The Taverna at The Marina Mindarie

There’s no need to pack your passport for a little Greek island atmosphere this summer. Taverna at The Marina Mindarie has become our new favourite spot for a relaxed afternoon, with Greek-inspired share plates, chilled rosé and cocktails beside the pool.

The décor is beautifully done and really does transport you to Greece. Whitewashed walls, bright blue accents, woven pendant lights and pots of greenery create a lovely Mediterranean feel. Even the entrance makes an impression, with a white archway opening onto a timber walkway lined with hanging lamps. Add blue-and-white striped cushions and a sparkling pool, and it’s easy to slip into holiday mode.

Taverna is an entirely outdoor venue, although the majority of tables are undercover. There’s a choice of seating, from cushioned armchairs around low tables to dining tables and high stools near the bar. If, like us, you prefer a proper chair with a backrest for a leisurely catch-up, it’s worth keeping this in mind when choosing your spot.

The pool is the centrepiece, with sunloungers along one side and striped beanbags on the lawn. You don’t need to be planning a swim to appreciate the setting. We were quite happy settling in with a drink and enjoying the atmosphere.

There was live music during our visit too, with a singer and acoustic guitar adding to the relaxed afternoon mood.

For an extra touch of holiday luxury, you can hire a poolside daybed and settle in with a chilled rosé or cocktail. Each daybed accommodates up to four guests, with a minimum spend of $100 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, or $200 from Friday to Sunday. The full hire fee becomes credit to spend on food and drinks, so you can enjoy a few Greek share plates while making the most of your poolside spot. Bookings open four weeks in advance.

If you’re getting a group together, the poolside cabanas offer a little space of your own. Each accommodates up to eight guests, although there’s seating for five. The minimum spend per cabana is $100 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, $150 on Fridays and Sundays, and $300 on Saturdays, with the full hire fee available as food and drink credit.

Both daybeds and cabanas are reserved for a maximum of two and a half hours, with an additional time slot required for a longer stay. You can reserve up to two daybeds or two cabanas per booking.

The reasonably priced menu lends itself to sharing, which is just how we like to eat on a warm day. Our selection included tzatziki with warm flatbread, golden fried haloumi and keftedes, the Greek lamb and beef meatballs. We really enjoyed the food and it was served quickly.

There are plenty of other tempting options, including olives, whipped fish roe dip, garlic potato and almond dip, Greek salad and crispy fried calamari. If you’d rather have something to yourself, the gyros features charcoal-cooked pork shoulder with warm pita, tomato, onion and chips. Chicken, prawn and grilled eggplant souvlaki offer further choices from the charcoal grill.

A chilled rosé feels right at home here, but the cocktail menu is worth a look too. Alongside familiar favourites such as an Aperol Spritz and espresso martini, there are Greek-inspired drinks featuring ouzo or mastiha, plus mocktails if you’re skipping the alcohol.

With its thoughtfully styled surroundings and easy-going poolside atmosphere, Taverna is a lovely choice for a long lunch or an unhurried catch-up with friends. It’s a little taste of a Greek summer, right here in Mindarie.