I had a chance to try Symposium Greek Restaurant last Saturday after my cousin's ordination at Saint John's the Divine. My aunt treated a whole group of us; a party of twelve. Rather than ordering from the menu, my cousin preordered a bunch of small plates for everyone to share, like family style. The plates I sampled were The Symposium with pita, Mousaka, Potpourri of Greek, salmon, gaganaki (fried cheese), and filet of sole. I enjoyed The Symposium and Potpourri of Greek the most. I had also enjoyed the baklava for dessert As a visitor, I liked that restaurant was very clean, but had the warmth of a ma and pa establishment. The hosts/waiters were very cordial and welcoming to our large, loud party. They seemed really grateful and personally congratulated .my cousin's achievements. It wasn't filled with obnoxious tourists and touristas. The other diners looked like they were residents. Hey, if I lived in the city, I would be there often too because I would want to support a business who cares about their customers. read more

My department went here for our holiday party/dinner and it was a very fun time. The owner/manager type guy was super cute and friendly, and makes the experience feel like you are in a restaurant out of a classic NYC movie. It is definitely one of those neighborhood places where if you go there a few times, he will remember your name. The food was decent. It wasn't the best greek food I had ever had, but the atmosphere really added an extra layer of fun to the whole equation. Some dishes were noteable: Their eggplant dip was super delicious, and the bread (good bread really matters!) was soft, hot, and delicious. They have a spinach rice dish that my boss ordered and it was super yummy. The tzaziki was really really good, nice and tangy. All up, I will definitely be back. read more

A large group of us went here for dinner one night. Instead of being seated in the front dining room we were lead (through the kitchen, if memory serves) to a second dining room in back. I like to think of this as the VIP treatment. Anyway, the staff was very accommodating and we practically had that rear dining area to ourselves except for another small party. I had a tough time deciding what to order (par for the course) b/c everything on the menu sounded so yummy. I ended up going with the moussaka (no, not moose kaka) b/c I like it and I kind of think it's a good reference point for judging Greek food. Well, the moussaka rocked. If I had a Greek grandmother, this is how her food would taste, i.e., not trying to dazzle, just letting you know she cares A LOT. Overall, we were extremely happy with the meal and service and had a great night because of it. Definitely will be back. As far as I'm concerned, Symposium is a real M'side gem. Opah! read more

So there was a fair amount to complain about after my visit here: - My meal tasted like it was microwaved and covered in cheap cheese, and the rest in my group had lamb shiskabob which was so salty it was practically inedible. - Shrimp was overcooked as well. - Octopus was the chewiest I have ever eaten. - Red wine tasted watered down. The service was OK, but the food was trash. Go to Elias Corner in Astoria... read more

I like going to Symposium for at least three reasons: Quirky but fun interior decoration. It has always appeared to me as if they haven't changed a thing since maybe the early 70's...and I hope they never do because it's part of their charm. (Though, I was very surprised to see that they changed the design of the former nearly impossible to read menus. I always felt that trying to decipher the old ones was part of the fun of going there.) The service is friendly and welcoming, and most importantly, the food is very good and offered at very reasonable prices. It's the perfect Upper West Side super-casual neighborhood spot! The menu is quite simple and offers all the standard Greek fare. I love the shish kabob. It's always flavorful, tender and cooked exactly to my requested preference, and the moussaka is Greek comfort food supreme! All of their starters are excellent, too. One of my favs is the taramasalata served with warm pita bread. If you are looking for a tasty, inexpensive and casual lunch or dinner on the UWS definitely checkout Symposium! read more

The hubster and I came here after a long day. A heavy set man with bushy eyebrows screams 'OOmpa!' while flourishing a dish with orange flames to a table near the kitchen. Loving the presentation and hearing great things about the flaming cheese, we ordered the saganaki (broiled Greecian sheep's milk cheese). Then I nervously began edging myself towards the wall, in anticipation of hot fat from the cheese and flames shooting out of the dish. The dish comes out with a shout and the flaming saganaki. In my eagerness to extinguish the flames with the lemon wedge, I squeezed too hard and the juice spurts all over my husband's coat, the leather seat next to him and half of his face, with only a few drops falling on the dish. He manages to extinguish the flames and we dig in. The outer layers were browned and had a crunch to it and the innards looked tasted like melted mozzarella with slightly salty nutty flavor. We also feasted on Potpourri of Greek Foods sampler and Gyro platter. For the gyro platter, the best part was the tzatziki with the beef gyro: the cool cucumber dip contrasted well with the salted broiled beef. The potpourri was a medley of Greek food: roasted beef, Pastichio, spinach pie, a potato casserole, a side of rice, greens (okra, green beans, peas) roasted potatoes, and two meatballs. I enjoyed the Pastichio the best: the ground beef was flavorful, well salted with hints of thyme which complimented the eggplant and the tomatoes. It was rich, moist, sweet and savory. The food here is good if you order the Greek specialties and you enjoy traditional Greek food. Come hungry. Expect a hearty meal and bring loose pants. (I made the mistake of wearing newly washed jeans and man- they made eating a little uncomfy). read more

So back when this kid I know was trying desperately to win me over, he was being all smooth, trying to wine and dine me, claiming that he was going to take me to Symposium for a plate of flaming cheese. Myeh. Whatever. Flash forward four years. That kid successfully wined and dined me after all, and guess where he took me for dinner for our four year anniversary? To Symposium! And, after all these years, he finally bought me that plate of flaming cheese. Jeez, THAT took long enough. Ha! Symposium is truly an old school joint in virtually every meaning of the term. Established in 1969, you can tell these walls have some stories, and virtually all of the older staff has likely been here throughout the duration of its time being open. A large communal table is the showcase in the center of the room, with old-school booths lining the sides; these are the kind of booths that you don't want to it in during the summer for fear of your thighs sticking to them. (Ha!) The service was friendly, shouts of "Opa!" abound every time a plate of flaming cheese came out to a table. When ours came out, the avuncular waiter warned me to tie my hair back and armed me with a plateful of lemon wedges to extinguish the fire! The food was excellent, and the flaming cheese was as wonderful as the beau claimed it would be. The lemon on the heated exterior was magical. Think queso fundido, but more citric with pita bread. It's so fantastic! The menu, though artistic, was actually a bit overwhelming to read; since "chicken gyro platter" stood to me, I went for it. He went for the traditional gyro platter. Both were delicious, though my chicken was a hair on the dry and fragile side; nothing that a few spoonfuls of their excellent tzatziki sauce couldn't fix! I'm glad the beau kept his promise after all of his years and got me my flaming cheese. Ha! This place is definitely a one - of - a kind spot! read more

I think it is a little hit or miss. Maybe you have to know which dishes to get. The cheese on fire was tasty (and cool! haha). I remember one time the side veggies looked like they were out of a can. I like the gyro. The restaurant owner is usually there chatting with people. It has character. read more

A cute restaurant tucked away on a residential street ... you feel a bit weird walking off Broadway and the sea of restaurants in the area, but then, there it is. The food was pretty good ... I liked the mousaka better than the souvlaki, but they were both good. The galaktoboureko dessert was fantastic. The service really stood out here, and really added a lot to the dinner. Just remember when putting out the flaming cheese, the lemon wedges can be slippery ... one shot out of my hand and nearly bopped the woman at the next table. Very dangerous. Or, more likely, I'm just clumsy ... read more

This place made me feel like I'd stepped into either a time machine, a teleporter, or both. You've still got it, New York. The gregarious host, Tasos, is an integral part of the experience. The poor guy had heart surgery shortly before my visit, so you'd better get in while he's still in tip top shape. Let him tell you stories. Ask about his cat. He's a great guy, and you couldn't ask for a more authentic Greek server. First, when you get in, do yourself a favor and order the flaming cheese. Do it. OPAAAA! We went for lunch, so they'd just opened. When the bread came out, the fresh-out-of-the-oven smell drove me crazy waiting for something to dip it in. As I only had the one visit while I was in town, I ordered the potpourri sampler to try as many different foods as possible. (Warning: this is quite sufficient for sharing between two meek eaters.) Least favorite part was the meatballs, which were still good. The spinach pie was pleasantly sweet and flaky. I think my favorite was the mousaka. It was like Greek beef lasagna with some kind of crack spices in the meat. read more

This is a Morningside Heights "staple," and one of the only places here that serves decent food (others: Community and Taqueria y Fonda). I'm not sure if the theme is a nod to the "Great Books" Core Curriculum or not, but if so, it's a nice touch. You can't go wrong with anything here, but let me recommend this appetizer dish that's basically a bunch of greasy cheese that comes out on fire! You go WTF and get scared, but then the fire dies down and you eat it and it tastes delicious. I've always loved the pasta with meatballs and any of the gyros. Atmosphere is very relaxed, and you can talk a long time with your friends. I once talked to a dude here while he drank 3 pitchers of beer. (My straight-arrow self just sat there, totally awed.) What's not to like? Get out of Plato's Cave and go eat! read more

They have a seriously cute menu. I mean, it's seriously cute. The food, though... well, it's okay. There's a good selection of salads, and they even offer a traditional greek salad (called the "Peasant Salad"). I wasn't impressed with the freshness or texture of the produce, however, I got the "Greek Salad", and the iceberg lettuce in it was actually bitter. Bitter! Also, strangely, the feta cheese was in two huge logs on the salad rather than in the more traditional crumbles or pieces. However, the challenge just added to the appeal. The servers are very friendly and responsive. read more

It's a pleasant enough inside and the people are friendly. But the food... oh god. I've been twice now: the first time I got one of the spinach pie type things and it was bland and boring, overcooked and mushy. So last time I went I thought I'd try something a little simpler: the Symposium omelette. Pretty hard to fuck up an omelette. What I got one one of the most dispiriting things I've ever been served: a blob of burnt fried eggs mixed with some dill and spinach slop, garnished with a boiled potato that was brown from oxidization. Boiled potato garnish? It's hard to imagine a worse plate of eggs. Why anyone with any pride would serve such a thing is beyond me. However, the appetizer plate of hummus, tiramosalata etc. is quite good. read more

Great food, great service, reasonable price. The restaurant is welcoming and they make you feel like a family. The delivery service is quick. read more

the changes to the gyro platter have been so upsetting. the new owners really messed up with that one. you only get a tiny bit of rice, no salad or potato anymore! and the fries came with PARMESAN on top. at a greek restaurant! disgusting. read more

Homey and delicious, feels like a neighborhood(/Columbia) favorite, and a great respite from pretentious restaurants. I recommend going on a Sunday night and ordering the peasant's salad (I think that's what it was called). read more

Symposium is classic, old-school, and delicious. I don't usually use the word "unique" to describe restaurants because I quite frankly think it's trite and not especially revealing. With Symposium, however, I am at a loss for words other than "unique," from the charming service (our waiter drizzled oil and vinegar over the salad table-side) to the understated bohemian decor to the cartoonish, handwritten menu. Warm pita, spicy tzatziki. Try the superb spanakopita--a really generous slice. Nowadays, there is almost nothing like the timeless dining experience you'll enjoy at Symposium. That...that's unique. Pro-tip: Pay cash and receive 10% off your bill. read more

This place screams "authenticity". The food is awesome. The atmosphere is wonderful. The service is friendly. The sangria is abundant. Flaming cheeses are constantly flying around the room. The Symposium appetizer can really serve as a meal in itself, and all of the dips are so addictive that every time I go there with a group we always end up ordering more. The octopus salad is great, as are the gyros. The place is homey and festive, and great for group gatherings and parties. When it's slow, we've had some really great and hilarious conversations with the manager about Greece and international politics (if you're into that kind of thing). read more

Once upon a time, when Greek places like this were plentiful in NYC, they may have been taken for granted. Now, they are precious assets, to be loved and respected for hanging in there amid all the ^&*( we now call affordable dining. This place is the bomb! From the taramosalata with warm pita, to the classic Hariatiki salad, to the moussaka, you will find nothing better to warm your heart at a reasonable price. The staff is warm and welcoming, and its proximity to Columbia University lends a fun, youthful buzz to the place that's not obnoxious or hipster. The portions are generous, and everything tastes fresh. Make it a point to visit if you love Greek food, even if it's out of your way. read more

Casual dining in a restaurant with bright lighting where you could perform surgery on those tables. Score for ambience: 0 They were preparing for a large party from the Renaissance performance, so getting a waiter to actually "wait" on us was an issue. We actually had to get up and ask to be waited on twice. Score for service: 0 They had a very interesting menu in terms of how it was presented. Even with the bright lighting it was not easy to read. We had the traditional spinach pie (spanakopita), tzatziki, Lamb shank with rice and green beans that looked and tasted like they came out of a can. The lamb shank was tender and tasty with interesting spices. Score for Food: 3 I won't put Symposium on my list of favorite Greek restaurants. read more

Symposium - The menu - Greek Near Me - New York, New York

A pleasant find while exploring the Columbia undergrad campus with a friend. Good atmosphere. The menu was also very interestingly designed. I had a Chicken Saganaki, which was pretty good. Chicken pieces were boneless and tender, and the cheese complemented it pretty well. It also came with rice and stewed green beans. I also tried their gyro, which was solid. their Eggplant Dip, which was one of the better ones I've had, and I love baba ghanoush. The good: Good Mediterranean food. All the meat was flavorful and tender. Friendly atmosphere, too. the portion sizes were good as well. The bad: none to report. The meh: Pricing was a little more than I'd have expected to pay. read more

My friend and I meet here for lunch about once a month. Love the friendly service, and the lunch prices are reasonable ($10 per person, including tip). From the lunch menu, I prefer the platter of yummy dips and pita bread (the eggplant dip is really delicious), the moussaka (heavy, but I take half home and eat it for dinner), and the chicken dish. Symposium has a homey quality that we really like. Comfortable, no pretensions. Nice change from a lot of NYC restaurants that try to be something they're not. read more

Symposium is a homey Greek restaurant with a pleasant staff and generally good food. The pita bread is out of this world GOOD and plentiful. Greek salad is a good starter, although it doesn't deviate at all from the ubiquitous Greek salad it's good nonetheless. Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie) was also a very good starter. As far as entrees you can't go wrong with the gyro or souvlaki; again these aren't the best gyros I've ever had but they are more than serviceable. The one issue I have is the question of sanitation; on one occasion I saw a mouse there (in fairness that was a couple years back and I haven't seen one since). The ambiance does leave a bit to be desired but it's still a cool place to share a meal with some friends (like I said it's homey and the incredibly kind staff makes you feel like a part of the family). I recommend Symposium to anyone near Columbia U. looking for some affordable and good Greek food! read more

Never really thought of going here until a friend and I decided to pop in for a glass of sangria early this year. Ever since, we've had a weekly Symposium sangria tradition. The amounts keep increasing too, we've gone from 2 people and a glass each to maybe 7 or 8 and three to four pitchers every time. The place is wonderfully decorated. I wouldn't call it traditional Greek but it's different, for sure. The menu is also weirdly nice, absolutely no other way to describe it. The staff are friendly but my favourite aspect of this restaurant is the owner, who walks around personally refilling your water, asking if everything's good, recommending dishes while dissing others (he once helped me choose between two dishes because he made a face and said 'frozen' when I suggested it). Also quite touchy, his hands linger on your shoulders. Not in a creepy way though. We've also obviously had a chance to sample some of the food. The flaming cheese appetizer is very tasty, and the way it's presented is cool. The owner comes out of the kitchen with the flames two to three feet high and says "OPAAAA" in a very loud voice, so the entire restaurant pays attention. It doesn't get old. The souvlaki is decent, nothing special but also can't fault it. The sangria is (obviously) delicious, I could subsist on nothing but sangria if I had to. The appetizer pita bread is free, bottomless and delicious and finally the gyro platter is filling, perhaps a bit too filling. I could hardly move afterwards. All in all, a great place to go for lunch, sangria and casual conversation. Nothing fancy but a nice place for a chill date too. read more

Pretty solid greek food, great decor (the paintings and ceiling are awesome!) and the nicest old greek men in the world. Their apps are my favorite--great sakanaki and sampler platter and dips--i love the taramosalata (which does not taste anything like what you would imagine fish roe would taste like--i hate fish roe but i love this dip!!) and the the garlic skordalia. The eggplant and tzatziki dips are also terrific. Their pita is the warmest, softest, most heavenly vehicle for these dips. Their gyro and greek salads are also great choices--i just wish they would pit the olives so you don't have to spit them out at the table! Very reasonably priced, a much better bet for dinner than most of the places on broadway. read more

I love this mom and pop Greek restaurant and first ate there 10 years ago when I was a student. The food and desserts are still homemade and delicious. Great service, reasonable prices, great flavor. I recommend Potpourri and Symposium platter! read more

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I'm obsessed with Greek food, so when my friend suggested Greek food, I was definitely in. Plus, our host was an adorable little Greek man - absolutely loved it. I had the Moussaka - so good. It was also delivered super quickly, which was great since I was in a hurry. The menu is a bit hard to read since it's so full, but the host will tell you everything you need to know. The Symposium is also absolutely delicious - enough for a meal for one or an appetizer for four. There's also unlimited pita bread with the dips - which makes my tummy so happy. I'd come make the trek back up here whenever - and next time I'm so ordering the flaming cheese. I WANT TASOS TO SCREAM OPAAAA! -1 star simply because the vegetables on the side of the Moussaka seemed like canned vegetables. But it was totally okay because everything else was so fun and delicious. Plus, Tasos managed to move a booth when two of us couldn't. It was hilarious - two girls who work out constantly couldn't move a booth but an old frail-looking Greek man could. Ridiculous and brilliant. read more

Having recently graduated law school, I'm on a Morningside Heights spree, and consequently, have been writing some really bitchy reviews. Symposium is no exception. Terrible! Can't even ONE restaurant step up its game? An uninspiring (and entirely illegible) menu, bland food, and tough meat. The crew is always friendly enough, but I could never talk myself into going more than once every 6 months. Next please. read more

Super friendly waiter! He was such a doll. I absolutely adored him. He's pretty old and I think he runs the place but make sure to make conversation with him! Small place with lots of seating. Don't haev to wait much at all for food to come out. Got the flaming cheese and lamb shishkabob. Flaming cheese was awesome, and spritzing lemon juice to extinguish the flames was fun. The complimentary pita bread that came with it was soft yet not soggy. The lamb dice came with rice, veggies, and potatoes. All very good. But I do have a few complaints: flaming cheese got really cold/hard really fast and water pitcher is a disaster waiting to happen (there's no way to avoid spilling water). Otherwise, I had a very pleasant meal for slightly above average prices. Awesome vintage cash register, equip with crank! No American Express. read more

Very good place with a solid value-for-money menu and a pleasant atmosphere. My recommendation is to opt for meat or Moussaka; they also have a sample platter of most signature dishes -- highly recommended in larger parties. Overall, a good place to hang out and to mix it up after "same old" on Broadway & 100s. It falls one star short only because there's no Greek staff at all so there's no one to talk to about the dishes' history / background. Overall, a very positive experience. read more

Stopped in for lunch midweek. My friend had the Greek omelet which seemed dry. I had the pastitsio which was below par. The mixed veg side dish was better. Busy at lunch with locals from the campus. Inexpensive. Hopefully other menu choices would impress. read more

Went here with a group of friends. We had the The Symposium Mixed Appetizer Plate, Lamp Chops, Stuffed Filet Of Sole, Mezedakia, Salmon, Alagreco, Kebab, and Gyro Platter. Out of the dishes, I had the appetizer plate and the Stuffed Filet of Sole. My favorite part of the entire meal was the Taramosalata which is a fish roe dip. The Stuffed Filet of Sole was flavorful but dry. The staff is extremely nice and helpful. I would probably go here again and try some other dishes. Everyone else enjoyed there meals except for the kebabs. They chicken was also dry. I would say, stay away from the chicken dishes and try everything else. read more

Came here as part of a large gathering, so this is a review for that sort of thing. We were seated in the back of the restaurant in a nice area. The menus were pretty substandard however, artistic BUT extraordinarily hard to read. Food prices were also a little on the high side. The food itself was alright, but you can find the same level of Greek food elsewhere at a lower price point. read more

Very cute, old-style , mom&pop Greek place! The menu is a little difficult to read.. but it definitely has character, and if anything.. makes your experience at Symposium more of an adventure! Our waiter was very helpful and joked/flattered us, making us feel very at home at his place. We ordered the Mousaka (pretty good), and Chicken Gyro Platter (not THAT impressive, but good!). Perhaps we should've ordered different thngs that were recommended on Yelp, but I thought this place was aiite. Because of how friendly they were, though, I want to give them another try, so I'll be back! read more

Symposium has been one of the mainstay restaurants during my time in the Columbia community. It's the first restaurant in New York which ever left me feeling a sense of family, and the staffers personally welcome me each time I come in. Especially the manager, Dousis, is very friendly and knows how to work a crowd of people. As for the food - it's very good, and much more authentic than the "New York, NY" Greek restaurant my family goes to in Vancouver (surprising, eh?). My favorite part is the flaming saganaki (cheese) which they bring out with a verbal burst "OPPAH!". This was a new experience for me, when I first came to NY, because Canadian law prohibits flaming food in the dining environment. For new comers I recommend the chicken or lamb gyro platter. Over time I've become very partial to the chicken a la greco. There lunch special is very reasonable, about $8 for an entree Monday-Friday. Highly recommended. read more

One of the most delicious Greek restaurants! My wife and I love to go here and share plates of the Greek dips appetizer, Shwarma gyro and the warmest, softest pita bread. Highly recommend this place for anyone visiting the Columbia University area! read more

Literally the best Greek food I've ever eaten. Especially the pita, which was the tastiest pita I've had in my life, hands down. Soft, fluffy, seasoned well, and addicting. The decor is cozy, the staff is SO kind and attentive, our food came out quickly, and the iced coffee and Greek coffee are both amazing. I told myself I would try not to return to restaurants I've already visited since there are so many restaurants in NYC that I want to explore, but I'll have to break that rule for Symposium. read more

Good service, nice food, and affordable prices. Love the greens in the gyro platter and their vinaigrette was amazing! It's a must try at this place. read more

Symposium - Gyro platte highly recommend ed - Greek Near Me - New York, New York

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Not as impressed by Symposium as I'd like to be. I brought a big group of visiting prospective students here last spring. The owner was very friendly and super accommodating to a group of twenty. He was so sweet and helpful when it came to ordering and figuring out how to pay the bill. But the food was altogether disappointing. I had the lamb gyros platter, and the meat was dry and tough. The baklava for dessert was fine but nothing special. Try Hungarian Pastry Shop or Samad's Gourmet for better baklava in the neighborhood. I had never heard of Symposium before I went, despite being a student here for over a year, and there's a reason. Ambiance is quaint and the owner is friendly, but the food is not good. read more

Yelp totally captured my sentiments on this with, "meh." I've been twice, and each time I've left wishing I'd gone somewhere else. In the restaurant's defense, my friends seem to love it, but I'm just not feeling it. There's a freshness that draws me to Greek food that's lacking here, in the mousaka in particular, which was just kind of mushy and bland. Very monochrome. Although, from reading other reviews, it seems like the salads are the way to go, and I still want to see this garden. Maybe next time. read more