Of all the restaurants dotted around Aireys Inlet, family-run A La Grecque might be the only one with enough gusto to hold its own in the big smoke.

The Talimanidis family have been in the restaurant game for more than forty years. That experience is apparent in the menu, which is full of seasonal dishes that riff heavily on their Greek heritage. It’s lovingly-inspired and consists of the kinds of dishes the Talimanidis’ yiayia (grandma) would make on summer holidays; fresh filo pastry rolled out with a broom handle for spanakopita, fresh-caught sardines grilled over hot charcoal.

It’s all fresh and simple, centred around Greek staples of fish, chicken and lamb. But if you’re stuck choosing, go with the chef’s selection. It rotates with the seasons, and may include dishes such as grilled whiting, flathead, or kefalograviera (a traditional hard Greek cheese), a char-grilled Porterhouse from the Otways, a rack of lamb, or the signature spanakopita. Vegetarians can always fill up on mezze and proper moussaka.

If the sun’s out, grab a spot on the verandah. There’s an open fireplace to warm the dining room in the colder months, too. And if you’ve got kids, they’re welcome to entertain themselves on the lush lawn while the adults revel.