cooked on a rotisserie (you can see it in the window to the kitchen area). The lamb chop entree is also amazing. They have a good selection of side dishes as well, and the portions of everything are very generous. I have tried some other restaurants in Greek Town and this by far is the best. It can be a little on the pricey side, but I think it's reasonable for the amount of food you get (and of course, the quality). I do agree with the other reviews that say the restaurant is basically a hole in the wall, but we were seated in the upstairs dining area and it didn't feel over-crowded.

    (5)
  • Benjamin F.

    One of my best friends and I visited Zorba's on a whim. We were both craving Greek food, and I noticed that this had good reviews; we both thought we would give it a try. We sat at the bar with the idea of getting food to go and having a drink or two in the mean time. Our visit started out that way: we ordered food and we each got a drink. She and I were catching up, having a good time and one of the bar tenders comes over with two more drinks, on the house, from the owner of Zorba's (who was sitting right next to us). He introduced himself as John, and he began conversing with us and teaching my friend and me all about his home country of Greece. He was so excited to share with us his background and culture which then led to him raving about his restaurant and the flavorful food it produces. He insisted that we try a few of his favorites: octopus, pork, and lamb. Some of the most delicious pieces of meat I've ever had (it also didn't help that these were also on the house). By the time my friend and I returned to her house, we were too full to eat the food we initially bought. An estimated one hour visit turned into three hours of socializing and sampling new, delicious food. It was probably one of the best nights I've had in awhile. If you love Greek food, you must try Zorba's Bar & Grill! The staff, and of course the owner, were very friendly and made you feel welcomed to both their restaurant and culture.

    (5)
  • Frank G.

    A perfect dive serving grilled meat so good it will make you cry.

    (5)
  • James C.

    The food here is amazing, I can't get enough. I always seem to overeat and wish the downstairs had more seating. Grilled Greek food, the way it's done in Greece, with portions and flavor to die for. The lamb chops and pork are the best in town!

    (5)
  • Laura B.

    All I can say is wow... its like getting cooked for by the Greek grandmother you never had who always thinks your too skinny and need to eat more! This place is great. Huge portions all nicely cooked with simple spices but delicious. I highly recommend the whole fish specials. I got the sea bass, it was charcoal grilled and it was awesome. My husband got scallops. He received a huge portions of scallops. Plan to bring some home leftovers including baklava... made with pistachios. YUM! Great service, decent prices for the size of the portions. We'll definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Ali M.

    I absolutely love this place. I have dreams about the lamb chops, and my husband constantly craves the grilled fish. Servings are enormous, but you will happily eat these lamb chops for breakfast and lunch the next day. Can be noisy when crowded, but the food is still worth it. We stop here whenever we drive from Philly to DC. Kitchen is open late. wait staff is very nice and accommodating for small children.

    (5)
  • Megan H.

    Delicious food. The eggplant salad was tangy and refreshing. The free bread had been briefly warmed on the charcoal grill and was slightly meat-juice flavored (I approve). The grilled octopus was perfect- so flavorful and crispy on the outside, yet still tender. A squeeze of lemon, you're in heaven. And you get a huge pile of octopus, so you don't feel deprived. Went with previous yelp recommendations & ordered the lamb. One of the tastiest restaurant items I've had in a while. Cooked perfectly, so flavorful. 8 grilled lamb chops- an amazing deal. The sides were "eh," (potatoes were tasty, green beans frozen, canned, or overcooked...not good when you can't tell). But who cares about that- you will be so full of grilled yumminess you probably won't have room to finish the sides, anyway. We split all of this (eggplant salad, octopus appetizer, and lamb entree) between 2 people and were still very full. So happy with this restaurant. Can't wait to go back, or take visitors who are sure to love the food. Free street parking after 6pm.

    (5)
  • Dennis K.

    At Zorba's, it's all about the food! If you are looking for fancy decor and what not, then this isn't your place. If you want quiet, head to the upstairs dining room. If you like it loud, then stay downstairs. The grilled octopus, the lamb, the pork, the endives, the Greek village salad, the rockfish (any type of fish, really), these are the stars. If you like authentic Greek food that is charbroiled, then this is the place for you. Generous portions, nice staff, and food to die for!

    (5)
  • Bill B.

    Quite possibly better than Samos, definitely more bang for the buck. It looks like a dungeon from the outside , but the food is superb. The kouvtosouvli and octopus are unmatched anywhere in Baltimore. Next time you goto Samos and have to wait an hour, give this place a try.

    (5)
  • Dave A.

    The food is as good as all the reviews say. The meats are perfectly marinated and grilled and the tzakziki is chock full of garlic. Even our server Christine was great. But I had to knock off two stars because of the decor and the price. My wife had the shishkebab and I had the chicken souvlaki. We didn't have anything but the entrées and the final bill came to $43 which is far too high given the type of food and the plastic tablecloths. Sorry Zorba's, you were great but brutal on the wallet.

    (3)
  • Mike D.

    I think this should be a 4.5 star review, because there are a couple of things about this place that bother me, but overall this is as authentic of a Greek experience as you'll find anywhere that's not Greece. So as not to end on a sour note, I'll start with the bad. First, the prices. What the heck Zorbas? 1) I am eating on a plastic table cloth. 2) The decor ain't much better considering this place probably hasn't changed in decades. 3) This is Baltimore. I don't care if what you're serving me compares to manna from heaven, you simply cannot charge almost $30 for lamb chops or almost $20 for an octopus appetizer (more on those later) with this level of ambiance in this location. Second problem. The sides. They're not bad, they're just everywhere in Greektown. I swear all of the restaurants buy their sides from the same place. Canned greenbeans with chunks of tomatoes, roasted potatoes, rice pliaf. They're the same here as at Acropolis, Ikaros, and even Samos. They're not inedible, they're just, well, cheap. There are a lot of things that I like about this place but first and foremost is THE GRILL. The charcoal-fired grill turns this place from just another Greektown restaurant to something fantastic. You can watch your meal being prepared by an extremely industrious cook trough the giant plate-glass window in the back of the first floor of this place. That grill has magical qualities that imbue anything it touches it with deliciousness. For example, any kind of fish. I have had both the red snapper fillet and last night the whole sea bass off the grill. I have a tough time making grilled fish right. Most restaurant chefs can't get it right either. It's to the point where I don't even bother ordering fish at restaurants, because it's never better than something I could do myself. Not here though. It's flaky, tender, and kissed with smoke. I don't know what it is about this place but they do fish right. And unusually for this place, the whole sea bass was a good value at $21. (But fish that are generally less expensive were also $21, and thus did not constitute such a bargain) Octopus. Best I've ever had in the US. Also gets the grill treatment, along with olive oil and some light herbs. Some pieces are a little too crispy, but the thicker medallions are tender and delicious. Be sure to squeeze the provided lemon on it. It is expensive as I said, but it's a pretty large portion too. Easily shared between two or three people. Lamb chops are juicy and delicious, although I'm not sure the price justifies ordering them. Everyone you talk to about this place loves them, and they are good and cooked perfectly, but I don't think they do anything particularly outstanding to them to justify the rave reviews. Quail. Ordered it because I was there having some ouzo one night, and it was one of the cheapest entrees on the menu. Surprisingly good. It too comes off the grill. It tastes something like unsauced buffalo wings, but, I would imagine, is much healthier. Downside to eating this tiny bird is its tiny bones are kind of distracting. Finally, what sets this place apart from the other Greektown restaurants is the atmosphere. Actual Greeks eat here. Make your Saturday night dinner a late one. After 10 or so, the lights are dimmed and the music is turned up, and if the planets align and the crowd is just right, the ouzo starts flowing like water (goes down like it too) and a good old-fashioned bouzoukia will break out, complete with raining cocktail napkins and shouts of "opa!" You will be dragged into the aisle by a Greek woman and shown how to dance as in the old country. So, all told, Zorbas has a lot going for it. I just wish they'd invest some money in renovations, or lower the prices, and move away from the same tacky, tired sides that everyone else serves. That said, even with the high prices, it's still cheaper than a plane ticket to Greece, and I don't think you'll find a more authentic experience without buying one of those.

    (5)
  • Charlie E.

    Best Greek food in Maryland, hands down. Best grilled octopus I've eaten in America. Get the Zorba Fries, extra crispy.

    (5)
  • Brian Y.

    Great food and great value. The upstairs is a nice dining room. For the food, it seems pricey at first but you get a large large portion for your money. The servers are friendly, conversational and attentive. The kababs, chicken and saganaki are great dishes to try to start. Have heard wonderful things about the lamb

    (5)
  • Maria M.

    What a great find! It doesn't look much from the outside, but they have a second floor which makes everything better =). So.. the bread and butter is free. The bread is soft, and so is the butter -so it spreads nicely to the bread. We started off with the eggplant salad which is this light grayish mush that doesn't look much, but tastes great. It's for dipping - for your bread, just in case you don't like butter =). The other appetizer we got was the grilled octopus in olive oil. Just squeeze some lemon on top and it's perfectly amazing. It's chewy, but not rubbery chewy so it's very easy to eat, without feeling like you have to chew it 500 times before you can swallow it. For the entree I ordered the lamb chops... best ones I've ever tasted. It's $20.00... but there's 8 pieces!.... I don't know many places that have 8 pieces of lamb chops for that price... plus, it tasted delicious. Very juicy and cooked just right. The boy got beef on skewer and though it didn't taste as great as the lamb, it was definitely pretty decent. Along with the entrees, you get two pretty sizable sides... the peas, I can live without, but the fries and the green string beans w/ tomatoes were excellent. The people are nice and they try to make sure you have a wonderful meal. Bottom line: I would definitely put my money on it that you will like this restaurant if you like greek food =).

    (4)
  • Karen H.

    Dinner here with friends from the area recently was a blast. Crowded with locals, you know as soon as you enter that it's going to be a fun night. The waitress was great - personable, funny and knowledgeable. A previous review mentioned $27 for lamb chops but this is a plate to share or take half home for the next day's lunch. We wanted to try some of the sides, having heard how good they are, but be warned: they are huge also. Order a couple to share with the table. I had the pork and it was ravishingly delicious. We could watch the chefs preparing sides of pork and lamb in the kitchen and knew it would be a good as it was. The tzatziki sauce with the lamb was almost the best part of the meal. Small wine list with some good Greek wines. Downside? Too much food to even consider dessert, but with food this good, who cares? Go. Eat.

    (4)
  • Marc H.

    This is my first experience with "Greektown" in Baltimore and it did not disappoint. I went this past Sunday night for dinner and overall had a very tasty meal. We started off with the eggplant salad app and the grilled octopus app. The eggplant was very tasty, with a nice garlicky kick to it, but I wish they served it with fresh pita or something instead of the bread basket they give you when youre seated. The grilled octopus was FANATASTIC! I highly recommend you order this if you go... wow. For my entree I had the grilled lamb chops, which were extremely delicious. The side dishes (green beans and potatoes) were just average but not bad. The two other people I was with got the chargrilled sea bass and the grilled shrimp, both of which were very good. Overall, I had a great meal and would definitely return. The decor is craptacular, so if you care about things like that then maybe this isnt the place for you. Apps and entrees were great and the side dishes were meh. Bottom line, go.

    (4)
  • Bethshan M.

    Food was not typical Greek cuisine....Wish we had tried something different - octopus was chewy and tough, snapper was ok - but over cooked...charred to much...

    (2)
  • Andrew K.

    My favorite greek restaurant was a 45 minute wait on Saturday night so I decided to try out Zorba's. The outside looks like it's a tiny place but there is a bar and some tables on the first floor when you enter and the second floor has several tables. We started off with the eggplant salad which you dip with bread and it was really good. The second appetizer we got was octopus and it was amazing. It was grilled and covered in olive oil and it wasn't too crunchy or chewy but had the right texture and tasted great. I got the beef on skewer for my entree and it was good but what was even better were the lambchops. For $20, you get 8 lamb chops! I've never been to a restaurant that gives so many lamb chops and it tasted really good. I would come back to order this again. It comes with tzakis white sauce and you get a choice of 2 huge sides. I'd go with the french fries, oven roasted potatoes or the string beans. The peas weren't that good. Anyways, I was stuffed and really happy after eating here and I'm going to order those lamb chops and octopus again the next time I come here.

    (5)
  • bb k.

    In the mood for authentic Greek food, we listened to Sun food critic Richard Gorelick and made a reservation at Zorba's (totally unfaithful to our HIghlandtown standard, Ikaros). WHAT A MISTAKE. The restaurant was out of chicken and three of the fish selections of the day. And the traditional dishes were absolutely awful -- from the spanikopita, to the dolmades, to the moussaa --- all just awful. What a disappointment. Sorry Zorba, you are one and done.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes

Categories

Greek Cuisine

Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.

Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.

For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.

Zorba’s Bar & Grill

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